ALDEBURGH CINEMA
Aldeburgh Cinema has been screening films continuously since 1919 when the auditori- um was built onto the back of a 19th century High Street store. Never a ‘posh picture pal- ace’ the cinema has a glorious atmosphere - it breathes history. The auditorium retains a number of original features, including a num- ber of beautiful art deco lights.
For many years the cinema was privately run until in the mid-1960s there was the threat of closure. A group of local people, including composer Benjamin Britten and his partner Peter Pears, banded together to purchase the cinema and run it on behalf of the local community. Since then the cinema has ef- fectively been a community enterprise with no economic interests at the core but for the great benefit of residents and visitors.
Since early 2013 the nature of Aldeburgh Cinema as a community enterprise is legally reflected by its status as a Registered Char- ity.
The cinema building also houses an airy Gal- lery and Arts exhibition space flooded by natu- ral light.
Over the years National Lottery grants have en- abled significant refur- bishment and upgrade work to the foyer and auditorium seating. As founder member of the UK Film Council’s Digital Screen Network the cinema introduced digital projection many years ago, but still has
20
a pair of beautiful 1940s 35mm projec- tors enabling the screening of
important
non-digital archive material. The cinema is equipped with Dolby Digital Stereo, and boasts a conference PA system, a large thea- tre stage and a Bechstein baby grand piano.
The cinema’s film and special events pro- gramme consists of the very best of world cinema and aims to be inspirational and fun. Special events at the cinema include live the- atre, opera, art exhibitions and ballet trans- missions from the National Theatre, New York’s Metropolitan Opera, the Royal Opera House, the National Gallery, the British Mu- seum and Moscow’s Bolshoi Ballet.
The cinema also plays host to the town’s Visitor Information Centre.
This is a self-help service area in the foyer of the cinema which includes an interactive terminal for the public to use to access key tourist information websites, with cinema staff and volunteers on hand to provide as- sistance to the public.
The cinema box office and foyer are open from 10am-5/6pm (depending on the time of year).
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40
