Historic churches · London
Rainbow Theatre
In or near City of London.
Rainbow Theatre — former cinema and music venue in London, England, later used as a church.
Wikimedia Commons contributors — see linked file page for photographer and licence licence
Plan your visit
- Typical visit
- 30 min–1 h
- Nearest railway station
- Finsbury Park · 0.3 km
- Free entry
Getting there & planning your visit
The Rainbow Theatre is located in Islington, London, with the postcode N4 3NP. The nearest railway station is Finsbury Park, which is 0.3 km away. Entry to the theatre is free.
About
Rainbow Theatre is a historic church in the United Kingdom. Built in the Art Deco style. Heritage designation: Grade II* listed building. Owned by The Rank Organisation. Wikidata describes it as: "former cinema and music venue in London, England, later used as a church". Coordinates: 51.5623°, -0.1083°.
Photo gallery
360° viewimagery from 2025
Imagery © Mapillary contributors, CC BY-SA 4.0
Heritage listing
The Rainbow Theatre, originally known as the Finsbury Park Astoria, then the Finsbury Park Paramount Astoria, and then the Finsbury Park Odeon, is a Grade II*-listed building in Finsbury Park, London. The theatre was built in 1930 as an "atmospheric cinema", to house entertainment extravaganzas which included a film show. It later became an ordinary cinema, then a music venue, as which it is best known, and then an occasional unlicensed boxing venue.
From the Historic England List Entry under OGL v3.
Official information
The Rainbow Theatre, part of the Muslim Welfare House, serves as a community hub offering various services including prayer facilities, educational classes, and community events. It aims to engage with the local community and provide support through various programs.
From the Wikipedia article
The Rainbow Theatre, originally known as the Finsbury Park Astoria, then the Finsbury Park Paramount Astoria, and then the Finsbury Park Odeon, is a Grade II*-listed building in Finsbury Park, London. The theatre was built in 1930 as an "atmospheric cinema", to house entertainment extravaganzas which included a film show. It later became an ordinary cinema, then a music venue, as which it is best known, and then an occasional unlicensed boxing venue. Today, the building is used by the Universal Church of the Kingdom of God, an Evangelical church.
Excerpt from Wikipedia under CC BY-SA 4.0. See the source article linked in Sources below.
Background
History
Built in 1930, the building was listed Grade II* in 1974, an unusually short period after construction, with the interior described in great detail as a Hispano-Moresque fantasy. Former stage manager Rick Burton has published a website with a detailed history of who has performed at the theatre and when, and which is a major source for this article.
Sourced from Wikipedia under CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Coordinates
- 51.5623, -0.1083
- District
- Islington
- Parish
- Islington, unparished area
- Postcode
- N4 3NP
- Parliamentary constituency
- Islington North
- Phone
- +44 20 7263 3071
- Established
- 1930
- Nearest railway station
- Finsbury Park — 0.3 km
- Official site
- mwht.org.uk
Sources
- wikidata: Q3288732 (CC0)
- wikipedia: Rainbow Theatre (CC BY-SA 4.0)
- commons: Rainbow Theatre 1.jpg (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Other places nearby
Rainbow Theatre
Theatres · 0.0 km
Finsbury Park Empire Theatre
Open-air theatres · 0.2 km
Finsbury Park Mosque
Historic churches · 0.2 km
Finsbury Park Empire Theatre
Memorials & monuments · 0.2 km
Gillespie Park Nature Reserve
Forests & woodlands · 0.3 km
Finsbury Park Picturehouse
Cinemas · 0.3 km
Park Theatre
Open-air theatres · 0.4 km
Park Theatre
Theatres · 0.4 km
Gillespie Park
Wildlife reserves · 0.4 km
Rowans Tenpin Bowl
Bowling alleys · 0.4 km
American University in London
Natural landmarks · 0.5 km
Picture Land
Theatres · 0.6 km
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Frequently asked questions
- Where is Rainbow Theatre?
- Rainbow Theatre is in London, United Kingdom (postcode N4 3NP), in the parish of Islington, unparished area.
- What is Rainbow Theatre?
- Rainbow Theatre — former cinema and music venue in London, England, later used as a church.
- How do I get to Rainbow Theatre?
- The nearest railway station is Finsbury Park, about 0.3 km away. Drivers can use postcode N4 3NP.
- When was Rainbow Theatre built?
- Built or established in 1930.
- Who owns Rainbow Theatre?
- Rainbow Theatre is owned by The Rank Organisation.
- Is Rainbow Theatre a listed building?
- Rainbow Theatre is officially recognised as Grade II* listed building listed.
- Is Rainbow Theatre free to visit?
- Yes, Rainbow Theatre is free to enter.
- How do I get to Rainbow Theatre?
- The nearest railway station is Finsbury Park, about 0.3 km away. Drivers can navigate to postcode N4 3NP.