Although I only went into the Odeon Theatre Kensington on one occasion, I have always had the impression that I knew the Theatre well since I used to pass it whenever I traveled on the 704/705 Green Line Coach from London Victoria to Langley, which I did quite often.  In those days, the Theatre had yet to be mutilated into a multiplex.

I always liked the majestic looking exterior of the Theatre and found it to be somewhat grand in appearance.  I was surprised to read that the designers of the buildings found the exterior to be austere!  I liked the entrance, as it was in recess, the huge windows of the cafe/restaurant and the exterior decoration.  Sadly, I never saw the building when the huge Greek Urns were present on each side of the entrance, which I suspect were removed when the huge illuminated advertisement board was installed that covered its full width.

Greek Urns made way for an Odeon Illuminated Advertisement Board

The only time I went to the Odeon Theatre Kensington was in 1964.  I was on a double date (!) with a college friend and we were out with two girls from other colleges who lived in Hammersmith, which was just up the road from the Theatre.

I remember having to tolerate a boring afternoon at the home of one of the girls where we had to stay for Tea.  I dislike intensely the meal referred to as Tea.  I like the drink, but not the accompanying silly little sandwiches and cakes!  I remember that it was a very middle class affair, as we were offered strawberries, which I learned could be eaten with bread and butter.  Conversation was very stilted and I could not wait to leave.  I especially did not like the mother.  The father sat in silence and looked as bored as me!  Once we escaped, I insisted on going for a drink at the nearest pub!

After a few drinks we walked up to the Odeon Theatre, which was showing the film, What a way to go!  This was one of the last films made by 20th Century Fox in CinemaScope.  This proved to be the only reason to see this film!  The film had an all-star cast with Shirley MacClaine (1934), Paul Newman (1925-2008), Robert Mitcham (1917-1997), Dean Martin (1917-1995), Dick van Dyke (1925), Gene Kelly (1912-1996) and Robert Cummings (1910-1990) and consisted of a series of episodes with Ms MacClaine marrying and burying a series of husbands.  The film proved to be overly long and not especially interesting – too many husbands perhaps!  Ms MacClaine costumes were disastrous and the colour was dreadful.  Although the film was said to be a comedy, I only laughed once and that was when Dick van Dyke’s face turned green from joy while counting his money!

I remember that we sat in the Circle, which had very comfortable seats.  I also recall being impressed with the decor of the auditorium, which was in very good condition, if my memory serves me well.  The foyer, the staircase and the cafe were all impressive.

-oOo-

In November 2011, I was in London, and on a sunny Sunday afternoon while returning from Langley on the bus, I noticed that we were zooming by the Odeon Theatre Kensington.  Suddenly I thought that it was about time that I got off the bus and took some photographs of the Theatre while it was still a cinema, albeit a multiplex.

By now the Theatre had been become a six-screen multiplex and so it was easy for me not to go inside.   I was going to content myself with photographing the exterior.

As my photographs reveal, some of the decorative work was somewhat the worst for wear.  Let us hope that the new owners will tastefully restore the exterior to its former glory.

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