Erith Playhouse

• Theatre ID
  2296
• Built / Converted
  1946
• Dates of use
  • 1949: continuing
• Current state
  Extant
• Current use
  Theatre (Amateur theatre)
• Address
  38-40 High Street, Erith, Bexley, London, Kent, DA8 1QY, England
• Website
  • http://www.playhouse.org.uk

Details

Opened as the Oxford Cinema in 1913, the original building had a simple façe with classical details and a central recessed entrance. The interior was on one level, quite plain, with thin plaster moulded panels between piers; cornice and sloping margins to flat ceiling with sparsely moulded false beams. In 1939, the Oxford was acquired by Erith Council and became a furniture warehouse for those in the local community whose homes had been bombed. In 1946, it was leased to the Erith Theatre Guild for conversion to a theatre. A stage, dressing rooms and scene dock were added to the rear and a basement and orchestra pit were excavated. In 1973 an adjacent building was acquired, and front-of-house facilities were extended and improved, enlarging the foyer and toilets, adding a refreshment area with a rehearsal room over. The façe was reconstructed with pink brick and a large window with close-set wood mullions above the entrance. The present auditorium is that of the original cinema, and makes a charming little theatre for local groups. From the scene dock door is a magnificent view of the Thames Estuary.

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• Other names
  Oxford Cinema
• Events
  • 1913 Design/Construction: as cinema (architect unknown).
  • 1913 Owner/Management: Oxford Picture House Company, owners
  • 1929 Owner/Management: Sydney Bacon Circuit, owners
  • 1935 Owner/Management: Union
  • 1939 Owner/Management: Erith Council
  • 1946 - 1949 Design/Construction: converted to theatre; stage and scene dock added at rear.
    • Members of Theatre Guild - Architect
  • 1946 Owner/Management: Erith Theatre Guild, lessees
  • 1949 Use: continuing
  • 1973 Alteration: enlargement of front-of-house facilities taking in adjacent plot; reconstruction of façade (architect unknown).
• Listings
  • Grade Not listed
• Stage type
  • Proscenium flat
• Dimensions
  • Orchestra pit: Enlarged