roryosullivan.co.uk

Open House London is something I’ve been meaning to do over the last couple of years and this year I wasn’t working so took the opportunity to look at a local building that I’ve always wanted to nose around. The Gaumant State  opened in 1937 on KIlburn High Road and was a very popular theatre, show venue, cinema and eventually a Mecca Bingo Hall before it finally closed. The Grade II listed building was acquired by a church group who are renovating the building and bringing it back to it’s former glory

Gaumant State - Kilburn

When Mecca too over the building they added false floors to cover the sloping seating and false ceilings to cover the pulleys and mechanisms for the curtain and stage. The Church will be removing these and adding in original seating. The only way you can tell you are standing where the stage was is because of the curtain still hanging above you, the flat false floor covered in bright blue and red carpet hiding what lays below.

Original Seating

The booth style  tables around the upper circle will also be removed and replaced with original style seating

Bingo Seating

The church believes they can get the 4,000 seater main hall back to it’s glory in the next 1.8 months. As part of the deal with the council the Church must make the Grade II listed building available to the public. The UKs largest working Wurlitzer still sits in pride of place next to where the stage should be and original light switches, electrics, signs and still stand proud.

Original light switches

One of the most standout things is the art deco style foyer that greets when you step inside off the grubby Kilburn High Road. Most impressive is the chandelier, a replica of one in Buckingham Palace I believe, that greets you. I hope to get back next year to see more of the building and see it, hopefully looking more like it was when it opened in 1937

Chandelier

London – Pubs & Bars – Pubs

The Torriano is a superb pub tucked away a short-ish walk from Kentish Town station. The Landlord and Landlady are very welcoming to all and as an independent pub it’s not full of gastro-pub decor and all that nonsense it’s a good honest boozer open to all, you’ll see families with their kids mixing it up with musicians, media folk, builders and everyone in between including the odd friendly dog.

The hidden patio area tucked downstairs out the back makes a nice ares to relax in when the sun is blaring especially when the bbq comes out, and in the winter the comfy sofas make it a good cosy spot to hang out in especially on sundays with the papers.

The Torriano offers the usual range of beers and a good selection of wines. It also offers free wi-fi should you need to check your email.

I’ve been quite a few times there now, for the quiz night a couple of times as well as for parties in the recently refurbished basement which looks like you are in a dive bar with hanging curtains and blood red walls. They also put on regular events including gigs.

The pub has been under threat from property developers but an appeal with the council seems to have been successful in keeping the pub going.
Check out my review of Torriano – I am rawedge – on Qype