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The Marlborough Theatre at 383, Holloway Road, Islington was built for F. W. Purcell by Messrs. Patman and Fatheringham. The Theatre, with a capacity of 2,612 was designed by the renowned Theatre Architect, Frank Matcham, and opened on the 5th of October, 1903 with a week of the Carla Rosa Opera Company. The auditorium of the Marlborough consisted of Stalls and Pit, Dress Circle, Upper Circle, and Gallery, with a capacity of 2,612.

Right - A programme for 'Priscilla Runs Away' at the Marlborough Theatre, Holloway in March 1911.

Sadly the Theatre only presented live theatre for a short period before it was converted for cinema use by Provincial Cinematograph Theatres, reopening on the 28th of May 1918 as the Marlborough Picture Theatre. A Thomas Jones, 2 Manual straight organ was installed to accompany the silent movies shown there.

In February 1929 the Theatre was taken over by Gaumont British Theatres who continued to run it as a Cinema until it closed in 1940 due to the war.

In February 1942 the Theatre was taken over by Odeon Theatres Ltd., and reopened on the 9th of March the same year with a reduced capacity of 1,685.

The last films to be shown at the Marlborough were 'Hell Drivers' and 'The Heart Within' on the 31st of August 1957 and then the Theatre closed its doors for the last time, although it was used as a location for part of the film 'Gideon of Scotland Yard' which was released the following year.

The Theatre then remained empty until it was eventually demolished in 1962 for the construction of an office building called Marlborough House, which is currently in use by the City and Islington College.