[Tainan 台南] Wonderful Theatre ♦ 真善美剧院 @ Lynda's Taiwan-logue

< Visited in Aug 2018 >

Having passed by this vibrant Ximen Road many times when staying in the vicinity, Wonderful Theatre 真善美剧院 was a natural choice when I decided to catch a movie this hot afternoon. (The bliss of a slow and leisurely travel pace, particularly suitable in Tainan~)

The theatre reopened in 2018 after an overhaul (costing more than a hundred mil New Taiwan Dollars). Starbucks and stationery chain 9x9 九乘九 (VERY~ huge~ stores~ for stationery fanatics) are just next door if you have time to pop by.

▼ The ticketing counter is on 1F. After ascertaining my plans for the next day, I purchased my movie ticket in advance when walking past the threatre.

▼ A glimpse at the ticket categories - comparable to where I come from.
(Side note: The free lifetime membership grants a 25% discount off tickets. The downside is, Central Pictures 中影 which operates the theatre does not have that many branches - a total of 4 including this one in Tainan - compared to other cinema chains. Check it out onsite.)

▼ Watching on my own (an activity I am extremely used to and actually enjoy) - Korean blockbuster "Along With the Gods: The Last 49 Days 与神同行: 最终审判", sequel to a successful first parter.

▼ Back at the theatre the next day for my screening, I took the elevator to 4F where the halls are located.

Other than proximity to my accommodation, I was actually drawn to this cinema because of its history and interior decor. The building dates back to as early as 1928 (!). Subsequently taking form as Yanping Theatre 延平戏院 in 1946 - which operated till larger cinema chains popped up in Taiwan in the recent couple of decades - the revamped Wonderful Theatre 真善美剧院 finally reopened in 2018.

Intentionally designed for a nostalgic feel, the theatre recreates elements of a traditional street scene, from preserved bricks, wooden panels and old furnishings. This is a public area before ticketed admission into the cinema halls, so you can spend some time to appreciate the exhibits before your movie.

Possibly revealing of my age, I spotted many items similar to what I used to see in my grandparents' old houses.

At my time of visit, the theatre was mere months into its reopening. Arriving early for my weekday early afternoon movie, there was no other patron in sight, so I could photograph the premises undisturbed. The cinema must have grown a following by now, as it screens both mass appeal movies as well as cult productions (小众电影) - the latter which I feel Taiwanese have a healthy appetite for - and is also used for movie premiere events with celebrity appearances.

▼ Shortly before my movie, the service staff starts checking tickets and admitting patrons.

▼ While the public zone has a retro design, the screening halls are all modern, complete with comfy plush seats and Dolby Surround 7.1 systems.

If you have time, be sure to experience Taiwan's cinemas and its wide range of movies.

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On the side...
◈ There are some cinemas in Taiwan which screens movies after their first run ends (二轮片), at discounted ticket prices. Some of them even allow patrons to watch two or more movies in a single admission.
Check them out if you have time in Taiwan~
◈ Tainan to date has some very lovely hand-painted movie billboards, a dying tradition kept alive thanks to artist Yan Zheng Fa 颜振发. Born in 1953, Mr Yan started his illustrious painting career at the age of 18.

▼ Spotted these in Aug 2018 at Yongfu Road Section 2 永福路二段.