#389
Post
by prettyxcool » Fri Feb 17, 2012 12:17 am
Had a lovely evening last night at "the other cinema' - a pop up cinema just launched on Valentine's day, a cinema experience very much like the old days.
They used the Troxy, East End's Picture Palace, a fab and glam venue. We arrived about 6.50pm for the 7.30pm start and already there was a long queue and a red carpet in front of the building, and a few people with lists were ticking people of in the queue and giving out the old style cinema tickets. I gave my name and was told to go to the front of the queue! Doors opened at 7pm and we all went in to be greeted by usherettes and then shown to tables! Totally not what I was expecting, and I was not told it was black tie either. The place was sumptuous, with red table cloths and candles. Luckily OH was still in his suit after attending a meeting and I decided to dress up a bit - I had jeans on all day! We sat at a table at the front with 6 other couples.
The place soon filled up and was packed. The ushers and usherettes were going around selling popcorn, making sure we were all ok. There were bars and food stalls at the back and the menu on the table was offering English food like Toad in the Hole, Shepherd's Pie, Fish Pie, Mushroom, Leek and Chestnut Pie and for dessert, Jam Sponge Cake with Custard. Unfortunately, you have to p*y. OH treated me to a bottle of wine, which was not cheap, but it was nice. There was live music while everyone got shown to their seats, while eating their food, etc. Then the cabaret started. The compere was the Manager of the theatre, who welcomed everyone and introduced the acts, there were dancing groups, a mime show, and a singer.
There was also a lot of audience participation, two sing alongs (It's a Long Way to Tipperary and Maybe It's Because I'm a Londoner), and a "pass the flower" game, much like pass the parcel, but with no prizes, except whoever was holding the flower when the music stopped had to turned to each person in turn on their table to tell them how much they loved them and why since it was Valentine's week! Then we all stood up to sing the National Anthem to celebrate Valentine's Day.
We also saw two short films, one was a silent called The Kiss, accompanied by live piano playing. Quite a funny film, but ending was a bit horrific, and supposedly to be a comedy! Finally, the film started at 8.50pm. Not seen this classic, so really looking forward to it. Very cheesy, "I am so gay and happy", the kids were very precocious, even in those days. But it was really romantic and heartbreaking, and very compelling to watch, lovely to be swept off your feet like that, but glad it ended the way it did. After the film they cleared the lower parts off tables, and it became a dance floor, for an evening of dancing. Lovely!
Film 8/10 Event and venue 10/10
Last edited by
prettyxcool on Wed Apr 11, 2012 2:38 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Member No. 17 of the "100 free films in 2019" club. 50 seen so far
My Movie Scores
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2018 - 100 seen (9 premieres/Press) Also 2 Opera, 1 Netfix, 15 theatres, 2 concerts, 1 ballet)
2017 - 106 seen
2016 - 116 seen
2015 - 120 seen (16 premieres, 2 Gala Screenings). Also 3 theatres/shows, 2 concerts
2014 - 132 seen (26 premieres and 7 Gala Screenings). Also 18 misc. free events/concerts
2013 - 115 Seen (12 premieres). Also 6 theatres/shows, 5 concerts
2012 - 118 seen (23 premieres). Also 12 theatres/shows.
2011 - 133 seen
2010 - 105 seen
, people taking photos, people not eating all their food, people not drinking enough wine, people bouncing up and down on their seats, it was like a Mexican wave.
Member No. 1 of the "100 free films in 2020" club. 7 seen 
Member No. 1 of the "100 free films in 2009 - 2019" clubs. 826 seen 
Member No. 1 of the "104 free previews in 2008" club. 92 seen 
