Plaza Cinema, Stockport, Art Deco movie theater in Stockport, England
Plaza Cinema is an Art Deco movie theater in Stockport with a double-height auditorium featuring Greek and Egyptian decorative elements. The interior walls are richly ornamented and the exterior is clad in glazed architectural terracotta.
The building was constructed in 1932 by excavating into a sandstone cliff and later served as a shelter during World War II air raids. The challenging construction shaped its distinctive design and made it a protected structure for the community.
The cinema maintains its original Compton theatre organ, which accompanies classic film screenings and special events with live music. This instrument connects visitors to an era when theaters offered more than just projected entertainment.
The building extends across multiple levels due to its underground excavation, so take time to explore and locate facilities. Before visiting, it helps to understand the layout as the unusual structure can make orientation different from standard theaters.
The building extends below ground level due to excavation into the sandstone cliff during construction, a rare architectural solution for a theater. This integration with the natural stone gives the cinema an unusual footprint that feels quite different from typical buildings.
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