Rio Cinema founder Clara Ludski to be honoured memorial plaque

The Rio is one of Hackney’s most beloved institutions. Photograph: Rio Cinema, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

The Hackney Society is fundraising for a plaque to commemorate Rio Cinema founder Clara Ludski.

Ludski (1862–1933) was a pioneering businesswoman who transformed a former auctioneer’s shop into the beloved independent Dalston cinema. Originally named the Kingsland Palace, it first opened its doors in 1909.

Janet Chapman, chair of the Hackney Society, told the Citizen the group hopes to unveil the plaque in April. “She has such an amazing story”, she said.

Deborah Goodman is Ludski’s great-granddaughter and found out about her work after it was written about in the Jewish Chronicle. She told the Citizen: “I am thrilled that Clara Ludski is to be honoured with a Hackney Society plaque, because it is so important to remember our local history.

“What a successful entrepreneur she was, before women even had a vote. Her legacy is now there for all to see. How proud must she have been to have achieved such standing and success in and around Hackney”.

She added: “We discovered some photos in my mother’s attic of Clara. Sadly, not a lot else. It’s sad how quickly recent ancestors are lost to families.

“But the Hackney Society has been very helpful [in letting us learn about her history]”.

Goodman added that she hoped Ludski’s plaque would be just one of many “plaques for brilliant women that achieved so much and changed history in Hackney”.

Ludski’s story has been told in the society’s book Women from Hackney’s History (Vol 1) and the film of the same name, which was screened at the Rio for the first time on International Women’s Day this year.

At the time of writing, the fundraiser had raised 28 per cent of its £1,150 target.

“Despite her impact, Clara’s legacy remains largely unrecognised”, the fundraising page reads.

“That’s why we’re raising funds to install a commemorative plaque at the Rio Cinema, honouring her contribution to Hackney and to British film history.

“Your support will help fund the design, production and installation of the plaque, as well as a public unveiling event involving the local community”.

Visit the fundraising page here.