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Clapham Grand

1978

The only completely surviving theatre by Woodrow and a testimonial to the competence and flair of this little-known theatre designer. It was designed for a consortium headed by Dan Leno and Herbert Campbell, who had already built the Granville, Waltham Green (dem) and the Camberwell Palace (dem). They took over Munts's Hall, a flat-floored concert room, nearby, to 'test the water' before commissioning Woodrow to build the Grand. By 1910, Leno and Campbell had been elbowed out of the market by the syndicates, so this was their last venture.

The exterior is unusual, if not unique. Massive and confident, in red brick with pink Mansfield stone dressings, it relies on crisp geometry, rather than opulence, almost anticipating architectural movements to come. In so far as a stylistic label can be attached, it should probably be 'Colonial Indian'. The two ogee-domed and arcaded towers certainly have an Indian flavour, although the sparse mouldings and other details are classical.

The interior is also unique amongst British theatres (at least until the rise of the super cinemas), being in the Chinese taste, with a lavish display of plaster ornament, shallow domed ceiling (originally decorated as a willow-pattern plate), festive pagoda canopies to the boxes, dragon's heads with gleaming electric eyes, etc. Two balconies, with a serpentine curved front to the lower one. The original lavish decorations by Campbell Smith, the painted act drop and the rich box hangings have all gone, but the Grand remains a most remarkable theatre, fully capable of being returned to its designed use. The alterations made for concert use are all readily reversible. Its location, opposite Clapham Junction Station and close to Central London, would give it a wide catchment. Capacity would depend on whether or not the gallery was brought into use. Sightlines are excellent from every level.

Built / Converted
1900
Dates of use
  • 1900 : Until when not known.
Current state
Extant
Current use
Music venue (nightclub, live music and comedy)
Address
21-25 St John's Hill, Clapham Junction, London, Wandsworth, SW11 1TT, England
Further details
Other names
New Grand Theatre of Varieties , Grand Palace of Varieties , Essoldo Cinema , Grand (Mecca) Bingo
Events
  • 1900 Use: Until when not known.
  • 1900 Design/Construction:
    E A E Woodrow
    - Architect
    Campbell Smith
    - Consultant
    decorations
    F H Bull
    - Consultant
    act drop
    H Lazarus & Son
    - Consultant
    upholstery
    Hancock & Dykes
    - Consultant
    structural engineers
  • 1900 Owner/Management: J Sparrow
  • 1905 Owner/Management: Frederick Williams
  • 1908 - 1909 Alteration: vestibule, stalls and back balcony altered.
    Frank Matcham
    - Architect
  • 1910 Owner/Management: Charles Gulliver
  • 1927 Alteration: new haystack.
  • 1927 Alteration: new bio box.
    Walter Gibbings
    - Architect
  • 1931 Alteration: back projection room added.
    Clifford Aish
    - Architect
  • 1935 - 1936 Alteration: full front projection installed.
  • 1972 Alteration: converted to bingo
  • 1991 Alteration: partially restored and altered for live music use.
    Sean Madigan
    - Architect
Capacities
  • Capacity
    Original
    Description
    2500-3000 (!)
  • Capacity
    Later
    Description
    1912: 2500
    1946: 1630
  • Capacity
    Current
    Description
    c.1,000
Listings
  • Listing
    II
    Comment
    Would probably be upgraded if interior fully restored
Stage type
Flat on rake
Building dimensions: -
Stage dimensions: Depth: 27ft
Proscenium width: 30ft
Height to grid: 53ft
Inside proscenium: -
Orchestra pit: Now none