A double bill of festive favourites will be screened at Keswick’s Alhambra Cinema on Christmas Day.
The main feature will be a new 2020 film version of A Christmas Carol, which will start immediately after the Queen’s Speech is broadcast live on the big screen at the St John’s Street cinema at 3pm.
“We thought long and hard about what to show for what will be our first ever Christmas Day screening,” said the cinema’s co-owner Carol Rennie.
“We considered a romcom like Love Actually or It’s A Wonderful Life along with other ideas but in the end, we have gone for something traditional, with a modern rendition of a good old honest Christmas tale which no-one will have seen before.
“It’s not Pixar, it’s traditional, a full reading of the story but wonderfully acted, danced and brought to life.
“It should make a really good Christmassy event,” she added.
Free mince pies and mulled wine will be served to patrons at the cinema, which is more than 100 years old.
The latest version of A Christmas Carol is only being released at cinemas and features Martin Freeman, star of The Office and The Hobbit films, narrating.
The afternoon screening will be in aid of Cumbria Community Foundation’s Winter Warmth appeal.
The evening screening at 7-30pm will be WW84, the new Wonder Woman release.
Patrons will have to wear face masks and observe social distancing in a reduced capacity auditorium.
The cinema is opening on Christmas Day in a bid to recoup a little of its lost revenue during two prolonged closures in national lockdown and to offer an alternative for people who would normally visit family at this time of year but who are unable to because of coronavirus.
It is normally open 364 days a year.
Meanwhile, the Alhambra’s Christmas schedule also includes It’s A Wonderful Life on Monday 21st and Thursday 24th December.
