Winter Social 2010: Talk with film on the impact of the digital age on cinematography

The Electric Cinema opened on the 27th of December 1909. It was Birmingham’s first cinema and predated the introduction of the 1909 Cinematograph Act that commenced in January 1910. The Electric is the oldest working cinema in the UK; however, since 1920 it has undergone many architectural and name changes. Back then, the word 'electric' conjured up images of Van der Graaf generators and Tesla Coils. To the vast majority of the population, who were still without electricity in their homes, the mysterious invisible power source was verging on black magic.

Much as the word 'digital' is ubiquitous today, 'electric' became a common name for film theatres with Electric Cinemas and Electric Picture Palaces springing up all over the country.

On Tuesday 7th December 2010 Tom Lawes, the owner of the Electric Cinema will provide a talk interspersed with old film footage of the role of the cinema in the early 20th Century and also the impact of the digital age on cinematography today and the future. The evening will begin at 18.00 with a buffet supper and drinks followed by a talk finishing at 20.00.

£23 for members
£25 for non members