Rex Theatre
6-8 Market Street,
Ely,
CB7 4BP
6-8 Market Street,
Ely,
CB7 4BP
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Located in Ely, Cambridgeshire. The Rex Theatre was opened on 2nd September 1929 with the silent film “Legion of the Condemned”. It was designed by architect Francis Burdett Ward. It had a 35 feet deep stage and two dressing rooms. Initially it had rear projection and seats were only in the stalls area.
It was soon equipped with a Western Electric(WE) sound system and the first talkie screened was Janet Gaynor in “Sunny Side Up”. It was enlarged to have a balcony fitted, and there was now a restaurant over the main foyer.
In 1945 it became part of the Bancroft circuit, and in later years, the façade was modernised. In the 1960’s it was taken over by C & R Cinemas of Kings Lynn. They sold the building to a development company, and despite a petition, it was closed on 3rd January 1961 with Jack Palance in “Hawk, the Slayer”. The building was demolished and a branch of Boot’s Chemists was built on the site.
Contributed by
Ken Roe
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Recent comments (view all 2 comments)
The frontage was updated by 1930 and in 1937 a waiting lounge converted from a former storeroom. Rear projection may have lasted until May, 1934 The present Bppts store was opened on the site in June, 1982.
[ely.ccan.co.uk/content/tag/the-rex-cinema-ely] A page from the Cambridgeshire Community Archive Network on the Rex Ely.