EMPIRE THEATRE IN BRIGGATE

BLAKEY · Post by **BLAKEY** » Tue 25 Mar, 2008 9:13 am

Many Leeds "Loiners" like me will still weep at the memory of the public destruction of this wonderful theatre after its closure. The magnificent frontage was torn out completely into Briggate, from where the sad remains of the glorious interior could be seen by everyone. The only entertainment now on that site can be had by sauntering around Harvey Nichols and enjoying viewing the prices !!Take a nostalgic trip back in time though, and have a look in the little cross arcade opposite the old Mecca - at the small back door to Harvey Nichols. Just look up a little at the preserved red brickwork of the beautiful 1900 development and there, embossed in the bricks, you can still see those magic words "EMPIRE PALACE."The Empire was one of a chain of fabulous variety theatres nationwide which were calledl "Moss's Empires."

edgey2001 · Post by **edgey2001** » Tue 25 Mar, 2008 11:21 am

Hi Blakey, I'm sure you've seen this site before, but it has some interesting stuff about the Empire and other theatres in Leeds.http://www.arthurlloyd.co.uk/Leeds.htm.

fevlad · Post by **fevlad** » Tue 25 Mar, 2008 11:44 am

BLAKEY wrote: Many Leeds "Loiners" like me will still weep at the memory of the public destruction of this wonderful theatre after its closure. The magnificent frontage was torn out completely into Briggate, from where the sad remains of the glorious interior could be seen by everyone. The only entertainment now on that site can be had by sauntering around Harvey Nichols and enjoying viewing the prices !!Take a nostalgic trip back in time though, and have a look in the little cross arcade opposite the old Mecca - at the small back door to Harvey Nichols. Just look up a little at the preserved red brickwork of the beautiful 1900 development and there, embossed in the bricks, you can still see those magic words "EMPIRE PALACE."The Empire was one of a chain of fabulous variety theatres nationwide which were calledl "Moss's Empires." breakfast in Harvey Nicks on a saturday morning is great.my memories of the empire are being taken to the pantoomime as a kid, invariably starring Ronnie Hilton, nat jackley and our Eli.

BLAKEY · Post by **BLAKEY** » Wed 26 Mar, 2008 1:34 pm

edgey2001 wrote: Hi Blakey, I'm sure you've seen this site before, but it has some interesting stuff about the Empire and other theatres in Leeds.http://www.arthurlloyd.co.uk/Leeds.htm. Many thanks indeed for that prompt, as I had not seen the site before and it brings back many happy memories !!

edgey2001 · Post by **edgey2001** » Wed 26 Mar, 2008 1:42 pm

Its strange that thers no mention of the old Theatre Royal on that site either. The only things I can find are a few pics on Leodis.org.

BLAKEY · Post by **BLAKEY** » Wed 26 Mar, 2008 2:10 pm

edgey2001 wrote: Its strange that thers no mention of the old Theatre Royal on that site either. The only things I can find are a few pics on Leodis.org. Strange indeed - the Theatre Royal was a fabulous place - Francis Laidler's famous pantomimes, with those courageous girls of the Flying Ballet soaring out over the audience and dropping flowers - and Harry Hanson's Court Players for repertory. We're very lucky to have enjoyed those wonderful times.