VISITS AND EVENTS
The Cinema Theatre Association organises visits to cinemas and theatres, past and present, across the UK and overseas. Lectures and other events also feature in our programme of activities. These are usually for members only, so why not join us?
Full details are provided in the bi-monthly Bulletin
FORTHCOMING VISITS AND EVENTS
A CELEBRATION OF THE CENTENARY OF THE CINEMATOGRAPH ACT 1909
The most important legislation affecting the exhibition of films was the Cinematograph Act 1909, which came into force on 1 January 1910. The safety requirements the act introduced led directly to the construction of the first fully purpose-built cinemas. To celebrate the 100th anniversary of this ground-breaking legislation a programme of visits to some of the early (pre-World War I) cinemas that are still showing films will be held throughout 2010.
SCREEN ON THE GREEN, ISLINGTON, NORTH LONDON
Wednesday 24th February
The second ‘Centenary’ visit will be to this superbly maintained cinema, which opened in 1913 as the Royal Picture Theatre and which remains largely unaltered. Illustrated talks on the history of this wonderful survivor, and the introduction of the 1909 Cinematograph Act, will be included.
ELECTRIC CINEMA, BIRMINGHAM
Monday 1st March
The third ‘Centenary’ visit will be to this remarkable cinema, which first opened its doors way back in December 1909 and has survived against all the odds. The current owner has fully researched this cinema´s amazing history and his presentation will be a highlight of this visit.
GREAT CINEMA ARCHITECTS: LESLIE KEMP AND FREDERICK TASKER
Friday 26th March
In the third talk in this series, Richard Norman, cinema researcher and expert on the history of music hall, and Ron Knee, a former manager for Odeon, will look at the cinemas designed by this well-known firm. Their presentation will be augmented by material from an interview Leslie Kemp gave shortly before he died.
"WEST IS BEST"
Saturday and Sunday 10th-11th April (and Monday 12th April)
A weekend trip to West Wales, during which it is hoped all the operating cinemas, and quite a few former cinema buildings, in west Carmarthenshire and Pembrokeshire will be visited. A visit to Aberystwyth will be available as an optional 'add on' for Monday 12th April.
SOUTH COAST SOJOURN
Saturday and Sunday 8th-9th May
This weekend in Eastbourne, based around our AGM, will include visits to theatres and cinemas in and around this lovely resort.
THE CREAM OF KRAKOW
Thursday to Tuesday 10th-15th June
Poland´s most popular tourist city is the destination for this six day break, which will include a comprehensive tour of its diverse cinemas and theatres. Also included are visits to Nowa Huta, a Soviet-era new town which once boasted three cinemas (they have survived, though only one is still showing films) and the former Royal Salt Mine at Wieliczka, which may count as the deepest auditorium ever visited by the CTA!
VISITS AND EVENTS IN THE LAST 12 MONTHS
GREAT CINEMA ARCHITECTS: REGINALD COOPER AND ALFRED THRAVES (February 2010)
In the second talk in this series, Elain Harwood, author of the new Buildings of England (Pevsner) volume on Nottinghamshire, spoke about two architects, with roots in that county, who designed imaginative, stream-lined Moderne style cinemas.
ELECTRIC CINEMA, PORTOBELLO ROAD, WEST LONDON (January 2010)
The first event to celebrate the centenary of the Cinematograph Act 1909 was held at this wonderful survivor, which has been superbly restored. In addition to a tour of the cinema and a demonstration of its projection capabilites, the event included illustrated talks on the introduction of the Act and the history of the Electric cinema.
CHRISTMAS SOCIAL (December 2009)
The world-renowned Cinema Museum in Kennington, south London, was the venue for our Christmas social evening. A look around the museum and a ‘bits and pieces’ film presentation was the ‘supporting programme’ to an illustrated talk by well-known film and television costume designer Hazel Pethig.
AND THE DREAM COMES TRUE: THE STOCKPORT PLAZA RE-BORN! (December 2009)
This weekend visit featured the reopening, after a £3m restoration, of the Plaza, Stockport, Cheshire. Originally opened on 7 October 1932, this has one of the best interiors of any super cinema in the North. Also included was a walking tour of Manchester city centre, including visits to the Cornerhouse cinema, Palace Theatre and the Royal Exchange.
"UP THE HIGH STREET" (December 2009)
This west London outing included visits to the Cineworld (ex-Regal/ABC) Hammersmith, Odeon Kensington, and the Gate and Coronet Notting Hill.
MORE GREAT CINEMA ARCHITECTS: WILLIAM RIDDELL GLEN (October 2009)
In the first lecture in this new series, cinema historian Allen Eyles spoke about William Glan, architect to Associated British Cinemas during the 1930s.
DAIRYLAND TO THE GREAT LAKES (September 2009)
This illustrated cinema and theatre journey to the USA started with the Theatre Historical Society of America's conclave in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and also took in neighbouring Minnesota and its twin cities of Minneapolis & St Paul and the states of Indiana and Michigan.
SCOTLAND: CLYDE COAST (July 2009)
The highlight of this extensive tour was a trip on Paddle Steamer Waverley down the Clyde coast to Campbeltown for a visit to the unique Picture House (1913). Other days were spent visiting current and former cinemas around Port Glasgow, Ayr and Kilmarnock, with a visit by ferry to Rothesay on the Isle of Bute.
STOCKHOLM AND HELSINKI (May 2009)
This tour provided an extensive introduction to current and former cinemas in the Swedish and Finnish capitals, with an overnight crossing on the Baltic ferry.
CINEMA MUSEUM (April 2009)
This year´s AGM was held in the Cinema Museum, housed in the Lambeth work house where Charlie Chaplin and his mother sought refuge many years ago. Members had the opportunity to browse the museum´s extensive range of cinema artefacts before and after the meeting.
OXFORD: CITY AND COUNTY (April 2009)
A weekend split between a walk round Oxford´s city centre cinemas and theatres on Saturday and a coach tour of cinema buildings in south Oxfordshire on Sunday.
BOGNOR REGIS/CHICHESTER/WORTHING (March 2009)
A weekend spent visiting current and former cinemas along the Sussex coast.