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47-566: Originally named the Imperial Music Hall , the theatre was designed by architect M. V. B. Ferdon. It was built by impresario George J. Kraus in 1892, and was modeled after the Empire Theatre in London's West End . The theatre opened as a variety theatre on October 24, 1892. Kraus managed the theatre until May 27, 1896, when the building was leased to Weber and Fields. At this point the theatre

94-429: A 4DX screen. The Empire Theatre opened on 17 April 1884 under the ownership of Daniel Nicols as a West End variety theatre on Leicester Square, as well as a ballet venue, with a capacity of about 2,000 seats. The first performance was Chilpéric , with music by Hervé , adapted by H. Hersee and H. B. Farnie and described as a Grand Musical Spectacular, in three acts and seven tableaux . The corps de ballet for

141-519: A Dolby CP200 with a THX 3417 crossover/booth monitor. The refurbishment included the application of grey spray paint to the tiles in Screen 1, which had the unintended consequence of negatively impacting the auditorium's acoustics. The red foyer ceilings now had a flocked finish, a 40 screen video wall was installed in the foyer, and new decorative treatments in lobby areas included mirrored finishes and exposed cold cathode lighting features. The HVAC system

188-615: A CAT778 allowing AES/EBU outputs to the dbx crossovers, and was switchable to analogue for the CP200. To help tame the auditorium's acoustics, RPG Reapor sintered glass tiles were applied over the existing tiles. The screen was also replaced by one 4 metres (13 ft) wider, measuring 18.2 by 7.68 metres (59.7 ft × 25.2 ft). Film projection lenses were changed to variable-iris aspheric technology Schneider Cinelux Premières, allowing light balance centre-to-edge with improved focus and illumination uniformity. In May 2009, Screen 1

235-594: A Dolby DA10 and CAT699 soundtrack readers; a year later, a DTS -6 system was added for the release of Jurassic Park , and an SDDS system was also installed. By the mid-1990s, the laser show was discontinued; some years later, Martin Audio speakers were installed, and THX recertification was eventually dropped. The Empire was operated for many years by Cinema International Corporation , until it merged in 1989 with United Artists Communications Inc. to form UCI Cinemas . In 2004, UCI Cinemas merged with Odeon Cinemas to form

282-428: A flatter raked stalls section towards the screen end; the auditorium had no stage facilities, and extended into the former stage house. Its side walls and ceiling were finished with acoustic plaster tiles of mink and gold colours, featured banks of concealed colour-changing cold cathode lighting, and reclining red upholstered seating was fitted. The auditorium would later be known as Empire 1 or Screen 1. The vestibule

329-539: A large stage which often hosted ballet and dance performances. Soon after opening, MGM bought out Joel's interest in the theatre. After the war, the stage accommodated programmes of cine-variety –elaborate live shows, similar to those presented at the Radio City Music Hall . For these, the American producer Nat Carlson, who had been responsible for shows at that venue, was hired, and its slogan, "The Showplace of

376-559: A projected film to a UK audience by Auguste and Louis Lumière . The film programme ran for 18 months. Over the next few years, the theatre began to offer a programme of live performances with short film shows. As moving pictures grew in popularity in the 1920s, the freehold of the Empire was acquired for redevelopment in 1925 for over $ 1 million by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer in partnership with Solly Joel , with its last live theatre performance being Lady Be Good , starring Fred Astaire . Most of

423-690: A seaman, which he does. Phoebe and her classmates at the charity school all decide to disguise themselves as men and join the Navy. Two years later, at Portsmouth, Billee has rapidly risen through the ranks and is now a lieutenant. Also back in port, still disguised as sailors, are Phoebe and the girls. Arabella has been persistent, and Billee is gradually warming to her attentions. Phoebe learns of this from Captain Flapper. She rushes off to see Billee and comes upon him agreeing to marry Arabella for her dowry. Phoebe confronts Billee who rejects her. Sir Mincing Lane who

470-596: Is "a nautical comedy opera" by Edward Solomon , with a libretto by Henry Pottinger Stephens . The piece was first produced at the Imperial Theatre in London on 30 October 1880, starring Arthur Williams as Sir Mincing Lane and Frederick Rivers as Billee. It played at the Standard Theatre in New York later that year, starring J. H. Ryley and Alice Burville . Billee Taylor was a strong success on both sides of

517-411: Is a cinema currently operated by Cineworld on the north side of Leicester Square , London, United Kingdom. The Empire was originally built in 1884 as a variety theatre and was rebuilt for films in the 1920s. It is one of several cinemas in and adjoining Leicester Square which are regularly used for film premieres and first runs. Today, it has nine auditoria, including an IMAX , a Superscreen and

