Magic Lantern Theatre was a type of early image projector, developed in the 17th century. It used a light source to project images painted on glass slides onto a screen or wall. This early form of visual storytelling captivated audiences and paved the way for modern cinema. The Magic Lantern Theatre experience was truly magical. The audience gathered in a darkened room, eagerly awaiting the flickering images that would appear before their eyes. The projector was operated by a lanternist, who carefully manipulated the glass slides and adjusted the light source to create a seamless and mesmerizing display.
The projector was operated by a lanternist, who carefully manipulated the glass slides and adjusted the light source to create a seamless and mesmerizing display. The stories depicted in the Magic Lantern Theatre were diverse, ranging from biblical tales to fantastical adventures. The slides were often hand-painted with vibrant colors that added to the illusion and brought the images to life.
Bringing Light to the Community: Magic Lantern Theater
Smiles and the aroma of popcorn in the air bring a warm welcome upon walking into the Magic Lantern theater in Spokane. It brings a cozy vibe of alcoholic refreshments, candy, comfortable seats, and helpful, bright eyes that welcome you with a feeling of appreciation for community and art.
“I have been going to the Magic Lantern for over 10 years; I work a shift every week and absolutely love the menu, and the environment there is awesome,” Javi Sparks, manager at the Saranac Public House said.
It has deep roots in the community as a small, independent, family-run art house theater located within the Saranac building in downtown Spokane off Main Ave. Jim Sheehan is the founder of the Community Building campus and its ethic. And his daughter, Katy Sheehan, helps run the building itself. While Joe Sheehan, his son, and Jonathan Abramsom, a long-time colleague, took over running the theater.
Jim Sheehan writes in “One-Block Revolution,” edited by Summer Hess, that “our project is just one of many ways to ground money in place to co-create spaces that nurture our communities.”
It began in the early 1970s, before Spokane hosted its 1974 World’s Fair. After a few different owners opened and closed the doors, the theater was dormant for nearly 30 years until it was brought to life within the Saranac building. Many renovations had to be done in order to make the theater profitable.
It was a struggle for the theater to really get profit margins to livable levels due to a non-profit setup that the current owner from 2008–2010, Joe Davis, a doctor completing his residency program at Sacred Heart Medical Center, had wished to accomplish. Joe Sheehan was the building manager at the time and would help with the theater often.
When this didn’t happen according to plan, the theater closed its doors again. But in 2016, Sheehan came back to help with the art house.
Until COVID-19 shutdown, the theater had seen its highest success rate since it moved into the Saranac Building in 2007. Abramsom would book the movies, handle all the shipping details, build the shows on the software, and make the film schedule according to “One-Block Revolution.” Sheehan would handle venue bookings, community outreach, negotiations, and would take turns running the front.
“I really enjoy getting excited about upcoming movies and getting the chance to be one of the first people in the city to see them,” Joe Sheehan said.
Many customers are regulars, while students, film buffs, and community members come to enjoy the unique movies that are shown here at the Magic Lantern. Senior days are Wednesdays with ticket prices discounted at $7.50, and booklets are offered with 10 movie tickets discounted at $80.
The Spokane International Film Festival, or SPIFF, has been with the Magic Lantern for years. This remains the busiest week of the year and is set to begin in February, 2023.
The arthouse frequently works with its neighbors in the Saranac building, including 350 Spokane, KYRS Thin Air Radio, The Lands Council, Blueprints for Learning, Save Our Wild Salmon, Peace and Justice Action League of Spokane, and more!
“We turn to our relationships to guide us toward life inside a legacy of love, but not perfection,” Katy Sheehan said in “One-Block Revolution.”
Sandy Williams, who ran The Black Lens, has hosted numerous fundraisers for her independent newspaper and the Carl Maxey Center; coming up on December 1st will be a movie night of remembrance. Come celebrate her memory with a showing of The Woman King. The event will include a silent auction, and all proceeds will go to the Carl Maxey Center of Spokane.
“We love to have as many people come through as possible,” Joe Sheehan said.
The lanternist would narrate the stories, guiding the audience through the narrative and enhancing their immersion in the experience. The audience's reaction to the Magic Lantern Theatre was one of wonder and enchantment. It was a form of entertainment that transported them to another world, allowing them to escape the confines of their daily lives and experience something extraordinary. The magical atmosphere created by the flickering light and moving images was nothing short of captivating. The Magic Lantern Theatre sparked a revolution in visual storytelling and laid the foundation for the development of cinema. It introduced the concept of projected images to a wide audience and paved the way for the future of entertainment. Without the ingenuity of the early lanternists and their captivating shows, the world of cinema as we know it today may never have come to fruition. In conclusion, the Magic Lantern Theatre was a groundbreaking form of entertainment that captivated audiences with its magical storytelling. Through the use of hand-painted glass slides and a carefully manipulated light source, the lanternist brought the stories to life, creating a mesmerizing experience for all who attended. This early form of visual storytelling paved the way for cinema and remains an important part of entertainment history..
Reviews for "Captivating Audiences: The Magic of La Lanrene Theatre"
- Susan Johnson - 1/5 stars - I had heard so many good things about "Magic Lanrene Theatre Spojane," so I was really excited to go see it. But unfortunately, I was extremely disappointed with the show. The production was sloppy, with actors forgetting their lines, props falling over, and technical difficulties throughout the performance. The story itself was confusing and hard to follow, leaving me feeling bored and unengaged. Overall, it was a waste of time and money.
- Mark Davis - 2/5 stars - I had mixed feelings about "Magic Lanrene Theatre Spojane." While the set design and costumes were visually stunning, the plot and acting were lacking. The story felt disjointed and hard to follow, with unnecessary and confusing subplots. The performances, while not terrible, were far from impressive, with several actors seeming unenthusiastic and unconvincing. I had expected much more from such a highly acclaimed production, and I left feeling underwhelmed.
- Emily Thompson - 2/5 stars - I had high hopes for "Magic Lanrene Theatre Spojane," but unfortunately, it fell short of my expectations. The pacing of the show was off, with moments of tedium followed by rushed and confusing scenes. The costumes and set design were visually appealing, but they couldn't compensate for the lackluster performances by the cast. The actors seemed disengaged and lacked chemistry, making it hard to connect with the story and characters. Overall, it was a disappointing experience.