10 minute read
ART LIFE
Review: No Time To Die at Cineworld ScreenX
by Abbie Randall
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Bond certainly has a license to thrill on Screen X!
Before I dive into this review, there may be mild spoilers, so if you haven’t set your Goldeneye on the latest instalment in the Bond saga perhaps come back to this article when you have.
No Time To Die sees what has been billed as the final instalment in Daniel Craig’s 15 year career as Bond, the gentleman spy who has certainly stood the test of time. Craig is now the longest serving Bond from his debut in Casino Royale, he is possibly the grittiest Bond we have seen so far.
Walking into Screen 9 at Cineworld at the White Rose Shopping Centre, nothing really seemed different, the walls looked lighter and the chairs were a very plush leather but apart from that you could be in any screen.
However once the movie starts you’re immediately sucked into the experience and immersed into what can only be described as an almost virtual reality experience. With all three screens illuminated the audience is thrown into the action.
Screen X, for those who have not yet had a chance to experience it, is a 270 degree projection which is exclusive to Cineworld. Imagine a traditional cinema screen and then two screens that flank it on either side. It’s immense! Cineworld have stated that the experience is suitable for adults and children alike and while I can’t recommend this movie for young children I really do encourage you to take them to suitable showings in Screen X, they will thoroughly enjoy it!
At the beginning of the movie we see super villain Lyutsifer Safin in the harsh snow filled tundra. With three screens illuminated and throwing cold white light at the audience, I genuinely felt cold as we followed Safin trudging through the snow. You don’t miss any of the action as the screens wrap around into your peripheral vision as though you are present in the scene and
What Are You Hungry For?
CVIV Arts workshop rehearsal by Hazel Millichamp
Carrieanne Vivianette and her theatre company CViV Arts began a research development project last year and concentrated on three key subject matters: • Desire and want • Societal Rejection • Resilience
The end piece of drama “What Are You Hungry For?” draws upon various theatre techniques and wide-ranging viewpoints gleaned from the community in order to offer three very different presentations of those themes.
In Scene 1: we will see a character based devising from new, commissioned writing
In Scene 2: we will experience physical theatre –movement symbolism representing individual desires and what happens if those desires are not met (this was developed from a public responses – survey)
In Scene 3: we will see a piece devised from text extracts taken from commissioned writing, and ideas that are taken from a devising workshop and that have been developed using public feedback.
‘What Are You Hungry For?’ attempts to reach its audience with empathy and will encourage us to find and nurture our inner compassion and courage in the face of the injustice we can be up against in life.
To find out more about CVIVArts Theatre visit www. carrieannevivianette.co.uk
“What Are You Hungry For” will be performed at Slung Low on Sunday 31 October at 8pm.
Book your tickets here: www.slunglow.org/shows immersed in the action.
The two additional screens are not active throughout the whole movie, they phase in and out according to what’s happening on the screen.
What follows can only be described as a rollercoaster of emotions and violence. We see a lot of endings in the movie, the demise of the longestablished Spectre organisation and death of beloved character Felix Leiter who has intermittently featured in past Bond movies. We do however meet a number of dynamic, new characters along the way, including a cast of powerful women who would say Dr No to any of Bond’s nonsense.
There are a lot of threads which do pull together by the time we reach the final act of the movie. For long time fans there are many easter eggs. It was a nice tribute to hear a soundtrack that featured not only the new Billie Eilish theme but themes littered through the movie from older Bond movies, from On Her Majesty’s Secret Service as an example.
The immersion of Screen X did scare the Living Daylights out of me on a few occasions and I jumped a few times watching the action and hearing the shooting, but this is not a negative point but rather a testimony to the immersion of the screens. Although the movie was 2:45 hours long it didn’t feel any longer than an hour or two as the action moved quickly to the final act of the movie.
Overall both the movie and Screen X experience were absolutely mind blowing and I highly recommend you see No Time to Die in this screen before it disappears. Diamonds are forever but cinema showings are not! Book now!
South Leeds stories will be at the heart of LEEDS 2023
LEEDS 2023 has commissioned more than 20 ambitious new projects which will celebrate the unique stories found in neighbourhoods across Leeds, placing local communities at the very centre of the planned year of culture.
The commissions will unearth hidden stories, unleash creativity and embed culture right across communities. They include a project exploring the social history of Leeds from a Deaf perspective, led by theatremaker Janet Alexander. Mixed media artist Thahmina Begum will work with Bangladeshi and British Bangladeshi residents in Beeston in a celebration of heritage, language and mixed identities.
Stand & Be Counted Theatre Company aim to make moments with the community of Hunslet where people genuinely feel ‘welcome’. They want to create a safer space for people to develop their confidence, have their say and make a change; and artist Harry Meadley is seeking to develop a project that brings attention to the rich skateboard culture of Leeds.
Each project will be led by a Leeds-based artist who will lay the groundwork from now until February 2022, before handing over the reins to the local communities to make their own, as a central part of the celebrations in 2023.
