Theatre Gallery

Odeon Weston-Super-Mare NWC01_01_1718

Odeon Cinema, Walliscote Road, Weston-Super-Mare, North Somerset. The illuminated console of the Compton organ in the Odeon Cinema.
The Odeon Cinema opened in May 1935 and was designed by T Cecil Howitt. The auditorium was divided into three screens in 1973, and a fourth screen was opened in 1991. The organ was restored in 1999. It is not clear whether this photograph was taken before or after the auditorium alteration and organ restoration.

© Historic England Archive

Wurlitzer organ NWC01_01_2837

Mecca Bingo Club, Kilburn High Road, Kilburn, Brent, Greater London. The Wurlitzer organ console in the auditorium of the Mecca Bingo Club.
The Gaumont State Theatre was opened in 1937. It was one of the largest cinemas in Europe, and the largest in England, with a seating capacity of 4,004. The building was later divided into a dance hall, cinema and bingo hall, before being used solely as a bingo hall from around 1990. In 2010 the building reopened as a church. The Wurlitzer organ was originally located on a revolving elevator to the right of the proscenium, and was relocated to the left of the proscenium during alterations to the auditorium

© Historic England Archive

Empire Cinema NWC01_01_1868

Empire Cinema, Leicester Square, City of Westminster, Greater London. The auditorium of Screen 1 in the Empire Cinema.
The Empire Theatre first opened in 1884 and was designed by Thomas Verity. Its facade, entrance and auditorium were redeveloped in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Between 1928 and 1961, the auditorium had 3,300 seats. After 1962, when the interior was redesigned by George Coles, the former stalls became a dance hall, later a casino. In the 1980s the cinema was converted into three screens: the original Screen 1 could seat 1,330 people, the adjacent Ritz Cinema became Screen 2, and an area off the foyer was use as Screen 3. Screen 1 was subdivided in the early 21st century

© Historic England Archive