The Metropole Theatre, 160 Victoria Street, Victoria, London (original) (raw)
Later - The Metropole Laser Theatre / The Venue
Above - A Google StreetView Image showing, to the right, the former Metropole Theatre, Victoria whilst in use as an 'Ask' Restaurant in August 2009 - Click to Interact.
The Metropole Theatre, which was situated on Victoria Street in London, first opened on the 27th of December 1929 with a showing of the films 'The Co-Optimists' and 'Hate Ship' and, live on the Theatre's large stage, Jack Hylton and his band. The Theatre was built for the Hyams Brothers and designed in the Spanish Renaissance Style by the well known Theatre Architect from the period George Coles. This was a big Theatre which was mostly hidden by the shops in front of it all along Victoria Street, it's main entrance however, with its large glass arched window above, was imposing right up to its end in 2013.
Right - The Imposing Frontage of the Metropole Theatre, Victoria when it first opened in 1930 - From 'Ideal Kinema', 13th of February 1930.
The Theatre's auditorium was constructed on two levels, Stalls and one Circle, and could seat 2,000 people in comfort, it also had a large restaurant or 'Tea Lounge' situated above the foyer and behind the imposing window above the entrance providing magnificent views over Victoria Street. The Theatre was also equipped with a large stage, 25 foot deep, and six dressing rooms for artistes. A Standaart Theatre Organ was installed for the Theatre's opening which was later replaced by a Wurlitzer Theatre Organ from across the pond, formerly installed at the Fulton Theatre in Cleveland, Ohio.
Above - The Magnificent 'Tea Lounge' at the Metropole Theatre, Victoria with views looking over Victoria Street - From The Bioscope, 1st of January 1930.
The Bioscope reported on the opening of the Metropole Theatre in their 1st of January 1930 edition saying:- 'The opening of the Metropole Cinema, Victoria, S.W.1, on December 27th, marks the completion of what is claimed to be the latest "built for the 'talkies' " theatre. The Metropole, which will accommodate 2,000 Patrons has been built for the Metropolitan Cinema Investment Corporation, of which Phil Hyams is managing director. It has been designed throughout by George Coles, F.R.I.B.A., the well-known London architect of 40, Craven Street, Strand, with a view to combining modern simplicity with the colour and warmth of the Spanish Renaissance period.
An Underground River
The general contractors were Holliday and Greenwood, Ltd., 11, Buckingham Palace Gardens, S.W.1. The actual building of the Metropole was made very difficult by reason of the fact that the site was at one time the bed of one of London's lost rivers, which necessitated the sinking of the foundations to a depth of over 35 ft. The whole of the front elevation is carried out in Piastre and marble, onyx and gilt, and presents a most luxurious appearance, a further striking feature being the great window of amber and blue Tudor glass. In addition, there is a handsome gilt steel and glass canopy which extends over the main entrance.
Gilt cast-iron doors lead into the vestibule in which marble has again been the material used for the flooring, architraves and dado. A short flight of stairs richly carpeted in rose colour gives entrance to the circle and stalls. It is of great interest to note that the directors have decided not to utilise any publicity on the frontage of the house.
The lower portion of the walls of the auditorium is walnut panelled, and by its design gives that intimate atmosphere which is so much desired. This is further enhanced by the general colour scheme of blue and gold and the soft amber lighting, concealed except for a great chandelier which is suspended from the central dome.
The upper portion of the auditorium and the walls of the balcony are decorated in sgraffite and texture plaster. All the seats in the theatre are of the semi-tub type and are richly upholstered in rose moquette.
Guiding the Eye
Above - The Auditorium of the Metropole Theatre, Victoria - From The Bioscope, 1st of January 1930.
