Historic Bridport cinema changes hands

New manager, Susan Warren, who grew up in West Dorset and went to school in Dorchester, has pledged to employ all the staff and to keep the Electric Palace as a venue for top music, live comedy and film.

She also plans to expand its range of events for families, children, and older members of the Bridport and West Dorset community.

Since 2003 the Electric Palace has been owned by Peter Hitchin, who bought it after it had been closed for several years.

It took him years to get the former cinema opened but he was subsequently instrumental in gaining the patronage of Sir Richard Eyre, Ralph Steadman, Julian Fellowes and Mike Leigh, among others.

Peter Hitchin, who owns and runs Symondsbury Manor, said: “There were a surprising number of people who wanted to own the venue and I am glad that it has gone to someone who has local roots and who intends to continue to run the Electric Palace with a varied programme of music, comedy and film.

“Together with my children, Gideon and Gabrielle, I’ve loved running the place. I will certainly miss all the excitement involved but the venue will profit from an injection of new enthusiasm and ideas which I am confident that Susan and her family will provide.

“I’d like to take this opportunity to thank all the staff and stewards who have helped make the Electric Palace such a success over the last ten years and I am looking forward to seeing the Electric Palace continue to grow and reflect all that is great about Bridport and West Dorset.”

Susan said: “We want to build on what Peter has achieved but also embrace new opportunities for the Electric Palace, so that it will continue to be at the forefront of entertainment in the area.

“The Electric Palace is a very special place. We want to further restore and refurbish it over the next two to three years, while preserving its unique character and charm. The Electric Palace belongs to the community, we just put on the shows for everyone to enjoy.

“I’m delighted that all the staff will remain and we look forward to working alongside them to continue to deliver great entertainment.”

Forthcoming events include monthly comedy networks with up-and-coming, young comedians fresh from the Edinburgh Fringe circuit, screenings of National Theatre and Royal Shakespeare Company productions, live music including a show by Broadchurch composer Olafur Arnalds, followed by the screening of the hit TV series’ finale on February 23, and a programme of free events for children over half-term.

The New Electric Palace funded by Palmers Brewery was opened by the Mayor of Bridport, Mr F Weeks, on 14 June 1926. He and the rest of the packed audience saw on that first evening a performance of Gloria Swanson in Madame Sans-Gene.

After the first week the performance changed to Sally of the Sawdust (US 1925) starring W C Fields. By August 1926 the ‘New’ had been dropped, and the cinema was advertised as The Electric Palace.

The building of The Electric Palace, with its capacity of more than 400, was in response to the growing interest in film as entertainment. The then new motor bus services enabled local village residents to travel in and out of Bridport more easily to enjoy this entertainment.

Mains electricity was not available in Bridport until 1930, but the new theatre was equipped with its own generating plant powered by twin gas engines. While the gas engines have long gone, the Palace still has a Cinemeccania 18 Projector which was originally installed at The Savoy, Andover in 1971.

Pride of place however goes to the 1938 murals which grace the foyer, stairs and upper landing. Painted in the then fashionable Meschini Ars Nova style by Palmers Brewery signwriter George Biles, they epitomise the romantic era of film. In 1938 murals also filled the large panels in the auditorium, but these were sadly painted over in the 1950s. The theatre, however, retains many of its original details which Susan and her family are anxious to retain.