The Shows Will Go On

When I captured the original panorama back in 2009, I had no idea it would eventually become a historical document. At the time, I was simply documenting an extraordinary space: a tiny, magical theatre that held a spot in the Guinness Book of World Records.

Fast forward to 2024, and the 15-year gap tells a more somber story. After the original owner retired, a local college was allowed access to the theatre before falling into a period of neglect. Between the simple passage of time and a small fire, this once-vibrant space had been left in a heartbreaking state of disrepair.

However, the story didn't end there. A dedicated group of locals came together to resurrect the theatre. During the restoration, my 2009 panorama became an invaluable reference, helping the team recall the original layout, the placement of fixtures, and the specific palette of colors that once defined the space.

In this latest view, we jump forward another year to see the results of their incredible hard work. While the original murals couldn't be saved, the iconic proscenium arch and stage remain. Years of grime have been replaced by polished wood and fresh paint. The seats have been beautifully re-upholstered, and the old "blue sky" ceiling has been transformed into a crisp night sky. (Hint: Look up—the constellations are astronomically correct!)

Since reopening, the theatre has seen a string of sell-out performances. It has hosted everything from Santa’s grotto to its very first intimate wedding. After a long period of silence, it is wonderful to say that, here, the show truly will go on.

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Previous Panoramas

• From the Fire a Phoenix Will Rise, October 2024
  
• Between Performances, September 2009

Europe / UK-England

Lat: 52° 6' 43.451" N
Long: 3° 20' 45.142" W

→ maps.google.com [EXT]

Precision is: High. Pinpoints the exact spot.

Taken with a Nikon D300 and a Nikkor 10.5mm f/2.8G fisheye lens. Mounted on a Nodal Ninja 5 panorama head and R-D16 rotator atop a Manfrotto 055XPROB tripod. 5 bracketed shots (-2 -1 0 +1 +2) taken at 6 positions 60°  apart, tilted 15° down, and another shot taken looking straight up. Raw files then processed in darktable v5.2.1 before being stitched together using PTGui 10.0.19 Pro and converted using Pano2VR 6.1.15 pro.