Hello and welcome to the foyer of Eccleshall Community Cinema Club's podcast.

I’m delighted to bring you news of our next screening, The Choral.

Penned by Yorkshire-born playwright and national treasure, Alan Bennett, The Choral stars a slew of British acting talent including Ralph Fiennes, Roger Allam, Alun Armstrong, and Simon Russell Beale - all celebrated stage, film, and television actors in their own rights. 

To discuss that with me, I want to say a massive welcome to my guest co-host Ruth Martin. 

The Choral is Bennett’s first original screenplay in over 20 years, though he feels more present in film due to Hytner’s adaptations of Bennett’s plays, often first performed at the National Theatre.

Set in 1916 in Yorkshire during the First World War, The Choral centres on a choral society in the town of Ramsden that keeps losing choristers due to the conscription of young men. Under the direction of the demanding new choirmaster, Dr Henry Guthrie (played by Ralph Fiennes), the group is forced to rebuild its ranks by bringing in a varied mix of recruits.

As they prepare to stage Elgar’s monumental The Dream of Gerontius, they must contend with the pressures of war, rising suspicion of outsiders, and the looming threat of conscription. 

For more information on the screening, please check out our Facebook page, “Eccleshall Community Cinema Club” and there’s more information in the show notes, as well as our email addresses - one to join the mailing list and one to get in touch with the podcast. The date for your diary is Thursday 23rd April at 7:30pm upstairs at The Royal Oak on Eccleshall high street. Tickets for The Choral are £5—now that’s a note-worthy bargain!

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