Comments from Ian - Cinema Treasures

Ian commented about Picture House on Oct 23, 2008 at 12:36 pm

View of the Picture House taken in 1984 here:–

http://www.flickr.com/photos/stagedoor/74757116/

Ian commented about Opera House on Oct 23, 2008 at 11:42 am

A 1990 shot of the Opera House here:–

http://www.flickr.com/photos/stagedoor/91776663/

Ian commented about Futurist Theatre on Oct 22, 2008 at 9:20 am

Uptodate exterior photo here – taken October 2008 (sadly the cladding still covers the faiance tiles):–

http://www.flickr.com/photos/stagedoor/2962719882/

Ian commented about Astoria Theatre on Oct 20, 2008 at 5:52 am

Compulsory purchase procedures are underway prior to total demolition.

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Ian commented about Rex Cinema on Oct 20, 2008 at 3:39 am

The photos linked in this report were taken in October 2008, many have a link in the text below the photo to an earlier 1988 picture taken from approximately the same spot.

I had the opportunity to tour the re-opened Rex last week and was astounded at the superb restoration that has taken place here. Necessity has required that some compromises have been made, the large car park to the rear of the cinema has been used for new build flats, which together with the former shops and original flats (which have an additional penthouse floor added), has funded the restoration. Also the original foyer and cafÃ© have been splendidly returned to â€œas-newâ€ condition, but no longer service the cinema, being an up-market bar and restaurant named â€œThe Gatsbyâ€.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/stagedoor/2955662123/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/stagedoor/2955662509/

However when you take a look in the auditorium you can forgive almost anything! This is undoubtedly one of the very few cinemas remaining in the UK where you can really watch a film in true 1930â€™s glamour, anyone who claims to prefer a multiplex having only ever experienced a run-down tripled movie palace should make a beeline to the Rex to see first hand the true delights of cinema.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/stagedoor/2956508010/

The cinema is now entered through, it has to said, a slightly awkward new set of doors, punched through the side wall at circle foyer level. The circle lounge was always the weakest part of the Rex â€" a long narrow squat corridor with toilets, storage and a managers office on one side and a pair of vomitory entrances to the auditorium on the other. You now enter at the former dead-end of the corridor and the space has been opened up to provide seating and a bar, following the underside of the balcony to give an impressive height. At the other end the ceiling has been raised but the ladies and gents have been retained and a box office constructed at where you would have originally come through from the main double height foyer.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/stagedoor/2955663041/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/stagedoor/2956507774/

Both vomitories are used and access to the cinema is now at circle level. In the balcony every other row of seats have been removed and the steppings built up to provide luxurious amounts of legroom â€" so much so that tip-up seats are not required and well upholstered fixed armchair seating replaces them.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/stagedoor/2955664219/

At the front sides of the balconies discrete new staircases have been constructed to give access to the former stalls area which now sports a bar with tables and individual chairs instead of the more usual rows of seats. The projection room is now accesses through the auditorium, in a rtaher small door, and the exterior iron stairs have been removed.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/stagedoor/2956507220/

No attempt to recreate the original colour scheme has been made â€" the cinema is now a dramatic mix of red, black and gold, which really highlights the amazing plasterwork and art deco features that remain just as David Evelyn Nye designed them back in 1937/8.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/stagedoor/2955663891/

The Rex was grade II listed in 1988, the year that it closed as the developers circled, eyeing the site for redevelopment. For once the authorities refused attempts to de-list and demolish the building, insisting that the auditorium remain as far as possible. For sixteen years this building lay unused, unheated, vandalised and branded an eyesore. The formula, so successful here, will not of course work everywhere, but the Rex Berkhamsted is a shining example of what CAN be achieved in the face of developers or pub chains who want to destroy the UKâ€™s cinema treasures for a quick profit.

Ian commented about Manoel Theatre on Oct 7, 2008 at 5:39 pm

Thanks Lost Memory – the website that Google kept throwing up for me is defunct! I have just noticed that many of the photos on the website are mine – note the arrangement of the chairs on the stage (photos used with permission, but not acknowledged!).

