There’s a selected crop of Kenyans that get nostalgic when they think of or pass by Kenyatta Avenue in the Nairobi CBD. Many structures fuel that sentimental longing, but one distinctive building pays homage to times gone by. It’s the Cameo Cinema – a building with a rich history that goes back over a century and whose development coincides with the rise of East Africa’s cinema culture.
Where it All Began
Back in 1905, Nairobi had become the administrative capital of the colony. Development was underway to modernise the once swampy area. From the mapping out of the city, roads were constructed, and buildings slowly sprung up. Among the latter was a nondescript structure on Sixth Avenue. It’s not clear when it was built or who the architecture was, but in 1906, a Jewish immigrant from Poland took an interest in it and had big plans on what he would use it for.
His name was Simon Medicks, and he was an investor-entrepreneur eager to elevate Nairobi’s entertainment scene. Simon, or Teddy as he was also known, rented the building and began transforming it into a theatre hall. At the time there was one other entertainment space – but it was all the way in the Parklands area. Medicks seized the available opportunity to create competition in a more accessible area. In 1912, upon completion, he named the establishment Theatre Royal and intended to have it serve as a hangout spot for the elite. It was British East Africa’s first theatre, but even as a new spot, it wasn’t well received by some, referring to Medicks’ place as a ‘pit of fleas’. Still, the investor persevered through the murky waters of the first years of entrepreneurship and steadily shifted the perception associated with the Theatre.
The Entertainment Hall Turned Cineplex
By the time the First World War rolled in, Theatre Royal became popular as a fundraising hall. British soldiers were frequent visitors, all through to the Second World War. Despite its ‘sordid’ beginnings, it finally succeeded at becoming the location Medicks envisioned it would be. The foreign elite would meet with fellow aristocrats, host newbies in the city as a way of welcome and hold meetings on political matters.
In late 1961 as the Theatre lease was coming to an end, Medicks announced that he would not renew it. Ted Clifton took over the building and brought with him previous experience in theatre management. As new management took over, onlooking residents were curious to know what would become of the elite club.
Clifton took his time to revamp the place, opting to convert it into a cinema. Sources say he visited up to 35 cinemas in various European countries to learn the ropes of setting up a cineplex. Upon his return to Nairobi, he renovated the place from the interior outwards, adding two massive pillars to compliment the exterior. The revamped Theatre Royal also took on a new name: Cameo Cinema. It didn’t take long for the place to become abuzz; it was, after all, one of East Africa’s pioneer cinema halls and the only one with two Zeiss Ikon projectors – this was indisputably the best film equipment brand of the time.
Change in Times
The opening coincided with the independence season and racial inclusion in all sectors and spaces was prioritized. Kenyans living in or visiting Nairobi made use of this state-of-the-art location. It’s not clear how long Clifton managed the place, but after him came the first non-European managers: cinema directors R.P. Shah then Noah Kamau, both of whom had prior experience running smaller cinema halls in the city.
However, time resulted in the collapse of the Cameo Cinema. With more advancements in the film industry and newer, modern cinemas coming up, the pioneer location failed to keep up. Eventually, the building underwent another change and became the Casino we know it as today. Still, this monument has stood the test of time, and for Nairobians today, it’s a noteworthy building along Kenyatta Avenue. On 4th September 2012, it was declared a national monument in Gazette Notice No. 13561 by the Ministry of National Heritage and Culture.
Did you pass by Theatre Royal back in the day? Perhaps you saw the dawn of the Cameo Cinema era. Share with us your fond memories of this #KeMonument.
