Comments about Rainbow Theatre in London, GB

DavidSimpson on December 24, 2022 at 3:32 am

In “My Autobiography”, motor racing commentator Murray Walker recalled watching the Indy 500 race, held in Indianapolis, USA, on Monday 30th May 1966, at the Astoria. The presentation, via satellite link, was apparently much enjoyed by a “mixed audience of American servicemen and British enthusiasts”.

keiths on July 31, 2013 at 7:09 am

It really is still a magnificent building. Saw the Beatles and the Yardbirds there one christmas in the 60’s

Ian on July 31, 2013 at 4:15 am

Some recent exteriors – including the side revealed by demolition of buildings on Seven Sisters Road – July 2013

ENTRANCE

STAGE & DRESSING ROOMS

INNER SIDE

Rickyb6 on April 15, 2012 at 5:03 am

Hi Hofnarr
See my website www.rainbowhistory.x10.mx to get the information you want – regards Rick

Hofnarr on April 2, 2012 at 5:30 am

hi! does anyone know when the movie “breaking glass” was shot at the rainbow theatre? i know it must’ve been some time in 1980, but i need the exact date as i want to include this scene in a novel … thanks!!!

Mike Rogers on May 3, 2011 at 12:09 am

Great pictures and stories,enjoyed them all.

Rickyb6 on April 28, 2011 at 7:39 pm

If you want to know who has played there and when check out www.rainbowhistory.x10.mx

keiths on April 5, 2011 at 2:07 pm

Thank goodness it’s still there.

woody on February 15, 2011 at 6:05 pm

two press ads for concerts from april 1979 when the Astoria was the Rainbow Theatre one of Londons major rock venues, the second ad has the Rainbow logo as it appeared on the building
http://www.flickr.com/photos/woody1969/5447698663/

TLSLOEWS on December 28, 2010 at 4:12 pm

Great photos of a great theatre.

Ken Roe on January 23, 2010 at 8:44 am

A set of vintage photographs of the Astoria/Odeon/Rainbow Theatre:
View link

Ken Roe on January 1, 2009 at 12:27 pm

An October 2008 photograph of the rear of the Astoria Theatre. Notice the lower two levels of former dressing rooms and how the current UCKG church occupiers have converted the stage fly tower into several levels of offices, with windows, and added metal fire escape stairs:
http://flickr.com/photos/mygazebo/2908253002/

landrover on June 29, 2008 at 3:24 pm

My grandfather worked as a projectionist as the finsbury park astoria during the war years, where he met my grandmother who was also working there as an usherette. They have been married 60 years and she has found memories of going for a meal in the resturant next door to the cinema and all having to dart under the table when a bomb dropped closeby. She will be thrilled to see some of the pictures that are listed on here, thanks guys.

smoothie on June 11, 2008 at 2:54 am

The Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA)has revolutionised its website to include a classic buildings dimension, cinemas and theatres included. To get to the one (so far) classic photo of the Astoria,Finsbury Park just go to the home page of www.ribapix.com and simply type in “Astoria” in the searchbox. Finsbury Park is numbered 8291.

AdoraKiaOra on June 10, 2008 at 8:50 am

My god they have done a beautiful job on this place.

Ken Roe on June 9, 2008 at 1:58 pm

A few more of hjuk’s interior photographs from June 2008:
Details above a stalls exit:
http://flickr.com/photos/hjuk/2559159140/
A view across the circle:
http://flickr.com/photos/hjuk/2558335597/
An arch to the front stalls exit:
http://flickr.com/photos/hjuk/2558335745/
Sidewall details under the circle, showing the former standing area:
http://flickr.com/photos/hjuk/2558335947/
Right sidewall, as seen from the stalls:
http://flickr.com/photos/hjuk/2558336121/

Ken Roe on June 9, 2008 at 1:36 pm

Hoggie on April 10, 2008 at 11:35 am

Genesis did their very first “Foxtrot” show here – or the then Rainbow Theater, 9th February 1973.

Ian on December 29, 2006 at 9:23 am

Some views – mainly interior from 1989:-
http://flickr.com/photos/12494104@N00/337319807/

http://flickr.com/photos/12494104@N00/337319803/

http://flickr.com/photos/12494104@N00/337319800/

http://flickr.com/photos/12494104@N00/337319799/

http://flickr.com/photos/12494104@N00/337319794/

Ken Roe on March 14, 2006 at 2:58 am

The atmospheric auditorium, as viewed from the balcony in 1930:
http://flickr.com/photos/53257210@N00/110512083/

A close-up of the proscenium showing original house curtains in 1930:
http://flickr.com/photos/53257210@N00/110512883/

The exterior in 1947 when known as the Odeon-Astoria Theatre:
http://flickr.com/photos/53257210@N00/110513698/

A current (October 2004) photograph I took of the building:
http://flickr.com/photos/53257210@N00/111411318/

Ken Roe on January 22, 2006 at 5:53 am

A photograph of the Odeon Astoria which I took in July 1964, playing the Odeon release film of that week:
View link

Ken Roe on October 19, 2005 at 4:29 pm

A recent auditorium view in its current use as a church, showing the recent restoration nearing completion (seats are now installed in the stalls area):
View link

Ken Roe on September 11, 2005 at 3:56 am

More history and photographs of the Astoria, Finsbury Park here:
View link

kevinp on August 21, 2005 at 6:30 am

Hallo,

tap on the following link

www.mawgrim.co.uk

And go to Odeon Cavalcade, select Finsbury Park…. and see three later pictures of this wondrous cinema

I’m trying to get a link for the interiors submitted soon…

best

kev p

thespis on August 14, 2005 at 10:11 am

The Astoria is Grade II Listed and has a Spanish/Moorish Decor around the Auditorium & Proscenium Arch. It also had a Courtyard and a domed Fountain. Seated 3,000. Interestingly enough, it opened the same day in 1930 as did another Edward Stone Theatre,the Whitehall – although this was smaller (Whitehall) and built solely as a “legitimate” Theatre.

thespis

Rainbow Theatre

232-238 Seven Sisters Road, London, N4 3NX

232-238 Seven Sisters Road,
London, N4 3NX