Odeon Luxe London Leicester Square
26 Leicester Square,
London,
WC2H 7LQ
26 Leicester Square,
London,
WC2H 7LQ
44 people
favorited this theater
Showing 451 - 475 of 752 comments
joeswin: I think you could try uploading it to Dropbox or other file hosting service?
Thanks for the information on the Westminster Archives. :–)
Id love to post it somewhere, is there a way of uploading it here?
As for accessing the archive, its really easy. You just go and sign up for a Westminster Library card and give a reason as to why you want to see a particualr item (I just said I was resarching for a piece of work I was doing)and then they bring you the items to look at.I think you may have to order them before you get there, but I cant quite remeber. You can search thier catalogue here though http://www.calmview.eu/Westminster/CalmView/default.aspx
@joeswin Interested as well in reading your work and learn about those mistakes made in 1967…
joeswin: Fascinating indeed—sounds like a great project! :–)
Visiting the Westminster Archives has long been on my “to do” list and I hadn’t realised those plans were held there, did you find it at all difficult to gain access?
Please upload a copy of your project somewhere if you are able to, I’d (and I trust anyone else reading this would) very much appreciate it?
In my second year of university (graduated last year-studied history) I wrote a research project on the history and design of the Odeon Leicester Square. It involved visiting Westminster Archives to see the original plans, and the plans from the 1960s renovation. It has to be one of the most interesting things I did whilst studying! I hope it looks good when they’re finished, and having sent them a copy of the project today, I hope they see the mistakes made in 1967 and don’t repeat them!
I watched Reel Steel at the El Capitan, Los Angeles in 2011 and it was the closest to full high definition (1080p) quality that I had seen on a cinema screen up until that time. What a flagship cinema. Could not believe that there was not a single IMAX cinema in all of Hollywood and surrounding area. That obviously changed when the Chinese Theater across the road was converted into an IMAX in 2013. This is the third largest IMAX screen in North America (behind San Francisco and Lincoln Square in New York City) and has the largest seating capacity (986 seats) of any IMAX cinema worldwide.
I need to check this out for myself!
In special venues Dolby don’t except the full technical details to be followed for Dolby cinema. Both the Dolby Theatre and El Captain in LA do not have the full black walls etc instead keep the original features of the cinema. However all over aspects are kept I believe. Considering AMC now own Odeaon and AMC run all the mutliplex Dolby Cinemas in the US, this would be prime site for their first one in the UK.
There are a few different articles, across the internet, covering the refurbishment of Odeon, Leicester Square and from what I have read I am expecting an iSense screen to be installed. This is Odeon’s proprietary large format (floor to ceiling and wall to wall screens, sometimes accompanied by a Dolby Atmos sound system). It is highly unlikely to be another IMAX screen as one already exists directly opposite on the other side of Leicester in the Cineworld Empire cinema.
If however, as suggested in one of the posts above this opens as the UK’s first Dolby Cinema (Dolby Vision projection plus Dolby Atmos sound system which can support to 128 audio tracks) then I shall certainly be planning a trip asap! However, I can’t see this happening unless the interior of the auditorium is changed to being very dark or completely black.
Some technical details about Dolby Cinema taken from this excellent and detailed article:
https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2015/12/dolby-cinema-laser-powered-projection-object-based-3d-audio-awesome/
Dolby Vision, like IMAX with Laser uses lasers as light sources instead of the usual high-intensity Xenon discharge bulb. This allows the projection to be much brighter, and the contrast level to be much higher, than with normal DLP.
Dolby Vision operates at a brightness of 31 foot-lamberts (106 nits) offering an incredible 1,000,000:1 contrast ratio. Compare this to the 14 foot-lamberts (48 nits) illumination level that the Society of Motion Picture and Television Engineers has traditionally recommended. In the analogue days, few cinemas actually reached this level and current digital 3D projection systems certainly don’t.
The lasers also allow Dolby Vision to create a better 3D experience. Because Dolby Vision starts at 31 foot-lamberts (106 nits) in 2D, it still delivers 14 foot-lamberts (48 nits) in 3D mode, more than most other cinemas in 2D!
Don’t get too excited though as although Dolby Cinema should be coming to the UK at some point, their press office wouldn’t give an exact timeline.
With regards to when Odeon, Leicester Square may reopen, I read mention of it opening in time for the BFI London Film Festival which this year runs from 10th October until 21st October. If they miss that, I’m sure all involved in this project will be disappointed.
