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Bingo Hall History - The Shrewsbury Granada - Part 2

From Theatre And Cinema To Bingo

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The former stage was often used for live shows, more so than at most cinemas, with a mix of professional tours, pantomime and also musicals from the local Shrewsbury Amateur Operatic Society, who would regularly fill the theatre. The Shrewsbury Granada was particularly successful within the circuit for pantomimes. From the end of the Second World War, lavish productions would feature some of the biggest stars of the day – Rosemary Squires and Eddie Calvert in "Mother Goose" (1960), Joe Brown and the Bruvvers in "Aladdin" (1963). Some of the pantomimes were presented on ice, with the stage converted to a huge ice rink, Sleeping Beauty on Ice (1955) and "Cinderella on Ice" (1956/7) being two examples. The last panto at Shrewsbury starred Dick Emery and Sid James in "Babes in the Wood" in 1964. The D’Oyly Carte Opera Company visited for the week commencing 21 September 1959. Some of the major pop bands also took to the stage at the Granada, including the Beatles in February 1963, and The Rolling Stones in January the following year. The stage measured 72 feet wide behind the proscenium arch which is 41 feet in width, the depth of the stage was 30 feet at the greatest point, and there was a orchestra pit in front, and slightly under the stage. It now has, like many former theatres turned bingo halls, accommodation for players in the form of tables and chairs, who are close to but behind the caller.

The view from the back of the circle

The closure of the cinema in 1973, in favour of bingo, was fiercely contested as the Shrewsbury Granada was still a profitable cinema. At this point in time there were still more film admissions to the Granada (198,853), than bingo admissions at the Granada owned Century Bingo Club (180,279), however the profits of the two buildings were reversed with bingo comfortably outclassing the cinema operation. Planning went against Granada at first, but on appeal the Granada was granted a bingo licence, following a petition from the Century Bingo Club (who would be moved to the Granada). Accordingly at the end of March 1973 the last film ("The Valachi Papers") was screened.

The decorative grills in the wall arches

To appease cinema-goers it was proposed that the roles of the Granada and Century would be switched and that the Century would be converted to a two screen luxury cinema to join the towns Empire (also owned by Granada) giving a greater choice of films. However it was then reported that structural faults existed in the Century and the plan was dropped.

A view from the balcony of The Grenada

Scheduled shows by the Operatic Society to celebrate their Golden Jubilee had to be either scaled down or cancelled when Granada stopped live shows at the theatre in preparation for bingo usage, which caused some ill will at the time. "The Gondoliers" was presented at the 500 seat Music Hall Theatre whilst "Kismet" was considered to be too large a show for the smaller venue and was scrapped.

The exterior of the Shrewsbury Gala Bingo - The Grenada
The exterior of Shewsbury Gala Bingo - The Granada

Stage and television comic Dick Emery returned to Shrewsbury to open the Granada Bingo and Social Club on 17th April 1973 and the game has continued ever since, although the name was changed to Gala in 1991. The building is much loved by staff and players, offering a taste of grandeur in which to enjoy the game. It was listed as building of historic interest in November 1995.

Gala Bingo Club,
Castle Gate,
Shrewsbury,
SY1 2AG.
Tel: 01743 351252

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Bingo Hall History - The Shrewsbury Granada - Part 2

From Theatre And Cinema To Bingo

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