PAYRET

The Cine Payret is located in the Habana Vieja area of central Havana, opposite the Gran Teatro, and is one of the largest cinemas in Havana with 2000 seats and a 60 ft widescreen. Originally it was a theatre, erected 1878. In 1952 it was operated by Augustin Batista as cinema. It has a Classical style façade, but the interior of the building is in a Streamline Moderne style designed by Arellano & Batista. Seating is provided in orchestra & balcony levels. On the auditorium walls are bas-reliefs depicting the nine Muses and a bronze figure called ‘Illusion’ by foremost sculptress-Rita Longa ins in the lobby. The theater had the distinction of showing the first CinemaScope film made “The Robe” in 1953.