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564-521: Is curved and is positioned in the former middle stalls of Empire 1. Its walls and ceilings retain essentially the same form, but with the ceiling progressively raised, reusing the 1962 curved steelwork moved up to accommodate the IMAX screen height, and altered with the front splay walls moved in. The walls and ceiling are covered with black stretched fabric over acoustic absorption, and the colour-changing concealed lighting has been reinstated using LEDs. Its seating

611-438: Is gathering a company of volunteers, tries to enlist some of the sailors. Phoebe decides to join but is claimed by Barnacle as a messmate, and the soldiers and sailors quarrel. In desperation, and at the urging of Crab, she pulls out a pistol and fires at the unfaithful Billee. The gun misfires, hitting Crab, and Billee calls for assistance from the crowd attracted by the noise. Phoebe is sentenced to be shot but declares that she

658-645: Is laid in Southampton, England , in 1805. The villagers gather at The Inn of the Royal George, which overlooks the harbor, to celebrate the approaching wedding of Billee Taylor, "a virtuous gardener," and the charming, beautiful and faithful, but poor, Phoebe. Kindly old Sir Mincing Lane has arranged the feast and has invited his friend, Captain Flapper of the Royal Navy. His daughter, Arabella, has fallen in love with Billee and offers her hand and fortune, but he refuses

705-474: Is situated. Dolby Atmos was installed, along with a total of 87 JBL speakers powered by 85 kW of amplification. Most of the projection and sound equipment, including twin Barco DP4K-32B projectors, JBL screen speakers, Crown amplifiers, and dbx loudspeaker management units, as detailed above, was transferred from the former Screen 1, except that all surround and overhead speakers were replaced. Formerly

752-400: Is upholstered in black leather. At opening, two IMAX DLP xenon light source projectors were used, which could only achieve a 24.5m (~80 feet) wide by ~13m (~42.5 feet) high image. A full set of IMAX "Kanga" Grand Theatre speakers were installed, supporting all 6 channels then available including upper centre. In October 2015, the IMAX laser light source projection system (IMAX with Laser )

799-461: The 44th Street Theatre in 1913) was built by The Shubert Organization to house the re-formed team at 216 West 44th Street in Manhattan, and it opened with a Weber and Fields burlesque production on 21 November 1912. 40°44′47″N 73°59′20.5″W  /  40.74639°N 73.989028°W  / 40.74639; -73.989028 Empire, Leicester Square The Empire, Leicester Square

846-474: The Higgledy-Piggledy production also referred to the theatre as Weber and Ziegfeld's Music Hall ; as Florenz Ziegfeld Jr. was the work's initial producer and his wife Anna Held was briefly a star in the production. However, this partnership was short lived as Ziegfeld and Held did not get along with Weber, and their relationship with Weber and the theatre ended rapidly after the production premiered with

893-684: The 2000s with the addition of a new stadium seating structure. A separate entrance was retained until the mid-1980s, subsequent to which access has been via the main cinema foyer level, by entering into a stairwell leading down to the auditorium. These two screens were added in 2008, the first to open with digital projection only in London's West End, built in areas formerly used as toilets and offices, respectively seating 96 and 50. Barco DP1500 projectors, Harkness screens, Crown amplifiers, JBL screen speakers and Martin Audio surround speakers, alongside reclining memory foam seating, were installed. Billee Taylor Billee Taylor, or The Reward of Virtue

940-614: The Atlantic and enjoyed many revivals both in Britain and in the United States. Early revivals included The Gaiety Theatre, London (1885, with Marion Hood as Phoebe and Arthur Roberts as Barnacle) and Toole's Theatre (1886). The satiric, cynical risqué story is based on the nautical poem and song of the same title by Richard Brinsley Sheridan . A version of this adult-themed story was created for children and published in 1881. The scene

987-401: The IMAX auditorium side wall. George Coles was the architect and G. E. Wallis and Sons was the main contractor for the new cinema. The theatre re-opened on 19 December 1962, with Jumbo . A new 1,330-seat auditorium was formed at circle level, on a suspended precast concrete floor over the former stalls underneath, with a circle section at the rear on a new stadium seating structure, and

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1034-484: The IMAX screen on 30 May 2014 with Edge of Tomorrow . Following the redevelopment of Screen 1, the cinema had digital projection only, with no film projection capability available. The IMAX auditorium uses the circle seating area of the former Screen 1, with its steep raking, and is the largest IMAX in the UK by seating capacity. It also has the widest cinema screen in the UK, 26.5m (87.5 feet) wide by 15.6m (51.1 feet) high; it

1081-566: The Nation," was adopted. In 1952 the Empire featured in Charlie Chaplin 's film Limelight , and its 1927 incarnation can also be seen in archived newsreel footage of special events. There were reports that the cinema was to be demolished and MGM received offers to sell but in 1959, the Empire removed 1,200 seats and installed new 70mm projectors and a new screen in front of the proscenium to show Ben-Hur , which ran for 76 weeks. Following

