The Piccadilly Cinema
The Piccadilly North Adelaide was opened in October 1940 by Dan Clifford, the managing director of D. Clifford Theatre Ltd. The design of The Piccadilly was carried out by Adelaide architects, Evans, Bruer & Hall, in association with prominent Sydney cinema architect, Guy Crick, who designed many cinemas around Australia. The Piccadilly had many significant features when it first opened, including a special ventilation system which drew out warm air and allowed cool air to be filtered though, as well as a specialty carpet made in London by the world renowned Templeton’s. Although the ventilation system is no longer in operation, the stunning design can still be seen throughout the interior and exterior of the building, where an exact replica of the original carpet is currently in use. Clifford chose the name Piccadilly to reflect both London’s Piccadilly Circus, or as it was then called, ‘the centre of the worlds traffic’, and Adelaide’s own Piccadilly region. To celebrate the Piccadilly name, Clifford commissioned a reproduction of the Piccadilly Circus mural by renowned English-Australian artist, F Millward Grey. The Piccadilly was created with the intention of providing a grand theatre for the residents of North Adelaide.
After Clifford’s death in 1942, his chain of cinemas were subsequently taken over by Greater Union Cinemas, who later renamed the cinema ‘The Forum’ and altered aspects of the building, covering up the Piccadilly mural.
In 1983, Bob Wallis bought the Piccadilly from Greater Union, saving the building from being demolished and, in the 90’s, converted the single-screen cinema into a three-screen layout. It has remained a Wallis cinema ever since. The Piccadilly North Adelaide is one of the oldest operational cinemas in South Australia and is a significant Adelaide institution, not only due to its architectural standing, but also its history of promoting Australian cinema, including housing the world premiere of such films as ‘Samson and Delilah’ and ‘Snowtown’.
In June 2021 The Piccadilly closed its doors for 14 months to undergo an historic transformation.
Reopening in 2023, the iconic Piccadilly Cinema now allows you to take the cinema experience to a whole new level whilst still stepping back in time to embrace the old-school glamour of days gone by.
The building has been lovingly restored, seamlessly blending modern features and the unmistakable charm of the original art deco vibe. The restoration and rejuvenation, which cost more than $2 million, uncovered some stunning original features, including the striking terrazzo floor in the foyer and a mural of Piccadilly Circus, which was painted by F. Millward Grey and sits proudly over the grand staircase, that has been uncovered and painstakingly restored by Adelaide-based Artlab Australia. The Wallis Family also restored a 35mm film projector that had been in storage and now plays retrospective titles as they would have originally been seen.
Today’s Piccadilly Cinema is fully accessible to wheelchairs with a lift to Cinema 1. There are two beautifully appointed new Boutique offerings in Cinemas 2 and 3, that bring modern luxury and convenience to the experience of going to the movies. With in-seat dining via QR code, a range of deluxe seating options perfect for date night or a treat with friends, this is modern cinema with old world charm. Completing the sense of occasion is the added bonus of a stylish bar and function space available before or after your movie where you can enjoy a range of tea and coffee, wines, cocktails and delicious gourmet foods and platters.
The Piccadilly is truly the most decadent and chic way to enjoy a day or night at the movies.