@CF100 – Thanks for posting updates regarding this refurbishment. It’s great to have some local feet on the ground!
8build’s website now has a page on the OLS works.
It says that their role is the enabling works before fit-out, including “demolition, asbestos removal, form new openings and structural alterations.”
It goes on to say that only “extent of the removal works both and in turn the demolition and structural alterations” were not known at project commencement and only after “existing services, asbestos and structure [are] uncovered” will it be possible to ascertain the scope required.
Given that their stated project duration is 12 weeks, and that from what I currently think I can see externally the foyer works appear to be far from complete, it might be the case that the works have turned out to be more extensive than originally estimated, with consequential effects on the reopening date.
The OLS' Leicester Square frontage is currently in a somewhat forlorn state, with the lower LED screens removed and canopies/balcony stripped back to steel framework. (Photo uploaded.) If only I had “X-Ray” vision to see into the auditorium…!
moviebuff82: According to FanaticalAboutOdeon, the works will take 9 months.
Having briefly looked at the plans and cut-away drawing again, and with the “giant screen” quote in my head, I’m thinking Odeon could go much further with this scheme than I had envisaged—with a screen closer to 90ft. wide, for which at “Scope” ratio there should be sufficient height. Naturally, this would involve very significant alterations to the stage end of the auditorium.
As with my previous suggestion, the sightlines from the rear stalls would mean that the last few rows would have to be dropped.
When will it reopen?
The building control application for the OLS works (“Refurbishment of Cinema Complex – Odeon") is shown on Westminster’s site, received on the 3rd January 2018. No further information of interest is available.
On the subject of the Safety Curtain, a comment from the Cinema Theatre Association has now been added to the documents for the main planning application, listed as “CINEMA THEATRE ASSOCIATION LATE REP.” It enquires about the safety curtain, to which Westminster’s case officer responds:
“In respect of the pictorial safety curtain, given that the building is not listed alterations to the interior would not be subject to planning control.
[…]
“It may be of some comfort that I recall from meetings with the applicant’s design team that they did stress how it was their intention to refurbish and retain historic features where possible…”
Indeed the term “large format”—or rather “premium large format”—is marketing jargon, but I’d take it to mean an auditorium of at least medium size, with high end projection, large screen (relative to auditorium size, minimum say about 45ft. wide), and a capable sound system.
The most obvious example is IMAX Digital (typically 1.9:1) installations, which use IMAX’s own projection/sound system with automatic daily recalibration, etc., preferably meeting IMAX’s own standards for auditorium geometry.
Operators are free to brand any screen they like as “premium large format”—aka. IMPACT, iSense, Superscreen, XPlus, Xtreme, etc. In a decent non-IMAX one—e.g. the Superscreen at the Cineworld/Empire LSQ—you’d expect dual projectors, if not laser light source projection, 3D, and Atmos, as well as comfortable stadium seating, etc. As you suggest, many “premium large format”-branded screens are nearer 1.9:1 than “Scope” ratio.
Dolby Cinema is clearly Dolby’s answer to IMAX.
I am not sure if Odeon used the term “large format”—from a Variety article:
“Aron told reporters that the Odeon would certainly have a giant screen, ‘but it won’t be IMAX,’ in order to avoid competing with IMAX’s laser theater in the neighboring Cineworld Empire Leicester Square. Odeon has its own proprietary premium large-screen format, iSense, though it was not confirmed if this would be the format used at the Leicester Square venue.”
Assuming the OLS will be a Dolby Cinema venue, AFAIK it is supposed to be a “constant height” system, so “Scope” movies won’t be letterboxed. That said, as there are no Dolby Cinema venues in the UK to date, it’s not something I’ve paid much attention to.
Lack of masking won’t be that much of a problem with laser light source projection. Having said that, the OLS auditorium is most definitely not black, which might negatively impact the contrast ratio as light makes its way back to the screen.
Of course, one might wonder whether the OLS will retain celluoid projection—and tabs?
What is a “large format” screen ?
I sincerely hope it is a proper Scope screen. However I suspect that it is PR jargon for a 1.90 screen which will mean that all Scope films, the majority of films nowadays, will be letterboxed with no top/bottom masking. Hardly a step forward.
I hope I am wrong.
