Labyrinth: Open Air Screening
King George V Stadium Grimsby
CineShow UK
Saturday 12 August 2023
In a new venture for local favourites CineShow, they took their show into the open air with a screening of the Jim Henson classic from 1986 at the athletics stadium in Grimsby. And whilst not quite as immersive as previous productions, the signature style and attention to detail that Jamie Roberts has made his hallmark was present once again.
Labyrinth is a 1986 musical fantasy film directed by Jim Henson with George Lucas as executive producer, the film was written by Terry Jones, and many of its characters are played by puppets produced by Jim Henson's Creature Shop. The film stars Jennifer Connelly as 16-year-old Sarah and David Bowie as Jareth, the Goblin King. In Labyrinth, Sarah embarks on a quest to reach the center of an enormous, otherworldly maze to rescue her infant half-brother Toby, whom she wished away to Jareth.
Guests at the event were greeted at the door by "Sarah" the film's heroine and William the Worm who sat astride a wall at the entrance to a labyrinth before entering the field where the screening would take place. There followed a sign compelling Grimsby to turn back before it becomes too late. And the last sight. before fully entering the screening area, was a model of The Junk Lady from the film.
The large screen upon which the film would be projected was erected in the stand at the stadium and the audience sat across the athletics track and on the grass. Some seats were provided on bean bags or in deck chairs. Other attendees brought their own chairs or blankets and many came dressed in keeping with the film. There were food and drinks concession stands and table tennis tables for the audience to enjoy pre-show.
Pre-film entertainment was provided by a few of the regular CineShow performers. In front of the stage was a screen accurate Goblin King's throne and astride it was The Goblin King himself cuddling baby Toby from teh film. He demanded that his minions entertain him and two singers performed a tribute to the music of David Bowie. Izzy Bunten really impressed with her astonishing vocal gymnastics. Then came the turn of the King himself, and in role Alex Rayne utterly delivered with his performance of some of Bowie's best material including Moonage Daydream and Dance Magic Dance from the film.
As the night drew in and darkness began to fall, the film was shown and silence descended over the crowd. The audience of all ages sat in rapt attention as the story unfolded and burst into applause at its conclusion. Unlike previous shows, there was no shadowcast performances but the event didn't suffer from that and I am sure that the next film The Rocky Horror Picture Show will involve far more cast involvement and audience participation.
CineShow brings a point of difference to the area and in screening classic films of the 70s and 80s is developing something of a niche with its audience and it is a rich, deep seam to mine. I wish Jamie and his team all the best and encourage anyone to go and see one of their shows, I am sure you won't be disappointed. Their next screening is The Rocky Horror Picture Show on Saturday 02 September and tickets can be purchased from https://www.cineshow.co.uk/events-1 .
Andy Evans 13 August 2023
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