Ritzy Cinema

the Ritzy Cinema

Ritzy Picturehouse is a cinema in Brixton, South London, United Kingdom.

The cinema opened on 11 March 1911 as "the Electric Pavilion". It was built by E. C. Homer and Lucas for Israel Davis, one of a noted family of cinema developers, and was one of England's earliest purpose-built cinemas seating over 750 seats in the single auditorium. Like many cinemas of the period, it was fitted with an organ.

In 1954 it was renovated by noted cinema architect George Coles who installed cinemascope, and it was renamed "the Pullman" and the organ was removed. It was later renamed "the Classic" before closure in 1976. After this it was re-invented as "The Little Bit Ritzy", run in collaboration with London Cinema Collective, showing interesting and meaningful double bills, serving delicious home-made cakes. A collaboration between Lambeth Council and the management of the time ensured the cinema's survival, with the facade being rebuilt and restored to near-original condition.

During the 1980s the cinema developed a reputation as having a left-wing agenda, so much so that the incumbent manager was motivated to place an advert in the local press advising potential patrons that that not every film that the cinema screened was “left-wing or gay”.

Today the cinema is owned by Picturehouse Cinemas, and thrives as a multi-screen complex with bar and cafe facilities. Its official name is now Ritzy Picturehouse although it is still commonly known as the Ritzy Cinema. In 1999 Albion Ventures invested £8million in Picturehouse to help fund the development of several of their cinemas, including the Ritzy.

In 2009, the decor and colour scheme was restored from its original style and a live music venue was added, called Upstairs.

External links

• The Ritzy official website
• The Electric Pavilion (Lambeth Archive)