Ian commented about Manoel Theatre on Oct 7, 2008 at 11:41 am

Photos taken in May 2008 here:–

Exterior / Foyer:-
http://www.flickr.com/photos/stagedoor/2920893551/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/stagedoor/2921738702/

Auditorium:-
http://www.flickr.com/photos/stagedoor/2921742152/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/stagedoor/2921741678/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/stagedoor/2920896027/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/stagedoor/2921741054/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/stagedoor/2921740642/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/stagedoor/2921740276/

Ian commented about Grand Theatre on Oct 2, 2008 at 7:38 pm

Some photos dating from 1986 as the theatre was being converted into a nightclub:–

Exterior:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/stagedoor/2885227382/

Interior:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/stagedoor/138495874/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/stagedoor/138495878/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/stagedoor/138495880/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/stagedoor/138495875/

Ian commented about Lyceum Theatre on Sep 30, 2008 at 10:11 am

A very beautiful theatre – some photos:–

Exterior (1988 and 2007)
http://www.flickr.com/photos/stagedoor/373384162/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/stagedoor/413543950/

Interior Boxes (derelict and restored)
http://www.flickr.com/photos/stagedoor/373384156/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/stagedoor/413543944/

Auditorium (derelict in 1988)
http://www.flickr.com/photos/stagedoor/373384161/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/stagedoor/373384158/

Auditorium (restored – taken in 2007)
http://www.flickr.com/photos/stagedoor/413543946/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/stagedoor/413543949/

Ian commented about Victoria Theatre on Sep 29, 2008 at 4:36 am

During the summer of 2008 a new raked floor has been laid over the original and new stalls seating provided to improve the comfort. A series of photos – all interior – taken during the refurbishment can be seen here:–

http://www.flickr.com/photos/stagedoor/2898368860/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/stagedoor/2897525719/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/stagedoor/2898368608/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/stagedoor/2898368520/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/stagedoor/2897525443/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/stagedoor/2897525343/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/stagedoor/2897525099/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/stagedoor/2897525249/

Ian commented about Stephen Joseph Theatre on Sep 25, 2008 at 8:07 am

A few night shots showing the neon, entrance and canopy here (September 2008):–

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Ian commented about Astra Cinema on Sep 24, 2008 at 4:20 pm

Close up of the organ here:–

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Ian commented about Picture Playhouse on Sep 24, 2008 at 5:24 am

Three photos taken during the building works in the former Picture Playhouse, September 2008.

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Ian commented about Futurist Theatre on Sep 23, 2008 at 8:58 am

An older photo from circa 1995 showing the circle area here:–

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Ian commented about Apollo Coventry on Sep 22, 2008 at 3:01 pm

Four photos (inside and out) taken in 1995 here:–

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Ian commented about Regal Cinema on Sep 21, 2008 at 4:46 am

Another photo taken in September 2008 here:–

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Ian commented about Central Cinema on Sep 20, 2008 at 2:18 pm

Three shots from it’s Odeon days here:–

1975 – View link

1986 – View link

1989 – View link

Ian commented about Spa Theatre on Sep 20, 2008 at 5:14 am

Some photos of the restored, resplendent and reopened Spa Theatre here (taken September 2008). Films are no longer shown however:–

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Ian commented about Tower Cinema on Sep 16, 2008 at 8:00 am

Two photos (exterior and interior) dating from 1987 here:–

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Ian commented about Scott Cinemas-Sidmouth on Sep 12, 2008 at 12:00 pm

Two further pictures from around 30 years ago here:–

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Ian commented about Granada Clapham Junction on Sep 11, 2008 at 12:14 pm

No – not as far as I am aware. I think they have “imaginatively” named the apartments Lumiere. The last I heard was that the cinema part, although due to be restored, did not have a tenant, but a church group was thought to be a likely prospect.

Ian commented about Clapham Grand Theatre on Sep 11, 2008 at 4:32 am

A series of interior pictures – including the balcony projection room – taken in September 2008, just prior to a refurbishment:–

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Ian commented about BFI Southbank Cinema on Sep 10, 2008 at 7:21 am

September 2008 photo of the Riverside entrance to the NFT here:–

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Ian commented about Granada Clapham Junction on Sep 10, 2008 at 7:14 am

Some photos taken September 2008 showing the new steelwork being erected over the auditorium, on top of the stage tower and the work punching through windows on the upper part of the stage tower.

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Ian commented about Odeon Luxe Sheffield on Sep 9, 2008 at 2:52 pm

It has to be said that this is a lacklustre cinema even by multiplex standards, and is rumoured for closure and redevelopment in the near future.

A photo from 2007 can be seen here:-
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