Before we dive headlong into the festivities, we’d like to thank you all for supporting us through a fantastic year here at EAC and fill you in on how we’ll be opening 2024.
The first feature of the year is a live screening of Verdi’s early masterpiece, Nabucco. Daniele Caligari conducts this exhilarating production about the fall of ancient Jerusalem, that catapulted the 28 year old composer to fame.
Also on screen this month, the first Midweek Movie of the year continues our recent theme of senior citizens taking long journeys, as Michael Caine and Glenda Jackson star in The Great Escaper. This true-life heartwarmer tells the story of Bernard Jordan, who sneaked out of his care home to attend the 70th anniversary celebrations of the D-Day landings, aided and abetted by his wife Irene. These two stars of cinema deliver excellent performances and the film serves as a fond farewell to Glenda Jackson, a true pioneer of stage and screen.
Later in the month, the Friday Film Club opens it’s doors to Charlotte Regan’s dynamic debut, Scrapper. This stylish, energetic film about 12-year-old Georgie, who lives alone until her absent father turns up one day, provides a fizzing, vital exploration of the father-daughter bond. Comparisons with last year’s personal EAC favourite, Aftersun, are inevitable but this is a completely different beast. Don’t miss!
Rushen Heritage open the year with Yvonne Creswell’s lecture on William Hoggatt, painter, campaigner and champion of the Manx countryside. As usual, tickets are scarce so get one right away!
We have a real January Piano Series treat in the shape of outstanding, award-winning Russian pianist Nikita Lukinov. Nikita will play pieces by Mussorgsky and Tchaikovsky on our newly serviced Steinway and will give a free masterclass on the morning of the recital. Here, he will expand on some of the themes of the pieces from the evening show and give an insight into life as a professional musician. This is open to everyone and provides an excellent opportunity to get up close to a young pianist at the top of their craft. The last two masterclasses have been fascinating and very entertaining so please tell all your keyboard playing friends!
To close the month, we’re delighted to play host to the joyous celebration of song that is the Young Singer of Mann competition. Each competitor sings two songs of their choice before our panel of adjudicators (Angela Stewart, Jane Corkill, Christy DeHaven and Jack Divers) to be crowned Junior and Young Singer of Mann. Last year’s event was a triumph so we’re looking forward to this one! Come down and support your stars of the future.
In the gallery we say goodbye to the inspiring and informative Manx Nature Show and hello to Frauke Watson’s new exhibition. For as long as she can remember, Frauke has been fascinated by the things other people consider as surplus to requirement. ‘What do you want with this old piece of trash?’ has been the refrain of her life. She believes that all things have a soul and that even unloved things can be loved again. All you need is a different point of view. The value of an item is very much determined by the fashion of the moment – and the context. Frauke is a compulsive maker and is constantly exploring different art and craft techniques. Her greatest passion is the creation of new things from old or found objects. Her hope is that this exhibition will encourage you to see the world around you with different eyes.
Like I said at the beginning, it’s been an incredible year here at EAC with a huge showreel of highlights and we’d like to say a massive thank you to all of you for your invaluable support. It takes an audience to make a memorable show and we really could not do it without you.
Have a wonderful Christmas and we’ll see you all in 2024!