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Silver screen returns to Battlefords

Jun 3, 2017 | 11:32 AM

After just over three months, Battlefords area residents are finally able hit the big screen locally once again.

The Capitol Theatre in North Battleford officially reopened to the public Friday night. It was closed in mid-February for renovations after it was purchased by Magic Lantern Theatres. The screening of Wonder Woman sold out and supervisor Katrina Chapman said it could not have gone better.

“Tonight was better than expected,” Chapman said. “We had a great crowd. We sold out every seat in the auditorium.”

She and her staff were forced to turn away multiple movie goers at the door, as tickets sold out 40 minutes before the show was set to play.

Chapman added the response from the community has been “overwhelmingly positive” and couldn’t say enough good things about the reception Magic Lantern has received.

The theatre plans to screen two shows each night after the Wonder Woman run is complete. Because the movie is two and a half hours, Chapman said the theatre’s hands were tied, only able to offer the one show time.

Chapman tried to be tightlipped about what movie would be next but eventually spilt the beans.

“I just got a confirmed booking sheet yesterday and we will be running Guardians of the Galaxy 2, which has been out for a few weeks but I think there are a lot of people who maybe haven’t seen it or want to see it again.”

Moviegoers seemed to agree with Chapman’s sentiment the theatre had improved. As the credits rolled and hundreds headed for the doors, the topic of conversation was how nice it felt to sit on the new leather seats and hear the movie, opposed to previously when just drywall separated the then two screens and people could hear everything going on, on the other side. 

 

greg.higgins@jpbg.ca

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