The Downpatrick & County Down Railway and the Strand Arts Centre have teamed up for a special screening to help raise funds for the flood stricken line’s relief efforts.
The railway’s chairman, Robert Gardiner, said: “Following the devastating flooding in November 2023, we could be left with a repair bill for our heritage rolling stock and infrastructure of just under £3 million, and this charity screening provides an opportunity for both film enthusiasts and supporters of the railway to come together for an evening of laughter and goodwill.”
The timeless 1937 Will Hay comedy Oh, Mr Porter will be shown on Saturday, February 24 at 8.30pm at the Strand Arts Centre, an historic Art Deco cinema in Belfast.
“Oh, Mr Porter is a British comedy classic featuring the legendary Will Hay, Graham Moffatt, and Moore Marriott set in County Fermanagh,” said Mr Gardiner. “It tells the story of a bumbling railway station master, played by Hay, stationed at the quiet, rural ramshackle station at Buggleskelly on the Northern Irish border, who unwittingly becomes embroiled in a smuggling operation across the new frontier with the Irish Free State.”
Packed with humour and timeless comedic moments, the film can still entertain audiences of all ages. All proceeds from the screening will go directly to the Downpatrick and County Down Railway’s Flood Relief Appeal. There will be a wine reception in the lobby of the cinema beforehand – and very definitely popcorn There will also have a special guest to chat about the history of the film and who Will Hay was.
Tickets are £20, plus an optional £5 donation, and are available at www.downrail.co.uk/cinema
