THE GRANADA THEATRE CIRCUIT
The Granada Theatre Bedford during the days of the Second World War
Top Right: Both American and British Servicemen are seen walking past the theatre, and if you look carefully, a Granada Sergeant is on duty and standing at the entrance.
Bottom Right: poster from a 1960s Stage Show
—ooOoo—
PART TEN: STARTING ANOTHER CIRCUIT
THE GRANADA THEATRE EAST HAM
-oOo-
I was sorry to learn that a proposed Granada Theatre for the East End of London, either in Bow or Mile End, was dropped from the plan in 1938 – a sad loss for the East End. Despite this loss, a Granada Theatre did open in East London, at East Ham in November 1936.
The Granada Theatre East Ham as a Granada Bingo Hall
This establishment was not part of the original group of theatres planned, but was one to be built for the Denman (London) Circuit. Sidney Bernstein was interested in the site and it was agreed that Granada would operate the theatre.
The Granada Theatre East Ham
Top: as a Granada Theatre; Bottom Left: as a Granada Social Club
Bottom Right: as a Gala Bingo Club
In 1933 when original plans were drawn up, Mr. Bernstein was unhappy with them and he brought Cecil Audrey Massey and Theodore Komisarjevsky on board and a theatre more to his taste was built. Apparently the original interior designer, W. Sydney Trent, who had favoured a modern design was at odds with the design of Mr. Komisarjevsky, but seemingly Mr. Bernstein soothed his ruffled feathers. However, neither was credited in the opening programme as being responsible for the theatre’s interior design. The final look resembled a Standard Granada, but with some variation.
The auditorium of the erstwhile Granada Theatre East Ham (reproduced from Cinema Treasures)
I discovered these photographs of the entrance hall, foyer and auditorium on the Internet
The theatre was the fourth largest of the Granadas built up till that time after the Granada Theatres at Walthamstow, Tooting and Clapham Common with roughly 2,400 seats.
Seemingly no cafe-cum-restaurant was built at the theatre since it was built outside a major shopping area (licensed and snack bars were opened during the building’s Granada Social Club years). To the right of the entrance was a two storey extension comprising of three shops, which I presume were for rent.
The theatre was opened with much pomp and ceremony with the comedian Sydney Howard arriving in a golden coach pulled with four horses and a trumpet fanfare preceded the opening ceremony. The opening presentation included Sydney Howard in Fame and The Singing Kid with Al Jolson together with a variety performance including acrobats, an American Dance Company, comedians and Bobbie Howell & His Band. A Wurlitzer Organ had been installed at the theatre, which presumably was played at the opening. At some unknown time, the organ was removed and is now installed in a private home in Cannock. Staffordshire.
Left: Al Jolson; Middle: film poster; Right: Sydney Howard
The building suffered damage from bombing in July 1944 and was closed for three months. The theatre apparently had difficulty finding sufficient films to screen and relied on variety programmes to provide weekly entertainment. Pantomimes were a feature here for a time, as were Rock ‘n’ Roll Stage Shows and Wrestling.
Granada Limited acquired the theatre fully in March 1965, however by 1974 with falling ticket sales, the theatre was opened on a limited basis each week. In November 1974, it closed as a cinema, but re-opened in January 1976 as a Granada Social Club. In May 1991, it became a Gala Bingo Club and continued as such until 2014 when it was closed.
—ooOoo—
In November 2014, I visited the former Granada Theatre East Ham. It had recently been purchased by a company who were in the midst of refurbishing the building and planned to re-open it in the near future as a Function Venue. I am grateful to one of the owners that I met for giving me a tour of the building.
—ooOoo—
Great pictures!
I was born in Plaistow (Howards Road Maternity) and raised in East Ham (Park Road, then Park Avenue). I now live in Dallas, Texas.
I have so many special memories of the East Ham Granada! Sometime in the early-mid 60’s, I saw Dusty Springfield, Big Dee Irwin, Freddie and The Dreamers and several other big-name artists (who I cannot remember) perform there.
We used to go round the back to Winter Avenue to watch the stars leave by the back entrance. That row of [now boarded up] upstairs dressing rooms has seen many famous artists and groups get ready for their performances.
Other than the Beatles, I recall Stevie Wonder had also performed there.
Buddy Holly and The Crickets did two shows there on March 13, 1958. Also, on the bill that night … Lonnie Donegan!
Hi Paul M,
I was also born at Howard’s Road hospital in 1951 , and lived in Jenkins Road Plaistow. I now live in Connecticut, USA. I remember the East Ham Granada well. In fact I was at the same Dusty Springfield show you were at. I also saw Roy Orbison there in 1965.
