Wonderland: Back to the Kingsway

Flatpack are embarking on a new year-long project to map out Birmingham’s cinema stories, and what better place to start than the Kingsway? When this ornate theatre opened in the rapidly growing suburb of Kings Heath in 1925, the publicity promised “high-class amusement tastefully presented.” It became a much-loved local asset, but by the 1970s home entertainment had taken its toll and the Kingsway’s final screening – Encounter with Disaster – took place in 1980. Its second life as a bingo hall lasted until the late 2000s, and then in 2011 a fire left only the building’s frontage standing.

Happily, since last summer the Kingsway has enjoyed a third life, hosting outdoor film screenings, craft markets and record fairs. Come and join us on market day, where we’ll be sharing pictures and footage of the Kingsway along with some of Birmingham’s other lost picture houses. If you have images or stories of your own, we’d love to hear from you.This is the first in a series of pop-up Wonderland events during the autumn – see www.flatpackfestival.org.uk for further announcements.

Date & Time Sat 18 Sept | 12pm–4pm Location Kingsway Cinema, 73 High Street, King’s Heath, B14 7BH Cost £1 entry (as it is market day) Booking Booking not required Website Twitter  Facebook  Instagram