Flickering lights and echoing cheers. Can you feel the buzz of anticipation that once filled this very spot? We are standing before Troxy, a Grade II-listed Art Deco music venue. It is located on Commercial Road in Stepney, London.
Troxy began its life in 1933 as a cinema. It was designed by George Coles. The first film shown here was King Kong. Graffiti on the side of the building now celebrates this. Imagine the grandeur. Staff sprayed perfume during film showings. It added to the luxury.
Big names graced Troxy. The Andrews Sisters and Gracie Fields visited. Petula Clark, Cliff Richard, and Clark Gable were also regulars. Troxy was the largest cinema in England at the time. It had a capacity of 3,520.
However, the good times did not last. The Blitz in World War II damaged the East End. Local slums were cleared. Troxy lost much of its original audience. The cinema closed in 1960.
Troxy then became a training school. The London Opera Centre took over between 1963 and 1977. The Royal Opera House used it as a rehearsal space. It had the same dimensions as the Royal Opera House stage.
In the 1980s, Troxy transformed again. Mecca Bingo took over. Bingo sessions happened twice a day, seven days a week. This lasted until 2005. Online gambling’s rise led to Mecca’s departure.
Troxy was reborn in 2006 as a live events space. Since then, it has hosted concerts and awards ceremonies. Film screenings and sporting events also take place here. In 2013, the NME Awards were held at Troxy. The magazine’s editor called it one of London’s coolest venues.
Great care has been taken to preserve Troxy’s history. The owners have invested in restoring it. They want to return it to its original glory. Troxy has also installed a modern loudspeaker system.
In 2009, Troxy screened its first film in over 50 years. It showed Secret Cinema’s Bugsy Malone. The showing included live music and custard pie fights. In 2013, Troxy marked its 80th birthday. It showed King Kong, the first film ever screened here.
Troxy also boasts a unique attraction. It has Europe’s largest Wurlitzer organ. The organ was restored in 2015. The Wurlitzer has 1,728 pipes and four keyboards. Its console can be moved around the venue.
Troxy has won many awards over the years. These include Venue of the Year at the Eventex Awards. It also won Best Venue Team at the Live UK Music Business Awards multiple times.
In November 2016, Troxy hosted a Brits Icon concert with Robbie Williams. A new truss had to be installed above the circle. This was to support the incoming production. In 2017, Sky One’s talent contest Sing: Ultimate A Capella was filmed at Troxy.
Troxy is more than just a venue. It is a landmark. It has evolved through cinema, opera, bingo, and live events. As you leave today, remember the echoes of its vibrant past.