Kully Thiarai, Creative Director of LEEDS 2023, said:
“My World My City My Neighbourhood is all about uncovering the untold stories of our city. You may think you know Leeds, but there are so many incredible hidden tales in our communities just waiting to be revealed. And who better to tell those stories than artists from those neighbourhoods and the local people themselves?
“Leeds is a city that speaks over 170 languages, and we want to hear everyone’s voices as part of our year of culture. There are so many people in the city that we don’t get to hear from and a chance for us all to listen and be inspired. There’s such a broad range of fascinating ideas in these projects and I can’t wait to see how they will grow and showcase these different neighbourhoods and communities.”
The artists, who were chosen through an open call earlier this year, each have a personal connection to the neighbourhoods they will be working in, whether they grew up in the area, have friends or family there, or have worked there previously. Artists will be matched with community organisations in the different wards and will be supported by the producing team at LEEDS 2023.
My World My City My Neighbourhood is supported by Arts Council England and Leeds Community Foundation.
For 2023, Leeds is planning a groundbreaking, 12-monthlong cultural celebration across all 33 wards of the city where everyone can play a part. Working alongside local, national and international artists and local communities, LEEDS 2023 will be for Leeds, with Leeds and inspired by Leeds.
It promises to be an explosion of colour, noise and brilliant entertainment, reaching every corner of the city and its wider districts.
by Bruce Davies
Aweek, so the saying goes, is a long time in politics. Two years in Covid is apparently even longer, and in BrexitUK longer still . . .
Originally booked to take place in November 2020 ‘My Kingdom For A Croissant’ will finally be realised in the ‘RealWorld’ in November 2021.
Nicholas Vaughan is a Wakefield based artist, whose work often revolves around political themes from British history over the last forty years. For this exhibition he turns his attention to the current situation regarding Brexit and the cultural life of 21st Century Britain, creating for BasementArtsProject a series of wild and satirical sculptures and collages.
As we emerge from a continual series of pandemic lockdowns, ‘My Kingdom For A Croissant (Part II)’ picks up where its online virtual gallery counterpart left off earlier in the year.
A dystopian fantasy world populated by characters that seem strangely familiar yet somehow not quite right. This raucous collision of ideas inspired by theme parks, Brexit, Gulliver’s Travels and all overseen by Mayor Larry from Jaws, looks at cultural and racial stereotypes and how migration and racism have become key players in the ongoing culture wars.
‘Tunnel of Tusks’ (Collage. 2020) was exhibited as part of the John Moore’s Painting Prize Exhibition 2021. It will also feature in ‘My Kingdom For A Croissant’.
Special Preview Night Offer:
Send an email to basement artsproject@gmail.com with the word ‘croissant’ to receive a croissant at the Pre-Brexit price of FREE at the preview. Wait until the night and it will be a Post-Brexit price of £1.
Preview
Thursday 25 November 5:30–7:30pm
We are open on all of the following dates without having to make an appointment except where noted.
Everyone is welcome. Just turn up.
Exhibition Open
Sunday 28 November 1–3pm By Appointment Only
Monday 29 November 11:30am–2:30pm
Thursday 2nd December 11:30am–2:30pm
Sunday 5 December 1–3pm By Appointment Only
Monday 6 December 11:30am–2:30pm
Thursday 9 December 11:30am–2:30pm
Sunday 12 December 2–4pm By Appointment Only
Monday 13 December 11:30am–2:30pm
Thursday 16 December 7–9pm Mince Pies & Mulled Wine
To book contact basement artsproject@gmail.com
Panto group returns with Mother Goose
One of the many casualties of the Covid pandemic last year was the ever popular St Andrew’s Pantomime in Beeston, but the good news is that it will be back on stage in January.
The award winning amateur group will be staging a new production of Mother Goose, written by Ian Noble and produced by his wife Siobhan.
The story revolves around farmer Gertrude Goose, the most kind and generous person who is like a mother to the whole village – Mother Goose. But times are hard and despite her hard work the crops aren’t growing, the hens aren’t laying and the cows won’t give milk. She may have to sell the farm and ruthless property developer Cordelia BrassneckWhinge has her eyes on it. Meanwhile in the underworld two fairies are taking on a bet with a demon …
Can Mother Goose save her farm? Will the fairies win their bet? There’s only one way to find out!
Shows will run from Saturday 15 to Saturday 29 January 2022 at St Andrew’s Community Centre, Old Lane in Beeston:
Saturday 15 January 2pm and 7pm
Sunday 16 January 2pm
Wednesday 19 January 7pm
Friday 21 January 7pm
Saturday 22 January 2pm and 7pm
Sunday 23 January 2pm
Wednesday 26 January 7pm
Friday 28 January 7pm
Saturday 29 January 2pm and 7pm
Tickets costing £6 for adults and £4 for children are available now from the box office by calling 07988 349985 or by emailing standrewspantogroup@hot mail .com
