Rigoletto to Undergo Major Renovation

When the Rigoletto movie theater opened in 1939 on Kungsgatan in downtown Stockholm, it had all the hallmarks of a movie palace of the golden age of cinema: imposing marquee, elegant foyer complete with curving staircase and elaborate art deco decoration in the theater itself. More than 70 years later, SF Bio is returning Stockholm's grandest movie theater to its former glory, but with modern touches including the most up-to-date technology available.

"We're aiming to restore the entrance so that the exterior will be even more classic than it is today," says Thomas Runfors, information manager at SF Bio. "The foyer, which is a bit messy and unattractive today, will be made more accessible and feel freshened up. The main theater will keep its classic design but with new, more comfortable seats."

The balcony in the main theater will also undergo a major transformation, turning into a VIP section with the small foyer outside becoming a lounge with a bar and snacks while the balcony itself will feature easy chairs rather than the traditional movie seats.

In addition, a new restaurant connected to the theater will be opening, featuring bistro-type food and aimed at giving the movie-going public a place to grab a bite to eat before or after an evening at the movies. The restaurant will be run independently by an outside restaurateur.

For the renovation, which will start in August 2011 with a reopening planned for Christmas 2011, SF Bio has been working with design company Stylt Trampoli. "We're striving to both reflect and reinterpret Rigoletto's position as Sweden's No. 1 grand premiere movie theater," says Anders Löwander, architect at Stylt Trampoli. "With the help of the interior design, we want to offer moviegoers a wholistic experience as magical as a gala premiere, no matter what's being shown on the big screen."