Cineworld Cinema - Leicester Square
5 Leicester Square,
London,
WC2H 7NA
5 Leicester Square,
London,
WC2H 7NA
42 people
favorited this theater
Showing 301 - 325 of 729 comments
Re: 1986 foyer photos — little changed since the 1962 reconstruction, I think, right down to the (very nice) carpet?
I guess the “Empire — The First 100 Years” (to the right of the stairs in https://www.flickr.com/photos/oldcinemaphotos/2105035479/in/album-72157603441125079/ is related to the same titled book (by David High.)
I can never work out why the section with the sloped ceiling (presumably due to the stadium seating structure above) is “curtained off” in these old (pre late 1980s refurb) photos…
Zappomatic: Thanks for the info on the foyer rendering. Here’s the link: http://www.cineworldplc.com/~/media/Files/C/Cineworld-PLC/reports-and-presentations/2017-results-presentation-final-for-website.pdf (http://www.cineworldplc.com/~/media/Files/C/Cineworld-PLC/reports-and-presentations/2017-results-presentation-final-for-website.pdf)
LSQ is listed as “Refurbishment starting” (p17 – PDF page number) although according to an article in The Telegraph , “[LSQ] will get a makeover at the end of the year.”
I’ve just spent the last hour being very angry and grumbling to myself about Cineworld not “getting” the Empire LS (as a flagship venue with decades of heritage) and simply wanting to engage in a rebranding exercise for the sake of it.
OTOH, actually it’s a pretty bold piece of reimaging. I’m assuming expensive finishes and I guess the ceiling, in a way, is a nod to the existing one. Lots of concealed lighting and coving too.
Would be nice to see what they have in mind for the main section though. They had better put in some decent seating!
I assume they won’t be moving concessions to the stop of the stairs as queues would block the route to the IMPACT and 7/8/9 screens, and they still have the “curved” section with a poster (or maybe LED display?)
Talking of which, it looks like there are small LED displays above each auditorium entrance.
Reading through the presentation, Cineworld discuss their multiple “premium screens” approach so the addition of 4DX in Screen 2 and not the IMPACT screen makes sense.
A previous presentation (p29 – PDF page number) says “4DX and Super Screen expected to be installed in Leicester Square” so I wonder if any changes will be made to the IMPACT screen? To keep it at the currently available state of the art they need to install laser projection, which has very good black levels thus obviating the need for masking.
Foyer as seen in 1986:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/oldcinemaphotos/2105035479/in/album-72157603441125079/ https://www.flickr.com/photos/oldcinemaphotos/2105037121/in/album-72157603441125079/ https://www.flickr.com/photos/oldcinemaphotos/2105817336/in/album-72157603441125079/ https://www.flickr.com/photos/oldcinemaphotos/2105819354/in/album-72157603441125079/ https://www.flickr.com/photos/oldcinemaphotos/2105820902/in/album-72157603441125079/ https://www.flickr.com/photos/oldcinemaphotos/2105822748/in/album-72157603441125079/
Cineworld’s first half year results presentation features an image of part of the foyer refurb. Starfield ceiling is gone and no more carpet, but they’re keeping the brass handrails and picking this out with gold accents in the ceiling. Sadly it doesn’t show what’s happening to the retail section of the foyer.
CF100: Yes, there’s a staircase to the right as you go in. Once you’re up on that level the bar is sort of L-shaped.
zappomatic: Never been to the Empire Casino, not having any interest in gambling nor drinking!
There are lots of “360 degree” photos of the Empire Casino on Google Maps—it seems the Icon Bar is accessed from the corridor from the main entrance and is not integrated with the main casino area?
theatreofvarieties: Many thanks for your reply! Most interesting regarding the sintered glass tiles. I assume these were then painted the same colour?
Having tried to research 1960s tiles, I can find no likely products that could have been the original tiles, given that they were apparently “plaster tiles in a mink and gold colour scheme” (from the 1962 Gala Opening Programme.)
I’ve long been puzzled by the “bump profile” tiles in their various patterned arrangements, which seemingly look like they were intended for acoustic control, but are too small to do anything.
Looking at the coefficients for sintered glass tiles, they do seem to be effective at mid/high frequency absorption. I still found the 2006 THX system had dialogue intelligibility issues, although otherwise it was one of the very best sounding systems I’ve heard.
There are some aspects of the 1960s reconstruction that I am curious about. I suspect the “grand foyer” must be higher in level than where the original “tea room” was. It seems that the original circle was shortened also, as including the rows of “loge seats” at the front, the original went past the “kink” in the right wall—approximately, I think, where the dividing wall between IMAX/IMPACT auditoria is. Case study blurb from the contractors and consultants involved mentions weight limitations of the concrete slab floor, so I’m guessing this part of the original circle was removed.
Where is the remaining piece of 1927 wallpaper located behind the right wall? Must be near the first (from the rear) vertical “cove”?
On the coloured lighting—I can see what you mean by “1980s disco”—although I rather like all things 1980s—at least other than bad hairstyles and ripped jeans! Although the “uplighting” at the bottom of the screen could be a different colour?
P.S. I can’t remember if I’ve posted the link before, but there was an article in Light + Sound International magazine on the 1980s Equisse Design refurb (on p19.)
