Another big screen opens in Bongnor

The film Mamma Mia! will be among the first blockbusters to be shown on the new screening equipment at the town's Alexandra Theatre.

Based on the musical featuring the Swedish group's famous songs, the film's showing in the auditorium will benefit its theatrical roots. It is released next weekand will be heading to the theatre very soon.

The arrival of the true cinematic experience at the theatre at a cost of between 15,000-20,000 will add to the film choices available in the town for lovers of the silver screen and almost double the number of seats for film shows.

The theatre's screenings result from its year-old links with the Picturedrome Cinema.

Theatre general manager Adam Cunard, who is also the managing director of the Picturedrome Electric Theatre Company, said: "We've installed a new projector and Dolby digital surround screen in the theatre, and a 35-foot screen, which is only slightly smaller than the one at the Picturedrome.

"Having two large auditoria in the town will enable us to show more blockbusters to more people. This will give them a greater chance to see the films they want in Bognor rather than having to travel elsewhere.

"Mamma Mia! will be ideally suited for the theatre. There can't be a better place to show it."

The theatre has staged film shows before at various times in monotone sound. But it was always in competition with the Picturedrome and with its own stage shows, meaning it was denied the first run films which bring in the audiences.

Combining the two venues means the distributors can be guaranteed their top films will have consistent screenings on one of the screens.

Shifting some of the bigger crowd-pullers to the theatre adds another 365 seats for cinema-goers to the 400 in the Picturedrome's main screen and about 80 in the second screen. The theatre is also part of the disabled-friendly Regis Centre and boasts a car park next door.

Mr Cunard said the first film to benefit from the theatre treatment would be Kung Fu Panda from tomorrow, July 4.

Following it would be Chronicles of Narnia, Batman: The Dark Night and Hancock.

But he stressed the screenings would not be at the expense of live entertainment or remove the primary film role from the Picturedrome.

The theatre's films will be shown during the afternoons and early evenings before any stage performances. It is also intended to start Saturday morning film shows for children and summer holiday screenings as well.

The Regis Centre's Taylor Room has also been fitted with a digital projector and 16ft-wide screen for smaller showings.

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