Exploring Dangerous Abandoned Theatres: Collapses Everywhere!

In this video, we head inside two dangerous abandoned theatres in the UK - Bradford Odeon and Burnley Empire. Although both structures have been vacant for almost 30 years, they still contain rare architecture that has survived.
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• Exploring an Abandoned...
abandoned urbandoned derelict urbex explore exploring uk united kingdom england english britain british theatre cinema bradford burnley lancashire yorkshire odeon empire victoria screen venue architecture old ornate forgotten derelict dangerous risk dilapidated documentary walkthrough video

[@troygaspard6732]

You don't miss it till it's gone. Watching movies together is more of an emotional experience than downloading at home.

[@daveparkin9652]

My uncle was a projectionist at Bradford Odeon until the early 80s, many happy times in there as a lad. Thanks for sharing the exploration of a very cool building!

[@Urbandoned]

No problem! Hope we could bring back some memories for you

[@Lighting_Desk]

These old girls are simply gorgeous. Sucks to see such old and beutifull buildings left to ruin.

[@groovydonkey]

Such a fascinating video of two different Theatres/cinemas and the amount of decay in both. But I was pleased to hear that both are being restored, although I think the first building needs more doing to it and should have some funding put towards it, to save such an amazing bit of architecture, of which we would never see being built now, so they need to be saved and restored. 👍👍👍

[@OLIFAB]

The last Theatre is stunning! Such a shame the auditorium has been stripped out, luckly the rest is still in okay condition. Fantastic explore as always!

[@reneastle8447]

All is not lost, we can still get the theater restored and the auditorium rebuilt to its former glory.

[@murraykitson1436]

The Regent Theatre in Melbourne had been stripped bare , in readiness for possible demolition , but thankfully , the theatre was taken over by the RIGHT owners and now it is a magnificent show place - restored to better than original . What is even more remarkable is that this is the THIRD incarnation of this theatre , having been reduced to a shell by a fire in 1945 ! Furthermore , the theatre has had three organs in its history , with each new lease of life !

[@StubbyPhillips]

There's a word for the people who don't see the value of such places: "Idiots."

[@kangirigungi]

It's good news that these buildings are being renovated.

[@jeepsthetimebandit]

Those seats at the top reminded me of somewhere I went in Buxton. I was terrified when I was trying to leave. I honestly thought I was going to go head over heals and fall hundreds of feet 😢

[@Urbandoned]

They are awfully steep, we know the feeling

[@handyman1957]

Amazing footage of some long lost architecture. Personally, I did not find this footage to be that bad. In fact, the side close up's of certain things was something I feel you should continue doing. It allowed us to see thing that may have otherwise never been noticed. Although, I would point the arrows the other way so that when you bring up a highlight, the arrow points to where the highlight came from in the video. Great job guys, that last set of steps had me made my butt pucker a bit. Keep safe.

[@Urbandoned]

That is a fair point about the arrow. Will probably change that! Glad the footage was okay for you

[@jeepsthetimebandit]

Do you ever give footage to the local museums? I bet they would really appreciate it.

[@Urbandoned]

They would be welcome to have it if they wanted. Maybe in years to come!

[@jeepsthetimebandit]

@Urbandoned I used to work at the Herbert museum and art gallery in Coventry, and I would have loved a piece of history like this. It would have made a great exhibition.

[@pavo45]

It is so sad that we do not see the potential is such places. So many mistakes made without a thought for the future generations, much like the savage cuts to a railway system we once had and now struggle to fund the reconstruction of the network we once had!

[@johnlocke6506]

Mainly because most people now drive.

[@derrenleepoole]

Great to see you lads in Burnley. I hope the theatre does get saved, but the trust has a mammoth task to do so.

[@nickthomas181]

It was great to see them but the word money pit comes to mind .Just look at the Winter Gardens Morecambe and the problems they've faced.

[@Urbandoned]

Indeed, wishing them the best of luck. Hope that a bit of additional publicity will help too

[@michailokeefeMooMoo]

Great video guys very informative and informative great place too

[@Muswell]

The Burnley Empire looks like it was built in an industrial site with factories & chimneys. Strange location. Theatres were meant to be glamorous.

[@Roger.Coleman1949]

Your beautifully evocative and sensitive approach to your vidoes is incedibly addictive to watch .Thank you for all you do in showing the marvellous period architecture that still stands vulnerable and abandoned throughout the land that one day hopefully will enthrall another generation as it did many years ago.

