The Cecil Hepworth Playhouse

Audio Transcript

You are standing beside the last surviving building from Walton’s pioneering film studios.

This structure was originally built as the power house for Cecil Hepworth’s studios, generating the electricity needed to run one of Britain’s earliest film production centres. Around it once stood sound stages, workshops, laboratories and film sets that helped establish Walton as a centre of British filmmaking.

In 1925, a commemorative stone was laid here by the famous actress Dame Ellen Terry, recognising the importance of the studios to the British film industry.

Following Cecil Hepworth’s bankruptcy in 1923, the studios passed to new owners and became Nettlefold Studios. Silent films gave way to sound productions, and during the 1930s the studios produced so-called “quota films”, made to help support the British film industry against growing competition from Hollywood.

During the Second World War, the site was requisitioned for the war effort, and large aircraft construction buildings were erected here after bombing damaged the Vickers factory at nearby Brooklands.

After the war, the studios struggled to compete with larger facilities, but famous actors including Bette Davis, Douglas Fairbanks Jr. and Rock Hudson all worked here. In the 1950s, the studios enjoyed one final success when Sapphire Films produced 143 episodes of The Adventures of Robin Hood, with many scenes filmed in nearby Ashley Park.

The studios finally closed in 1961. Most of the buildings were demolished and the equipment was sold to Shepperton Studios, but this former power house survived.

The building soon found a new purpose. For many local people it became famous as the home of the Walton Hop, one of Britain’s best-known dance venues. Running from the late 1950s until 1990, it is often credited as the home of the UK’s first public disco. Bands and performers including Gene Vincent, Dave Dee, Ronnie Wood and Shane Fenton and the Fentones all appeared here, making the venue an important part of Walton’s musical history.

Today, the building continues its long tradition of entertainment as the Cecil Hepworth Playhouse, hosting theatre productions, concerts and community performances.

If you have time, it’s well worth checking what’s on at the theatre. When you’re ready, continue to your next stop, the Aston Martin Garage.

Did you know?

• Actress Dame Ellen Terry laid a commemorative stone at the studios in 1925.
• During the Second World War, parts of the site were used to support aircraft production after bombing at Brooklands.
• Hollywood stars including Bette Davis, Rock Hudson and Douglas Fairbanks Jr. worked here.
• The studios produced 143 episodes of The Adventures of Robin Hood during the 1950s with many woodland scenes from Robin Hood filmed in nearby Ashley Park.
• When the studios closed in 1961, much of the equipment was transferred to Shepperton Studios.
• This former power house is the only surviving building from Walton’s once extensive film studios.