THE STATE THEATRE, KILBURN, LONDON.

The State Theatre was opened as the Gaumont State Cinema on 20th December 1937, with the Band of the Grenadier Guards, 14 Pipers of the Scots Guards, Van Damm and the State Orchestra, Gracie Fields, George Formby, Carroll Levis and his discovery Larry Adler and Sidney Torch at the mighty Wurlitzer.

It is the largest ever theatre with seats for 4004 and standing room for 4000 more !

In a sumptuous interior 92 feet high and a chandelier copied from one hanging in Buckingham Palace.

All the statistics are hyperbolic, a huge stage with enough electrical power to supply a small town.

It took 1,000 men two years to build.

The architect was George Coles who designed about 25 cinemas in London from 1923 to 1938 and the STATE is regarded as his masterpiece.

The tower fronting the entrance foyer proved to be a liability during the war acting as a guide to enemy pilots, it was hurriedly camouflaged and survived the war.

Within the foyer the decor was and remains the epitome of cinema luxury with black marble columns, gilt moulding, pink & gold mirrors and a sweeping double marble staircase.

The theatre, which has been used for a vast range of entertainment was restored by Top Rank in 1985 and is now a luxurious Bingo Club that includes the largest original Wurlitzer in full working order in the United Kingdom.

Regular organ concerts are staged by the A.T.O.S.

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