Steven Spielberg rallies film stars including Toby Jones and Emily Mortimer to help save 89-year-old London cinema from closure

  • The Curzon Mayfair in London regularly hosts star-studded premieres
  • More than 19,000 people have backed a petition to save the cinema 

Steven Spielberg is among a host of stars rallying to save a prominent London cinema from closure.

The operators of the Curzon Mayfair are desperately pleading with their landlord to renew the lease on the Grade II-listed building before it ends next year.

The 89-year-old venue regularly hosts star-studded premieres. More than 19,000 people have backed the petition.

Developers' plans would see the cinema reopen with one screen instead of two. Spielberg, who premiered his Oscar-nominated film The Fabelmans there in January, said it would be a 'travesty if Curzon was no longer there'.

The campaign is also being backed by actors Toby Jones, Tilda Swinton, Emily Mortimer and Imogen Poots.

Steven Spielberg (pictured) is among a host of stars rallying to save a prominent London cinema from closure

Steven Spielberg (pictured) is among a host of stars rallying to save a prominent London cinema from closure

Historic England describes the interior of the cinema, built in 1963-66 to replace a 1930s art-house cinema, 'as the most elaborate and best surviving of the post-war period'.

Spielberg, who premiered his latest Oscar-nominated film at the venue in January, said it would be a 'travesty' if it were to close.

'I was privileged to be there only a few months ago for the UK premiere of my new film, The Fabelmans, and it would be a travesty if Curzon was no longer there to host such special events,' he said.

Actor Toby Jones pleaded: 'Please don't touch the Curzon Mayfair! For those of us who have stumbled down those steps clutching the brass railing, then collapsing into the modest, cosy bar, glancing furtively at fellow viewers then smiling or wiping remaining tears from our eyes.

'The Curzon has been more than just another cinema. It's been a kind of club to which anyone can belong.'

Tilda Swinton, who was nominated for a BAFTA for her role in Curzon film We Need to Talk About Kevin, described the venue as a 'cultural generator'.

'Having nourished, encouraged and enlightened us for nearly a century, it deserves our gratitude, respect and protection,' she said.

'The Curzon Mayfair is not just an important and beautiful building- it is a cultural generator without which the social health of central London would be significantly compromised.

The 89-year-old venue, Curzon Mayfair, regularly hosts star-studded premieres. More than 19,000 people have backed the petition. Pictured: David Zaslav and Spielberg

The 89-year-old venue, Curzon Mayfair, regularly hosts star-studded premieres. More than 19,000 people have backed the petition. Pictured: David Zaslav and Spielberg

'We urge its landlord to appreciate its unique value to the lives of countless people and to join with us in seeking to safeguard its future for all cinema makers and supporters as yet far down the road.

'Curzon's diligent stewardship of this rare and beloved venue should be cherished and sustained.'

The campaign is also being backed by Mary Poppins Returns star Emily Mortimer, Babylon actress Katherine Waterston and Imogen Poots, who starred in The Father.

Curzon has formally applied for a new lease and if the Landlord refuses, the resulting legal process would give a court the power to grant a new tenancy for up to 15 years.

Curzon said it will make a substantial investment by bringing on board Benedetti Architects, who recently worked on the redesign of the BAFTA headquarters, to carry out an extensive refurbishment.

Westminster councillor Patrick Lilley, who set up the petition, said he is '100 per cent confident that Curzon Mayfair will be showing films for the next ten years'.

He told the Mail: 'I believe Curzon Mayfair will challenge the right to stay and carry on for decades. I don't believe it's an open and shut case… they're not short of a bob or two to fight their corner.

'The love for it, not just locally… it's also Spielberg. ET to the rescue and Mary Poppins too. If you can't save it with ET and Mary Poppins there is no hope for culture in London.'

He also criticised proposed plans to reduce the number of screens, adding: 'You won't get new, interesting stuff unless there is that second screen taking risks.'

A petition to save the cinema from closure over a noise dispute in 2016 amassed 27,000 signatures.

Landlords, 38 Curzon Lease Ltd, who converted the office space above into four luxury apartments, complained of noise from the films.

Spielberg, who premiered his latest Oscar-nominated film at the venue in January, said it would be a 'travesty' if it were to close

Spielberg, who premiered his latest Oscar-nominated film at the venue in January, said it would be a 'travesty' if it were to close

The Curzon said it could not afford soundproofing, which it estimated would cost £500,000.

Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, intervened with the 'agent of change principle' which requires developers to pay for the costs of soundproofing for works carried out next to an existing venue.

The redevelopment of Bank's The Ned hotel and Camden's Koko was also overseen by 38 Curzon Lease Ltd.

Vevil Properties Limited bought the freehold for 38 Curzon Street in 2015 for £27.5 million.

A spokesperson for the Mayor of London said: 'The Curzon cinema is a cultural gem and an important home for cinema in London. We need to ensure we protect our cultural venues – especially ones as iconic as the Curzon in Mayfair.' 

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