As everyone knows (or certainly anyone who's had the misfortune to engage me in conversation over the last 18 months knows) , London Underground launches weekend 24-hour operations over the weekend of September 12/13, 2015. The Communications people in TfL know no bounds when it comes to publicity events, so in conjunction with the Rooftop Film Club they have arranged a series of 'Underground Film Club' events, featuring movies which are largely set in London using the disused Jubilee line concourse at Charing Cross station. So when someone asks "do you want to watch a movie in a disused Tube station?" the only logical answer is yes. Especially when a hot dog and pop corn is part of the deal!
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| The Underground Film Club Box Office - in the passageway adjacent to Charing Cross Underground station. I think this is actually Westminster City Council owned land. These people like having their photo taken. |
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| The black card equals a hot dog, the red one popcorn & delicious non-alcoholic drink (this is TfL where open containers of alcohol or consumption of alcohol is prohibited....). The is the escalator bank from the Strand/Northern line side of the station to platforms. |
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| Entry only by special wristband! |
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| Every Escalator Matters! This is the escalator bank that is usually hidden behind an anonymous door as you make your way to the Northern line. The central escalator actually works - this area hasn't seen customers for 16 years! |
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| Signage as was when the station closed. |
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| Cinema set up with canvas 'directors' chairs. Sound is wirelessly broadcast to headphones! |
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| Film in motion, little LEDs on everyone's headphones visible.... |
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| More 'as you were' signage, when the Jubilee line ran from Charing Cross to Stanmore and DLR was the only railway to Canary Wharf. Twenty years later it will gain Crossrail service. |
The unanswered question is 'what was the movie?'. Well a wide variety of films are being shown, and I saw 'Paddington'. It is a delightful story of how Paddington Bear got from deepest Peru to my childhood bedroom - sorry - London, and how he first developed his taste for marmalade! Which leaves me to advise that is you get the chance, go to the Underground Film Club, it is truly an awesome use of this space, right in the centre of the West End. And the hot dogs were very very nice!