Description

1. COMMERCIAL ROAD
5239
Gaumont Cinema
SU 4112 1/286

II

2.
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 5 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 4 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 4 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 3 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

External Links

• Historic England Listing
• Mayflower Theatre at Wikipedia
• Mayflower Theatre official website
• Wikidata Q6797243

External links are from the relevant listing authority and, where applicable, Wikidata. Wikidata IDs may be related buildings as well as this specific building. If you want to add or update a link, you will need to do so by editing the Wikidata entry.

Recommended Books

• 
  [(Cumberland and Westmorland)] [By (author) Nikolaus Pevsner] published on (January, 1967)
• 
  This Old House: Restoring, Rehabilitating, and Renovating an Older House
• 
  Somerset: North and Bristol: The Buildings of England (Pevsner Architectural Guides) (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
• 
  Kent: West and the Weald: The Buildings of England (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
• 
  The green guide for historic buildings: how to improve the environmental performance of listed and historic buildings
• 
  Central Leinster: Kildare, Laois and Offaly (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of Ireland)