Happy New Year. I am so pleased to start a new year with a good story, about a renewal of a picture theatre.
The Piccadilly which closed in June 2022 has reopened. This showcase theatre within the Wallis Cinema group reopened to be public on the 15th of December 2022. Since June it has undergone a small facelift, which is not yet complete. Artlab is still working on the restoration of the F. Millward Grey mural (Then and Now: Piccadilly Cinema enters a new era, 2021).
On the 13th of December 2022, I attended a showing of Splice Here: A Projected Odyssey at the newly renovated theatre so was able to see the renovations first-hand. I was delighted to see the beautifully restored terrazzo entrance that had been covered up by previous renovations.
The old ticket box is not in use anymore, but it does remain. All tickets are now sold at the newly completed ticket/refreshments counter, which has been designed to complement the art deco design of the theatre itself.
Cinemas Two and Three are on the lower floors. The carpet that is so familiar to patrons of The Piccadilly remains. The furniture throughout has been kept to a minimum, but it is in keeping with the cinema. And look at those glorious windows taking in the afternoon sun.
The mezzanine area has been refurbished. I do wonder if the fireplace will ever be lit.
Images of Deanna Durbin feature prominently as the inaugural programming was the Durbin feature First Love (1940). The powder rooms have too been restored, I can't vouch for the men's, but the women's on the mezzanine has been brought back to the era. I didn't take photographs on the day. but there is a photo in this article if you are interested. https://indaily.com.au/inreview/2022/12/02/then-and-now-piccadilly-cinema-enters-a-new-era/
Then to the showcase of the cinema. The staircase that leads up to Cinema One. Look at all those stunning windows, both on the mezzanine floor and on the staircase itself.
Then into Cinema One itself. Being mindful of other attendees I couldn't really get a good photo, but there is a terrific photo here - https://indaily.com.au/inreview/2022/12/02/then-and-now-piccadilly-cinema-enters-a-new-era/ . In that article, they talk about further renovation plans for The Piccadilly which sound really exciting.
As you leave, or before you see a show don't forget to visit the stunning art deco-inspired bar.
If you would like to know a little more about the history of The Piccadilly, I did an earlier blog - https://sapicturetheatres.wixsite.com/sapicturetheatres/post/piccadilly-theatre-north-adelaide
References:
Images authors own - please do not reproduce without written approval from the author.
Keen, Suzie, 2022 'Then and now: Piccadilly Cinema enters a new era'. InDaily, retrieved 1 January 2023. https://indaily.com.au/inreview/2022/12/02/then-and-now-piccadilly-cinema-enters-a-new-era/
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