In 1886,jam-maker Thomas Beach leased a single storey
building in Walnut Tree Rd for use as a billiards hall
and theatre. This was seen as a philanthropic gesture
towards his employees, but maybe it was just an attempt
to keep them out of the pubs. Admission to the theatre
was either one old penny or two empty jam jars, a
sensible piece of recycling. The Brentford Theatre, as
it was known, became a cinema early in the 20th century
and closed in 1930.
THE QUEEN'S HALL
otherwise known affectionally as the Bug Hutch
The Queen's (or Queen's Hall) cinema in Half Acre was
opened by 1912 with seating for 650. It closed in 1957
and the building was demolished.
The Brentford Cinema,
later the Coronet opened at 275 High Street Brentford
in 1912. In 1914 it was the subject of a police report
for opening on Sundays. It closed in 1928 because like
many other cinemas, it could not afford to install sound
equipment for the new 'talking' pictures.
The BRENTFORD ELECTRIC THEATRE
A cinema building still stands in Market Place. This
was the Brentford Electric Theatre, which appears to
have had a short life, opening in 1911 and closing
in 1914.
THRINCE'S HALL
'Q' THEATRE
Brentford residents in search of more varied
entertainment could take just a few steps across the
border into Chiswick to visit the Prince's Hall, which
was in the garden of the Star and Garter pub. At various times
this functioned as a swimming pool, roller skating
rink and cinema. In 1924 it became the Q theatre where
many famous stars made their first stage appearance.
Those who preferred variety shows could venture a
little further along Chiswick High Street to visit
the Chiswick Empire.
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