The Alexandra Theatre on Blonk Street

[RichardB]

THE ALEXANDRA THEATRE

Blonk Street Sheffield, Opposite the Victoria Train Station

Picture circa 1900. Thomas Youdan opened this 1865 (on the site of the Adelphi Music Hall); featuring grand opera and pantomime (presumably not at the same time !). Seated 4,000, demolished 1914 when the road was widened.

A History of Sheffield - David Hey

[RichardB]

The rear of this building is probably more interesting than the front ! The backstage was built on girders over the River Sheaf (viewed from Exchange Street in 1913).

Alex was demolished in 1914 to make Castlegate, the Sheaf was culverted.

From Central Sheffield - Martin Olive

[ceegee]

There is a bit more information on the Adelphi and some of the acts on

http://www.chrishobbs.com/sheffield/hendersons.htm

[SteveHB]

The rear of this building is probably more interesting than the front ! The backstage was built on girders over the River Sheaf (viewed from Exchange Street in 1913).

Alex was demolished in 1914 to make Castlegate, the Sheaf was culverted.

From Central Sheffield - Martin Olive

Im trying to get the perspective right here by looking at the photo, does that place the theatre where the Alexandra Hotel (ph)

now stands?

The building in the far left of the photo looks like Royal Exchange Buildings (hancock and lant) on ladys bridge.

[Sheffield History]

This is just awe inspiring 

The weight of the theatre sat on those column legs must have been enormous!

[Oldbloke]

On 9/23/2007 at 13:36, SteveHB said:

 

Im trying to get the perspective right here by looking at the photo, does that place the theatre where the Alexandra Hotel (ph)

now stands?

The building in the far left of the photo looks like Royal Exchange Buildings (hancock and lant) on ladys bridge.

 

[Sheffield History]

Picture of The Alexandra Theatre, and next door the Smithfield Hotel on Blonk Street

[Sheffield History]

A clipping about The Alexandra Theatre with a funny anecdote about an elephant!

[Sheffield History]

The rear of The Alexandra Theatre in Sheffield showing how the building was held up over the river. Absolutely crazy construction when you think about it but they did it, and it seemed to work!