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
*encourage and carry out research into his life and work
*visit theatres by other architects in the UK
*appreciate great theatre architecture on our foreign visits
*publish a regular Newsletter with news and details of visits
*publish an annual Journal with more in-depth articles.

Membership is open to everyone interested in theatre architecture at £20 for single membership and £25 for joint membership at the same address. Click on the link below and post your membership application.

The 2015 calendar is now available with photos from the Frank Matcham Society visit to Le Marche earlier this year. In full colour and only £6 including postage. For information about ordering see the Newsletter or tap or click here.

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.

Brighton Hippodrome 2006

BRIGHTON HIPPODROME - WHAT NOW?

Vue are not proceeding with the plan to operate an eight screen cinema. They have informed local campaigners that the landlord for Brighton Hippodrome does not intend to pursue the development plan. It is unclear whether this is the existing owner or a new one and what, if anything, is a replacement proposal. Wisely, the Our Brighton Hippodrome has already asked to meet the remaining known stakeholders, including English Heritage, the Theatres Trust and Brighton & Hove City Council, to discuss a collaborative way forward toward a restored performance venue to benefit the cities cultural status and local economy. See their statement on Facebook here.

Previously...The Stage reported that over 100 figures from the Arts world signed an open letter of protest to Brighton & Hove City Council, Vue Cinemas and Kuig Property Investments against the proposed partial demolitions of Matcham's II* listed Hippodrome; see it here. Fund raising events are taking place in Brighton; details on the Our Hippodrome website here. These will support the campaign vision for the Hippodrome - read it here and be excited by their ambition for the city and the region.

No effort should be spared in protecting and finding a fully sympathetic new use for such a great survivor.

The Theatres Trust, amongst many including the Frank Matcham Society, does not believe that the original developer's plan to divide and demolish this unique national asset had been properly thought through or that the reasoned objections by the local campaigners had been given the careful consideration that they are due. Tap or click here to download the OBH Viability Study for a thoroughly researched response to the present situation in Brighton.

That a local campaign can demonstrate this depth of knowledge requires nothing less than a full re-examination by the city administration.

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.

Please sign the online petition now that the situation has become perilous. It is essential that all those concerned for the future of this significant Frank Matcham live performance venue pledge your support now. Keep it Alive.

Brighton's cultural treasure must not join those that they have already lost for yet more restaurants and shops. The proposal of an 8-screen cinema and new retail units is not the answer for a work of architecture of such national importance. The Hippodrome demands a far less invasive treatment. The Society is concerned at the failure of local and national government to appreciate the value of live theatre and the UK's built theatre heritage.

> Mark Price Theatres Trust - skip to 02 09 00 on iPlayer here.
> Join the big names supporting the campaign here.
> See the Theatres Trust main objections here.
> Local Our Brighton Hippodrome campaign objections here.
> Frank Matcham Society planning objection letter here.

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.