IT is funny to think that there are a lot of first-class national businesses in Malton, which may have some staff who don’t live locally, but assume that it is not as good as where they live.

We had an example of this last week where a person behind a counter, working in Malton, assumed that because we are a small cinema that we weren’t as good as the multiplex where they live. Caroline nicely put them right that we show films on release, have live stage productions from all around the world and, more than the average cinema, they can enjoy a grown-up drink with their film.

Why in their eyes is only their business the best, I wondered? Small mindedness, I suppose, or inexperience of age.

Totally Locally has a study that if only £5 per person per week is spent in the local economy that it can help regenerate it. Maybe if we could turn this misconception into an understanding that the shops and businesses in Malton and Norton are also the best, we could help drive the economy up again.

The same could be said for Pickering, Kirbymoorside and Helmsley.

The regular monthly food market was in Malton on Saturday and the whole of the town was bustling with activity.

The big news for this week is that a new season from Glyndebourne has been booked in, playing a season of Strauss – Der Rosenkavalier (June 8), Don Giovanni (July 6) and La Traviata (August 10). Booking online this week.

Films for this week

Captain America: The Winter Soldier (12A) – is still very popular with good response from those leaving at the end.

Divergent (12A) – we watched this film with trepidation not really knowing what to expect. We really enjoyed it as it had a plausible story and the effects were not over- done. The acting was good with the script good, too, with a couple of throwaway one-liners that got we older ones laughing.

There are similarities to The Hunger Games, but in my opinion has a better, more believable story. There are the usual parts to the script that are far-fetched but I suspended disbelief and followed the story.

Although aimed at a younger market, it is a really good adventure film that will engage you in the story and even though at one point I thought how are they going to get to the end from here, the story set off again. Really good to watch.

Muppets Most Wanted (U) and Rio 2 (U) are still with us and Khumba joined our schedule and is the “best film ever” according to one patron, a little taller than knee high, and he will “watch it over and over again” – a true recommendation from a connoisseur I think you will agree.

Amazing Spider-Man 2 starts on Friday and there is a great deal of excitement from all age groups.

The Other Woman starts next Wednesday, April 23, starring Cameron Diaz, Leslie Mann and Kate Upton. It is a comedy about friendships – something a little different from all the other films we are showing where there is a girlfriend, a wife and two more girlfriends. Looks like some fun.

Stage productions

The Winter’s Tale on April 28 has the front rows of seats available.

We are getting our 2014-15 seasons set out for the Royal Opera House and the National Theatre. These will be announced in the next week or two.

King Lear on May 1 still has some seats available.

National Theatre (NT Live) new season starts on Thursday, September 4, when it presents Medea – a powerful Greek Tragedy by Euripides. Helen McCrory plays in the Medea, who faces banishment and separation from her children. She begs for one day’s grace, which is time enough to destroy everything that she holds dear.

This is a new version of Medea by Ben Power and directed by Carrie Cracknell, with tickets on sale from tomorrow (Thursday).

Henrik Ibsen’s Ghosts is our next show from the West End series in which Helene Alving, played by Lesley Manville, is determined to escape the ghosts from her past from an emotional void caused by the death of her outwardly charming but cruel husband. She is determined to escape her ghosts by telling her son, Oswald (Jack Lowden), about the past. The Ghosts is said to have rave reviews and was nominated for five Olivier Awards. It is on Thursday, June 26, for one night only, so book early to avoid disappointment.

Romeo and Juliet from Broadway, starring Orlando Bloom, famous for Pirates of the Caribbean and Lord of the Rings and so much more, and Condola Rashad (known for Steel Magnolias, Sex and the City 2, and 30 Beats) also still has some really good seats available so there is plenty of opportunity to see this first-class Shakespearian play with an amazing popular cast.