Portsmouth music scene

The Ambassador Cosham

ambassador1 ambassador3
ambassador pre warx
ambassador 1937

The Ambassador cinema in Cosham opened on 8th March 1937. It was built on the site of the cattle market, It was built in 1936 by Samuel Berney. Built for the Independent circuit London and County Cinemas Ltd, The first film on 8th March 1937 with Tom Walls in “Dishonour Bright”. Well known British film star Will Hay made a personal appearance at the opening. The Ambassador was designed in a smart Art Deco style with seating provided for 1,124 in the stalls and 521 in the balcony level. It was equipped with a Compton 3Manual/8Rank theatre organ with Grand Piano that was opened by Thomas Grosch, the organ chambers were above the proscenium. Other facilities in the building were a tea lounge that had a sprung dance floor. Within months of opening the Ambassador was taken over by the Oscar Deutsch chain of Odeon Theatres Ltd from July 1937. It was re-named Odeon from 30th April 1945. The Odeon closed on 3rd July 1976 and was converted into a Top Rank Bingo Club. Today it still operates as a bingo hall operated by the Independent chain of Crown Bingo Clubs.

ambassador organ

Above the reception area, behind that large window under the 'Ambassador' sign was a ballroom where regular deances were held. Here are a few that are known.

1943

1/1/43 Jimmy Harris and his Band with Gerry Leach at the Ambassador Cosham
7/1/43 Alan Green band with Lew Harris at the Ambassador Cosham.
8/1/43 Alan Green band with Lew Harris at the Ambassador Cosham.
11/1/43 Alan Green band with Lew Harris at the Ambassador Cosham.
12/1/43 Alan Green band with Lew Harris at the Ambassador Cosham.
13/1/43 Alan Green band with Lew Harris at the Ambassador Cosham.
14/1/43 Alan Green band with Lew Harris at the Ambassador Cosham.
15/1/43 Alan Green band with Lew Harris at the Ambassador Cosham.
21/1/43 Alan Green band with Lew Harris at the Ambassador Cosham.
22/1/43 Alan Green band with Lew Harris at the Ambassador Cosham.
25/1/43 Alan Green band with Lew Harris at the Ambassador Cosham.
26/1/43 Alan Green band with Lew Harris at the Ambassador Cosham.
27/1/43 Alan Green band with Lew Harris at the Ambassador Cosham.
28/1/43 Alan Green band with Lew Harris at the Ambassador Cosham.
29/1/43 Alan Green band with Lew Harris at the Ambassador Cosham.

1944

January 3rd Alan Green's Band could be found playing at the Ambassador Ballroom Cosham, later called Odeon, more recently a Bingo Hall.
February 1st At the Ambassador Ballroom Cosham, Alan Green's band with Lew Harris, and hostess Eilene McCaffery.
February 2nd Alan Green and Lew Harris at the Ambassador Ballroom Cosham, on a Wednesday night.
May 3rd Alan Green Ambassador Ballroom,
May 29 Alan Green at the Ambassador Ballroom.

1945

January 30th At the Ambassador Ballroom, Eileen McCaffery presents for the first time in Portsmouth, Leonard Scrivener and Nellie Duggan, famous London ballroom dancers plus Alan Green's band with Lew Harris.
March 13th Eugene and his Band entertain at the Coliseum.
At the Ambassador, Cosham, Alan Green's band with 'Tony'.
March 22nd The Melody Makers make an appearance at the Ambassador Ballroom, Cosham.
May 7th Odeon Ballroom, Cosham(formerly the Ambassador Ballroom) dancing to Alan Green's Band with 'Tony'.
Band residency Alf Hallman and his Band at the Ambasador Cosham.

1946

January 14th Mrs Eileen McCaffery has resigned her position of Hostess at the Ambassador Ballroom Cosham.
Name changed to the Odeon
September 16th At the Odeon Ballroom Cosham, Wally Gresham and his Dance Orchestra.

1947

January 8th Wally Gresham and his dance band at the Odeon Ballroom Cosham.

1948

March 19th Alf Hallman and his Band, with MC Bob Woolgar from the Sunshine Holiday camp, play at the Odeon Ballroom Cosham for the REME Dance.
October 30th Saturday, At the Odeon Ballroom Cosham, dancing to Fred Lanny and his Music with compare vocalist Jerry Leach.
December 24th Fred Lanny and his Music at the Odeon Ballroom, Cosham.

1949

January 8th Saturday, At the Odeon Ballroom Cosham, dancing to Eddie Gilliford's Novelty Quartet.
January 15th Saturday, Eddie Gilliford's Novelty Quartet play at the Odeon Ballroom Cosham.
January 21st At the Odeon Ballroom Cosham, Dancing to Eddie Gilliford's Novelty Quartet.
December 10th Saturday, The Royal Marine Orchestra play at the Odeon Ballroom Cosham for the Royal Navy Athletics Club.

1952

February 1st The Rocky Mountain Boys play for Western Square Dancing at the Odeon Ballroom, Cosham.
February 9th Saturday, The Rocky Mountain Boys play for Western Square Dancing at the Odeon Ballroom, Cosham.

crownbingo

Crown Bingo, the building as it is today. The big window is covered and the area is now offices.


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