- Marina Theatre
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Coordinates: 52°28′N 1°45′E / 52.47°N 1.75°E
The Marina 
The Marina TheatreAddress Marina Road City Lowestoft Country England Architect Ernest Runtz and Co. Owned by Waveney District Council Operated by Friends of Marina Theatre Group Charity Trust Capacity 751 Type Proscenium Opened 1878 Reopened 1988 Years active 1878-Present Rebuilt 1901 and 1930 Closed 1984 Previous names The Rink Theatre Current use Active www.marinatheatre.co.uk The Marina is a theatre and cinema in Lowestoft, Suffolk originally opened in the Victorian era. The venue has an auditorium seating 751. It plays host to celebrity touring acts, films and runs its own production company known as The Lowestoft Players.
The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra has been resident at The Marina since 2005[1][2] and the theatre has seen performances by acts such as comedians Michael McIntyre[3][4] and Ken Dodd and actor William Roache.[5][6] Actor Owen Woodgate was booed on stage whilst playing Prince Charming in Cinderella following derogatory remarks he had made about Lowestoft on Twitter.[7][8]
History
The Marina began life as a skating rink and was converted to a theatre in 1878 by architect R.F. Brett. In 1901, architect Ernest Runtz was hired to rebuild the theatre, using parts of the existing structure.[9] The Marina was largely rebuilt once again in 1930 by architect Francis Burdett, and re-opened as a cinema by Associated British Cinemas. It was closed in 1984 and eventually purchased by Waveney District Council in 1988.[9] It reopened in October, 1988 almost four years after its closure.[9]
The theatre was threatened with closure again in 2010 due to financial pressures on the council.[1][6][10] In March 2011 the council handed over management to the Friends of the Marina Theatre for a period of 15 years whilst retaining ownership of the building.[1] A charitable trust will run the theatre from July 2011 once trustees have been established.[11] A total of £150,000 will be paid by the council to support the change in management for 4 years.[1][12]
References
- ^ a b c d "Marina Theatre trust takes over Lowestoft venue". BBC News. 2011-03-23. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-suffolk-12834370. Retrieved 2011-04-22.
- ^ "Prestigious orchestra to return to Lowestoft". Eastern Daily Press. 2010-04-02. http://www.edp24.co.uk/news/prestigious_orchestra_to_return_to_lowestoft_1_479227. Retrieved 2011-04-22.
- ^ "Michael McIntrye sells-out at Lowestoft". Lowestoft Journal. 2009-04-24. http://www.lowestoftjournal.co.uk/news/michael_mcintrye_sells_out_at_lowestoft_1_510452. Retrieved 2011-04-22.
- ^ "Lowestoft date for comedian Michael McIntyre". Eastern Daily Press. 2009-04-17. http://www.edp24.co.uk/what-s-on/lowestoft_date_for_comedian_michael_mcintyre_1_712096. Retrieved 2011-04-22.
- ^ "Lowestoft date for Corrie actor". Eastern Daily Press. 2007-06-13. http://www.edp24.co.uk/what-s-on/lowestoft_date_for_corrie_actor_1_703623. Retrieved 2011-04-27.
- ^ a b "Ken Dodd backs the call to save the Marina Theatre". Lowestoft Journal. 2010-12-03. http://www.lowestoftjournal.co.uk/news/ken_dodd_backs_the_call_to_save_the_marina_theatre_1_744859. Retrieved 2011-04-22.
- ^ "Prince Charming panto actor booed after slating seaside town on Twitter". The Telegraph. 2010-01-04. http://www.telegraph.co.uk/technology/twitter/6927890/Prince-Charming-panto-actor-booed-after-slating-seaside-town-on-Twitter.html. Retrieved 2011-04-22.
- ^ "David Lister: Prince Charming turns panto villain". The Independent. 2010-01-04. http://www.independent.co.uk/opinion/columnists/david-lister/david-lister-prince-charming-turns-panto-villain-1862431.html. Retrieved 2011-04-22.
- ^ a b c "Marina Theatre". Cinema Treasures. http://cinematreasures.org/theater/19949/. Retrieved 28 January 2010.
- ^ "Council considers future of Marina Theatre in Lowestoft". BBC News. 2010-02-07. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/suffolk/8502790.stm. Retrieved 2011-04-22.
- ^ 'Become Lowestoft’s Marina Theatre trustee', Eastern Daily Press, 2011-05-25. Retrieved 2011-05-25.
- ^ "New era for Lowestoft’s Marina Theatre". Eastern Daily Press. 2011-03-23. http://www.edp24.co.uk/news/politics/new_era_for_lowestoft_s_marina_theatre_1_839469. Retrieved 2011-04-22.
External links
Categories:- Theatres in Suffolk
- Cinemas in England
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