Halls boss says public will be asked what films they want to see

THE boss of Fairfield Halls has come out fighting over Croydon's newest cinema, stating – "We are not the David Lean".

Simon Thomsett has spoken out after the replacement for the art house David Lean Cinema, which was closed in April, made its screen debut at the weekend.

MIXING THE PROGRAMME: Simon Thomsett, chief executive of Fairfield
BLOCKBUSTER: Helen Mirren and Russell Brand film Arthur was the first movie screened at Fairfield last weekend

Despite being called David Lean at the Fairfield, Mr Thomsett admits Fairfield's concert hall or the Ashcroft Theatre, which can seat between 600 and 1,700 people, will not be able mirror the atmosphere and intimacy of the former 60-seat cinema in the Clocktower complex.

The new programme will offer more mainstream movies, reflected by the choice for the first screening at the new cinema – a remake of 1980s comedy Arthur, starring Russell Brand.

Mr Thomsett told the Advertiser: "We support cultural amenities in Croydon and what we have tried to do with the cinema programme is widen our appeal and be more ambitious."

He said the aim of the new Fairfield programme would be to offer a mixture of mainstream films alongside those art house screenings which appealed to the traditional David Lean audience.

In addition to blockbusters including The King's Speech, Slumdog Millionaire and The Black Swan, the programme running until November also includes a season of horror films, and a week of films by renowned Japanese director Akira Kurosawa, which includes among others the Seven Samurai.

Mr Thomsett has organised a public meeting for September 16, where cinemagoers will be able to tell Fairfield what kind of films they want to see in the future.

The meeting will start at 6.30pm, prior to a free screening of The Third Man,

Mr Thomsett said: "I will not be interested in negativity at the meeting.

"The meeting will not be about why the David Lean should be saved; it will be about what we should be doing.

"We need to get on with things and hopefully prove ourselves."

Adrian Winchester, who has led the campaign to reinstate the old David Lean Cinema, is unimpressed by the new programme at Fairfield.

He added: "The pertinent point is that whatever they are doing, they are not operating Fairfield as a proper cinema."

What do you think of the programme at the new Fairfield cinema?

Join the debate at www.thisiscroydontoday .co.uk or alternatively e-mail your views to newsdesk@croydonadvertiser.co.uk