1128-737: The Odeon & UCI Cinemas Group; the Office of Fair Trading required the disposal of ten former UCI sites, including the Empire Leicester Square, which in October 2005 were sold to Empire Cinemas Ltd. The Empire Leicester Square was subsequently acquired by Cineworld in July 2016, and the cinema is now known as Cineworld Leicester Square. Following Empire Cinemas' acquisition, in 2006 the THX certification of Screen 1

1175-460: The Ritz, a cinema located in the basement of an adjacent building (1–4 Leicester Square) that opened in 1937, which was originally designed as a newsreel cinema, the architect being George Coles. It was acquired by MGM for moveovers of feature films, and later renamed Empire 2. It has been refurbished several times, notably in 1970 with Sidney Kaye, Eric Firmin and Partners as the architects, and revamped in

1222-515: The West side. It opened on 8 November 1928 with the silent film Trelawny of the Wells , based on the play by Arthur Wing Pinero . Built as an American-style movie palace in the form of North American theatres designed by Thomas Lamb for Loew's /MGM, it had a capacity of about 3,300 seats, and was one of the first cinemas in the UK to be fully air conditioned. It also boasted a 4/21 Wurlitzer organ, and

1269-482: The actress Trixie Friganza replacing Held and Ziegfeld divesting of his role as producer and all connections with the theatre. It was later retitled Weber's Theatre . In 1913 the theatre discontinued live performance and became a cinema. The theatre was demolished in 1917. After an eight year separation, Weber and Fields reconciled and reunited after the death of Fields' father in 1912; attending his funeral together. A new Weber and Fields' Music Hall (later re-named

1316-501: The architects. Fibre optic starfields by Par Opti Projects Ltd were fitted in the foyer ceiling and in the curved proscenium arch-style flat plasterwork above the screen, and a THX -certified sound system was installed by CSI, which later became Bell Theatre Services Ltd. This consisted of 5 JBL 4675C systems with dual 4648A LF cabinets (four 15" drivers per channel), six JBL 4645 subwoofers, and 20 JBL 8330 surrounds, powered by 13 JBL/UREI dual-monoblock 6290 power amplifiers, fed from

1363-403: The former Screen 1. Its 20.5m (~67 feet) wide by 11m (~36 feet) high wall-to-wall floating screen is oriented in the opposite direction, back to back with the IMAX screen. A new stadium seating structure was constructed, and at the rear of the auditorium, on a new 17m long steel girder supported by the existing roof structure, sits a small balcony seating area, under which a small projection booth

1410-583: The former cinema vestibule and stairs down to its sub-basement level. Over the years, it has been a dance hall, discothèque and nightclub , being later operated by First Leisure Corporation plc , and in 1992 it was reimagined as the Equinox Discothèque. In 2007, following further substantial reconstruction and refurbishment, it re-opened as the Casino at the Empire, which is now operated by Metropolitan Gaming, owned by Silver Point Capital . The 1928 façade

1457-420: The long run of Ben-Hur, in 1961 the Empire was sold to Mecca and closed for internal reconstruction to create a new cinema for MGM and a dance hall for Mecca. The building was stripped out extensively, including the removal of existing partition walls and floors. Almost all of the 1920s ornate plasterwork was removed; two small sections remained, hidden behind false walls and ceilings —one section now being behind

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1504-404: The main contractor. The project involved the permanent removal of almost all existing decorative finishes and fittings, the demolition of all false ceilings, and some internal walls. A large acoustic wall was constructed, weighing 50 tonnes and hung from the 1920s roof structure, for isolation between the two auditoria. The IMPACT (Superscreen) screen opened on 16 May 2014 with Pompeii , and

1551-561: The performance was 50 strong. Edward Solomon and Sydney Grundy premièred their comic opera , Pocahontas or The Great White Pearl , another Solomon opera, Polly or The Pet of the Regiment transferred here, and his Billee Taylor was revived here, all in 1884. Kate Vaughan starred in Around the World in 80 Days at the theatre in 1886. Hervé premièred his Diana (1888) and Cleopatra (1889) at

1598-417: The screen to ensure loudspeaker cable runs were short, and the surrounds were individually powered by 6 CTs 8200 8-channel amplifiers located in the booth. The SDDS D2000, DTS-6Ds, Dolby CP200 and MPU-1 were serviced or refurbished and one Philips DP70 was recommissioned in order to run 70mm screenings; and were tested with Reel 1 of Dune . A Dolby CP650 was added to handle digital sources, being fitted with

1645-411: The tempting offer. Just as Billee and Phoebe are about to wed, Captain Flapper sees Phoebe and falls in love with her at first sight, vowing to marry her himself. A tutor, Christopher Crab is also in love with Phoebe. A sailor, Ben Barnacle, has gone to sea to forget about Eliza, whom he loves but who does not love him. To stop the marriage, Captain Flapper orders Ben to abduct Billee and impress him as

