Known for its comfy chairs, vintage aesthetics, and the smell of mulled wine that wafts up the stairs from the kiosk as you enter, The Little Theatre Cinema in Bath is a firm favourite for watching new releases, much-loved classics, and live cultural screenings from top theatres from around the world
Built by community theatre pioneer Consuelo de Reyes and her husband in 1935, the Little Theatre Cinema has remained in the same family since, retaining some of the decorative features of a typical 1930s cinema while more recently undergoing a discreet conversion into a two-screen art-house cinema. It is also now part of the wonderful Picturehouse Cinemas group.
The Little Theatre opened on 10 May 1935 with Consuelo de Reyes choosing Vickie as the opening production. The Little Theatre originally had 210 seats in the stalls and circle levels. The proscenium was 16 feet wide and the stage 16 feet deep. There were six dressing rooms, and from 20 January 1936 it was equipped with a Western Electric (WE) sound system and became a news and interest cinema.
The cinema also boasted a tea and coffee lounge for the convenience of its patrons. It went on to playing feature films from 1939, the first two being Peg of Old Drury starring Anna Neagle, followed by Oh Mr Porter starring Will Hay.
The cinema thrived on local support throughout the years as other Bath cinema venues closed, and in 1979 the former scenery store and lounge area were converted into a second screen.
In spite of many refurbishments to keep the cinema up-to-date with digital sound and the latest projection technology, as well as a renewal of the seats to give the very best comfort levels, The Little Theatre has retained the charm and welcoming warmth of a 1930s cinema, including a luxury balcony with sofas in the main auditorium.
If you have ever seen the classic British comedy film The Smallest Show on Earth then you know what to expect here – its cosy, lovely and very old fashioned, except it is well maintained and has a great art-house film programme.
This cosy little gem can be found in a small square off the main streets in Bath city centre and has a classical facade of cream stone.
Upcoming highlights:
The spectacular opera ROH Live: La Boheme will be screened on 29 January before an encore screening on 3 February.
The wonderful Weathering With You will be screened on 30 January.
The Met Opera’s Porgy and Bess will be screened on 1 and 7 February.
Then there’s a special screening of the dazzling Parasite, followed by a satellite Q&A with director Bong Joon-ho on 3 February.
A screening of the part documentary, part concert film, The Doors: Break On Thru on 12 February.
Celebrate Valentine’s Day with the romantic classic, Casablanca on 16 February.
Enjoy the much anticipated National Theatre Live: Cyrano De Bergerac starring James McAvoy on 20 February, with an encore screening on 9 March.
Be surprised on 21 February with the Little Theatre’s monthly Surprise Film screening.
Witness the stunning Swan Lake live performance from the Bolshoi Ballet on 23 February.
Go online to see the full listings.
Little Theatre Cinema
St. Michael’s Place, Bath, BA1 1SF
T: 01225 330803
Visit: picturehouses.com/cinema/The_Little
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