Paris Continental Cinema

Located to the right of Brighton’s famous Theatre Royal. The Brighton Empire Theatre of Varieties was built on the site of Wrights Music Hall, last known as the Oxford Music Hall which was destroyed by fire in 1892. It was rebuilt to the plans of architect Charles B. Clayton of architectural firm, Clayton & Black and opened on 22nd August 1892. It was designed in a flamboyant Louis XV style. Seating was provided in orchestra stalls, dress circle and gallery with four private boxes along the side-walls at dress circle level. The proscenium was 29 feet wide. The opening bill was headed by Vesta Victoria, famous as the singer of the songs ‘Daddy Wouldn’t Buy Me A Bow-Wow’ and ‘Waiting at the Church’. All the top names of music hall appeared here, including Little Tich, George Robey, Dan Leno and Harry Randall.

In 1907, the Empire Theatre was taken over by Thomas Barrasford who also owned the Brighton Hippodrome Theatre, and he re-named it Coliseum Theatre. In 1909, it was converted into the Court Picture Palace.

In May 1928, it was taken over by the Gaumont British Theatres chain, but they only operated it briefly, as it was taken over by an independent operator from January 1930.

The Court Picture Palace operated successfully until 1946, when it was taken over by the near adjacent Theatre Royal, and following alterations to the stage by Wembley based architects Morgan & Crook it re-opened in 1947 as a live theatre, known as the Dolphin Theatre. In 1952, it was re-named Her Majesty’s Theatre.

It was converted into the Paris Continental Cinema in March 1955. It specialized in screening foreign films. The Paris Continental Cinema was closed on 2nd March 1963 with a double bill programme of Shirley Jones in “Carousel” and Harry Belafonte in “Carmen Jones”. The building stood empty for four years, and was demolished in 1967.

A block of offices known as Norwich Union House was built on the site.

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