The Birmingham Lyric Picture Playhouse Ltd., was a subsidiary company of “The Stockland Green Playhouse Co Ltd., With George Parkes as Chairman. He was also involved with Sidney Clift’s Cinemas I met him whilst I was General Manager of "The Stockland Green Playhouse Co Ltd., when it was then owned by "The Capitol Cinema (Ward End)ltd., I was closing down the cinema at the time
These were purchased by “The Victoria Playhouse Group” of Birmingham. The Broadways was sold a few days later to Joseph Cohen of Jacey.. Off Hewitson’s of Smethwick
At The end of the day. The Bar is the income earner. I suspect if there was to much moaning they would just stop the films… After all they are shutting quite a number down. Then the future of these building will be uncertain.
The Stage Door side if the Theatre are remnants of the old Theatre by Owen and Ward.. which also housed the old Leon Salberg’s office that was later transformed into the Leon Bar on the ground floor whilst the upper floors became the dressing rooms..
Just a thought Harry Weedon never designed a Cinema Th person credited as assisting him Did it. Weedon designed Houses. He prepared budgets for the Shar Prospectus in that Odeon Company. The Weedon Practice never designed anything until Robert Bullivant became head designer for the Practice.
Showcase Refereed to it as Their Birmingham Showcase… as it was opened before their Birmingham Complex. Walsall’s Mayor had a go with Showcase over it. Fastest thing to get Walsall people annoyed are the words Birmingham and Wolverhampton I Live in Walsall and was in the Cinema Trade for 40 years.
Rivest266 The Showcase Walsall was Called Showcase Birmingham which P… Off the people of Walsall. Our Mayor gave them a talking too on the opening. Walsall Opened first Birmingham Later I lived near Walsall Showcase and My Birmingham Cinema The Capitol was near the Birmingham one. This wrecked a very good Independent (Capitol) that made the largest profit in Birmingham. So it was Kama when the Showcase closed down.
Clifton owned 10% of the company. whilst Onions had 90%. There were many disagreements Onions always thought he knew best. Then had to get Clifton to put it right. and there lies a number of stories…
Biffaskin.. I would like to see them re-open. But alas The Rates on these 3 screens was eyewatering. They paid far more rates then the Alexandra Theatre and The Rep. Some years ago I did a study for a City Councillor On the finances of Birmingham Theatres as against the Commercial operations Like for like The Birmingham Odeon Theatre (Live) as against The Hippodrome Now that was an education Hippodrome paid more then double the cleaning cost of the Odeon using the same contractor On the other The Hippodrome only paid 32% of the rates The Odeon New St was charged. I must add I did put the Cat amongst the Pigeons :)
They carried on for a number of Years Showing Asian Films on Sunday mornings Colmore Entertainments (The Oliver’s) did very little in the way of alterations for Bingo. It was a belt and braces operation but funnily enough It was the Black Country’s busiest Bingo Hall Whilst working for ABC Cinemas I was seconded to their Bingo division and had to go out to other Bingo Halls to see how their Bingo was doing I had to reports the Prize moneys being paid out. I even had to pay Bingo. Hmm During that time I never won any money..
The Birmingham Lyric Picture Playhouse Ltd., was a subsidiary company of “The Stockland Green Playhouse Co Ltd., With George Parkes as Chairman. He was also involved with Sidney Clift’s Cinemas I met him whilst I was General Manager of "The Stockland Green Playhouse Co Ltd., when it was then owned by "The Capitol Cinema (Ward End)ltd., I was closing down the cinema at the time
These were purchased by “The Victoria Playhouse Group” of Birmingham. The Broadways was sold a few days later to Joseph Cohen of Jacey.. Off Hewitson’s of Smethwick
Just a thought The two screens under the Circle took 6 weeks to do the job.
Well The Earl of Dudley sold that land cheap with that covenant on. So the Council should have to pay the Earl a Massive compensation claim.
The 1958 Modernisation was carried out by Modernisation Ltd., a Freeze-Greene company It was typical of the design build work.
There is now an early picture of the Cinema on this page.
At The end of the day. The Bar is the income earner. I suspect if there was to much moaning they would just stop the films… After all they are shutting quite a number down. Then the future of these building will be uncertain.
I have placed an early picture of the Cinema on now.
The Stage Door side if the Theatre are remnants of the old Theatre by Owen and Ward.. which also housed the old Leon Salberg’s office that was later transformed into the Leon Bar on the ground floor whilst the upper floors became the dressing rooms..
Correction to that write up. He did not put the Capitol at Alum Rock up for Sale.. This happened much later.. Under the replacement Chairman
to Odeon Esque The organ was a temporary one ABC had for such openings
Odeon Colwyn Bay was the same style
Looking at the Wall treatment and the stage layout for scope This look like a Modernisation Ltd., interior design build.
The soundheads in the picture are Westar 2002’s
Just a thought Harry Weedon never designed a Cinema Th person credited as assisting him Did it. Weedon designed Houses. He prepared budgets for the Shar Prospectus in that Odeon Company. The Weedon Practice never designed anything until Robert Bullivant became head designer for the Practice.
It is a shame that the CTA are very quiet and seems not to be interested in Saving this Theatre
Showcase Refereed to it as Their Birmingham Showcase… as it was opened before their Birmingham Complex. Walsall’s Mayor had a go with Showcase over it. Fastest thing to get Walsall people annoyed are the words Birmingham and Wolverhampton I Live in Walsall and was in the Cinema Trade for 40 years.
Rivest266 The Showcase Walsall was Called Showcase Birmingham which P… Off the people of Walsall. Our Mayor gave them a talking too on the opening. Walsall Opened first Birmingham Later I lived near Walsall Showcase and My Birmingham Cinema The Capitol was near the Birmingham one. This wrecked a very good Independent (Capitol) that made the largest profit in Birmingham. So it was Kama when the Showcase closed down.
Clifton owned 10% of the company. whilst Onions had 90%. There were many disagreements Onions always thought he knew best. Then had to get Clifton to put it right. and there lies a number of stories…
Showcase P…. Off Walsall people by referring it as Showcase Birmingham.. before their Birmingham complex opened
Apparently It has been reported as being closed permanently
Biffaskin.. I would like to see them re-open. But alas The Rates on these 3 screens was eyewatering. They paid far more rates then the Alexandra Theatre and The Rep. Some years ago I did a study for a City Councillor On the finances of Birmingham Theatres as against the Commercial operations Like for like The Birmingham Odeon Theatre (Live) as against The Hippodrome Now that was an education Hippodrome paid more then double the cleaning cost of the Odeon using the same contractor On the other The Hippodrome only paid 32% of the rates The Odeon New St was charged. I must add I did put the Cat amongst the Pigeons :)
John There is a big Problem with the Kinematograph year book. it was very unreliable as we used it in business
Notice The Roundels in the ceiling These were used in the 1924 designs of The Capitol Alum Rock Birmingham. and a Bigger Version in “The Warley cinema
They carried on for a number of Years Showing Asian Films on Sunday mornings Colmore Entertainments (The Oliver’s) did very little in the way of alterations for Bingo. It was a belt and braces operation but funnily enough It was the Black Country’s busiest Bingo Hall Whilst working for ABC Cinemas I was seconded to their Bingo division and had to go out to other Bingo Halls to see how their Bingo was doing I had to reports the Prize moneys being paid out. I even had to pay Bingo. Hmm During that time I never won any money..