Dominion (London)

• Theatre ID
  445
• Built / Converted
  1929
• Dates of use
  • 1981 - 0: continuing
• Current state
  Extant
• Current use
  Theatre
• Address
  Tottenham Court Road, Camden, London, W1T 7AQ, England

Details

The Dominion was built on the site of the Meux Brewery and the tiny Court Cinema opened in 1911. Proposals for a theatre there were first made in 1923, but it was only in 1928 that Moss Empires became interested in development. The result is typical of the work of the younger William Milburn. The Dominion is vast, yet distances from the stage are never great (save in the upper circle) and the sight-lines are excellent. The foyer and circle circulation areas are also remarkably generous for a London theatre, and there was originally also a caféver the entrance. The style, however was the rather frigid neo-Renaissance of the 1920s Milburn houses; despite its original pink lampshades, the auditorium must always have been a cold, impersonal place best suited to large-scale extravaganzas. Its recent redecoration in dark colours suits it well. It was not one of Moss Empires’ successful ventures. A musical based on golf opened the theatre, but within a year it was being rented to film distributors. From September 1930 it became a permanent cinema, with W R Glen employed to strip out the cloakrooms and bars to expand the ‘crush’ areas to cinematic requirements. In January 1933 the building was sold to Gaumont British. Further alterations were made after the Second World War, when shortage of office space forced Gaumont, from 1940 part of the Rank empire, to convert the old cafécarpenter’s shop and the upper floors of dressing rooms into offices. Then in 1958 a vast Todd AO cinema screen was installed, along with a new projection box, and the upper circle was closed. The decommissioning of these important spaces leaves the Dominion still one of London’s largest theatres, and one with remarkable potential. This was not, however, recognised until recently. From November 1981 the Dominion became primarily a venue for one-off live shows; then, in 1986, it was painted black and hung with a velarium for Time. A legal dispute ensured the theatre was not subsequently restored, and Rank took the opportunity to seek the site’s redevelopment. Only in 1990 was demolition for a hotel averted, when the building was acquired by Apollo Leisure. No other London theatre has an empty upper circle stepped to modern standards, nor so much potential front of house space awaiting readoption. Restored, the Dominion could again house close to its original capacity of 2835 seats.

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• Events
  • 1981 - 0 Use: continuing
  • 1928 - 1929 Design/Construction:
    • W & T R Milburn (William Milburn Junior) - Architect
  • 1930 - 0 Alteration: stalls bar, circle cloakroom, gallery bar and chorus room removed to increase waiting on 'crush' areas.
    • W R Glen - Architect
  • 1933 - 0 Alteration: cinema organ installed.
    • W E Trent - Architect
  • 1945 - 1948 Alteration: converted old cafe, carpenter's store, and dressing rooms on third floor to offices.
    • W E Trent - Architect
  • 1958 - 0 Alteration: installation of Todd AO screen and new projection box; upper circle closed (architect unknown).
  • 1968 - 0 Alteration: redecoration (architect unknown).
  • 1972 - 0 Alteration: stage rebuilt; dressing rooms added.
    • Apollo Leisure Property Services Division - Architect
  • 1992 - 1993 Alteration: front of house refurbished (architect unknown).
  • 1929 Owner/Management: Moss Empires
  • 1932 Owner/Management: United Artists
  • 1933 Owner/Management: Gaumont British (as Provincial Cinematograph) Theatres
  • 1940 Owner/Management: became part of Rank Organisation
  • 1990 Owner/Management: Apollo Leisure & Nederlander
• Capacities
  • Original: 2,835
  • Later: 1940: 2858 1958: 1654 (without upper circle)
  • Current: 2007
• Listings
  • Grade II - Accurate
• Stage type
  • Raked
• Dimensions
  • Stage dimensions: Depth: 12m (39ft) Width SL: 11.28m (37ft) SR: 35ft
  • Proscenium width: 15.26m (49ft 10in)
  • Height to grid: 19.83m min (67ft front, 65ft 7in at rear)
  • Orchestra pit: Flexible
• Unreliable anecdotes
  Never intended as a cinéariety hall