Are you listening, Mr Moneybags Movie Mogul?

While cinema attendances are slumping at the nation’s multiplexes, smaller independent cinemas targeted at the more discerning movie goer are faring rather better.

Take Shrewsbury’s Old Market Hall as an example. The former magistrates court which was at the centre of uproar when original plans were hatched to turn it into a picture house is currently running 10 per cent up on last year.

At the same time, the multi-screen complexes are struggling to pack ‘em in. It doesn’t take a brain surgeon to work out why.

Let’s consider the evidence. The Old Market Hall offers a friendly, social atmosphere where you can chat around in a nicely furnished cafe with friends before ambling in to find a comfy seat, with a glass of wine in your hand.

The larger complexes – and I’m not picking on Telford or Shrewsbury particularly for this seems to be the case everywhere – have precious few places to sit down in the foyer, are noisy and rather chaotic, and there’s usually a fair chance of finding popcorn strewn over a sticky floor when you enter the auditorium.
And it doesn’t stop there. Audiences seem to be sick and tired of the endless stream of prequels, sequels, remakes and TV show rehashes which are dominating our multiplex screens. In the past few weeks we’ve had Spiderman 3, Pirates 3, Shrek 3, Ocean’s 13 and Harry Potter 5 . . . and there’s plenty more where that came from.

The Old Market Hall tends to be rather more choosy. It knows that anything starring Judi Dench or Maggie Smith will do good business, along with well-made, quirky British films, and non-formulaic offerings which challenge the mind and at least make an attempt to break the mould.

You don’t hear people dissenting about its place in the county town any more!

All that being said, the remake which hits Shropshire cinemas this week is immune from criticism. Hairspray is one of the feelgood films of the year, including a stellar cast such as John Travolta (dressed as a woman!), Christopher Walken, Michelle Pfeiffer and Queen Latifah.

This is the Grease of the 21st Century. Inspired by the 1988 John Waters film and the smash hit Broadway musical, it’s an all singing, all dancing spectacular which proves that size matters . . . the size of your heart, that is.

Set in 1962 Baltimore where racial tensions are running high, Hairspray isn’t just a feel-good fairytale – it’s a feel-absolutely-marvellous fairytale, putting a sassy, hip-swivelling spin on the Cinderella fantasy.
Overweight teenager Tracy Turnblad (Nikki Blonsky) believes she was born to boogie.
She lives with her parents above the Har-De-Har Hut joke shop run by her doting father, and her greatest dream is to appear on The Corny Collins Show, a hip ‘n’ happening dance party hosted by a showman who has a monthly Negro Day, overseen by Motormouth Maybelle (Latifah).
When the host holds dance auditions, Tracy puts her best foot forward.

Director Adam Shankman delivers a toe-tapping tale of tolerance and understanding that bursts at the seams with joy, and the cast certainly seem to appreciate it. They’re having great fun, carrying the two-hour running time along at a giddy pace which leaves you aching for more.

Whether you’re at a multiplex, or sitting a chilled chardonnay in a former Shropshire courthouse, you can’t fail to enjoy this one.

By Carl Jones