Picturehouse Going Downhill?
I am a Grumpy Old Phantom today. Actually, to be more precise, I was a grumpy old Phantom a few days ago, but I didn't want to write cross stuff in the festive season (bad karma, you know...) and even writing about it now brings it all back...
Let me start with re-stating the fact that I adore Greenwich Picturehouse. I have often waxed lyrical about the fantastic facilities, friendly staff and squashy seats. It's even listed as one of my Favourite Haunts. Which is perhaps why I was so very shocked the other night when standards had seriously slipped. I don't know when this happened - it's to do with the Screening Room, which I hadn't visited for a little while, but had always considered to be the very best bit of the whole building.
Just to recap, the Screening Room is (was) the gorgeous little cinema downstairs, cosy and womb-like, with deep red curtains and soft walls, and individual armchairs that not only reclined but gave you a little foot rest - like the Parker-Knoll recliner of your dreams which made you forget that the screen was smaller than you get in some people's homes these days as you luxuriated in the closest equivalent to watching a movie in bed.
So there we were, a little bunch of us, all strangers, of course, waiting patiently for the end of the previous screening outside the curtains in what is now called "Screen Five" (where is Screen Four?) We were all bunched up so inelegantly because there are no numbered seats, and each of us secretly hoped to delicately muscle-in to our fave squashy armchair when we were finally let in. It wasn't ideal, but it was understandable - difficult to number armchairs after all...
The movie finished and the audience filed out. We diligently waited as the music ended. No one arrived, so being jolly British, we all hung around waiting for the usherette to tell us what to do. We waited. And waited. The lights had gone up, and the projectionist was clearly setting up to begin again. No one. Eventually, a brave soul decided to peek around the curtain without the permission of Authority. He disappeared, so the rest of us all piled in.
The shock was audible. The place was carnage. Less tumbleweed blowing around the deserted screen than drinks cartons, glasses, sweetie wrappers and general unidentifiable-but-you-don't-want-to-investigate-too-far kiddie-trash. And popcorn. Popcorn, popcorn everywhere, and believe me, not a piece you'd want to eat.
Ok - so they were short staffed and couldn't find anyone to tear our tickets or clear up. It's not the end of the world. But here's the rub. Brace yourselves, folks.
The squashy armchairs are gone. Gone, I tell you. Replaced with - how can I bring myself to say this - nasty mean, tip-up cinema seats from c.1965. Thin, narrow rows, close together and with not a reclining bit in sight. And to top it all, in this formerly plush, exquisite, coloured coded and designed room, still with its deep red curtains, they are the most disgusting mid-brown vinyl.
Now I'm not a fat Phantom. And these seats did accommodate my backside - but they could well be a bit of a huff and a puff for anyone a bit better padded than these seats are. Even if you're a skinny, if you're not quick enough with getting your elbows onto the thin chair arms and someone else's beat yours to it, they will be pinned into the insides of the seat for the entire movie. Luckily the picture I saw was a kids' film and short, but I won't be going back to that screen for a long, long time.
I might have expected this from another cinema chain. But the Picturehouse? I am seriously disappointed. It's clearly a financial thing - but are things really so tight that they had to do this?
Did you already know about this? Why didn't someone warn me? Please tell me the other screens are still the fabulous experience they were and that it's just this screen. Being the optimist I am, I really hope these seats are temporary while they are ordering new, even lovelier armchairs, but for the moment I seriously recommend you don't visit this screen.
You know what? I'm going to write to the Picturehouse and be a grumpy old Phantom at them too. I'll post any reply I get here...
Let me start with re-stating the fact that I adore Greenwich Picturehouse. I have often waxed lyrical about the fantastic facilities, friendly staff and squashy seats. It's even listed as one of my Favourite Haunts. Which is perhaps why I was so very shocked the other night when standards had seriously slipped. I don't know when this happened - it's to do with the Screening Room, which I hadn't visited for a little while, but had always considered to be the very best bit of the whole building.
Just to recap, the Screening Room is (was) the gorgeous little cinema downstairs, cosy and womb-like, with deep red curtains and soft walls, and individual armchairs that not only reclined but gave you a little foot rest - like the Parker-Knoll recliner of your dreams which made you forget that the screen was smaller than you get in some people's homes these days as you luxuriated in the closest equivalent to watching a movie in bed.
So there we were, a little bunch of us, all strangers, of course, waiting patiently for the end of the previous screening outside the curtains in what is now called "Screen Five" (where is Screen Four?) We were all bunched up so inelegantly because there are no numbered seats, and each of us secretly hoped to delicately muscle-in to our fave squashy armchair when we were finally let in. It wasn't ideal, but it was understandable - difficult to number armchairs after all...
The movie finished and the audience filed out. We diligently waited as the music ended. No one arrived, so being jolly British, we all hung around waiting for the usherette to tell us what to do. We waited. And waited. The lights had gone up, and the projectionist was clearly setting up to begin again. No one. Eventually, a brave soul decided to peek around the curtain without the permission of Authority. He disappeared, so the rest of us all piled in.
The shock was audible. The place was carnage. Less tumbleweed blowing around the deserted screen than drinks cartons, glasses, sweetie wrappers and general unidentifiable-but-you-don't-want-to-investigate-too-far kiddie-trash. And popcorn. Popcorn, popcorn everywhere, and believe me, not a piece you'd want to eat.
Ok - so they were short staffed and couldn't find anyone to tear our tickets or clear up. It's not the end of the world. But here's the rub. Brace yourselves, folks.
The squashy armchairs are gone. Gone, I tell you. Replaced with - how can I bring myself to say this - nasty mean, tip-up cinema seats from c.1965. Thin, narrow rows, close together and with not a reclining bit in sight. And to top it all, in this formerly plush, exquisite, coloured coded and designed room, still with its deep red curtains, they are the most disgusting mid-brown vinyl.
