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Eros House – Hippodrome & Eros Cinema
In the 1930s, Catford’s Hippodrome was one of Lewisham’s many performance venues and with 3000 seats was one of the largest music hall venues in Europe. It showed live acts such as pantomime and variety shows as well as films. It closed for two years having been seriously damaged during the Blitz and in 1952 reopened as the Eros Cinema, a popular social spot until it closed in 1959. The Eros House now sits on the site of the old cinema.
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Photos courtesy of Lewisham Archive
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Photos courtesy of Lewisham Archive
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Photos courtesy of Lewisham Archive
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Photos courtesy of Lewisham Archive
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Photos courtesy of Lewisham Archive
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Photos courtesy of Lewisham Archive
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Photos courtesy of Lewisham Archive
The Hippodrome was closed for two years due to bomb damage at the beginning of the Blitz and had a special reopening in 1942. Just after the way, it became a venue for variety performances, including some big names such as Billy Cotton and his Band, Comedians like Ted Ray and Nelly Wallace, all the old names. On Sunday afternoons, however, the venue became a cinema. Read more about the history of The Hippodrome here.
1911 The Hippodrome
Oral history of Peggy Fitzsimmons
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Photos courtesy of Lewisham Archive
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Photos courtesy of Lewisham Archive
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Photos courtesy of Lewisham Archive
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Photos courtesy of Lewisham Archive
The Eros Cinema, opened in 1952 and continued to show films until its closure in 1959. It was finally demolished in 1960.
1952 Eros Cinema
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Photos courtesy of Lewisham Archive
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Photo by Kevin Irealnd
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Photo by Kevin Irealnd
The Eros House, was built in 1962, designed by brutalist architect Owen Luder, who also designed the Catford Shopping Centre. It was used by Lewisham Council until 1970 and how houses private flats.
1962 Eros House
Oral history of Sheila Pender
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Photo by Warren King
Memories of Catford’s beloved cinemas were captured in the opening scene of Catford Tales, staged in the studio at the Broadway Theatre.
2015 Catford Tales
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