Melbourne drive-in theatres anticipate huge crowds amid reopening in October
Drive-in cinemas are preparing to reopen with some of your favourite retro movies, including Dirty Dancing and The Matrix on the timetable. Find out when you can head down and what else in on the list.
South East
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Melbourne drive-in cinema operators are expecting a boom in patrons as they prepare to reopen.
There are three drive-in cinemas in Melbourne — Dandenong’s Lunar Drive-In, Village Cinemas Coburg Drive-In and Dromana 3 Drive-In.
Lunar Drive-In owner David Kilderry said drive-ins were gearing up to reopen on October 19.
“Unless we’re told otherwise by the government, we are expecting to reopen this month,” Mr Kilderry said.
“Drive-in theatres were built for a covid environment and this has been proven in the United States with thousands attending … they’re safe and there’s social distancing even between cars.
“When we reopened earlier in the year for eight weeks — it was like school holidays, we were packed every night.
“We intend to show retro classics again including Dirty Dancing, Grease and 80s horror classics — people loved them.”
Mr Kilderry said the drive-in, which opened about 20 years ago, attracted more than 400,000 patrons every year.
“We offer family orientated outdoor entertainment at an affordable price of $30 for a family of five,” he said.
Village Cinemas chief operating officer Gino Munari said drive-ins were crucial for moviegoers and supported the wider entertainment industry.
“This is what Victorians need now more than ever, the chance to immerse themselves back into the community,” Mr Munari said.
“The Coburg Drive-In is perfectly positioned to make that happen in a safe environment and offer a unique entertainment experience.
“Given the natural physical distancing it provides, with patrons remaining within their own cars, we are able to ensure that the social gathering of guests is limited to safe levels.”
Mr Munari said the drive-ins would show films that Victorians had missed out on.
“We will show films that the rest of Australia were treated to, but Victoria missed out on, such as the sequel to Trolls – Trolls: World Tour and Russell’s Crowe’s Unhinged.
“We will also show retro classics including The Rocky Horror Picture Show, The Devil Wears Prada and The Matrix.”
He said the drive-ins would have a new queuing flow in place, as well as signage and floor decals spaced at 1.5m apart to enforce physical distancing.
“Hand sanitiser will be provided at all touch points and all surface areas will be frequently cleaned,” Mr Munari said
He said movies had long been a favourite cultural pastime for Australians, which employed tens of thousands of people.
“We of course look forward to reopening our entire circuit of cinemas and as the first priority, we have gone to extreme lengths to ensure all government-prescribed COVID-hygiene protocols are put into practice to provide the optimum safe environment for all staff and customers.”
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