🎬 Cinema at the Courthouse: A Memorable Launch with The Vanishing
Last Wednesday evening, the Arbroath Courthouse Community Cinema officially launched with its first ever screening — and what a start it was. The Vanishing, the atmospheric thriller inspired by the real-life mystery of the Flannan Isles lighthouse keepers, captivated a sold-out audience in the unique and historic setting of the old courthouse.
This wasn’t just a film screening — it was an evening steeped in community, history, and shared experience.
From the moment guests stepped through the doors, there was a sense of excitement. The building, still undergoing transformation as part of the Arbroath Courthouse Community Trust project, came to life as a cinema for the first time — a space reborn to entertain and inspire. A space for the community.
We were honoured to welcome John Boath, former lighthouse keeper and the last man stationed at the Bellrock Lighthouse, who closed the evening with a moving and insightful talk about his experiences at sea. His stories added a deeply personal and local connection to the themes of the film — isolation, duty, and the unexplained.
The screening itself was met with enthusiasm. The atmosphere was electric, the audience fully immersed in the haunting beauty of The Vanishing. With the original courtroom as our backdrop, the film’s tension felt even more intense — a reminder of how storytelling, space, and community can combine for something truly special.
We were also proud to welcome our charity partner for the evening – Scotland The Wave. Local crew member Nicky Matthews joined us to speak about her upcoming Atlantic rowing challenge as part of the first all-female Scottish crew — raising funds for important causes including Arbroath RNLI. The audience was inspired by her courage and commitment, and we’re proud to support her journey.
A huge thank you goes to our event supporters:
👏 The Townhouse Hotel – for their generous funding
👏 Nyla’s Dreams – for in-store ticket sales and launch support and kind donation
👏 Scots Law Talks – for their ongoing involvement in our events calendar and kind donation
As the credits rolled and the lights came up, it was clear: this wasn’t just a cinema night — it was the beginning of something exciting for Arbroath.
🎟️ Up next at the Courthouse Community Cinema: Chicago
📅 Tuesday 11th June
An all-singing, all-dancing spectacle not to be missed — book your tickets now on our website!
Tickets for Chicago, as well as for all of our events including our upcoming Murder Mystery night are available from our box office and from Nyla’s Dreams.
Stay tuned for more screenings, events, and community updates as we continue to grow this unique venue.
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