The general lines of the auditorium have been designed to lead the eye to the proscenium, which is of the square type, picked out in red and gold, provision being made for the "extra wide" type of screen. A feature of the "front" is the specially woven silk and gilt stage curtains. A full-sized and perfectly equipped stage, complete with safety curtain, scenery, etc., has been installed. Also lavishly fitted dressing rooms, together with the latest mechanical and electrical arrangements for elaborate variety acts, plays and full-stage presentations.
A Big Standaart Organ
The latest model "Standaart" organ will be used, the organ chamber being situated over the top of the proscenium arch, thus securing a more universal distribution of sound than if placed in side chambers. The console is arranged on a lift in the centre of the orchestra pit and can be raised to the stage level for solo work.
Right - The Circle of the Metropole, Victoria - From 'Ideal Kinema' 13th of February 1930.
Great attention has been paid to the projection room which has three latest type Simplex Western Electric (largest type) machines fitted with Hall & Connolly High Intensity Arcs. In addition, there are three "Brenkert C.14" super spot and flood lamps. By the use of these lamps, it is possible to produce most effective five-colour changes, the projected light being trained exactly to flood the centre stage, or orchestra pit, with no spilled light. The whole stage lighting, foots and battens are also controlled from the projection chamber.
Latest Rubber Flooring
The ventilating and heating system is of the Plenum type, the plant being housed beneath the auditorium. The conditioned air is introduced at main ceiling level, whilst the used air is extracted through grids in the floor of the circle and auditorium, special regard being paid to the prevention of draughts. Rubber floor covering has also been specially utilised in order to prevent extraneous noise inside the theatre. A fully equipped tea lounge and waiting rooms have also been provided, these being decorated to tone with the general colour scheme of the house.
Consulting engineer and the consulting constructional engineer of the Metropole was E. W. Cook, A.M.I.C.E., M.I.S.E.
The Firms Responsible
Following is a list of the contractors:— Anselm Odling & Sons, Ltd., 132, New North Road, N.1, marble work; British Vacuum Cleaner & Engineering Company, Ltd., Parsons Green, S.W.6, vacuum cleaner plant; Frank Burkitt, 8a-10, Lant Street, Borough, S.E.1, fire curtain and hydrants; Burn Bros., Ltd., 6-8, Stamford Street, S.E.1, sewage pumping plant; Carter & Co. (London), Ltd., 29, Albert Embankment, S.E. 11, tiling; Carton & Thorne, Ltd., 44, St. Paul's Crescent, Camden Town, N.W.l, canopy; J. Starkie, Gardner, Ltd., Merton Road, Southfields, S.W.18, decorative metal work and balustrading; Haywards, Ltd., Union Street, Borough, S.E.1, pavement lights; A. C. W. Hobman & Co., Ltd., Stockholm Road, South Bermondsey, S.E.16, pre-cast concrete work; Siegwart Fireproof Floor Company, Ltd., 231, Strand, W.C.2, pre-cast concrete roof; W. James & Co., Ltd., Hythe Road, Willesden Junction, N.W.10, metal sashes and lantern light; J. Jeffreys & Co., Ltd., Barrons Place, Waterloo Road, S.E. , heating and ventilation; Braby & Co., Ltd., 352, Euston Road N.W.1 metal ducts; H. Lazarus & Son, Ltd., 10a, Great Eastern Street, E.C.2, seats, curtains, etc.; Leyland & Birmingham Rubber Company, Ltd., 11, Charing Cross Road, W.C.2, rubber flooring; E. Pollard & Co., Ltd., St. John's Street, Clerkenwell, E.C.1, steel shutters; Rubery, Owen & Co., Ltd., Darlaston, Staffordshire, and 56, Kingsway, W.C.2, steelwork; Samuel Wright & Co., Ltd., Andre Street, Hackney, E.8, painting, fibrous plaster and solid plaster; Berkeley Electrical Engineering Company, Ltd., 29, Buckingham Gate, S.W.1, electrical work; Standaart British Unit Organs, 90, Wardour Street, W.1, organ; J. W. Gray & Son, 91, Leadenhall Street, E.C.3, lightning conductors; E. Coules & Son, Dolben Street, Blackfriars, S.E.1, iron staircases; The Moray Engineering Cornnany (London), Ltd., 100, Hackford Road, S.W.9, hand railing; Western Electric Company, Ltd., Bush House, Aldwych, W.C.2, talking apparatus; B. Finch & Co., Ltd., 34, Buckingham Palace Road, S.W.I, sanitary goods.'
