This was designed by the noted theatre architect Frank Matcham and opened in July 1899.
It seated 2000 and staged mainly variety shows.
It closed in the 1950s and was subsequently demolished.
A car wash now occupies the site in New Cross Road.

1913 prices & small print

Gallery 3d no Early Doors, Balcony 4d no Early Doors, Pit 4d no Early doors, Pit Stalls 6d no Early Doors, Stalls 9d Booked & reserved at 3d extra. Circle 1/- Booked & reserved at this price. Fauteuils 1/- Booked & reserved at 3d extra. Boxes 5/- to 7/6 single seats 1/6 & 2/-
Saturdays 2nd performance only and Holidays - Gallery 3d, Pit 6d, Pit Stalls 9d, Stalls 1/-, Fauteuils 1/3

Two complete and distinct peformances nightly. All artistes appear at each peformance and both performances are alike.
The doors open for the first performance at 6:15. The curtain rises at 6:40. The curtain falls at 8:40 and the audience leave the building.
Visitors may store their cycles free of charge during the performance.
Seats may be booked in advance - for boxes, fauteuils and grand circle at the Empire box office daily from 11am until 4pm.
Box office open Saturdays only from 11am to 10pm.
The doors open for the second performance at 8:55 (these doors are quite distinct from the exits by which the first audience leave). The curtain rises for the second performance at
9 o'clock and falls at 11 o'clock.
Seats not guaranteed. No money returned. The right of refusing admission reserved. Seats booked by telephone will not be kept after 6:40pm and 9pm unless previously paid for.

Grand piano by Messrs Brinsmead & Sons Ltd, London. The uniforms supplied by Gardiner & Co, Deptford Broadway. Jeyes' Disinfectant solely used throughout this theatre. Stage furniture supplied by Messrs Peppercorn Bros Ltd, Broadway Deptford.

Before and during the Overture a series of pictures will be shown by the London and Provincial Advertising Agency Ltd

Fauteuil = an upholstered armchair usually with open sides

1913 programme advertisements

THE SOUTH EASTERN REPAIRING TAILORS 911 OLD KENT ROAD SE Overcoat turned equal to new .............from 9/6 Cleaned, pressed and new collar..........from 4/- Suits cleaned.......................................from 3/- Trousers re-cut...................................from 1/- Coats re-fitted....................................from 2/- Trousers cleaned.................................from 1/- Ladies, and Gents' garments made up on the premises	THE MARQUIS OF GRANBY MUSEUM Well worth a visit. Curios of every description. Four minutes from theatre. All trams stop at the door. Wines, spirits and cigars of the best quality.
RUB IT IN! GODDARDS Famous White Oils 3d, 6d, 1/- and 3/6 per bottle (also 7d per bottle) By chemists, corn dealers, harness makers, stores and wholesale houses The Magic ... EMBROCATION Your harness easily cleaned and preserved by using GODDARDS HARNESS OILS Large stone bottles 6d each; also in pint, quart and gallon cans No stable complete without GODDARD'S Safe Drinks for gripe, fever and colic Sold everywhere. Established 1880	For the Best Bitter Ale in Deptford Go to "YE OLDE FOUNTAINE" BROADWAY Prop., W Bartholomew Also noted for the best brands of wines, spirits and cigars The Most Luxurious Saloon Lounge in the District Try our noted 1/- Luncheons 12:30 to 2:30
DINE AT THE "EXPRESS" DINING ROOMS The best breakfast, dinner or tea in Deptford 30 BROADWAY (Next to Gardiner's)	E. BASTER NEWSAGENT & TOBACCONIST 37 Broadway, Deptford Best brands of cigars and cigarettes Papers delivered daily throughout the district
TRY OUR 'EMPIRE' SHIRTS 2/6 NEAT STRIPES, FAST COLOURS REID'S 21 HIGH STREET Depot for the noted APEX COLLARS All shapes 3 for 1/- Large stock of smart neckware	If not satisfied with your BUTCHER, try BELL'S 176 HIGH STREET, DEPTFORD (English & Colonial) Finest Quality ... Lowest Prices Families waited upon daily
For MEUX'S CELEBRATED OATMEAL and BROWN STOUT and ALE in crates and other BEERS, send postcard to THURLOW'S STORES 171 Queens Road, Peckham High Class Groceries, Wines and Spirits Green and Blue Stamps Given	Get your Whist Drive Prizes From J. MERRILL GOLDSMITH, JEWELLER WATCHMAKER & OPTICIAN Noted for Repairs, Good and Cheap Winding by Contract Agents Wanted to form Clubs Liberal Commission 293, NEW CROSS RD (Opposite Deptford Town Hall) PHONE 1743 NEW CROSS Contractor to the Admiralty

Memories

My Mum and Dad used to take me to the New Cross Empire which was across the road from Addey & Stanhope School. The last show presented there was Syncapating Sandy. He was a marathon piano player, he played continuously for a week I think it was, that was in 1957 I believe.

I remember it well as I saw Sandy that week.. They put a screen around him at different times for privacy. He was playing all the time and they had speakers outside so it was always crowded on the pavement . I went there many times and one star that always stays in my mind is Tessie O'Shea. I went to see it when it was pulled down but it was very sad as it was so popular with the locals.

I saw something of Syncopating Sandy at the piano during a lunch hour visit from Addey & Stanhope School, across the road. Later I watched, from the upper windows of the school the demolition of the music hall. Before that I had seen the shooting of a scene from 'Charley Moon' which featured Max Bygraves and Dennis Price. Here I saw arc lights for the first time, used in bright sunlight.

My Grandparents both worked at the New Cross Empire, my Nan in the box office and my Pop as an attendant. So I got to see most of the shows, artists like Norman Wisdom, Winifred Atwell, Harry Lester and his Hayseeds, Billy Cotton band show, Hutch and many more. One who stood out for me was Dorothy Squires often playing principal boy in the Pantomines. I was wearing my new shoes which creaked a bit and was walking back stage and she turned and said "have you not paid for them yet". It was not only this incident but her generosity to the young cast by giving a lovely party at the end of each run. I also remember the safety curtain coming down and being told of a raid and if we wished we could stay as the show was going on, the cheek of that guy Hitler bombing in the middle of our  show. Lots and lots more lovely memories, hot jacket potatoes and roast chestnuts outside.

Here is some memorabilia of my darling aunt Ronn'e Conn she appear at the theatre 1948  - from her niece Maxine Warner

london-footprints.co.uk 2008

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