Storyhouse announces major film programme.
Taking place at Storyhouse throughout October and November, Art of Action is a major UK-wide celebration of big screen action done for real. The films in the programme have been selected with the aim of showcasing the diverse talent on screen and behind the camera of those who have created some of cinema’s most memorable moments.
From swashbuckling adventures to rarely seen classics and modern masterpieces, Art of Action at Storyhouse will feature screenings of Seven Samurai (1954), Point Break (1991), Monkey Man (2024), and many others. Kicking off Art of Action is a screening of Douglas Fairbanks’ rip-roaring silent action movie, The Mark Of Zorro (1920). The genre-defying film will be screened in Storyhouse’s main theatre with live musical accompaniment by Northern Silents’ pianist Jonny Best and percussionist Trevor Bartlett. Northern Silents brings their signature style of improvised music back to Chester after previous sold-out screenings of 1927’s Chicago and Fritz Lang’s Metropolis.
Jonny Best, founding Artistic Director of Northern Silents said:
“The Mark of Zorro launched the Hollywood action movie, so it’s perfect that it launches Storyhouse’s diverse and adventurous Art of Action programme too. Douglas Fairbanks was the original action star, doing all his own stunts (just like Tom Cruise), with a dashingly romantic style and a sprinkling of humour (like Harrison Ford’s Indiana Jones). Live music will bring this incredible swashbuckling adventure alive – if you’ve not tried one of Storyhouse’s live-scored silents yet, Zorro is a great place to start, and it’s suitable for all the family.”
Central to the season is a weekend of spectacular films dedicated to the extraordinary action career of Academy Award-winning actress Michelle Yeoh. A one-time Cheshire dance student and alumni of The Hammond, Chester, Yeoh takes centre screen with three career-defining roles. The trilogy begins with her Hong Kong action film Yes, Madam! (1985), which saw the actress take her first starring role as an acrobatic cop with fists of fury. The second feature is the turn of the century blockbuster martial arts film Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon (2000), a surprise international hit which saw Yeoh perform some of her most iconic, gravity-defying stunts. Concluding the weekend is the actress’s most highly awarded film, Everything Everywhere All At Once (2022). The multiverse fantasy swept up seven awards at the 95th Academy Awards, including Best Picture and Best Actress for Michelle Yeoh who became only the second woman of colour to win the prize.
As part of the season, Storyhouse is delighted to welcome Stunt Performer-turned-director Matt Routledge to share his experiences in a career talk – produced in partnership with The Fighting Spirit Film Festival. Matt has been working in film and television since the late 1990s as a stunt performer and coordinator, and now a film director. With a specialism in Martial Arts, Matt will discuss his career path from enthusiast to professional and shine a light on how to get involved in this area of film and TV through sharing his personal career journey.
Nicky Beaumont, Head of Cinema at Storyhouse said:
“Our Art of Action season celebrates over 100 years of action on the big screen. Stunt performers have helped shape cinema history, creating those jaw-dropping moments and adrenaline rushes that keep audiences coming back to the big screen experience. With this nationwide BFI supported celebration they are finally getting their rightful recognition.”
To encourage audiences to take full advantage of the programme, Storyhouse is offering a multibuy discount on cinema screenings, giving audiences 25% off when they book two films, and 50% off on bookings of three or more.
The season is supported by the National Lottery and the BFI Film Audience Network (FAN).
You can check out the full programme at: https://www.storyhouse.com/seasons/art-of-action/
ENDS
For more information, contact:
Nancy Davies
Storyhouse
LISTINGS
The Mark of Zorro with Live Score by Northern Silents
Main theatre
Monday, 7 October 2024 at 7.30pm
Tickets £12/Storyhouse Members £10.80
The Princess Bride
Cinema
Saturday 12 October 2024 at 10.30am, Family Film
Sunday 13 October 2024 at 10.30am, Family Film
Tickets £4/Storyhouse Members £3.60
The Adventures of Robin Hood
Cinema
Sat 12 October 2024 at 3pm
Tickets £9.90/Storyhouse Members £8.90
Seven Samurai
Cinema
Sat 19 October 2024 at 2pm
Tickets £9.90/Storyhouse Members £8.90
Yes, Madam!
Cinema
Fri 25 October 2024 at 8.30pm
Tickets £9.90/Storyhouse Members £8.90
Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon
Cinema
Sat 26 October 2024 at 5pm
Tickets £9.90/Storyhouse Members £8.90
Everything Everywhere All At Once
Cinema
Sun 27 October 2024 at 7.30pm, Captioned
Tickets £9.90/Storyhouse Members £8.90
Monkey Man
Cinema
Sun 3 November 2024 at 6pm, Captioned
Tickets £9.90/Storyhouse Members £8.90
The Long Kiss Goodnight
Cinema
Wednesday 13 November at 6pm
Tickets £9.90/Storyhouse Members £8.90
Point Break
Cinema
Saturday 16 November 2024 at 5pm
Tuesday 19 November 2024 at 8.30pm, Captioned
Tickets £9.90/Storyhouse Members £8.90
Art of Action: Careers Talk + Polite Society
Cinema
Tuesday 26 November at 12.30pm
Tickets Free
About Storyhouse
Storyhouse is one of the UK’s foremost cultural centres incorporating a library, theatres and a cinema. It is one of the country’s most successful arts buildings, with more than one million customer visits each year.
The pioneering new library within Storyhouse, where members of the community work alongside city librarians, boasts the longest opening hours of any UK public library and is open every day until 11pm. It runs over 2,000 sessions a year for marginalised communities
The company also runs a highly successful theatre company and the country’s most successful regional open-air theatre, in the city’s Grosvenor Park and Moonlight Flicks open air cinema.
Storyhouse currently holds the official title as the UK’s Most Welcoming Theatre and was the overall national winner in the 2018 Guardian Public Service Awards
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