Regal Twin Cinemas, Oxford Road
1 sound
The world's first twin cinemas operated between September 1930 and September 1986. This incredible accolade for Manchester was created due to the high demand for cinemagoing at the time. Having two screens each seating 800 meant that the same film could be staggered, offering double the showings for double the profits.
Through the years the venue has been known as the Regal Twins, Romulus & Remus, Studios 1 & 2, Studios 1 to 5, and most recently the Dancehouse Theatre. As well as being a multi-disciplinary arts venue, since 2013 the Dancehouse has installed a brand new cinema screen in its auditorium so that audiences can enjoy the silver screen again after 83 years.
Sid Riley remembers a spectral encounter he once had one winter's night staying late at the cinema. His work as a trainee projectionist allowed him to meet all sorts of characters on the job, stories of which he vividly recants during his interview.
Image: Regal Cinema Oxford Road, 1939 Ref: m09275
