A local and unique cinema experience (Clapham Picture House)

Member Name: andyLDN

Product:	Clapham Picture House
Date:	05/02/09 (118 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Traditional, Local, Friendly, Like the bar and cafe area

Disadvantages: Quite expensive compared to the multiplexes

In this country we have seen the almost 'McDonaldisation' of cinemas over the past couple of decades with many of the multiplex chains offering a uniform environment which ever city or town you happen to be in.

Although 'Clapham Picturehouse' is part of the City Screen Group, each cinema opperates almost independantly from the other 17 picturehouses across the country.

City Screen Group was formed in 1989 and has aquired existing cinemas and has built new ones, the first being Clapham Picturehouse in 1992. Their strategy has been to build cafes and bars within the Picturehouses to enhance the cinema going experience. There are not many cinemas in the country where you can have a drink in the foyer first and then bring a pint of lager of glass of wine into the cinema with you. Of course, popcorn, sweets and drinks are also available.

There are five screens in total in varying sizes and all seem to employ state of the art technology with films shown in digital quality and surround sound.

Picturehouse Cinemas are often found in university cities, such as Bath, York and Oxford where there is a higher demand for niche arthouse and foreign language films. Although, branches will also usually show the main blockbusters, such as Mamma Mia! which I saw at Clapham Picturehouse last year.

They also offer children's screenings, as well as Autism Friendly screenings where the lights are left on low, and the film volume is reduced and customers can make noise and move around if they wish.

Picturehouse also has special live screenings of the Royal Opera and other cultural events from around the globe throughout the year.

On Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights, Adult tickets are £10.50, Members £8.50 and children £5

Tuesday - Thursday evenings are Adults £8.50, Members £6.50, Children and Teenagers (up to 17) £5

Mondays are cheaper, with tickets at £4.50 for all performances, and this is the price for matinees throughout the week.

There are many more prices for childrens shows and one-off events so check out the website.

The Picturehouse also operates a fantastic website where you can book online, and collect your tickets using your debit card from a machine outside the cinema. (a fee applies for non members)

Memberships are also available, which I opted for. For £32 you get 3 free tickets (which would cost £31.50 alone at the weekend) then you get £2 off all performances and free booking online. You also get a discount in the bar and at local businesses.

In January I saw The Reader, Slumdog Millionaire, Frost / Nixon and Milk and hope to see Revolutionary Road next week. I am loving Clapham Picturehouse at the moment, check out the website www.picturehouses.co.uk to see if there is one near you!

I liek Clapham Picturehouse (as well as The Little Theatre Cinema in Bath, and Cinema City in Norwich which are also owned by City Screen) because they have a unique homely feel and a friendly atmosphere that you don't get at the multiplexes. The only bad thing about it is the price which is dearer, but this is understandable due to the smaller scale of the opperation. However, I am willing to pay a little more to support my local cinema and keep it open.

Summary: Get a nice warm feeling inside, at your local picturehouse cinema.