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W W W. V i Va L E W E s . C o M<br />
CiNema rouNd-up<br />
Dirty drive-in<br />
Going to the pictures is one of my favourite activities.<br />
I like to feel immersed in the film, cocooned<br />
in the darkness. But there are other, interesting,<br />
alternatives to going into a cinema. Anyone who<br />
has watched Grease, Back to the Future III, or even<br />
The Flintstones, knows how significant drive-in<br />
movies are in American culture, especially as part of<br />
nostalgic reflections about the 1950s. On Saturday<br />
6th, you can have the drive-in experience in your<br />
own backyard. Or rather Plumpton Racecourse. It<br />
sounds a rather more mellow and leafy venue than<br />
where I saw Pulp Fiction, which was in an industrial<br />
expanse of tarmac in downtown Oakland, California.<br />
It was amazingly atmospheric, if frankly terrifying.<br />
We kept the car doors locked throughout.<br />
You won’t need to lock your doors at Plumpton<br />
Racecourse, and the film isn’t scary either. They are<br />
showing the 1987 sexual awakening classic, Dirty<br />
Dancing. It has an early 1960s setting, some filthy<br />
dance moves and upbeat music. And being wellknown<br />
is perfect, since you don’t go to a drive-in to<br />
watch the film as such. The visual/sound quality is<br />
never going to be brilliant (you hear the soundtrack<br />
by tuning the car radio). But it’s a fun place to go<br />
on a date. Drive-ins always had a reputation for encouraging<br />
louche behaviour, labelled as they were,<br />
‘passion pits’ by the press.<br />
You can take your own picnic, although there will<br />
also be a licensed bar and food stalls. Gates open at<br />
7pm, with the film starting at about 9pm, depend-<br />
c i n e m a<br />
ing on when the sun sets. Tickets £25 per car for<br />
advanced booking, (maximum 5 per car), £30 per car<br />
on the day (subject to availability). 01273 890383.<br />
Another event suitable for film goers in search of an<br />
alternative experience is the special sleepover event<br />
at Newhaven Fort featuring a showing of Night at<br />
the Museum. This also takes place on Saturday 6th.<br />
The Fort is a wonderful dramatic setting, drenched<br />
as it is in history. Night at the Museum is an<br />
entertaining family film from 2006, featuring Ben<br />
Stiller. His character, Larry Daley, begins a new job<br />
as night guard at the New York Museum of Natural<br />
History, only to have a taxing first shift when the<br />
statues and animal exhibits come to life and start<br />
causing havoc. There’s excellent silly diorama fun<br />
from Steve Coogan and Owen Wilson, as well as<br />
good turns by Robin Williams on horseback and<br />
Ricky Gervais as the pernickety museum director.<br />
Watch out for the naughty monkey too.<br />
The evening begins at 7pm and will include a<br />
barbecue and a spooky tour of the Fort. Night at<br />
the Museum will be screened at 9pm, with popcorn.<br />
During the evening there will also be an animation<br />
workshop with a chance to make an animated film.<br />
Breakfast and a goodie bag will be provided in the<br />
morning. Spaces are limited, tickets are £45 each<br />
and must be booked in advance by calling 01273<br />
517622. Children should be aged between 8-14 and<br />
accompanied by an adult (maximum 4 children per<br />
adult). Emma Chaplin<br />
3 7
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