The history of cinema in Mayfair is predominantlycharacterised by the history of the famous Curzon art-house cinema ? located at number 38 on the street of the same name. Nestled between Hyde Park and Green Park, and just a stone?s throw away from St James? Palace and the grandiose May Fair Hotel, the historic Curzon cinema has always been at the forefront of British film culture. Bringing only the best feature films to London?s most luxurious neighbourhood, the Curzon?s evolution reflects that of the capital city around it.
Today, the Curzon exudes class and exclusivity: its main screen is one of the largest in London; the palatial 43- by 20-foot display can be admired from two elegant Royal Boxes. The Curzon is also one of those rare cinemas in which you might enjoy a screening whilst sipping a glass of wine from its Art Deco bar,and it hosts at least 12 star-studded premieres a year.
A Grade II listed building, the Curzon cinema is without doubt an integral feature of the area, complementing some of the most expensive property in Mayfair. Yet, the Curzon is proud to call itself an ambassador of independent art-housefilm: it houses a more intimate screen for the true cinephiles to savour a mid-week indie screening and, unusually, screens documentaries.
How can the Curzon reconcile this apparent clash of exclusivity and popularity" Simply, it seems, this dichotomy grew organically from the Curzon?s long history. The art-house opened in 1934 and was an immediate succe...