Cinema offers are continually evolving. After several decades of decline to an all time low in the 1980s, cinema admissions have risen and stabilised in recent times. Industry statistics clearly illustrate that the modern multiplex offer is youth orientated, with older audiences largely disengaged. This is because older audiences place more importance on social occasion, architectural environment and comfort. Modern multiplexes are designed to get you in and out in quick rotation and score lowly on the above points. Ten years ago, a 1938 cinema reopened after 16 years of dereliction and turned the industry on its head. Instead of cramming everybody into tight rows of small seats, the stalls were levelled and comfortable swivel chairs were arranged four to each table like a cabaret layout. In the circle, every other row of chairs was removed and extra wide chairs inserted. The capacity dropped from 1100 to 350. A bar was inserted into the rear of the auditorium and fine food platters were made available to be brought to your table to enjoy with your wine or a pint whilst watching the film. After all the planning and hard work, the owner worried that nobody would turn up. He neednt have! Ten years on, it is still difficult to get a ticket at the Rex in Berkhamstead. With only one screening each evening, you can take your seat, chat, eat and drink in a fantastic art deco cinema environment. After the film ends you are not ushered to the door but can stay and chat about the film over (yet another) glass of wine. The cinema programming blends independent/art house films with classics and popular modern films. Unless you sign up to their advance booking membership you have next to zero chance of getting in at peak periods. For example, on last boxing day they showed the classic 1952 movie Singing In The Rain. Tickets generally go on sale each month in advance. They were sold out within minutes! The concept has created a new sub industry- cinema tourism. People travel from far and wide to visit the Rex for the experience. We think that Llanelly Odeon can be even more luxurious and (dare we say it) successful. Due to spatial luxury it will only have 200 seats in the main auditorium for cinema and 66 in screen 2. But with its other uses like regular fitness concerts and live music we are confident that the building can have a very bright future. Here is a video of behind the scenes at The Rex https://youtube/watch?v=svKb6ROhEUc
Posted on: Wed, 01 Oct 2014 16:25:57 +0000
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