Northern Ireland Screen's Digital Film Archive is a free public access resource for teachers, students, historians and anyone who has an interest in moving images. Spanning from 1897 to the present day, the films in the Digital Film Archive cover all aspects of life in Northern Ireland and includes everything from dramas to documentaries, newsreels and features, animation to amateur footage.
This film is part of Free

The Empire Theatre
Join UTV as they make a tour on the last night of the Empire Theatre. Meet the staff and see the stage that transformed entertainment in Belfast.
From the collection of:

Overview
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.
Related

Food for Thought Food for Thought
Advert 6 mins Location: Belfast
Hangry animals demand better grub in this bizarre advert by E.T. Green

Kennedy's Bread Kennedy's Bread
Advert 1960 0 mins Location: Belfast
This family favourite is guaranteed to have you singing all the way to the bread bin

Launch of the "Celtic" Launch of the "Celtic"
Non-Fiction 1901 1 mins Location: Belfast
Seawards heads a great ship, the biggest of its day

Belfast Street Scenes 1890's Belfast Street Scenes 1890's
Non-Fiction 1898 2 mins Silent Location: Belfast
A view down the High Street featuring the Albert Clock, a shot of Queen's Bridge and the docks

Disabled Access in Belfast City Centre Disabled Access in Belfast City Centre
Current affairs 1981 20 mins Location: Belfast
Join Belfast’s first female Lord Mayor and reconsider how disabled people navigate the streets of Belfast.

Talking Telephone for the Deaf Talking Telephone for the Deaf
Current affairs 1976 7 mins Location: Belfast
Witness Northern Ireland’s first telecommunications device for Deaf people

Alexandre Desplat (Masterclass) Alexandre Desplat (Masterclass)
Inside Film 2011 33 mins
Over 30 years and 150 projects, the composer shares, with humour and passion, the intricacies of making film music.

Ian Neil (Masterclass) Ian Neil (Masterclass)
Inside Film 2012 74 mins
Neil selected soundtracks for 127 Hours, Shame, Kick Ass, Control and many more. He discusses the job and its complexities, referencing his own work.

Screenwriters' Lecture: Peter Straughan Screenwriters' Lecture: Peter Straughan
Inside Film 2012 mins
Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy's adapter reveals his quest for "the poem of the book" and the importance of simplicity: 'Drain the pond to find the fish'.

Gabriel Yared on composing for film Gabriel Yared on composing for film
Inside Film 2013 11 mins
Composer of The Lives of Others, The English Patient and Betty Blue on intimacy and experimentation.

Lois Burwell on movie makeup Lois Burwell on movie makeup
Inside Film 2013 17 mins
Lincoln, Braveheart and Magnolia make-up artist Lois Burwell explains how she created some of her most iconic looks, as part of a BAFTA Masterclass.

Barry Ackroyd (Masterclass) Barry Ackroyd (Masterclass)
2013 61 mins
British cinematographer of The Hurt Locker, Captain Phillips, Hillsborough and Riff Raff reviews the art of the moving image.