Film 4 Summer Screen

Trainspotting 15 AUGUST 2016 £18.35 (including booking fee)

Every summer Somerset House opens its courtyard to host the Film4 Summer Screen: an outdoor cinema showing cult classics, contemporary and even newly released films. The event spans over two weeks and tickets sell quickly, so if you're interested, get in there soon!

The location is without doubt beautiful, with full surround sound and a huge screen, meaning the movie quality does not suffer due to the setting. The event also has a really great atmosphere: you are right in the centre of the city, yet feel you have been transported to a serene foreign land - you can't even hear the traffic less than 50 metres away! In the early evening, as people are arriving and getting settled they have DJ's playing, meaning you can relax with a beer (£6) for an hour or so before the movie begins.

Most Film4 screen's sell out completely, meaning that it really is advisable to get here early - even from when doors open (6pm). This ensures that you get a decent spot, and make sure to bring enough pillows and blankets to be comfortable - those cobbles aren't comfy at the best of times, let alone when you're sitting on them for 2/3hours straight. There are limited food options, (I seem to remember there only being Mac and Cheese) so bring a picnic with you and some booze of your own if you want to cut costs (be aware they don't let glass in).

This event really is worth it, differing vastly from your average netflix and chill at home. The price may at first seem steep, but given that normal cinema tickets are now up to £12.50 (at least they are at my local) - an extra fiver for a more memorable and unique experience is definitely worth it. The only catch with an event like this is the weather - hence why it is done in August, the most reliable month in summer. It goes without saying that if it were to rain this would be well and truly crap, but luckily the sun was shining when I arrived and the sky was even clear enough to make out a few stars when the sun went down (propa cheesy).

OVERALL RATING: ****

https://www.somersethouse.org.uk/whats-on/film4-summer-screen

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