GCHT is supporting the first stage of the restoration of the Lyceum in Govan by funding an innovative art project that displays information about the theatrical heritage of the building in the style of early film posters.
Graffiti artist Sam Bates has given the Lyceum its first lick of paint in many years
Opened in December 1938, the Lyceum was built on the site of the earlier Lyceum Theatre, which had opened in 1899, and burned down in 1937.
The replacement building, by McNair & Elder, was a stunning streamlined suburban super-cinema, originally seating 2,600.
The main entrance, on the corner of Govan Road and McKechnie Street, is below a three-storey high curtain-wall frontage of five tall glass windows, which were originally backlit.
The circular entrance foyer had a central island paybox, from which patterns radiated in terrazzo on the floor. The auditorium was originally decorated in blue, pink and lilac.
Sold to County in 1974, the hall was split with bingo in the stalls, and a 480-seat cinema in the balcony. The circular foyer was split in half, with a wall running down the middle, providing separate entrances for the cinema and the bingo.
In January 2006, County sold all their remaining properties to Gala bingo and Gala closed the Lyceum on 8 October 2006.
The B-listed building, which is looking increasingly run-down is now on the Buildings at Risk list.
GCHT supported the mural project with an Educational Heritage Grant
At the end of last year the building’s new owner, a local businessman in Govan, approached GCHT to fund an innovative way of letting people know about the rescue attempts for this fine art deco remnant. Graffiti artist Sam Bates was commissioned to recreate murals in the style of early cinema posters.
The work was completed just after Christmas 2011.
To visit the building take the subway to Govan from where it is a five-minute walk.
Just look what’s on at the pictures, Evening Times 5th January 2012
