Q&A: Mark Kermode interviews Sir Alan Parker
WHEN?: 23/5
WHERE: BFI
When was the moment when film directors lost control of their work?
- Read on for why Sir Alan Parker admires Michael Cimino’s Heaven’s Gate
Q&A
Q&A: Sir Ian McKellen & review of Heuristic Shakespeare app
WHERE: BFI
WHEN: 28/4
Without his leading role in the film Richard III, which he also co-wrote, Sir Ian McKellen doubts whether he would ever have been cast as Gandalf and Magneto in the Lord Of the Rings and X-Men films respectively.
- Read on for a review of Sir Ian’s new Heuristic Shakespeare app
PREVIEW & Q&A: The Hollow Crown starring Benedict Cumberbatch and Tom Sturridge
WORTH A LOOK?: ****
WHERE: BFI
WHEN: 29/3, screens April
The BFI audience has just seen the first episode of the new BBC Hollow Crown trilogy and there are clear Game Of Thrones comparisons although star Tom Sturridge (who plays Henry VI) is having none of it.
- Read on to find out which Sherlock actor joins Benedict Cumberbatch (pictured above) in this BBC2 production
Sir Ian McKellen: Shakespeare on Stage, Screen & Elsewhere
WHERE?: BFI
WHEN: 6/4
Sir Ian McKellen is telling the BFI audience about his relationship with Shakespeare because the venue has put his Richard III at the heart of its celebrations for the 400th anniversary of the bard’s death later this month.
Read on for details of Sir Ian’s new app version of The Tempest out 23/4
Q&A: Dr Thorne starring Julian Fellowes, Rebecca Front & Tom Hollander
WHERE?: BFI
WHEN: 2/3
Compere Gyles Brandreth describes his childhood friend Julian Fellowes as ‘the only Oscar winner I’ve shared a bath with’ as he introduces us to the Downton Abbey author and members of the cast of his new show.
- Read on to find out why Dr Thorne isn’t the new Downton and Downton Abbey – the movie latest
Q&A: Funny Girl featuring Sheridan Smith and Darius Campbell
WHERE?: Menier Chocolate Factory
WHEN?: 21/2
It’s 6.45pm and our Q&A compere Mark Shenton, associate editor of The Stage, is telling us that its star Sheridan Smith is unwell and may not be joining us and her leading man Darius Campbell has to leave in 15 minutes. Read More
Q&A: Absolute Beginners featuring David Bowie, Patsy Kensit and Julien Temple
WHERE: BFI
WHEN: 22/9
Director Julien Temple has just seen his film Absolute Beginners (1986) on the big screen at the BFI and he is complaining it was shown out of focus and is an ‘abomination’.
BOY MEETS GIRL Q&A
WHERE: BFI
WHEN: 8/12/15
Author Elliott Kerrigan is speaking about the second series of Boy Meets Girl with one of its stars, Harry Hepple.
THEATRE REVIEW & Q&A: The Hairy Ape starring Bertie Carvel
WORTH A LOOK?: ***
WHERE: Old Vic
WHEN: 12/11, runs to 21/11
We’ve seen Bertie Carvel within a few short months as a doomed king in ancient Greece (Bakkhai), a cheating modern day husband (TV’s Doctor Foster) and now a brutish American 20th century ship labourer.
Q&A: House of Cards creator Beau Willimon
WHERE: BFI
WHEN: 3/10
‘You might think that; I couldn’t possibly comment.’ It’s the phrase common to both the original BBC show and the US remake of House of Cards. Beau Willimon, creator and show runner of the US version, is explaining during the BAFTA – BFI Screenwriters’ Lecture Series that it’s included in the reboot as homage to its source material.
