An interactive screening of 90s camp classic Showgirls with pole dancing drag queens is happening at this Manchester casino

It was panned by critics on release in 1995 and called the “worst movie of all time”, but 90s movie Showgirls has gained something of a cult following over the years and is now considered a camp classic.

Showgirls was released in 1995 to huge controversy and won a host of Razzie Awards (the Oscars for bad films). It was then adopted by the underground film circuit and became a modern classic, seen as another warped satire of the American Dream alongside director Paul Verhoeven’s other films Robocop, Total Recall and Starship Troopers.

Now, film fans in Manchester will get to enjoy the movie in an eye-popping new way. Manchester235 casino at Great Northern Warehouse is planning an interactive screening of the film, complete with pole-dancing drag queens and playing the roulette wheels.

Manchester’s self-proclaimed “big gay film club” Make A Scene have created the ultimate tribute to the film, immersing the audience in the underground world of Vegas showgirls by bringing it to a real casino!

After September’s sold out immersive screenings of The Witches and numerous “way-too-interactive” showings of films ranging from flower-arrange-along Little Shop of Horrors to dance-a-long Hairspray, Make A Scene are bringing Showgirls alive with a quote-a-long, gamble-a-long, all singing, all pole-dancing screening of the film at Manchester235.

You’ll be welcomed into Manchester235’s private screening room where your evening will be hosted by Make A Scene hostess drag queen and comedian Grace Oni Smith playing the film’s seasoned showgirl Cristal Connors and guest host Albert Schloss’s very own Joe Spencer as ingénue Nomi Malone.

There’s a full screening of the film with interactive lights and special effects, quoting along with the film’s famous lines (“I got it at Versayce!”) is encouraged and there’ll be drunken commentary from the hostesses to add to the midnight cinema feel.

Plus there’s pole dance workshops with GFFdamian Dance Studio for the extra adventurous (and limber of limb).

You’ll be let loose in the casino before and after the show to play the tables at roulette and blackjack (just like in the Stardust casino in the film). You can spend your winnings on Showgirls-themed cocktails or dine in the James Martin Restaurant.

Gary James Williams, producer and host of Make A Scene, says: “Showgirls is one of the craziest, campest films ever made and we’re going to celebrate it the best way we know how – with drag queens and cocktails!

“If you’re a fan of the film or even if you’ve never seen it this is one of those films that has to be watched in a big group and late at night – and it’s obviously even better if you can watch it in a real casino!

“We’ve been doing interactive camp films in venues across the city for nearly three years now and I think this is our biggest and wildest yet! Don’t miss out…the show is about to begin!”

Make A Scene will also be collecting for the kickstarter for the new Showgirls documentary Goddess at the screening with games where you can win big prizes if you play your cards right.

Get your tickets now for the 10pm late shows (the 7pm show is already sold out) from £10+booking fee. For more information visit makeascenefilmclub.com.

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