Walkthrough
Stepping through the front doors and into the weather lock of the Mayfair, the visitor is greeted with mustard yellow walls complemented by various rosewood-red painted detailing. The bold colour choice easily captures one's attention and alludes to the Spanish-revival style the interior was designed in. The white ceiling lined with a rectilinear design in red paint completes the look of the entry vestibule and further enhances the Mediterranean aesthetic. The light fixtures framed with thin gold-coated metal and bent into a pattern mimicking that of fish scales, scatters light around the weather lock in a way that creates an otherworldly atmosphere and prepares the visitor for what’s to come. The box office is situated in the right corner of the weather lock opposite a bulletin board advertising the the theatre’s future shows. The ‘cash only’ sign pasted on the box office window acts as a way to signify the transition of the visitors departure from the modern world outside to the past. It gives the visitor the experience of being in a theatre in the 1930s when transaction machines and other modern devices were not available. The lineup of old filming equipment and projection devices on the roof of the box office further signifies this transition and reflects the theatres value in giving an experience unlike the modern cinema’s which film lovers can appreciate. After purchasing a ticket, the visitor is then greeted by a hallway with a staircase leading into the auditorium at the centre, a Ladies washroom and Candy bar to the left and a men’s washroom to the right.
The concessions store (dubbed the candy bar) not only provides guests with food and beverages, but is also a place where vintage objects related to the films shown are sold.
Action figures and plush toys are placed throughout the store and are on display when their respective films are aired. Vintage televisions and filming equipment are also on display throughout the store and are complemented by posters of classic films such as The Rocky Horror Picture Show and the Alien series. The inclusion of these items in the candy bar reflects the importance of film and media to the Mayfair, which film goers that share the same passion can appreciate. It shows the desire to bring the films to the viewer and allow them to interact with their favourite characters. Although most modern cinema complexes have a similar approach to this (shown through large cutouts of movie characters that film goers can take pictures with), the Mayfair’s arrangement of the figurines as if they were displayed in ones bedroom and inclusion of old media devices creates a more intimate setting for the visitors.
After food and drinks are purchased, the visitor can make their way into the auditorium through a flight of stairs framed with red velvet curtains.The curtains act as a way to celebrate the visitors entrance into the space and create a separation between the outside world and the auditorium. At the top of the staircase, the visitor has a full view of the space and can clearly see the seating arrangement unlike in modern cinema halls whereby one enters the space from the bottom near the screen. Renowned author Alain Miguelez described the interior of theatre as giving “the effect of watching an open-air movie in the middle of a Mediterranean plaza, framed by ornate stone façades under a soft blue sky.”(Al-Asad 2017). Although every aspect of the auditorium is eye catching, the first features one will notice are the large projection screen at the front of the hall and the faux-balconies that hang beside it. The screen is framed with geometric designs that emphasises its significance and draw ones eyes to it while the balconies are used to display life size figurines of characters from the films shown. Balconies are common features in atmospheric theatres and are used both as a decorative feature and as a way to create the illusion of being in a larger space. They suggest the presence of a stairway leading up to them which tricks the audience into believing that the auditorium is larger than it appears to be (Mayfair staff 2019, History page). The faux-balconies are draped with silk fabrics and painted with detailed foliate designs that enhance their beauty. The two larger of the four balconies were designed to mimic the roofs of a Mediterranean plaza, containing triple-arched porticoes and continuing to carry the theme of a Spanish style villa. Dim blue light radiating from the wrought iron lanterns hanging beside the balconies further enhance their appearance and creates a unique atmosphere. The main lighting fixtures in the auditorium are placed along the line where the curved ceiling meets the walls. Each fixture shines light towards the ceiling which then scatters it throughout the hall. Due to the shape of the ceiling, the lighting also creates the illusion of a larger space by enlarging the ceiling. An antique clock also hangs on the walls alongside the balconies. The clock is of high importance because it has been in use since the theatre was first opened and has not been taken down since (Mayfair staff 2019, History page). The placement of the speakers on the walls along with the layout of the space enables sound to travel evenly around the room. Although it appears as though the curtain at the entrance of the auditorium allows sound from the outside into the interior, the doors on the interior side of the weatherlock stop this from happening. Once a film has started, they are shut and act as a soundproofing barrier, stopping outside noise from entering the space.
Apart from regularly showing films, festivals and other events are often held at the Mayfair. This allows people outside the usual customer demographic to come see what the Mayfair has to offer and experience the other-worldly atmosphere modern cinema’s lack. “The Mayfair isn’t much to look at, but they’re impressed by how beautiful it is inside,” said Lee Demarbre, program coordinator at the Mayfair (Tomeksysak 2010).His comment reflects how most people view the Mayfair the first time they walk into the auditorium. The interior evokes a sense of wonder in new visitors to the space that leaves a lasting impression.
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- Film in Ottawa: The Mayfair theatre Maria Sang