The above text in quotes was first published in the Bioscope, 1st of January 1930.
Above - A Google StreetView Image showing, to the left, the former Metropole, Victoria whilst in use as an 'Ask' Restaurant in July 2008 - Click to Interact. The Victoria Palace Theatre can also be seen in the distance.
The Metropole Theatre had first opened on the 27th of December 1929 but the Hyams Brothers eventually sold the Theatre to the Odeon chain of Theatres in 1943 who ran it under its original name rather than renaming it an Odeon Cinema. Odeon later installed a Todd-AO screen in the Theatre though which covered over the stage and proscenium and concealed the original boxes on either side of the auditorium, it also meant that 500 seats were lost in the stalls.
Right - Princess Margaret meets Kirk Douglas at the premier of 'Spartacus' at the Metropole Theatre in 1960 - From the ILN, 17th of December 1960.
The film 'Oklahoma' was the first to be presented in this new wide screen format at the Metropole on the 26th of December 1959. The Theatre then went on to show a number of highly successful so called 'Roadshow' Features including the European Premiere of 'Spartacus' in December 1960, see feature below.
Above - A Double Page Feature on 'Spartacus' at the Metropole Theatre, Victoria - From The Sphere, 3rd of December 1960.
After the success of the Roadshow period ended the Theatre went over to showing first run Independent Films along with the Astoria Theatre on Charing Cross Road but this was less successful and eventually the Rank Organisation, who by then owned the Theatre, closed it after the last showing of the film 'Burnt Offerings' on the 11th of June 1977 and that was to be the end of its cinema and live theatre career.
Subsequently the Theatre was converted into the so called 'Metropole Laser Theatre' with a show called 'Lovelight' which opened on the 21st of June 1977 but this only ran until the 26th of September 1977 and then the Theatre was closed and stood unused for over a year until it was eventually leased to the Virgin Group who reopened it as a Concert Venue called 'The Venue' on the 1st of November 1978.
The Venue ran quite successfully in this form until it was eventually closed in August 1984, but then the Theatre was dramatically altered and its entertainment career was well and truly over. The Theatre's auditorium and stage were both demolished, along with the former Cameo Cinema next door, and the site was re purposed. The Metropole's elaborate foyer and former Tea Room were refurbished however, and reopened as a restaurant which in its final years was part of the 'ASK' chain of restaurants.
Above - A Google StreetView showing the site of the former Metropole Theatre, Victoria Street in June 2021. The now wonderfully restored Victoria Palace Theatre can also be seen in the distance - Click to Interact.
Sadly the whole block including what was left of the Metropole and Cameo Theatres was completely demolished in 2013 as part of the Victoria Underground Station's extensions. Today the site of the Theatre is unrecognisable as is most of that end of Victoria Street, only the Victoria Palace Theatre remains, which was beautifully refurbished at great expense a few years ago and now stands between several immense modern office blocks and looks rather out of place in the giant towering metropolis that the area has become in recent years.
As a side note the Metropole Theatre's lavish auditorium and its Wurlitzer Organ were featured in the now classic film 'Brief Encounter' with Celia Johnson and Trevor Howard, when they visited a Cinema called the Palladium in one of their romantic encounters. The Theatre had also been used for a demonstration of Live Television being shown on a Cinema Screen for the Epsom Derby of 1932, see feature below.
Above - The Epsom Derby being Transmitted Live to the Metropole Theatre, Victoria in 1932 - From the ILN, 11th of June 1932.
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