Harringay, Haringey - So Good they Spelt it Twice!
A Solution for The Curzon Cinema Building?
If we can ever release the historic Premier Electric / Curzon from the grip of the current religious group who refuse to talk to their neighbours, here's a way we could use the space.
Launched in Portland, Oregon, USA last month, Living Room Theaters intends to create a more intimate and multi-purpose approach to cinema-going.
It's based on the "being-space" concept. You know, that US originated trend of live-in bookshops and cafes of commercial living-room-like settings in the public space, where catering and entertainment aren't just the main attraction, but are there to facilitate out-of-home, out-of-office activities like watching a film, reading a book, meeting friends and colleagues, and so on. Just like William Hill and Metrobet, eh!
The new Portland gaff is a small complex with six screening rooms, each seating 38 to 64 audience members in home-theater style recliners and loveseats or at low-lit tables with plush chairs. Customers can sit down and relax in the screening/living room half an hour before the movie starts, ordering drinks from a full bar and finger food from a tapas-style menu.
Unlike ordinary cinemas, Living Room also serves breakfast, lunch and dinner in a casual restaurant and bar with capacity for 50 people. On sunny days, a roll-up garage door opens the restaurant for sidewalk cafe seating. Completing the being space concept, free wifi is available throughout the lounge and cafe. All of which will help bring in the grown-up customers Living Room Theaters is targeting; not just when they want to see the latest indie flick, but also for meeting up and hanging out in a comfortable, well-designed space.
Of course, let's not forget the actual movies. Living Room Theaters is all-digital, and offers a proprietary digitising technology that lets newcomers distribute their films without the high costs of making and shipping celluloid prints. Digital screening also enables the theater to premiere films that haven't yet been distributed (on celluloid) in the rest of the country. Programming will focus on independent releases and foreign films.
The company's owners both went to film school and started the business mainly to offer audiences a new movie-going experience. They aim to open 10-15 small cinema complexes across the United States.
Slim it down, squeeze it in to the Frobisher Road premises and Bob’s your uncle.
Website: www.livingroomtheaters.com
Launched in Portland, Oregon, USA last month, Living Room Theaters intends to create a more intimate and multi-purpose approach to cinema-going.
It's based on the "being-space" concept. You know, that US originated trend of live-in bookshops and cafes of commercial living-room-like settings in the public space, where catering and entertainment aren't just the main attraction, but are there to facilitate out-of-home, out-of-office activities like watching a film, reading a book, meeting friends and colleagues, and so on. Just like William Hill and Metrobet, eh!
The new Portland gaff is a small complex with six screening rooms, each seating 38 to 64 audience members in home-theater style recliners and loveseats or at low-lit tables with plush chairs. Customers can sit down and relax in the screening/living room half an hour before the movie starts, ordering drinks from a full bar and finger food from a tapas-style menu.
Unlike ordinary cinemas, Living Room also serves breakfast, lunch and dinner in a casual restaurant and bar with capacity for 50 people. On sunny days, a roll-up garage door opens the restaurant for sidewalk cafe seating. Completing the being space concept, free wifi is available throughout the lounge and cafe. All of which will help bring in the grown-up customers Living Room Theaters is targeting; not just when they want to see the latest indie flick, but also for meeting up and hanging out in a comfortable, well-designed space.
Of course, let's not forget the actual movies. Living Room Theaters is all-digital, and offers a proprietary digitising technology that lets newcomers distribute their films without the high costs of making and shipping celluloid prints. Digital screening also enables the theater to premiere films that haven't yet been distributed (on celluloid) in the rest of the country. Programming will focus on independent releases and foreign films.
The company's owners both went to film school and started the business mainly to offer audiences a new movie-going experience. They aim to open 10-15 small cinema complexes across the United States.
Slim it down, squeeze it in to the Frobisher Road premises and Bob’s your uncle.
Website: www.livingroomtheaters.com
Tags for Forum Posts: cinema, curzon, frobisher, local ideas, third space
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by matt on
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Never been up there. Is it a big space and has it got any character? Does it have a kitchen? Would it work away from street level regards foot traffic dropping in? Answers on the back of a postcard!
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Permalink Reply by Hugh on
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It used to be a dance hall - part of the Coliseum, but with its own entrance. I was called the Salon de The. I'm pretty sure it's in use, but if you've got the money the lease is up for grabs.
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Permalink Reply by Nicholas on
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This group monitors and documents the location, history and use of purpose built cinemas:
http://www.cinema-theatre.org.uk/home.htm
I have not looked for the building you mention, but they are a gold mine of info.
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Future use:
this is a good example of multi use cinema space:
http://www.richmix.org.uk/
Past use:
This site used to be newsletter only, but now they have a website that might be useful for your particular site:
http://www.cinema-theatre.org.uk/home.htm
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Permalink Reply by Liz on
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But what appeals about this site is the Common in front that is also a community space for doing 'stuff' , and if you did put a few chairs and tables outside it , it is quite a pleasant view. If by some miracle, the pub did become a more 'upmarket affair' then you have the makings of a pleasant 'space' for the people of Harringay. I've been to places like this in Seattle that operate from early in the morning to late at night and they are fab!
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Permalink Reply by Adam on
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Ducketts Common should be more like London Fields!
I didn't realise that the Queens Head closed about a month ago - did this get a mention on this site? Latest news is that it might be turned into a hotel
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Permalink Reply by John McMullan on
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I would so love this but I suspect that getting the building off of the god bothering 4WD owners that use it at the moment will be 50% of the work and turning it into the welcoming venue Hugh describes would be the rest. Do we really fancy a HOL v.s GOD fight?
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Permalink Reply by StephenBln on
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Without wanting to spoil your fun.. it does all sound a bit "Enid Blyton"ish..
sort of "Five (Matt, Hugh, Liz, Alistair & John) go on an adventure.. :o)
Seriously though, as a bit of an outsider, I detect you're all keen to "improve" your area.. but there are thousands of other Harringay inhab's still to convince..
I think you have to seriously think about taking your cause and ideas out to the public, before you start a "Curzon crusade"..
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Long as I can be George (and not that wet female Anne) I'm always happy to play 'famous Five'
Just want some places to have fun back...
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anyone in mind for anne????????.... :o)
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