Blackpool Matcham Montage

Posted on February 19, 2009 by Shades

This took a while to upload so consider it the day’s blogpost.

Hover for captions, click for a bigger one etc.

We started off in the Tower Circus.

Looking towards the west, i.e. towards the sea frontThe view to the south, towards the aquarium. The band is above the ring entrance.Looking towards the north. The ballroom steals a chunk of the balcony on this side.Above the ring. Beyond are the pits for the tower lifts. More trussing up there than last time I came.Architectural detail on one of the tower legsBoxes in the north west leg. There is a control room diagonally opposite and the other two legs have walkways. (The original lift counterweights are reputedly still in the north east leg).Wall detailAn artiste warms up on a mat in the ring. Note the water holes beyondProbably a ventilator of some kind on the ceilingA small glimpse of the ironwork under the fibrous plaster.The party in the silver room, so named after the silver scale model of the tower complex. Vanessa addressing the crowd.

We then moved on to the Tower Ballroom.

The Tower ballroomOne of the six ceiling muralsCeiling muralBalcony front brackets and small electroliersMore balcony front sconcesCeiling muralAnother view of the first balconyOne of the balcony light fittings, stamped for the amusement of someone.One of the large electroliers, viewed through a gap in the gallery seating block.First balcony ceiling, south side.Ceiling muralCeiling muralThe 6th ceiling muralCeiling lightingReal crystal, I'm sure.

Moving on to the Chinese room, then the Grand Theatre…

pagoda details above an alcove.One of the masksAnother maskPainted out detail at ceiling level, highlighted with flashVanessa (left) with the theatre historianThe proscenium arch at the Grand. The twelve lozenges represent the months.View from back of upper circleOne of the two electroliersCeiling detail above the proscenium archArch and ceiling from the front of the upper circlegrand7The recreated seating (slightly wider than the originals)Another viewview from the upper circle slips, showing the relationship of the balcony frontsNote the supporting column for the balcony cantilever systemThe ceiling viewed from belowStained glass detailglass2stained glass detailThe British Rail glass, originally in doors in a demolished Blackpool Station

We then moved on to the Winter Gardens, but that is another story.

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2 Responses to Blackpool Matcham Montage

  1. I Albion says:
    February 19, 2009 at 9:21 pm

    The only thing that’s missing is the phantom,i bet he is up there somewhere,waving his chandelier

  2. Shades says:
    February 22, 2009 at 3:49 pm

    The phantom didn’t play organ music that you could dance to though.

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