The Everyman, in Heath Street, Hampstead, opened as a cinema on 26 December 1933.
The building was first opened as the Hampstead Drill Hall and Assembly Rooms in the 1880s. Later it was transformed into a theatre, the Everyman Theatre, which opened in 1920 under the direction of Norman MacDermott (1890–1977) with the first British production of Jacinto Benavente’s The Bonds of Interest (Los intereses creados, 1907). You Never Can Tell, opened two weeks later and was a success, leading to the performance of more revivals from George Bernard Shaw. Some of the greatest of modern plays were performed on its stage, and many actors now famous made their bow at the Everyman Theatre. Noël Coward’s The Vortex was first performed there.
Sir Gerald du Maurier presided at the opening of the Everyman and the first programme consisted of Le Million, Turbulent Timber, a Mack Sennett comedy, a Disney cartoon and Paramount News.
The cinema was threatened with closure in 2000.[1] It was bought by Everyman Cinemas group.
Now retitled as the ’Everyman Hampstead’, the cinema shows films and special events, including the Metropolitan Opera from New York and the National Theatre, live Q&As, film festivals and seasons. The venue features a fully licensed bar with some wines, champagnes, beers and cocktails for guests, food offering including freshly made pizzas[citation needed], and digital technology by way of Sony Digital 4K projectors and Dolby Digital surround sound.[citation needed]
