Lights, camera, action as famous cinema to return
New lease of life for beloved 112-year-old picture house
BIRMINGHAM’S historic Electric Cinema on Station Street is to reopen under new ownership in time for Christmas.
Originally launched on December 27, 1909 and famously promoted as ‘The UK’s oldest working cinema,’ its two screens have been silent since March 2020 because of Covid-19.
But the 112-year-old cinema is being saved by Kevin Markwick who runs the 104-year-old Picture House Cinema in Uckfield, East Sussex.
Keeping the Electric Cinema and its extraordinary history closed for almost 20 months saw owner Tom Lawes posting online that: “This uncertainty has also meant we have been unable to apply for the Cultural Recovery Fund or other financial support to assist us financially through the period of closure.”
Confirming he would no longer have any role at the cinema which would keep its name, Mr Lawes told the Post: “Kevin is definitely the best man for the job as unlike me cinema exhibition is his fulltime career.
“He plans to open in time for the cinema’s busy Christmas programme, with a mix of new releases, classic Christmas movies, special events, themed cocktails and treats. After what has been an incredible 17 years at the helm of
this beautiful, much-loved building, I am delighted that someone as wellrespected as Kevin is taking on stewardship of The Electric. It’s a bittersweet moment for me but time now to focus on my other career as a film director and screenwriter.”
Posting a note on his Twitter account, Mr Markwick said: “The start of a new adventure. Can’t pretend there isn’t much to do, but I’m excited and want to make The Electric the go to place in Birmingham for film lovers. Be gentle with this southern softie.”
In a statement sent to the Post, Mr Markwick said: “This is a once-in-alifetime opportunity to operate a cinema that is known around the world.
“I have visited The Electric many times and it has always been close to my heart, as it is to so many people across the city and UK.
“I am thrilled to now get the cinema
back open in time for Christmas. I want to thank Tom for everything he has done to preserve this iconic UK cinema, known around the world.
“I look forward to reopening this important cultural institution for the people of Birmingham and the UK.”
Mr Markwick’s father bought the Picture House in Uckfield, East Sussex back in 1964 and taught his son the ropes about every aspect of running an independent cinema something he has had to do for more than 25 years following his father’s death in 1994.
Like Tom Lawes with Monochrome (2016) and Amaryllis (2019), Kevin Markwick has also been behind the feature-length Neil’s Party (2005) and Lullaby (2007), a 15-minute story of a mother’s love for an unborn child starring Haydn Gwynne (Peak Practice).