Why you should give Kenilworth’s independent cinema a try
An interview with Stuart Chambers, Cinema co-ordinator and new volunteer at the Talisman Theatre
The Talisman Theatre's independent cinema offering is aiming to pull in even bigger audiences in 2024.
With regular screenings across the year, Talisman Cinema promises to be an "affordable" and "properly social" occasion.
Run by volunteers, over the past 18 months the cinema has been trying to broaden its offering, not just focusing on on recent blockbusters, but trying to offer a wider range of movies.
At a showing last autumn audiences were asked through a show of hands to say whether they wanted just blockbusters, or a bit of variety, and the majority said they wanted to have more of a range of cinema.
"We now have a big list with a bit of everything - some comedy, some drama, some that are quite challenging, and a few ground-breaking foreign films," Stuart told Nub News.
"The emphasis will be on great human stories, and outstanding movie quality, always achieving high ratings in reviews.
"Our audience is very game for trying something new, which is great."
For Stuart, who got involved at the Talisman after moving back to Warwickshire two years ago, running the cinema is part of a life-long love of films.
Having started out as a projectionist at a lunch-time club during his school years in Warwick, Stuart has helped run community cinemas elsewhere in the country, most recently in Devon.
But he said the Talisman is unlike most other community cinemas he has experienced.
"The Talisman has got fantastic equipment compared to most community cinemas," he explained.
"There are around 1,500 community cinemas in the UK, most are in church halls with fold-away seats and poor sound quality.
"But at the Talisman we have got a comfortable theatre auditorium, air con or heating, HD high res large screen, immersive surround sound system; everything is perfect. It's pretty much the same quality you would expect in a much bigger commercial cinema.
"The reception area is lovely too now having completed a major refurbishment to the new foyer which was completed in 2023, so it is like a proper cinema with a warm welcome upon arrival."
As part of the plan to increase audiences, the Talisman has already agreed an appetising deal with Ego Mediterranean on Warwick Road, offering meal and movie discounted early-bird tables for cinema-goers.
And coming up at the Barrow Road venue this weekend is Woman at War - an 'Icelandic comedy eco-drama'.
The story tells the story of Halla who, to her friends, leads a quiet life. But her upbeat persona hides a secret double life as an environmental activist.
'The Mountain Woman' wages war on the local aluminium industry to protect the highland landscape, but receives an unexpected letter which changes everything as she plans her boldest endeavour yet.
She is forced to choose between her committed activism and the chance to become a mother.
Stuart said it promises to be a night of comedy and moving cinema.
"What we want to do is create a really great memorable evenings with interesting film choices that people will remember for a long time," he said.
"We want it to be as sociable as possible. Our fully licensed bar is open on our cinema nights and patrons are welcome to take their drinks into the auditorium with them as they settle in to enjoy the film.
"We have introduced an intermission too, which helps with the social aspect - it is an opportunity to talk about what you have seen so far, talk to friends and maybe even make new ones.
"It is not just about the film, it is about going out, meeting people, enjoying a drink at the bar. It is a full evening experience for everyone involved."
Tickets at Talisman Cinema cost just £6 and are available online here.
And to find out more about the cinema, how to volunteer across different aspects of the theatre, and its upcoming films and main stage shows showings, head to the Talisman Theatre website here.
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Without community-minded partners like them we would not be able to produce dedicated, clickbait-free news to the people of Kenilworth.
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