Regent Bingo Hall

GREAT YARMOUTH

TG5207NE REGENT ROAD 839-1/13/150 (South side) 21/10/82 Nos.85-88 (Consecutive) Regent Bingo Hall (Formerly Listed as: REGENT ROAD The Regent Cinema)

II

Cinema. 1914. By Francis Burdett Ward. For cinema magnate FH Cooper. Now a bingo hall and amusement arcade. Rendered, colourwashed and stuccoed brick and some artificial stone decoration. Roof not visible. EXTERIOR: 2-3 storeys; 6-window range. Facade with a wide central bay surmounted by a Diocletian window. To the right is a late C20 amusement arcade, to the left a tea rooms, the latter original but externally altered. Upper 2 floors articulated by a pair of giant columns with Ionic capitals standing on paired console brackets in the centre and 2 progressively narrower bays right and left separated by giant Ionic pilasters on bases. Between the columns are four 2-light casements below a frieze of artificial stone by Crotch & Son (of Norwich) depicting Comedy, Tragedy, owls, baskets of fruit, lyres and other theatrical impedimenta. The side bays have again paired 2-light casements, this time at a lower level and below stuccoed panels. Above are one oculi to the narrow outer bays and 2 oculi to the wider inner bays, all under artificial stone garlands. Crowning entablature to the composition now lost. INTERIOR: central marble steps lead to foyer. Inverted Imperial stairs with late C20 handrails. Rococo-style plasterwork in profusion, tending more to the Baroque in the coffered ceiling of the tea rooms. In the tea room also are depicted friezes of cherubs dragging swags and garlands. The auditorium has thin cast-iron columns supporting a wavy wall-plate under the 3 principal boxes right and left. A wide segmental arch supports the main balcony. At intervals gilt putti playing pan-pipes and trumpets are depicted in relief. Above the boxes are 5 basket arches on columns, and above these are oculi decorated and linked with garlands. Proscenium arch to the stage remains as do dressing rooms.

Listing NGR: TG5280307613