Dreamland is inviting people to join a walk through some of the sets used for the Empire of Light movie starring Olivia Colman, Micheal Ward, Colin Firth and Toby Jones.
Shooting for the film took place in and around Margate – including at the Manston airport site- between March and end of May 2022 and is credited with boosting the local economy by some £4million.
Dreamland’s fin displayed the Empire branding during the filming which also used parts of the old cinema. A cinema set was also built at ‘Godden’s Gap.’
Production was facilitated by Kent Film Office. On the KFO website it says: “After seeing the art-deco Dreamland cinema, director Sam Mendes chose Margate as the film’s lead location, the Empire Cinema. A sound stage was erected next door to provide additional cinema interiors facing the beach. The amusement park and roller disco also make an appearance.”
Empire of Light is an 80s-set love story with the relationship between Hilary (Olivia Colman) and Stephen (Micheal Ward) centre stage. The film also explores racism and poor mental health.
On Saturday 13th April the free walk through of part of the film sets will take place at 11:30am, 1:30pm and 3:30 pm. Visits will be limited to a maximum of 30 people,
The walk will take in the ‘abandoned ballroom’ and set of the cinema auditorium plus a the Roller Disco and amusements that also featured in the film.
To register for your place, email [email protected] before 4:30pm on Friday 12th April with your name, number of people (max 5 per booking) and preferred time.
Some of the sets are in the Dreamland Cinema building which is listed and has been unoccupied for many years – it pre-dates current accessibility legislation and has no appropriate infrastructure for those with accessibility requirements. The event is not suitable for children under 14yrs + old.
