object(App\MenuItem)#503 (23) {
  ["table":protected]=>
  string(10) "menu_items"
  ["connection":protected]=>
  NULL
  ["primaryKey":protected]=>
  string(2) "id"
  ["keyType":protected]=>
  string(3) "int"
  ["perPage":protected]=>
  int(15)
  ["incrementing"]=>
  bool(true)
  ["timestamps"]=>
  bool(true)
  ["attributes":protected]=>
  array(10) {
    ["id"]=>
    string(2) "64"
    ["menu_id"]=>
    string(1) "1"
    ["label"]=>
    string(25) "Volunteer Richard Gravett"
    ["description"]=>
    string(138) "Local filmmaker Richard has found his spiritual home at the Electric Palace. He might choke up at Pixar's Coco, but not from noisy snacks."
    ["url"]=>
    string(36) "/meet-our-volunteers-richard-gravett"
    ["order"]=>
    string(2) "20"
    ["parent_id"]=>
    string(2) "21"
    ["created_at"]=>
    string(19) "2021-01-10 14:57:34"
    ["updated_at"]=>
    string(19) "2023-10-01 17:03:14"
    ["deleted_at"]=>
    NULL
  }
  ["original":protected]=>
  array(10) {
    ["id"]=>
    string(2) "64"
    ["menu_id"]=>
    string(1) "1"
    ["label"]=>
    string(25) "Volunteer Richard Gravett"
    ["description"]=>
    string(138) "Local filmmaker Richard has found his spiritual home at the Electric Palace. He might choke up at Pixar's Coco, but not from noisy snacks."
    ["url"]=>
    string(36) "/meet-our-volunteers-richard-gravett"
    ["order"]=>
    string(2) "20"
    ["parent_id"]=>
    string(2) "21"
    ["created_at"]=>
    string(19) "2021-01-10 14:57:34"
    ["updated_at"]=>
    string(19) "2023-10-01 17:03:14"
    ["deleted_at"]=>
    NULL
  }
  ["relations":protected]=>
  array(0) {
  }
  ["hidden":protected]=>
  array(0) {
  }
  ["visible":protected]=>
  array(0) {
  }
  ["appends":protected]=>
  array(0) {
  }
  ["fillable":protected]=>
  array(0) {
  }
  ["guarded":protected]=>
  array(1) {
    [0]=>
    string(1) "*"
  }
  ["dates":protected]=>
  array(0) {
  }
  ["dateFormat":protected]=>
  NULL
  ["casts":protected]=>
  array(0) {
  }
  ["touches":protected]=>
  array(0) {
  }
  ["observables":protected]=>
  array(0) {
  }
  ["with":protected]=>
  array(0) {
  }
  ["exists"]=>
  bool(true)
  ["wasRecentlyCreated"]=>
  bool(false)
}
Home / About / Volunteer / Meet Our Volunteers - Richard Gravett

One of the things that makes the Electric Palace such a great place to visit is our fabulous, dedicated volunteer team. 

So, who are the people who welcome you to the cinema? Find out in our Meet the Volunteers series...

Name: Richard Gravett

What prompted you to volunteer at the cinema?

As soon as I settled into Hastings I went looking for top-quality cinema programming, but also an opportunity to meet like-minded film lovers.

Tell us about an experience at the cinema (not necessarily from the Electric Palace).

My first experience at the Electric Palace was seeing The Whalebone Box. I was thrilled that it was playing because I missed its initial theatrical release, and Andrew Kötting was there to answer questions too! So, I was chuffed and knew I'd found somewhere special to see movies.

What film would you like to watch at the cinema?

'The Apartment' for a fun night at the pictures or Reichardt's 'First Cow' (Whenever that becomes available in the UK).

Tell us about a favourite film of yours.

'The Moon and the Sledgehammer' is special. It's a Sussex treasure and is magical. I wish I could have worked as a sound recordist on it.

Tell us a good film to watch that makes you laugh out loud or blub your eyes out.

The Pixar movie 'Coco' made me do both. I'm sure watching it in 2020 particularly made me choke up.

Do you have a memory to share about a great film night at the cinema?

One of my most memorable cinema experiences was seeing Dreyer's 'The Passion of Joan of Arc' at Shakespeare's Globe in London. Standing the length of the film in a yard, surrounded by a wooden amphitheatre, watching a trial and execution was chilling and gave the film great power.

What's your favourite snack or drink at the cinema?

Coffee or Beer. I don't like noisy foods in cinemas but I like the smell in the foyer.

Finally, tell us something unusual about yourself.

I once accidentally refused to take a picture with Peter Capaldi.

Richard also created two videos about the Electric Palace volunteers, which you can view on Facebook:

Our volunteers share what makes the Electric Palace so special:

plus:

Robin Elliott-Knowles on our B Movie Fan Club.

Find out more about volunteering at the Electric Palace