Comments about Gaumont State Kilburn in London, GB

David Neale on August 19, 2022 at 1:31 pm

Thanks Ken, it was good to see some old friends on Monday, some I haven’t seen for years, let’s hope it’s not too long before the CTA have another visit, maybe a longer one next time and I’ll make sure you hear the organ next time. ,

Ken Roe on August 19, 2022 at 10:19 am

Thanks David. That is good news and I have corrected the overview text. Also, It was good seeing you at the CTA visit last Monday. Keep up the good work!

David Neale on August 19, 2022 at 10:12 am

I would like to correct a comment about the Wurlitzer in the Gaumont State, Kilburn. The comment saying the organ hasn’t been played for years is completely incorrect. I maintain the Wurlitzer on a regular basis and the organ is totally playable, it is played every time maintenance is carried out. The current owners of the building Ruach City Church have always paid to have the organ maintained properly, so please disregard the comment suggesting it hasn’t been used for years. We don’t have concerts any more but the church will always maintain the organ.

HowardBHaas on August 17, 2022 at 4:40 am

Beautiful photos, Ian.

Ian on August 17, 2022 at 1:18 am

Some internal photos taken on a CTA visit in August 2022:-

GAUMONT STATE - Auditorium panorama

GAUMONT STATE - Auditorium from stage

GAUMONT STATE - Auditorium stage from balcony

GAUMONT STATE - Foyer staircase

Roger04 on September 11, 2017 at 7:13 am

Interesting to see mentioned above how the Gaumont State did duty as a company training centre making use of the dressing room space back stage which had been converted into meeting rooms. I was seconded to the Dept in 1970 having previously managed South Norwood Odeon, the company Training Dept HQ was at Croydon Top Rank Suite, heavily committed to staff training at the time across the group other base’s tended to be at hotels. The State had a magnificent stage which would be the envy of any west end producer. On a number of occasions when using the State I had the opportunity to go in the auditorium when the organ was being used in full throttle. I remember Bill Weir as Theatre Manager well his ambition was always to get in to the company West End Group, he was a bit annoyed when I left the Training Dept to rejoin building operation in 71, at Victoria’s New Victoria (now Apollo Victoria) and Metropole which were run as one operation sharing staff across the 2 sites. Both had great stage facilities (the New Vic of course now being a full time theatre) the Metropole however had a 70mm screen and 5 channel stereo sound installed which prevented occasional stage use. The Metropole was sold to Virgin Group in the late 70’s becoming The Venue, a music venue when the stage capability was in use again. Sadly the Metropole subsequently closed and before listing protection was knocked down.

HowardBHaas on June 28, 2017 at 1:51 pm

the Grange has its own page http://cinematreasures.org/theaters/21111

Andrew49 on June 28, 2017 at 1:26 pm

Why no mention of the Grange Cinema that used to be on the other side of Kilburn High Road between Messina Avenue and Grangeway? At one time, Kilburn had 4 cinemas…now none.

Alan Baker on April 10, 2017 at 3:13 am

The drop wall dividing the rear stalls was brought forward to make a bigger bingo section. This still left a total of around 1,800 seats with the circle and remaining front stalls seating and live shows continued until the end, although some acts objected to playing to “the wall”. Rank’s Training Centre was located here and I was on an Assistant Manager’s course in the spring of 1979. Course manager was Keith Cheney, but Bill Weir took some sessions. WW, as he was referred to, moved on to the Dominion, Tottenham Court Road and then the Odeon Leicester Square. The projection box was located at the back of the dome and I remember being impressed at what looked like a near 45 degree projection rake!

triard on March 2, 2015 at 11:39 am

During WWII the chandelier was dismantled for safe keeping. After the war my dad helped to reassemble it. They put it together but it did not pass health and safety due to rusted parts so it had to be taken down, parts replaced and reassembled again. SO pleased that it is still in situ.

AUBM1971 on June 8, 2011 at 3:01 pm

I was one of the three trainees on the last course for assistant managers starting at the Gaumont State in August 1971. Upon completion I transferred to the Odeon Uxbridge, and then in early 1972 Bill Weir (later manager of the Odeon Leicester Square) who had trained me, requested my return to the State to take over as his AUBM (Assistant Unit Business Manager, i.e. senior of two assistant managers).

Our employer, to be very precise, was Rank Leisure Services Ltd – Theatre Division. We tended to look down our noses somewhat at Top Rank Club Division, whose entrance was in Willesden Lane!

We had one screen, and the traditional Saturday morning children’s show. I once got tangled in the tabs (curtains) on stage and fell over, to great applause. That incident was chronicled in the ‘Kilburn Times’, whose film critic happened to be present collecting material for an article. I have the clipping still.

