Mexborough and Swinton Times, May 6th, 1932
A Mexborough Theatre
Once-Popular Playhouse For Sale
Palmy Days Recalled
What is to be the future of the Mexboro’ Hippodrome? Next Thursday it is to be offered for sale at Leeds, along with Rotherham Hippodrome and Dewsbury Empire. It will be a tragedy if Mexboro’ loses its only playhouse.
The Prince of Wales’ Theatre, as it was originally called, was built in 1893 by the late Mr. G. H. Smith, of Mexboro, and mainly financed by the Livesey family who at that time, and for many years previously had a travelling theatre called the Paragon, which wintered in Mexboro’. “Grand fashionable performances” were billed in that small theatre, which was “well built, perfectly dry,” and had “warm fires,” according to the announcements.
The first manager of the “Prince of Wales’ Theatre” was Mr. F. G. Venimore, a scenic artist who painted with the assistance of Mr. W. H. Melton, of Mexboro’, the whole of the scenery. For a short time afterwards, the theatre was managed by Mr. Gus Livesey, whom Mr. Melton succeeded. Mr. Melton held that position for 18 years, and under his guidance it became one of the most popular playhouses in the district. It was untouched for many years by competition, and most of the principal companies on the road at that time performed within its walls. It can almost be said that all the “stars” of the legitimate stage of ten and twenty years ago, and also several of the present day, appeared there.
In 1903 the theatre was taken over by a local syndicate with the late Mr. G. H. Smith as managing director. The other directors of the company were Mr. Walter Turner, founder of “The South Yorkshire Times,” Mr. H. Hardy, Mr. Walter Nicholson, Mr. Amos Thompson and Mr. George White, with Mr. Melton as lessee and manager. Mr. A. Barrett, secretary, and Mr. Wood, auditor. The theatre became more popular and satisfactory dividends were paid. The property was leasehold and the company decided to purchase the freehold from the Montagu family. This was done at a cost of £1050. In 1910 the interior of the theatre was remodelled. A new balcony was put in; the whole of the inside refurnished and redecorated, and extra dressing-room accommodation made under the pit. Two years later the hall was sold to Messrs. G. E. and G. H. Smith, of Dewsbury, the present owners, who changed its name to the “Hippodrome.”
It was not until two years or so ago that its popularity definitely waned, and in that period the theatre has been closed for several periods, the severe trade depression in the district being given as the reason. Many new plays have been produced for the first time on its stage; new revues and shows which have been popular have made their debut there.