Conversion (1996 To Present Day)
In 1996, the cinema was converted into a 5 screen multiplex, within the existing space. The circle was split into two inter-locked screens; rear stalls similarly, with the front stalls now utilising the original screen, albeit somewhat reduced in size to allow for the adjusted sightlines from a much smaller auditorium. The projection team at the closing as a single screen, and the opening as a 5 screen were John Paish (Senior Technician), Warren Dargavel (Head Painter and Executive in charge of lamps and multimeter probes), Steffan Laugharne (Chief House Engineer), the late John Peck (Handyman).
The 1996 closure and conversion had been mooted for several years, and public outcry at losing such a spectacular venue - most notably in the pages of the London weekly listings magazine "Time Out", in which Hellboy screenwriter Peter Briggs played a vocal role - delayed the process on at least one occasion.
In March 2011 Odeon Marble Arch had its 35mm projectors and CP65 sound processors removed and went fully digital in all five screens using NEC digital projectors with Doremi servers, Only screen one retains its Victoria 8 35mm projector and Cinemecanica non rewind system alongside the Digital system for the occasional 35mm shows. The digital network within the cinema is overseen by Unique Digital using its Rosetta Bridge Theatre Management System and any problems can be dealt with remotely from their network operations centre in Norway.
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