Withnail & I (Interactive)

Withnail & I is coming to The Electric Palace Cinema on Friday 13 November, and it's not your usual night at the pictures. This is an interactive screening of the 1987 British black comedy, curated by Jacque Le Put and Julia Andrews-Clifford. They run it as a participatory evening, so rather than sitting in the dark and keeping quiet, you're encouraged to get involved. There's drinks service at your seat, quote-along lines for the film's most famous bits, goodie bags, and prizes. You can even dress up as your favourite character if you fancy it.

For those who haven't seen it, Withnail & I is directed by Bruce Robinson and set in London in 1969. It follows two unemployed and unemployable actors, Withnail and Marwood, who leave their squalid Camden flat for what they hope is an idyllic countryside holiday at Withnail's Uncle Monty's cottage. They end up instead in a world of mad drug dealers and psychotic Irishmen. The film gave career-defining roles to Richard E. Grant, Paul McGann, Richard Griffiths and Ralph Brown, and it's famously crammed with quotable dialogue—which is exactly why the quote-along part works so well.

One of the people behind the night is Jacque Le Put, an active community volunteer who has supported homeless and vulnerable families and led a town-wide initiative during the pandemic. He and Julia Andrews-Clifford are the ones turning a standard screening into a full evening out.

The film starts at 7.30pm, with doors opening at 7.00pm, so you've got plenty of time to get settled and get your drinks sorted before the first line comes up. You'll find The Electric Palace Cinema at 39a High Street, Hastings TN34 3ER.