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Back in the 1950s and 60s, the Southend Odeon was THE place in south Essex to see not just nationally, but internationally famous acts and groups. Doubling up as a cinema and an auditorium, the Odeon - on Southend High Street - was consistently putting on major shows and acts to more than 2,000 people at a time.

Louis Armstrong appeared there in 1962, The Beatles played twice in '63, The Rolling Stones played in '65, and The Who in '66 - even Laurel and Hardy performed back in 1952.

Now a new exhibition is being held at Leigh on Sea's Atelier Gallery showcasing unseen photographs from the Odeon's "heyday". A number of black and white prints from newly discovered original negatives by local photographer Derek Cross will be on show for three weeks, starting on Saturday 7th November. It's called "Unseen 1963".


High quality Silver Gelatin prints of the photos will be available to order at the exhibition.

There’s also a chance to win a print in a special prize draw raffle supporting the local charity Southend Hospital Radio. The draw will take place on Saturday the 21st at 5pm.

The Odeon was demolished in 2004 and the University of Essex's Southend Campus now sits on the site.

Credit: Beatles & Cliff Richard images copyright Derek Cross