The building of the Regal Cinema and the cinema in the 1930s

Photographs of the old Regal Cinema in the 1930s
By John Layton

The building of the Regal Cinema began in 1929, and it opened on January 1st 1934.  The site was long and narrow, and the stipulation for a seating capacity of 1,500 resulted in a lofty auditorium and a steep balcony.

Here are two photographs of the Cinema in the 1930's.  As you can see, cinema-going was quite the thing at that time, going by the length of the queue in  photograph two.

The cinema stood on the corner of Theatre Plain, opposite what is now the BHS Store

The building that stood there before the 1930s was the Theatre Royal, which was demolished in the 1920s to make way for the Regal.

My father's stepfather actually worked on the construction of the Regal as a carpenter.  He got the job because he was the only person there who could build a 'Jacob's Ladder' - I believe this was a makeshift construction of nailed-together wood.

It was originally a theatre, later being converted into a cinema, with the proviso, so it is said, that at least one live show be put on each year, otherwise it would close.

It was the home for many years of the Gt Yarmouth Operatic and Dramatic Society's productions, mainly their Christmas Pantomimes, but it also held Summer Shows, much like the Britannia Pier and St George's Theatre do today.  I  remember going to see the folk group The Spinners there during their last tour.

In 1963 it changed its name to the ABC and then again in 1987 to the Canon.

It was finally demolished, in 1989 to make way for the Market Gates Shopping Precinct.

Photo:Photograph of the Regal Cinema, 1938

Photograph of the Regal Cinema, 1938

Gt Yarmouth Museums

Photo:Photograph of a typical Cinema Queue, outside the Regal, 1936

Photograph of a typical Cinema Queue, outside the Regal, 1936

Gt Yarmouth Museums

Photo:The Regal and Deneside

The Regal and Deneside

Supplied by Colin Cockle, courtesy of the Keith Hastings collection.

Photo:The start of building the Regal Cinema

The start of building the Regal Cinema

Supplied by Colin Cockle, courtesy of the Keith Hastings collection.

Photo:Building the Regal

Building the Regal

Supplied by Colin Cockle, courtesy of the Keith Hastings collection.

Photo:The building of the Regal Cinema

The building of the Regal Cinema

Supplied by Colin Cockle, courtesy of the Keith Hastings collection.

Photo: Illustrative image for the 'The building of the Regal Cinema and the cinema in the 1930s' page

Supplied by Colin Cockle, courtesy of the Keith Hastings collection.

Photo: Illustrative image for the 'The building of the Regal Cinema and the cinema in the 1930s' page

Supplied by Colin Cockle, courtesy of the Keith Hastings collection

Photo:The Regal

The Regal

Supplied by Colin Cockle, courtesy of the Keith Hastings collection.

This page was added by John Layton on 05/03/2007.

Comments about this page

One of the worst things to have happened to Great Yarmouth, is the loss of the ABC Theatre. As Chairman of the GYODS we lost our home and that was the beginning of the demise of GYODS. Most towns throught the country have a theatre, but nor Great Yarmouth. The size of the theatre would have allowed the town to hold smaller size conferences as well as still being a theatre. With the outer harbour about to be completed and the hope of many more people coming to the town what do we have to offer anyone in respect of entertainment. A big big loss to the town.

By Graham Turner
On 12/05/2009

In response to Graham's comments, the cinema (and old theatre) was a great loss to the town. But what about the new St Georges' project, will that not provide a long awaited new facility for entertainment?

By J Keet
On 16/06/2009

Pizza Hut now stands in the site of it but some of the building of Pizza hut is the Regal Theatre the arch is the same.

By Jamie Skinner
On 10/08/2009

I lived in Gorleston and Yarmouth as a young lad during the war. I went to the Regal many times. I then went abroad for many years.It was not until recently that I discovered that the cinema was built by my Great Grandfather's firm, J.Balls and Sons!! He was my mother's maternal grandfather. I now have a photograph of him and his workers outside the Regal.To think I used to sit in a wonderful cinema built by him, not knowing the fact!
So sad to discover that the Regal is no more. What wonderful places those cinemas were.

By Peter Rowe
On 09/11/2009

We holidayed as a family every year at Great yarmouth and I can remember the shows at the Regal during the summer seasons. On Sundays they would have pop concerts.Whilst my parents enjoyed a drink in "The Divers" pub opposite, I would listen at the rear doors and hear the groups go through their act. Happy days.

By Andrew pealling
On 11/01/2010

I have a keen interest in Great Yarmouth really nice to see the info on The Regal, In the early 70s my younger sister went to see the Bay City Rollers there, Rollermania came to the town. I remember going with my parents to pick her up absolute chaos,screaming tartan clad young girls left right and centre -very interesting for me a boy of 13 or 14! Reference St Georges, the capacity will only be a maximum of 250 or so although a lovely big building the interior pillars etc and current escape/safety regs restrict the use of space considerably. Any details out there on the former Plaza cinema in the market place ?

