Richard E Grant: ‘Every job I’ve had is a result of being in Withnail & I’
Picnic Cinema is privileged to be the promoters and presenters of not only the finest and unique cinema experiences in the UK – and the one that began current Oscar nominee Richard E Grant’s career – the iconic Withnail & I at the location where it was filmed.
Yearly since 2012 at the remote and perhaps slightly godforesaken Sleddale Hall, just outside Shap (in Cumbria), a cinema experience that people come from all over the world to take part in has been taking place This year the dates for a delightful weekend in the country are Friday 28th & Saturday 29th June.
Each year a small group of 200 people travel to the remote location just outside the Lake District. Previous visitors have hailed from as far away as Ireland, Italy, San Francisco, Australia and even Belgium. The couple from San Francisco first met watching the film and made the journey to celebrate their wedding anniversary at the place it was set.
Picnic Cinema is far more than just an outdoor cinema. The films and the locations speak to each other, previous years have included screening The Shining on the grounds of a grand hall or The Blair Witch Project in the depths of the forest (and turning the power off mid-film for additional spooks).
For die hard fans of the UK’s no.1 cult movie, Withnail & I, the experience really is second to none. ‘Picnickers’ arrive at the site, camp over, dress up and enjoy an evening of entertainment including a quiz, games, hearty food, cake and sherry before settling in to view the film.
“This is our fourth time attending, it just keeps getting better and better. Fantastic weekend, can’t wait till next year!” – Audience Member 2018.
Bryoney Cartlidge, Project Manager said “there really is nothing like it, the atmosphere at the house when Withnail & Marwood arrive in the film is electric. It’s such a surreal and magical experience! People arrive expecting to simply watch a film, but the whole event is so much more than that – the film is really just one part of it”
Tickets to the event cost £48 and usually sell out to Picnic Cinema mailing list subscribers before they go on general release. More information can be found at www.edenarts.co.uk/withnail
