London Coliseum
38 St. Martin's Lane,
London,
WC2N 4ES
38 St. Martin's Lane,
London,
WC2N 4ES
3 people
favorited this theater
Showing all 9 comments
Ken do you have any photos of The Astoria Cinerama Screen? I see plenty of info on the cinema itself, and early pics of the auditorium, but nothing on the Cinerama/todd AO days? thanks
Very, Very, Nice.
Two vintage views of the auditorium, as seen from the stage:
In the 1930’s:
View link
In the 1970’s:
View link
Two exterior photos taken in September 2008 here:–
View link
View link
Two views of the London Coliseum auditorium and proscenium, taken before the recent 2004 refurbishment. (When a Cinerama theatre, the screen extended in-front of the eight stage boxes):
View link
View link
I saw the late June Bronhill on stage in “The Merry Widow” at the London Coliseum in Sept. 1959. What a beautiful, glamourous, huge theatre. It must have made a great Cinerama house. I have attended several ENO performances there over the years. A wonderful theatre, even the outside walls are interesting— the facade, for sure; plus the north sidewall, and the rear stage wall. An outstanding theatre.
A recent photograph of the facade of the London Coliseum Theatre:
View link
A recent photograph of the Baroque styled tower over the entrance to the Coliseum. Note the name on top that revolves:
View link
Films were shown at the Coliseum from the early days when Kinemacolour films and newsreels were shown as part of the variety bill. In March/April 1933 “King King” had a run, followed by the sensational venereal disease drama “Damaged Lives”. It was briefly used a newsreel cinema from late September 1940 during the ‘blitz’ on London.
In June 1961, MGM took over whilst their Empire Theatre, Leicester Square was being re-modelled and the Coliseum screened re-issues of “Gone With the Wind”, “Rope” and a new release “Two Weeks in Another Town” among others, until Cinerama was installed.
Cinerama opened with “The Wonderful World of the Brothers Grimm” followed by attractions screened in 70mm Cinerama which included; “Grand Prix”, “It’s A Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad, World”, “The Magnificent Showman”, “La Fayette”, “The Flaming Years”, “The Bible” and a revival of “Around the World In 80 Days”.