There’s a certain alarm generated by the news that British Airways is sponsoring a rooftop film club situated on the top of Stratford’s multi-storey car park. Is the airline trying to edge out the humble petrol combustion engine vehicle? Is the company looking to establish an outpost for its City Airport operations? I liked that car park… why have they taken it over? It does sound lovely though.
Proceedings begin on 26th June. The Rooftopers have taken over the top floor of the car park in the Roof East complex, and they’ll be showing films in their own way. You sit on deckchairs and listen to the film on blue tooth headsets. Films start at 9pm so punters can see the screen and showings only take place in good weather so that… well, so that punters can see the screen, we suppose. The film experience is enhanced by a full range of drinks and nibbles (many of the ingredients of which have been grown by rooftop gardeners, to keep the theme going) and BA blankets if it gets chilly.
The Stratford venue is not their first venue, the Rooftop Film Club has done this before – you can tell. The Club has operated roof outlets in places such as the Bussey Building in Peckham, the Queen of Hoxton in Shoreditch and Kensington Roof Gardens. What’s unique about Stratford is the view across to the City. (There’s also a view over rich boys’ playground the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, but you can just boo at that and turn the other way.)
The roofers say that when we do have a warm summer evening, there’s little that can beat the feeling of sitting under the stars with food, drink and a film. However, there will also be plays and dance and, during the holidays, family activities too.
The rooftoppers claim that last summer saw over 200 sold out screenings. Don’t miss your chance to get tickets for the 21st century urban version of the drive-in movie experience.
ROOF EAST, STRATFORD Tickets: £13.00 for adults Screening: 5 nights a week, 26th June to September 2014 Times: Doors: 6pm. Screening: Around 9pm Plus: food & drink available from resident bar, The Pearl, open Tuesday to Sunday Nearest Tube/Rail: Stratford Mainline and underground station Rooftop Film Club @ Roof East: Level 8, Stratford Multistorey Car Park, Great Eastern Way, Stratford, E15 1XE
QUEEN OF HOXTON, SHOREDITCH Tickets: £13.00 for adults Screening: 4 nights a week, May to September 2014 Times: Doors: 8pm. Screening: Around 9pm Plus: The newly refurbished Queen of Hoxton Rooftop Bar & Kitchen Nearest Tube/Rail: Old Street/ Liverpool Street/ Shoreditch High Street Rooftop Film Club @ Queen of Hoxton: 1-5 Curtain Road, London EC2A 3JX
•For full film listings, tickets and further information please go to: WWW.ROOFTOPFILMCLUB.COM