Events

Previews of forthcoming events and reviews of past events.

Competitions

Win tickets to a London premiere screening of the new version of The Prisoner

30 October 2009 Rob Buckley Post a comment

The Prisoner

It’s true. It’s not my competition, but it’s true: you can win tickets to an exclusive West End screening of the first two episodes of ITV & AMC’s reworking of The Prisoner with Jim Caveizel and Ian McKellen. Equally excitingly, it’ll take place 48 hours after the US network premiere.

The competition’s being run by ITV and the entry form is over here. Beat the rush while you can!

December at the BFI

28 October 2009 Rob Buckley 1 Comment

Time for our regular look at what TV’s on at the South Bank in London in December. One hell of a lot of tele this month thanks to the second part of the Radical Television Drama season that started last month and because it’s Christmas.

What will most be people interested in? I’m guessing the preview of David Tennant and Patrick Stewart’s Hamlet on the 14th. Notably, they don’t say who’s going to be at the Q&A, other than the director, but cross your fingers, hey?

Continue reading “December at the BFI”

November at the BFI

23 September 2009 Rob Buckley 1 Comment

Time for our regular look at what TV’s on at the South Bank in London in November. Quite a lot of tele this month as part of the Radical Television Drama season, but nothing else except for the Queen in 3D. Seriously.

  • 4th: The Wednesday Play: The Big Flame+ discussion with Tony Garnett 
    Docu-drama following striking dockers in Liverpool.
  • 4th: The Wednesday Play: Up the Junction + Diary of a Young Man (episode 1)
    Two Ken Loach films, one by Nell Dunn, one by Troy Kennedy Martin. 
  • 8th: The Wednesday Play: Vote, Vote, Vote for Nigel Barton + Play for Today: All Good Men
    Dennis Potter’s attack on the party political system, followed by Trevor Griffiths’s blistering polemic on the left/right struggle.
  • 12th: TV preview: The Queen in 3D
    Yes, 3D films of the Queen that will be part of Channel 4’s The Queen in 3D.
  • 13th: Scum + Q&A
    The famous play set in a borstal that launched Ray Winstone’s career. Q&A will include producer Margaret Matheson and writer Roy Minton.
  • 16th: Play for Today: Bloody Kids
    Stephen Poliakoff’s drama about a kid who fakes being stabbed in the chest
  • 18th: TV sold to the highest bidder – Thatcher’s television revolution
    Raymond Snoddy chairs a panel including Sir Michael Grade, Alasdair Milne, Tony Garnett and David Rose to examine the impact of Thatcherism on drama.
  • 18th: Play for Today: The Black Stuff
    The play that spawned Boys From The Black Stuff.
  • 19th: John Hill: from the The Big Flame to Leeds – United!
    How TV responded in drama to the industrial conflicts of the 60s and 70s.
  • 25th: Play for Today: Leeds – United! + Q&A
    The fight of women clothing workers in Leeds for better pay in 1970. Followed by Q&A with producer Kenith Trodd, writer Colin Welland and director Roy Battersby.
  • 26th: Oi for England + Made in Britain
    Neil Pearson in Trevor Griffiths’ play about the National Front, followed by Tim Roth as a disaffected skinhead.
  • 29th: Play for Today: United Kingdom + Q&A
    A left-wing council is removed from office after overspending. Directed by Roland Joffe. Q&A with producer Kenith Trodd.

Champions’ priority booking by phone: September 28
Members’ priority booking opens: 11.30am September 29
Public booking opens: 11.30am October 6

Prices
£7.60 (members)
£5.25 (member concs)
£9.00 (non-members)
£6.65 (non-members concs)
Under 16s £5.

All shows are £5 on Tuesdays. Conc prices are available to senior citizens, students, unwaged and disability visitors. Proof of eligibility may be required.

As always, visit the BFI web site for more details

October at the BFI

28 August 2009 Rob Buckley Post a comment

Time for our regular look at what TV’s on at the South Bank in London in October. Not a lot at all this month, but a couple of things at least, including a day looking at future trends in TV production.

  • 2nd: 360° TV and multi-platform production
    A panel of commissioners and new media producers discuss the process of 360° commissioning, its impact on programme genres and what the future holds.
  • 2nd: Online-only TV and the democratisation of TV production
    Using clips of shows created specifically for online consumption, this will examine how companies such as Current TV, Bebo and YouTube are showcasing the work of the public.
  • 4th: Preview: Murderland + Q&A
    A showing of episode 1 of ITV1’s three-part Rashomon-esque Murderland, starring Robbie Coltrane. Followed by a panel discussion and Q&A with writer David Pirie, director Catherine Morshead, producer Kate Croft and members of the cast.

Champions’ priority booking (I have no idea what that is) by phone: August 31
Members’ priority booking opens: 11.30am September 1
Public booking opens: 11.30am September 8

Prices
£7.60 (members)
£5.25 (member concs)
£9.00 (non-members)
£6.65 (non-members concs)
Under 16s £5.

All shows are £5 on Tuesdays. Conc prices are available to senior citizens, students, unwaged and disability visitors. Proof of eligibility may be required.

As always, visit the BFI web site for more details

September at the BFI

27 July 2009 Rob Buckley 2 Comments

Time for our regular look at what TV’s on at the South Bank in London in September. Most of it is going to be taken up with a Coal season (oh joy) and part two of the Stage to Screen season. BUT there is going to be a preview of the new series of Merlin.

  • 3rd: Richard II: Live From The Globe
    The first live broadcast of a theatre production in over 30 years
  • 4th: A Day in the Death of Joe Egg
    Starring Eddie Izzard, Peter Nichols’ play recorded on stage in front of a live audience
  • 6th: Merlin + Q&A
    The first episode of the new series of BBC1’s Merlin, together with a panel discussion involving cast and crew.
  • 8th: Vincent in Brixton
    A play about Vincent Van Gogh’s stay in Brixton
  • 13th/21st: The Price of Coal: Meet the People
    Ken Loach and Tony Garnett’s play about a royal visit to Milton Colliery
  • 17th: Changing Stages + Panel Discussion
    The first episode of the series dicussing the development of British theatre, followed by a panel discussion with Mark Lawson, Richard Eyre and Ben Stephenson, BBC controller of drama
  • 19th/20th: The Wars of the Roses
    All 11 parts of John Barton’s adaptation of Shakespeare’s history cycle from Henry VI to Richard III
  • 21st/29th: Which Side Are You On? + The Miners’ Film
    Two documentaries, one by Ken Loach and another made in 1975 but updated during the miners’ strike 10 years later
  • 26th: Theatre Night: Miss Julie
    Janet McTeer and Patrick Malahide star in Strindberg’s play

On at the Mediatheque: The Miners’ Picnic (Ken Russell BBC Documentary about a colliery band competition) and Ken Loach’s Meet the People.

Members’ priority booking opens: 11.30am August 4

Public booking opens: 11.30am August 11

Prices
£7.60 (members)
£5.25 (member concs)
£9.00 (non-members)
£6.65 (non-members concs)
Under 16s £5.

All shows are £5 on Tuesdays. Conc prices are available to senior citizens, students, unwaged and disability visitors. Proof of eligibility may be required.

As always, visit the BFI web site for more details