The Splendid Theatre, 249 Bromley Road, Downham, South East London

Above - The Splendid Theatre, Downham - From The Bioscope, 9th of June 1930.

The Splendid Theatre was situated on Bromley Road in Downham, an area which is south of Catford and north of Bromley and today part of Greater London. The Theatre was built as a Super Cinema with full stage facilities and dressing rooms, a large Orchestra Pit, and an Organ Loft above the Stage. The Theatre's auditorium was capable of seating up to 2,244 people but with standing room could accommodate 3,000. The Theatre was designed by W. J. King and opened on Monday the 18th of August 1930.

Right - The Foyer of the Splendid Theatre, Downham when it first opened in 1930 - From The Bioscope, 20th of August 1930.

The Splendid Theatre's Auditorium was designed in the Atmospheric Style with painted side walls depicting a sunny mountainous landscape with pools and a bright blue sky painted by the French Artists F. C. Philie, all lit with multi coloured electric lighting battens, the General colour scheme being autumn shades of brown, orange, and blue and gold, with old gold stage curtains and pelmets.

The Entrance to the Theatre was on a corner site with a large lobby and box offices on either side. Two sets of steps from the Lobby took you either to the Circle Lounge or the Auditorium Lounge with waiting room for 500 people altogether. Above the Foyer was a large Tea Lounge decorated with peach coloured mirrors and amber lighting, and above that was a spacious Projection Room with space for up to six projectors, although only three Kalees Projectors were installed for the Theatre's opening.

Above - The Painted Atmospheric Auditorium of the Splendid Theatre, Downham when it first opened in 1930 - From The Bioscope, 20th of August 1930.

For the Theatre's opening the Ushers and Usherettes were dressed in uniforms of brown and beige with gold trimmings, with shell jackets and beige inset waistcoats, with 'close fitting' skirts for the ladies. These outfits were designed and created by Alfred Harold Uniforms Ltd., of Wardour Street, London.

The Splendid Theatre had first opened on the 18th of August 1930 and was designed for Film and live Variety shows. The magnificent Atmospheric Painted side walls of the Auditorium must have proved too distracting for patrons however, and were completely painted over in June 1938. The Theatre carried on for 20 more years but was then closed in December 1957 and demolished the following year. An Apartment Building called Crystal View Court and a Car Park took its place.

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