Tiny venue, huge celebrities (sort of)
Imagine a 127-seat local theatre suddenly hosting a film with Hollywood names on the poster. That’s exactly what happened when a small North Yorkshire stage became the unlikely venue for a public showing of a festive movie featuring Kiefer Sutherland, Rebel Wilson and Danny Dyer. No red-carpet chaos — just a very excited crowd and a lot of local pride.
How a cheeky message became a premiere
The screening wasn’t the result of a massive studio tour but rather a bit of local hustle. A resident messaged a Sky commissioning editor on LinkedIn, got permission, and somehow turned it into a one-off public premiere. Free tickets disappeared in seconds, and the tiny theatre filled with people who’d clearly been waiting for a chance to see their town on the big screen.
What the film is about (in short and spoiler-free)
The movie follows a washed-up Hollywood action star whose supposed comeback involves… UK theatre. Yep, the plot takes him to small-town England where he finds himself cast in a pantomime version of Cinderella. It’s basically stuntmen meet fish-and-chips meets sequins.
Local reactions: cheers, boos and knowing laughs
When the film first showed familiar shots of the town, the audience cheered like it was halftime at a football match. A few scenes set in nearby places even drew a cheeky chorus of boos — all in good spirit. One line that got a solid laugh involved a familiar dead-end street, and locals said that particular moment played differently in their theatre than it would anywhere else.
Panto-ception: the cast meets the local amateur troupe
The community theatre that hosted the screening just happens to be putting on Cinderella this year too, which made the whole event feel a little like panto-ception. Organisers said the movie’s celebration of regional theatre made screening it in a community venue feel extra special and surprisingly true to life.
Behind the scenes and homegrown glamour
People on the ground described the event as beautifully makeshift — think gaffer tape and big smiles. One local even got greenlighted to run pub screenings on release day. Filming took place earlier in the year around town (including outside a local hair salon), and residents have been buzzing ever since.
Why the town loved it
Beyond the star names, the real draw was seeing a beloved local backdrop — the castle ruins, market scenes and high street — framed as part of a Christmas story. For many, watching it together in a theatre felt way better than buffering it at home.
Final thoughts
Small town, big heart: that’s the takeaway. A bold LinkedIn message, a packed tiny theatre, and a film that celebrates the very type of community stage that hosted its public premiere. Not bad for a Tuesday night.
