Berkeley Cinema

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Taken on: July 12, 2021

Uploaded on: July 12, 2021

Software: Windows Photo Editor 10.0.10011.16384

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Photograph shows the staircase down to the auditorium entrance. The auditorium accommodated 500. As mentioned the whole of the interior was very modern, designed by Mollo balustrades, carpets, lighting and auditorium. Also showing on the wall above the stairs is a one of four featured panels used internally carried out by a Photoscan Spraying Technique, invented and patented by Mollo in the UK and USA May 1935. Because this was expensive and time consuming it was rarely used. The only other known cinema to do so was the Century, Cheam. However, some commercial architects did such as the Electricity Showroom in Regent Street and Embassy Court Brighton. The auditorium ceiling was coved at the corners and stepped down towards the proscenium opening, the steps incorporating concealed lighting and the ventilation extract grilles, which were important for a cinema that was built mostly below ground level. The seat coverings were bright green and the carpet design in black, grey and white. Construction of the entire building was by Gee, Walker and Slater, who also installed the plenum system of ventilation.

Ron Knee