City of Wesopa

City of Wesopa is a medium-sized combined cinema and theatre located in the North Holland town of Weesp, Netherlands. The building itself holds the status of a municipal monument. The name "Wesopa" derives from an old Latin name for Weesp. The venue opened as a cinema on 14 October 1948, in a period when cinemas were being built across the Netherlands to satisfy post-war demand for films, especially American productions. In its early years it screened titles such as The Guns of Navarone and Ben-Hur. After television became widespread in the 1950s, the cinema struggled; it was considered too large for Weesp and eventually closed, later being used as a storage facility for 'Openbaar Kunstbezit' (public art heritage). The building deteriorated and stood empty by the late 1980s. In that period, Filmhuis Weesp proposed creating a theatre in Weesp for film, music and stage performances. The municipality of Weesp granted permission to use the building, provided renovation costs remained low. Thanks to many volunteers and sponsors, a small theatre with a flat floor was created, and in 1991 the new Theater City of Wesopa opened. Since 1991 the theatre has hosted roughly 200 performances annually with minimal government subsidy, about 25 of which are specifically for children. Volunteers work almost daily to keep the theatre running. Municipal subsidy was increased in 1998, making operations somewhat more manageable. City of Wesopa is managed by a management foundation (beheerstichting) and a members' association that decides on programming and activities. In 2012 and 2013, Sara Kroos presented her Radio 2 programme "Sara op zondag" from the City of Wesopa. The venue continues to operate as a film house and theatre, selling a "Wesopa Filmpas" discount card and relying on volunteers for rental, technical and promotional work.

City of Wesopa is a medium-sized combined cinema and theatre in the North Holland town of Weesp, Netherlands. The building has the status of a municipal monument. The name "Wesopa" is an old Latin name for Weesp. The cinema opened on 14 October 1948 in the building that still houses the venue. In the years after the Second World War, the people of Weesp craved entertainment after being deprived of the latest (especially American) films for so long. This was not unique to Weesp; cinemas were built throughout the Netherlands to meet this demand. Films such as The Guns of Navarone and Ben-Hur were shown on the screen at that time. After television was introduced in the 1950s, business began to decline for the City of Wesopa. The cinema became too large for Weesp. It closed its doors and was used as a storage facility for 'Openbaar Kunstbezit' (public art heritage). The building's appearance slowly deteriorated, and this worsened when it became vacant in the late 1980s. In the late 1980s, Filmhuis Weesp conceived the plan to start a theatre in Weesp where film, music and stage performances could all be seen. The municipality of Weesp eventually granted permission to use the building for that purpose, on the condition that the renovation not cost too much. Through the efforts of many volunteers and sponsors, a small theatre with a flat floor was created. In 1991 the new Theater City of Wesopa started. Since 1991, approximately 200 performances have been given annually with minimal government subsidy, of which around 25 are specifically for children. Volunteers work almost daily on all kinds of tasks needed to keep the theatre running. Municipal subsidy was increased in 1998, making the level somewhat more bearable. City of Wesopa is managed by a management foundation (beheerstichting) and an association decides what happens there. In 2012 and 2013, Sara Kroos presented her Radio 2 programme "Sara op zondag" from the City of Wesopa. The venue continues to operate as a film house and theatre, selling a "Wesopa Filmpas" discount card and relying on volunteers for rental, technical and promotional work.

• Cinema City of Wesopa opens in Weesp.

• Cinema closes after decline following the introduction of television; building later used as storage for 'Openbaar Kunstbezit'.

• Building becomes vacant and deteriorates further.

• Filmhuis Weesp plans a theatre for film, music and stage; municipality grants permission.

• New Theater City of Wesopa opens after volunteer and sponsor renovation.

• Municipal subsidy increased, making operations somewhat more manageable.

• Sara Kroos presents Radio 2 programme 'Sara op zondag' from City of Wesopa.

A volunteer-driven, community-oriented cinema and theatre in a historic municipal monument, offering film, music and stage performances with minimal government subsidy.

• Wesopa Filmpas

  Online discount pass costing €7.50, linked to the user's account, allowing up to 10 tickets with a €1.50 discount each.

1. 1Home - Wesopawesopa.nl
2. 2City of Wesopa - Wikidatawikidata.org
3. 3City of Wesopa - Wikipedia (NL)nl.wikipedia.org