- 1st August 2018
Hyde Park Picture House in Leeds is full of history, from the grade II listed building to the interesting films they've shown throughout their years in operation. We catch up with Ollie, the marketing man, to find out more.
Tell us a bit about the history of Hyde Park Picture House and the Picture House Project.
The Hyde Park Picture House first opened its doors in 1914, making it one of the oldest cinema’s in the country. The cinema began life screening patriotic dramas and newsreels - updating communities in Leeds with events from the First World War. Since then the cinema’s programme has changed quite a bit, and we now screen mostly new release independent and foreign language films, alongside the occasional cult/classic screening and events like director Q&As.
Our building though hasn’t fundamentally changed - and while there have been many small additions and alterations over the past century, the main spaces like our foyer and auditorium have remained largely the same. This is both amazing in terms of the feeling of the cinema, and its incredible heritage features - like our gas-lights and balcony - but it also presents a huge challenge in terms of making the cinema work in the 21st century. That’s why for the past few years we’ve been working on The Picture House Project, an ambitious regeneration project that will both preserve our historic building, whilst making it more sustainable, accessible and secure for the future. The project has been supported by the Heritage Lottery Fund, who two years ago pledged £2.4million. Since then we’ve been working with architects and engineers to draw up some exciting plans, and have gone on to receive significant match-funding support from Leeds City Council, Garfield Weston, the BFI and others. Following recent planning approval, building work is due to begin in summer 2019, and we hope to re-open our doors 12 months later, with a cinema that looks better than ever, with new facilities including accessible toilets, a larger foyer/cafe area and a 2nd screen in the basement.
You can find out more about the project by visiting: thepicturehouseproject.com.
What’s your favourite feature of the Cinema?
It’s so hard to choice a favourite! I really loved the stained/painted glass window in the foyer. Early each day, it casts an amazing rainbow of colour across the staircase. I also love our somewhat iconic outside lamp, which is as much a part of the cinema as the inside, and is also Grade II listed. The detailing on it is really wonderful. The projection room as well is quite a magical place, especially when we have a 35mm showing and the room is filled with wiring and flickering - always reminds me of Cinema Paradiso.
Are there any challenges of operating in such an old building?
Quite a number! And visitors to the cinema will be familiar with most of them. In the summer it can get really warm and in the winter it can be really cold. The tiny foyer can be quite interesting when we have a sell-out film, and our poor little kiosk struggles somewhat! The lack of inside space often means early arrivals have to queue outside, which isn’t ideal in the rain. And from a staff perspective, we have very little office space here, which makes my ‘office’ feel more like a broom cupboard. Oh and we don’t have many toilets. Despite all these things, audiences are still so supportive and understand they are inevitable with such an old building. The good news is though, all of those issues, from the lack fo temperature control, to the space issues and lack of toilets, will be resolved with our upcoming redevelopment - so no more queuing outside, hurray!
What does HPPH do differently from the big multiplex cinemas?
We differ quite a number of ways. Aside from our unique building being very different to the somewhat generic multiplex spaces people have become accustomed to, our programme and general ethos makes us quite a bit different too. As an independent cinema, we are very much part of our local community here in Leeds and often collaborate with other independent organisations, charities and universities in the city, on screenings and live events . We also tend not to show as many big blockbusters, not because we’re anti-Hollywood, but because they usually get plenty of screenings already in the city. Our focus is more on excellent independent films, often from outside America and the UK, that probably wouldn’t get seen in Leeds if we didn’t show them.
How do you choose the films to show in your cinema?
Unlike chain cinemas, we look after our own film programme, which is overseen by the cinema’s general manager Wendy Cook. She works with a film programmer at Picturehouse Cinemas (who we’re not actually part of) but who help us to book films and act as middle-man between us and the distributor. With no many films being release every year, and just the one screen here, we’re rarely able to show everything we’d like to, so it’s often a case of prioritising films based on how well they’ve been received at film festivals, or the pedigree of the director. We get to watch quite a few films in advance of their release, often thanks to Screening Days held throughout the year by the Independent Cinema Office. But through our link with Picturehouse Cinemas, the programmers there have usually seen everything in advance and are able to give us honest opinions on what’s good and what isn’t so good. And we have many other partnerships too which often inform which films we show, from our Philosophy & Film strand with the University, to the artists moving image works we often screen with local arts organisation Pavilion.
Any recommendations of where to eat and drink close by before going to watch a movie?
There’s loads of great places to eat in nearby Headingley - especially if you like Thai food! Drink wise, the nearby Brudenell Social Club is brilliant, and has been around even longer than we have. The Cardigan Arms too isn’t too far away, just along Kirkstall Road, and since being taken on by Kirkstall Brewery it’s really gone from strength to strength and is definitely worth visiting for a post film de-brief. And hopefully, after our upcoming redevelopment works, we’ll also be a great spot to enjoy a drink after a film too!
What’s your top 5 favourite movies?
This is a horrible and incredibly unfair question. My top 5 films probably change on a weekly basis. My all time favourite though will never change, and that is Mary Poppins. Why that film? Well it has incredible songs, amazing underlying themes which explore capitalism, feminism and the impermanence of childhood, and a terrible cockney accent. What more could you want!?
Thank you Ollie and Good luck with the redevelopment!
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