Valentine’s Cinema at Victoria Baths

Valentine's Cinema at Victoria Baths, Manchester, 15–16 February 2019, from £8 - Book now

The Village Screen honours St. Valentine this February with a weekend-long takeover of  Victoria Baths that’s perfect for singles or those of you looking to impress your better halves. The stunning Grade-II listed building transforms from pool to picture house, with Valentine’s décor, first-rate street food and a fully stocked bar. Audiences can expect social lubrication in the form of themed cocktails, Prosecco and local beers, whilst warming hot chocolate will also be available.

Film-wise, there’s something for everybody. For the Friday night flick, The Village Screen have stayed classic, sort of, with a showing of Baz Luhrman’s updated take on Shakespeare’s timeless tale of star-crossed lovers. Starring ‘90s heartthrobs Leonardo DiCaprio and Clare Danes, Romeo + Juliet is built to please, no matter your predilection. Add in Luhrman’s kinetic direction and dialogue lifted straight from the bard and you’re on to a winner.

On Saturday, the candle-lit cinema’s early pick is the appropriately aquatic The Little Mermaid. It’s hard to go wrong with Disney’s animated crowdpleasers, and this under-the-sea story of love, longing and lobsters is bound to go down a storm with young and old alike. Come for the romance between Ariel and Eric, stay for Sebastian and queer icon, Ursula; voiced by Pat Carroll but inspired by legendary drag queen, Divine.

Later on Saturday and rounding out the weekend is another Shakespeare update in the form of Gil Junger’s 10 Things I Hate About You. Transplanting The Taming of the Shrew to an American high school, this nineties rom-com has been praised for its sharp script and the strengths of its breakthrough cast. Today’s viewers will find additional interest in the performances, as the film helped provide a launching pad for the likes of Julia Stiles, Heath Ledger and Joseph Gordon-Levitt