Drive-in cinema and live shows set for Thornton next month

The new initiative, to be staged at Trapp Farm on Fleetwood Road South in the Norcross area, will see customers watching screenings of popular films and the live shows from their cars.

They will hear everything clearly by tuning in on a FM frequency, with the movies shown on a giant, high definition LED screen and the live productions mounted on a full sized stage.

Screenings for the opening night, on Saturday July 4, are already sold out but sessions are also to be staged on July 5/6.

Drive-in movies have been a popular attraction in the United States since the 1950s, but the phenomenon has never caught on in the UK.

But Blackpool-based business partners Max Fox and Dominic Creighton, of theatre production company International Shows Ltd, believe this is the perfect time for drive-in movie showings to take off, because they are perfect for social distancing.

The duo believe the live shows will also prove a hit and they believe they can create a variety of jobs as well, with plans to set up similar events across the country if it turns out to be a success here on the Fylde coast.

Max, 30, of Poulton, said: "It's a new and exciting attraction for this area and the feedback already has been amazing.

" We will be providing entertainment for residents of Blackpool and The Fylde whilst adhering to the current coronavirus legislation.

"There will be two shows a day - one family show and one adult show for multiple dates over the summer months."

International Shows have been staging lavish musical productions of The Greatest Show over the last couple of years, in a spectacular combining Disney favourites The Greatest Showman, Frozen and Mary Poppins, and have also produced a popular tribute show to the rock band Queen.

The shows have toured abroad and included a season at Blackpool Pleasure Beach last year.

For the drive-in enterprise, the duo have set up a project called Safe Events.

The sold-out show on July is a special sing-a-long of The Greatest Showman, the hit film starring Hugh Jackman, followed by a live performance of Queen show We Will Rock You.

On Sunday July 5, there will be a live tribute show of Billie Eilish and Ariana Grande at 6pm, followed by a special sing-a-long screening of the musical film Grease at 8pm.

There are future plans to screen other genres of films, including horror films.

For further details of screenings, shows and tickets, visit the website www.safe-events.co.uk