Imperial Picturedrome

In Ryhill, a village near Wakefield, West Yorkshire, the Imperial Picturedrome was built by George Barraclough. The building was 50ft long and 30ft wide. The plaster screen was 12ft wide.

It is not known precisely when the Imperial Picturedrome opened. On 30th April 1914 the council’s General Purposes Committee had refused a Cinematograph Licence, but presumably only relatively minor works were required, as a licence was granted at their next meeting on 25th June. So it is assumed the Imperial Picturedrome opened shortly thereafter.

George Barraclough’s son, Ellis, was the projectionist, and he often read out the intertitles for those in the audience who were illiterate. Piano accompaniment was provided by Norman Griffiths, and a local singer, Florrie Owen would often give an impromptu performance. She was related to Ellis, and his wife took charge of the paybox, making this a truly family concern.

Ellis also regularly advertised the shows by putting two billboards on a hand cart and pushing it around the streets. When the owner of the larger Empire Cinema (see separate Cinema Treasures entry) did the same with his Model-T Ford, Ellis responded by adding an extra notice saying that he couldn’t afford a car!

As with the opening, it is not known precisely when the Imperial Picturedrome closed. However, it was an early casualty, with the final Cinematograph Licence expiring on 31st July 1923, although it could have closed earlier than that.

The building remained empty until October 1928, when Oswald Hepworth converted it into a piggery and slaughter house. During World War II it was used to store flour but, in 1945, it was acquired by George Stevens who, with his sons, turned it back into a piggery.

This use continued until the late-1970’s, at least, with the pigs occupying the stalls area - and the plaster screen still in situ!

However, by 1995, the business had closed down, or moved on, and the site had been pretty much cleared. Housing now appears to have taken over.

Get Movie Tickets & Showtimes

Want to be emailed when a new comment is posted about this theater?
Just login to your account and subscribe to this theater.