Cinema night a masterpiece in showmanship

Photographs by Jessica Wall.

Caistor’s community cinema kicked off in style when the group held a demonstration screening at the Town Hall earlier this evening (Saturday, May 26, 2018).

The demonstration was organised to give residents of Caistor and surrounding villages a foretaste of how the group expects its film nights to work.

The musical movie The Greatest Showman was viewed by a near capacity audience of 200 people, and proved a perfect choice.

Young photographer Jessica Wall was on hand to capture the preparations and atmosphere of Caistor Community Cinema’s Big Night.

 

Mounting a borrowed projector at Caistor Town Hall.

 

Local Scouts were kept busy as they sold popcorn in the foyer, with the proceeds going to an overseas trip.

Entry to the viewing was by donations only and people proved generous with their support, putting more than £480 into buckets at the door. A further £95 was raised by selling refreshments.

This means the group has achieved its target of raising £14,000 – in just over three months.

 

Questionnaires ready for the public to fill in.

 

A significant factor in achieving the target in such a short time was support by West Lindsey District Council’s Large Community Grant Scheme, which awarded £8,000 to the project. Other valuable support came from Caistor and District Lions, more than a dozen local businesses, and a GoFundMe crowdfunding campaign.

A local businessman who wished to remain anonymous, contacted the Citizen earlier this week as he wished to donate £1,000 to the project. He said he had been grateful to townspeople for their support.

Chairman Steve Critten said he felt moved by the businessman’s generosity.

 

Now you see Steve Gaughan …

… And now you don’t. Putting up blackout curtains over the Town Hall windows

 

VIP guests at tonight’s screening included West Lindsey District Councillor Angela Lawrence and Caistor Mayor Alan Somerscales and his wife Gill.

Before the screening, Mr Critten thanked the public for their support.

At the end of the show, the audience showed their appreciation by spontaneously clapping their applause.

 

Curtain up: Katie Pixsley takes charge.

 

Sound checks in progress

 

Ready for the audience.

 

Above and below: Some of earliest business sponsors to pledge support for Caistor Community Cinema.

 

 

Have a break: Ready for the interval.

 

Cups put out ready to serve tea to the cinema-goers

 

On-screen: The Greatest Showman proved to be entertaining.

 

The audience starts to arrive.

 

Ready and waiting for the film to start.

 

Only a handful of seats were left empty during the screening.

 

At the start of the interval.

 

In the foyer during the interval.

 

People queue for hotdogs and drinks.

 

A busy trade: Scouts selling popcorn to raise funds for an overseas trip.

 

Hotdogs were also served during the film night.

2 Comments

  1. Carol Barnes

    Well done on a successful venture it must have taken a lot of effort long may it continue

    Reply
  2. Paul laverack

    Absolutely brilliant to see well done to Steve critten and all is support team . Plus to the local business supporters . Caistor needs such ventures . In the winter it will be a great asset to the town.

    Reply

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