OT- WIGAN RITZ/HIPPODROME/ABC

[styxmike]

Had a bit of a sad moment last week, as I was having my lunch break sat in the town centre. I was watching the machines pull down one of my favorite buildings, the old cinema/theatre here in Wigan ,The Ritz (or ABC, or Hippodrome). This magnificent old theatre once hosted concerts from all the big stars of the 50s and 60s like The Stones, Buddy Holly, Clif Richard, all the merseybeat bands and many many more, including THEM (see my post on intros)
I worked there at weekends when I was at school, and later full time when I left, until it closed in 83. It briefly reopened a few years later but it wasn't the same, soon closed and has been derelict since
I always hoped that someone would restore her to her former glory, so that we could have our own concert venue (instead of travelling to Liverpool or Manchester) and that Styx would one day play there
How ironic I was playing Paradise Theatre on my ipod, ahh well

heres a link to the live webcam (they have just pulled the front off)
www.grand-arcade.com/webcam.htm

[SuiteMadameBlue]

It's very sad how once beautiful theaters have seen the wrecking ball!!

Thanks for sharing and also the webcam.

It looks like it's raining there. Does it always rain over there??

[styxmike]

oh yes, plenty of rain
and today is one of the better days

[SuiteMadameBlue]

Hopefully you can make it here over in the States!! We'll give you a lot of sunshine, well maybe in California or Florida. It's just a fluke here in Wisconsin that we had such beautiful days lately.



I hope you have a great day!!

[bugsymalone]

I was watching the machines pull down one of my favorite buildings, the old cinema/theatre here in Wigan ,The Ritz (or ABC, or Hippodrome). This magnificent old theatre once hosted concerts from all the big stars of the 50s and 60s ...

The movie house stood in silence as I said my last good-byes

Her silver screen was stained with memories

As Cagney shot them down

And as I watched I was that hero

In dreamlands lost and found...
---Dennis DeYoung

Bugsy

[sadie65]

It is sad that these glorious old places are beind razed. Only to be enjoyed in our memories and some archive somewhere. Such is "progress" I suppose...