Odeon cinema

From Chester Wiki

Contents 1 History of the Odeon 2 Architecture 3 Current issues 4 External links

[edit] History of the Odeon

The Odeon, on the corner of Hunter Street and Northgate Street in Chester city centre, was designed by Harry Weedon and his assistant Robert Bullivant. It opened to an invited audience on 3 October 1936. Film star Douglas Fairbanks Junior attended the première, as did the Jack Payne Band.

Mr Weedon was responsible for designing the majority of the Odeon cinemas throughout the country- they all have a similar look about them. Many Odeons of the period, however, were faced with ceramic tiles, but a more fitting red brick was used here in Chester.

Before construction of the cinema commenced, an archaeological dig took place, conducted by Professor Robert Newstead. This unearthed some interesting Roman and medieval remains, which were put on show in the upper lounge and are still displayed there today.

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THE VERY LAST

The very last day of the Odeon Chester, the last film shown was Pirates of the Carribean three, the staff memebers left in cherge of locking up were musicians Rich Harrowsmith of London-based band Eight Men Down, Mark Rutter of Cheshire-based band The Suns who can regularly be seen at RB'S night club, and writer James McCann.

The staff refer to the Shropshire Arms as their local and meting place, and although it was technically a work place, it was also a family.

We all had a good God-damn time, includindg Ada Stansworth, who is on face book, who asked James McCann, (also on facebbok an mysapce) to add him here. But he's a damn good man and a fuck-off good mate so he'll get it.

As well as on www.freewebs.com/jjmccann

[edit] Architecture

The Odeon is built in the Art Deco style, a classic example of this style of architecture. It is a Grade II listed building.

[edit] Current issues

The future of the Odeon Cinema remains uncertain at time of writing (26 May 2007). There is currently a campaign to Save the Odeon. What is certain is that the Odeon will definitely close on 14 June 2007. After that date, its future as a cinema depends on what is negotiated by Chester City Council and the current owners of the building.

[edit] External links

History of the Odeon on the Chester Virtual Stroll