How three brothers rebuilt a lost London cinematic empire
In short: In the 1930s, the Hyams brothers transformed East London with a string of opulent 'palaces of dreams.' From massive tram sheds to the legendary Trocadero, their vision relied on grand architecture, legendary variety shows, and Europe's largest Wurlitzer pipe organ.
The story of London's super-cinema development is inextricably linked to the Hyams brothers—Phil, Sid, and Mick. The sons of Russian immigrant Hyam Hyams, the brothers began their ascent in the late 1920s. Their first major venture in 1927 was the Broadway in Stratford, a 2,700-seat cinema created by converting a vast tram shed. To achieve a palatial aesthetic, they employed architect George Coles, a versatile designer responsible for over 80 cinemas, including many for the Odeon chain.
The brothers' expansion was rapid and ambitious. After selling their initial circuit to the Gaumont British combine in 1928, they formed H&G Kinemas. This led to the 1930 opening of the sumptuous Trocadero at Elephant & Castle, followed by the Troxy on Commercial Road in 1933. Their programming was equally grand, moving beyond simple film screenings to feature massive variety bills and organ interludes played on Europe's largest Wurlitzer pipe organ, played by a virtuoso pupil of Max Reger.
Beyond the spectacle, the Hyams operated with a distinct philosophy of community and value. Known as 'Mr Phil' and 'Mr Sid,' the brothers were noted for their generosity toward staff and their commitment to local institutions, such as providing space for the Redman’s Road Talmud Torah prize-givings. While the Trocadero has since faded into memory, a modern project aims to reunite the Trocadero's mighty Wurlitzer with the Troxy, attempting to resurrect a 1930s cultural icon of the East End.
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Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: From Trocadero to Troxy: A Tradition Returns - John Abson and Richard Hills
- Also: From Trocadero to Troxy: A tradition returns
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