Zappomatic: Brilliant, thank you again. My order is completed. Good job I have a Bissell wet vaccum with anti-bacterial cleaner!
martinC: Odeon have stated that a new “large format” screen will be installed, and that the organ will be retained. The planning applications for the updated facade/signage show a rendering with a large Dolby “Double-D logo” sign, implying that there will be a Dolby Cinema installation (i.e. Dolby Vision/HDR laser projection/specially graded content/Dolby Atmos), which would tie in with the “large format” update.
If they are going to install a larger screen, whilst keeping the organ, one option would be to alter the front splay walls to the proscenium, cutting them back, thus allowing for a screen width greater than 60ft., increased from the present 48ft. I posted a more detailed consideration of this, including sightlines.
Were the screen moveable, then the plans suggest that there is enough room horizontally. However, vertically, the old cut-away diagram has the “proscenium girder” marked and the fly tower behind.
Alternatively, the new screen could simply be installed ahead of the existing proscenium.
Hence, what’s possible all depends on the screen size/position and structural aspects, which may involve tradeoffs between what’s “kept” and what remains “usable”!
I can’t see how all aspects could be retained in their existing form, but presumably the front stage with organ console pit will remain.
https://ebay.co.uk/itm/Leicester-Square-Odeon-A-Pair-of-Theatre-Auditorium-Fold-Down-Cinema-Chairs/30261189835
Various quantities and configurations on there from the seller
Zappomatic: Thanks! Can’t find them. Link please?
The leopard print seats are now on sale on eBay from a seller called old2gold – yours for £90 a pair.
So FanaticalAboutOdeon, do you know if the new screen is going to prohibit the stage being used again even if it is just for comedians, bands etc on its shallow stage? And what about the legendary Safety Curtain?
I took a number of external shots of the OLS last night—most of them turned out badly, not least due to the heavy pedestrian traffic in the square!
The large LED displays on the frontage are off, but the blue LED accents remain on, albeit in a dire state pending replacement.
The entire frontage is surrounded by a hoarding featuring artwork and notices such as “Something very special is coming soon…” and “We’re working had so you can put your feet up…”
The main contractor appears to be 8 Build.
Lights remain on in the circle foyer, and its current state is externally visible. As can be seen in the photo I have uploaded, the ceiling has been partially removed.
Zappomatic,
Your sanity is safe! “Aladdin” was just one of several Disney films which were preceded by a short stage show at the Odeon Leicester Square. “The Lion King”, “Pocahontas” and “Mulan” also had their “pre-shows”. They may have been short but they were very spectacular – fully costumed with much additional lighting temporarily installed especially. One youngster in my party for “Aladdin” was completely mesmerised when Aladdin and his companion flew over the stage and orchestra pit on the magic carpet as clouds of dry ice billowed upwards from the pit to be vividly illuminated by extra stage lighting therein. The shows not only had music from the films they preceded but from other Disney titles. A spectacular finale was accompanied by music and songs from “Beauty and the Beast”.
A spot bar was suspended from the ceiling over the front stalls to provide lighting effects from above for each of the shows. For the “Pocahontas” pre-show, the Odeon’s house curtains were replaced by maroon velvet curtains while a silver slash curtain replaced the screen curtains to provide a glittering background.
For “Mulan” the Disney characters were replaced by members of the Chinese State Circus in a breathtaking series of spectacular acrobatic feats. Also for “Mulan”, a gauze bearing the title in large, glittering letters was lowered in front of the house curtains just prior to the stage show starting. The Odeon curtains parted behind the gauze as a lighting cue rendered it almost invisible before it was flown to reveal the colourful company on stage.
For obvious reasons, the screen frame remained in its usual position throughout these pre-shows but, for occasions like awards ceremonies, the frame can be wheeled to the back wall and the screen speakers wheeled out of the way on their mobile mountings. Live shows with sets would be tricky to mount due to the relatively shallow stage and number of dressing rooms but vocal artists, bands/orchestras and comedians could all be very well presented at the theatre as stars such as David Essex and Bill Cosby have been in the past.
Nope. I’m not going mad! http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/first-night-disney-genie-conjures-a-childrens-delight-aladdin-odeon-leicester-square-1505204.html
I remember being taken to see Disney’s Aladdin as a pre-Christmas treat in 1993 and there being a brief stage show before the film. From memory it was mostly a costumed cast dancing to songs from the film (or am I going mad?)