The Capitol closed for alterations which separated the circle into a 630 seat cinema, whilst the former stalls accommodated 1,400 bingo players. A wall was constructed at the front of the balcony with a new screen surrounded by a swagged pelmet and fronted by new curtains. The architects involved were Eric Neve and Associates, the contractors were F Shepherd & Son Ltd, the cost was claimed to be £30,000. The Cinema re-opened 11th March 1968 with “Smashing Time” starring Rita Tushingham.
This followed a months closure the previous year when from 7th May 1967 to the 5th June the Capitol was closed for alterations and redecoration in the hands of Mecca. From this point the films were shown once nightly, seen from seats in the circle, whilst bingo was played in the stalls afternoons and early evening. This was reported as costing £60,000.
The cinema did not last very long and after it had closed the balcony sub-division was removed to restore the Capitol to its original appearance for bingo throughout. The usual staircase at one side of the balcony to the stalls was installed.
An exterior shot from 2011. The upper level is reportedly intact but in a very poor state – a request for access was refused because “the floor is not safe” – the former ground floor stalls area is still in use as Rileys Snooker Hall. There appears to be much use of stained glass in the windows.
In November 2011 the Odeon is receiving a major refurbishment, inside and out. The two mini’s have already been finished, the exterior has been repaired and repainted and is still under scaffolding, and the the main screen refurb is due to start shortly.
Some 2012 photos
PLAZA
PLAZA LETTERING
PLAZA SHOP
The entrance bears no resemblance to the cinema
REGENT FACADE
Photos from March 2012
EXTERIOR
BOX DETAIL
PROSCENIUM
AUDITORIUM TO REAR
STAGE GRID
March 2012 picture. The disintegration of the rendering is revealing the original stone façade
ALBERT HALL
In a very poor state a year later
PALACE THEATRE
Still there in March 2012.
FACADE
AUDITORIUM EXTERIOR
Some 2012 photos of the Art here:–
EXTERIOR
AUDITORIUM TO REAR
AUDITORIUM SIDE VIEW
AUDITORIUM TO STAGE
In February 2012 the Odeon survives empty amidst all the redeveloped area. Externally at least it still looks in good condition. Photos:–
ODEON EXTERIOR
ODEON FACADE
Newly found information:–
The Capitol closed for alterations which separated the circle into a 630 seat cinema, whilst the former stalls accommodated 1,400 bingo players. A wall was constructed at the front of the balcony with a new screen surrounded by a swagged pelmet and fronted by new curtains. The architects involved were Eric Neve and Associates, the contractors were F Shepherd & Son Ltd, the cost was claimed to be £30,000. The Cinema re-opened 11th March 1968 with “Smashing Time” starring Rita Tushingham.
This followed a months closure the previous year when from 7th May 1967 to the 5th June the Capitol was closed for alterations and redecoration in the hands of Mecca. From this point the films were shown once nightly, seen from seats in the circle, whilst bingo was played in the stalls afternoons and early evening. This was reported as costing £60,000.
The cinema did not last very long and after it had closed the balcony sub-division was removed to restore the Capitol to its original appearance for bingo throughout. The usual staircase at one side of the balcony to the stalls was installed.
Source Evening News 11/3/1968 – includes photo.
A photo of the Palace after The Litten Tree had closed here:– http://www.flickr.com/photos/stagedoor/4473153208/lightbox/
Interior pictures of the former Capitol here:–
AUDITORIUM REAR TO FRONT
AUDITORIUM SIDE VIEW
DETAIL OF PROSCENIUM
AUDITORIUM FRONT TO REAR
Photo of the previously mentioned side staircases in the foyer as they were in 1989:–
CASTLE FOYER
More photos of the Embassy here:–
VIEW ACROSS THE ROOF TOWARDS THE STAGE TOWER
STAGE TOWER AND DRESSING ROOMS
FORMER MAIN ENTRANCE
A photo with the building in use as the showroom here:–
FORMER IMPERIAL CINEMA
A few interior shots from 2007:–
ART DECO CIRCLE FOYER
DRESS CIRCLE
ART DECO CEILING
Some better images from 2011 here:–
AUDITORIUM FROM STAGE
AUDITORIUM FROM DRESS CIRCLE
FOYER
An exterior shot from 2011. The upper level is reportedly intact but in a very poor state – a request for access was refused because “the floor is not safe” – the former ground floor stalls area is still in use as Rileys Snooker Hall. There appears to be much use of stained glass in the windows.
MAJESTIC / ODEON
In November 2011 the Odeon is receiving a major refurbishment, inside and out. The two mini’s have already been finished, the exterior has been repaired and repainted and is still under scaffolding, and the the main screen refurb is due to start shortly.
EXTERIOR
SCREEN
BALCONY
A photo of the Cannon shortly before demolition here
CANNON CINEMA
A 1960’s view of the Odeon here
ODEON CLACTON
A photo of the cinema under the Cannon branding, and with a 3 screen operation
EXTERIOR CANNON CINEMA
Some photo’s from the 1990’s of the Queens Hall
PROSCENIUM
AUDITORIUM
Photo from October 2011
ODEON LOTHIAN ROAD
Still derelict in October 2011 – traces of the New Victoria lettering can be seen on the façade
ODEON EXTERIOR
Seen in October 2011
STATE CINEMA