Comments from Ian

Showing 76 - 100 of 1,778 comments

Ian
Ian commented about Odeon Marble Arch on Sep 8, 2021 at 8:40 am

The replacement building, nearing completion in August 2021:- MARBLE ARCH PLACE

Ian
Ian commented about Lonsdale Alhambra Cinemas on Aug 14, 2021 at 12:45 pm

A third screen, seating 36, was added by incorporating an adjoining shop. All three screens open in 2021 - when these photos were taken

Exterior

Screen 1 Auditorium

Screen 2 Auditorium

Screen 3 Auditorium

Ian
Ian commented about Rex Cinema on Jul 26, 2021 at 8:01 pm

Google street view show the Rex is still there and functioning as Opera Bingo - post code is CA2 5EN

Ian
Ian commented about Europa-Palast on Jun 17, 2021 at 7:55 pm

Sorry, it seems that it is no longer possible to post a link to the street view, so the above link will not work.

Ian
Ian commented about Europa-Palast on Jun 17, 2021 at 7:52 pm

The streetview seems to support that - the cinema is to the right of the Traf iQ booth under the red ‘E’ and the galeria to the left. Sadly it is many years since I was last in Frankfurt so cannot confirm current status of the Europa.

street scene

Ian
Ian commented about Cine Verano on Jun 9, 2021 at 10:21 am

Photos from 2003 here:-

Cine Verano CALPE - Facade

Cine Verano CALPE - Screen

Ian
Ian commented about Cine Alhambra on Jun 9, 2021 at 10:18 am

Photo from 2003 here:-

Cine Alhambra CALPE

Ian
Ian commented about Cine Nereida on Jun 9, 2021 at 10:15 am

Photo from 2003 here:-

Cine Nereida BENIDORM

Ian
Ian commented about Cines Colci Benidorm on Jun 9, 2021 at 10:12 am

Photo from 2003 here:-

Cines Colci BENIDORM

Ian
Ian commented about Cine Astoria on May 2, 2021 at 8:00 pm

The Astoria was demolished in 2019

Ian
Ian commented about Empire Cinema on Apr 2, 2021 at 8:49 am

A photo of the Empire, taken in 1992, can be seen here:-

Empire Kirkham - exterior

Ian
Ian commented about Pioneer Theatre on Apr 1, 2021 at 4:44 pm

Found the answer. The listing text is quite recent and contains a description of the interior.

https://britishlistedbuildings.co.uk/101300442-former-co-operative-society-building-pioneer-house-dewsbury-east-ward

“The second floor consists of a single massive space originally used as a concert/public hall and later converted for theatre and cinema use. A later stage, proscenium arch and balcony have all now been removed, and a large steel sub-structure with a mezzanine level has been inserted.”

Ian
Ian commented about Pioneer Theatre on Apr 1, 2021 at 4:33 pm

Interesting interior photo. This appears to be the top of the proscenium arch, but the decorated ceiling extends behind to the rear wall indicating that the room was converted to a theatre, and not part of the original design - perhaps starting as a multi-purpose or concert hall?

Ian
Ian commented about Blue Hall Cinema & Blue Hall Annexe Cinema on Dec 26, 2020 at 10:06 am

The Regal / Cineworld closed in 2016 and was demolished a year later. Replacement cinemas promised on the site have yet to materialise (by end of 2020).

Ian
Ian commented about Rendezvous Cinema on Oct 9, 2020 at 7:16 pm

Debatable – since the facade and foyer were incorporated from a pre-existing building, whilst the extension that formed the cinema has been completely removed, I would say this is “Demolished”. Still it is nice to learn that the dome has survived.

Ian
Ian commented about London Hippodrome Theatre on Oct 4, 2020 at 10:46 am

Yes it is the venue for the 1969 London performances, the last time she appeared on stage in London.

Ian
Ian commented about Odeon Luxe London Leicester Square on Oct 4, 2020 at 8:50 am

The changes to life (and losses) caused by this virus are dreadful and depressing. I have, having read the above reports, just checked seat availability for the two showings today for Tenet at the OLS. The circle is closed, and in the stalls there are 3 seats booked for this afternoon and none for this evening. On my two visits to my local cinema the audiences have been extremely sparce. Cinemas simply cannot exist on this level of business, and the studios witholding releases is adding to the problem. There seems no way out, it is a vicious downward spiral.

Best wishes for your recovery, and keep safe everyone.

Ian
Ian commented about Majestic Cinema on Aug 28, 2020 at 9:19 am

On selected evening horror films are screened, using the balcony as the seating area.

Photographs from August 2020 FACADE

SIDE PASSAGE

SIDE VIEW

Ian
Ian commented about Soho Theatre Walthamstow on Aug 26, 2020 at 3:44 pm

By the end of August 2020, all tenents in the buiding had vacated and restoration began in earnest. For the first time in half a century the Pit console of the Christie organ was raised – and was in a very sorry state, having been left to rot, and submerged in the 2011 flood. The stage console is in only slightly better condition after nearly two decades of cold, damp and pigeons!

GRANADA AUDITORIUM

GRANADA PIT ORGAN CONSOLE

Ian
Ian commented about Sleaford Cinema on Aug 8, 2020 at 11:12 am

By June 2020 it was being refurbished as “Heat”

PICTUREDROME

Ian
Ian commented about Cannon Stevenage on Jul 31, 2020 at 11:39 am

Demolished – probably towards end of C20th.

Ian
Ian commented about Watersmeet Centre on Apr 20, 2020 at 11:22 am

Opened 1st May 1975.

Ian
Ian commented about Grand Theatre on Apr 20, 2020 at 10:04 am

Some additional information:–

It was listed in the Kine Year Book of 1914 with 1,100 seats, by 1954 was reported as having 905 seats, two dressing rooms and a stage 16 feet deep with a proscenium 22 feet wide and was run by Ogden Theatres Circuit ( a small Manchester company running 11 cinemas) who seem to have owned it for a considerable time. It is also listed in Dobson’s Theatre Year Book 1948 – a live theatre directory – with 1,048 seats. There are reports that the theatre staged live shows on Sundays throughout the War. Offered ‘for sale’, together with La Scala Cinema in Hollinwood, in February 1958, it was purchased by the church of St Mary (The Immaculate Conception) whose 1845 building became unsafe and required rebuilding. The Grand was converted and consecrated as a temporary place of worship in 1959 and continued until a new church opened in 1964. The Grand then underwent a variety of uses including the Christian Cultural Centre. Seriously damaged by a fire in 2012, it was demolished not long after.

Ian
Ian commented about Cineworld Cinema - Leicester Square on Mar 18, 2020 at 1:54 pm

Not all cinemas closed – yet. I have just seen Military Wives this morning at the Savoy in Grantham. They have stopped doing allocated seating, are doing extra cleaning, and ask patrons to allow two empty seats between parties (as well as all the usual advice). In fact there were only four of us in so isolation was not a problem at 10:30am.

Ian
Ian commented about Venue 73 on Feb 18, 2020 at 1:49 pm

Interior shot from 2002 here:–

RITZ BALLROOM AUDITORIUM