The Icon bar is quite a handy place for a drink before a film, always bizarrely empty even when they’re doing half price drinks 5pm-8pm Monday to Friday (a G&T and a beer came to less than £6 on my last visit).
CF100 – the lights can be programmed individually, i wanted them to change colour in the way they do as i didnt want it to look like an 80’s disco, just personal preference. The original side wall tiles had a sintered glass tile adhered to them on 2006 to get down the amount of slap echo (worked very well) when the auditorium was once again converted to THX. the mink and gold paint scheme that was original to the 60’s rebuild was exposed when a fire exit sign was removed. every scrap of the 60’s wall and ceiling plaster was removed.
Here’s a video of the foyer level in 1996—footage from the Mission Impossible UK Premiere from AP’s archives.
Lots of blue and red neon lighting from the late 1980’s makeover!
The marquee is also shown.
UK Mission Impossible Premiere – Empire Leicester Square
(I have linked to the relevant starting position soas to skip over irrelevant footage including screaming Tom Cruise fans outside the Empire!)
Good to hear that the IMAX screen is doing well, although thanks for the heads up—early screening it will be for me!
I have no idea how any “extension” into the Casino (“Icon” bar) could work, particularly in view of the comment by theatreofvarieties, and Cineworld will surely want to funnel customers via the concessions stand en route to the main auditoria. That really leaves at the top of the entrance stairs.
Better arrangement would be to remove Screen 4…
I am uneasy about changes to the foyer—I will not be happy if the essentials of the 1960s design are lost!
I complained on their Facebook page about huge queues at the concessions counter before Dunkirk (which they’re pretty much selling out in the evenings) and how it made it difficult to get to the toilets. Their response said that the refurbishment would address this congestion issue so could we be looking at a totally new foyer layout?
theatreofvarieties: Just spotted your IMAX conversion photo uploads; thank you so much for this!
(Not that I “like” seeing the work done to “Screen 1,” as it were; but to me, it’s extremely interesting—e.g. the “ribbed” ceiling steelwork.)
Wonder why the coloured concealed lighting operates monochromatically on “one circuit,” when from your photos it appears that it doesn’t have to? (I complained about this after the first public screening, and was informed that “we can programme the lights to do whatever we want.”)
The tiles seemed to be one set stuck on top of another? A little confused by your photo showing the CIC/UCI paint? Do any remain hidden behind new “false” walls (possibly on the left side of the “stalls”?) or were they all stripped?
theatreofvarieties: Thanks for the correction! :–)
The Icon bar is actually about 2 metres higher than the cinema foyer level.
The “heritage” aspect only requires elements such as the ceiling to be kept and the overall form respected, as has been the case with previous refurbishments. It still allows scope for their “house” style/branding to be imposed.
If they take over the Icon bar, then depending on the scope for chopping and change the internals, they could reconfigure by moving the vestibule staircase forward so that the bar integrates with the rest of the foyer area. I would hope for something special but if a major reconfiguration occurs then I suspect none of the 1960s “heritage” elements will be left. :–(
That’s all rather exciting news although it does sadly mean that with screen 2 converted to 4DX, Unlimited members will only have access to pokey screens in the West End unless they pay an upcharge.
I’m liking the thought of the cinema having a proper bar as befits a premiere, flagship site. Will certainly be interesting seeing if they refurbish the foyer in keeping with the heritage or if they use their current house style.
theatreofvarieties: Good news! They had better respect the heritage of the foyer though (and, IMO, keep the fibre optic “starfield” lights from the late 1980s refurb.)
(N.B. The Icon bar extends onto the balcony on the LSQ frontage. Therefore, it is on the same level as cinema’s foyer, adjacent to the starcase leading to screens 7-9.)
Cineworld are saying that they will spend £5 million on LSQ. Screen 2 is to be converted to 4DX, the foyer to be totally refurbished and they are spending money on the back of house areas. Word is they are doing a deal with the Casino to take over the Icon bar.
An application to Westminster Building Control has been submitted in relation to the “Empire Casino,” dated 2nd March 2017, for a “full refurbishment to all floors;” of potential relevance here, “including… first floor balcony works.”
External alterations may require a planning application, so we shall see…
Now has some external Cineworld branding in the form of a sign just above the doors. The 1980s Empire logo on the doors has been replaced by the Cineworld logo. Inside, the signage about the entrances to the screens still has the Empire logo, and bizarrely the tiled/granite floor opposite the kiosk has been covered over with slightly tatty looking black carpet.
Surely the “IMPACT” screen? The auditorium (from the plans) looks to be about 22mx18m or so, with a high ceiling, whilst Screen 2 is about 18mx13m?
Expected to get a 4DX screen this year. Wonder which screen will get converted? I’ve have thought all but screen 2 are too small and cramped to fit the equipment in but who knows?
Yes, assumed those stains are water damage.
Haven’t been in the IMAX screen since the Pepsi signage came down, unfortunately.
Thanks for your reply.
Water damage—I noticed stains on the ceiling?
Something like the patchy area in this photo:
http://cinematreasures.org/theaters/912/photos/79104
Regarding Pepsi Max signage, has this been removed from the seats in the IMAX auditorium as well?