“The Apollo seated almost 2,700 upon opening (not 1,750).
ABC acquired the theatre in 1943, having lost their earlier venue, the Ardwick Picture Theatre two years earlier in a bombing raid.
Until the early 1960's Associated British Cinemas (ABC) retained all original theatre names although on the front of house (FOH) and in newspaper adverts it was always stipulated that it was "An ABC Theatre".
When ABC (under the EMI umbrella) disposed of the ABC Ardwick Green in 1977 to Apollo Leisure, the name 'Apollo' was reintroduced. This made for easy continuity as many people still referred to it as the Apollo anyway. It also helped that this was the name of the organisation which acquired it.”
ABC acquired the theatre in 1943, having lost their earlier venue, the Ardwick Picture Theatre two years earlier in a bombing raid.
Until the early 1960's Associated British Cinemas (ABC) retained all original theatre names although on the front of house (FOH) and in newspaper adverts it was always stipulated that it was "An ABC Theatre".
When ABC (under the EMI umbrella) disposed of the ABC Ardwick Green in 1977 to Apollo Leisure, the name 'Apollo' was reintroduced. This made for easy continuity as many people still referred to it as the Apollo anyway. It also helped that this was the name of the organisation which acquired it.”