Film nights continue at the Astor Theatre for socially distanced audiences and more events are in the planning.

The next is Singing in the Rain tonight (Friday, October 16) and other screenings this month include Rocky on Friday, October 23 and Sean of the Dead on Friday, October 30.

The entertainment evenings have been put on by Lucia McAnespie and her husband Simon who have sourced funds for PPE and signs to put around the Edwardian theatre which has hit hard times since the pandemic.

The events started in August, when lockdown was eased once adequate preparations were made like writing new risk assesments to make the building covid compliant.

Ms McAnespie said: "Both Simon and myself worked at The Astor in a part-time, freelance capacity before the pandemic; so unfortunately we couldn't be furloughed - but it did mean that we were able to come back and work on a voluntary basis, which we have been doing since March.

"We are desperate to keep the venue open and have been working tirelessly with artistic director James Tillitt to come up with ways to make that happen.

"These are really challenging times for everyone, and especially the arts - but we believe that the Astor has a life beyond Lockdown.

"These are really challenging times for everyone, and especially the arts - but we believe that the Astor has a life beyond Lockdown..."

"Running a socially distanced Film Night, with food, drink and table service is just one of the ways Simon and I believe that the venue can not only survive; but serve the very community it represents."

Earlier this week we reported how all staff had to be made redundant after a plea for £80,000 funding from the £1.7billlion Cultural Recovery Fund was unsuccessful.

Despite this knock-bacck, events will continue thanks to the venue's band of loyal volunteers who are keeping events going.

Cash collected from supporters is currently paying the overheads.

Despite the current restrictions, the Astor has a few things coming up - including tomorrow's sold out Live at the Astor Stand Up Comedy Show, Bob Drury’s Neil Diamond Unplugged on November 26 (£20) and a socially distanced, covid secure Christmas Panto, fittingly called Santa Saves Christmas.

The film shows in November include Shakespeare in Love, Goldfinger and Fleabag live from the National Theatre.

They start at 7.30pm (doors 6.30pm). Tickets £10.

To book click here .

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