PLYMOUTH |
The Encyclopaedia of Plymouth History |
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DESCRIPTION OF ANDREWS' PICTURE PALACE The main facade of Andrews' Picture Palace in Union Street, Plymouth, was faced with Portland cement and was elaborately enriched and moulded. The central pediment reached a height of about forty feet and surmounting this gable was an illuminated figure of Atlas bearing a globe, which was the owner's trademark. The whole front was outlined with electric lamps. Two shops flanked the entrance. After passing under the lofty central archway there was a circular vestibule giving access to the main hall and the staircase leading to the balcony. The moulded ceiling was set-off by the green painted woodwork while the other decorations were in buff or deep red. The main hall itself was 140ft long, by 44ft wide, and 35ft high and naturally had a sloping floor. The screen measured 30ft wide by 25ft high. The ceiling was arranged in a semi-circular or barrel form, with elaborately enriched subsidiary arches flanking the side walls and growing into the main ceiling arch. At the rear of the hall was the balcony, also fitted with stepped seating of 'the most up-to-date and comfortable character'. Altogether, some 1500 people could be accommodated, for which even tea rooms had been provided. Local enterprise played a conspicuous part in the work. The architects were Messrs Thornley, Rooke and Barron of 11 The Crescent, Plymouth, while the general building contract was carried out by Mr W Blake, also of Plymouth. The electric lighting was by Mr Corse of Union Street, who was to become so enthused by the cinema that he later opened one of his own.
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