ABC Forest Hill
11-21 London Road,
London,
SE23 3TW
11-21 London Road,
London,
SE23 3TW
2 people favorited this theater
Showing 14 comments
I also discovered the building on the way to the museum.
What a joy that was!!!
It is tragic that the building is not used.
I don’t think the circle was used by J.D. Wetherspoon
Mecca disposed of several bingo clubs to Jasmine Bingo, this was one of them, and they were the final bingo operators here.
As of October 2017 the Capitol is up and running again as a Wetherspoons pub with no apparent change to the interior from 2014.
EXTERIOR
PROSCENIUM
PLASTERWORK DETAIL
BALCONY AND REAR
A few contemporary photos of the Capitol as a Wetherspoons pub here:–
EXTERIOR
FOYER
PROSCENIUM
DETAIL OF BALCONY
AUDITORIUM to REAR
IT WAS A REALLY GOOD PLACE TO GO 1960’S/70’S SATURDAY MORNING PICTURES COSTING SIXPENCE LOADS OF CARTOONS/EPISODES TO SEE IE ZORRO, FLASH GORDON COMPETITIONS + MUSIC IE; DESMOND DECKER & ISraelites ICE CREAM LADIES + ORGAN PLAYING
I really want to know where the organ went in the 1950s. Can anybody help?
Bean.
Hi rebeckle!
This sounds excellent. Could you please give me a quick call on 07092 173263 with any kind of contact details?
Hi Bean.
JS Beard (the Architect) was my great grandfather. My grandfather (93 and still going strong) recently finished writing a family history so I might be able to help you out with some info.
I am researching the history of this place and would like any information available. If you feel you could help please reply to this message. T Bean.
A collection of photos – mostly interiors – here:–
View link
View link
View link
View link
On way to visit Horniman Museum, I spotted this ex-cinema and was astonished to see so many original decor features survive though used as a pub. Couldn’t tell if balcony (circle) is used, but could see it from main floor.
View of exterior, taken April 2007:
View link
View of Proscenium Arch of Auditorium, taken April 2007:
View link
The Capitol Cinema opened on 11th February 1929 with the movie “Man, Woman, Sin” starring John Gilbert which was supported by a stage show and organ interlude. The Capitol was re-named ABC in December 1968. After the ABC closed as a cinema on 13th October 1973 (with the double bill “Scarecrow”/“Class of ‘99”), it became a Mecca bingo club which closed December 1996.
It stood unused until the Weatherspoon’s chain of pubs purchased the building and refurbished it into one of their pubs, now called The Capitol. It retains most of the decor of the cinema, both externally and internally.
i am sorry the organ from the cinema is not at my church this is the wrong cinema.
I HAVE MANY PICTURES OF THIS CINEMA.
FRONT OF HOUSE,AND AUDITORIUM (AS BINGO)
AND THE REBULDING WORK RECENTLY TO CONVERT IT INTO A “WEATHERSPOONS” PUB.