Empire Theatre

The Cardiff Empire Theatre began as Levino’s Hall in 1887, built by Professor Dolph Levino on a site in the city centre. Levino’s Hall opened with variety acts including trained animals and his own mesmerism performance. After a year it became Levino’s Museum of Varieties and was sold to Oswald Stoll, who renamed it the Empire House of Varieties. In 1896 Frank Matcham rebuilt the theatre in red brick and Bath stone, adding a central tower and sliding roof. The new Empire Palace could seat around 2,300 people and host two shows nightly. A fire in 1899 destroyed much of the building, but it reopened in 1900 with steel and concrete construction. The theatre’s history reflects the rise of variety entertainment in late 19th-century Cardiff. Performers like Lottie Collins played there before the 1899 fire caused losses estimated at hundreds of pounds. After rebuilding, the Empire became known as one of the safest public venues in town. In 1915 further alterations were made, and by 1932 it operated as a cinema under Gaumont British Theatres. The building closed in 1961 and was demolished the following year. Today the site is part of Cardiff’s commercial centre, with no trace of the theatre remaining. Visitors walking the streets would pass over the former location without noticing its past. The Empire’s story survives in local records and accounts of its colourful performances. Its changing roles from variety hall to cinema show how entertainment spaces evolved in the city. The theatre’s brief but eventful life offers a glimpse into Cardiff’s cultural history.