Manchester’s Chapeltown Picture House (CPH) has relaunched itself as CULTPLEX (CPX). Situated within the award-winning events space GRUB, CULTPLEX is an independent cinema dedicated to celebrating the best in cult cinema, TV, videogames and more on the big screen and has enjoyed an ever increasing audience since it’s doors re-opened in early 2021, after a short opening period before the pandemic.
When asked about the reasons for the rebrand, the director of the cinema Jason Bailey said ‘Firstly we haven’t been located on Chapeltown St for a fair few years! More than that though we want to show off that we’re not JUST a cinema, we’re much more than that. CULTPLEX sums us up and allows us to do even more new stuff, put on events outside our own venue and get ready to open a new cinema, more news on that soon.’
The change of name has been in the works for some time now. The venue will continue to show classic cult films developing their growing reputation as the best alternative cinema space in the area alongside bringing in even more comedy nights, cabaret, gigs, video game events, quizzes, podcasts and more yet to be announced live projects.
Despite a change of name and branding, the cinema promises that the programming and identity that has resonated with audiences is going nowhere. Greg Walker, Cinema Producer on the flexibility and future prospects the rebrand has said ‘Nothing will be fundamentally changing with the venue, the programming, ethos and vibes our audience has come to expect, it’s simply a change of name to reflect who we are now. 2022 was massive for the cinema with loads of special one off events that sold out super fast, 2023 is going to be a huge year for us!’
Also launching alongside CULTPLEX’s rebrand is a new members scheme that its community have been requesting since reopening. In line with the cinema’s accessible pricing, and recognising the tough times everyone is facing right now, the memberships are also very fairly priced starting at £30 for an annual membership which will get members free tickets, 20% off any of our screenings, exclusive member only screenings and a unique pin badge to show off their cult cinema cred. Lifetime membership is also available for a bargain £70.
Upcoming programming for February features a plethora of cult classic films and special events which includes Stanley Kubrick’s The Shining, The Matrix Trilogy, Under The Skin and Ghost World; Valentines specials including the Tarantino penned True Romance, and a double bill of Baz Lurhmann’s Romeo + Juliet & Moulin Rouge. Family audiences can enjoy classics such as The Iron Giant and the first two Shrek films on the big screen, whilst genre fans can look forward to a John Woo double bill and the biggest UK horror podcast Evolution of Horror making a visit to the cinema. For those wanting to get warmed up for the Oscars, the cinema will play host to screenings of potential nominees Everything Everywhere All At Once, Top Gun Maverick and the jewel in Martin McDonagh’s crown, In Bruges.
To find out more: https://www.CULTPLEX.co.uk
