Blackwood Cinema expecting “very good half-term” despite reduced capacity

Blackwood’s Maxime Cinema is expecting a “very good half-term” after it was allowed to reopen for the first time this year.

The relaxation of coronavirus rules in Wales meant cinemas were allowed to reopen on Monday, with virus safety measures in place.

Steven Reynolds MBE, director of Maxime Cinema owners Picturedrome, said the cinema has to keep a four-seat gap between different groups of people, which has reduced the capacity of each of its screen rooms from 640 to around 170.

He said since reopening on May 17, the cinema has been “mostly at the capacity we’re allowed,” and added: “It’s gone well so far. Everybody is very pleased.

“Families are coming in en masse and are happy with the rules that are in place.”

Before the cinema reopened, more than 900 tickets had been sold for Peter Rabbit 2.

Food and drink

Last week, Mr Reynolds voiced his concerns over rules which could have affected the way the cinema serves food and drink.

Currently, hospitality venues such as pubs, cafes and restaurants have to serve food and drink to individual tables.

Mr Reynolds was worried this would have applied to cinemas too. This would have meant cinema-goers would have to get their food and drink delivered to their seats, and would be unable to pick it up from the counter like they normally would.

But when the Welsh Government confirmed details of the reopening last Friday, these concerns were quashed, much to the relief of Mr Reynolds.

What films are being shown at the cinema?

• Godzilla vs. Kong
• Mortal Kombat
• Nomadland
• Peter Rabbit 2: The Runaway
• Spiral: From the Book of Saw
• Those Who Wish Me Dead
• Tom and Jerry

Premiere

The premiere of Dream Horse – which stars Damian Lewis and Australian actress Toni Collette – is set to be held at the Maxime Cinema on Sunday, May 23.

The film, which is based on the real life story of Cefn Fforest racehorse Dream Alliance, was set to hit cinemas last April but was delayed because of the coronavirus pandemic.

It will hit cinemas nationwide on June 4.

Mr Reynolds said: “It’s a big event and it’s exciting to see.

“The director insisted it plays in Blackwood before London. It will be nice to see the red carpet out again – it’ll bring much needed joy after the last year.”