About 100 people have been given a rare glimpse inside the Queen's Theatre in Burslem after it stood closed for 28 years. The theatre, which opened in 1911, has been at the centre of ambitious plans to bring it back to life as a new entertainment venue.
Barry Green, a former member of local punk-indie band Cock's Entry, was among those to step inside the building for the first time in years. He once performed on the theatre's stage and said the experience was unforgettable.
"Being able to play there was a privilege," he said.
Green was struck by how much of the building had survived decades of neglect. The ornate auditorium remains largely intact, with the balcony's original wood, steel and velvet chairs still sturdy. The ceiling has remained in good condition following reinforcement with steel cables prior to the theatre's closure in 1998.
"I expected pigeons in the rafters, but the ceiling is in good shape," Green said. "The structure looks great, far better than what I expected."
History and Notable Performers
The Queen's Theatre spent decades hosting plays, concerts and community events. A young Robbie Williams appeared as the Artful Dodger in a production of Oliver! in 1988.
The building's original purpose was dual, serving as a theatre alongside council chambers and offices. In its later years, boxing promotions were held at the venue.
Plans for the Future
Campaigners now hope to transform the theatre into Kilmister Halls, a new entertainment venue honouring Motorhead frontman Lemmy, who was born in nearby Burslem.
Under one set of plans, the bar could be turned into a rock memorabilia museum. Upstairs, a studio space known as the Princes Hall could potentially become a music recording studio. The building also contains a hidden courtyard in its centre.
Lindsey Glover, now a volunteer at Lemmy's Lounge — a community bar set up to support the project — remembered working behind the bar during boxing promotions towards the end of the theatre's operational life. "It's an absolutely beautiful building," she said. "They don't make buildings like that anymore."