The Reader, the UK’s biggest shared reading charity, is bringing back its outdoor cinema to Maison House Garden in Calderstones Park for a second summer. The season opens on Wednesday, July 29, with a 9pm screening of Pride (2014), a film about the alliance between gay activists and mining communities during the 1984 strike.
Festival atmosphere without the cost
Jen Chapman, director of brand, communications and digital at The Reader, said: “A lot of people love the feeling of going to a festival, but not everyone can afford to do that every year. Watching a brilliant film that you really love, with your friends, your family, your partner, whoever, in a big group outside, gives you a bit of a festival feeling. It's just a lovely way of being outside.”
The charity aims to bring people together through shared experiences. “Movies are a really great way of experiencing a story together. We choose films that are great to watch in a crowd because we know that people still really want that,” Chapman added.
Film lineup and practical details
Screenings run until August 31, including classics such as Dirty Dancing and Breakfast at Tiffany’s. Younger audiences can enjoy The Scarecrow’s Wedding and The Gruffalo in August. Doors open an hour before each screening, with food, drinks and music welcoming visitors. Guests are welcome to bring picnics and chairs, and pre-booking for food, drink and seating is available.
Supporting community work
All profits from the cinema go towards The Reader’s work in Liverpool and beyond. The charity runs shared reading sessions in hospitals, prisons and community centres for both children and adults. Chapman said: “What we do is really accessible to all parts of society and we've got really amazing, robust research that tells us it really makes a difference in people's lives to feel more connected to others. We always make those groups free and accessible to as many people as possible, and we can only do that by generating income through events like this.”
For more information on screenings, The Reader’s work and how to contribute, visit the charity’s website.
