Classics in the Dome: Top Hat (1935)

Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers’ most refined musical returns in a setting that truly does justice to its sound, movement, and design.

Top Hat remains a landmark of classic Hollywood — a film that helped rescue RKO Studios, paired Astaire and Rogers at the height of their artistry, and redefined the way dance could be captured on screen.

This special screening places the film on a flat screen within Market Hall Plymouth’s Immersive Dome, using its 5,000-speaker sound system to give extraordinary presence to Irving Berlin’s music and the precision of Astaire’s choreography. The clarity of the audio and the scale of the image restore full focus to the movement, the Art Deco settings, and the meticulously crafted costumes.

Screening Details

Friday, 13 March
Film starts at 7:00pm
Bar open from 6:00pm — arrive early for a drink before the screening
Relaxed seating on bean bags inside the dome

Why This Film Shines in the Dome

Top Hat is built on timing, movement, and musicality. Iconic numbers — Cheek to Cheek, Top Hat, White Tie and Tails, and The Piccolino — rely on the interplay between sound and motion, making immersive audio and a large-format screen the perfect way to experience them.

The film’s grand production scale also benefits from this setting: sweeping Art Deco sets, an ambitious Venice canal sequence spanning two sound stages, and a shimmering visual polish that defined Hollywood escapism in the 1930s. Though filmed in black and white, its textures, contrasts and costume details come to life beautifully when presented at this scale.

Film Notes

• First screenplay written specifically for Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers
• Features Irving Berlin classics, including Cheek to Cheek and Isn’t This a Lovely Day?
• Premiered at Radio City Music Hall, breaking attendance records
• Directed by Mark Sandrich, known for precise, architectural staging
• Famous for Rogers’ feathered gown (challenging during filming) and Astaire’s perfectionism, which included repeated takes and even broken canes

This is an opportunity to revisit a classic musical not as background nostalgia but as a carefully crafted piece of cinema, presented in a space designed for focused, immersive viewing.

Cocktails and Evening Atmosphere 🍸

We’re putting on the ritz with two dazzling cocktails inspired by the glamour, romance, and music of this Art Deco classic.

Raspberry Bellini
A Venetian-inspired drink honouring the film’s dreamy European setting. Fresh raspberry purée topped with chilled prosecco for a sip as elegant and effervescent as the film’s sweeping dance sequences — only £6.95.

The Feathers Cocktail
A frothy tribute to Ginger Rogers and her iconic feathered gown. Lemon sorbet, limoncello, and prosecco come together for a light, sparkling drink that captures pure Hollywood magic — only £7.95.

Join us before and after the screening for cocktails, conversation, and the timeless sounds of Irving Berlin. The bar stays open until 11pm, giving you plenty of time to linger, sip, and enjoy the atmosphere.

Feeling bold? Anyone arriving in a top hat and/or boa feathers will receive a free cocktail — a well-deserved reward for a little added glamour.

Dress up, raise a glass, and immerse yourself in a night of sparkle, style, and silver‑screen sophistication.

Why Come?

Because sometimes you don’t want realism — you want romance, nostalgia, extravagance, and pure joy.
You want cinema that sparkles, dances, and reminds you why Hollywood once felt like the most glamorous dream factory in the world.

Limited capacity. Advance booking recommended.