Royalty Cinema Harborne, England

The Royalty Cinema was opened in the 1930s. This was a golden age of cinema. At this time, musicals and epics were becoming popular. Consequently, there was a need for more cinemas. Grand and lavish Art Deco auditoriums were constructed in Britain at this time. It closed in the latter part of the 20th Century. Eventually, it was operated as a bingo hall. This is a typical pattern in Britain.

Bold geometric patterns adorn the walls of Royalty Cinema. Certainly, this is a typical feature of Art Deco architecture. These are a striking mix of circular, arched and angular motifs made of plaster. They are painted in rich burgundy and navy blue. Accented with golden paint to emphasise the patterns.

The Royalty Cinema auditorium is split-level. Original folding chairs remain in the upper dress circle seating area. The lower stall area has been stripped of fixed seating from its days as a bingo hall. The raised stage is flanked on either side by prominent wall decorations. These feature a regal crown insignia.  A small and simple organ sits to one side of the upper dress circle. The carpets are bold in both colour and patterning. The decor seems quite garish compared to modern decorative tastes.

A red-painted room on the upper level featured a domed ceiling. One of the three thematic lead-lined windows, features an iconic regal crown. Other windows in the side rooms include a white rose, and a plume of feathers.

Harborne Royalty Cinema in flames

At the time of our visit in early 2017, the Royalty Cinema was free of graffiti and was gracefully decaying. Graffiti tags began to appear later in 2017. The cinema was gutted by a large fire in September 2018, destroying this interior of this beautiful building. There was another fire in 2019.