The Best Seat In The House: A cinema showcase

The Odyssey Cinema, St. Albans

Located in the bustling town of St. Albans, just north of London, is the listed art deco The Odyssey Cinema. Even as a commuter town, what’s better than nestling into a luxury seat and letting the cinema be brought to you? Answer: nothing.

The cinema seats are vibrant and plush, giving the room an elegant retro-modern aesthetic that really fits with the classic look of a traditional theatre – there’s even a golden decorative proscenium around the stage and screen!

Tyneside Cinema, Newcastle

Moving onto a local treasure with Tyneside Cinema in Newcastle. With its art deco design – red velvet curtains and gold detailing – this cinema is a piece of local history. Newcastle is quite the hub of cinema, with chains and independents dotted around. Did you know Tyneside Cinema is the last remaining operational Newsreel cinema in the city?

‘It’s an iconic space that’s as much about the experience as it is about the film’. Well, we couldn’t put it much better ourselves!

Millgate Arts Centre, Saddleworth

Nestled in the top of the Pennines Mountain range in Yorkshire you’ll find Millgate Arts Centre. A community theatre that showcases not only filmed theatre but also music, comedy, cabaret and pantomime. Its rich history dates back almost 100 years.

The building was a co-op dating back to 1864, converted to a community creative space in the 1970s and has had a fresh, modern makeover in the past few years – including brand new tiered seating that varies in bold colours. With this auditorium style, you really get that theatre feeling.

Cameron Cinema, Loch Lomond

Painting the town red from the ‘bonnie banks’ of Loch Lomond sits the Cameron Cinema. Situated at the heart of Cameron House Resort, this 29-seater cinema is intimate and cosy. Its unique location situated out of town allows you to switch off and lean into the magic of film, all from the comfort of a red velvet armchair – nice!

The Living Room Cinema, Liphook

Hosting National Theatre Live in their stylish single screen venue is The Living Room Cinema located in the small Hampshire village Liphook. You can see world class theatre right on your doorstep, all from the comfort of a gorgeous blue velvet armchair.

Their show-stopping seats are hand-made by a family-run business based in Northern Ireland, with the mindset of bringing the comfort of your living room to the big screen experience. ‘Our audiences love the opportunity to see NT Live performances in our cinema, something we’re proud to bring to the community of Liphook.’

Montrose Playhouse, Montrose

Brought to life by local volunteers who successfully transformed an old council-run swimming pool into a vibrant hub of film and culture, the Montrose Playhouse knows how to curate the perfect cinema experience.

Their cinema seats are a special feature, having been selected by the community through engagement events way before their doors even opened. Not only spacious and comfortable, but their seats are also bold and fun, building the playful atmosphere that fits with the community feel.

The Regal Cinema, Fordingbridge

We’re loving the yellow. Originally opened in the 1930s but closed in 1965, The Regal Cinema in Fordingbridge has had many iterations – but not just as a cinema. Having been a pottery shop and factory for many decades, it wasn’t until 2017 that locals strived (and succeeded) in returning the cinema to its former glory and reopening it.

In keeping with the art deco style, their bright yellow seats feature a striking brushed brass cup holder with a scalloped design – a very popular design motif in the 30s- and perfect for a cocktail!

Old Market Hall, Shrewsbury

Look at that roof! Another cinema which has a rich history is the Old Market Hall in Shrewsbury. You can probably guess by the name but the cinema, originally built in 1596, was initially used as a trading centre for Welsh wool, cloth and corn, and later used as a Courthouse.

The Old Market Hall was renovated and restored in 2004 and welcoming more than 50,000 cinema goers every year! Its plush purple seats are eye catching and in keeping with the building’s history, perfect for a night out at flicks.

The Hippodrome, Bo’ness

And finally, opened in 1912, The Hippodrome in Bo’ness is Scotland’s oldest purpose-built cinema. After a period of closure from the 1970s, it was reopened by Falkirk Council in 2009 (the year NT Live was born) and restored to its pre-art deco glory.

The bold, red seats surround the screen in true theatre style, allowing for that special feeling of a trip to see your favourite shows.

A fun fact from the cinema themselves: ‘In 2019 we jointly celebrated the 10th anniversaries of the restored Hippodrome and NT Live with a special event. We also held a special event around the screening of Small Island with a post-screening Q&A with Andrew Rothney from the cast, who is from the area.’