Bijou theater knoxville tennessee12/4/2023 The Bijou Theatre went through a major renovation began in 2005. Today the Bijou Theatre is largely intact and is a popular venue for small stage shows, acoustic concerts and small bands. The theatre was then threatened with demolition. It operated as an adult theatre until 1975. It went over to adult films on Apand was renamed Bijou Art Theatre on September 8, 1966. Over the years, the Bijou Theatre lost its small vertical sign and marquee and the tiny boxoffice is long gone. Motion picture projection equipment no longer exists at the Bijou Theatre, though the projection booth which was wedged in between the two balconies still exists and is used as a follow spot location. Old photos suggest a pit-organ or photo-player was used to accompany pictures in the silent era. The Bijou Theatre never had a theatre organ. The Knoxville Chamber Orchestra performs regularly in the intimate hall. The hall has a brick exterior, but the interior is completely wood and plaster. The ceiling is mostly flat with restrained moldings at the walls. The boxes are flanked by large Corinthian columns supporting cherubs leaning on broken pediments. It has hosted many well-known artists such as The Marx Brothers, Anna. In its era it has made its mark in the entertainment industry by presenting operas, musicals, orchestral concerts and comedy shows. The upper boxes have their own stairways and do not connect with the balconies. Specialties: The Bijou Theatre serves the city of Knoxville as one of the most outstanding entertainment centers in the world with some of the most perfect natural acoustics in the nation. The auditorium features three tiers of boxes on each side of the proscenium, with the orchestra boxes still in place. The lower balcony is attained from stairs at the ends of the standee area. At this time, though large, the upper balcony is only used for technical equipment as emergency egress is quite limited. The Bijou Theatre has two separate balconies: the upper dating from the regrettable era of segregation was accessible only from a side street. The theatre was designed by architect Edward Okel. The 1909 auditorium was built behind the Lamar House Hotel (c.1840) using the center of the old hotel as the theatre’s lobby. The historic Bijou Theatre has seen its share of history over the past century and a half, from presidential visits to legendary performers gracing its stage. It opened on Maas part of the Well’s chain of theatres and contained 1,503 seats. The Bijou Theatre is a charming venue built for vaudeville and later adapted for cinema.
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