1692-588: The theatre was demolished in 1927, with the Empire rebuilt as a film theatre on an expanded site with the auditorium block now extending East to Leicester Place; the architect was Thomas W. Lamb with assistance from F. W. Boettcher and Frederick G. M. Chancellor of Frank Matcham and Company as the local architect, and the Anglo-Scottish Construction Company Ltd was the contractor. Parts of the Frank Verity designed exterior remain visible on

1739-652: The theatre was forced to close when the fire at the Iroquois Theater , Chicago, caused strict enforcement of the fire laws in New York. Weber and Fields were told that they would have to remodel or close the Music Hall and this caused a disagreement between the duo which split their partnership for an extended period of time. After Fields' departure, the theatre was renamed Weber's Music Hall beginning with Weber's first musical without Fields, Higgledy-Piggledy , which opened on October 20, 1904. Some 1904 advertisements for

1786-470: The theatre's ballet company, working under composer-director Leopold Wenzel , did much to revive the moribund art of ballet in Britain, which had declined in the 19th century. An extension providing secondary access from Leicester Street via a new foyer was added in 1893, with Frank Verity as the architect. In March 1896, the Empire Theatre played host to the first commercial theatrical performances of

1833-429: The theatre. In 1887, the theatre reopened as a popular music hall named the Empire Theatre of Varieties . From 1887 to 1915, the designer C. Wilhelm created both scenery and costumes for (and sometimes produced) numerous ballets at the theatre, which established a fashion for stage design and were much imitated. George Edwardes managed the theatre around the start of the 20th century. The dancer Adeline Genée and

1880-454: Was closed for a total refurbishment, to form a 723-seat IMAX auditorium and a 401-seat IMPACT auditorium (renamed Superscreen following the Cineworld acquisition.) The final screening, Big Bad Wolves , occurred on 26 August 2013 to close out FrightFest 2013, and building work commenced immediately afterwards. The architect for the conversion was UNICK Architects, with Maeve Contractors as

1927-568: Was closed for renovations, and it was renamed Weber and Fields' Broadway Music Hall when it re-opened on September 5, 1896. After nearly eight years of performance together at the Weber and Fields' Broadway Music Hall, Weber and Fields broke up their partnership in 1904 and Fields left the Broadway Music Hall while Weber remained. Fields' last performances at the theatre was in the musical Whoop-Dee-Doo which closed on January 30, 1904. After this

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1974-487: Was equipped for the world première of Avatar with the UK's first Dolby 3D large screen system, using 4 Barco DP3000 projectors in a dual-stacked configuration. The UK's first public Dolby Atmos system was installed in Screen 1 in July 2012. 14 overhead speakers (JBL AM7212 and AM7215) were installed, hanging down through holes in the ceiling, but covered over with grey fabric, and additional front side speakers and rear subwoofers were added. In August 2013, Screen 1

2021-453: Was installed, allowing the full screen to be filled, alongside an upgrade to IMAX's 12 channel surround sound system, for which 6 additional smaller overhead and side surround speakers were added. The remaining area of the former Screen 1, combined with the former void area to the external wall on Leicester Place, is used for the Superscreen auditorium, which bears no resemblance in design to

2068-462: Was reinstated. The sound system was completely replaced by Bell Theatre Services Ltd, using 5 JBL 5632 Custom ScreenArray screen speakers, each with dual 18" drivers, and 16 18" JBL 4645C subwoofers, all flush with a new baffle wall built by Camstage; a rear array comprising 42 JBL 8340A surround speakers, 5 dbx DriveRack 4800 digital active crossovers, and 56 kW of Crown CTs series amplification. CTs 2000 and 3000s were placed in racks behind

2115-415: Was retained but was now completely obscured by a full building hoarding advertising the current films featured and Mecca Dancing; it was not until 1989 that it was re-exposed, with a new canopy built featuring rows of semi-circular neon lights, which was subsequently altered and then completely replaced when the Casino was opened. In 1989, Screen 1 and the lobby areas were refurbished, with Esquisse Design as

2162-410: Was subdivided with the cinema entrance on the left side, with a single staircase up to the grand foyer, its walls covered with white and black Italian marble, and a new grand foyer replaced the circle foyer, featuring a red coloured ceiling with several domes, lit with white concealed lighting. In the former stalls, a Mecca Ballroom was constructed, with access from Leicester Square via the right half of

2209-414: Was upgraded with a new rooftop chiller unit. A laser projector was also installed in Empire 1, for a short sound-and-light show; the projection was onto the tabs and walls, and the concealed lighting was sequenced. It preceded the start of each programme, proclaiming it to be "The Most Spectacular Cinema in the World," and advertised the THX certified sound system. Dolby SR-D was fitted in 1992 by adding

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