Everyman Cinema, Hampstead

The Everyman, in Heath Street, Hampstead, London, opened as a cinema on 26 December 1933.

For the Everyman Group, see Everyman Cinemas.

The Everyman Cinema

The building was first opened as the Hampstead Drill Hall and Assembly Rooms in the 1880s. Later it was transformed into a theatre, the Everyman Theatre, which opened in 1920 under the direction of Norman MacDermott (1890–1977) with the first British production of Jacinto Benavente's The Bonds of Interest (Los intereses creados, 1907). You Never Can Tell, opened two weeks later and was a success, leading to the performance of more revivals from George Bernard Shaw. Another notable performance is that of Noël Coward's The Vortex, which was first performed there.

Sir Gerald du Maurier presided at the opening of the Everyman and the first programme consisted of Le Million, Turbulent Timber, a Mack Sennett comedy, a Disney cartoon and Paramount News.

The cinema was threatened with closure in 2000.[1] It was bought by Everyman Cinemas group.

Now retitled as the 'Everyman Hampstead', the cinema shows films and special events, including the Metropolitan Opera from New York and the National Theatre, live Q&As, film festivals and seasons. The venue features a fully licensed bar and restaurant, , and digital technology by way of Sony Digital 4K projectors and Dolby Digital surround sound.

The cinema is referred to in the song, 'Hampstead Incident' by Donovan, with the line, "Standing by the Everyman, digging the rigging of my sails."

References
  1. McLeod, Maurice (25 October 1999). "Everyman cinema faced with closure over losses". The Independent. London.

Further reading
  • Everymania: The History of the Everyman Theatre Hampstead, 1920–26 Norman MacDermott (Society for Theatre Research, April 1975) ISBN 0-85430-024-4


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