11:28am Thursday 14th December 2006
The Black Country Living Museum is hoping readers can help fill in the missing link in the historic story of the Cradley Heath women chainmakers.
Researchers at the museum are gathering more information on the auditorium stage in the town's Workers' Institute, currently undergoing reconstruction at the museum.
During its early years, the Institute stage had various uses - for political meetings, theatrical productions and as a cinema.
The cinema - known as Pictureland - was open between 1915 and 1933 and charged just one penny to watch a moving picture show. But when the Majestic Cinema opened in Cradley Heath, the 'stute was forced to close its doors to cinema-goers in 1933. It re-opened as a venue for boxing and snooker, and amateur operatic societies and drama groups continued to tread the boards in the 1920s and 1930s.
Dr Lynn Sinclair, Women's History Curator, said: "We're hoping some of these former cinema-goers and amatuer dramatics enthusiasts may have memories or even photographs of what the stage looked like. This would help ensure an accurate reconstruction of the stage itself. It's possible there may be in existence newspaper reviews of some of the plays and operas which show the cast performing on stage."
The museum would like to hear from anyone who has any recollection of what the building was used for between 1933 and 1955, where a gap appears in the Institute's history.
The museum is also keen to hear from anyone who may have photos of the interior of the Workers' Institute.
For more information, call Dr Lynn Sinclair on 0121 521 5690.
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