Kettering Savoy
Kettering Savoy was a historic theatre and cinema in Kettering, Northamptonshire, England.
Last updated August 26, 2026
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Overview
Kettering Savoy was a theatre and cinema on Russell Street in Kettering, Northamptonshire. The venue began life as the Coliseum Theatre and opened in 1910, using a building originally constructed seven years earlier. Its mixed-use identity developed over several decades: it hosted stage productions, variety performances and touring theatre, while also screening films. After a major fire gutted the building in 1937, it was reconstructed and reopened on 21 May 1938. The reopening combined a screening of the Hollywood film Big City, starring Spencer Tracy and Luise Rainer, with a live variety programme, reflecting the venue's dual role as a cinema and theatrical house. The rebuilt auditorium had approximately 1,150 seats. Its stage measured around 43 feet wide by 23 feet deep, with a height of approximately 60 feet. Interior features included Grecian murals, concealed lighting, elaborate ventilation grilles around the auditorium and proscenium, seven dressing rooms and a band room. These facilities enabled the building to accommodate both motion pictures and live entertainment. The venue was annexed by the Clifton Cinemas circuit on 25 August 1944. Between 1949 and 1951, it served as an outpost of the Northampton Repertory Company, bringing repertory theatre to Kettering. A 1951 production of The Romantic Young Lady, adapted from the work of Gregorio Martínez Sierra, was among the stage productions presented there. The theatre also became associated with the early career of entertainer Jim Dale, who made his stage debut as a stand-up comedian at the Savoy in 1951 and was subsequently discovered by talent scout Carroll Levis. By the early 1950s, the venue faced the economic difficulty of sustaining theatrical operations throughout the year. In April 1953, it was reported that stage shows would cease during the summer and that the building would operate as a cinema throughout the week as well as at weekends. This marked a clearer shift toward film exhibition, although the venue continued to be modified rather than immediately converted into a single-purpose cinema. In 1968, the building was divided. A 485-seat cinema known as The Studio was created, while the former stage area became a bingo hall. In 1973, the cinema was divided again into two auditoria, Studio 1 and Studio 2, with seating capacities of approximately 160 and 140 respectively. These alterations reflected changing entertainment economics and the pressure to make a large, older venue commercially viable. The Kettering Savoy closed in 1986 but subsequently reopened under the name Ohio Theatre. It finally ceased operating in 1997, after the opening of a new Odeon multiplex in Kettering reduced the commercial role of the older venue. The disused building deteriorated substantially and became subject to vandalism. It was damaged in an arson attack on 16 September 2011 and was eventually demolished in June 2014. Plans were later reported for a replacement development containing 23 one-room flats. The Savoy therefore survives primarily as a local architectural and theatrical landmark, remembered for its long transition from live theatre to cinema, its association with repertory companies and performers, and its eventual decline after the arrival of modern multiplex competition.
History
The building that became Kettering Savoy was constructed in 1903, and it opened as the Coliseum Theatre in 1910. From the outset, it operated as a mixed entertainment venue, accommodating theatrical performances, variety programmes and cinema. Its original building was severely damaged by fire in 1937. A rebuilt theatre reopened on 21 May 1938 with a presentation combining the film Big City, featuring Spencer Tracy and Luise Rainer, with a live variety show. The reconstructed venue had approximately 1,150 seats and was equipped for substantial stage productions. Its stage was about 43 feet wide and 23 feet deep, with a height of roughly 60 feet. The auditorium featured Grecian murals, concealed lighting and decorative ventilation grilles around the sides and the rectangular proscenium. Seven dressing rooms and a band room supported live productions. On 25 August 1944, the venue was annexed by the Clifton Cinemas circuit. It nevertheless retained an important theatrical function. The Northampton Repertory Company used it as an outpost from 1949 to 1951, and productions continued to appear there. In 1951, the venue hosted a production of The Romantic Young Lady, based on the Spanish work associated with Gregorio Martínez Sierra. The same year, Jim Dale made his stage debut as a stand-up comedian at the Savoy; his appearance led to his discovery by Carroll Levis. The economics of year-round theatre became increasingly difficult. In April 1953, the venue was expected to stop presenting stage shows during the summer and to operate as a cinema on weekdays as well as weekends. Its later history involved repeated physical adaptations. In 1968, part of the building was converted into a 485-seat cinema called The Studio, while the stage was turned into a bingo hall. In 1973, The Studio was divided into two smaller screens, Studio 1 and Studio 2, seating approximately 160 and 140 people. The Savoy closed in 1986 and later reopened as the Ohio Theatre. It continued until 1997, when a new Odeon multiplex opened in the town and made the older venue commercially uncompetitive. After closure, the building fell into serious disrepair and was frequently vandalised. An arson attack took place on 16 September 2011. The former theatre and cinema was finally demolished in June 2014. Plans for the site included a building containing 23 one-room flats. No operating theatre, cinema or brand entity remains at the location.
