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The Lock-In (18*) + Conversation with Nitin Ganatra

,Cinema 1
Peggy Mitchell behind the bar of the Old Vic.

Experience Stanley Schtinter's immersive EastEnders supercut, featuring a live talk and the launch of East London Brewing Company's 'Lock-In Lager.'

The Barbican's Cinema 1 transforms into a pub, screening Stanley Schtinter's archive EastEnders project, followed by a live conversation with the artist, EastEnders actor Nitin Ganatra OBE (AKA Masood Ahmed) and author Sophie Sleigh-Johnson, alongside the launch of East London Brewing Company's 'Lock-In Lager'.

Aligning with the 40th anniversary of EastEnders, and also marking the publication of The Lock-In artist book, join us for this unique project by artist Stanley Schtinter, which transforms decades of EastEnders into an immersive supercut. The Guardian described it as 'spellbinding,' Anita Dobson, the legendary Angie Watts called it 'interesting!' and filmmaker Joanna Hogg 'amazing.'

 

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Beer will be provided by East London Brewing Company, in an exclusive collaboration with Stanley Schtinter, the first opportunity to try 'Lock-In Lager', a limited edition specially produced lager. Schtinter will also be available to sign copies of The Lock-In artist monograph, the first publication by East London-based artist imprint Tamara Press, with original contributions from Iain Sinclair, Chris Petit, Therese Henningsen and Anne Billson.

Read more information on the event below!

The event

The evening will begin with a specially edited never before seen version of The Lock-in, followed by a discussion with the film's director. Afterward, guests will be invited to enjoy a specially produced lager inspired by the project in the cinema foyer. As the film continues to play, audiences will have the opportunity to move between the foyer and the auditorium.

Biographies

Nitin Ganatra, OBE, is a British actor best known for his long-running role as Masood Ahmed in the iconic BBC soap opera EastEnders. He joined the show in 2007 and became a household name during his 12-year tenure, portraying the charismatic and complex patriarch of the Ahmed family. Ganatra's performance earned widespread acclaim, including the British Soap Award for Best Onscreen Partnership alongside Nina Wadia, who played his on-screen wife, Zainab Masood.

 

Sophie Sleigh-Johnson, born 1988, is a Southend-on-Sea-based writer and artist. She holds a PhD from Goldsmiths College, London, where she occasionally teaches as an Associate Lecturer in Fine Art Critical Studies. Her new book Code: Damp - An Esoteric Guide to British Sitcoms was published this winter by Repeater Books, on the 40th anniversary of Leonard Rossiter’s death. Her essay ‘Alcoholics Hieronymus: The Tavern’s Numinous Conviviality in Machen and Spare’, is out soon in Faunus: The Journal of The Friends of Arthur Machen (join up!). Her ongoing research is distributed across printmaking, spoken word, performance, and cassette releases, and she writes for publications including Darkside, The Leigh Times and The London Drinker.

 

Stanley Schtinter has been described by Sight & Sound magazine as 'the witchfinder general of cultural complacency.' His recent projects include Schneewittchen (IFFR; BFI, 2025), Last Movies (Tenement Press; ICA, 2023-24) and Important Books [or, Manifestos Read by Children, 2021-22] (Whitechapel Gallery, 2021-22).

Cinema 1

Location
Barbican Cinema 1 is located within the main Barbican building on Level -2. Head to Level G and walk towards the Lakeside Terrace where you’ll find stairs and lifts to take you down to the venue floor.   

Address
Barbican Centre
Silk Street, London
EC2Y 8DS

Public transport
The Barbican is widely accessible by bus, tube, train and by foot or bicycle. Plan your journey and find more route information in ‘Your Visit’ or book your car parking space in advance.