22-24 Leicester Square,
London,
WC2H 7JY
08712 244 007
The ViewLondon Review
The Odeon Mezzanine is the poor relation of the Odeon Leicester Square – it’s located in the same spot, but protectively tucked away under the huge Square-dominating marquee of its larger cousin.
Though the entire cinema only has room for a total of 290 patrons (less than the capacity of one screen in the Odeon West End), the Odeon Mezzanine scores points for being a centrally-located ‘extended run’ cinema, meaning that you can still catch films on the (admittedly fairly small) ‘big’ screen, sometimes as much as several months after they’ve finished their normal theatrical run.
For example, at the time of writing (April 02), the Mezzanine was still showing Amelie (October ‘01), Harry Potter (November ‘01) and Moulin Rouge (August ‘01).
The main drawback of the Mezzanine is that the screens themselves are too small – the effect can sometimes be like sitting in someone’s front room! However, the sound quality is good and the seating has been re-upholstered (with that oh-so-tasteful fake leopardskin that the Odeon is unaccountably fond of) so that the seats are comfortable and there is plenty of legroom. Sight lines are also good, with the seats in each screen on a gentle slope.
It’s also worth pointing out that the screens are slightly larger than those of the Odeon Wardour Street, for example, plus the prices are, appropriately, slightly cheaper than any of the other Leicester Square cinemas. Other than that, there’s no bar, but the concession stand is of the usual standard.
It’s probably true that the Odeon Mezzanine won’t top anyone’s list of the best cinemas in London; neither will it be anyone’s first choice as a place to see a film. However, the fact that it exists as a centrally located extended-run cinema is A Good Thing and, since its revamp, it is no longer deserving of its bad reputation.
Standard ticket price and discounts: £8 (Evenings and weekends); £5 Mon-Fri, before 3pm; £5 Concessions.
Capacity: Screen One: 60; Screen Two: 60; Screen 3: 60; Screen 4: 50; Screen 5: 60
Facilities: concession stand.
Type of film shown: Blockbuster / Mainstream Hollywood / Occasional arthouse.
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