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Home » Theater Guide » Location » United Kingdom » England » Islington, London » ABC Islington
Also known as Carlton Cinema

ABC Islington

Islington, London, England
161 - 169 Essex Road
, Islington, London, England, United Kingdom N1 2SN
(map)
02073590281
Status: Closed
Screens: Single Screen
Style: Egyptian, French Renaissance
Function: Unknown
Seats: 2368
Chain: Unknown
Architect: George Coles
Firm: Unknown
Add a photo for this theater!
The Carlton Cinema opened on 1st September 1930 with Harold Lloyd in "Welcome Danger". It was built as a cine-variety theatre for independent exhibitors C & R Theatres.

Architect George Coles excelled himself with this lavish building which has a magnificent Egyptian style facade dressed in multi-coloured Hathernware tiles. Inside the building the style changes to an Empire style with Egyptian touches in the foyer and then into the auditorium which is a delightful French Renaissance style. Seating was provided in stalls and balcony levels and there was a cafe for patrons. It was equipped with a Compton 3Manual/6Rank theatre organ that was opened by Phil French. Full stage facilities were included on the 26 feet deep stage and there were four dressing rooms.

The Carlton Cinema was taken over by Associated British Cinemas Ltd. (ABC) from February 1935. It was re-named ABC in 1962. It closed on 5th August 1972 with Reg Varney in "Mutiny on the Buses". The building was converted into a bingo hall which continued for almost 35 years as the Mecca Bingo Club, until closing in March 2007.

It is a Grade II* Listed building.
Contributed by KenRoe

YOUR COMMENTS

 
Here is a current photograph of the egytian style facade of the former Carlton Cinema:
http://www.vam.ac.uk/vastatic/microsites/1157_art_deco/about/buildings/mecca.htm
posted by KenRoe on Jan 27, 2006 at 6:27am
After almost 35 years, the Mecca Bingo Club closed its doors on Sunday 25th March 2007. This is in advance of the new 'no smoking' in public places law which comes into effect in June. There is now serious concern as to what will become of this fine Grade II* Listed building.
posted by KenRoe on Mar 27, 2007 at 4:39am
Here is another recent photo of the ABC Islington.

posted by Lost Memory on Mar 27, 2007 at 5:31am
I played bingo here on many occasions and lost a lot of games by letting my eyes wonder all over this huge and very impressive auditorium. Shame its now closed with a bleak future in front of it.
posted by Ian -'adoraKiaOra on May 3, 2007 at 5:58am
Apparently some raving idiots broke into it May 2007 and caused a lot of internal damage.

Kev P
posted by kev phelan on Jun 4, 2007 at 7:33am
What brilliant news! Keep us posted on the progress.
posted by Ian -'adoraKiaOra on Oct 21, 2007 at 7:13pm
This is a close-up view of the ABC Islington.

posted by Lost Memory on Nov 30, 2007 at 5:27pm
Four vintage photographs of the former Carlton (ABC) Cinema, courtesy of the Cinema Theatre Association archives:
http://www.cinema-theatre.org.uk/atrisk/carlton_islington.htm
posted by KenRoe on Dec 1, 2007 at 8:25am
The last photo by Lost Memory must be some years old as i used to pass there everyday and that show it looked 8 or 9 years ago, It looks in a pretty sorry state in that picture. I cant imagine how it must look today now its closed and abandoned. I wonder how long it will survive as the last Mecca to close in Hounslow closed this year and has already disapeared into dust.
posted by Ian -'adoraKiaOra on Dec 1, 2007 at 8:59am
I don't know when that last photo was taken. This photo is dated June of 1984. Here is a b/w photo dated June of 1963. The photo that I linked to on Mar 27, 2007 is dated March 4. 2007.

posted by Lost Memory on Dec 1, 2007 at 9:16am
Ah the good old double bill!
posted by Ian -'adoraKiaOra on Dec 1, 2007 at 9:28am
Here is a recent photo of the ABC Islington which appears to be vacant.

posted by Lost Memory on May 2, 2008 at 6:44pm
Thats a sad picture.
I played bingo there in the late-1990's just to see and feel the wonderful auditorium. It was very plainly decorated compared to other Mecca bingo halls, but still great to see.

What damage has been done exactly????
posted by Ian -'adoraKiaOra on May 2, 2008 at 7:14pm
Apparently not as bad as thought, Ian.

A church group has taken it over and would like to see it/offer it to used for cinema use again, maybe carefully and resepctfully adding two more screens inside : with occasional use for church congregation overspill : similarly to the Notting Hill Coronet.
posted by kev phelan on Jul 13, 2008 at 2:38am
Nothing short of brilliant news!
posted by Ian -'adoraKiaOra on Jul 13, 2008 at 6:13am
This was the building in October 2000.

posted by Lost Memory on Jan 28, 2009 at 4:57pm
A set of photographs of the Carlton/ABC, including vintage interior shots from April 1987:
http://flickr.com/photos/oldcinemaphotos/sets/72157603166472364/
posted by KenRoe on Feb 10, 2009 at 7:17am
That has to be one of the best photo sets on here!
Wow!
posted by Ian -'adoraKiaOra on Feb 10, 2009 at 7:24am
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