A series of events and activities have taken place to celebrate a century of entertainment at the Winding Wheel Theatre, a popular cultural venue in Chesterfield.
September 10 saw a centenary gala concert to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the building opening, back in 1923 – building on activities which have taken place throughout the milestone year.
It featured performances from nine different local theatre schools, performing arts groups and theatre companies, and was compered by Britain’s Got Talent semi-finalist impressionist Tony Rudd, with a special guest appearance from comedy legend Bernie Clifton, who lives locally.
The celebratory month continued from September 11 to September 15 with cinema screenings showing a film from each decade over the past 100 years to celebrate a century of cinema at the iconic venue.
These were selected through a public vote which took place back in June. Classic films shown included Metropolis, The Wizard of Oz, Casablanca, The Bridge On The River Kwai, Butch Cassidy and The Sundance Kid, The Godfather, Chariots of Fire, The Full Monty, Bridget Jones’ Diary and Paddington.
There was also a free exhibition with objects and photos telling the story of the past 100 years, plus exclusive tours of the building, including the backstage areas which has been home to so many performers over the years.
‘The Winding Wheel Theatre has a rich history in our town and residents of all ages will have fantastic memories of performances they have seen at the venue over the years,’ says councillor Kate Sarvent, Chesterfield Borough Council’s cabinet member for town centres and visitor economy.
‘We made sure there was something for everyone to enjoy and join in during the centenary celebrations last month.’
Originally built in 1923 for the Chesterfield Picture House Company it was intended to be the most luxurious destination in the town. As well as a cinema the building also once housed an elegant ballroom and silver service restaurant.
In 1937 the building, on Holywell Street close to the Pomegranate Theatre, was renamed as the Odeon but maintained the lavish interiors. In the 1970s the Ballroom was used as a well-known disco venue.
The cinema closed its doors in 1981 before being taken over by Chesterfield Borough Council, where it reopened as an entertainment venue in 1987.
Since then, the Winding Wheel has thrived, hosting a wide variety of live music acts, conferences, theatre productions, cinema screenings and numerous community events such as arts markets and public meetings.
The venue has also hosted the television cameras on many occasions, including antiques show Flog It! As well as the BBC’s flagship political programme Question Time, which was filmed there in April 2018.
At the time, the show’s presenter, David Dimbleby, said: ‘I am very much looking forward to bringing Question Time to Chesterfield for the first time (the show first aired in 1979).
‘What really matters is that we have a lively audience who want to speak their mind.’
On March 1 of this year, the Chesterfield Civic Society installed a prestigious Blue Plaque on the Grade II listed building to mark its historical importance in the town, unveiled by the mayor of Chesterfield, councillor Tony Rogers.
‘We are extremely grateful to Chesterfield Borough Council for allowing the plaque to be erected, for sponsoring the cost of it and for the mayor for unveiling it,’ said Chesterfield Civic Society chair Philip Riden at the time.
‘The far-sighted conversion of the Winding Wheel by the council in the 1980s has provided the town with an excellent venue, which continues to play its part in the history of entertainment in the town. Our new plaque celebrates this history.’
