The new cinema season at Chelmsford Picture House has everything from an Oscar winning performance, to a take on a family classic, plus a biopic of a much-loved comedy duo and more. Spring/Summer season will also feature an exciting partnership with Film Hub South East, which will bring new British and world cinema releases to Chelmsford. Plus, there’s a treat instore for parents and pre-schoolers with new child-friendly ‘Jibber Jabber’ screenings.
Ian Knowles, theatre manager at the Civic Theatre, is passionate about film and has created exciting new partnerships to bring the very best films to Chelmsford. Ian says: “We have searched high and low to bring a wide range of brilliant films to the Chelmsford Picture House. We’ve also reached out to Film Hub South East to show the very best in new film talent. We have big studio movies, small independent films from around the world and some classics that have not been shown on the big screen for years. We really do have something for everyone and we will be celebrating Essex Pride with some LGBTQ+ themed films later in the year.”
The British/Spanish romantic comedy drama ‘Anchor and Hope’ revolves around the carefree Eva (Oona Chaplin) and Kat (Natalia Tena) who live together on a London canal boat. When their beloved cat dies there is suddenly a hole in their lives and then, one drunken night, Kat agrees to have a baby. When Kat’s Spanish friend Roger visits them, he agrees to help them to become mothers and a rollercoaster of emotions begins. ‘Anchor and Hope’ has as been described as one of the best LGBQT+ films of 2018 by IndieWire. The film is screened on Wednesday 24 April at 7.30pm. Anchor and Hope also stars Geraldine Chaplin as Eva’s mother, and Geraldine is the real-life mother of Oona (Eva) and is the daughter of Hollywood legend Charlie Chaplin. The screening of the film will mark the 130th anniversary of the birth of Charlie Chaplin.
After more than 50 years the sequel to the much-loved children’s classic Mary Poppins has hit the big screen. ‘Mary Poppins Returns’ (U) sees Emily Blunt inherit the shoes once filled by Julie Andrews, as the nanny beloved by all children. Rediscover the magic of the feel-good factor of cinema on Thursday 28 March with a Jibber Jabber Cinema show at 11am, plus open house at 2pm and 7pm. The family classics continue with ‘Thunderbirds Are Go’ on 16 April when the much-loved 60s tv puppet series gets a big screen outing. Cheer on Scott, Virgil, John, Gordon, Alan and Lady Penelope as they fight to save the world at 2pm and 7.30pm.
These are just a few of the films in the new season. For full details and to book tickets visit www.chelmsford.gov.uk/theatres or call the Box Office – Tel No: 01245 606505.
