Liverpool Olympia is situated next to The Grafton Ballroom on West Derby Road, Liverpool; it was built in 1905 as an indoor circus. The Olympia has had many names, and seen many different uses; most of which are very difficult to find any amount of information about.
History
The Liverpool Olympia was built in 1905 For Moss Empires Ltd by architect Frank Matcham as a purpose built indoor circus and variety theatre. The theatre was a response to the enormous success of the Royal Hippodrome Theatre (4000 capacity, built 1902, demolished 1984) which stood a very short distance away; the Olympia never managed to meet the success of the Hippodrome.
It is one of very few (if not the only one) if its kind left in the country. The animals would appear in the auditorium on a by being lifted from the basement where they lived. Evidence of the lift mechanism and living areas for elephants and lions can still be found under the theatre. The roof space still holds pulley, and wheel mechanisms used my trapeze artists (including the famous Henderson family). The ornate interior still reflects the buildings past with elephants, lions and set into Indian Panelling. The auditorium is one of the largest in Liverpool; in its heyday it could accommodate 3750 people in the stalls and on 3 balconies. The unusual proscenium stage was at the same level as the stalls, with an orchestra riser against the back wall. The stage had a 15meter wide Proscenium, was 12 meters deep, and had a height of 21 meters. The theatre was purchased by ABC theatre company, and converted into a Cinema in 1930, and was used up to the Second World War in 1939. Throughout the war, the Olympia was used as a Naval Depot. After the war, the Olympia did not re-open and was sold to Mecca in 1948. The Olympia was converted to a Ballroom, and was renamed the Locarno. The Locarno was the converted into a bingo hall between 1964 and 1982 before being closed and re-opening between 1987 and 1990.
Today
The Olympia reopened in the 1990s, and after substantial renovations is currently used as a venue for all kinds of events including boxing, dance showcases, and music concerts. The Olympia is owned by the same company as The Grafton Ballrooms next door.
