Latest news with #ElectricPalace
BBC News
09-04-2025
- Entertainment
- BBC News
Cannock cinema bans children from Minecraft movie evening shows
A cinema has banned under-18s from attending evening showings of A Minecraft Movie without an adult, following reports of rowdy Electric Palace Picture House in Cannock, Staffordshire, said children would not be allowed to watch the film unaccompanied after 18:30 film, based on the popular video game, has sparked social media trends of cheering, shouting out iconic lines, throwing popcorn, and fighting with Minecraft swords during cinema apologised, saying: "This decision has not been made lightly." "We are aware of a viral trend on TikTok encouraging people to clap/cheer, shout phrases and throw food during the film," added the cinema in a Facebook post."We appreciate you are excited and have long awaited this film, but for everyone's comfort and enjoyment we kindly request that you do not take part in this trend."The cinema said it had taken the decision due to "disturbances" over the warned anyone caught recording or disrupting showings would be "ejected from the screen without refund". The UK Cinema Association said the response from fans to the film's release last week had been "exceptional", with audience interaction driven by "the desire of young people to share their experiences on social media".Chief executive Phil Clapp said most of the behaviour had been good-natured, but asked fans to be "mindful of the enjoyment of other cinema-goers".The Electric Palace is not the first cinema to issue a warning. Earlier this week, a venue in Oxfordshire told people anyone engaging in "anti-social behaviour" would be kicked out without a film - starring Jason Momoa and Jack Black - tells the story of a group of people pulled into Minecraft's famous cubic underwhelming reviews, it took an estimated $300m (£233m) at the box office during its opening weekend. Follow BBC Stoke & Staffordshire on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.
BBC News
26-03-2025
- Entertainment
- BBC News
Harwich's Electric Palace cinema has new screen installed
A Victorian cinema has taken delivery of a new screen as it moves into the next generation of entertaining on the north-east Essex coastline in Harwich, the 114-year-old Electric Palace is believed to be one of Britain's oldest purpose-built Linge, a trustee, said the Grade II* listed venue's previous screen was "deteriorating" and impacting the visitor new 100kg (15st 7lb) screen was paid for by a £11,115 grant allocated via Tendring District Council. Built across 18 weeks on a £1,500 budget, the Electric Palace opened its doors in November 1911 with a screening of silent drama The Battle of went on to survive two world wars, the threat of demolition and damage suffered from floods - as well as the chairman Deb Perkins revealed finances were tight after a "difficult" 2024 and appealed for support in funding restoration work. The arrival of the new screen was welcome news for those working at the attraction, with its previous screen having been in place for about 15 Linge said: "Our old screen had served our audiences well, but its condition was deteriorating and impacting the cinema-going experience."It was susceptible to becoming creased when raised for stage performances." 'Prized treasure' Several workers were needed to carry the new screen into the cinema due to its was fitted with pre-tensioners, removing the need to spend time on removing creases."As a result it is now quicker and easier for the screen to be raised, so that the stage can be used for live performances such as music and comedy and for community events," Mr Linge added. Harwich Electric Palace Trust also funded a building survey and structural works during the Henderson, deputy leader of Tendring District Council, said the cinema was one of the region's "most prized treasures".The Labour councillor hoped it would continue to attract more visitors to Harwich. Follow Essex news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
BBC News
14-02-2025
- Entertainment
- BBC News
Harwich's Electric Palace cinema visited by Sir Stephen Frears
An award-winning film director has visited one of the UK's oldest cinemas as part of the venue's ongoing fundraising Stephen Frears attended a screening of his film Dangerous Liaisons at the Electric Palace cinema in Harwich on Thursday, followed by a question and answer session with the said the independent Essex venue, which opened in 1911, was "absolutely stunning" and urged local film lovers to support cinema is trying to raise £50,000 for a new projector, and a further £25,000 for other improvements to the Grade II* listed building. "I can see that staying at home and seeing films on the telly is less effort, but I only see films in cinemas," said Sir Stephen, whose CV includes the films The Queen and Philomena."I love going to the cinema and I'm completely committed to it."Particularly nowadays with everything being so corporate… [the Electric Palace] is really important. This is so modest and heroic." Cinema chairman Deb Perkins said she was delighted to welcome Sir Stephen to the said its single screen would be replaced in March thanks to sponsorship from the Harwich Haven Perkins hopes further fundraising will future-proof the cinema so it can be enjoyed by the next generation of film lovers. The history Travelling showman Charles Thurston first opened the Electric Palace in 45 years later, Mr Thurston, who also owned three cinemas in nearby Dovercourt which have since closed, decided to shut up shop in Harwich. The building had been owned by the town council, which according to former chairman David Looser, wanted to demolish the building in the 1970s to make way for a car keen to save the historical cinema, retired architect Andrew Carden and GP Chris Strachan leased the building for three years and eventually bought the freehold after restoring it to its former Electric Palace reopened under the pair's leadership in 1981. In 2018, the cinema closed temporarily for repairs to its ceiling at a cost of £ having survived two world wars and a global pandemic, it is owned by the Harwich Electric Palace Trust and is run mostly by Looser, now the cinema's technical manager, first got involved in the venue in 1975."I was single at the time, had time on my hands, and it looked like a fun thing to get involved in," he said."I love the place and it's such a big part of my life." Follow Essex news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
BBC News
30-01-2025
- Entertainment
- BBC News
Harwich's Electric Palace cinema raising money to rescue future
A historical cinema has turned to the public to ensure it can continue screening films for future Electric Palace, which opened in 1911, is tucked away in the coastal town of Harwich and is believed to be one of the oldest purpose-built cinemas in the independent Essex venue has suffered from structural defects over the chairman Deb Perkins said her team wanted to raise £70,000 following a "difficult" 2024. "Cinemas generally are really struggling because of things like Covid and the writers' strike and there's been a lack of big films coming out," said Ms Perkins. The cinema - which is on the Historic England Heritage at Risk Register - has survived two world wars, the threat of demolition and the is owned by the The Harwich Electric Palace Trust and is run mostly by Perkins says the team wants to raise money for restoration work - such as for improving its technology and toilets - to help keep cinema ticket prices low and so it can continue running community previously hosted a Refugee Week in memory of the thousands of Jewish Kindertransport children who arrived at the port of Harwich in Perkins said its schedule was disrupted for about three to four weeks last year when its projector broke. 'Special place' She was optimistic about the films coming out in 2025 and said Wicked and the latest Paddington movies were a hit with audiences."By visiting the electric palace you are taking part in a little bit of cinema history," she told the BBC."It really is a special place and you are supporting the community."Staff have already been putting together events, such as quizzes and raffles, and they raised £23,000 last summer. Follow Essex news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
