Grand Theatre

ST JOHN'S HILL SW11 1. 5033 Grand Theatre TQ 2775 9/6 II 2. 1900 by E A Woodrow; built as Grand Palace of Varieties by a partnership which included Dan Leno. The building is something of a local landmark and it is now one of the few remaining suburban relics of the fin-de-siecle variety palace build- ing boom. The exterior is robust rather than elegant; the interior, despite alteration, is unusual and interesting. Red brick with sparse stone ornament. Symmetrical 7-bay facade, 3 narrow bays on either side of a wide centre, the bays framing the centre set slightly forward and crowned by belvederes with ogee roofs. The general impression is one of large areas of machine-made brick relieved by arcaded loggias variously treated in the centre bay. The entrance canopy has been altered and the columned entrance leads to an altered foyer. The auditorium has been converted for bingo; the original stalls seating has gone and the proportions are marred by the insertion of a false ceiling, but above this the original ceiling and gallery survive. The elaborate Chinese decorative scheme is unusual and would be impressive if restored and correctly lit. Boxes with tented 'pagoda' canopies and modelled plaster dragons, etc and a ceiling in the form of an 'inverted willow pattern plate'.

Listing NGR: TQ2726975368