Ritzy Cinema
Encyclopedia
The Ritzy is a cinema in Brixton
, South London
, United Kingdom
.
The cinema opened on 11 March 1911 as 'the Electric Pavilion'. It was built by E. C. Homer and Lucas for Israel Davis, one of a noted family of cinema developers, and was one of England's earliest purpose built cinemas seating over 750 seats in the single auditorium. Like many cinemas of the period, it was fitted with an organ
.
In 1954 it was renamed 'the Pullman' and the organ was removed. It was later renamed 'the Classic' before closure in 1976. A collaboration between Lambeth Council and the management of the time ensured the cinema's survival, with the facade being rebuilt and restored to near-original condition.
Today the cinema is owned by Picturehouse Cinemas
, a division of City Screen Limited, and thrives as a multiscreen complex with bar and cafe facilities. Its official name is now Ritzy Picturehouse although it is still commonly known as the Ritzy Cinema. In 1999 Albion Ventures
invested £8million in Cityscreen to help fund the development of several of their cinemas, including the Ritzy.
In 2009, the decor and colour scheme was restored from its original style and a live music venue was added, called Upstairs.
Brixton
Brixton is a district in the London Borough of Lambeth in south London, England. It is south south-east of Charing Cross. The area is identified in the London Plan as one of 35 major centres in Greater London....
, South London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
, United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
.
The cinema opened on 11 March 1911 as 'the Electric Pavilion'. It was built by E. C. Homer and Lucas for Israel Davis, one of a noted family of cinema developers, and was one of England's earliest purpose built cinemas seating over 750 seats in the single auditorium. Like many cinemas of the period, it was fitted with an organ
Organ (music)
The organ , is a keyboard instrument of one or more divisions, each played with its own keyboard operated either with the hands or with the feet. The organ is a relatively old musical instrument in the Western musical tradition, dating from the time of Ctesibius of Alexandria who is credited with...
.
In 1954 it was renamed 'the Pullman' and the organ was removed. It was later renamed 'the Classic' before closure in 1976. A collaboration between Lambeth Council and the management of the time ensured the cinema's survival, with the facade being rebuilt and restored to near-original condition.
Today the cinema is owned by Picturehouse Cinemas
Picturehouse Cinemas
Picturehouse Cinemas is a network of art house cinemas in the United Kingdom. it has 19 sites, all in England and Scotland.The first Picturehouse opened in Oxford in 1989, but many of its cinemas operated independently before being adopted by City Screen Ltd., the official trading name of the...
, a division of City Screen Limited, and thrives as a multiscreen complex with bar and cafe facilities. Its official name is now Ritzy Picturehouse although it is still commonly known as the Ritzy Cinema. In 1999 Albion Ventures
Albion Ventures
Albion Ventures LLP is a UK based venture capital investor which has been managing investments since 1996. The company manages nine Venture Capital Trusts , with approximately £230million under management...
invested £8million in Cityscreen to help fund the development of several of their cinemas, including the Ritzy.
In 2009, the decor and colour scheme was restored from its original style and a live music venue was added, called Upstairs.