Storm weather, holiday season, a custom sound system, a new film projector, and a line-up of the latest Hollywood blockbusters are just some of the features contributing to a top season for the Bandbox Cinema.The theatre, which has been converted into a cinema for the summer holiday break, has attracted locals and tourists alike with some having visited multiple times since opening day.
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The independent country cinema also captured the attention of one famous Hollywood actor.
The best part for the man directing the cinema operations, Andrew Mercado, is seeing locals bring their children to the iconic venue and watching tourists fall in love with the authentic vintage treasure.
“One of the highlights has been watching parents bringing their children to the theatre to show them where they used to come when they themselves were growing up in the Valley: where they came on date nights or with their families at the time,” he said.
“Inside the venue, we have a large board full of photographs from over the years and it’s been great watching parents show their kids pictures of when they were younger and involved with the Theatre.”
“We even had a French couple who were visitors to the town who were in love with the vintage decor and complimented us on how beautiful the cinema is.”
But locals and tourists weren’t the only ones with compliments to pay.
High flying Hollywood actor and star in ‘Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle’ (now in cinemas), Dwayne (The Rock) Johnson, had a personal message for Mr Mercado, sent via the social media platform Twitter.
“Thank you sir for your Jumanji support in your theatres. More importantly, thank you Australia for loving our film. Good to see everyone having fun,” the Hollywood actor said in his tweet to Mr Mercado.
The Rock’s message was in response to an update posted by Mr Mercado on his own twitter page which read, “Can confirm that Jumanji has been huge at both the South West Roxy and Bandbox cinema in Kempsey. I am a very happy cinema owner. Thank you The Rock.”
Speaking to the Argus, one grandmother said the cinema has been a “life-saver” for her when minding her grandchildren. “They’ve been three times now,” she said. “I’ve had to run a lot of errands and take one of the kids to doctors appointments – it’s great, I can just drop them off at the cinema to watch whatever they want and then pick them up.”
