Pictures From The Gaumont State Cinema in Kilburn
Whist lazing around on Friday evening drinking Grant’s whisky, someone on Twitter mentioned that the Gaumont State Cinema in Kilburn was part of Open House Weekend. I couldn’t resist popping along to have a wee peek inside a building that I have walked past hundreds of times since I started living in the area. What a thrill…I’m easily pleased, I know!
The Gaumont was originally built as a magnificent super cinema and when it opened on 20 December 1937 it was one of the largest auditoriums in Europe, with seating for 4004 people on two levels – 1,356 in the Balcony and 2,648 in the Stalls. The Theatre also had a separate dance hall and a 400 seat restaurant.
The imposing and huge building features an exterior that was seemingly designed as homage to the Empire State Building, along with a green Italian Renaissance interior. Some of the interior of the building is quite simple stunning. The highlights of which are the two beautiful chandeliers in the foyer, which are replicas of ones at Buckingham Palace, and the amazing ceiling in the auditorium which is decorated in salmon, turquoise, gilt, with friezes in gilt on cream.
Another highlight of the interior is the Italian marble double staircase which leads to the balcony, the place where the rich folks use to sit. The cheap seats and standing room were of course down stairs. Here is a wee piece of music trivia, the staircase features in the Ultravox video for their hit single Vienna.
During my visit I was lucky enough to hear the States original Wurlitzer blasting out a few notes. It is seemingly the largest original fully working Wurlitzer in the UK.
Over the years the Gaumont State Cinema had some of the biggest names in music and show business perform there, including Gracie Fields, Frank Sinatra, Buddy Holly, Marilyn Monroe, The Beatles, Rolling Stones, The Who and many, many more. It was a truly legendary venue back in its hey day. Sadly times change and from the 1980′s until 2007 it was used as a Mecca bingo hall. I guess that is why the carpet looks unbelievable cheap, tacky and nasty!
In December 2007 the Gaumont was saved form falling into total rack and ruin by Ruach Ministries who bought the grade II listed building to use as their place of worship. And they have plans in place to one day to fully restore Kilburn’s famous theatre, which is fantastic news. I think the building is in safe hands…
For a more informative and indepth insight into the history of the Gaumont State Cinema in Kilburn visit here and here.
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What a cool place. I would love to poke around in there for a good long spell.
Have a terrific day.
Comedy Plus´s last [type] ..Lessons
Comedy Plus, I was there for couple of hours, great place to explore and soak up the history.
That is wonderful I have been in there but it was years ago, there was also a cinema opposite where you turn off to Willesden, i remember going in there in the 70′s to see the Hammer film Vampire Circus lol.
I am not sure what it is now but last time i remember it was billiard rooms or something.
stevebethere´s last [type] ..MM – This Is My Life
Fantastic pictures of a place that brings back some memories. My mum took me there many times, many years ago to the cinema.
Cool buiding. Never realised it was such a gem inside. What kind of camera did you use?
I was surprised as well. I wasn’t sure if they were going to be allowing photography so I took my my point and shoot samsung 13 mega pixel camera. If I had known I would have taken something better with me…
Steve, I spoke to a guy who use to be a regualr at the cinema when he was a kid, and his mohter in law I think, saw The Beatles there. Amazing and impressive builidng with a lot of history behind.
Back in the day there were quie a few theatres/cinemas in Kilburn. Sadly there aint anything left apart from the Tricycle.
I was tempted to pop in as well as I was on the High Road.. but I was in a bit of a rush, so thanks for the pics, nice to see what I missed!
Suppose I could always join the Rauch for a peek though! lol
Lady Banana´s last [type] ..Return To Work
Looks amazing. I drove past just the other day and from outside I wouldn’t have thought it was so pretty inside.
Tracey, it is a gem inside and one day it will be fully restored and an even bigger GEM!