Uk’s Oldest Cinema Celebrates Centenary
Published 23rd Aug 2010 by Matt Costello

Brighton’s Duke of York’s unveils party plans

The Duke of York’s, Britain’s oldest purpose-built cinema, today announces birthday party plans to celebrate 100 years of continuous operation. Brighton’s cult picture house will mark its centenary on Wednesday 22 September with a programme of events including an exclusive show-reel screening from the brand new re-make of Brighton Rock, with Helen Mirren, as Ida John Hurt as Phil Corkey & Sam Riley (CONTROL) as Pinkie Brown.

Local VIPs are invited to visit the cinema on its official birthday (22 September) to see the special screening, cut the cake and watch ‘The 1910 Show’, which brings together a selection of English films made around the time of the cinema’s opening. Guests will also see Brighton newsreels from this period, and pianist John Sweeney will play live music throughout the show.

The Duke of York’s community project, which is being funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund and organised by Cinecity, will continue the birthday celebrations across the weekend when on Saturday 25 September the cinema will be open to the public for behind-the-scenes guided tours, movie music from throughout the years and podcasts narrated by past and present cinema staff.

A FAMILY TREE of the cinema’s staff from over the years will be on display in the lobby of the cinema, and former staff members are invited to attend the special events and fill in the blanks with their names.

BRIGHTON ROCK UNSEEN - SPECIAL LIVE RE-IMAGINING
On Sunday 26 September the Duke of York’s will play host to a world premier live re-imagining of Graham Greene’s Brighton Rock, which will bring together the stage and screen.

A full schedule of events follows on below. Media are invited to attend all activities.

WEDNESDAY 22 SEPTEMBER: OFFICIAL 100th BIRTHDAY

AM: Media interviews
Available for interview are…
- Jimmy Anderson, a projectionist for the Duke of York’s for 30 years
- Jon Barrenchea, Duke of York’s Cinema Manager
- Frank Gray, Head of the Screen Archive South East
5.45pm-6pm: Birthday cake and champagne
6pm: The 1910 show
7pm: Exclusive show-reel of Brighton Rock

SATURDAY 25 SEPTEMBER: COMMUNITY OPEN DAY

10am-1pm: 100-year-old Humber will be driven around Brighton by Duke of York’s staff to promote the celebrations
1pm-3pm: 1960s BINGO
1pm-2.30pm and 4pm-5pm: Guided tours, including the projection booth. The public can book on arrival
2.30pm: The 1910 Show repeat
3pm: Brighton Mayor to cut birthday cake, designed by pupils at St Margaret’s RC primary school and made by 20-year-old bakers to the Duke of York’s, ‘Sticky Fingers’

SUNDAY 26 SEPTEMBER: BRIGHTON ROCK - LIVE

2pm – 6.30pm - Brighton Rock Unseen will be presented twice on this day.
Tickets are £12 and £10 for concessions and members

For more information or to attend the birthday celebrations, members of the public should contact the Duke of York’s cinema box office on 0871 902 5728.

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