A COMMUNITY cinema spreading tidings of uncertainty is hoping for a movie magic happy ending.
It’s a Wonderful Life (1946 RKO Radio Pictures) poster artwork.
Scala Cinema and Arts Centre, Prestatyn, will host its annual showing of Frank Capras It’s a Wonderful Life on Tuesday in the hope that it will strike a chord with cinemagoers with its portrayal of a small business on the verge of bankruptcy which is saved after the community rally round.
Fears over the future of the cinema surfaced in October after Denbighshire County Council said it would be looking to end the cinemas yearly £41,000 grant in April.
Further problems surface when it was revealed that the Scala was late with its November wages payment putting the cinema three months in arrears.
The Scala launched a desperate Save Our Scala appeal – which is to help the cinema raise £97,000.
Rhiannon Hughes, chair of the Scala Trust, last week confirmed the closure of Cinemas cafebar downstairs in order to make further savings. Volunteers plan to open the Saronies cafebar upstairs at certain times to provide drinks and snacks for customers.
Mrs Hughes said: “In terms of fundraising, we are talking to a number of businesses and organisations which will hope will help the Scala through this difficult patch.
Ann Jones, AM for the Vale of Clwyd, has helped link the Scala with officials and ministers at the Assembly and with the Wales Co-operative Centre and Chris Ruane, MP for the Vale of Clwyd, is supporting the Scala at a UK level with the British Film Institute.
Staff and volunteers at the Scala are working hard together at what is the busiest time of year. Its a Wonderful Life is a story about a small local business within a community which is in difficulty but is then saved when the community rallies around to support it.
Now that the Scala has lost its funding from Denbighshire County Council let us hope that the Scala can have a similar happy ending.”
The Scala launched it’s digital Christmas calendar earlier this month.
Activities have been held throughout December for families including Doctor Who Monsters and the Royal Ballet streamed live from the Royal Opera House.
It’s a Wonderful Life will be screened on Tuesday, December 23rd at 7pm. Tickets £7.50 full price, £5.70 student and £5.50 seniors and children. Booking in advanced is advised. Mince pies and mulled wine will be available from Saronie’s Cafe Bar on the first floor before and after the film.
Source: Rhyl Journal 19.12.14 article by Suzanne Jordan
