HISTORIC BEATLES CINEMA PRESERVATION BID

A campaign is underway to secure the future of a storied Art Deco movie theater in Plymouth, a building that miraculously survived the devastation of World War Two air raids.

The Reel cinema, originally christened The Royal, and located on Derry’s Cross, has stood dormant since it ceased operations in 2019. Its stage, however, is legendary: during the 1960s, while operating under the ABC chain, it hosted music royalty including The Beatles (who played there twice), The Rolling Stones, and The Walker Brothers. Later, comedy giants Morecambe and Wise gave the final stage performance there in 1976.

The Plymouth Royal Cinema Community Benefit Society has launched a major fundraising effort, seeking to amass £1 million to bid for the venue’s lease. Their goal is to transform the 1938 building into a vibrant cultural hub.

“If any building possesses a soul, it’s this one,” asserts Karl Parsons, chair of the society, listing the stream of icons who performed there, such as Billy Fury and Cliff Richard and The Shadows.

The society intends to “reinvigorate the structure as a visual media center, a community meeting place, a grassroots music venue, and an irresistible destination,” according to Parsons. He envisions a “boutique arts cinema” setup with three screens, designed to complement, not compete with, larger multiplexes.

Plymouth local historian Chris Robinson champions the cinema, calling it “one of the most critically important cinemas remaining in the UK.” The venue was designed by William Riddle Glen, a renowned architect who created around 70 picture houses for the ABC group. Robinson notes that almost all of Glen’s other designs have been shuttered, making the Royal’s preservation an exceptionally rare opportunity to keep a historic cinema functioning as such.

The campaign to “Save the Royal” is fueled by deep public affection. Campaigner Ian Carroll recalled the enormous crowds of 1978, when he “queued right around the block” just to try and see the hit film Grease.

Parsons stressed the urgency of the situation, stating the group has only a few months to generate the necessary capital for the lease acquisition.

Fellow campaigner Caroline Blackler emphasizes the theater’s profound history: “Thousands of individuals have passed through these doors since 1938. They’ve witnessed films, comedy acts, and bands. This building holds countless memories that we are fighting to protect.”

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