Page 12 - RD_2015_12

The Regal

in Colombo

John Fitzsimons

One legacy of English, European
and American culture has been the
transplanting of handsome theatres to
many countries. Though the icy winds
of economics have cut down some of
the best theatres of the world, there is
still a dream amongst CATHS members
and like-minded people, that
somewhere, surviving against the odds,
is a working, old-style hard-top, just
waiting for the tourist with ‘eyes to
see.’And yes, I’ve found one.
The Regal in Colombo, Sri Lanka
was mentioned to me by a long-time
friend. It is a stand-alone cinema set
back from wide roads in one of the
fashionable parts of town. Close to the
sea, it would look equally at home at
St Kilda.
Sri Lanka has its own film industry,
like big neigbour India. Although the
Regal’s empire interior suggests that it
should be the home of English films, or
at least films subtitled in English, it
screens only films in Sinhalese, with no
subtitles.
The manager invited me to inspect
the building between sessions. In many
respects it was a smaller version of the
Burnley Burnley, with local
modifications such as ceiling fans. Red
velvet curtains across the rear wall
concealed boxes akin to those in an
opera house. I drew back one curtain,
and surprised a courting couple; a
pleasant affirmation of a universal
impulse.
Colombo is a city of 1.6 million
inhabitants and 26 cinemas, some with
familiar names like Liberty, Odeon
and Savoy. Only the Majestic has three
screens. There seems to be no theatre
district as such, the theatres are where
you find them. But I only had eyes for
the Regal. Long may it continue to
show films. ★
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS:
Thanks to the kindness of the manager
Mr Baldsing, I was given a free run of
the theatre. On a later visit Ian Smith
was shown similar courtesy by
manager Mr. A. S. Fernando.

12 2005 CINEMARECORD