Yes, here I am again, reminding all of you there are 5 days left until the Allsorts Ball on the 5th of Feb at Lanhydrock Hotel - and yes there are still tickets available, either from me or from CHC shops in Wadebridge, St Blazey, Newquay, Truro and Hayle. Don't forget to tune your radio's into BBC Radio Cornwall today at 3:45 where I will be plugging the event again, and trying to just sell those last few remaining tickets!
While I'm on my soap box and after a somewhat reflective blog yesterday, I thought I'd just follow it by sparing a few thoughts on films. After trying twice to see the Kings Speech, and failing both times to make the start for various reasons, I'm starting to feel like I probably don't need to actually see the film to discuss its qualities. With the award season in full swing and Colin Firth winning more trophies than a prized game hunter, it really is a credit to British film industry that it can deliver glamour, celebrity, office controversy, breakfast TV and ensuing frivolity, packaged into one of the most successful marketing campaigns I've seen recently. It is quite literally running away with itself across all media formats.
Since my student years, when visits to the afternoon matinee and the sunday late show were regular events in my calendar, I find less and less time to see the big lists of headliners that I promise myself I'll make an exception for this year. Notably I seem to take more time poring over who was wearing what on the red carpet, and what sort of bag or off the wall accessories they were trying to pull off for the occasion. The whole idea of self publication is one that the actors and actresses of the film world are incredibly good at. What is it we really want to see? The stars of the production or the film itself? Sometimes I wonder!
In truth the film industry has much to teach us about the way it communicates to its audiences. Films are all about action, both on and off the stage and its often when they take the biggest chances, that they win around a whole new audience of viewers and reinvent the whole idea of telling a story. What is underestimated about film production is that at the end of the day, when the director shouts 'cut' for the last time, what is left over is a raw product of artistic creation and development. It is not yet a blockbuster or making the critics list, its still just a piece of film that has to go out an generate a buck.
The Kings Speech as I understand it, is all about taking a chance on person and a range of techniques that might solve a problem and help enrich a life, or several, if you think about the implications for the wider British Empire. If a film about taking a chance can win over the hearts and minds of a nation, then I am convinced that the variety, spontaneity and personalized stories that will be presented on Saturday night, will make all the difference to the hospice and its work in Cornwall. Customers want personal experiences and every-time any shop opens for business its 'show time'. We have reminded our cast members of this, and we intend to change the programme moving forward, for the better.
Catch the performances Saturday night at Lanhydrock... 5 days and counting.
Recent Comments