By malcolm james
On 12/03/2010

Hi I think it was at the Regal that I saw Englebert Humperdinck many moons ago. They used to have some really good shows there during the summer season.

By Liz Middleton
On 12/03/2010

The old A.B.C conjures up many happy hours of films ,shows and the G.Y.O.D . My brother Kenny worked at the A.B.C from leaving school in 1966 to its demise . He started off as a runner and learnt the art of a projectionist ,and ended up operating the sound consul at the rear of the theatre. Through his involvement I met many of the stars that appeared there ,most memorable were Freddie Star, Les Dennis ,Paul Melba and the late great Dustin Gee. Another area of enjoyment was the Theatre Tavern ,often used by the stars in their breaks , the landlord's name I believe was Orry . My brother has many tales of the productions held there. I do believe his favourite was Danny La Rue, who I understand offered him a job at his club in Essex. It was the best Theatre this town ever had and was a sad day when the council at that time allowed it to be demolished. Although I am led to believe that there was a charter issued many years ago that the site of tha A.B.C was a designated site of entertainment. It was still criminal to lose such a fine theatre/cinema.

By keith banner
On 03/09/2010

I love to read about Great Yarmouth's history. Could anybody tell me about any history and/or pictues of Trafalgar Road, Great Yarmouth. I know the houses were bulit during the 1850's and I have a bit of historical paperwork for my property but I want more.

By Gary Smith
On 29/09/2010

 This should not have been pulled down as well as the open air cinema.

By lee
On 14/01/2011

In 1962 I recall Lonnie Donegan, Des O'Connor , Jackie Trent , Miki and Griff and The Clark Brothers did a summer season at the ABC Regal. At that time during the Styles' School holiday break I was working in the Fine Fare supermarket opposite the theatre. One afternoon the supermarket manager asked me to deliver a box of groceries to The Clark Brothers. When I nervously knocked on the stage door I was introduced to them; they greeted me with big smiles, took the box of groceries from me and gave me a four shillings tip! That was the equivalent of two hours wages! Lonnie Donegan owned a white Alvis TD21 Sports Saloon which was often parked in the alley adjacent to the theatre - next to "Twin Carbs" Jack's Norton Dominator motor cycle. I believe Jack was the Assistant Manager of the theatre and he was a regular snooker player at the Dene Snooker Hall which was opposite the theatre above Fine Fare. The following year when I was still working part time at Fine Fare I recall seeing The Beatles standing outside the theatre on a Saturday prior to their concert appearance there. This link purportedly shows The Beatles playing at the ABC Regal http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0SLrQwYyrI0 These two links show The Clark Brothers but not at the ABC - they were still tap dancing in the late 90s and early 2000s http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vcFbdjPSjJ4 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aR4MnkIIWSg&feature=PlayList&p=F649D2B7DCBF0C0A&index=25 During the late 60s The Rolling Stones did a Sunday concert at the ABC Regal and I recall hundreds of screaming young ladies waiting outside at the back of the theatre after the show - most of them hysterical with excitement and screaming/chanting the Stones' names. Mick Jagger eventually appeared - his head protruding out of a tiny window at the top of the building. The girls became even more hysterical when they saw him and they shouted, "Mick!! Mick!! Mick!!" even louder. Mick Jagger then threw his maracas into the crowd below. A mad screaming scrum ensued as the girls fought to retrieve the trophies. I wonder if the girls who managed to get them were local and if they still have them? The Theatre Tavern pub which was opposite the ABC Regal on Theatre Plain was a favourite refreshment venue for a certain rotund blue bus driver employed by Gt Yarmouth Corporation Transport . He might still be alive so I had better not mention his full name - but Keith Banner, also a blue bus driver ( see his post above) might have recollections of him . Keith, do you remember Billy XXXXX? In 1965 I worked on occasions as Billy's bus conductor. On hot summer days at the end of each round bus trip he would dash across the road into the pub and drink a pint of shandy. He must have had hollow legs and could probably consume as much as seven or eight pints of shandy during a shift ... and it was the real alcoholic stuff mixed on the premises! The ABC Regal reverted to being a cinema during the out of season months; one memorable film I saw there was 'Day of the Triffids' during Spring 1963. I recall that 'Legion's Last Patrol' was the 'B' movie in the same programme and the theme tune reached No 4 in the charts. I ordered the music from Allen's Music Shop in Broad Row and then transcribed it so I could play it on my trombone. Best wishes Duncan Kirkwood

By Duncan Kirkwood
On 17/02/2011

Add a comment about this page