Embassy Esher Auditorium

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Taken on: August 8, 2021

Uploaded on: August 12, 2021

Software: Windows Photo Editor 10.0.10011.16384

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This photograph taken in August 1937 shows the original auditorium of the Embassy designed by decorative specialists Mollo & Egan. The main illumination is provided from the large coffered and ribbed recessed area within the ceiling lit by concealed back lighting. The circle side walls show the hand painted murals by Mollo featuring a forest in Art Deco foliate designs reminiscent of the Eugene Mollo style that are displayed in many of his former cinemas and restaurant interiors, from the Astoria Streatham Egyptian murals, his first cinema as head scenic artist in 1930 to the café in the Embassy cinema Petts Wood October 1936 which also included his carpet design depicting his giant palm fronds. As the walls sweep round to the proscenium opening the flora gives way to the elaborate gilt fibrous plaster grilles, with the leaf design picked out in silver, pale blue and pink. Below, the stalls walls are treated with ‘Marb-L-Cote’ in horizontal bands shaded from beige to rose and speckled with gold. The whole cinema was fitted with the Shipman & King circuit carpet.

Ron Knee