History in Structure

The Garrison Theatre, Lyness, Doonatown, Walls, Hoy

A Category C Listed Building in Stromness and South Isles, Orkney Islands

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Coordinates

Latitude: 58.8124 / 58°48'44"N

Longitude: -3.2006 / 3°12'2"W

OS Eastings: 330746

OS Northings: 992272

OS Grid: ND307922

Mapcode National: GBR L5GF.NK2

Mapcode Global: WH6BN.TR2Q

Plus Code: 9CCRRQ6X+WQ

Entry Name: The Garrison Theatre, Lyness, Doonatown, Walls, Hoy

Listing Name: Walls (Hoy), the Garrison (Former Garrison Theatre)

Listing Date: 31 January 2002

Category: C

Source: Historic Scotland

Source ID: 395732

Historic Scotland Designation Reference: LB48346

Building Class: Cultural

Also known as: The Garrison Theatre
The Garrison

ID on this website: 200395732

Location: Walls and Flotta

County: Orkney Islands

Electoral Ward: Stromness and South Isles

Parish: Walls And Flotta

Traditional County: Orkney

Tagged with: House Theatre

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Description

Circa 1942. 2-storey house (former theatre). Art Deco. Black-rendered brickwork; white-banded windows; stepped elevation.

NE (PRINCIPAL) ELEVATION: flat-roofed central porch; central door, flanking windows. 3 ground floor windows. Shorter 1st floor; central section slightly advanced and heightened; 2 windows to centre. Bays set back to right and left; 2 windows in each. Stepped wall set back to far right and left creating platform above outer ground floor bays.

SE ELEVATION: 2 ground floor windows; white-banding continues from front elevation. 1st floor window/door. Stepped gable wall at 1st floor.

SW ELEVATION: grey-painted wall. Single storey flat-roofed extension to right. Irregularly placed windows to centre, 2 to ground and 2 to 1st floor.

NE ELEVATION: ground floor window to right. Stepped gable wall at 1st floor.

UPVC windows and some timber casements. Glazed front door with sunburst timber astragals. Flat-roof.

INTERIOR: not seen, 2000.

Statement of Interest

During the World Wars, Lyness was strategically important due to its position at the entrance to Scapa Flow. Lyness formed the hub of the Royal Navy's base in Scapa Flow and it has been estimated that its population rose to over 12,000 (comprising the various servicemen and women and civilian workers) during the 2nd World War. The entertainment of such a large population was important. All that remains of the theatre is this facade. The sharp contrast of colour and strongly emphasized horizontal lines makes it visually striking. 2 large Nissen huts to the rear (now gone) contained the theatre/dance hall (to the N) and cinema (to the S). The Entertainments' National Service Association which had an office at Lyness, organised shows, attracting performers such as Gracie Fields, George Formby and Flannigan and Allan. The Garrison is currently a private house (2001).

External Links

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