Over the years we’ve covered every twist and turn in the decade-long cinema saga surrounding the landmark former polytechnic on the corner of Kentish Town Road and Prince Of Wales Road.
After the 2013 closure of Pizza Express, there was an initial plea on behalf of the local community for it to become a cinema (read that here), followed by the opportunity for Curzon or Everyman or someone similar to occupy the space, with all hopes finally dashed by the late teens. Pah.
The iconic former assembly hall has sat slap bang in the middle of the high street, pointlessly lying empty for a decade. Its multiple setbacks mean that no cinema operator has yet come forward who is prepared to take it on in this turbulent economic climate.
So it’s encouraging that our friends at Camdenist have had the brainwave of bringing the space back to life – for one weekend only, at least, with a Poster Sale pop-up event that marks the latest chapter in NW5’s epic cinema saga.
Camdenist presents Poster Sale! takes place next weekend (Thurs 23th-Sun 26th) and celebrates movie, music and games posters and “the artists who make them”, the say, who are all facing big challenges in the face of advances in generative AI.
The weekend will include workshops and even film screenings (yay!) alongside the poster marketplace – the closest the site will have yet come to being a local picture palace.
Another participant is much loved, locally-based refugee charity Choose Love, who’ll be bringing their famous line of fund-raising Choose Love merch, adding yet another reason to visit this unique pre-Christmas market.
And if you’re feeling inspired, at least now there’s always the new Curzon a few minutes’ walk away in Hawley Wharf to fulfil your cinematic fantasies afterwards. Popcorn at the ready.
Poster Sale! at corner of Prince Of Wales Road and Kentish Town Road NW1. Private view: Thurs 23rd from 6pm-9pm (sign up here for free tickets), then Friday 24th and Sat 25th Nov, 11am – 6pm, Sun 26th Nov, Midday – 5pm
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