Baby Scream Screen (From The Argus)

Baby Scream Screen

3:28pm Tuesday 27th April 2010

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A few weeks ago Isobel and I tried out the Baby Scream Screenings offered in Brighton. It was spurred on by wanting to see Alice in Wonderland but not wanting to try and find a sitter. It was my incentive to get out and meet some more mummies and daddies whilst doing something new.

There are two baby scream screens in Brighton. One at the Odeon on West Street and the other at the Duke of Yorks off London Road.

Odeon screens for mummies, daddies and babies under one are on a Thursday Morning. We went to the Odeon for our first trip to see Alice in Wonderland. After joining what appeared to be a massive queue (mainly buggies) and listening to some senior citizens complain about having to wait to be served we got our ticket (£7.50, baby for free) fairly quickly. The screening clashed with the Senior Screen also at the cinema that day. All ticket holders were told that tea and coffee were available for free, as the sweetie stand was closed, and where to park up thier buggies. Then came the downside to this visit. The arcade is the buggy storage area, which is locked up whilst the screening is on. It is on the ground floor and our screening was up flights of stairs and I'd forgotten my sling. No chance of tea/coffee for any parents attending as having to go to the furthest screen away carrying babby and a change bag was hard work without throwing a much needed cuppa into the equation. The film was ok (I prefer the book) and the staff were friendly. I didn't need to use the changing facilities so am unable to pass comment on that.

The alternative to the Odeon is a Wednesday morning at the Duke of Yorks. You may be aware that I love this cinema for gigs and film already. Tickets cost £7 and baby goes free. For the parent experience it had the thumbs up from me. Its advantage is that it is all on one level. This makes it easy to manoveover a buggy (staff help to put these on the stage and they stay in you sight throughout). Refreshments were available in the foyer, no free tea or coffee were on offer. It helps to get there on time as this screen is much busier than the Odeon.

Both cinemas should be commended for having these screenings and obviously I enjoyed both experiences. Staff were friendly and polite at both screenings. It doesn't matter if baby crys so new parents please don't let the thought of embarassment stop you from going!

But a word to the wise - take a sling if you can as it makes it much easier to go buggy free so you can manage to grab a cup of tea!