- 2014
Demolition
[1]The former theatre and cinema was demolished in June.
- 2011
Arson attack
[1]The derelict building was targeted in an arson attack on 16 September.
- 1997
Final closure
[1]The Ohio Theatre ceased operating after the opening of a new Odeon multiplex in Kettering.
- 1986
Savoy closes and later reopens as Ohio Theatre
[1]The venue closed under the Savoy name and subsequently reopened as the Ohio Theatre.
- 1973
The Studio split into two screens
[1]The cinema was divided into Studio 1 and Studio 2, with approximately 160 and 140 seats.
- 1968
Venue divided between cinema and bingo
[1]A 485-seat cinema called The Studio was created, while the former stage became a bingo hall.
- 1951
Jim Dale makes his stage debut
[1]Jim Dale debuted as a stand-up comedian at the Savoy and was subsequently discovered by Carroll Levis.
- 1949
Northampton Repertory Company begins using the venue
[1]The theatre served as an outpost for the Northampton Repertory Company between 1949 and 1951.
- 1944
Annexed by Clifton Cinemas
[1]The venue became part of the Clifton Cinemas circuit on 25 August.
- 1938
Rebuilt venue reopens
[1]The rebuilt theatre reopened on 21 May with a screening of Big City and a live variety programme.
Products and positioning
A local multi-purpose entertainment venue combining live theatre, repertory productions, variety performances, film exhibition and, in its later years, bingo.
Theatrical entertainment · 1910
Live theatre
The venue presented stage productions, touring shows and variety entertainment. Its substantial stage, dressing rooms and band room allowed it to function as a conventional theatre, particularly after the 1938 rebuilding.
Film exhibition · 1910
Cinema screenings
Film exhibition was part of the venue's activities from its early years and became increasingly important as theatrical operations became harder to sustain. The cinema role expanded after the 1953 shift toward weekday operation.
Cinema · 1968
The Studio
Created in 1968, The Studio was a 485-seat cinema formed within the former theatre complex. In 1973 it was subdivided into two smaller screens known as Studio 1 and Studio 2.
Leisure entertainment · 1968
Bingo hall
The former stage area was converted into a bingo hall during the 1968 reconfiguration, allowing the building to support an additional leisure use alongside cinema exhibition.
Brand decisions
1968
Conversion into a split cinema and bingo venueGeneration changeBackground
The large traditional theatre format was adapted to changing entertainment demand.
Action taken
The building was divided to create The Studio cinema, while the former stage became a bingo hall.
Aftermath
The venue operated with a more diversified and smaller-scale entertainment layout before the cinema was subdivided again in 1973.
1953
Shift toward year-round cinema operationStrategyBackground
The venue struggled to maintain stage shows throughout the year, particularly during the summer months.
Action taken
Reports indicated that stage shows would stop during summer and that the venue would operate as a cinema throughout the week as well as at weekends.
Aftermath
The change reflected the venue's long-term movement from mixed theatre use toward film exhibition.
Recent events
- 2014
Former Kettering Savoy is demolished[1]
Other
The long-derelict building was demolished in June 2014. A residential development of 23 one-room flats was planned for the site.
- 2011
Kettering Savoy is damaged in an arson attack[1]
Other
The disused former theatre and cinema was targeted in an arson attack on 16 September 2011 while it was already in a severely deteriorated condition.
- 1997
Kettering Savoy closes after the opening of a new Odeon multiplex[1]
Other
The former Savoy, by then operating as the Ohio Theatre, ceased operations after a new Odeon multiplex opened in Kettering.
Sources1 sources
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