xr100
Addicted to Fun and Learning
I have the Tampa Theater now, built in 1926.
It's a bit strange, some surreal mediterranean cityscape surrounds the stage and decorates the sidewalls. Has a domed ceiling.
I think you'll find it's called an "atmospheric" design (faux sky ceiling!)
Here in London, the last full-on "old school" cinema, with large balcony (circle) and stalls that still predominantly operates as a cinema--i.e. hasn't been repurposed, had its main auditorium subdivided, or even demolished--is the Odeon Leicester Square.*
It is a huge problem to get these old "theatre-style" auditoria up to the expectations of today's patrons--for one, the acoustics are bad to the point of flutter/slap echoes yielding very poor dialogue intelligibility.
Just over a year ago the Odeon Leicester Square re-opened following a refurbishment said to cost between £10-15m, with the main auditorium** completely overhauled and upgraded with a Dolby Cinema system. For this, the stage end of the auditorium now has--as with any modern cinema auditorium--significant acoustic absorption hidden behind fabric false walls/ceiling, all-recliner seating in the stalls and the first few rows of the circle, and a "monster" Dolby Atmos sound system (Dolby SLS speakers)--16x18" drivers for the rear subwoofers alone!
The original 1930's "ribbed" and coved plasterwork above and to the sides of the circle has been retained (the rest of the original plasterwork was lost in the 1960's), as have (later recreated versions) of the original 1930's "flying ladies" sculptures on the sidewalls either side of the proscenium. The original organ (Compton) is still intact, too, albeit generally only raised up from under the stage on occasion.
Alas the screen is still too small for the auditorium's size, currently 47ft. wide for scope. (Projectors include dual Christie laser light source projection (Dolby Cinema) and 35/70mm film.)
Yes, you can get better picture and sound at home--but if you want an unforgettable and, dare I say "magical," experience, then for goodness sake, if you can, go to a proper cinema!
(* OK, strictly speaking, in the 2018 refurbishment, the last few rows of the stalls were removed and the rear wall moved forward, freeing up space for the stunningly revamped ground floor foyer and other facilities--but they had really bad sightlines, anyway.)
(** There are 4 other screens but these actually date from 1988, being located in a former alleyway. They are very small and not worth visiting.)
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