Mayflower Theatre

This list entry was subject to a Minor Amendment on 5 August 2025 to update the Name and Address and reformat the text to current standards

SU 4112 1/286

COMMERCIAL ROAD Mayflower Theatre

(Formerly listed as Gaumont Cinema)

II

W. and T. R. Milburn, Architects. December 22nd, 1928. Formerly the Empire Variety Theatre and became a cinema after 1933. Large building (capacity 2,250) in 20s Reo-Grecian style.

The front elevation is of five storeys, stone with red brick infill. Each side has a half-octagonal stone turret. Deep modillion cornice. Six stone pilasters through. Second to fourth floors with lion's head masks at base. Five stone balconies. Five windows in all with metal casements. First floor windows have deep architraves with interlocking circles and glyphs. The ground floor has Vitruvian scroll frieze and four square piers with the same interlocking circles and glyph design. Double mahogany doors with brass fittings. Four storeys portion on R.H.S. of red brick with pantiled roof. Three sashes with glazing bars intact. Panels between second and third floors and iron balconette. Cambered arch to ground floor.

The foyer is decorated with plaques with antique masks, swags and anthemion motifs and the lower part of the wall is covered with marble. On each side are staircases rising four floors with stair wells. Brass handrails with intersecting oval balustrades and newel posts with urn finals. The auditorium has a tall curved proscenium arch with 'torcheres' decoration. This is flanked by panels with anthemion motif. The seating is on three tiers supported on columns (Ionic to stalls and Circle). Oval dome with original octagonal glass and metal lanterns with anthemion decorations. The railings to the Circle and Upper Circle have fasces decoration. Ti<o cuuved boxes to each side with vitruvian scroll decoration and pillars with anthemion motif. Round-headed pediments above with fishscale decorations and plumed edge. Three round-headed arches leaf to the Upper Circle boxes which have Vitruvian scroll decoration. This theatre has 22 mahogany and glazed 'Standing boxes' which are a rare survival. The walls are clad with marble to dado level.

Included as a complete example of a theatre in 20s lieo-Grecian style.

Listing NGR: SU4255313582