Many thanks to all who came to our fundraising screenings. We were overwhelmed by the strength of feeling from the public and the pledges of support offered from all corners. We’re planning more screenings in the next few months, so please check back with the website for updates. In the meantime, here’s a brief account of how things went.
Leslie Phillips, Virginia McKenna, film producer Simon Relph and Little Theatre manager Martin Jennings-Wright

Leslie Phillips, Virginia McKenna, film producer Simon Relph and Little Theatre manager Martin Jennings-Wright. Photo: Neil Thayer

Leslie Phillips and Virginia McKenna take questions from the audience. Photo: Neil Thayer

Leslie Phillips and Virginia McKenna take questions from the audience. Photo: Neil Thayer

The audience throngs the square outside the cinema following the screening

The audience throngs the square outside the cinema following The Smallest Show on Earth. Photo: Neil Thayer

On Wednesday 4th February the Little celebrated its 70th Anniversary of showing feature films with a screening of the classic British comedy The Smallest Show on Earth. We were delighted to welcome Virginia McKenna & Leslie Phillips for a Q&A hosted by film producer Simon Relph. The evening began with a reception at Bath Fine Art on Gay Street, where the two legends of British cinema mingled with around 90 guests for an hour or so before proceeding to the Little for the film. A packed house enjoyed one of the finest and best performed comedies of the 1950s, before the two special guests took questions from the audience and discussed the making of the film, the current state of the British film industry and Leslie Phillips’ preferred age when it comes to actresses.

We’re very grateful to lots of people for their assistance on the night, including the Royal Crescent Hotel, Bath Fine Art Gallery, Great Western Wine and Posh Tarts.

A signed picture of the cast will be up for auction in April - keep checking this site for details.

Feb 12th saw a sold-out preview screening of Vicky Cristina Barcelona, the fabulously sultry Latin love tangle starring Penelope Cruz, Scarlett Johansson and Javier Bardem. The audience arrived early for cava and tapas, supplied by La Flamenca tapas bar.

On February 14th, the Little became a beacon to hordes of romantic types, coming with their cherished ones to see Tornetore’s love letter to the magic of the movie house, Cinema Paradiso. The audience were treated before the screening to a superb performance by local soprano Emily Bradley, accompanied by Adam Biggs. For footage of the recital, follow this link. After the screening, departing audience members were treated to the section of the movie in which film is projected in the square outside the cinema…. projected in the square outside the cinema.