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Latitude: 51.1337 / 51°8'1"N
Longitude: 0.2642 / 0°15'51"E
OS Eastings: 558514
OS Northings: 139598
OS Grid: TQ585395
Mapcode National: GBR MPS.TWJ
Mapcode Global: VHHQD.JRJR
Plus Code: 9F3247M7+FM
Entry Name: Opera Colonnade the Opera House with the Shops Below Numbers 84 to 96 and Numbers 38 to 50 Monson Road Including Numbers 38 to 50 Opera Colonnade
Listing Date: 24 November 1966
Grade: II
Source: Historic England
Source ID: 1338803
English Heritage Legacy ID: 168100
Also known as: Opera House (JD Wetherspoon)
ID on this website: 101338803
Location: Royal Tunbridge Wells, Tunbridge Wells, Kent, TN1
County: Kent
District: Tunbridge Wells
Electoral Ward/Division: Park
Parish: Non Civil Parish
Built-Up Area: Royal Tunbridge Wells
Traditional County: Kent
Lieutenancy Area (Ceremonial County): Kent
Church of England Parish: Tunbridge Wells Holy Trinity with Christ Church
Church of England Diocese: Rochester
Tagged with: Theatre Opera house Pub Edwardian architecture
In the entry for
MOUNT PLEASANT ROAD
TQ 5839 NW
TQ 5839 NE (east side)
3/280 The Opera House,
6/280 with shops below numbers 84 to 96
(even) and numbers 38 to 50 (even)
Monson Road including numbers
24.11.66 38 to 50 (even) Opera Colonnade
II
the description shall be amended;
Theatre incorporating shops on three sides. Built in 1902 to the designs of John Briggs. Symmetrical composition in Neo-georgian style with a Baroque centrepiece. Built of red brick with ashlar dressings with central copper dome and smaller domes at the sides. Three storeys, 23 windows in all to principal elevation. The centre 9 bays form the major composition with flanking six bay wings. Central dome with oculus above broken pediment supported on paired Ionic pilasters. Central curved balcony with round-headed arch and three round-headed openings with french windows. Three flanking bays have oculi with carved figures above second floor and central section terminates with a pediment and double pilasters. Twelve-pane sashes throughout on second floor and fifteen-pane sashes to first floor. The outer ends of the wings end in domes. Outer bays have baroque doorways to the ground floor set against banded rustication. Shops on ground floor. INTERIOR. Foyer has dado panelling, two fireplaces with pilasters, swags and console brackets and two arches with Ionic piers. Main staircase, probably altered after 1923, leads to bar which has mahogany bar fitment with round-headed arch with carved shell motif and painting of C18 revellers and painted fireplace. The auditorium has two slightly curved balconies of six and eight rows each with straight slips running to ranges of superimposed boxes, four on each side. The upper boxes have gryphons at the head of each subdividing pilaster. The Dress Circle retains a glazed screen with lily decoration and the seating probably dates from the cinema conversion of 1923. The Gallery retains original tip up seating with lily motif. The Proscenium is rectangular with elaborately scrolled brackets in the corners and a curved pedimental tablte above the centre flanked by reclining figures personifying Music and Drama. The main ceiling is in the form of a panelled saucer dome set within a richly moulded rectangular frame. Flytower retains scenery winch and metal hooks.
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