Rivoli Cinema

Port Isaac is a small fishing port on the north Cornwall coast, eight miles north of Wadebridge. It is perhaps best known in recent times as the principal location for the hit TV series “Doc Martin”, starring Martin Clunes.

With a population at its peak of around 2,000, this village has never had a full-time cinema. Nor does it appear to have had a cinema at all until the 1940’s.

At that time, Charlie Lobb owned a set of garages and lock-ups, including vehicle repair and servicing facilities, and operated as North Cornwall Transport. At the rear of his garages was an extension that used to be a carpenter’s workshop. This was owned by the Taylor family. In the 1940’s, Charlie purchased this, and converted it into what became the ‘legendary’ entertainment institution, the Rivoli.

The building had a concrete floor and was clad in corrugated sheeting. It was heated by a paraffin stove. Murals by Ted Robinson brightened up the side walls.

The Rivoli quickly became a popular venue for concerts and dances. It even boasted its own musical trio, the Rivolians. They were Mr and Mrs Brimacombe (with ‘Brimmy’ on the violin and ‘Mrs Brimmy’ on the drums) and Mrs Boss Richards on the violin. Hazel Hawken sometimes joined them with her squeeze box.

The Rivoli was also home to film entertainment. Several rows of tip-up seats were acquired from what has been described as a “proper” cinema in Roche that was closing down. (This is a slightly larger village in mid-Cornwall, near Bodmin; unfortunately, I have been unable to trace this cinema.) Apparently, they were covered in faded, threadbare blue plush, and dust puffed out every time anyone sat on them!

In front of these ‘posh’ seats were rows of benches (“sixpennies”) where the local lads sat and, of course, often caused trouble. Mrs Lobb’s father, Mr Roseveare, known as “Rosie”, was employed to try to keep them in order. All the seating was, of course, moved aside when dances were being held.

The cinema screen was a big, white sheet drawn over the wooden stage. The 16mm projection equipment was brought in each time by Mr Oliver from St. Teath. He operated a travelling cinema, and Friday night was, at least in the early days, the Rivoli’s turn.

The Rivoli Cinema appears in the Kinematograph Year Books from 1951 to 1961. From 1951 to 1953 the operator is listed as Oliver Radio and Cinema Service, of St. Teath. “One show daily” is also recorded, but this seems very unlikely. From 1954 to 1961 the operator is West Country Mobile Entertainments, of Plymouth, with two shows weekly, which does seem more likely. A café is also mentioned.

Presumably the lack of an entry in the 1962 edition indicates the Rivoli Cinema had closed the previous year. This would tie in with information that the building was sold for development in the early-1970’s.

The Rivoli is said to have been situated at the top of Back Hill, fronting onto New Road. A local history book includes the photograph I have attached which shows two sets of cottages, and says that the Rivoli was converted into these dwellings. However, despite a good look around the Back Hill/New Road area, I was unable to spot these cottages. It could be, of course, that they have since been demolished, and, in any event, it could also be that “converted” means that the Rivoli was demolished to make way for them. My other photograph shows that general area. It would be nice if another correspondent could clarify this; until then, I have shown the Rivoli Cinema as having been demolished.

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