the flicker club film recommendation:
See if you can track down the BFI DVD of Jonathan Miller's adaptation of M.R.James classic ghost story "O, whistle and I'll come to you". It captures the haunting tale perfectly and Michael Horden is just mesmerizing.
You remember Michael Horden don't you? The voice of Paddington Bear? Well, he was so much more than that. One of the finest charater actors ever. You'll love scene of him muttering to himself on the desolate beach.
This is a black and white gem. Go on, whistle and see if it comes to you.
the flicker club art exhibition recommendation:
This summer, renowned Brazilian artist Ernesto Neto is transforming the Hayward Gallery with a series of spectacular installations.
Neto is known for his immersive artworks, often made from stretched lycra, which give the impression of being inside a body. Spices, plastic balls and cushions are used to provide different textures and scents.
Recently, Neto has been exploring a new direction in his work, using steel to produce large-scale structures, one of which will be shown for the first time at the Hayward Gallery.
the flicker club gift guide:
We love these Lip Tease and Drip Tease fine bone china teacups, they were introduced by Stephen and now are a regular feature at our flicker club evening meetings. My Earl Grey has never tasted so good..
the flicker club quotation:
"A lot of people mistake a short memory for a clear conscience."
Aphorist Doug Larson
flicker club reviews:
Hackney Wicked Festival
So last weekend we were all a bit hungover after Shiv's birthday drinks, and the thought of hauling our sorry souls down to Broadway Market on a Saturday morning seemed like more of a mission than it was ever going to be worth, but haul we did. It hurt a bit. Primarily I'd like to think we were heading East to support our friends who were involved in Hackney Wicked Festival, but really I know that if I didn't leave the house before 11 I would have spent the morning watching Big Brother and wondering....I can't even finish that sentence..
Hackney Wicked then. I'll just put in some words and you can make of them what you will.
Graffiti Jam. Punk Choir. Lady Snake and finally The Kuntists.
However here's Aly Helyer and she's well worth a look. Wicked I'm sure.
© Aly Helyer
After the Dance
In order to see Thea Sharrock's production of 'After the Dance' the flicker club did something it's never done before - got up at 05.45 on a Saturday morning and queued in the rain outside the National Theatre's box office for day seats! My gosh it was worth it...
Terence Rattigan's neglected play studies the British habit of repressing emotion. It's 1938 and the Bright Young Things of the twenties are eaking out the alcoholic hedonism that helped them through the trauma of the First World War. But it is the tragic misunderstanding of a married couple both masking their devotion in a "pally" relationship that haunts you as you leave the auditorium.
Benedict Cumberbatch is captivating as David Scott-Fowler. Very rarely do you see such a painful voyage of self discovery. Like a swan he fights to convey a majestic smoothness whilst beneath the surface we glimpse him paddling toward the realisation and disappointment that he is a wastrel.
The magnificent Nancy Carroll is almost unbearably moving as his seemingly jolly and resilient wife. One leaves the theatre grateful that a neglected classic has finally been honoured.
Bistrotheque : Studio East Dining
The evening began like a scene from Brief Encounter. The excitement and anticipation of waiting for a lover on a train platform...The platform was the romantic St. Pancras International and the flicker clubs' lover was Bistrotheque's Studio East...
We arrived after a 7 minute train journey at Stratford International and were met by staff who escorted us through a building site, into an elevator and onto the roof. And that’s when we saw it...A purpose built pavilion designed by award winning architects, Carmody Groake, perched 35 metres atop Westfield, Stratford City's 1.9 million square foot site overlooking the Olympic Stadium. The views were astonishing. From Crystal Palace to Alexandra Palace, Canary Wharf, the Gherkin and Zaha Hadid's 2012 Aquatics Centre.
The tequila cocktails flowed and we were serenaded by a gentleman playing rock anthems on the old Joanna...foreplay for what Bistrotheque's Head Chef Tom Collins had in store for us…
It was a communal feast designed to celebrate the best of the English Summer and which made the eyes roll into the back of one's head!
As we left I looked back, the whole structure was glowing. A compelling jewel on London's skyline. This is the third of Bistrotheque's pop up restaurants. I'm signing up for them all...
Daisy for the flicker club
Much Ado About Nothing
To Chester, and why not indeed. Myself,the glorious A.d'V and Marcou leapt on the 12:45 from Euston and in the flick of a zine were transported to Hollyoaks Country, never seen it myself but it's a lovely place, about 5 minutes from Wales according to our Bar Hop at The Amber Lounge. A couple of glasses later and we were duly shown to our seats in the Open Air Theatre by creature called Nancy, what a Gal.
When Reservoir Dogs came out back in the 90's I remember sitting in the cinema with A.d'V awaiting the Tarantinos first born when, during the pre screen trailers my "special friend" appeared on the big screen pushing Smirnoff Ice (remember those classy early days of alcopops). This was the first time I'd seen him on the big screen and I duly whelped like a nancy "That's my Boyfriend" a tad too loudly. Thankfully we were at Screen on the Green Islington and not Odeon Holloway Road, and as such I feel that the other patrons felt as proud as I did as opposed to thinking "Surely that fag should be watching Legally Blond" which lets face it is a much better film. Anyroads I found myself in the exact same situation surrounded by the good Burghers of Chester when "special" took to the stage as Don John in Much Ado about Nothing, he's such a bad boy. It was an amazing show and quite the enchanted evening. I'm still very proud. That's my Boyfriend.
Stephen for the flicker club
... but what we've mainly been doing this last two weeks is working our dear Shiv terribly hard in preparing our new website site for your viewing pleasure.. we have our marvellous collection of art thus far, a gallery including photos from our events thanks to our lovely photographer Joel Chant, (have a sneaky peek, you might be there), and there will soon be a shop where you can purchase all sorts of flicker goodies, just in time for Christmas.. dive in and enjoy...
and now, if you'll excuse us we're off to have a large glass of wine, or a cup of tea in our lip tease mug. Delete as applicable..
lots of love,
