From the BBC news report 10/Sept/05 :- “Now the hope is that the French Quarter’s lure of history, food and music can become a catalyst for regeneration. Plans are being drawn up to retain historic areas of the city while rebuilding residential areas on higher ground and regenerating old wetlands to reduce the risk of future flooding. High quality transport links and projects to improve the quality of life and reduce poverty in New Orleans are high on most agendas. Bringing business and tourism back to the region is equally important.”
Clearly the BBC and the Authorities in NO are having “jollies” too!!!
“I would sign a demolition permit for this building if it meant all those people could get their homes and lives back”
What a load of pretentious nonsense! Yes, of course the human suffering is a tragedy. But the demolition of the Saenger would help no-one. The exact opposite in fact. Without the Casinos, restaurants, theatres, and old-French quarter the city would not attract the tourists who provide employment for the citizens of the city. In order to help restore their lives what remains of the history and culture of the place must be brought back – at the same time as the homes. NOW is exactly the time to start talking about restoration and that IS showing respect.
This was built in 1991 as a alternative to sub-dividing the next-door Regent Theatre (an ex Gaumont/PCT property which had been renamed Odeon). This glorious building continues on live usage. There was also a purpose built Odeon opened in 1936 in Lloyds Avenue which survives on Bingo.
Odeon (Lloyds Ave) Opened 1936. Tripled 1975. Closed 1982. Bingo.
Odeon (St Helens St) Opened as Regent 1929. Gaumont 1950. Odeon 1987. Closed 1991. Live theatre (back as Regent).
Odeon (St Margarets St) Opened 1991. Closed 2005. Derelict.
The seating capacity was increased in 1935 when the theatre was remodelled (it would have seated around 1,200 by present day standards before alteration) because much of the stage area was included in the the redesigned cinema. The figure of 1,509 for the Dorchester is taken from the 1943 Kinematograph Year Book. This also gives the proscenium width as 35 feet.
I love the site but I hope the comments section returns quicker than the “add a photograph” section! These two sections are the two I most value(d) on the site. Perhaps the CT Poll could be used to find out which features the users find the most useful. I agree that some kind of a time limit could be imposed – some theatres have 500+ comments attached to them which are near impossible to sift through. Although I also accept that some crucial information could be lost in this way.
I cannot now remember where but I am sure I read that the new Henry Millars will be a exact replica of the old, but with more extensive foyer space and facilities.
Generally when a theatre is “dismantled” prior to “re-erectition” (as in the Apollo/Lyric which became the Ford/Hilton) this involves hacking out bits of the plasterwork so that mouldings can be taken for the new theatre rather than piecing together the old plaster.
This can, execpt to devout historians, result in a better theatre as technological advances since the orginal design can be seemlessly incorporated into the new.
I can remember seeing Plaza Suite here when on holiday once. It was very small with seats on a single level and you entered the auditorium at the screen end of the building.
Following the sudden closure of the Lounge Cinema early in 2005, the future of the Cottage Road was plunged into doubt. Unless a buyer can be found the cinema will cease trading on 28 July 2005 – a suitable alternative use for this very old cinema is hard to imagine.
The Hull Screen is to move to a temporary location on the University campus as the Library wishes to take back the space that the cinema / theatre occupies. An investigation is on-going regarding converting part of the basement of the City Hall into a three screen art-house cinema.
More photo’s of the Plaza can be found
here for an exterior shot in around 1988
View link
and here for an interior shot in
View link
Also a longer delay before the movie is issued on DVD would help encourage attendances in cinemas.
Recent pictures of the Hammersmith Apollo can found
Exterior
View link
Foyer
View link
Auditorium
View link
and auditorium again
View link
A recent interior photograph of the auditorium can be seen here
View link
Photographs of the demolition can be found here
View link
and in happier days an interior shot here
View link
The Roxy closed in September as planned and is currently boarded up awaiting demolition.
