Trent Gaumont Palace Frieze

Location/Address

Doncaster Civic and Cultural Quarter. Sir Nigel Gresley Square, Waterdale, Doncaster, DN1 3BU.

Type

Landmark, art work or way finder

Assets whose form and function are readily visible, but which are not Buildings. This category includes signage and works of art such as murals and statues.

Description

The art-deco Gaumont Palace Doncaster, opened 1934, was among several cinemas designed by Mr W. E. Trent (here in collaboration with his son, Mr W. Sydney Trent) that also featured sculptural decoration by his cousin Mr Newbury A. Trent - this one depicting the story of film from its conception to the shooting of the film. The 33-feet-wide work in bas-relief came in seven panels and was the most elaborate example of Mr Newbury Trent's work for cinema. The frieze was on view, just above the restaurant windows, until a cinema modernisation in 1968 when the frontage was covered in aluminium cladding - a fate that befell many other ODEON cinemas. The panels were later stored, unprotected from the elements or wilful damage, in a farmyard. Local people, lead campaigner Ron Curry MBE and patron Mr Brian Blessed OBE, all played a part in saving the Trent frieze. They are now properly displayed, saving this precious piece of cinema heritage.

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Statement of Significance

Asset type

Major historical bas-relief cinema frieze art work. depicting the progress of a film from conception, writing of a scenario, building of the set, to the shooting and completion.

Age

This 33 ft wide frieze, was created by Mr Newbury A. Trent in his London studio in 1933, for the Gaumont British Cinemas, formed in 1927.

Rarity

Other rare surviving work by Mr Newbury Trent can only be seen in London on the two panels to each side of the Wilton Road main entrance to the Apollo Victoria, at the entrance to the Adelphi on John Adam Street and on a building to the east side of St James s Square.

Architectural and Artistic Interest

Of interest for Art-Deco style cinema history and with regard to the works of Mr Newbury Trent.

Group Value

Only one in South Yorkshire.

Historic Interest

The former Gaumont Palace was built in the boom period of British cinema construction. Major change had come in 1927 the with the emergence of the large cinema chains.

Archaeological Interest

The 7 panel frieze possesses intrinsic special interest.

Landmark Status

The heritage historic interest is at the moment local, but could become of national significance.

Images and Documents

Photo

The Trent Gaumont Frieze in the Square.