Matcham, responsible for designing places like the London Palladium and Coliseum, drew up the blueprints for the Empire Palace Theatre on Charles Street which opened in 1895.
Later called simply the Empire Theatre, the grand building replaced the earlier Alhambra Music Hall and was inspired by the Italian Renaissance, topped by minarets covered in copper.
Laurel and Hardy, George Formby, Julie Andrews and John Gielgud all trod the boards at the Empire, which was intended as a ‘variety house’, had a seated capacity of 3,000 and cost more than £65,000 to build.
The theatre survived a major fire in 1942 and a wartime air raid, but closed in 1959 as the advent of television took effect. The venue was demolished and replaced with shops.
Here are 10 pictures offering a glimpse of the long-lost Empire.
2. Double act
An advert for performances by Elsie and Doris Waters, radio's 'Gert and Daisy', stalwarts of the BBC radio variety programme Workers' Playtime. Photo: Picture Sheffield
3. Comedy icons
A programme for Laurel and Hardy at the Empire in 1954. Photo: Picture Sheffield
4. Air raid damage
During the war the theatre lost one of its two turrets which capped the towers on either side of the facade. Photo: Picture Sheffield