Curzon Cinema & Arts

The Curzon Cinema claims to be the oldest purpose-built and continuously operated movie theatre in the world. The Curzon Picture House was opened on 20th April 1912, just two days after RMS Titanic sank. The cinema was enlarged to the current building in the 1920’s without ever closing and the seating capacity was increased to 750 in stalls & circle levels.

Another feature of the Curzon Cinema that makes it unique are the walls and ceiling of the auditorium, which are lined with tin pressed panelling that was imported from America. It has a 32 feet wide proscenium, a stage 17 feet deep, with two dressing rooms. The building also had a café and dance hall attached. Since 1973 only the stalls seating area with 400-seats was in use, with a false ceiling extended toward the proscenium from the underside of the front of the circle.

The Curzon Cinema was saved from closure in 1996 following a public outcry, and is now operated as a registered charity, renamed Curzon Community Cinema. The false ceiling was removed in late-2020. It was announced in November 2021 that funding has been secured to reopen the circle seating area. The circle seating area was reopened on 10th February 2023 with a sold out screening of “Roman Holiday” starring Audrey Hepburn.

The Curzon Cinema & Arts is a Grade II Listed building.

Recent comments (view all 5 comments)

Ken Roe on June 6, 2007 at 1:09 pm

Another 2007 photograph with further details of the Curzon Community Cinema:
http://flickr.com/photos/fray_bentos/501490392/

Ken Roe on December 5, 2007 at 5:17 am

A vintage photograph showing the original auditoruim of the Curzon Cinema. Hopefully this will soon be revealed again and restored:
http://flickr.com/photos/20654194@N07/2054824352/

anitajays on June 7, 2014 at 3:29 am

The interior was extensively renovated for the centenary, opening out the foyer and opening up the Oak Room and the top floor to the public again. There is a viewing panel on the top floor onto the balcony which is still there, just a bit the worse for wear. A fully working “plumbed in” Christie organ was also installed, which is used regularly before evening shows and for concerts. The next job is to get the balcony fully restored.

davidcoppock on November 12, 2016 at 9:21 pm

The Curzon Community Centre opened on 20/4/1912 with an appeal to raise money for survivors and relatives of those who died in the Sinking of the Titanic 5 days earlier in the Atlantic Ocean near Nova Scotia, Canada. Ammount of money raised unknown?

DavidKH on February 11, 2023 at 1:07 am

Pleased to say that the balcony is now reopened launched with a showing of ‘Roman Holiday’ 10th Feb 2023. This was a full house showing with live music in the bar area beforehand. The roof has also been renewed so the leaks are fixed.