Comments about Plaza Cinema in Port Talbot, GB

geoffjc on March 10, 2018 at 8:44 am

Press reports (2018) that the closed building is owned by the local council and may be opened as a multi-purpose community facility also including some shops and offices ,with substantial funding available for the regeneration project but subject to an operator/organisation being found by a procurement process.

popcorn_pete on February 9, 2018 at 11:48 am

In reference to the above I believe the original owner was the Woodavon Cinema Company.

Sean Pursey on July 16, 2012 at 4:32 pm

“Plaza1985” (Alex) Ran the cinema when it was subdivided.

For fact 1 I have no idea – I’ve come across nothing to support the claim.

As for fact 2 it was divided into four screens with a periscope arrangement for the balcony screen as far as I am aware. This was removed in 1997 when the front stalls floor became rotten and the balcony was served by the original screen again. Alex would be able to provide more information to support this however. Will point him to your comment!

HJHill on July 16, 2012 at 2:25 pm

Is anyone able to give a definitive, evidence-based, answer on two claimed “facts” about this cinema.

“Fact 1”: This late 1930s development was a joint venture between Odeon Theatres and local business men; but Odeon pulled out because of the completion delay and bought the Majestic down the road. [It is true that Odeon Theatres did buy the Majestic in 1943; and the architect of the Plaza was Howard Williams of Cardiff (one of the local business men?)] Is the joint venture a myth?

“Fact 2”: The Plaza was divided into 4 screens. Studying interior photos on ForlornBritain.co.uk it looks like there were 3 screens (two in the rear stalls served by periscope projection; the third being the original screen viewed from front stalls and balcony). It is claimed that the balcony was partitioned off in some way and this was later removed. It would have been a substantial wall to give sound-proofing and to hold a screen and speakers. Had it been there, removing it would have caused significant internal damage but the photos show no sign of damage or of making-good. Also, how could a beam be projected to such a screen?