ABC Leicester
46 Belgrave Gate,
Leicester,
LE1
46 Belgrave Gate,
Leicester,
LE1
2 people
favorited this theater
Showing all 10 comments
Thanks MikeJC for jolting a memory. I worked with Clifford Birchall (He was one of the better ABC organists) for just over 14 days at the Imperial Walsall. We both had got lumbered for the Bingo Opening… He composed a famous march. But cannot for the life remember the name.. Our Zone Manager L.S. Barry was based here.. Lucky I did not have to releive at this Cinema :o)
I served my appreticeship in Leicester from 1961 to 1966 and this was my absolute favourite cinema. I was fortunate enough to hear the organ played by Clifford Birchall as a prelude to the film “Can-Can” in 1961 – perhaps the last time it was played in public. The instrument was not very loud (at least not in the balcony) and I began to wonder if it was installed out in the car park! To be fair though, it could just have been that Mr Birchall was being restrained, so as not to drive out the non-organ lovers.
I worked there in the 90s.Great to see Alan’s pics with Ian the last Chief Projectionist. Great cinema to work in,pity i was not able to run 70mm there. Bill
Heres a photo from my collection.
http://img471.imageshack.us/i/abc2fb8.jpg/
Alanproj
alanproj; Thanks for the clarification. It has now been amended.
I would like to correct a small mistake in the details above.I worked at the cinema from 1965 to closure and when converted to a twin cinema,the whole of the stalls area was used for screen 2.
Demolition was completed toward the end of 2007 and at time of writing(march ‘08),the area is in use as a car park.
I would love to add some photos when this feature is up and running.
Sadly the cinema is now having its heart riped out. View link
I would love to see a photo of the inside of the cinema in its youth, as well as the compton organ.
Work stripping out the former ABC Savoy started in February, ahead of demolition.
Another photo when under the Cannon name in 1995:–
View link
A photograph of the ABC Leicester that I took in July 1965:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/kencta/245722450/