In the seventies and eighties, if there was one theatre in Sri Lanka with the finest design, it would undoubtedly be the Jaffna Windsor Theatre. Even without air-conditioning, it was designed in such a way that there was no need for it. Initially, it was called "New Windsor." This was because the older, smaller Windsor Theatre, once the new one was built, became the LID0 Theatre. Until it officially became the Lido, people referred to this new theatre as "New Windsor." Once Lido began operating, it was simply called "Windsor."
Some of the unique features of this theatre... it was a high-ceilinged, expansive theatre. On both sides of the walls, there were large windows. Before a movie started, a staff member would close them one by one. For evening shows, these closed windows would be opened as darkness began to fall. Watching a movie there was a delightful experience, enjoying the cool breeze and admiring the night sky visible through the windows. The design even included a walkway outside the windows, allowing one to walk along them. One of my facebook friends, Gowrishankar, who responded to this post, mentioned that the theatre was designed by the world-renowned architect Geoffrey Bawa. He is also the designer of Sri Lanka's current Parliament building. He is known for introducing a style called Tropical Modernism in global architecture, specializing in designing buildings with a unique national identity, integrating the country's natural environment and culture. Now I understand why Windsor was designed so exceptionally. Thanks, Gowrishankar.