Four weeks of musicals a year courtesy of the Hornsey Operatic and Harrow Light Opera, who had to transfer to us from the Odeon Golders Green when it ceased to be single screen. I was always told we had the second largest stage in Europe after Drury Lane. Then the ‘Gang Show’ and the fascinating Ralph Reader with his tales of working as a ‘hoofer’ with Jimmy, George and Joan (Cagney, Raft and Crawford). Cinema organ concerts on Bank Holidays.

Walking out of the theatre at night via the stalls and pitch black backstage area illuminated by dim security lights and an usherette’s torch and hoping not to get mugged in the large dark car park after exiting via the stage door.

Getting thumped by a customer – just once.

Memories!

Sorry, I have contributed absolutelynothing about architecture or anything else of relevance, but this place was an important part of my life for a while.

andygarner on May 12, 2011 at 9:03 am

Thanks for posting the ACE pics Woody, the auditorium certainly looks better than it did in it`s bingo days.

woody on May 12, 2011 at 7:36 am

seen here with stalls seating and the proscenium area converted for church services
View link

Ken Roe on October 28, 2010 at 11:47 am

Vintage photographs of the Gaumont State Theatre, and its Wurlitzer organ console:
http://www.ukwurlitzer.co.cc/2216.html

orpheum on July 7, 2010 at 2:39 am

Well now that it has reopened what about a few organ concerts.London is currently bereft of venues.I used to go the ATOS concerts each month.Now i have to travel down to Portslade Town Hall once a month.

woody on June 23, 2010 at 1:40 am

finally reopening!!!!
July 10
View link

woody on September 30, 2009 at 3:27 pm

issyvb on August 7, 2009 at 4:48 pm

My Grandmother performed at the age of 8, as part of the opening week at the Gaumont State, with the girls tap-dancing group ‘The Flavia Galles’. She recalls this time fondly, and i wondered if anybody had any information or photographs from the performance. She said they wore short skirts and red tap shoes with big bows. She thinks there were around 15 girls. They were part of a local dance group, named after their instructor.
If there is any information, it would be very special for us to have some, as it was such a special time in my Grandmother’s life.
Thank you very much,
Isabella (Granddaughter of Teresa nee: Genovese)

woody on March 11, 2009 at 6:11 am

finally some (hopefully good) news on the future of the State
View link

AdoraKiaOra on January 12, 2008 at 3:27 am

Makes my heart jump and sink at the same time.

Ken Roe on January 11, 2008 at 3:40 pm

This is a view not normally taken of the Gaumont State Theatre. Seen from the cinema car park, it shows the massive back of the stage house and dressing room block. In the distance to the right can be seen the huge tower which is over the main entrance. Photographed in November 2007:
http://flickr.com/photos/92215570@N00/2184878219/

Ken Roe on January 4, 2008 at 7:56 am

It has been announced that the magnificent Grade II* Listed Gaumont State Theatre has been purchased by Ruach Inspirational Church of God, who have their current base in Brixton, south London. This is the UK branch of the Ruach Ministries, evangelical church.

While this is ‘sort of’ good news, in that the building won’t be left empty and rotting away, concerns are that public access could now be compromised, and it will only be evangelical Christians who will be admitted, to enjoy the building. Will the Wurlitzer organ be maintained to playable condition, as it currently is?. Will the building be available for inspection on the annual ‘Open House’ architectural days, as it has been in recent years?.

I presume that the matter will now go to Brent Council to approve a change of use to a Grade II* Listed building. When the UCKG church purchased the EMD Cinema (former Granada) Walthamstow, permission to change of use to a church was refused and the building has remained empty for the past five years.

If planning applications are approved, Kilburn High Road will then have three former cinemas in religious use;the Grange Cinema(2,028 seats-Grade II Listed) is now a UCKG church, the Maida Vale Picture House (1,001 seats -Grade II Listed) is now a Mosque, plus the Gaumont State Kilburn?

Ken Roe on October 14, 2007 at 4:55 pm

The Cheatles (a Beatles tribute band) play on the stage of the Gaumont State after the final session of Mecca Bingo (closing night Sunday 19th August 2007). Stick with it as there are shots of the auditorium towards the end:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9awA7ZDlQss

Ken Roe on October 14, 2007 at 4:45 pm

A short video of the last concert on the Wurlitzer organ:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u_XMyvY1M6Q&NR=1

Ian on October 14, 2007 at 11:57 am

Two October photos of the State here:–

View link

Gaumont State Kilburn

199 Kilburn High Road, London, NW6 7HY

199 Kilburn High Road,
London, NW6 7HY