Date nights can get pretty routine and monotonous, especially when some of your favourite hangouts are still closed due to lockdown. Where do we go next? The couch or the kitchen? Now that restrictions have eased up a bit, most of us are at a bit of a loss for where to go. What is still around? What is safe?
What’s a Cape Town Summer without The Galileo? We look forward to when we’ll be watching our favourite films under the moonlight with our loved ones once again. But with lockdown restrictions, we’ve had to adjust many of our plans, and the Galileo was no exception. When they were able to trade again, they could no longer offer their popular picnic option that had many movie watchers sitting close together.
During lockdown, the popular open-air movie theatre, transformed itself into two separate iterations – Royale, a luxury open-air experience; and Drive-In, which as the word suggests brings back the classic way of watching curated films while staying in your vehicle.
Co-owner David Ash told Cape Talk’s Refilwe Moloto, “We just want to give back to the people of Cape Town. We want to get people out of their homes, out there looking at the city of Cape Town, mountain, parks, beautiful movies, very safe and very exciting.”
Listen to the full interview here: https://thegalileo.co.za/drive-in/tgdi-returns-feb/
“The Galileo provides a safe and fun way to enjoy a movie in an outdoor setting as well as an escape from all the stress and uncertainty. Patrons feel a sense of ease bringing families to The Galileo because of all the safety procedures and social distancing in place. Our number one priority is to keep all movie-goers and our staff safe with minimised risk and interaction,” says Lauren Knapp, Marketing Manager at the Galileo.
So, what is the Galileo Royale? The natural alternative to the Galileo picnics, the Royale experience takes place every Wednesday until the end of April. Only a limited amount of seating is provided taking into consideration COVID-19 restrictions and social distancing. For the price of R290 p/p, you’re treated to a one-hour live music performance, the screening of the movie, a backrest, blanket, welcome drink, appetiser and popcorn. The venues include the Cellars-Hohenort Hotel in Constantia, Suikerbossie in Hout Bay, Casa Labia in Muizenberg and Radisson Blu Hotel Waterfront.
The Drive-In option allows movie-goers to take a trip into the past and experience the way of watching films made popular in the 1950s and 1960s. Audiences remain in the safety of the vehicle as their tickets are scanned through their car window. You can pre-order food and it will be brought to your vehicle or bring along your own snacks.
Watch your favourite films just like Sandy and Danny did in Grease for the price of R250 for two people. The Drive-In venues include the Vrendenhof Sports Field at Groote Schuur High School in Rondebosch, Cape Academy of Maths, Science & Technology in Constantia, and Cape Town High School in Gardens. The Drive-In will be available during winter as well in 2021.
As David Ash says, “It’s more than just the movies, the movies are amazing and nostalgic- but it’s an experience.”
Struggling to decide which film to watch at the Galileo?
Here are our top 5:
- The Devil Wears Prada – Andy, a young journalist, becomes an assistant to a ruthless magazine editor in New York City. Brilliant performances in a fun film from Anne Hathaway and Meryl Streep.
Sunday, 11 April, Drive-In, Vredenhof Sports Field, Rondebosch - Casablanca – During World War II, a bar owner agrees to help his former lover and her husband escape Casablanca, Morocco. A true classic.
Wednesday, 14 April, Royale, Casa Labia Muizenberg - Amélie – A waitress is often caught in an imaginary world, Amélie chooses to help other people find happiness. Quirky and whimsical French cinema.
Wednesday, 21 April, Royale, Radisson Blu, Granger Bay - Grease – The cult romantic comedy musical follows a group of teenagers in their final year of high school.
Saturday, 1 May, Drive-In, Cape Town High School, Gardens - Moulin Rouge! – An English writer visits the famous nightclub, Moulin Rouge, in Paris and falls in love with its’ star performer, Satine (Nicole Kidman). An award-winning spectacle.
Sunday, 23 May, Drive-In, Cape Academy, Constantia.
https://thegalileo.co.za/drive-in/
Check out https://youtu.be/SYwNHjikNbQ for more info.
