Wood Green Empire 1932

Comment by longers1 on April 24, 2010 at 11:47

Amazing picture. Love the guy dressed up at the front

Comment by Hugh on April 24, 2010 at 11:54

I think he's promoting the film With Cobham to Kivu. Apparently this was an "aerial voyage of discovery" from Alexandria to the Central African Lakes.

Earlier, in 1926, Cobham attempted but failed to be the first person to deliver mail to New York City by air from the east, planning to fly mail from the White Star Line ship RMS Homeric, in a de Havilland DH.60 Moth floatplane, when the ship was about 12 hours from New York harbour on a westbound crossing from Southampton. After the Moth was lowered from the ship, however, Cobham was unable to take off owing to rough water and had to be towed into port by the ship. In the year that With Cobham to Kivu was released, he also founded the National Aviation Day displays, generally known as 'Cobham's Flying Circus'.

Comment by Liz on December 11, 2013 at 9:49

A little more about Wood Green Empire from Caroline Welch's excellent booklet on Noel Park (available in all local libraries)

Architect: Frank Matcham renowned for his opulent and fashionable theatres all over UK including Hackney Empire and Buxton Opera House.

Opened:  9th Sept 1912

Inside: A 43 foot proscenium opening and a sliding roof to cool the theatre. Seated 3,000. Tickets cost 1 shilling for the grand circle to 4 pence to 2 pence for the gallery and balcony

Famous acts included Marie LLoyd, Norman Wisdom, Shirley Bassey and Max Miller

Most (in)famous act was the sad tale of Chung Ling Soo

Final performance: 31st January 1955

Later: Used as a production studio until 1963 by Associated Television

Interior demolished in December 1970 as well as the turret and cupola but the rest of the facade can be detected today

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