Recent exterior shot here
View link
and an interior on the same day
View link
Another exterior shot here
View link
and an interior shot here
View link
Interior – pre-subdivision – shot including the organ here
View link
Interior shot of the Maindee as a bingo hall here
View link
Exterior photo here
View link
Exterior photo as a bingo hall here
View link
Pictures at HERE
and
HERE
From the BBC news report 10/Sept/05 :-
“Now the hope is that the French Quarter’s lure of history, food and music can become a catalyst for regeneration. Plans are being drawn up to retain historic areas of the city while rebuilding residential areas on higher ground and regenerating old wetlands to reduce the risk of future flooding. High quality transport links and projects to improve the quality of life and reduce poverty in New Orleans are high on most agendas. Bringing business and tourism back to the region is equally important.”
Clearly the BBC and the Authorities in NO are having “jollies” too!!!
“I would sign a demolition permit for this building if it meant all those people could get their homes and lives back”
What a load of pretentious nonsense! Yes, of course the human suffering is a tragedy. But the demolition of the Saenger would help no-one. The exact opposite in fact. Without the Casinos, restaurants, theatres, and old-French quarter the city would not attract the tourists who provide employment for the citizens of the city. In order to help restore their lives what remains of the history and culture of the place must be brought back – at the same time as the homes. NOW is exactly the time to start talking about restoration and that IS showing respect.
This was built in 1991 as a alternative to sub-dividing the next-door Regent Theatre (an ex Gaumont/PCT property which had been renamed Odeon). This glorious building continues on live usage. There was also a purpose built Odeon opened in 1936 in Lloyds Avenue which survives on Bingo.
Odeon (Lloyds Ave) Opened 1936. Tripled 1975. Closed 1982. Bingo.
Odeon (St Helens St) Opened as Regent 1929. Gaumont 1950. Odeon 1987. Closed 1991. Live theatre (back as Regent).
Odeon (St Margarets St) Opened 1991. Closed 2005. Derelict.
The seating capacity was increased in 1935 when the theatre was remodelled (it would have seated around 1,200 by present day standards before alteration) because much of the stage area was included in the the redesigned cinema. The figure of 1,509 for the Dorchester is taken from the 1943 Kinematograph Year Book. This also gives the proscenium width as 35 feet.
Ian (of Interludes !)
I love the site but I hope the comments section returns quicker than the “add a photograph” section! These two sections are the two I most value(d) on the site. Perhaps the CT Poll could be used to find out which features the users find the most useful. I agree that some kind of a time limit could be imposed – some theatres have 500+ comments attached to them which are near impossible to sift through. Although I also accept that some crucial information could be lost in this way.
Excellent news! If anyone can make this cinema survive then Northern Morris can!
I cannot now remember where but I am sure I read that the new Henry Millars will be a exact replica of the old, but with more extensive foyer space and facilities.
Generally when a theatre is “dismantled” prior to “re-erectition” (as in the Apollo/Lyric which became the Ford/Hilton) this involves hacking out bits of the plasterwork so that mouldings can be taken for the new theatre rather than piecing together the old plaster.
This can, execpt to devout historians, result in a better theatre as technological advances since the orginal design can be seemlessly incorporated into the new.
I can remember seeing Plaza Suite here when on holiday once. It was very small with seats on a single level and you entered the auditorium at the screen end of the building.
Following the sudden closure of the Lounge Cinema early in 2005, the future of the Cottage Road was plunged into doubt. Unless a buyer can be found the cinema will cease trading on 28 July 2005 – a suitable alternative use for this very old cinema is hard to imagine.
The Hull Screen is to move to a temporary location on the University campus as the Library wishes to take back the space that the cinema / theatre occupies. An investigation is on-going regarding converting part of the basement of the City Hall into a three screen art-house cinema.
The end is indeed nigh – the cinema will close in July 2005. It is believed that the building has been sold but not as a cinema.
Sorry SBC in the above post refers to Scarborough Borough Council – I sometimes forget this is an international site and simply use local vernacular!