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A History of the Orion Cinema Burgess Hill |
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The site of the Cinema in Cyprus Rd was once just waste ground, used as a dumping place for broken bricks and tiles that were produced at local potteries. |
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The first Cinema was erected on the site around 1919, a single storey building of wood and brick. A single projector was used and the films were paused every 10 minutes or so while the projectionist changed reels. The films were silent in those days; however, an organ with 10 pre-programmed tunes was used to provide music during the shows. Both the projector and the organ were hand-wound! Seat prices in those days ranged from twopence to ninepence. |
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| After a short closure for re-fitting, the cinema was re-opened in 1922 and was called 'The Scala.' The Scala was resplendent with new seats, carpets, piano and a second projector. |
| Regular performances continued at The Scala until 1928 when it closed for re-building. The new Scala opened on 3rd December 1928. It had cost over £10,000 to build and used 225,000 locally made bricks. |
| It had a capacity of 511, a stage, dressing rooms and a large foyer. The first show in the new building was the latest Charlie Chaplin film 'The Circus'. |
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The Scala changed ownership many times in the next 18 years and began to struggle in the face of competition from other cinemas opening in the area. Therefore, after a further closure, the cinema was given a major face-lift and re-opened on 23rd September 1946 as the most up-to-date cinema in the region. With this new look came a new name - The Orion - the name by which the cinema was known for the next 30 years. |
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Over the coming years it was the Orion which prospered over its rivals and by 1964 it was the only remaining full-time cinema in Mid-Sussex. In the late 1980's the freehold of the cinema was bought by Mid-Sussex District Council and a lease granted to the new operators. |
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The most recent refurbishment occurred in the summer of 1990 when a second screen was added together with an enlarged projection room and all new seating. Since its conversion in 1990 over 1.1 million people have been admitted to its two screens. |
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In June 1995, the cinema was taken over by a Surrey businessman, Lee Allwood, a life-long lover of cinema. When he learned of the history of the place, Lee decided to resurrect the name by which it had been know for most of the post-war years. So The Orion has returned to Burgess Hill and aims to bring the best in cinema entertainment to the people of Mid Sussex. |
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Acknowledgement: 'The Cinema at Burgess Hill' by John Fernee |
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