Description: The Theatre Royal on Lord Haddon Road. This was Ilkeston's first purpose-built theatre, designed by W. Dymock Pratt of Nottingham and opened in 1895. Its first owner was H. Vincent Clarke but it did not last as a theatre for very long. Conversion to a cinema came in 1911, firstly as Vint's Electric Picturedrome until 1916 and then as The Coliseum up to 1927. In the latter year it reverted to being called the Theatre Royal, but only until 1930. The 1895 building was then rebuilt in Art Deco style as the New Theatre (see DCER001379) which showed films from 1931 to 1963. After that the former cinema saw use variously as a bingo hall (until 1982), and then as a religious establishment and a carpet warehouse. It was finally demolished in 1990 and a nursing home constructed on the site. Although the original of this image is very badly damaged, it has been included here because of its historic interest. Close examination reveals two poster boards advertising a performance of "Tom, Dick & Harry", but it has not been possible to ascertain whether this was a play or an early silent film.