Francis Graham Moon Chancellor, styled professionally as F. G. M. Chancellor, was a Tasmanian architect and designer, based in London. He built a reputation as a competent architect, coming to the notice of Frank Matcham, with whom he worked for around 13 years. When Matcham retired in 1913, Chancellor took over the running of Matcham & Co., and successfully transitioned the company from being one that built theatres to constructing modern cinemas. His works include the renovations of The Old Vic in Waterloo, London, between 1922 and 1929; the new Sadler's Wells Theatre in Clerkenwell (1926–31); and a series of super cinemas, the most notable of which being the State Cinema in Grays, Essex, which opened in 1938.
The State Cinema, Grays, Essex
Francis Matcham was an English architect who specialised in the design of theatres and music halls. He worked extensively in London, predominantly under Moss Empires for whom he designed the Hippodrome in 1900, Hackney Empire (1901), Coliseum (1903) and Palladium (1910). His last major commission before retirement was the Victoria Palace Theatre (1911) for the variety magnate Alfred Butt. During his 40-year career, Matcham was responsible for the design and construction of over 90 theatres and the redesign and refurbishment of a further 80 throughout the United Kingdom.
Matcham, c. 1900
Of the two centre buildings; the Matchams' house in Union Street, Torquay (left), with the Bridgemans' on the right
The Gaiety Theatre in the Strand, a building from which Matcham took inspiration as a student
The stage with unobstructed sight lines