A pop-up community cinema will be making its debut in Newcastle in time for the Coronation and is promising a right royal occasion with a free screening of the service ahead of a summer run of films, food and fun.
Aptly named The Royalty - taking its name from the long-gone cinema of that name - the pop-up will bring a giant screen to Gosforth Central Park on Saturday just along from where the original in Gosforth High Street once stood. Its opening celebrations will include a screening the King's Coronation live from Westminster Abbey followed on Sunday by the star-studded Coronation Concert from Windsor Castle. Tickets are free but need to be booked.
The temporary screen will go on to show a mix of movies, with tickets available for 200 viewers a time who also will be able to buy food, coffee and ice cream while the park's Etto cafe will be serving BBQ food and refreshments from its terrace. While there will be some deckchairs available, people are being invited to take along blankets and camping chairs as well as picnics.
Read more: Coronation events around the North East
The Royalty is a new initiative by Gosforth Shopping Centre - in partnership with Urban Green Newcastle, the charity which cares for the citys parks and green spaces - and the idea is to bring people together while also fund-raising for some new play equipment. And it promises to be a boost to the local area, with knock-on benefit to high street shops.
Georgie Scott-Batey, manager of the shopping centre which was bought by Monument Real Estate in November, said: “The new owners want to make the centre a hub of the local community and improve not only the retail experience but also the surrounding areas, hence the fund-raising for the children’s play area." She said the idea of a pop-up cinema was decided upon with Urban Green and evokes "fond memories of the much loved one in Gosforth".
The Royalty Cinema closed its doors in 1981 after 89 years and she added: "What better time to bring back a cinema called the Royalty than on the King's Coronation weekend.” With the help of local sponsors and support, there will be three screenings a day in the park.
Saturday's coverage will begin with the 11am start of the service to crown King Charles III. The day's big screen entertainment will also include showings of family films Matilda the Musical, at 2.30pm, and Spider-Man: No Way Home at 5.30pm.
As well as the Coronation Concert, Sunday's programme will include Minions: The Rise of Gru and The Greatest Showman followed on Monday by Encanto, Peter Rabbit 2 and Top Gun: Maverick. Della Hadingham, events manager at Urban Green Newcastle, said they are excited about the cinema's Coronation weekend debut, adding: " Not only is it a great chance to celebrate with the local community who regularly visit the park but it’s also a fantastic way to raise funds we need to improve the play park for Gosforth’s younger residents.”
Tickets for screenings at The Royalty cinema pop-up will cost £5 for adults; £3 for 12 to 16-year-olds and £1 for under-12s. A family ticket, for two adults and up to three children, is available for £12. Booking fees will apply.
For the full range of screenings and to book see here. All ticket proceeds will go to a fund-raising fund for the the children's play park.
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