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| Author | Zoe Aresti |
A third screen is set to be built at the Picturedrome Cinema in Bognor Regis after town councillors gave the go-ahead for another auditorium last week.
L. Pevensey, Chairman of the council’s policy and resources committee, said adding a further screen to the Picturedrome’s existing two was a natural development of the decision about five years ago to buy the landmark building when its main screen was at risk of being turned into flats.
“Extending the Picturedrome is absolutely the right thing to do,” he said. “We are still achieving all the regeneration promises and ideas we said we would do. We are adding value to the cinema and we are now making it fit for purpose – no matter what comes in the future.”
This article originally appeared on Bognor.co.uk.
We also spoke with Adam Cunard, Managing Director of Picturedrome Electric Theatre Co Ltd to get a bit of background on his time in the industry.
How & when did you start working in cinema and what do you love about it?
I started working in the Cinema industry when I was 21 - that was seven, almost eight years ago now. I was manager of the local theatre when I was told that the Picturedrome Cinema was up for grabs and I jumped at the chance.
I love working in such a fantastic old building and following in years of the tradition of entertaining people here. The cinema is massively loved by local people and this is shown by how busy it is and the support received when the future of the cinema was threatened.
What’s unique about your cinema?
The Picturedrome is very unique as it is so very old. The cinema was built at the town assembly rooms in 1885, and started to screen films in 1905. It was known back then as “The Queens Hall”.
In 1918 it became a full time cinema and renamed “The Picturedrome”. In order do this the inside of the screen was turned round! You now sit where the old stage was! The Picturedrome has survived against the odds - in the 1920s a number of Super Cinemas were built in the town but the Picturedrome survived and remained the only cinema in the town! There are very few examples of full time cinemas left of this age and, as you can see from photos, the Cinema was very ornately decorated - something you just don’t get any more!
When the cinema first opened, in the glass tower, there used to be a revolving light. Before a performance, a boy on a bicycle would peddle to make the light spin in order to tell people that the show was about to start.
Please tell us about any special events or screenings you run at your cinema
We mainly run all first run films at the cinema. However, the cinema has been host to a number of different events over the year including Public meetings, etc.
We work with the local Twinning Society to host a foreign film once a month and also work with local charities and the community to screen charity shows. For the last James Bond film we hosted a charity premiere and raised over £10k for a local children’s Charity.
We also screen live satellite events from the National Theatre and Royal Opera House amongst others.
What film are you most looking forward to in 2015?
There are so many good films it’s hard to choose but I’m a big kid at heart so think it has to be the Minion’s movies.
What excites you most about the future of the cinema industry?
I think it’s all the new opportunity’s technology is giving us in order to enhance the expanded. We are now able to do things and create screens in places, that just a few years ago, would not have been possible.
I also think that people are falling back in love with the Cinema. Its lovey to see children as keen as adults and that the cinema is something that is still a part of most people’s lives, even though, it’s over a hundred years ago since it was first created!
What is your favourite film of all-time?
Again, what a hard question as there are so many! I think it has to be Mrs Doubtfire.
What do you foresee as being your biggest challenge in 2015?
I am hoping that the biggest challenge will be trying to seat everyone as all the great films this year we will be sold out! But honestly for us being by the sea side is a challenge during the warmer months as when it’s sunny everyone heads down to the beach!
The planning and building of the new screen will also present some big challenges.
What do you think are the most iconic cinema ads and why?
Personally, I don’t remember it as I’m too young, but people stillnow always talk of the old “Kia-ora” adverts or “Lionsmaid ice cream” that were always shown - if they are still talked about after 40 years they must have done something right!
What three things do you most enjoy doing in your free time?
1) Travel - I love going away so much and experiencing different places and cultures
2) Fine Dining – there is nothing like going out for a lovey meal. I really love my food!
3) Sitting at home by the Fire with my cat after a long day at work! (or in the Hot Tub with a glass of bubbly in my back Garden!)