The Westmorland Gazette – 2nd July, 2014

By Ellis Butcher

Paul McGann and Richard E Grant in Withnail and I

A CUMBRIAN brewery is preparing to make an audacious attempt to set a world record at an open air screening of a cult classic.

Eden Brewery, based near Penrith, will attempt to set a new record for the number of people simultaneously saying a film quotation.

The attempt will take place on Saturday July 5 at Sleddale Hall, near Shap, at a screening of the cult 1987 film Withnail and I.

It starred Richard E Grant and Paul McGann as two penniless unemployed actors who escape to the Lake District as a break from their wretched lives.

Before the screening, the brewery will attempt to get the audience of 100 people to shout out the line ‘I demand to have some booze’ in unison.

The brewery has commissioned a film to be made of the event and the final record attempt.

Withnail fans have descended on Sleddale Hall – the location used for Uncle Monty’s cottage Crow Crag in the film – annually since 2012.

The screening is put on by Picnic Cinema, which is part of Eden Arts.

This year, the film will be screened on Friday July 4 and Saturday July 5 with hardy fans camping out overnight.

Brewer Jason Hill said he was relishing the chance to get one of his favourite films into the record books.

“In my opinion, Withnail and I is the best film in the world, but unfortunately you can’t set a record for that, so I thought this was a good way of trying to get it the international recognition it deserves,” he said.

“We will be serving our Withnail range at the event and I hope it helps lubricate people for a really great evening and they are in full voice by the time we try and set the record.

“Picnic Cinema are putting on a really great event and we are glad to partner up with them to help people have a bit of fun and pay homage to a brilliant film at a special location.”

Eden released its Withnail range of five beers last year.

This summer it is planning to release two more, the Seville orange and coriander infused porter Black Jake and the profanely named chilli beer Terrible C.

To find out more about Eden Brewery and its range of beers go http://www.edenbrewery.com