Harringay, Haringey - So Good they Spelt it Twice!
Finsbury Park Astoria Opening Poster,1930
When the Astoria opened in 1930 it was one of the largest cinemas in the world. As cinema audiences dwindled in the 1960s the cinema was also used to host some music events. It was closed as a cinema in 1971 and reopened as the Rainbow Theatre. It was run in this guise for a decade the Rainbow during which it hosted the greatest music acts of the 1970s.
The Rainbow closed in 1981 and was mainly unused until it was bought by the United Kingdom Church of God for use as their UK headquarters. It was in this guise that I arranged for a group of HoLers to visit in 2008. Whatever on thinks of the church, they have done s great job restoring the glories of the 1930s cinema. You can see my snaps from 2008 here.
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Comment by Don on December 1, 2017 at 11:14
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Just looked at your pics from 2008 - what an astonishing interior! I used to think I'd seen The Who here donkeys' years ago, but in fact it was at the Sundown in Edmonton (also a formr cinema, I think), so never saw the Spanish village decor for real. Nobody would ever think of embellishing an auditorium like that these days; great for aiding concentration on the music/drama/opera/whatever, but sometimes all a bit austere and lacking atmosphere.
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Thanks Hugh - another fascinating bit of local history. I've just taken a look at your excellent photos of the interior, which brought back so many memories. My grandma took me to the Astoria when I was very young; I remember seeing The Sound of Music and Ben Hur, amongst others. When I was in my teens I used to go to gigs at the Rainbow. Such a beautiful interior and a great, historically significant venue - shame it wasn't kept as a place of entertainment.
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Comment by Hugh on December 1, 2017 at 13:42
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It's certainly quite some interior. Having driven past the rather bland exterior for twenty years by 2008, I was amazed to discover what treasures lay in store in the interiors.
I remember having some trouble negotiating a visit and I'm not sure what arrangements can be made these days.
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Comment by Roy aka Smiffy on December 2, 2017 at 15:25
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What a lovely poster, another great find. Your superb photos of the interior too.
As a kid going to the Astoria was always a real treat. My dad liked going to the ‘flicks’ so my fist trips there were with him. The amazing sights beyond the rather plain exterior always took your breath away – especially in those austere post-war years.
The Moorish tiled floor the fountain in the foyer with real goldfish swimming.
Upstairs was a café and several times we always had tea and maybe a small cake, all served by a ‘nippy’ in smart uniform.
Then inside the auditorium, the realistic Spanish décor over the proscenium arch and the dark blue ceiling with stars that twinkled after the lights had dimmed.
When later it became a music venue I saw Eddie Cochran and Gene Vincent, Duane Eddy.
It was all so grand.
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