Classic Cameo Cinema

40 High Street,
Leicester, LE1 5YN

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Additional Info

Previously operated by: Classic Cinemas (UK), Clavering and Rose, London and Provincial Electric Theatres Ltd.

Firms: Ward & Ball

Styles: Neo-Classical

Previous Names: Electric Theatre, Imperial Playhouse, High Street Cinema, Arcadia Cinema, Cameo News Theatre, Cameo Theatre

Nearby Theaters

The cameo in September 2005

Located in the city centre. The Electric Theatre was opened in August 1910. Designed by the Birmingham based architectural firm Ward & Ball for the London and Provincial Electric Theatres Ltd. chain.

It had an elaborately decorated façade, which had the name ‘Electric Theatre’ in the stonework above the entrance, and above that was a tiled mansard roofed dome surmounted by a large ball. The auditorium ran to the right of the entrance and parallel to the High Street, and had a series of decorative swags along it side wall. Inside the auditorium, all seating was on a single level. The barrel ceiling had a series of beams across which were richly decorated with plaster fruits.

In 1915, it was re-named Imperial Playhouse, then by 1922, it had been re-named Arcadia Cinema. In the early-1940’s, all seating was removed and it became a roller-skating rink and amusement arcade. This use lasted until 1949, when it was re-seated and re-opened as the Cameo News Theatre.

From 1957, it was known as the Cameo Theatre and specialised in screening ‘B’ films in double bills, as well as European dubbed films. It was part of the Clavering & Rose chain of Cameo Theatres and in the mid-1960’s they were taken over by the Classic Cinemas chain, and the Cameo Theatre was re-named Classic Cameo Cinema. It was closed in 1976.

By October 1978 it was operating as a Cascade Bingo Club. It became the Classic Amusement Arcade until 1988, when it closed and was leased out as a computer store until 1991. The building stood empty until 1994, when the auditorium was demolished, but the original ornate entrance was retained. A Habitat furnishing store was built on the site in 1995, and this was closed in May 2010. Since February 2016 it has been an Amplifon hearing centre.

Contributed by Ken Roe

Recent comments (view all 4 comments)

Ken Roe
Ken Roe on September 16, 2010 at 7:52 am

An August 2009 photograph of the High Street, showing the original facade and the now empty red brick Habitat building, which replaced the auditorium;
View link
An August photograph of the former Electric Theatre’s entrance:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/stevecadman/47962532/
Photographed in July 2008:
View link
Close-up:
View link

Peter Williams
Peter Williams on July 23, 2011 at 4:31 am

I visited here on one early occasion to see a comedy double bill of a famous cloth capped comedian in around 1966 or 7. It was so funny, and it warmed my heart. It had a yellow neon sign I remember. I would go when it was still called the continental. I remember it well.

Peter Williams
Peter Williams on July 23, 2011 at 4:33 am

This was an early occasion when my dad took me for a treat to see him.

Biffaskin
Biffaskin on August 16, 2021 at 5:49 pm

Operated as a bingo hall by Cascade Bingo, as shown in the gallery.

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