The original date night is back in Manchester for Valentine's weekend
THE Valentine's Day dilemma is upon us again. You want to do something special but you don't want to be one of those couples sitting in a restaurant feeling self-conscious because you're alongside fifty other couples, all doing exactly the same thing.
So here's an alternative for you. A night at the drive-in, where you get the privacy of your car and the buzz of being part of a big, communal happening, at the same time.
It's the original date night, as seen in all your favourite American teen movies. And it's now available here in Manchester thanks to two film buffs, Stuart Barnes and Tom Taylor, whose day job working with LED screens gives them access to the equipment and technology needed to make it happen.
Last year they launched Manchester's Iconic Drive In Cinema in association with Key 103. And after a successful weekend of drive-in films for Halloween, they're back for Valentine's weekend with nine nostalgia-laden films including Dirty Dancing, Pretty Woman, and Top Gun, plus family favourites such as The Beauty and the Beast and Toy Story. Full listings in the box below.
We spoke to them to find out what they've got planned, and why drive-ins beat multiplexes hands down when it comes to delivering a classic night out at the movies (and a little bit of Valentine's romance).
What can we expect from the Valentine's showings?
Stuart: “The main feature is the film obviously, but we want to make it an event people can really get involved in. So all the attendants will be dressed up, there'll be classic American food and drink on sale, there'll be kids activities for the family shows, plus singalongs, competitions, and even dancing if the audience is up for it. The Halloween one was a tester for us – it went really well. For Valentine's, we're putting everything into it.”
What's your personal favourite out of the Valentine's weekend films (and your favourite scene?)
Tom: “Mine is Notting Hill. Julia Roberts standing in front of Hugh Grant saying, “I'm just a girl standing in front of a boy asking him to love me.”
Stuart: “Bodyguard is mine. When Kevin Costner's barging through the crowds with Whitney Houston in his arms. What a scene.”
What makes a drive-in better than a multiplex?
Stuart: “A big benefit is you've got the freedom to sit in your own space, do what you want, and wear what you want. If you want to wear onesies, or bring cushions, quilts, all the rest of it, you can.
“Also you can control the volume level because the sound comes through your FM radio. And if you want to talk throughout the film, that's fine. You're not going to get an abrupt shush like you do in the cinemas.”
And, you've got more privacy...
Stuart: “Absolutely. We had one situation where a car turned up, parked right at the front two and a half hours early, blacked out the windows, and we just left them to it. I don't know what they were doing in there. If the car's rocking, we don't come knocking...”
“We had a group of girls come down in their pyjamas with their duvets. We had older couples in convertibles, all wrapped up with their hats and scarves on. It really is an event for all.”
Is it mainly couples, then?
Tom: “It's a complete mix depending on the film. For the family ones, it's parents and kids. At the Hocus Pocus showing, a guy turned up in a Transporter VW. He reversed it in, flipped the back open, and he'd decked it all out with cushions and speakers. He had about five or six kids in there, wrapped up in blankets, watching the film.
“But for the 5pm and 9pm showings, it's a mixture. We had a group of girls come down in their pyjamas with their duvets. We had older couples in convertibles, all wrapped up with their hats and scarves on. They flipped the roof back and they really enjoyed it.
“And we had people arriving in tandem with each other. So we had three couples wanting to be parked up together and have a bit of a giggle. It really is an event for all.”
Tell us about the food on sale
Tom: “It's all based around the US nostalgia theme. Popcorn, candy floss, brownies, cakes, hot dogs, bagels. And if you want to bring your own food, and your own booze, that's fine too.”
Can you still see if you're parked at the back?
Stuart: “It's the world's largest LED screen. There's a perfect view from any angle, and it's that bleeding big, you can't not see it.
“People want to go on the front row but the view is just as good wherever you are. We put small and saloon cars at the front, mid-range cars in the middle, and your four-by-fours and SUVs at the back. You can't pick and choose but we guarantee that whatever position you're in, you'll have a perfect view of the screen.”
What if it's raining?
“Come rain, wind, snow, whatever, the show goes on and it'll work perfectly. The screens have been used in really testing conditions, in the north of Scotland, in Norway. They've got a real strength to them. As long as the wipers are working on your car, there's no issues whatsoever.”
Any advice for first time drive-in viewers?
Tom: “Arrive 60 minutes before the film so you've got time to get parked and get food. Make sure you've got a working FM radio – that's the only thing you need to make it work.
“And enjoy it to the maximum. Bring your pyjamas, bring your duvets, bring your food, bring your booze. Get involved in the dancing and singing or just watch other people being daft. Enjoy it how you want to.”
Anything planned for the rest of the year?
Tom: “We don't want to give too much away yet, but we've got a number of events planned, starting with some showings on May the fourth.”
We wonder what that could be...
Valentine's Weekend at Manchester's Iconic Drive In Cinema in association with Key 103 takes place from Saturday 10 February to Wednesday 14 February at AJ Bell Stadium in Eccles. Tickets are £25 per car.
Beauty & The Beast (2017)
Saturday 10th February 1pm
Notting Hill
Saturday 10th February 5pm
Dirty Dancing
Saturday 10th February 9pm
Toy Story
Sunday 11th February 1pm
Pretty Woman
Sunday 11th February 5pm
Top Gun
Sunday 11th February 9pm
The Bodyguard
Monday 12th February 8pm
Romeo & Juliet
Tuesday 13th February 8pm
The Notebook
Wednesday 14th February 8pm
