TUESDAY 1 JUNE, 2010

COMING ATTRACTIONS
The new cinemas rocking our celluloid this summer

A trip to the cinema used to be a romantic date option; the hand-holding, pop-corn sharing and wholesome flick perfect for tongue-tied first-timers. So welcome to 2010, where 3D glasses make nose-nuzzling freakishly hard-to-judge and bumpingly embarrassing, where someone’s mobile phone will inevitably play the theme tune to the A-Team, and where back-of-house teenage canoodling warrants a stronger certificate than what’s on the screen.

So this summer we’re overjoyed to see that cinema is being rescued from the doldrums, starting with Volvo’s Starlight Urban Drive-In. Set under the night skies for three nights only, you can hop into any of their 20 cars, be serviced by rollerskating waiters and even take advantage of the roomy back-seats (wink wink) whilst watching either Twilight or Grease. They even have windscreen wipers and climate-control should the weather play up.

If you like your cinema carbon-neutral, we’re hearing rumblings of a rooftop offering from the Queen of Hoxton, complete with deckchairs and giant screen. Or if the great outdoors isn’t doing it for you, head over to Aubin and Wills ’ brand new offering in association with Shoreditch House. Stuffed with velvet sofas and plumped up cushions it only holds 45, so no screaming toddlers in sight – which is just as well as the bar comes fully loaded and someone needs to keep the blighters away from the gummy bears and cola bottles.

Now, who’s going to take us? We promise to put out.

INFO
Aubin & Wills Cinema, open now.
£10-£28, 64-66 Redchurch Street, E2 7DP.
www.aubincinema.com

Volvo Starlight Urban Drive-In, July 1st-3rd.
Tickets go on sale today from 12pm at £25.
Truman Brewery, 91 Brick Lane, E1 6QL

THE CULTURIST JUNE

To be seen or not to be seen, that, according to the Tate Modern, is the question. Though whether you have any choice in the matter remains to be, well, seen. But since you’re going to be out and about anyway, why not take in the amazing range of music, art and architecture festivals that are kicking off this month? And with everything from cocktail-refreshed acoustic sets to coffee-sipping urban art, charity drag to seminal punk, and writers that eat to eaters that write … the cultural month is yours for the taking.

Read the Culturist June…

DREAM OF THE DOG
UJ Subscriber Ticket Offer

Award-winning South African production ‘Dream of the Dog’ centres around an elderly white couple packing up to leave their farm as they’re interrupted by the arrival of a young black man with a story; find out how their shared pasts unravel to reveal the shocking ramifications for the present, set against South Africa’s emerging democracy. Critically acclaimed, this new play takes an unflinching look at the twin mantras of the Post-Mandela age – reconciliation and forgiveness – and asks whether black and white can ever live together in peace. UJ Subscribers can get hold of the best available seats in the house for just £17.50.

Trafalgar Studios 2, 14 Whitehall, London, SW1A 2DY
26 May – 19 June.

To book call 0844 871 7632 and quote ‘June offer’. Valid on all performances Tue to Sat eves, Thu and Sat matinee until 12 Jun. Offer strictly subject to availability. A £3 booking fee applies per transaction.

SEE – Take a look into the world of Guglielmo Alfarone's new exhibition 'Cold'. 11am, Maverick Showroom, E2 7DP, Free.

LAUGH – Robin Ince brings his side-splitting show 'Troubled Youth in Middle Age' to London. 9.30pm, Etcetera Theatre, NW1 7BU, £6.50.

PAMPER – Smirnoff Ice will turn you into the most sophisticated Man About Town tonight. 7pm, Sketch, W1S 2XG, Free.

MUSIC – The Sound of Excellence brings you the newest live and unsigned talent in music. 7.30pm, Proud Camden, NW1 8AH, Free.