THE Grand theatre in Southampton played host to many dramas in its time.

However, few performances on stage could match the dramatic ups and downs of the theatre's fortunes, which forced it to close its doors several times before the curtain was brought down for the last time in the late 1950s.

It is 105 years ago to the day since The Grand, which stood on the corner of Windsor Terrace, opposite the Civic Centre, opened its doors.

Over the decades, The Grand hosted everything from Shakespeare to comedians.

Past greats Sarah Bern-hardt, Robertson Hare, George Arliss, Dame Sybil Thorndike and Frankie Howerd were just a few of the names to tread the boards.

The theatre was also known for a black and white cat, which would often stroll on to the stage during a performance, often disconcerting the actors.

From its beginning in 1898 through to the early 1920s, The Grand enjoyed a reputation as one of the city's main entertainment venues. Noted for its "cosiness" in a 1904 edition of the Southampton Annual, The Grand was favoured because of its central position and sensibly priced admission. A ticket for a performance at The Grand would range from 2s 6d (12.5p) for a seat in the dress circle to 3d (2p) for a seat in the gallery.

As The Grand entered the late 1920s it experienced difficult times. The Denville Players Repertory Company, who often performed at The Grand, continued to have successes during this time but when they moved on the theatre was forced to close its doors in 1932. It managed to reopen in 1934 but it soon closed again in 1937, which was followed by another two years of inactivity.

In March 1939 another local venue, The Hippodrome in Ogle Road, shut and within days The Grand reopened under the new guise of the New Hippodrome. The theatre continued to operate until the Second World War began to bite and a notice appeared on the door stating: "Owing to the present international situation, this theatre will be closed until further notice."

It reopened on December 27, 1950 under its original name with the staging of the pantomime Goldilocks and the Three Bears. The management had decided that pantomimes and safe forms of entertainment was to be their way forward but the theatre sorely missed the revenues generated by nudes and fan dancers. This stance was continued despite falling audience numbers and the curtain finally came down in 1959 following its last production, Seagulls over Sorrento.