Description

WORCESTER

SO85NW OMBERSLEY ROAD
620-1/1/469 (East side)
31/01/84 Northwick Cinema

II

Cinema, now hall. 1936-1938 with later alterations. For Scala
(Worcester) Limited. Architect C Edmund Wilford, with interior
designed by John Alexander. Brick with concealed roof. Art Deco
style. Two storeys, five bays, the outer two projecting and with
slit windows. Central bay has projecting tower with 'Northwick'
on a fin-like vertical sign the full height of the building.
Ground floor has a flat cantilevered hood the full height of the
building.
INTERIOR: the principal feature is the group of over-life-size
mythical figures, horses and chariots executed in fibrous plaster
and flanking the proscenium arch. Small contemporary details such
as light fittings and ashtrays. HISTORICAL NOTE: opened on 28
November 1938; closed as a cinema c1967. John Alexander trained
in part at the Ecole des Beaux-Arts and was a Director of the
Newcastle firm of M Alexander and Sons. Alexander was responsible
for the manufacturing process of the fibrous plasterwork as well
as the design. The fibrous plaster groups flanking the proscenium
arch was designed in 1936 and cost ,1,138.
Eyles: 'highly evocative of the Thirties and cinema design at its
most assured.' Atwell: John Alexander was unique in the area of
cinema design.' Some of Alexander's drawings survive in the
collection of the RIBA. It is believed to be the only surviving
example of his work in a complete and unaltered form, although in
parts it has been covered by a layer of (removable) paint.
(RIBA Drawings Collection (for perspective drawings by Alexander)
Cards 3404-5) (Picture House: Eyles A: Who Will Save The
Northwick?: 1987-: 14-16; Atwell D: Cinema Perspectives of John
Alexander, Exhibition Catalogue: 1987-: 1-4).

External Links

• Historic England Listing
• Wikidata Q26669454

External links are from the relevant listing authority and, where applicable, Wikidata. Wikidata IDs may be related buildings as well as this specific building. If you want to add or update a link, you will need to do so by editing the Wikidata entry.

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