About the object
Built for and opened as an independent cinema by a company named Slough Playhouse Ltd, The Adelphi opened in February 1930. Designed by noted cinema architect Eric Norman Bailey from nearby Maidenhead, there was a large stage, a Christie 3Manual/8Rank theatre organ which was opened by Bruce Wendell, plus a café and a large ballroom. The stage was brought into use and artists including Roy Orbison, The Beatles, Little Richard, and Chuck Berry appeared there. The Adelphi Theatre closed on 21st January 1973 and is now a Buzz Bingo Club. Slough Museum hold original unused cinema tickets from The Adelphi in our collection.
About the artwork
What is your earliest memory of going to the cinema, picture house or movie palace? And how did it make you feel?
Theatre maker Nisha Anil worked with Slough residents to explore aspects of theatre making, live performance, live streaming and micro short film making inspired by old cinema tickets. Nisha worked with a community group through online sessions culminating in a finished artwork. The final piece explores memories, particularly of the movie palaces in Slough The Palace, The Adelphi, The Ambassador and The Granada.