A trip to the cinema is not always worthy of a podcast, but the Regent Street Cinema in the West End of London is a little bit special. I first visited this cinema in October 2014, when it was still mid-refurbishment. This week, I was lucky enough to see it in all its splendour, just a whisker ahead of its official opening.

I had a good nose around, and spoke to the artistic director Shira MacLeod as well as Anna McNally from the university archives. Take a look around this picture gallery, and have a listen to the podcast, which explains the unique history of this building, and what we can expect from its forthcoming programme.

Listen to the Silent London podcast: a visit to the Regent Street Cinema

As ever, you can find this podcast, and all our previous editions, on iTunes.

Regent Street Cinema panorama

Regent Street Cinema balcony

Regent Street Cinema

Regent Street Cinema

Regent Street Cinema – one of the personalised chairs named by people who contributed to the refurbishment of the cinema

Regent Street Cinema – those plush seats, and a glimpse of the booth

Regent Street Cinema – proper plush cinema seats

Regent Street Cinema – a glimpse of one of the mouldings

Regent Street Cinema – the popcorn is strictly artisan

Regent Street Cinema projection booth – the left hand half

Regent Street Cinema

Regent Street Cinema

Regent Street Cinema – the projection booth in full

Regent Street Cinema projection booth – the right hand half

Regent Street Cinema

Regent Street Cinema balcony