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Forthcoming Visits & 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.
There are in-person events which are usually for members only, and also online events which can be enjoyed by anyone, although members pay less for their tickets - so why not join us to enjoy all the benefits of CTA membership?
Full details of events are provided in the quarterly Bulletin
CTA OFFERS A MIX OF ONLINE AND IN-PERSON EVENTS FOR ALL TO ENJOY
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THROUGH THE PORTHOLE – an illustrated talk by Barrie Gilbert
Alan Baxter’s Gallery, London, EC1M 6EJ
Fri 6th September 2024 6.30pm (doors open 6.00pm)
Organised by Richard Norman
Barrie’s fascinating and entertaining illustrated talk celebrates his varied career spanning six decades. Starting aged 16 as a trainee projectionist at the Granada Sutton, Barrie’s love of running cinema exhibition just grew and grew...and he has never looked back! He was also a projectionist aboard a P+O cruise liner – hence the fitting title of his talk – ‘Through The Porthole’.
Additionally, his lifelong interest in fairs and fairground organs led him to join a travelling fair for some years. But the lure of the projection box kept calling and, eventually, he returned to cinema exhibition.
Digital projection meant redundancy and the end for many traditional projectionists—but not Barrie. Undaunted, he put his experience to good use to breathe new life into cinema-going, establishing his independent travelling cinema circuit, ‘Curzon Country Cinema,’ to serve village halls in Surrey, Kent, and Sussex and naming it after his favourite and deeply-loved cinema in Sutton, the Curzon.
Tickets: £10 (plus booking fee), including a glass of wine or a soft drink and nibbles.
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SAVE THE STREATHAM HILL THEATRE – an illustrated talk by David Harvey & Elizabeth Burton
Alan Baxter’s Gallery, London, EC1M 6EJ
Fri 18th October 2024 6.30pm (doors open 6.00pm)
Talk organised by Richard Norman
Situated along the ‘golden mile’ of Streatham High Road’s sweep of entertainment venues that sprung up a century ago, the imposing Doulton-ware façade of Streatham Hill Theatre still makes a bold impression.
The last (and largest) commission of the major theatre architect W. G. R. Sprague, a student of Frank Matcham, the venue could accommodate a capacity audience of almost 3000 persons. Opening in 1929, it is a unique suburban example of the lavish large-scale designs built during the interwar period.
From its opening until its conversion to bingo in 1962, a host of top-line performers appeared there. Originally including cinema projection facilities, it is Streatham’s only ‘playhouse’ theatre, equipped with extensive (and now rare) stage facilities.
The theatre finally closed in 2017 which brought much concern: the freehold was eventually obtained by a Church organisation who are planning to occupy it soon but need planning change of use. It is on both the Theatres Trust’s and Historic England’s ‘Register of Theatres at Risk’ and is statutory listed Grade II.
Such is the local feeling about retaining the theatre that a campaigning ‘Friends’ group was formed, uniting local supporters and theatrical experts in working towards a return to arts use.
This illustrated talk will unfold the theatre's history, discussing the architect’s design, its stage productions, subsequent uses, the current plight of the theatre, and the ‘Friends’ ambition to save it for the local community.
Our Presenters are involved in 'The Friends of Streatham Hill Theatre', steering a campaign to save the theatre and investigate and recommend new uses. David Harvey is Chairman and Elizabeth Burton is former Trustee/Treasurer and a local historian.