Drive-in screenings were not events that George Wood, founder of the UK’s largest outdoor cinema company, ever wanted to run. “It’s not the same experience, you’re distanced from your other audience goers, you don’t get the same community,” he said. But, with the coronavirus lockdown forcing entertainment venues to close, Mr Wood, who founded Luna Cinema in 2008, realised “that social distancing thing that I didn’t like about it was exactly what was needed”. So far three of his 69 venues have agreed to host drive-in events and he is also looking at new sites.
Such conversions are filling some of the void in the UK’s cultural calendar this summer as companies running mass gatherings such as festivals, theatre and al fresco cinema look for ways to hold events while keeping audience members apart. Drive-in raves, car park theatre and karaoke nights are also planned, starting from July 4, the government’s suggested date for a third phase of lockdown reopening.
Read more:https://www.ft.com/content/0d210337-c532-4bb3-99a5-270ec10f5d30