AVW Controls Ltd - Press Release - December 2001
Electric Cinema
First opened in 1910, London’s oldest purpose-built cinema, the Electric Cinema in Notting Hill, reopened on April 26 following a lengthy and complex refurbishment.
A Grade II listed building, the venue retains many of its original features including the foyer’s gilt-domed box office and mosaic floor, which leads to a Baroque panelled auditorium. Now the cinema has comfortable new seating and the most technologically advanced 35mm projector available, whilst preserving its elegant charm.

Unusual Rigging was first approached to quote on a lighting grid, but once there, Robin Elias of Unusual was quizzed about ways of ‘growing’ the cinema’s existing screen to make it suitable for widescreen presentations. But as a listed building there were restrictions that had to be taken into account, making major structural changes impossible.

After presenting the initial idea, Unusual contracted Total Fabrications to realise the concept, which in turn contracted AVW Controls “after a number of strong recommendations”, explained Neil Darracott, design engineer for Total Fabrications. Working with both companies, AVW Controls contributed to the design and installation of a motorised screen-extending mechanism.

AVW’s control system can be operated from both the stage and the projection booth, whilst moving the screen forward and simultaneously ‘growing’ it by three feet on each side. And, as safety was an important factor for this mechanism, AVW has created a system that senses when objects obstruct the screen’s extension, stopping the movement if someone or something is in the way. Equally, the screen control system will not allow the extension mechanism to operate if there is insufficient room for it to extend.

Elias was impressed with AVW’s input: “AVW has produced a clever control system that meets all requirements, safety and otherwise. The system is excellent and I am thrilled to see how they have been able to develop the initial idea, realising it to provide the perfect solution.”

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©2001 AVW Controls Ltd.