VISITS AND EVENTS

The Cinema Theatre Association organises visits to cinemas and theatres, past and present, across the UK and overseas. Lectures and other events feature in our programme of activities too. These are usually for members only, so why not join?

Full details are provided in the bi-monthly Bulletin

FORTHCOMING VISITS AND EVENTS

A WEDNESDAY WALK IN THE WEST END

Wednesday, 17th July - an opportunity for CTA members to visit the Empire, Leicester Square and Cineworld, Haymarket.

THE YORKSHIRE COAST WEEKENDER

Saturday/Sunday, September 28th/29th. based in Scarborough and visiting a number of venues in that location as well as Bridlington and Malton. Details for members only in the May/June issue of the CTA Bulletin.

VISITS AND EVENTS IN THE LAST 12 MONTHS

THE MALTA STORY (April 2013)

Ian Meyrick, organiser of the 2011 CTA visit to Malta, presented an illustrated reminiscence. A group of about 40 members including some who took part in the visit enjoyed an interesting variety of images.

FROM WINDMILL TO CLASSIC VIA ASTORIA - An illustrated talk by Laurie Marsh (March 2013)

Laurie Marsh is an industry veteran with a long and distinguished career in cinema and theatre ownership as well as film making. He acquired the Classic circuit in 1971 and expanded it with much of the Essoldo group. He, in association with Brian Rix and Ray Cooney, acquired and ran several West End theatres. A former President of the Cinema Exhibitors Association, he supports British Cinema and Television Veterans and the Cinema Museum. The talk, in the form of an interview, was well illustrated with photographs from his personal collection and the CTA archive. More than 50 CTA members were joined, for a most enjoyable and interesting evening, by a similar number of guests from Laurie Marsh's family and friends including both Lord Rix and Ray Cooney.

THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE MUSIC HALL IN LONDON (February 2013)

An audience of more than 50 members and guests were entertained by an interesting and amusing talk by John Earl about some of the London buildings that housed and shaped Music Hall performances. The program covered the earliest days of pub rooms to the splendour of the theatres of Frank Matcham and his contemporaries.

MEMBERS' SLIDE & SOCIAL EVENT (January 2013)

This was another chance for members to show their favourite images or give a presentation on a subject of their choice.

For a full report on the evening, please click HERE.

A SCREENING OF "THE LAST PROJECTIONIST" AT THE HOME OF LUMIÈRE'S CINEMATOGRAPH (December 2012)

The hall in the main campus building of the University of Westminster in Regent Street was the location of the earliest presentations of cinema film in 1896. The film chosen is essentially a lament for the cinema projectionist whose job is disappearing with the advent of digital cinema.

A TALE OF TWO CITIES (November 2012)

A slide show presentation on the CTA's visit to Germany in late spring 2011.

A MIDWEEK ALPINE JAUNT! (November 2012)

The Odeon, Swiss Cottage, now 75 years old but which has recently been the subject of a major refurbishment, including the installation of an IMAX screen, and the nearby Hampstead Theatre were visited on this day out in north London.

STARLITE DRIVE-IN CINEMA (November 2012)

There was no need to bring your car: This recreation of a programme from 50s drive-in cinemas took place at the Cinema Museum! The main feature, Rock Around the Clock, was supported by period ads, cartoons and a whole reel of the cheesiest horror and sci-fi trailers. A slide show of current American drive-ins was also presented.

COMING TO A SCREEN NEAR YOU... (October 2012)

This lecture, by Dr. Justin Smith, Principal Lecturer in Film Studies at the University of Plymouth, drew upon his recent studies, including those commissioned by the UK Film Council in 2009-10 and the BFI in 2011, to present a survey of film exhibition in today's multi-platform environment.

TWO REGALS REVIVED...AND OTHER TREATS (August-September 2012)

This late summer weekend away was based around visits to the two recently revived Regal cinemas in Evesham and Tenbury Wells. Many other current and former cinemas, including the Northwick, Gaumont, Odeon, Vue and other venues in Worcester, the community run 'Feckenodeon', in Feckenham, the Number 8 community arts centre in Pershore and the Malvern Cinema and Theatre complex were included in the extensive itinerary.

THE MALTA STORY (May 2012)

During this week-long visit, the cinemas and theatres on the beautiful islands of Malta and Gozo were explored. There was also some time for sightseeing and relaxation!

MEET ME TONIGHT IN DREAMLAND (May 2012)

Jan Leandro, The Dreamland Trust's Audience Development Officer, presented a fully illustrated talk about this iconic Margate landmark amusement park and cinema, supported by a screening of Lindsay Anderson's 1953 'Free Cinema' documentary 'O Dreamland'.

1930s FILM NIGHT (April 2012)

Members were invited to step back into the 1930s as we recreated an evening of cinemagoing from that decade. Top of the bill was the 1934 musical Evergreen, starring Jessie Matthews and Sonnie Hale, with a full supporting programme from the period, including trailers, adverts and cartoons.