Comments from Ian

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Ian commented about Futurist Theatre on Jul 21, 2006 at 8:45 am

Local paper (Scarborough Evening News)today reports:–

From Scarborough Evening News 21/07/2006

[i]People power saves theatre

A THEATRE will remain on the Futurist site on Scarborough’s seafront, council documents have revealed.

This change of thinking by the council follows protests by more than 1,350 readers who responded to a Scarborough Evening News campaign.

The venue has been threatened with closure and demolition for more than four years since Scarborough Council announced plans to sell off the theatre and surrounding site for redevelopment.

The council had said nothing in recent years in support of the long-term future of the Futurist, and was silent on a consultant’s report that backed the retention of the theatre as an option.

This led to the Evening News campaign last November to defend it, and many letters in response by readers.

Scarborough’s Renaissance team gave support to the campaign. It was also brought to the attention of regional development agency Yorkshire Forward, which will influence the type and scale of development on the site.

In acknowledging the strength of feeling of Scarborough people over the Futurist, and the work of Barrie Stead in operating the theatre since 2002, the report states:

“The main benefit of the refurbishment scheme is that it would respond to community wishes.

“In recent years, it has been managed successfully with a relatively small management cost to the council.”

In the new document, the council unveils its preferred options for the area â€"– and both involve keeping a theatre on Foreshore Road, either by refurbishing the existing building or by creating an entirely new one.

It has yet to be decided whether the current facade will be retained. A report which has been sent to the council’s ruling cabinet group finally rejects the idea of creating a commercial development without a theatre, or building a new theatre elsewhere.

But the report controversially says that the revamped theatre could have only between 1,000 and 1,500 seats. This would re-ignite huge protest because it has been proven that the 2,000-seat present capacity can be full, and a reduced capacity would deter big names and shows from including the Futurist on national tours.

21 July 2006
[/i]

Ian commented about Odeon Wardour Street on Jul 1, 2006 at 3:09 pm

Another couple of photos after closure here:–

Ian commented about Lumiere Cinema on Jul 1, 2006 at 3:05 pm

Work is still continuing to turn the former cinema into a gym for the St Martins Hotel. Pictures from June 2006 here (external):–

and here (foyer):–

Ian commented about New Gallery Cinema on Jul 1, 2006 at 8:16 am

This cinema has been all but wrecked in the conversion to retail space. Although – in theory – the new works are removable, in practice it is well nigh impossible to return a valuable retail space to arts use, and removing the extensive new build inside the auditorium – on a levelled floor – would be prohibitively expensive.

Two recent pictures here. The first shows about as much as you can see of the proscenium arch (now blocked in):–

and the second is a view from the former balcony area:–

Ian commented about Henry Miller's Theatre on Jun 27, 2006 at 12:49 am

I thought the intention WAS to recreate the auditorium of Henry Millers – with expanded foyers and modern facilities. The original publicity from the developers certainly stressed the re-creation of the original theatre.

Ian commented about Old Empress Cinema Burns Down on Jun 20, 2006 at 4:53 am

Found a few more details of the cinema.

From manchestercivic.org.uk:-
A less certain future faces the Empress Electric Theatre on Oldham Road, Miles Platting, which opened in 1912 in the very early days of purpose-built cinemas. Its now somewhat forlorn facade of red Accrington brick harks back to the 19th century, giving it an industrial appearance but with almost castle-like cornice adornments.
Inside the walls are adorned with luxurious French Rococo-style plaster panels. The proscenium and flanking twin organ cases are in a more serious classical vein with paired columns, niches and medallions symbolising music and the performing arts. The organ case embraces dummy organ pipes, as in a church, and vestiges of early cinema organs of this type are now extremely rare. Some years ago the Empress, too, became a bingo hall, and it is now a paint store.

Ian commented about Old Empress Cinema Burns Down on Jun 19, 2006 at 11:17 am

Agree in principal Woody – but Manchester and Salford are two different authorities. But Manchester undoubtedly does not care about heritage. Nor does Salford!

Ian commented about Old Empress Cinema Burns Down on Jun 19, 2006 at 8:58 am

Photo -pre fire here:–

and here :–

Ian commented about Texas Theatre sold to Cinema Treasures user on Jun 5, 2006 at 11:02 am

Congratulations – and please post pictures of the renovations!

Ian commented about Grosvenor Cinema on May 19, 2006 at 11:23 am

Some exterior & interior pictures here – from when it was still a cinema!:–

Ian commented about Savoy Cinema on May 9, 2006 at 11:24 am

Photos here:–

and here

both dating from 1988 when used as a bingo hall.

Ian commented about ABC Ewell on May 7, 2006 at 1:47 am

A few photos here (interior & exterior) from 1988 as the Cannon Cinema:–

Ian commented about Ritzy Picturehouse on May 6, 2006 at 7:32 am

Another interior picture here from 1985

Ian commented about Odeon Cosham on May 6, 2006 at 7:26 am

More pics – inside and out dating from 1986

Ian commented about Odeon Ashford on May 6, 2006 at 7:23 am

Another photo as a bingo hall in 1986

Ian commented about Odeon Streatham on May 6, 2006 at 3:25 am

Exterior picture from 1991 here

Ian commented about Dome Cinema on May 6, 2006 at 3:20 am

Yet more interior photos here – dating from 1991

Ian commented about Coliseum Cinema on May 1, 2006 at 1:59 am

Further pictures of the derelict cinema here:–

Ian commented about O2 Academy Brixton on May 1, 2006 at 1:51 am

More photos of the Academy here :–

Ian commented about Odeon Marble Arch on May 1, 2006 at 1:46 am

Further interior photos before the cinema was ruined here:–

Ian commented about Palace Cinema on May 1, 2006 at 1:43 am

Exterior and interior photos of the Palace can be found here:–

Ian commented about ABC Aldershot on May 1, 2006 at 1:42 am

Exterior photos of the cinema under Cannon here :–

Ian commented about Aldershot Empire on May 1, 2006 at 1:40 am

Interior and exterior photos of the Odeon as the Kings Church here :–

Ian commented about Robins Cinema on May 1, 2006 at 1:28 am

Photo of the cinema under Classic here :–

Ian commented about Odeon Radcliffe on May 1, 2006 at 1:21 am

Another photo of the Kwik-save former Odeon here:–

The buildings entrance was originally on the far corner of the front of the building.

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