History:
Originally one of the Odeon’s in the Oscar Deutsch chain of Odeon Theatres Ltd. chain. Designed by architect Harry Weedon (assistant architect in charge was P.J. Price), and opening on Saturday 18th June 1938 with seating for 1,450 (900 in stalls and 550 in balcony).
The design was typical of the circuit style, with rounded corners and faience tiling, the main Odeon sign placed above the five tall windows above the front canopy. The opening film was Jack Hulbert in “Paradise For Two”.
The cinema was taken over by the Classic Cinemas chain on 9th December 1967 and renamed Classic. Classic Cinemas triplexed the cinema and it was reopened on 1st October 1971. The circle was extended forward to create Screen 1 with 516 seats and the remaining cinemas were created in the rear stalls seating 273 and 122. The opening film in Screen 1 was Oliver Reed in “The Hunting Party”, in Screen 2 Franco Nero in “The Virgin and the Gypsy”, and Screen 3 offering “Danish and Blue”, this small screen 3 remaining showing sexplotation movies.
As business declined, Classic Cinemas sold the cinema to the local Borough Council which took over in May 1976 now renamed it the Llanelli Film Centre.
The Borough Council modernised the upstairs auditorium providing full stage facilities equiping it for stage shows. Screens 2 and 3 now seat 310 and 122.
The cinema operated as Theatr Elli, retaining its unaltered Harry Weedon exterior design, and continued showing first run films very successfully. It was closed by the Council on 13th July 2012, due to the new Odeon multiplex cinema opening in the towns' East Gate Centre. In 2018 a group of volunteers have obtained planning permission to restore the building into a multi-purpose arts centre, with some cinema use.
The Theatr Elli was designated a Grade II Listed building in October 2009.
The Explore:
Entering is tricky but only one person needs to enter to let others in
Place still has a ton of stuff and is basically untouched since 2012 when it closed
Lots of cameras on inside and outside and motion sensors too.
Roof access is possible!
What it looked like circa 1967
Now:
An old tractor likely a prop for a show
Maybe where actors had make up done?
Behind stage more props
Seating
The theatre
Old odeon uniform
Better view of the seating
Storage
More things we unfortunately did not have time to search through
Vending machine
Where they inserted reels
The cinema
THE ROOF:
Rooftop is reccomend, lovely view of llanelli, easy access to if you know where to go. Did notice dead air leading up to it though
This old cash machine too
Overall?
A great spot, untouched too!
More reports soon
BBNC
Ryhs
Originally one of the Odeon’s in the Oscar Deutsch chain of Odeon Theatres Ltd. chain. Designed by architect Harry Weedon (assistant architect in charge was P.J. Price), and opening on Saturday 18th June 1938 with seating for 1,450 (900 in stalls and 550 in balcony).
The design was typical of the circuit style, with rounded corners and faience tiling, the main Odeon sign placed above the five tall windows above the front canopy. The opening film was Jack Hulbert in “Paradise For Two”.
The cinema was taken over by the Classic Cinemas chain on 9th December 1967 and renamed Classic. Classic Cinemas triplexed the cinema and it was reopened on 1st October 1971. The circle was extended forward to create Screen 1 with 516 seats and the remaining cinemas were created in the rear stalls seating 273 and 122. The opening film in Screen 1 was Oliver Reed in “The Hunting Party”, in Screen 2 Franco Nero in “The Virgin and the Gypsy”, and Screen 3 offering “Danish and Blue”, this small screen 3 remaining showing sexplotation movies.
As business declined, Classic Cinemas sold the cinema to the local Borough Council which took over in May 1976 now renamed it the Llanelli Film Centre.
The Borough Council modernised the upstairs auditorium providing full stage facilities equiping it for stage shows. Screens 2 and 3 now seat 310 and 122.
The cinema operated as Theatr Elli, retaining its unaltered Harry Weedon exterior design, and continued showing first run films very successfully. It was closed by the Council on 13th July 2012, due to the new Odeon multiplex cinema opening in the towns' East Gate Centre. In 2018 a group of volunteers have obtained planning permission to restore the building into a multi-purpose arts centre, with some cinema use.
The Theatr Elli was designated a Grade II Listed building in October 2009.
The Explore:
Entering is tricky but only one person needs to enter to let others in
Place still has a ton of stuff and is basically untouched since 2012 when it closed
Lots of cameras on inside and outside and motion sensors too.
Roof access is possible!
What it looked like circa 1967
Now:
An old tractor likely a prop for a show
Maybe where actors had make up done?
Behind stage more props
Seating
The theatre
Old odeon uniform
Better view of the seating
Storage
More things we unfortunately did not have time to search through
Vending machine
Where they inserted reels
The cinema
THE ROOF:
Rooftop is reccomend, lovely view of llanelli, easy access to if you know where to go. Did notice dead air leading up to it though
This old cash machine too
Overall?
A great spot, untouched too!
More reports soon
BBNC
Ryhs
