Big screen magic finally returning to Timaru
Classic films will return to the big screen with new releases in short supply as Timaru’s movie theatre comes back to life following a threemonth break.
Movie Max Digital will reopen on June 25 after closing for lockdown on March 23. Owner/operator Brent Birchfield said in May he would not reopen the cinema until it was ‘‘safe’’ to do so with theatres throughout the country closed until alert level 2.
This week Birchfield said all 10 staff at the cinema had been retained, using lockdown time to refurbish the facility.
The complex would reopen for four days from next Thursday, then open for the entire school holidays in July, he said.
Birchfield said as there was a shortage of new release films due to Covid19 the theatre would screen old favourites including Star Wars, Ghostbusters and Titanic, alongside a selection of children’s films and art house classics.
The refurbishment included a newlook reception area, new carpet and a few coats of paint, he said.
About 100 chairs are set to be replaced in a couple of the theatres.
‘‘I’ve made sacrifices during lockdown, I’m on baked beans,’’ Birchfield joked.
‘‘We felt that we had good staff, so we topped up their wage subsidies because it’s reciprocal.
‘‘We feel we should be fairly strong by September through to June next year with new release films,’’ Birchfield said.
‘‘The message is for Timaru to get back to the movie theatre and support it, we need South Canterbury’s support.’’