If you’re looking for a family-friendly cinema experience to celebrate the start of the summer holidays - one that doesn’t involve multiplexes and gallon drums of Coke - the historic Hippodrome cinema in Bo’ness is screening Bambi tomorrow at 11am, tickets Pounds 2 each. Restored at a cost of more than Pounds 2 million and managed by Falkirk Council, the 180- seater, A-listed Hippodrome has become a focus for education as well as entertainment.
Last month, Bo’ness Primary took part in the first of a series of Ghost Show workshops which use archive films, discussion and drama to teach pupils about the history of cinema and Scotland’s travelling people who ran the fairgrounds where moving images were first seen.
The Hippodrome, which opened in 1912, was Scotland’s first purpose-built cinema and was owned by a Bo’ness showman, Louis Dickson. The Ghost Show was the name of a travelling cinema, popular at fairgrounds over 100 years ago, and a DVD resource based on the workshops will be available to schools from next term. Alison Strauss, Falkirk Council’s film and media arts development officer, says the Hippodrome is a fantastic resource for schools and the public: “We have a full programme of new and classic films running seven days a week, workshops and other educational events.”
Falkirk Council is also organising Media Camps for 8-14-year-olds (Pounds 20 each). Education specialist Radiowaves has been commissioned to run the week-long, half-day camps from July 27-31. Aspiring journalists will get the chance to: make podcasts; use professional recording equipment; edit audio recordings and use music and sound effects; write blogs and form a reporting team; and make new friends.
www.falkirk.gov.ukhippodromeT: 01324 506850.
