FILM fans will be sipping White Russians and bowling in tribute to The Big Lebowski as part of a new cinema experience in Warrington.

The cult Coen brothers comedy starring Jeff Bridges will be shown on the big screen at the Pyramid centre on June 19.

It is part of a second season of classic and contemporary film which is returning to the Palmyra Square venue after the success of the launch event last year.

Other movies include Dziga Vertov's Man With A Movie Camera, one of the most influential films of the silent era, on May 15, and Robert Wise's The Sound of Music on July 17.

Marc Singer's Dark Days, about homeless people living in the underground tunnels of New York, concludes the series on September 18.

But plans are in the pipeline for secret cinema screenings in the town centre, an open air screening in Queen's Gardens in August and a drive-in cinema experience in October.

James Goodison, arts development project officer for Culture Warrington, is leading the project.

The Great Sankey resident said: "I chose these films to continue to offer audiences the chance to see specialist films that they may have heard of but not had the chance to see on a big screen.

"The first season of films at Pyramid far exceeded our expectations.

"For the five screenings our initial benchmark was to attract 30 people per screening, our total for the five screenings ended up at 336, quite astonishing.

"That’s on average 67 people per screening. The biggest surprise for me was how well the screening of Boyhood did.

"We had 88 people in the audience that night. We were lucky because it gained huge momentum during the awards season and the buzz leading up to the screening on social media was amazing.

"Creating another season of films that fulfil the mantra of ‘films you know and films you don’t’ has been a challenge but I feel we have another season that has something for everyone."

Many of the film nights will also be themed.

James, of Teesdale Close, added: "The Sound of Music celebrates its 50th anniversary this year and we’re expecting a lot of people dressed up as nuns to be singing all the way through.

"We’re also pleased to be programming it in conjunction with the Pride celebrations taking place in July.

"But I’m personally looking forward to seeing The Big Lebowski on the big screen. It’s a great film with memorable characters and scenes.

"We’re also offering the Dude’s favourite drink, White Russians, and there will be an indoor bowling alley with competitions taking place during the interval. It should be a really enjoyable night."

- Film screenings start at 7.30pm and you can reserve tickets at pyramidparrhall.com

DAVID MORGAN