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
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PART TEN: STARTING ANOTHER CIRCUIT
THE GRANADA THEATRE HARROW
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The Granada Theatre Harrow opened in 1937 with Jessie Matthews and Sonnie Hale present and with the screening of The Show Goes On with Gracie Fields and Ready Willing & Able with Ruby Keeler.
Left: Gracie Fields; Centre: Poster for Ready, Willing & Able: Right: Ruby Keeler
(Click here to watch clips from The Shows Goes On)
(Click here to watch a clip from Ready, Willing & Able)
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The Theatre’s architect was J. Owen Bond, who apparently had not worked with the Circuit before. The exterior of the Theatre is of brick and somewhat plain in design. The number of seats seems to be in question, but was perhaps around 2,000. During the 1960s, like other Granada Theatres, it was used for the staging of rock ‘n’ roll shows.
Although the Granada Theatre Harrow was apparently a very successful cinema throughout its lifetime, it was tripled in 1973. The Theatre remained a cinema until 1996. In 1988, the theatre was granted Grade II status by English Heritage.
Once the theatre closed in 1996, it remained empty for eight years, but eventually reopened as a Gold’s Gym. The conversion of the building into a Health Club & Gym was granted with the proviso that the Wurlitzer Organ remain in place and be made available to be played, and today, is seen sitting on the stage. Part of the rear stalls has been converted into a swimming pool and the circle area, following re-stepping, houses various fitness machines.
Although the building now functions in a different capacity, much of the interior has survived in its original form.
The Granada Theatre Harrow
Top Left: as a single screen; Top Right: after tripling; reproduced with the permission of the photographer (dusashenka)
Bottom Left : as a Gold’s Gym; this photograph is reproduced with the permission of Joshua Abbott;
Bottom Right: photograph reproduced with permission of Andrew Woodyatt
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In Decemeber 2014, I visited the erstwhile Granada Theatre Harrow and was given a tour of the building by the Club Manager, Mr. Adeel Anwar. To see what the building looks like today as Gold’s Gym, also some photographs that I took of the Wurlitzer Theatre Organ, please …….
CLICK HERE
I am grateful to Mr. Adeel Anwar for his kindness and for taking time to show me around the facility.
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I think that Gold’s Gym has done a terrific job in maintaining the building. Many of the original features designed by Theodore Komisarjevsky are still apparent including the auditorium central light fixture and the grille work of the side walls.
The Granada Harrow Wurlitzer Organ
This photograph is reproduced with the permission of Mr. Len Rawle
Mr. Rawle told me that both pipe chambers plus the blower chamber are one above
the other behind the right hand splay of grilles looking at them from the
audience point of view.
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Click here to hear Ms Edna Baga (1906-2004) play the Granada Harrow Wurlitzer Organ
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Mr. Paul Kirner wrote:
I did play the Granada Harrow Wurlitzer Organ many years ago for both ATOS London and The Theatre Organ Club often with Ken Stroud and Armsbee Bancroft. There is a video on YouTube of my playing Waltzing Bugle Boy and Bugle Call Rag. There was a Cassette Album of me at Harrow many years ago. I have some of the tracks, but the Album has been lost (probably master worn-out and no copies kept!).
I also did a number of sessions as Judge or Master of Judges for ATOS London Young Organist Competition at Harrow and also Woking Leisure Centre.
Click here to hear Paul Kirner play Waltzing Bugle Boy and Bugle Call Rag on this Organ from a concert given in 1989
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