Cube Microplex, Bristol

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Front entrance to the Cube

The Cube logo in neon

The Cube Microplex is a microplex cinema and venue in central Bristol, which has been in operation since 1998. It was once a theatre, avant garde 1970s art centre and second-run family cinema. The name Microplex (coined by Kevan Dennis) was used as an antidote to the pervasive Multiplexes.

The Cube forms part of a radical alternative movement in the city which attempts to provide the community with a wider choice of entertainment and information. It is a non-profit volunteer-run cooperative showing cult films, experimental and unusual music and providing its audience with original ideas on culture.

[edit] History

The wooden theatre at the heart of the Cube was built for an Amatuer-Dramatics group in the 1950's. The building passed through various incarnations over its life, including a being a bo-ho Art Centre in the 70s, and a Second Run Cinema in the 80s.

The Cube Cinema opened its doors in its present form in October 1998. Leading up to this was about six months intensive activity which involved fund raising, planning, learning and idea making.

In July 2001 the public entrance and the surrounding buildings were burnt to the ground, leading to a year's closure and extensive rebuilding work. The Cube re-opened in August 2002.

[edit] Programme

The Cube's programme is based around film screenings, including general and limited release mainstream films, art-house and local filmmakers. Weekends often feature live music and performances. Aside from this, the programme includes a wide range of challenging, esoteric and hard to categorise events. The building is also periodically hired to third parties to put on their own programmes of events.

The Cube sometimes plays hosts to seasons and festivals. Most notably is the annual Venn Festival, which includes the Cube as one if its principle venues. The Cube also plays host to Bristol Radical History and the Independent Heroine festivals.