History Plate: The Electric Cinema

The Electric Cinema on Station Street in Birmingham holds a unique and celebrated place in British cinematic history, having been, until very recently, the oldest working cinema in the UK.

A revolutionary beginning
The Electric Theatre first opened its doors on 27th December 1909, designed by the renowned theatre architect Bertie Crewe, and notably, while named “Electric,” it was initially powered by gas.  Over two thousand eager patrons flocked to see the silent films, accompanied by live piano music, a truly novel experience for many.

Decades of reinvention
Throughout its existence, the cinema has undergone numerous transformations and name changes, reflecting shifts in ownership, programming, and audience tastes. In 1919, it became The Select. In the early 1930s, after a brief period of closure and even rumoured use as an amusement hall, it was acquired by Joseph Cohen, a solicitor and film enthusiast who owned Jacey Cinemas Ltd. Cohen undertook a significant remodelling of the building, adding a balcony and staff facilities, before reopening it in 1937 as The Tatler News Theatre. This incarnation focused on showing newsreels, cartoons, and short interest films, with Cohen even creating his own local news film unit to provide exclusive content.

After World War II, as television began to gain popularity, the demand for news theatres declined. In the 1950s, the cinema rebranded as The Jacey Cartoon Theatre, before becoming The Jacey Film Theatre in the 1960s, shifting its focus to arthouse and continental films.  In the early 1980s, the cinema was briefly taken over by Lord Grade’s “Classic” chain, which unfortunately led to the destruction of some original Art Deco features as it was split into two screens. It then became The Tivoli in the mid-1980s, screening a mix of mainstream, arthouse, and exploitation films.

A modern revival
A significant moment for its heritage came in 1993, when Bill Heine purchased the cinema and reverted its name back to The Electric. In 2003, The Electric closed its doors but was quickly purchased by local filmmaker Tom Lawes. Following a substantial £250,000 refurbishment, aiming to restore its 1930s Art Deco aesthetic based on historical photographs, The Electric reopened on 17th December 2004. Under Lawes’ ownership, it became a beloved independent cinema, known for its comfortable sofa seating, diverse programming of mainstream, independent, and world cinema, and its ability to still project 35mm films alongside digital. It became a hub for local filmmakers and special interest screenings.

A legacy at risk
The Electric reopened in 2022 under the new ownership of Kevin Markwick and his daughter Katie. However, despite their efforts, the cinema sadly announced its closure in February 2024, due to an inability to reach an agreement over its lease, sparking widespread dismay and a campaign for its preservation within Birmingham. Its future remains uncertain, but its legacy as a pioneering and cherished cultural institution in the heart of Birmingham is undeniable.