Backyard Cinema is opening a cosy Winter cinema on the roof of Broadwick Live’s Depot Mayfield, home to Escape to Freight Island, The Warehouse Project and overlooking the new 6.5-acre Mayfield Park
Perfect for movie-lovers and adventure-seekers, Backyard Cinema offers an immersive cinema experience that is more than just the movies.
What once started as a passion project in its founders’ very own back garden, Backyard Cinema has now grown to be one of the leading alternative cinema experiences in the UK.
After nearly a decade of reinventing what it means to watch a movie in London, they have now turned their attention to the North for their very first event outside of London. The immersive cinema experts will be building a purpose-built 330-capacity, indoor Winter cinema on the platform of Depot Mayfield for a limited 10 week run which commences from Friday 21st October.
Audiences can expect to be transported on a magical journey to a cinema like no other. Having to make choices as visitors explore movie-grade sets, through tunnels of trees, magical doors to eventually discover the Enchanted Forest and home of the Lost Theater.
The screening room will be filled with custom-made giant bean bag seating for guests to get cosied up in with ushers serving seasonal cocktails and sweet treats to create the most magical place to watch a movie.
Taking residency on the platform for this limited 10 week run, Backyard Cinema will be screening a mixture of brand new releases such as ELVIS (2022), Minions: The Rise of Gru (2022), cult classics The Greatest Showman (2017), E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial ‘40th Anniversary’ (1982), and of course all-time favourite Christmas films including Elf (2003), Home Alone (1990), Love Actually (2003) and The Holiday (2006). The programming will be suitable for all ages and groups and will be announced when tickets go on early release sale on Wednesday 7th September – sign up here.
Joining Escape to Freight Island and The Warehouse Project as two of Depot Mayfield’s partners, Backyard Cinema will be set on the platform of the former Mayfield Train Station, where it will be the first destination project to occupy the 34,000-square-foot rooftop space.
The immersive experience, which also features two communal drinking areas, street food and a live music stage, is converting the four derelict railway tracks, platforms, original ticket office, waiting room and signature cast iron roof structure to create a truly unique set up overlooking the stunning Mayfield Park, Manchester’s first new public park in 100 years.
Dominic Davies, Founder and CEO of Backyard Cinema, said: “We are excited to take our alternative cinema pop-up outside of London for the very first time and we are proud to be joining The Warehouse Project and Escape to Freight Island in one of Manchester’s most exciting regeneration projects at Depot Mayfield. Manchester is such a unique creative city with lots of cultural happenings and we look forward to being part of the community and offering the most magical cinema experience to all.”
Depot Mayfield and the Mayfield Park are part of the £1.4 billion regeneration of Manchester’s Mayfield district which is being delivered by regeneration specialist U+I, a Landsec company, on behalf of the Mayfield Partnership.
Simeon Aldred from Broadwick Live, said: “Backyard Cinema has built a first-rate reputation with audiences for creating immersive and exciting film experiences in landmark venues, and so it seemed like a natural partnership for Depot Mayfield. This building played a central role in Manchester’s industrial past, and is now a major driving force in the city’s booming cultural scene, as well as acting as a catalyst for the regeneration of the surrounding area.”
Martyn Evans, Creative Director at U+I, said: “Backyard Cinema will be a fantastic addition to Mayfield’s evolving entertainment offer that has transformed a previously derelict part of Manchester’s city centre. It’s exactly the kind of creative, immersive and inclusive experience that is making Mayfield a place for everyone.”
Register to unlock exclusive limited early bird access for 48 hours only
(pre-sale opens on Wednesday 7th September)
www.backyardcinema.co.uk/
