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Camden’s historic Parkway cinema has had many lives. It opened as the Gaumont Palace Regent's Park in 1937 and closed this February as a five-screen Odeon.
Now it lives again – although for a limited time only.
The Plaza, as the venue at 14 The Parkway is now known, opened this weekend with a programme of cult films, art exhibitions, gigs, DJ nights and community shindigs planned for the months ahead.
According to the venue’s new management team, the Plaza will be functioning as a community film, arts and cultural hub until the building is redeveloped as student flats in early 2028.
‘We are opening Camden’s living room, not another late-night bar,’ says The Plaza team in a statement. ‘This is a cultural and arts centre for the whole neighbourhood, from a free children’s film club on a Sunday morning to live theatre, art gallery, events and classic film at night. A place that is open and accessible to everyone.’
Film screenings, programmed by Midweek Cinema, will have a cult flavour and take place in the old Odeon screens. First up is Stop Making Sense and Videodrome on Friday October 24, with £10.50 tickets for the double bill.
Expect free movies for OAPs on Wednesdays, Sunday morning screenings for kids and a Christmas spectacular to bring festive cheer to Camden’s yuletide.
It’s not all films at the Plaza. On November 20, Pussy Riot will be performing, courtesy of queer club night Nachtlicker, helping kick off a run of gigs, along with regular Rebel Bingo sessions in one of the repurposed screens.
Co-founders Paul Saunders, Ivor Wilkins and Lee Bennett have overseen a spruce up of the old venue. ‘We see ourselves as custodians rather than owners,’ says Saunders. ‘We want to be something for everyone, rather than synonymous with one thing.’
Head to the official site to keep up to date with news and events at London’s newest oldest venue.
It’s official! Camden is getting its own £1bn answer to Hollywood.
The not-for-profit London cinema that has been crowned one of the best in the UK.