Quick History
“The Lansdowne Theater is a historic theatre building located in the commercial district of Lansdowne, Delaware County, Pennsylvania.
The Lansdowne first opened on June 1, 1927, as a turn-of-the-century movie house. Its elaborate and ornate style earned it acclaim as “the best example of suburban theatre construction around Philadelphia.” For more than a half-century, it thrived as one of the premier hosts to movies and stage performances alike, before an electrical fire forced its doors to close in 1987.
At long last, calls to reopen the Lansdowne have been answered. A multi-million-dollar renovation project has restored the theater’s original charm and décor, empowering the majestic theater to continue its century-long legacy.” (from the theater website)
I love photographing beautiful architectural spaces, and I equally love abandoned spaces, so this became a priority from the moment I became aware of any opportunities to photograph here.
Prior to the restoration, I had the pleasure of photographing the theater several times while in a state of arrested decay. Asbestos had been removed, the ceiling repaired, and it was mostly safe to wander about, but the paint was peeling, the seats were in poor shape and the main theater lights were replaced by hanging yellow construction lights.
The one thing that remained intact was the gorgeous, main auditorium chandelier. This magnificent and stunning work of art is mesmerizing. It was what drew me in the first place to visit the Lansdowne, and a subject I spent an extended period of time photographing.
Here are a few other images from my unrestored theater visit.
I had the opportunity to briefly visit the restored theater for a quick scouting trip a few weeks ago. I only had about an hour to photograph, so there are minimal images and nothing all too creative. But here is what I came away with first time around.
If you too would like the opportunity to photograph the Historic Lansdowne Theater, I will be returning in less than two weeks for a small group workshop. A few spaces still remain. If interested in joining us, see the event listing on the home page of the website. Great for beginners and more advanced photo enthusiasts. No special skills or gear required. A wide angle to mid-range zoom lens and decent tripod is really all you need. We will go through shooting information, composition, exposure and ways to deal with the high contrast lighting, and more during a pre-workshop zoom session. Would love to have you join me!