Former Embassy Cinema

This list entry was subject to a Minor Amendment on 29 November 2023 to amend the description and to reformat the text to current standards

TQ 16 SW 5/456

ESHER HIGH STREET No 20-22, Former Embassy Cinema

(Formerly listed as Cannon Cinema, previously listed as Embassy Cinema)

II Cinema. 1936-1937 by John Evelyn Nye for the Shipman and King circuit, forming part of a parade of shops not of special interest. Neo Georgian exterior with modern interior. Brown brick in English bond with artificial stone dressings. Hipped roof covered in asbestos sheeting. Coved stone cornice and panel below with word "EMBASSY". Three tall round-headed windows with keystones and casements with metal bars and central opening lights. Late C20 fascia and five double doors in late C20 aluminium. Original terrazzo steps in black, white, red and buff. Foyer has original fibrous plaster domed lighting. The auditorium retains its circle and stalls undivided (at time of listing), the slates having an unusual double rake designed to save time and expense in the excavation cost. Auditorium decoration by Mollo & Egan. Ante-Proscenium walls are broken up into squares backed by patterned grilles and illuminated from the rear. These grilles serve both as ventilation extract and organ chamber openings.

The main ceiling is split up into squares, above which a fluted bay is illuminated by indirect lighting troughs. Circle walls have modernistic designs representing trees and plants (now covered over). Original domed lighting underneath balcony and cylindrical lighting to circle survives. Two decorative iron grilles in front of proscenium arch.

[see 'THE IDEAL KINEMA' SEPT 9 1937 'EMBASSY ESHER SOUVENIR PROGRAMME' AUGUST 23 1937 "THE PICTURE PALACE" DENNIS SHARP, 1969 CATHEDRALS OF THE MOVIES" DAVID ATWELL, 1980]

Listing NGR: TQ1397664795