Grand Theatre [London, UK]
Empire Cinema
Gran Teatro, Londra
Theatre building in Islington, United Kingdom
theater in London Borough of Islington
Edificio teatrale a Islington, Regno Unito
Grand Theatre
40 Islington High Street, London, N1 8XL, England
[First venue on the site built 1860 by William Finch Hill and Edward Lewis Paraire. Oened 1860 as "Philharmonic Hall". 1874 rebuilding, re-opened as "Philharmonic Theatre". Destroyed by fire. 1883 rebuilding by Frank Matcham. Re-opened 4 Aug 1883. Destroyed by fire. 1888 rebuilding again by Frank Matcham. Opened 1 Dec 1888 as "Grand Theatre" (3000 seats).]
1901 rebuilding again by Frank Matcham, using the facade of the former building. Interior decoration by Felix de Jong. Opened Jan 1901 as "Islington Empire Theatre". 1912-1918 renamed "Islington Palace Theatre". 1932 converted into a cinema, re-opened as "Empire Cinema". Damaged by fire on 7 Feb 1938. Repaired and re-opened 6 Feb 1939. Closed 10 March 1962. Auditorium subsequently demolished in favour of a car park (while still preserving the facade which was demolished in 1981 and translocated to the Museum of London). Only the backstage wall is still extant on the site.
Descriptive text, I. p. 41 ; Block plan, I. p. 41 ; Plan area, I. PL 62 ; Plan 1st tier, I. PL 62 ; Longitudinal section. I. PL 62 ; Skeleton section of audi­torium, III. PL opp. p. 62 ; Cost and dimensions, III. p. 17. London, ‘Haymaricet’ Theatre: Seating, III. p. 30; Plan of 1st tier, III. p. 30 ; Skeleton plan of auditorium, III. PL opp. p. 62. London, ‘Her Majesty’s’ Theatre: Descriptive text, II. pp. 35,36; Block plan, II. p. 35 ; View of proscenium, II. p. 35 ; P'ront elevation of block, II. p. 36 ; General view, II. p. viii; Front elevation, II. PL 73 ; Side elevation, II. PI. 73 ; Plan area, II. PL 74; Plan 1st tier, II. PL 74; Longitudinal section, II. PL 74; Site plan, III. p. 13 ; Site, III. pp. 15, 30; Plan Tst tier, III. p. 30 ; View of proscenium opening, III. p. 68 ; View of box office, III. p. 88; Skeleton plan of auditorium, 111. PL opp. p. 61 ; Skeleton section of auditorium, III. PL opp. p. 61 ; Stage : General view, III. S. p. iv ; Cost and dimension-;, III. p. 17; References, III. pp. 70, 72, 74, 79.
Fire broke out in upper part of stage, at 1 a.m., at close of performance. Fireworks had been used. One man killed.