Why you should give Kenilworth’s independent cinema a try
By James Smith
4th Jan 2024 | Local Features
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 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 new for 2024, is a trial of films aimed at a much younger audience at the Barrow Road venue.
"We are now trying a new initiative to appeal to younger children and families," Stuart added.
"On January 6 we are starting with an afternoon show of 'Winnie The Pooh.' and a surprise support movie.
"We want to make it a lovely afternoon for the kids and their parents, or even their grandparents.
"I am taking my grandchildren, and I love the idea that other grandparents in the town will do the same.
"It's a pilot and if it proves popular that we might aim to introduce more family movies throughout the year."
The first full showing of 2024 will be in the evening of January 6 with 'The 100 Year-Old Man Who Climbed Out of the Window and Disappeared.'
Described as a 'Scandi Forrest Gump' the Felix Herngren production tells the story of Allan Karlsson who finds himself stuck in a retirement home, until he escapes on his 100th birthday to pursue a very unpredictable adventure.
Based on a global best-selling book, this is a quirky comedy adventure not to be missed!
Stuart says it promises to be a "fabulous start to 2024" and encourages as many locals to come and give Talisman Cinema a try.
"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.
The Talisman Theatre sponsors Kenilworth Nub News' What's On section.
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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