A Glimpse into the Past: Exploring a Forgotten Cinema
Urban exploration, or urbex, has become a popular way for adventurers to uncover the hidden stories of abandoned places. Recently, an urban explorer named Sean Piper, known online as URBEX, ventured into the remnants of a 100-year-old cinema in Eastbourne, revealing a hauntingly preserved space that offers a glimpse into the past.
The Picturedrome, which opened in 1920 as an independent cinema in the East Sussex resort town, was once a vibrant hub for film enthusiasts. It later became part of the Curzon art house chain but was forced to close its doors in January 2020 due to competition from larger cinema chains entering the area. After five years of neglect and disrepair, Piper took it upon himself to explore the site and share his findings with the world.
Piper's video, shared on TikTok, quickly gained attention, receiving thousands of likes and comments. His footage captured the eerie atmosphere of the cinema, where dust and decay had taken over. The building was described as pitch black and filled with a strong smell, along with pigeon mess scattered around. However, beyond the initial impressions, the cinema revealed some fascinating elements.
The foyer of the Picturedrome still features a sweeping curved staircase, with advertising posters lining the walls. Despite years of deterioration, the space is cluttered with piles of junk, including old cardboard drinks cups, under the stairs. Another section of the foyer displays film posters arranged horizontally on the wall, creating the illusion of a reel of film.
One of the screens, though covered in cobwebs and dust, still retains several rows of red, velvet seats at the back. Closer to the screen, chairs have been removed and dumped in a large pile. Other rooms appear largely intact, with screens and seats still in place. In most areas, the plaster is peeling, forming large dusty piles on the floor.
Despite the signs of neglect, many original 1920s features remain untouched. Colorful wainscoting and an impressive art-deco style light fixture are among the highlights. Gold railings and a grand chandelier in one part of the foyer add to the cinematic ambiance. A shelf is filled with stacks of empty cardboard popcorn boxes and reams of old 'admit one'-style paper cinema tickets.
Piper also discovered an old reel of film for "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part Two," as well as an announcement board listing the last films shown at the Picturedrome. These included the critically panned 2019 musical film "Cats" and the 2019 romcom "Last Christmas," starring Emilia Clarke and Emma Thompson. Another entry on the schedule was "The Kingmaker," a 2019 documentary about the career of Imelda Marcos, the former First Lady of the Philippines.
In addition to the main screening areas, there were various random junk rooms, including one containing a piano and a wheelchair. The video's engaging content led to a surge of interest, with nearly 8,000 likes and hundreds of comments. Viewers expressed nostalgia and admiration for the cinema's unique charm.
One viewer shared, "I used to go there as a teenager! Saw so many good films there, still so sad that it closed. Such a cool place to go!" Others remarked on the eerie atmosphere, with one commenting, "That theatre room looks haunted as hell." Another joked, "I feel so bad this beautiful building didn't get a decent last movie to show. Cats of all things."
A viewer noted, "Wow it only closed in 2020? That's insane decay for that relatively short amount of time. It always amazes me just how quickly buildings go down hill."
The Picturedrome stands as a testament to the passage of time and the stories that lie within abandoned spaces. Through the efforts of explorers like Sean Piper, these forgotten corners of history can be rediscovered and appreciated by a wider audience.