[S]ignal Cinema brings the Oscar®-winning film THE ADVENTURES OF PRISCILLA, QUEEN OF THE DESERT (15) to The Drawing Room next Thursday 7th December for an Aussie-Christmas themed party screening starting at 7.30pm. The film will also be specially-introduced by one of Manchesters’ up-and-coming drag artists, Eva Serration!
Priscilla, later adapted into the most successful Australian musical of all time, was 1994’s multi-award winning film featuring heavyweight stars Terence Stamp (Superman), Guy Pearce (Momento) and Hugo Weaving (The Matrix). It tells the story of two drag performers and a transgender woman who travel across the Australian outback from Sydney to Alice Springs to perform their unique style of cabaret in the titular tourbus. The film’s positive portrayal of LGBT individuals helped to introduce LGBT themes to a mainstream worldwide audience.
Introducing the film will be Manchester’s rising drag star Eva Serration (aka fire performer David Hon Ma Chu), fresh from treading the boards at the Royal Exchange Theatre who was recently interviewed for VICE magazine. Eva will share her own experiences in Australia of climbing both Ayres Rock (Uluru) and Kings Canyon and discuss “how hard that would be in a dress!”
Pre-sold tickets have already begun to sell well for this Aussie-Christmas party screening, so Signal Films project manager Kezz Turner definitely advocates buying early to avoid disappointment as seating is limited. Partly-inspired by the popularity of BODS’ fantastic musical performance earlier in May this year, Priscilla, Queen of the Desert is part of Signal PRIDE! An LGBT mini-season of film this winter.
“Priscilla is amazing in that it’s both a hugely entertaining cult classic that also tackles themes which are still so applicable in our own times – especially with uncomfortable Cumbrian truths – so it’s more important than ever to raise awareness in support of LGBT issues. It continues to be loved by both critics and audiences alike (94% Fresh on review site Rotten Tomatoes) so I really hope that locals will be equally passionate in joining us next week!”
Tickets are available online at signalfilmandmedia.co.uk/signalcinema or you can pop in to Signal’s offices at Cooke’s Studios, 104 Abbey Rd (next door to The Duke of Edinburgh). Special cocktails will be available on the evening, so audiences are encouraged to dress boldly and get there early to grab the best Chesterfields! Under 18’s are welcome to attend but Challenge 21 is in effect and wristbands must be shown to bar staff.
50 years ago, homosexuality was finally decriminalised in the UK. To raise awareness of this historic legislation and to celebrate and advocate diversity in all its forms we want to bring communities together through this fantastic, non-mainstream cinema season. Signal Pride! celebrates and raises awareness of wider LGBT culture and was chosen by the Signal Cinema Committee with support from Friends & Supporters of the Furness LGBT Community.
Signal Pride! An LGBT Cinema Season Overview:
7/12/17 @ 7.30pm: THE ADVENTURES OF PRISCILLA, QUEEN OF THE DESERT (15) – The Drawing Room
13/12/17 @ 7.00pm: A film about LGBT politician Harvey Milk (15) – Aspire Cocktail Bar, Hotel Imperial – Programmed by the Young Programmers’ Committee as part of Signal PRIDE!
21/12/17 @ 7.00pm: THE HANDMAIDEN (18) – Cooke’s Studios, 104 Abbey Rd – Programmed by the Young Programmers’ Committee as part of Signal PRIDE!
