Everyman Gerrards Cross

The Everyman Gerrards Cross is a cinema located in Gerrards Cross, Buckinghamshire. Originally known as The Playhouse, it has continually served Gerrards Cross as a cinema since it first opened in 1925 and is the oldest cinema in Buckinghamshire. It has been owned by several cinema operators and is currently owned by Everyman Cinemas.HistoryThe Playhouse (1925 - 1947)The Playhouse was built in 1925 to the design of J. Stanley Beard, an illustrious cinema architect and resident of Gerrards Cross. It was located on Berwick Road (now Ethorpe Crescent). Originally, very lavish and elaborate designs were planned in 1923. However, these plans were superseded by more modest ones in 1925.ArchitectureAccording to a local guide at the time, the Playhouse was modelled "along the lines of that adjoining Buckingham Palace". Perhaps this regal inspiration was most encapsulated by the large Doric pillars that ran along one side of the auditorium.Seating was provided for 452, all stalls, with 4 boxes to the rear. There was a unique standing lobby that ran parallel to the auditorium. This allowed up to 150 people a place to wait to be seated. The screen was 16 x 12 feet (5 x 3.5m) and the proscenium was 25 feet (7.5m) wide with a stage underneath it. There were footlights across the stage which cast light onto the curtains which were mauve and old gold. There were also dressing rooms to the right of the stage, as the cinema would occasionally host live performances. One of these was the Gerrards Cross Operatic Society who used to perform regularly before the Second World War.