Audiences flocking to The Wellesley Cinema over Christmas to see the latest blockbuster ‘Star Wars’ movie may have noted the impressive renovation of the auditorium. The ceiling of the auditorium has now been completely repainted – for the first time in decades – and it now matches the decor of the recently repainted walls. The height of the auditorium meant that the decorators needed a cherry-picker to reach the ceiling.
The toilets too have been repainted – and there’s still more to come. Stewart Cusack of leaseholders S & K Entertainment said, “The next phase is the introduction of Gold Paint around the proscenium arch & coves, and the re-carpeting of both the foyers and the Stalls area.” The work will be carried out over the next few weeks – and possibly in time for Wellington Pantomime Group’s show, ‘The Wonderful Wizard of Oz’ which opens on 27th January.
The Wellesley Cinema first opened in 1937 and was one of three identical buildings designed by Wessex architect Edward de Wilde Holding. It is the only one still operating as a cinema having been brought back to by S & K Entertainment over the last few years. The introduction of the ‘Live’ programme of events which transmits opera, theatre and dance from major stages around the world and the revived interest in large screen entertainment has led to a significant increase in cinema audiences.