I had the privilege of attending The Grand along with some other community members of Love Pop Ups London to watch the classic movie Little Shop of Horrors.
The Grand
The Grand was established in 1900. Launched originally as a music hall, since then it has held a number of different events from cinema screenings, shows, bingo and even a nightclub. However The Grand has always remained true to it’s original aim to entertain.
Back in the day The Grand quickly established itself as one of London’s premier venues, attracting all sorts of stars from Marie Lloyd to young Charlie Chaplin.
As future heroes like Chaplin moved to Hollywood, The Grand theatre, as it became known in 1927, followed the trend, setting up a screen alongside the stage. In the 1930’s the venue became a full-time cinema. Their first movie aired was a clip of Laurel & Hardy chasing a stray goat.
In the 1960’s with colour televisions becoming more popular than cinema The Grand transformed into a Bingo Club.
In 1979 unfortunately The Grand closed down. Thankfully though The Grand then reopened in 1991, having been restored to it’s former glory. Soon again The Grand became a venue for many bands looking to make it big such as Jay Kay of Jamiroquai.
The Grand now reviving to it’s original mission giving the perfect blend of variety and quality. With themed film screenings or a fun take on Bingo, comedy shows, concerts and DJ’s.
The Grand – Little Shop of Horrors
I attended The Grand for the first time in April 2018 to see Little Shop of Horrors along with a few other members from Love Pop Ups London.
About the movie Little Shop of Horrors
If you don’t know much about Little Shop of Horrors it is a film about a meek flower shop assistant Seymour (played by Rick Moranis). He pines over his co-worker Audrey (played by Ellen Greene). During a total eclipse, he discovers an unusual plant he names it Audrey II. However he discovers later that the plant only likes human flesh and blood. The growing plant attracts a great deal of business for the previously struggling store. After Seymour feeds Audrey’s boyfriend, Orin (played by Steve Martin) to the plant. Seymour has to come up with more bodies for the increasingly bloodthirsty plant. Whilst doing so Audrey falls in love with Seymour. Audrey II then tries to get in the way of Seymour and his love of Audrey.
Our night downtown at The Grand
I was highly impressed by the large space and the décor. It really felt like stepping into a classic old theatre but with a modern twist.
Me and my blogger friends we sat at a table on the second level balcony which they have named Skid Row seating on this occasion in keeping with Little Shop of Horrors theme. We had a perfect view as we could see everyone else sitting in the stalls and the Royal Box’s and had such a grand view of the very large screen.
On our table we had a bottle of Prossecco as it was a few of my blogger friends birthday celebrations along with it we had a bag of popcorn each which I am pleased to say we could top up throughout the night without any extra charge.
“ Feed me, Feed me all night long. That’s right, girls!”
However eating all this popcorn might not make me a healthy girl.
There was also a leaflet with a drinking game to play throughout watching the movie Little Shop of Horrors.
Half way through watching the film there was an interval in where people could take part in a musical statues competition to win a balloon model of Audrey II the alien fly trap plant.
There was even a prize for the best dressed character lookalike if you went dressed up. Plus there was even a photo booth where you could have some fun photos taken of yourself.
With much singing and applauding throughout the film made this a fun night out with the occasional confetti bomb and light effects giving the whole movie night an atmospheric effect. I will certainly be looking at attending future movie nights at The Grand as the night truly was out of this world.
So even though this is now not being shown downtown at The Grand many other various screenings of classic movies throughout the year as well as other entertaining events such as Bingo are put on.
To check out their upcoming events click here.
With any cinema event at The Grand there is a fancy dress competition.
Thank you to The Grand for letting me and some others from Love Pop Ups London community come along to celebrate their birthday whilst watching Little Shop of Horrors. This experience was complimentary but all views are my own honest opinion.
Click below to read the blogs and / or reviews from the other community members that joint me. All their views are of their own honest opinion.
“I love going out discovering new and existing restaurants, theatres, immersive experiences and so much more but I also love staying in and discovering new gadgets, gaming and cooking.
