ABC Wythenshawe

456 Palatine Road,
Northenden,
Manchester, M22 4DJ

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UKmender
UKmender on January 6, 2023 at 6:30 am

Following the closure of this building as a leisure venue, both the ‘Forum’ name, along with the theatre and cinema facilities, were transplanted to The Forum Theatre at Wythenshawe Civic Centre, Leningrad Square, Simonsway. It opened on 3rd November 1971 and became, amongst other things, an extension for Manchester’s Library Theatre. As part of a major refurbishment, in the mid 2000s, the theatre was later ripped out and replaced by a dance studio and gym. The following photos are copyright: Ian Grundy. https://www.flickr.com/photos/stagedoor/49551727776/in/photostream/ https://www.flickr.com/photos/stagedoor/49551727811/in/photostream/

Chris T
Chris T on November 17, 2021 at 7:31 am

Went past this recently in my car. Had to ask a friend to remember it’s location. Looked stunning from the outside.

madorganplayer
madorganplayer on September 6, 2018 at 12:41 pm

Odeonesque, as Ken rightly says ,this was not the venue used for Brief Encounter.It was the Metropole Victoria but the two Wurlitzer organ consoles were very similar.Other consoles similar were at Granada Edmonton,Troxy Stepney and of course the Tower,Opera House and Empress ballroom in Blackpool.

ODEONesque
ODEONesque on October 7, 2013 at 3:09 pm

I have just remembered, the cinema in question was the Forum and whilst I can`t say for definite that this was the one used in the film I do know that the console design of the organ was the same. Can anyone enlarge on this?

Ken Roe
Ken Roe on October 4, 2013 at 6:38 am

The scene set in a cinema with organ playing, in the film “Brief Encounter”, was filmed on location at the Metropole Cinema, Victoria, London (now demolished)

davidstirzaker
davidstirzaker on October 4, 2013 at 6:29 am

It certainly had a Wurlitzer organ. I was assistant/relief manager here in 1969. When I see Brief Encounter again I shall see if I recognise the site.

ODEONesque
ODEONesque on July 25, 2013 at 9:07 am

If I`ve got the right one this is where part of the film “Brief Encounter” was made and you see Trevor Howard and Celia Johnson sitting in the circle and Irene Handl “playing” the Wurlitzer organ.

Ken Roe
Ken Roe on October 25, 2010 at 1:21 pm

Vintage photographs of the Forum Cinema, and the Wurlitzer organ console:
http://www.ukwurlitzer.co.cc/page8.html