Birkenhead, UK – Actor Christopher Lee–Power reflects on how arts, entertainment, and technology have shaped cultural experiences over the decades and raises concerns about the impact of rising ticket prices on society’s access to cinema and theatre.
Lee-Power grew up surrounded by arts
“Growing up in Birkenhead in the 70s and 80s, weekends were defined by moments of joy and escapism,” Lee-Power begins. “I used to enjoy watching my mum and dad – my mother a country and western singer, my dad a compère – performing songs around the house.”
Cinema was central to these experiences. “The architecture of the big cinemas was breathtaking – soaring screens, ornate interiors, and a real sense of occasion. Then came the Pearl & Dean adverts with that iconic opening jingle, signalling that the film was about to start and building anticipation. And of course the cinema usher during the interval, walking down the aisle with ice creams and drinks – those details made it magical and unforgettable.” Iconic films like Superman, Star Wars, Jaws and Indiana Jones captivated audiences across the UK.
Playing games, watching Top of the Pops
“As young people, we didn’t just consume entertainment – we made our own,” Lee-Power adds. “Whether that was sitting around the house playing Monopoly or cards, riding bikes, or fashioning rope swings from tree branches in the park – health and safety never got in the way of our imagination – we found ways to entertain ourselves.”
The 1980s brought a cultural explosion through music and technology. Lee–Power fondly remembers sitting down to Top of the Pops and watching artists he loved: synth-pop pioneers such as the Pet Shop Boys, Soft Cell, Depeche Mode, Human League, and Duran Duran. “These artists defined a generation, with brilliant videos, bold fashion, and fresh sounds. The music was part of the energy of the decade – and the technology of the time, from cassettes and Walkmans to CDs and colour TV, made it even more exciting.”
Ticket prices nowadays prevent people from enjoying the arts
While celebrating this cultural heritage, Lee-Power issues a frank challenge: “If we want to make cinema and theatre more accessible, we need to look at ticket prices. While I understand that everyone involved needs to be paid and that there are costs, prices have risen to the point where families or people struggling financially may feel excluded. Making tickets more affordable will not only bring more people in but allow them to lose themselves in the magic of stories and performances. The public pays to see our work on whatever platform that may be, and we need the public because they are the ones supporting the industry. My challenge today is to everyone in the industry – from cinema operators and theatre owners to producers and policymakers – to consider how we can make ticket prices more accessible. By lowering prices and opening doors to more people, we’ll revive and strengthen the cultural life that so many love.”
Lee-Power stresses, “Art moves us. It inspires, it challenges us, and it can change the way we see the world. Whether through cinema, theatre, books, radio or music, art awakens emotions, fosters imagination, and for many of us, has transformed our lives. If we ensure access for all, that power will continue to thrive.”
From grand cinemas and colourful theatre stages to the unforgettable sounds of the 80s and booming digital platforms today, Christopher Lee-Power honours the past while urging action to secure a more inclusive cultural future.
What is Lee-Power up to at the moment?
Christopher Lee-Power has an exciting year ahead: his next film The Death of Michael Myers, in which he plays Dr. Langford, is coming out this year. He will also appear as Kenny in Under the Mersey Moon at the Floral Pavilion on 14-15 February, and will perform in Porridge, based on the BBC version, in March.
Friends of Bylines Network
There has never been a greater need for grassroots journalism that investigates the stories that really matter, holds power to account and champions the voices of everyday citizens. We are proudly powered by volunteers but what we do isn’t free.
STAND WITH US for independent, citizen-led journalism that makes democracy stronger, and you will even get some exclusive benefits.
