Cube Cinema

Story

The Cube Microplex is a social art experiment existing in the form of a cinema and event venue in Bristol, England. It operates as a non-profit cooperative. Since opening in 1998 it has hosted artistic and cultural events including films and music performances as well as providing a focal point for the local artistic community. The building includes a 108-seat theatre/cinema as well as a bar serving local and ethical products. All participants provide their involvement in the project voluntarily and are unwaged.HistoryThe wooden theatre at the heart of the Cube was adapted from a workshop by volunteers for an Amateur Dramatics group in 1964. The building itself has a long history as a community arts venue, built in 1916 as workshops for the Bristol Deaf Centre; and converted by a team of amateur theatre enthusiasts in 1964 into a theatre with 108-seat auditorium and fly tower. A projection room and cinema screen were added in the 1970s.The Cube opened its doors in its present form in October 1998 after about a six-month lead in period during which funding, equipment, business contracts and business plan were worked on. The team of four who started the Cube consisted of film maker/writer Jack Davies, screenwriter and film festival activist Julian Holman, and two stilt-walkers: Kevin Dennis and Graeme Hogg. Hogg (known as Hogge) and Dennis had been running an underground (as in mostly illegal and unlicensed) film screening event called Club Rombus for two years and this experience provided the foundation of what the Cube was to become. After acquiring a lease to the building, this small group managed to organise and recruit further volunteers.In July 2001 a serious fire originating in the New Mayflower kitchen destroyed most of the internal storeys and timber of 4 and 5 King Square and although the Cube itself only sustained minor odour and smoke stain damage, its entranceway was effectively destroyed meaning it was cut off from use by the general public.