Walthamstow Granada (previously known as Mirth, Marvel & MaudGranada/EMD, Granada Cinema, EMD Cinema, MGM Cinema and ABC Cinema) is a Grade II* listed building housing a pub, cinema and cultural centre in Walthamstow, London. The building is famous for having been frequented by Alfred Hitchcock during its time as a cinema. It was built on a site where films were shown as early as 1896.[2]
In later years, as a result of changes in the building's ownership, the cinema was variously known as MGM, ABC, and EMD cinema.[3] Although never completely renovated after the 1970s, at the time of its closure as a cinema in December 2003, it was the only cinema to have an original working Christie Organ still in place at the cinema where it was originally installed.[4]
Often used as a concert venue, the Granada Cinema in Hoe Street, Walthamstow, held a concert by the Beatles on 24 May 1963.[5][6] Other famous musical acts to have performed there include John Coltrane, Little Richard, Gene Vincent, Jerry Lee Lewis, Alex Paterson and Buddy Holly,
Campaign to save building and cinema
The building, boarded up, during the period of closure.
The cinema closed in 2003 and was purchased by Universal Church of the Kingdom of God (UCKG) with the intention of converting the building into a church.
In 2014, UCKG sold the cinema to pub company Antic[10] who reopened the building under the new name of Mirth, Marvel and Maud.[11]
In May 2019, Waltham Forest Council purchased the building from Antic. Waltham Forest Council and Soho Theatre teamed up to secure the future of the former Granada/EMD, which will operate a new local theatre with a national profile as part of the legacy of Waltham Forest's year as the first London Borough of Culture.[12]
Soho Theatre will operate the building as a new cultural venue for London. The 960-seat[13] rejuvenated venue will operate as a local theatre with a national profile, presenting the biggest names in comedy plus theatre, performance, music, pantomime and community and creative engagement programmes.[14]
Renovation of the site is being carried out by Willmott Dixon Interiors and Soho Theatre and is estimated to take around three years to complete, and initial plans suggest that events could be held on the site before the project is complete.[15] A fund of £17million has been set aside for the work, which commenced in May 2020.[16]
Soho Theatre Walthamstow
In 2025, the venue will reopen as Soho Theatre Walthamstow. The venue will have a 1000-seat main auditorium,[17] three studio spaces and four bars. It will be operated by SohoTheatre, which has run a lively venue in Dean Street, central London, for 25 years. This new site will present a similar mix of comedy, cabaret and theatre from May onwards.[18]
Comedy will take centre stage in the opening season, with the monthly Neon Nights featuring acclaimed performers including Sara Pascoe, Rosie Jones, Larry Dean, and Phil Wang.[19] Soho Theatre's work as London's leading producer of Indian comedy[20] will be mirrored in its opening season, with artists of South Asian heritage from around the world featuring prominently, including performances scheduled from Rahul Dua and Biswa Kalyan Rath[21].
The season will open with Natalie Palamides' acclaimed show Weer and winter will bring a pantomime to Walthamstow for the first time in over 70 years with Aladdin and The Magic Lamp, directed by Susie McKenna[22].
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