The Rex Cinema, Dorset
Local residents in Wareham in Dorset can now go back in time and watch modern movies in a restored working cinema and historic building, which was originally built in 1889 and is now named the Rex Cinema.
One of the country's oldest cinemas was brought smartly into the
21st century with an award to purchase new sound and visual
equipment in the early part of 2012.
The Rex started life as entertainment venue Oddfellows Hall in
1889, becoming the Empire cinema in the 1920s and latterly has
relaunched itself as a community cinema, retaining the unique
ambience and character of an old cinema. The Rex was purchased and
restored in 2009 by the Purbeck Film Charitable Trust with funding
from Viridor Credits, becoming a not-for-profit community cinema,
enabling any member of the community to make a donation in return
for a seat at a film showing.
With the Rex Bar open 45 minutes before the film starts every
evening, the cinema is also one of the few in the UK where it's
possible to have a glass of wine or locally brewed beer while
watching a film.
A further application for funding in 2012 for internal
refurbishment meant that The Rex Cinema Committee could install a
state-of-the-art Dolby 7.1 sound system and new projector screen.
The new audio equipment compliments their new projector, screen and
curtains, bringing the mod cons of a modern cineplex into the
charming ambience of the old cinema.
The Rex celebrated its re-opening in March 2012 by showing
The Artist; the Oscar-winning movie, chosen for its vintage feel
and stunning soundtrack, putting the new sound system through its
paces!