Princess Cinema

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Taken on: August 10, 2021

Uploaded on: August 11, 2021

Software: Windows Photo Editor 10.0.10011.16384

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This photograph was taken in 1932 shows the right side of the Princess auditorium. In the centre of the ceiling featured a large lay-light, whilst the stage area and proscenium took over the whole end of the auditorium. The walls were covered in in a textured biscuit coloured paint As viewed in the above picture the side and splay walls were the main feature of the Eugene Mollo design, the lower section show bands of black and gold that reached 6ft in height from floor level. Above set into a gold and black frame are tall vertical curved flashed opal glass light fittings, the three sided frame conceals ventilation ducts, finally finished with a gilded grille into which golden metal fish swim. These wall features are greatly complimented by the 8ft high marine panels set into rippled gold splay walls covering the Compton organ chambers, we see pink entwined coral with golden fish and sea vegetation in tones of blue, green and gold. The Princess was the first cinema to have installed these Mollo designed panels, which he repeated for some years after including Plaza Dalston, Regal Canterbury, Plaza West Wickham, Astoria Ruislip, Court Berkhamsted, Majestic Reigate and Embassy Braintree to name a few.

Ron Knee