Theatr Elli

Llanelli, Carmarthenshire, Wales

Station Road

, Llanelli, Carmarthenshire, Wales, United Kingdom SA15 1AH

(map)

+44.0.845.226.3508

Status:	Open
Screens:	Triplex
Style:	Art Deco

Function:	Live Performances, Movies (First Run)
Seats:	948
Chain:	Independent

Architect:	P.J. Price, Harry W. Weedon
Firm:	Harry W. Weedon Partnership

The Llanelli Film Centre was originally the Odeon Theatre, designed by Harry Weedon (assistant in charge was P.J. Price) and opening on Saturday 18th June 1938 with seating for 1450 (900 in stalls and 550 in balcony).

The design was typical of the circuit style, with rounded corners and faience tiling, the main ODEON sign placed above the five tall windows above the front canopy. The opening film was "Paradise For Two".

The cinema was taken over by Classic on 9th December 1967 and renamed Classic. Classic Cinemas triplexed the cinema and reopened on 1st October 1971, the circle was extended forward to create Screen 1 with 516 seats and the remaining cinemas were created in the rear stalls seating 273 and 122. The opening film in Screen 1 was "The Hunting Party", in Screen 2 "The Virgin and the Gypsy", and Screen 3 offering "Danish and Blue", this small screen 3 remaining showing sexplotation movies.

As business declined, Classic sold the cinema to the local Borough Council which took over in May 1976 now renamed it the Llanelli Film Centre.

The Borough Council modernised the upstairs auditorium providing full stage facilities equiping it for stage shows. Screens 2 and 3 now seat 310 and 122.

The cinema remains open today as Theatr Elli, retaining its unaltered Harry Weedon exterior design, and continues showing first run films very succesfully.

The Theatr Elli was designated a Grade II Listed building in October 2009.

Related Websites

Theatr Elli (Official)

Contributed by Peter 123

YOUR COMMENTS

An exterior photograph taken in February 1987, of the former Odeon Cinema, Llanelli as the Llanelli Entertainment Centre. Photo courtesy of Jeremy Perkins via the Cinema Theatre Association website:
http://www.cinema-theatre.org/images/JWP_odeon_llanelli_Feb1987.jpg

posted by KenRoe on Oct 14, 2005 at 5:37am

OOops, sorry, here is the correct link to the above photo:
http://www.cinema-theatre.org.uk/images/JWP_odeon_llanelli_Feb1987.jpg

posted by KenRoe on Oct 14, 2005 at 5:41am

Ken your links arnt working for theses pics. i havent seen this building for about 20 yrs now so i hope you can get it to work.

posted by Ian -'adoraKiaOra on Aug 13, 2007 at 4:02pm

This is a photo from 2003.

posted by Lost Memory on Aug 13, 2007 at 5:17pm

It doesnt look very 'open' in this shot.

posted by Ian -'adoraKiaOra on Aug 13, 2007 at 5:30pm

Is this theater also known as Theatr Elli? A web search for Llanelli Entertainment Centre returns this website.

posted by Lost Memory on Aug 13, 2007 at 5:45pm

Here is another photo.

posted by Lost Memory on Jun 20, 2008 at 4:25pm

A photograph of the Theatre Elli, in September 2006;
http://www.stayinwales.co.uk/wales_picture.cfm?p=2535

posted by KenRoe on Dec 17, 2008 at 9:47am

Expect this building to close in the next 2 or 3 years. New plans for a new entertainment centre have just been passed for opening in July 2012.

posted by Ian -'adoraKiaOra on Feb 15, 2010 at 6:04pm

Note: Please read our comment policy before posting. Comments which are off-topic, obscene, spam, or personal attacks will be removed. Help us keep the discussion productive!

Search

Theater Guide

Add Your Cinema Treasure!

Newest Theaters

Recent Comments

Updated Theaters

Theatr Elli

Related Websites

YOUR COMMENTS

Notify me when someone replies to my comment?