The state cinema

The state cinema in Gray’s, Essex  is a grand 2 listed art deco cinema and theater built in the 1930s. seating 2200, was one of the largest cinemas in Essex. It cost approximately £100,000 to build, which in today’s money an estimated £3 million.

It opened on Monday 5th September 1938 wit the film ‘The Hurrican’. It remained open throw the second world war, eventually closing its doors in 1985.

In 1993 the state was opened once again but this time as Charlestons nightspot, an up market wine bar/night club. The lobby and the upstairs bars had some additional decoration put in place such as neon bar lights and an addional sound system, but the auditorium  remained unchanged..

During this time there were concert evenings heeled in the auditorium. With artists such as Susie Quattro and David Essex performing.

Since then the building has remained untouched. In 2008 plains were submitted to turn part of the building in to shops and flats. But to date (2013) nothing has happened, apart from emergance repair work.

The State cinema has been used for various film work over the past 30 years. Probably the most famous film was the 1988 hit ‘Who Framed Roger Rabbit’ staring Bob Hoskins.(Location mentioned on IMDB)

Then in 1998 it was also used in a promotional video for the movie Godzilla. As well as Jamiroquai’s ‘Deeper underground’ music video.

The darkness within.

There is a darkness with in each of us.
It slowly consumes and destroys. 
Like a black hole, it sucks in all light, life and hope.
It’s a disease that’s is patent, it waits and kills slowly. Dissolving all that is good.
Within each and every mind it spins and creates a different web of sadness, anger and evil.
Some are strong and can hold it back. 
In a box or behind a door in the back of their mind, where it stays.
Others it consumes them, controls them. 
Death, murder, and rape are its whores.
It drains all hope and will, leaving you num from all emotion.
It can appear like lighting, crushing like a slug under a rock.
Or slowly like a rising tide. Suffocating, destroying the will to live.
Its like a peachier waking from death and realising that there is no life after. No light in the dark.
Just blackness and stillness.
So what has he to live for when his faith and belief is shattered and lays at his feet.
Where do you go now. When all you see is dark 
Like a dark cloud, it appears darker then night. And  seeps out from behind the door. 
Storm clouds of  anger, hate and fear. A thick black fog that blinds.
It may feel like there is nothing but darkness, despair, and hopelessness.
Fear in the dark. Screaming but know one hears.
Alone in your our personal darkened  hell.


But look there…
The dine flicker of candle light.
Within the darkness, within.

©Sarah Patel 2013