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Stars join protest to save cinema
Louise Jury, Chief Arts Correspondent17.04.09
Actors Meera Syal and Tony Robinson have joined a campaign to save one of London's most important early cinemas.
More than 100 protesters are expected to attend a candlelit vigil outside the EMD cinema in Walthamstow tomorrow night. They will wear Alfred Hitchcock masks - the director got his first taste of movies at the picture house.
The cinema is the last example of several in London designed by Russian theatre director Theodore Komisarjevsky, who was married to actress Dame Peggy Ashcroft. It opened as the Victoria dance hall in 1887 and was refurbished as a cinema with Oriental-style interiors by Komisarjevsky in 1930.
The Grade II-listed building closed as a cinema in 2003 and was bought by the Universal Church of the Kingdom of God - a Brazilian church which provoked controversy with its belief that illnesses are caused by "demons" that must be exorcised.
UCKG's original plans to turn it into a church were rejected but new proposals are to be submitted to Waltham Forest council. Robinson said: "It's where my teenage years were opened to the great jazz and rock '*' roll artists of the Sixties and where I saw a host of great movies. It would be crazy to turn our backs on such a magnificent venue."
Syal added: "It would be a tragedy if the film-lovers of east London were to be deprived of this beautiful jewel of a cinema."
Terry Wheeler, Waltham Forest's cabinet member for enterprise and investment, said the church had sought advice from the council about its proposals and there would be full public consultation on the project.
Reader views (6)
When I lived in Walthamstow in the 60s I certainly enjoyed the Granada. Seeing the Beatles twice, Cilla Black, Hermans Hermits, Sounds Incorporated P J Proby and the list goes on. What a beautiful place it was then. We had also had school exhibitions there. How sad to see it in such a state now. Why has it deteriorated so?
- Janice Drew, USA
I saw the Beatles, The Who and The Rolling Stones, at this beautiful cinerma, From a family of seven living after post war The Granada saturday morning pictures gave me and my siblings a taste of British and American cinema, I am now an avid cinema going and have a great colelction of those old movies. Also I still go to many gigs and concerts. My heroes of the sixties are still rocking. Please contact me I have great persuasive P. R. skills run my own business and have taken on many disputes with the council over the years. I have a real passion for our heritage. My business is restoration and fine cabinet making, so I work along side the National trust etc. Someone out there call contact me I want to help !!!
- Teresa Anderson, Chingford London United Kingdom
Let the Help Centre do a job that is beta than show movies that is to change peoples life.
- Silva, Nottingham, UK
I believe the loss of any fine building is lamentable, and a purpose built venue where so much history has resounded within its walls and inspired the great and the good is foolish. But money speaks louder than words and if Waltham Forest Council is hell bent upon sale, there is probably little else to do but keeping shouting to the roof tops until the collective voice is no longer heard. I wish I could be in London to add my voice. I will be following this story to its close.
- Mr. J Ellis, Punta Gorda, Belize, Central America
Don't let another cinema die. It's a beautiful old building. All local people should get involved in the protest and try to save it.
- Jb Hove, hove sussex uk
It is such a great shame that the cinema has been empty for many years and the beautiful victorian building has fallen in to disrepair. It's steps are home to the local alcoholics and the homeless. Why don't the local council take positive action and return our cinema back to it's former glory?
I have fond memories of saturday morning cinema and also taking my own children to see films regularly. I will be joining the protesters later..............
- Mrs Wood, Walthamstow London
