Westlands Entertainment Venue re-opening from 6th July

Released On 6th Jul 2020

Westlands Entertainment Venue has announced that the Yeovil venue will reopen to the public from Monday 6th July for film screenings in line with government guidance to reopen cinemas.

The venue, operated by South Somerset District Council has announced safety measures that will maintain social distancing. They will be operating with a reduced capacity and additional cleaning measures will be in place. Screenings will take place in the ballroom using a sofa configuration.

The venue have announced the initial three weeks of programming that will offer three screenings, seven days a week with a selection of great films and live theatre content. We will open our programme with the Best Picture Oscar winner from earlier in the year, ‘Parasite’. This will be followed by the feel-good ‘Military Wives’, ‘Misbehaviour’, and the new adaptation of Jane Austen’s ‘Emma’ that stars Bill Nighy.

The venue will also launch a number of special genre specific screening strands. Thursday Night is Theatre Night, screening the best ‘live’ recordings from the National Theatre, this will begin with the hugely popular ‘Fleabag’, followed by the acclaimed production of ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’ and ‘All My Sons’ starring Sally Field and Bill Pullman.

While live musicals cannot currently be staged, we will be bringing you a Sunday Musical each week, kicking off with the Broadway production of ‘Kinky Boots’, the recent stage production of 42nd Street, Riverdance - 25th Anniversary Show and the London Palladium’s production of The King and I.

Weekends will see fantastic Family Films with Disney/Pixar’s Onward, Harrison Ford in Call of the Wild, and Trolls World Tour.

Arts and Entertainment Manager, Adam Burgan, said: “We are very excited to welcome guests back to Westlands Entertainment Venue. Our focus is on providing some entertainment and escapism during this difficult period whilst keeping everyone safe. It will be fantastic to see the venue open and helping to lift the spirits of our communities.”

The safety measures being put in place are following government guidelines and those released by the UK Cinema Association. Measures include:

• Reduced capacity – about a third of our normal operating capacity for screenings.
• Social distancing maintained throughout the venue, including seating layout, and one-way systems in place.
• Enhanced cleaning measures.

The venue has been closed to the public since 17th March but has been used as a WellBeing Hub providing food packages for shielded, vulnerable and those facing hardship.

Councillor Mike Best, portfolio holder for Health and Wellbeing at South Somerset District Council, said: “I am delighted to see Westlands Entertainment Venue beginning to reopen to the public. This is a significant step along the road to recovery for all of us. With the WellBeing Hub operating from Westlands both the venue and our staff have played their part in looking after our residents and caring for our most vulnerable and I am very proud of what has been achieved. Now I hope our residents will support our venue and enjoy themselves by attending some of the excellent films on offer.”

For further information please visit westlandsyeovil.co.uk or call the Box Office on 01935 422884.