Central Hall Picture House / Empire Theatre
Opened 1912 by Inverness Picture House Ltd. (same owners as the La Scala) as a cinema seating 1,100.
Changed to variety theatre with occasional films and renamed, September 1934. Closed 1970, then demolished.
Allan Goodall remembers:
"The
Theatre Royal, Bank Street on the riverside was destroyed by fire on
17th March 1931. As a result, the Empire cinema was fitted out for live
shows in 1934 as a replacement. Projection equipment at the Empire was
Western Electric sound with simplex projectors and Peerless Magnarcs.
The arc lamps were taken out and installed in the La Scala. The La
Scala's Brenkarcs were in turn then installed in the Playhouse Nairn.
The projectors were still running into the 60's as adverts were still
shown there on the safety curtain. The Empire had quite plain decor,
bluish grey paint on walls and ceiling, not nearly as ornate as the La
Scala which was to open a year later. In the mid 1960's the Empire
could be dark for weeks with maybe the odd wrestling match on a Tuesday
or Thursday - I remember having to go there to check the secondary
lighting batteries when i worked…
Central Hall Picture House / Empire Theatre
Opened 1912 by Inverness Picture House Ltd. (same owners as the La Scala) as a cinema seating 1,100.
Changed to variety theatre with occasional films and renamed, September 1934. Closed 1970, then demolished.
Allan Goodall remembers:
"The
Theatre Royal, Bank Street on the riverside was destroyed by fire on
17th March 1931. As a result, the Empire cinema was fitted out for live
shows in 1934 as a replacement. Projection equipment at the Empire was
Western Electric sound with simplex projectors and Peerless Magnarcs.
The arc lamps were taken out and installed in the La Scala. The La
Scala's Brenkarcs were in turn then installed in the Playhouse Nairn.
The projectors were still running into the 60's as adverts were still
shown there on the safety curtain. The Empire had quite plain decor,
bluish grey paint on walls and ceiling, not nearly as ornate as the La
Scala which was to open a year later. In the mid 1960's the Empire
could be dark for weeks with maybe the odd wrestling match on a Tuesday
or Thursday - I remember having to go there to check the secondary
lighting batteries when i worked at the La Scala."
Gallery of photos, including shots from the closing party, courtesy Derek Mathieson.
Exterior
Exterior 1970
Interior
Final Evening
Final Evening
Final Evening
Final Evening
Final Evening
John Worth
Will Star
