Jacey Trafalgar Square
The Grand Building, Strand,
London,
WC2N 5EJ
The Grand Building, Strand,
London,
WC2N 5EJ
1 person
favorited this theater
Additional Info
Previously operated by: Jacey Cinemas
Architects: Cecil Aubrey Masey
Previous Names: Monseigneur News Theatre, Jacey Cartoon Cinema, Jacey Trafalgar Cinema
Nearby Theaters
The large 1890’s built Grand Hotel building located on the south east corner of the Strand and Trafalgar Square, central London, gained a small 300 seat Monseigneur News Theatre in 1936 when architect Cecil Masey was commisioned to convert a basement area of part of the building (entrance was through a former shop unit).
It was taken over by the Jacey circuit in 1960 and began screening 1 hour programmes of cartoons, re-named Jacey Cartoon Cinema from 1962. From 18th June 1970 it began screening ‘adult’ soft core feature films and was known as the Jacey Trafalgar Square, opening with “She Lost Her You Know What”.
It closed on 23rd July 1981 with “Seduction” and “French Love”, the last Jacey Cinema to operate in London’s West End district. The facade of the Grand Hotel building was retained during a rebuilding scheme that saw total internal demolition.
Contributed by
KenRoe
Want to be emailed when a new comment is posted about this theater?
Just login to your account and subscribe to this theater.
Recent comments (view all 2 comments)
The Monseigneur News Theatre, photographed from the south of Trafalgar Square in August 1955:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/allhails/2784366558/
This theatre was alleged to be in a converted restaurant. It was situated in the basement down a set of stairs. The access areas looked to be smart Art Deco. As perfomances were continuous, I never saw the audiorium with the house lights up. As the ceiling was very low, there was little, or no rake. Audience members' head’s shadows would be cast on the screen when they stood-up.