Now I'm not a fat Phantom. And these seats did accommodate my backside - but they could well be a bit of a huff and a puff for anyone a bit better padded than these seats are. Even if you're a skinny, if you're not quick enough with getting your elbows onto the thin chair arms and someone else's beat yours to it, they will be pinned into the insides of the seat for the entire movie. Luckily the picture I saw was a kids' film and short, but I won't be going back to that screen for a long, long time.
I might have expected this from another cinema chain. But the Picturehouse? I am seriously disappointed. It's clearly a financial thing - but are things really so tight that they had to do this?
Did you already know about this? Why didn't someone warn me? Please tell me the other screens are still the fabulous experience they were and that it's just this screen. Being the optimist I am, I really hope these seats are temporary while they are ordering new, even lovelier armchairs, but for the moment I seriously recommend you don't visit this screen.
You know what? I'm going to write to the Picturehouse and be a grumpy old Phantom at them too. I'll post any reply I get here...
posted by The Greenwich Phantom at
08:28
12 Comments:
I was shocked at the change as well, and no discount at the bar with my membership,boo. Still musnt be too grumpy its a great cinema and we even have a choice in Greenwich(which is becoming rare)
That's why I was so careful to say I love the place. It's still great in every other respect. But in this particular case I don't want to say "mustn't grumble..." I LOVED that screening room - and I'd really like to see it come back. I've written to the Picturehouse. If anyonw else wants to add their comments, it's greenwich@picturehouses.co.uk . Let 'em know what you think. I suspect they are the kind of company that might actually listen.
Darren Jones, General Manager of Greenwich Picturehouse has been prompt in his reply - I give it to you here in full:
"We appreciate your feedback regarding the Screening Room/Screen 5 and I am very sorry to hear that you do not like the new seating which was installed back in July last year.
Unfortunately after less than two years the reclining armchairs were already worn out and in need of replacing and while we appreciate that they were well liked we did not replace them with like-for-like for a couple of reasons.
Firstly the cost of the previous armchairs versus their durability did not make it viable to replace them with the same seats. Having only lasted just over eighteen months and costing almost £1000 a seat it simply didn't add up.
Additionally we were in need of more seats in the Screening Room as we have regularly been turning disappointed customers away due to the small number of seats we had and we also had issues with film distributors who were unhappy about their films opening or being moved to the Screening Room due to the low number of seats.
I am sorry that you think the new seats that we have installed are uncomfortable. I concede that we may have made an error of judgment in our choice of seats and that the seats installed are not actually as comfortable as our four main auditoria, where the comfort of the seats has always elicited nothing but positive feedback from our customers, however due to the limited space/room height it was not possible to install the same seats as in the rest of the cinema and we were limited by what was available.
The new seats, which have a writing tablet stowed in the arm rest, are also designed to make the space more suitable to be used for meetings/presentations and conferences during the daytime allowing us to generate much needed hire revenue, to support our programming. As an independent cinema, that receives no funding from any arts organisations or the local authority, hire revenue is vital to our survival.
I appreciate you taking the time to let us know your opinions, we always value customer feedback, and whilst I acknowledge that you are disappointed by the changes I hope my reply, in some way, explains the reasons behind things and I hope that we can look forward to your continued support."
I am impressed that he got back to me so quickly - even if the response is a bit depressing(if understandable)I replied:
"Thank you for your detailed and prompt response. I will pass on your message. Whilst I'm afraid that for anything but something truly exceptional you have lost me in your screening room, I continue to be a devoted fan of the rest of your building....
Best wishes and keep up (most of) the good work"
So, good folk - there you have it. If it's something you'd miss if you didn't see it in the screening room then by all means go - but if you're looking for a comfy experience, stick with the proper screens it this, still the best cinema in the area.
I'm trying to remember if I've been there since July. I think I have and don't remember an uncomfortable experience. I may ask to nip down to see the chairs. It may well still fulfill my top requirement as a children's party venue (sorry, more popcorn, but someone should clean up!)
I just renewed my membership and must remember to get down there often. Last week we checked out Vue at the Dome for the first time. It was fine, but lacked the intimate feel of the Picturehouse. My top slot remains devoted to the Picturehouse.
You've got to give it to the Picturehouse, they know how to reply to an email! They gave me a simlarly prompt and detailed reply when I mailed them last year (or was it the year before) about the noise from a club night somewhere in the building being far too audible during a screening of King Kong. They apologised profusly and said it wouldn't happen again...
Reckon you should add a 'P*ssed-off corner' to the blog, fire off emails to people that make 'us' dis-chuffed in Greenwich (not many to be...er...Frank).
TGP T-shirts, banners, protest marches could follow....
SoC - tee hee. Certainly if the Picturehouse's response is anything to go by, even an explanation for things is good.
Picturehouse guys - you have a lot of goodwill here - even/especially from me - but don't let things slip any furhter, eh...
I love the fact that I can walk to my local cinema and sit in the cosy seats sipping coffee (January detox allowing)
It is sad we have lost the plush seats in the screening room but money talks and children's parties are a no-brainer....
I just heard about this yesterday while in the bar of the Picturehouse (Vilge there has been no bar discount for more than a year since the time I first renewed my membership). It's really disappointing that those lovely seats are gone, although I do remember them looking distinctly scruffy last time I went to the screening room. Presumably they are no longer charging higher rates for this screen, which would seem fair.
I haven't noticed any cheaper prices...
It used to cost a couple of quid more for the screening room, compared with the regular screens. Now they seem to be the same price. Perhaps I'm going back a bit too far here :-/
Ahh. Well that would make sense...
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