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Sunday History TimeHave you seen the newest artwork by Graffwerk in town? The piece marks the creation of a brand new road in town called Savoy Street, but where does the artwork inspiration come from? 1/9
2/9 Located opposite the Haymarket Bus Station on Belgrave Gate, Savoy Street lies just to the side of the site of the former cinema, which some of you might remember from when you were younger. Hands up who remembers going to see a film there as a kid?
3/9 Not just the cinema, but also just up the road opposite the Haymarket Theatre used to stand the impressive Palace Theatre.
The Savoy Theatre opened in 1937. Built with a small stage and dressing rooms the venue was used for concert performances up until the 1959.
The Savoy Theatre opened in 1937. Built with a small stage and dressing rooms the venue was used for concert performances up until the 1959.
4/9 In 1959 it was equipped with a projector, and just a year later re-named the ABC Cinema. It continued as a cinema until the mid-90s and following various takeovers became known as the Cannon Film Centre, later as MGM and then finally in the mid-90s back to ABC.
5/9 The final film to be shown was Star Trek First Contact in early 1997 and the venue then remained empty for a decade. In 2006 plans were set to build a ten-storey apartment block & more. Whilst bulldozers moved in during 2007 the plot remained empty ever since.
6/9 One that might be less known to readers is where the Palace Theatre fits in from the artwork. The Palace Theatre of Varieties opened on Belgrave Gate in 1901. With 3 grand tiers it seated 3500 people and at the time was the largest theatre outside London.
7/9 The Palace become a top date for touring performances and in the early days welcomed those including Charlie Chaplin in their large variety shows. By the 50s they’d welcomed stars including Shirley Bassey, Peter Sellers, Buster Keaton and more.
8/9 Like many theatres by the late 1950s they were fighting against television for audiences. By 1959 performances came to an end and the beautiful venue was demolished shortly afterwards. Look at photos... Can you believe they just knocked this down?
9/9 Now the new Savoy Street will mean that the council can pedestrianise the area around the Clock Tower and Churchgate, and the memory of the two historic theatres lives on.
Black & White photos c/o http://arthurlloyd.co.uk
Black & White photos c/o http://arthurlloyd.co.uk
