Mockingbird Shall Go To A Live Cinema Next Time...
So lets start off by saying my heart wasn't into this place, after the stupid entry I just knew something would go wrong and it did within an hour we was all hiding from contractors who occasionally shouted "hello" then the occasional "someones in here" eventually we made ourselves known to them, then they left another hour passed of scrambling around this place in the pitch black, then we heard what sounded like dogs....
Police was now in the building, an sent the furry friend in after us, after it tugged and jumped up at us, attacking one of us more, the policeman strolled in, an demanded questions, "you broke in" "you encouraged my dog to attack" when infact we stood still and kept our arms raised, as the dog seemed to have a thing for jumping up and trying to drag one of us to the floor... the policeman was accompanied by two lovely female police officers, who knew about the access we used, an knew we had done no wrong.. but they still wanted to take one of us down to the station due to "bite marks".
Now I dont now the law on this, but surely the officer would have to have complete control of the dog at all times? an not allow this type of dog to run around an attack without a command given?
Anyway they let us go and my photos are crap of this place, heart wasnt in it, an we moved to the next location, thank you to the two female officers who understood us and knew we was not criminals and knew what our fascination was!
History
The Royalty Cinema was built in the Art Deco style for local independent company Selly Oak Pictures Limited, and opened on 20th October 1930. Built during the early years of cinema exhibition with sound, the Cinematograph Act of 1927 had attempted to support British filmmaking in the face of the aggressive influence of Hollywood. Musicals and epics became increasingly popular in the 1920s, and evermore opulent and grand theatres were constructed for their exhibition. The Royalty is considered to be one of the finest examples of the work of renowned Birmingham theatre architect Horace G Bradley, and could accommodate almost 1,500 patrons.
The cinema was acquired by the Associated British Cinemas (ABC) chain in March 1935. ABC closed the cinema on 2nd November 1963. It was subsequently converted into a bingo hall, operating first as Gala Bingo and most recently as a Mecca Bingo Club.
The Royalty Cinema was designated a Grade II listed building, both internally and externally, by English Heritage in the summer of 2011, and closed later that year.
In 2012 police raided the cinema and discovered that the attic was being used as a cannabis factory. 40 plants were found, together with 10-15 kilos of dried cannabis leaves.
IMGP6503 by Mockingbird!, on Flickr
IMGP6437 by Mockingbird!, on Flickr
IMGP6415 by Mockingbird!, on Flickr
IMGP6425 by Mockingbird!, on Flickr
IMGP6427 by Mockingbird!, on Flickr
IMGP6430 by Mockingbird!, on Flickr
IMGP6433 by Mockingbird!, on Flickr
IMGP6447 by Mockingbird!, on Flickr
IMGP6449 by Mockingbird!, on Flickr
IMGP6458 by Mockingbird!, on Flickr
IMGP6466 by Mockingbird!, on Flickr
IMGP6482 by Mockingbird!, on Flickr
IMGP6483 by Mockingbird!, on Flickr
IMGP6492 by Mockingbird!, on Flickr
IMGP6474 by Mockingbird!, on Flickr
IMGP6497 by Mockingbird!, on Flickr
IMGP6502 by Mockingbird!, on Flickr
-Anyone wanting to go? not worth the bother if caught trust me or the bite marks....Cheers For Looking- Mockingbird!
So lets start off by saying my heart wasn't into this place, after the stupid entry I just knew something would go wrong and it did within an hour we was all hiding from contractors who occasionally shouted "hello" then the occasional "someones in here" eventually we made ourselves known to them, then they left another hour passed of scrambling around this place in the pitch black, then we heard what sounded like dogs....
Police was now in the building, an sent the furry friend in after us, after it tugged and jumped up at us, attacking one of us more, the policeman strolled in, an demanded questions, "you broke in" "you encouraged my dog to attack" when infact we stood still and kept our arms raised, as the dog seemed to have a thing for jumping up and trying to drag one of us to the floor... the policeman was accompanied by two lovely female police officers, who knew about the access we used, an knew we had done no wrong.. but they still wanted to take one of us down to the station due to "bite marks".
Now I dont now the law on this, but surely the officer would have to have complete control of the dog at all times? an not allow this type of dog to run around an attack without a command given?
Anyway they let us go and my photos are crap of this place, heart wasnt in it, an we moved to the next location, thank you to the two female officers who understood us and knew we was not criminals and knew what our fascination was!
History
The Royalty Cinema was built in the Art Deco style for local independent company Selly Oak Pictures Limited, and opened on 20th October 1930. Built during the early years of cinema exhibition with sound, the Cinematograph Act of 1927 had attempted to support British filmmaking in the face of the aggressive influence of Hollywood. Musicals and epics became increasingly popular in the 1920s, and evermore opulent and grand theatres were constructed for their exhibition. The Royalty is considered to be one of the finest examples of the work of renowned Birmingham theatre architect Horace G Bradley, and could accommodate almost 1,500 patrons.
The cinema was acquired by the Associated British Cinemas (ABC) chain in March 1935. ABC closed the cinema on 2nd November 1963. It was subsequently converted into a bingo hall, operating first as Gala Bingo and most recently as a Mecca Bingo Club.
The Royalty Cinema was designated a Grade II listed building, both internally and externally, by English Heritage in the summer of 2011, and closed later that year.
In 2012 police raided the cinema and discovered that the attic was being used as a cannabis factory. 40 plants were found, together with 10-15 kilos of dried cannabis leaves.
IMGP6503 by Mockingbird!, on FlickrIMGP6437 by Mockingbird!, on FlickrIMGP6415 by Mockingbird!, on FlickrIMGP6425 by Mockingbird!, on FlickrIMGP6427 by Mockingbird!, on FlickrIMGP6430 by Mockingbird!, on FlickrIMGP6433 by Mockingbird!, on FlickrIMGP6447 by Mockingbird!, on FlickrIMGP6449 by Mockingbird!, on FlickrIMGP6458 by Mockingbird!, on FlickrIMGP6466 by Mockingbird!, on FlickrIMGP6482 by Mockingbird!, on FlickrIMGP6483 by Mockingbird!, on FlickrIMGP6492 by Mockingbird!, on FlickrIMGP6474 by Mockingbird!, on FlickrIMGP6497 by Mockingbird!, on FlickrIMGP6502 by Mockingbird!, on Flickr-Anyone wanting to go? not worth the bother if caught trust me or the bite marks....Cheers For Looking- Mockingbird!
