Playhouse Cinema

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Uploaded on: November 13, 2024

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In October 1971 a fire was deliberately started behind the screen area, the cinema was evacuated and damage was minimal as a young projectionist helped extinguish the fire. The following year on Tuesday 14th March 1972 during the screening of the film “Le Mans” starring Steve McQueen another fire was started beneath the rear circle, this time although the 300 audience made it to safety within minutes the whole building was engulfed in flames and completely destroyed. Caledonian Associated Cinemas who owned the Playhouse moved some of the staff to their other cinema in Inverness the La Scala. In 1973 a fire was discovered below the projection box at the La Scala cinema causing electrical damage. The Police arrested the young projectionist Raymond Sutherland who had been moved from the Playhouse who had previously started the two fires there. Sutherland was found guilty of arson deliberately starting three fires within the two cinemas and sentenced to 4 years in prison.

Ron Knee