The Empire Theatre

The Empire Theatre opened to the public in 1894, now join the staff on the last day before the doors closed permanently in July 1961. These rushes from the UTV Archive feature poignant interviews with Sam Thompson, James Young and Nan Stirling who began serving in the Empire in 1915.Watch out for a glimpse of the orchestra pit where one Christmas conductor Leslie Beresford fled to the back of the theatre terrified by the sight of an elephant doing a handstand looming above him.

In 1927 The Empire Theatre became the first theatre in Ireland to broadcast live from the stage. During the Blitz it only closed for one night due to damage during an air raid however WWII took its toll in other ways as cross continental shows became impossible. It staged ‘Over the Bridge’ by Sam Thompson playing a key role in this controversial turning point in Northern Irish theatre. Written in 1959 the play explores sectarian tensions in the shipyards. When the Ulster Group Theatre withdrew the play a fortnight before the opening resulting in a wave of resignations in protest, the play’s director James Ellis took it to the Empire Theatre. The building was finally demolished in 1965 and is now a shopping centre.