Frank Matcham Society

The Frank Matcham Society

The Society was set up following the centenary of the Wakefield Theatre Royal in 1994. Our members come from all over the U.K. and abroad. We aim to visit and develop links with all the surviving Matcham theatres and to encourage and carry out research into his life and work. We also visit theatres by other architects so that we can appreciate great architecture wherever it may be.

We publish a newsletter quarterly which has articles, news and details of coming visits. Membership is open to everyone interested in theatre architecture and the current rates are £19 for single membership and £25 for joint membership at the same address.

Click here for the membership form in PDF format to download and print.
If the form does not open properly download the PDF Reader here.

CALL FOR ACTION - BRIGHTON HIPPODROME - THEATRE AT RISK

Sign the ePetition here and make your objections known.

This is the most important of Frank Matcham's works no longer in beneficial use and listed Grade II*, putting it in the top six percent of all listed buildings in the UK. No effort should be spared in protecting and finding a fully sympathetic new use for such a great survivor.

The recent reported proposal of an 8-screen cinema project is interesting, but not the answer for a work of architecture of such national importance. The Hippodrome demands a far less invasive treatment. The Society are watching developments with concern.

See the developer’s full proposals on their website here.
See our Brighton Hippodrome photos on our gallery page here.
There is a Facebook campaign here.
See the illustrated Hippodrome history at the Arthur Lloyd website here.

Following the release of the Theatres Trust Theatre Buildings at Risk Register 2013 (TBAR), which can be viewed here, there has been comment in the press about the threat to the Brighton Hippodrome, amongst other theatres. The Brighton Argus, which broke the original story, has an update here, the Independent has a piece here and The Stage voiced industry objections here.

Also write to the Brighton Argus, Argus House, Crowhurst Road, Holingbury, Brighton, BN! 8AR or email: letters@theargus.co.uk and make your thoughts known. There is not much time; the developer expects to submit plans in December 2013.

For more Frank Matcham Society and Theatre news click here...

We are grateful to our Patrons
Ken Dodd OBE and Prunella Scales CBE & Timothy West CBE
for their support of the Frank Matcham Society.

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