A small-town movie theatre on Route 62

Montagu’s iconic Odeon Theatre - a quaint 60-seater cinema set in a historic wine cellar cum art gallery - brings small-town magic to life. Connect with the community and immerse yourself in the heartwarming atmosphere where movie night is a special event.

Small-town life - fictional or real - comes with a healthy dose of 'wacky' traditions and 'quirky' residents. From Stars Hollow or Middleton to Candleford or Virgin river - plus any Hallmark Christmas movie in between - we (well, most of us) are under the spell and charm of ‘village life.’

Central to the comings and goings of these small towns are the local hangout spots where the daily plot twists and turns play out. In Gilmore Girls it's Luke’s Diner. In The Good Witch it’s Grey House, Stephanie’s Bistro and Cassies’ shop: the Bell, Book and Candle. In Larkrise to Candleford, it’s Dorcas Lane’s Post office, and in Virgin River, it’s Jack’s Bar. 

In Montagu - a real-life small town along route 62 - there are a few popular spots where the locals gather to eat, drink coffee, connect, work, gossip and do life. 

One of these is an iconic little movie theatre called The Odeon. If you didn’t know better, you'd think you’d been transported to movie night in Stars Hollow (sans the eclectic Kirk). 

The ‘backstory’ 

Every good story starts somewhere and The Odeon’s began in 2008 when Hennie Kok, and his wife Sue, made the ‘groot trek’ from Joburg to Montagu with his personal film collection in tow.

Missing Rosebank's Art Nouveau theatre, Hennie introduced Sunday night ‘movie night’ with 8-10 friends squashing into his lounge. 

An ensuing friendship with Lemmy and Ida David - fellow Montagu movie buffs - sparked the dream of a local cinema. Dreams do come true, and after a series of fortunate events - including Hennie’s corporate IT background, Lemmy’s experience in the audio industry, and some welcome community involvement - the inaugural Odeon movie screening took place in 2017; a projector, sound system, and screen all in place.  

The ‘location’

The Odeon’s auditorium finds its heart in part historic wine cellar and part art gallery. This  collaboration - alongside resistance artist, Wiilie Bester’s, permanent exhibition of recycled assemblages and installations - is the perfect setting for a 60-seater movie theatre. 

With old-school cinema seats finishing off the authentic experience, this is just the place to be on a Wednesday evening. (Please note: popcorn is not available, but a free glass of wine is). 

The ‘director’

The Odeon is a passion project, and Hennie’s contagious love of films makes him the perfect movie ‘director’ for Montagu’s home-grown cinema.  

“Films have been a passion throughout my life, so seven decades of regularly going to the cinema, whenever possible, has brought a deep love for this powerful art form that can entertain, educate and inspire us. Running The Odeon is an expression of this passion.” -Hennie Kok

Hennie’s curatorship of the monthly movie selection is as quirky and discerning as one would expect in a small town. But there is something for everyone. Before each movie, Hennie gives an impromptu review/blurb and then asks whoever is sitting in seat E7 to please turn off the lights. It’s literally, ‘Lights, Camera, Action.’ 

The ‘cast’

What is a movie theatre without moviegoers? And this is exactly what makes the Odeon so special; the locals who support this Film Society initiative and enjoy ‘a night on the town.’ Everyone may be a movie critic, but there is something about a small town movie theatre that brings people together. 

Here's a small town idiosyncrasy: due to a significant proportion of the local audience relying on hearing aids, subtitles are always on, even if it isn’t a foreign film.

The movies

The Odeon’s lineup is a fascinating hodgepodge of foreign films, ‘classic’ movies (such as Chocolat, screened on Valentine's Day), epic moves (such as Saving Private Ryan), contemporary and art nouveau movies, recent releases, the odd indie movie, and documentaries (such as Vermeer, The Greatest Exhibition).

A couple of months ago, Oppenheimer made the list, and yet, despite the ‘Barbenheimer’ battle at the Oscars, I’m still waiting for the Barbie movie to be screened at The Odeon. 😉

At the beginning of each month, a list of the 3 or 4 movies - accompanied by reviews and trailer links - are sent out. Ticket sales are available @R50 each at the Gallery (cash only). It’s first come first served, but if there is great demand, a second screening is often arranged. 

‘The end’

The Odeon isn’t just a quaint retro movie theatre in a pretty Klein Karoo dorpie; it’s a gathering place where connecting with friends, watching movies, and a touch of old school nostalgia all come together with a surprising energy and unique sense of community spirit. 

And if the person in the seat next to you happens to be a stranger, small town etiquette demands a friendly introduction and you will leave as acquaintances. It's as simple as that. That’s the magic of living in a small town.  

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