I know the Beatles performed there but wasn’t lucky enough to get a ticket. I remember Buddy Holly also being there, but I was just 7 years old at the time.
Great memories, eh?…. and by the way, I’m STILL an ardent West Ham supporter and go to the games on my frequent trips back to England.
Take care, my friend!
Thank you for sharing your memories of the Granada Theatre East Ham. Once an East Ender, always a West Ham fan!!!
My parents and myself visited the Granada cinema East Ham by trolleybus most weeks after the war from 1945. The theatre organ being raised was always impressive and I enjoyed the supporting live acts that were performed. My father was a very keen sportsman and took me to watch football at the West Ham Stadium. He once reached the Army boxing final during World War One where he met Bombardier Billy Wells. Needless to say he lost in the final to the virtually unbeatable and famous Billy Wells ! It may not be well known that Billy Wells became the man banging the gong at the beginning of J. Arthur Rank films.
Mr. Barton: Thank you so much for sharing your memories with us here. They are much appreciated. Regards. Charles Jenkins.
I also went to The Granada and saw The Rolling Stones in May 1964. I can’t remember who was supporting them at the time but I also saw Gene Vincent, Freddie & The Dreamers and Dave Berry. The Granada was also a favourite for Saturday morning pictures when the organ was played coming up in from of the stage before the films started. there was always a B film. They also held competitions for the youngsters. I remember going to a Fancy Dress competition dressed as a Japanese Geisha girl.
Ms Howes: Thank you very much for visiting my website and for sending a comment. Regards. Charles Jenkins
I was part of a group called The Beat Syndicate, who played at the theatre supporting The Honeycombs in 1965. Unfortunately I do not have the date of the gig. If anyone out there was there and remembers the show and the date I would be grateful for the information.
John: Thanks for leaving a comment. I remember The Honeycombs well – referred to often, as the group with the girl drummer. Charles
Great memories. I was born in Bathgate, near Edinburgh, studied at St. Andrews University, then my 1st job after university was as a Trainee Social Club Manager with Granada Theatres, based at the GranadaClub East Ham! That would be about 1980 or ‘81. Loved the people who worked & played bingo there. Salt of the Earth. Some fantastic characters. I must have spent about 9 months in East Ham, mentored by the Manager, Roger Cooper &
the Area Manager at the time, John Kelly – who eventually became CEO of Gala Bingo. Two fond memories …. Emile Ford guest appearance and local “diamond”, Alice Nash, bless ‘er. Then I was transferred to GranadaClub Kensington, which sadly is no more.
Ray: Thanks for your comment. Charles
I grew up in Plaistow and remember going to East Ham Granada for Saturday Morning pictures in the mid 1950s. One morning when I went I had a badly poisoned finger which used to be called a whitlow. I think we must have been making too much noise as one of the ushers on duty threw a bunch of keys at us. Luckily, it hit me on the hand and burst my whitlow for which I was ever grateful! It made a great impression on me as I vividly remember it to this day.
A few years later I went to see my then idol, Gene Vincent there and also Roy Orbison, Brenda Lee and Marianne Faithful at different shows.
I will never forget the atmosphere and excitement going into the Granada. Those really were the days.
George: Those were certainly great days. Thanks for you comment. Charles
Hi Charles, I’m a music author, and I’m currently working on a book on The Tremeloes… who formed after attending a Buddy Holly concert at East Ham Granada! I don’t suppose you have any posters or tickets from this show?
Peter: I am sorry but I have no information about The Tremeloes. Good luck with your book. Charles
Hello,
I was born and raised in Upton Park. I lived on Boundary Road with my elder sister, 3 younger brothers and Irish parents.
I’m a lifelong Hammers fan because mt education was gained from the two Roman Catholic schools either side of the West Ham Utd stadium entrance, St. Edwards and St. Johns and then South East Ham Technical College opposite East Ham Town Hall.
My brothers and sister went to the Odeon on Barking road for the saturday morning children’s matinee, entrance sixpence each and a penny bag mixed and broken sweets from the shop across the road.
I had a paper round for my income from 10 onwards.
The Granada. What a glorious old place it was.
Most of my memories of this were as a teen with my mates from 65 onwards, Watching all the Clint & Sergio spaghetti westerns and hang’em High, then on to the 70’s and the Dirty Harry’s.
We also saw the four tops live in, I think in 68 or 69 (their current single was still water runs deep). I remember everyone standing on the seats for that. The tops were a bit naff for us, but they were there.
We were too young for the “stones in the park”, but we’d have gone to that if we’d known it was on….and it WAS free!
I moved in with a girl in Islington, went back to eastham briefly and then out to Kent and West Sussex. Just as well as London has been the pits ever since then. No cockneys live there anymore.