Invicta Cinema

I remember this as The Invicta Ballroom not that it was particularly ballroomish. There was a flat balcolny with a decorative wrought iron rail at the front, flat main floor with small stage at the back. The programme at the time, 1962, was pop bands and music acts of the day. Those I saw and remember were Screaming Lord Sutch and The Savages, many who gained world fame in their own right later were members of The Savages including Ritchie Blackmore,Jimmy Page, John Bonham, Jeff Beck. Lord Sutch moved to politics in 63 starting the Monster Raving Loony Party becoming a regular at main elections and by elections for many years. BUT……. The major claim to fame for the Invicta was that The Beatles appeared there in February 1963, dressed as had been their practice in back leather. Their 1st Parlaphone record Love Me Do had been a minor hit following release in Oct 62 so they were filling time playing dance hall dates up and down the UK before the release of their next Record Please Please Me in March which of course was the beginining of their world wide fame.