[@billmorrison4746]

Beautiful old buildings, thanks for sharing guys ❤

[@AnnasBurningCuriosity]

Love this, thanks for sharing

[@irwinator]

Epic to see you in Bradford. Nice to see that our Odeon is being saved though and will be turned into a 6000 capacity venue rather than left to rot and demolished entirely

[@Urbandoned]

It's brilliant, would be too wasteful for it to stay vacant in such a high demand location

[@bobbythomas200420032]

Hi guys a great video exploring two abandoned theatres. The second one in Bradford looked impressive the sheer size of it and I liked the architecture and natural decay throughout. .

[@brendagilliland5602]

Loved this video, it's such waste of those beautiful amazing buildings stay safe guy's

[@GlenDavies1989]

Bradford Odeon is where I saw my first film at a cinema (Toy Story in 1995). I just remember how vast it was, even though it was then all partitioned up with plasterboard walls into smaller (but still huge) screens. When it was turned into an Odeon in the 1960s, the main auditorium was actually split into two screens. The third was in part of that grand room at the top, which was originally a ballroom in the 1930s. I think the other part of that room was turned into a bingo hall. It closed in 2000. For many years, Bradford Council had been trying to just demolish it. There are some great pictures online of how it looked before the renovations started, with all the rotting plasterboard that covered up the ornate decor peeling away. It’s well worth a look for them.

[@Urbandoned]

Thanks for the informative message!

[@shooterboy69]

two so very beautiful buildings rich in history! thank you for sharing your explorations!

[@Urbandoned]

No worries

[@frasermathers2287]

Thanks lads for another very interesting explore. Both theaters are amazing but have to say that the Odeon must have been some building in its day and glad to see its going back into use again and I also hope that they manage to save the Burnley one too.

[@Urbandoned]

No problem mate!

[@murraykitson1436]

It would be interesting to know whether any of these theatres once housed theatre organs ? Telltale signs would be the presence of organ pipe chambers , usually behind or above the proceniem arch . Another might be an organ pit , although these were generally covered over . I have even seen huge bass pipes under the floor of the State Theatre in Sydney , and this particular organ has been fairly recently restored . This theatre was itself was under threat of demolition in 1979 , but was never derelict , and is now looking as magnificent as ever ! I thoroughly enjoyed this video ! 👍

[@Urbandoned]

We don't think so, but you might be right. We have just recently filmed a theatre with the organs still intact and dated ones at that. Will come out eventually for you!

[@FrostyGaming8394]

Hi Alistar how you doing mate? Great video as always well edited with perfect background music added to the eary scenes i love it when you showcase these types of buildings as they still hold some of the original peices e.g. the seats and even the projectors sometimes that first theatre you went to in Burnley looks really sad from the outside with police tape too the inside sure has collapsed meaning the roof has come in but the arcutecture is really old and cool but sad that covered in bird feices plus falling down in places but at least the seats are still intact which is amazing but at least it isnt fully empty, but the second theatre you went to in Bradford the outside was in more better condition but in the inside it is real sad that the place is now a building site with absolutly barely anything inside the building as the furniture plus most of the valuables are long gone before 2019 after the first part of the abandonment happened when you went to explore it but its great news that the odeon cinema will be opening once again in 2024 plus will be used for many years to come once again anyways i hope your having a good afternoon so far Alistar and keep up the great content on your channel like always as its so enjoyable and entertaining to watch 👍

[@Urbandoned]

All good mate! Really glad you enjoyed the video. Thank you for always sharing your support with lovely comments

[@TB-us7el]

cheers for the video, lads.

[@bganonimouse2754]

You doing a service to architecture and to history by documenting these types of sites. Who knows maybe even some of these videos help to pressure authorities not to allow grand buildings of national significance to decay into collapse...

[@judithsmith9274]

This is local to us (Burnley) . I wondered what had happened with the trust. Obviously needs a lot of work! Thanks for sharing 😊

[@Muswell]

Heartbreaking.

[@unusualaquariumecosystems5805]

Those seats would be very uncomfortable.

[@russellnixon9981]

What a fantastic channel, great production guys, hopefully this exposure may help preserve theses buildings.

[@murraykitson1436]

👍👍👍

[@MEGATHEEGG]

Entry 741021! Perhaps the station will hold the key to the real goals of group 935. I still do not trust my unconventional allies, but they are of great use to me. But I digress. Who would have thought the MDT was capable of time travel? How many station does this group have? Where did that little girl disappear to? Only time will tell what new questions await us in this... THEATRE OF THE DAMNED!!

