The simplicity of the W.C. Handy Theatre’s interior reflects a different side of historic theatres than the ones we usually feature. Some theatres were designed to create an air of escape into fantasy, to frame the fantastical world of film on the giant screen. Other theatres were designed strictly for entertainment, and needed the simple spans of space required for crowds and big bands.

While these two interior photos may look particularly stark, at least some of the blame lies in the nature of black and white film, as the newspaper notices on the theatre’s opening mention the fabulous aqua-and-gold color scheme.

(credit: American Theatre Architecture Archive, Theatre Historical Society of America)