THE Magic Lantern Cinema in Tywyn has been named in a list of the top 50 cinemas in the British Isles.

The list was compiled by Time Out magazine, with the Magic Lantern coming in at number 28.

General manager of the cinema Annie Grundy is “chuffed” with the news.

She said: “We are totally chuffed! It’s a really lovely surprise for the Magic Lantern to make Time Out’s top 30 in UK and Ireland – especially alongside all those other incredible cinemas, from multiplexes to independents.

“I spend a lot of my free time at the Magic Lantern because I love the place and the films, so personally, I’d love to travel and visit all of those cinemas on the list! I could visit my three sisters in Eire at the same time!”

Co-director Sara Waddington and joint owner Geoff Hill said: “We’d quite like to be top of the list one day! Meanwhile, we’ll keep the Magic Lantern buzzing.

“We are working on the autumn film programme now, plus we still have lots of plans for improvements and special events up our sleeves.”

Describing the cinema, Time Out’s Phil de Semlyen said: “With tables sporting awesome terrible punny names (Quentin Tabletino, Catherine Seater Jones), a big quote attributed to John Lennon etched on the balcony, and a dog-friendly vibe, this little coastal cinema in Wales wears its lovely quirkiness on its sleeve.

“It’s been showing films since 1901, a run that nearly came to an end with a funding crisis in 2019.

“But a successful campaign to save it, complete with Twitter support from Michael Sheen, means it goes on keeping the local community in movies, big and small.

“Oh, and the quote? ‘Everything will be okay in the end. If it’s not okay, it’s not the end.’

“At the Magic Lantern they’re just getting started.”