[@jesswright8279]

Beautiful colours in the building. Must have cost a fortune to put it up

[@SuperBagshot]

Fascinating, expecting to see Vincent Price as Edward Lionheart appear

[@DistressedxGeranium]

The British Proper People❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@tombombadil66]

Arrrr smokers on the left 😂😂 happy days 😊

[@iTechPro2012]

The bingo company who ran the Burnley Empire Theatre was Gala Bingo, it was Burnley’s original Gala Bingo instead of the one that’s open now (Buzz Bingo Burnley)

[@andyarmstrong1493]

Reminds me of the Opera House in Belfast.

[@stephaniemcquillan1930]

Very, very sad to see places like this shuttered and deteriorating. You just don’t get architecture like that anymore

[@murraykitson1436]

Modern architecture is comparatively sterile , dull and without warmth or atmosphere . It also is lucky to survive much more than forty years .

[@juliepownall1063]

Decay at it's best

[@Muswell]

Gosh - I wanted uptodate pics of The Victoria to compare all the renovations. Is it still on track to open in 2024 ?

[@Urbandoned]

I believe so

[@-r-495]

Good on you two for wearing respirators. Well done! Asbestos, copper arsenide and lead everywhere by the looks of it. Even the fabric of the seats can contain one or all three and a little bit of bromide on top. Whatever you do: Don‘t skimp on respiratory protection. Main concern of some is the slight muffling effect they have but tbh sound has never been an issue in your videos (with exceptions perhaps being wind - but hey: better wind than rain, ey?). I don’t care, I knew straight away you‘re doing it right and far more responsible than many others.

[@middlesbroughmike1027]

Another fantastic video lads. I really look forward to your releases. One suggestion though, you need to watch your language as it ruins an otherwise perfect video (My God is bad enough but adding in a 'fucking' can be rather offensive for some).

[@Urbandoned]

I will try to tone it down. Thanks :)

[@middlesbroughmike1027]

@Urbandoned it's difficult, I know, as your videos are very much 'in the moment' and the excitement of the discovery takes over. I just noticed it as the last few videos of yours I've watched when my kids have been in the next room so I was very aware. Great videos though guys, definitely the best urban exploration ones on YT. 👍

[@aarjaycee3601]

As always I thoroughly enjoyed watching this, the latest upload. But something worries me Watching the videos where things are very dark and the portable lighthing brightly illuminates the massive amounts of dust in the air, it occurs to me that many of the buildings and sites that feature in the videos were built in days when asbestos was widely used in construction. It worries me that you guys may be risking your wellbeing and future health if you are entering these buildings and there is a likelihood of asbestos floating around. Do you guys wear masks or respirators in these buildings? I'd strongly urge you to do so in buildings that were constructed so many decades ago and before regulations were put in place to exclude the use of asbestos in homes, public and civic buildings Really want you all to be safe

[@PhoneVidoes]

They did appear to be wearing some kind of basic dust masks in this one, but it tickles me they go around a old theatre with masks on, but when in a old power station that will definately have way more asbestos floating about you walk about with gay abandon, ah well its their lungs. Wont be long before our emergency services will have to deal with them, only a matter of time before one falls through a floor I suspect 🙄

[@movieedge7370]

Did anyone ever die in that building?

[@stephencraig7130]

Why is it still standing??

[@marktony9737]

@urbandoned why don't you try and source photos of how the places you visit. You could then fade the photos into a current shot to show how it used to look. Just a thought

[@Urbandoned]

We did this in our most recent video after reading this comment!

[@JP_TaVeryMuch]

​@@UrbandonedDarren of Adventureme is the one to ask, should you need to, of course. He's the master of photofades and is from roun your neck o' the woods too.

[@rf6080]

I suppose it will demolished at some point the land is worth to much for the developer's 😢😢😢

[@zodzod9378]

AS good as it was don't you have any new content as we have all seen this ????????

[@Urbandoned]

Yes. We’ll be dropping mostly unseen for the rest of the year in about a months time. We wanted something to compliment Bradford Odeon because it hadn’t been documented much, and Burnley Empire fit the bill.

[@ninjabluewings]

Such a waste of what was once MAGNIFICENT BUILDINGS!!! 🙁🙁🙁