The Artist proves a big draw for Telford screening

More than 100 tickets have already been snapped up for two special screenings of Oscar-winning silent film The Artist in Telford.

Box office staff at Oakengates Theatre @ The Place, where the film is being shown twice on Saturday, said early sales had been hugely encouraging.

Tickets went on sale on 9am on Friday.

Movie fans had complained about the film not being shown in Telford after bosses at the Odeon cinema said it would not be screened there because of 'limited distribution'.

But the Shropshire Star has teamed up with Telford & Wrekin Council in a bid to secure a copy which will now be exclusively shown at the theatre on Saturday.

There will be a matinee performance at 2.30pm followed by an evening showing at 8am. Council chiefs said they anticipated 'extremely high demand' for the two showings.

Kelly Thompson, spokeswoman for the theatre, said today: "We have sold more than 100 tickets so far, which has been a really encouraging start.

"We had a large number of online bookings overnight when we came in on the Saturday, and sales have continued to be good over the weekend.

We have also had a good steady stream of people coming in through the doors to book, so we are very pleased.

Tickets cost £6 a seat, with concessions at £5. Oakengates Theatre box office can be contacted on (01952) 382382 or online at www.theplacetelford.com

See also:

• We bring The Artist to Telford

• No Telford showing for Oscars winner The Artist

• Letter: Is Telford a black hole for culture?