Prince Charles Cinema

There is one independent cinema in London and it is the Prince Charles Cinema on Leicester Place. From my one viewing experience (detailed in the next post), I can tell you that it is a wonderful place. There are two screens inside, one Upstairs and one Downstairs. Downstairs is where they screen films that have been out of other theaters for some time, as well as various event screenings. For example, they are currently holding a Vintage Season (Bicycle Thieves, Citizen Kane...) which will soon transfer into a Sci-Fi Season (Close Encounters, Aliens, Spaceballs...).

The Downstairs screen is great. Comfortable seats, lots of legroom. Interestingly, the seats run up on an incline toward the screen. The complete opposite of stadium seating, imagine if the floor of the Ioka had tilted in the opposite direction. Upon first entrance, this is a bit disarming, as you wonder, "Will the people in the back be able to see?" (There's a balcony-like overhang in above the back several rows). I imagine they can see just fine, though I haven't sat in the back (yet).

But here's the really great draw: Prices. In London, a movie is outrageously expensive. But not so much here. Without a membership, a film will usually run you £6.50, or £5.00 for a weekday matinee. But with a year-long membership for £16.00, the normal ticket price drops down to £4.00, and the first (earliest) weekday matinee is just £1.50, the second (later) weekday matinee is £2.50. Those are great prices.

I have decided that a membership is worthwhile. Hopefully in my time here I'll get my money's worth. That's just 5 early matinees, so I think I should be able to do it. My membership card, freshly printed today, is lovely, and laminated, and features Wall-E, sporting a crown (the cinema's logo). As I understand it, there are several different movie characters you can get on the back. I like what I ended up with. Maybe we'll get to go see "Hello, Dolly" together.