History
The Art Deco cinema was designed for the Union Cinema Circuit by renowned architects Verity and Beverley. It opened on 23rd July 1937 but was shortly taken over by ABC (Associated British Cinemas) in October that year. It became a Ritz in the 60’s and was used as a cinema up until it’s closure on 18th June 1984 when it was taken over as a bingo hall until that then closed in 2008. Grade II listed due to it’s highly decorative interior of an Art Deco, Neo-Egyptian and Chinoiserie inspired decoration. Which of very few survive now.
Here’s a pretty cool video I’ve linked from Youtube with some cracking old images of the place along with a recording of the Compton Organ being played there.
Our Visit
I’d seen @AndyK and @SpiderMonkey had been here a few weeks back, followed by @dweebs report also, so with the 28 meet being in Brum it was the perfect opportunity to get over and have a look.
Pretty straight forward as it seems it had quite a bit of traffic earlier in the week to which I noticed the lights were on. Which is ideal as it’s a pain in the arse light painting these massive auditoriums.
Visited with @Ferret, @Drew howe and @slayaaa.
Not too much left from it’s cinema days but still a good un non the less.
Pics
I’ve included a couple of old photos dragged up from Google and a couple of screengrabs of the above mentioned video for comparison.
Starting with some externals
Foyer
Moving onto the auditorium
Some old graffiti behind the stage/screen area
A lot of money for it’s day this, and still now to be fair. I certainly wouldn’t mind winning that.
Original seating, covered in cobwebs.
and to finish on “The shot”
The Art Deco cinema was designed for the Union Cinema Circuit by renowned architects Verity and Beverley. It opened on 23rd July 1937 but was shortly taken over by ABC (Associated British Cinemas) in October that year. It became a Ritz in the 60’s and was used as a cinema up until it’s closure on 18th June 1984 when it was taken over as a bingo hall until that then closed in 2008. Grade II listed due to it’s highly decorative interior of an Art Deco, Neo-Egyptian and Chinoiserie inspired decoration. Which of very few survive now.
Here’s a pretty cool video I’ve linked from Youtube with some cracking old images of the place along with a recording of the Compton Organ being played there.
Our Visit
I’d seen @AndyK and @SpiderMonkey had been here a few weeks back, followed by @dweebs report also, so with the 28 meet being in Brum it was the perfect opportunity to get over and have a look.
Pretty straight forward as it seems it had quite a bit of traffic earlier in the week to which I noticed the lights were on. Which is ideal as it’s a pain in the arse light painting these massive auditoriums.
Visited with @Ferret, @Drew howe and @slayaaa.
Not too much left from it’s cinema days but still a good un non the less.
Pics
I’ve included a couple of old photos dragged up from Google and a couple of screengrabs of the above mentioned video for comparison.
Starting with some externals
Foyer
Moving onto the auditorium
Some old graffiti behind the stage/screen area
A lot of money for it’s day this, and still now to be fair. I certainly wouldn’t mind winning that.
Original seating, covered in cobwebs.
and to finish on “The shot”
: It really upsets me that I can't do these fancy, well sealed ones. As they look and report so nicely. 
:
