Carlton Cinema, Essex Road facts for kids
The Carlton Cinema building, found at 161–169 Essex Road in Islington, London, is a special place with a long history. It was built in 1930 and designed in the Art Deco style. This building is so important that it's a Grade II* listed building, which means it's protected because of its historical and architectural value. When it first opened, it was a huge theatre that could hold 2,226 people, showing both movies and live performances.
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The Unique Design of the Carlton Cinema
The architect who designed the Carlton Cinema was George Coles. He chose a unique Egyptian style for the outside of the building. This was a popular choice at the time because of the exciting discovery of Tutankhamun’s tomb in 1922. This discovery made Egyptian art and design very trendy, especially for new cinemas and theatres. The outside of the Carlton Cinema is covered in colorful tiles that make it stand out.
Inside the Carlton: A Mix of Styles
While the outside of the building has an Egyptian look, the inside is a mix of different styles. The main part of the building is designed in the Empire style, which was popular in the early 1800s and looks grand and formal. The entrance area, called the foyer, also has Egyptian decorations. But when you step into the main viewing area, the auditorium, you'll see a beautiful French Renaissance style, which is known for its elegant and detailed designs.
From Cinema to Bingo Hall and Church
Over the years, the Carlton Cinema changed hands and names several times. In February 1935, a company called Associated British Cinemas Ltd. (ABC) took over. They renamed it ABC in 1962. For many young people in the 1960s, the Carlton Cinema was famous for its Saturday morning pictures, where kids could watch movies together.
Later, the building was changed into a bingo hall. It operated as the Mecca Bingo Club for almost 35 years before it closed its doors in March 2007.
A New Chapter for the Building
In 2013, a Christian church called Resurrection Manifestations bought the building. They had plans to bring back some of its cinema history. They wanted to reopen part of it as a cinema and even turn the old café area into a second screen. In 2015, the building reopened as Gracepoint. Today, it's a large venue that can hold 900 people and is used for events, as well as being an active church.
The Carlton Cinema on Screen
The beautiful outside and entrance of the Carlton Cinema have even appeared on television! They were used as the "Roxy Cinema" in an episode of the TV series Endeavour. This episode, titled Cartouche, was part of the fifth series of the show.
External links
- Gracepoint website
