PENDLE Hippodrome has long since adapted to changing fortunes and tastes, from the days of cine-variety and silent movies to the ‘talkies’, amateur dramatics and even bingo.

As supporters of the theatre have just celebrated its centenary, Lancashire Telegraph reporter Peter Magill finds out what foundations they will be laying to secure its future in the next 100 years.

AN extension to the Edwardian entertainment venue the Pendle Hippodrome, with the purchase of the former Derby Arms Hotel, will offer fresh opportunities to the performers of Colne, Nelson and Burnley.

Kevin Mason, the Hippodrome’s chairman, said: “We had some funds set aside for the building when the old pub became available.

“Previously we had looked at building an extension to the rear of the theatre but this potentially gave us so many opportunities.”

Not least the fact that the redevelopment would make the building in New Market Street, Colne more inclusive, as the plans are to create a new level entrance, using the original Derby Arms front door, to allow wheelchair access.

Under the scheme the box office would relocate to the former hostelry and builders could ‘knock through’ to the Hippodrome next door, with a short staircase and chair lift bridging the gap.

Mr Mason added: “This would also enable us to create a link between backstage and ‘front of house’, which we’ve never had before.

“We would probably look to keep part of the main bar, as part of a new foyer, and then look at what we can do with the rest of the building.”

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Upstairs the former living accommodation for generations of licensees could easily lend itself to anything from a performance space to a studio or function room.

Even some of the attic boltholes, which once served as smaller rooms when the Derby Arms was a functioning hotel, are perhaps capable of being transformed for a profitable use.

Like any working theatre, space is always at a premium and currently the main bar at the old Derby Arms is being used chiefly for storage, with newly-constructed sets for upcoming productions propped up against the bar, awaiting deployment.

Mr Mason said: “We have just finishing off some important roofing work on the old pub, for which we we received a £5,000 grant from the Theatres Trust.

“Often we are quite lucky, as we’ve got people able to carry out electrical, plumbing and building work among our volunteers so this is one of the few times we’ve had to have anyone in.

“We are now fundraising to refurbish the former pub and are probably around 80 per cent of the way there.”

When the original theatre closed in 1978, it took eight solid years of careful campaigning to relaunch the Hippodrome and board members recognise the size of the task ahead.

One of the perils of theatre management is keeping the coffers filled, which is why the annual gift fair, at the end of November, is just as important as the many productions which open there each season.

And for the first time in several years, the Hippodrome was a host venue for the Great British Rhythm and Blues Festival, welcoming the British Stage.

Some of the feedback, especially from some of the veteran blues aficionados who were pleased to see acts in such an historic setting, was very positive, according to Mr Mason.

In December alone the Hippodrome has seen a charity film night for Community Action Nepal, Basics Theatre Company’s Shooting Stars arm present Take Me Back and ‘A Musical Christmas’ courtesy of Pendle Youth Orchestra, Colne Orpheus Men’s Choir, Nelson Civic Ladies Choir and the Hippodrome’s own youth theatre.

And looking ahead, final preparations are already underway for a four-night run of Elf Jnr, The Musical, by the youth theatre, with the Mr Pennine bodybuilding competition booked for April. Mr Mason added: “Everything we do here is through the efforts of volunteers. but it’s still about getting bums on seats.”