DCM Close Up with Penny Bicknell of The Lymington Cinema

This week, DCM Close Up talks to Penny Bicknell, Manager of the Lymington Cinema, which has recently gone fully digital with support from a “Save Our Cinema” campaign and a £25,000 grant from the Town Council, which raised the £45,000 needed for a new digital projector.

How did you end up working in cinema and what do you love about it?

I am manager of the Community Centre in which the cinema is housed. I knew absolutely nothing about cinema before I started so it has been a very steep learning curve. The thing that I find the most rewarding is the fact that everyone in the industry knows everyone else. They are all so helpful. I feel that I can ask a stupid question and still get the advice and assistance that I need.

What’s unique about your cinema? 

We are staffed completely by volunteers (apart from me). The theatre is a Grade II listed building and we share the stage with the local amateur dramatic society.

Please tell us about any special events or screenings you run at your cinema.

We put on a special screening each half term for the local children from SCARF, a charity for disabled children. Our local pre-school also comes in to watch suitable films.

What excites you most about the future of the cinema industry?

The scope is so enormous. If you compare cinematography from the past, the changes are so gargantuan. We take it for granted.

The changes in technology mean that film will continue to evolve. Who knows what will come next - interactive units for the audience?

What is your favourite movie and why? 

It has to be Pretty Woman, because I’m such a romantic.

What do you think are the most iconic cinema ads and why?

I always loved the Citroen ad with the Transformer. The music made you sit up and watch.

Is there anything else that you would like to add about your cinema or yourself?

Our cinema is just as though you have stepped back in time. The seating is straight out of the 20s. We are fundraising to enable us to refurbish the theatre to make it more comfortable without losing any of the character of the place. We want to renovate the beautiful wood block flooring and raise some of the raked seating to improve the visibility. New curtains and paintwork will complete the project by Easter 2014.