Ritzy Picturehouse

Brixton Oval, Coldharbour Lane,
London, SW2 1JG

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Picturehouse Cinemas UK (Official)

Additional Info

Operated by: Picturehouse Cinemas UK

Previously operated by: Classic Cinemas (UK), Davis Pavilion Circuit

Architects: George Coles

Firms: Earle Architects, E.C. Homer & Lucas

Functions: Movies (First Run), Movies (Independent)

Styles: Renaissance Revival

Previous Names: Electric Pavilion, Pavilion, Brixton Pullman, Classic, Little Bit Ritzy, Ritzy

Phone Numbers: Box Office: 440871.704.2065

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Located in the southwest inner-city London district of Brixton. Opening on 24th March 1911 as the Electric Pavilion, it was designed by architects E.C Homer & Lucas for cinema pioneer Israel Davis of the Davis Pavilion Circuit. It had an organ installed beside the screen to accompany silent films. It has outlasted its local competition (the fabulous Academy, former Astoria Theatre with its superb Atmospheric style interior). The seating capacity was 800 in 1937 when it was known as the Brixton Pavilion Cinema. In 1954, noted cinema architect George Coles made some alterations to the building (possibly for CinemaScope installation).

The cinema has been through a lot of tough times but after restoration of the exterior in 1994 and a further four screens with bar and café being built alongside (on the site of the World War II bombed Brixton Theatre designed by theatre architect Frank Matcham). Its fortunes have seen a total reverse from the 1970’s when it was nearly demolished.

The Ritzy is now part of the Picturehouse group who run many of London’s best independent art house cinemas, and was voted by Time Out readers as London’s second favourite cinema in 2001, the Ritzy programme covers the best of quality mainstream to art house and documentary programmes, it also has one of the first three DLP digital projectors in the UK (the others being at Manchester Filmworks and the Odeon Leicester Square).

The main auditorium retains magnificent Edwardian plasterwork with swagged ceiling ribs and panelled walls, as well as the original proscenium arch, and now seats 346 due to extra spacing between rows and larger seats. In 2011, the screen (without a curtain in front of it) in the main auditorium is placed in front of the original proscenium arch and was designed and installed by architectural firm Eatle Architects. They also redesigned the café/bar area in the former original foyer. The four new screens have seating for 174, 113, 108 and 52.

The Ritzy Picturehouse is a Grade II Listed building.

Contributed by Woody

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Recent comments (view all 13 comments)

kevinp on August 7, 2005 at 4:39 am

I remember the Ritzy well, as I used to go there on a Saturday night after finishing my shift at Streatham Odeon ( FKA The Astoria ).
Great programming and friendly staff.

Herewith a link to an early picture from 1911, and an interior of the restored auditorium : hats off

View link

best

kevp

Ken Roe on October 2, 2005 at 3:43 pm

The Ritzy Cinema is now known as the Ritzy Picturehouse.

Ken Roe on November 8, 2005 at 2:48 am

Some before and after photographs of the Ritzy Picturehouse and more historic details:
http://www.urban75.org/brixton/history/ritzy.html

Close-up before and after photographs:
http://www.urban75.org/brixton/history/ritzy2.html

The site of the Ritzy prior to its errection and the Brixton Theatre & Opera House which stood next door:
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Architect Frank Matcham designed the Brixton Theatre & Opera House. It was never a cinema, but worth mentioning here. It was destroyed by bombing in World War II and the site is now used by the Ritzy as their newly built bar/cafe and 4 extra screens, as shown in the bottom photo.
View link

Two more before and after photographs:
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