Ladies In Lavender (12A)

This ran for a year when we first opened, and introduced us to the most feared of audiences. Charles Dance was one of our first year’s guests. Uunforgettably, he would escort and introduce Judi Dench to our stage before the end of 2005.

The interminable waiting on-set, filming somewhere on location, in a library allowed time to browse the shelves, hence he came across this delicious short story.  

After the inevitable, chasing of ‘the money’ and a hundred set-backs, it stubbornly emerged as this small, beautifully finished, independent film. It cleverly transcends the sentimental through its warm sketches of genuine people. In exquisitely judged performances, Dame Judy tries to suppress carnal desires and Dame Maggie tuts in glorious disdain. Their world is simple. Their words are measured, manners perfect and repression absolute. The sun shines and waves pound. It is about a time long lost, where smokey pubs were the domain of ruddy faced men and policemen tapped their helmets and clipped cheeky twerps around the ear.

Once more we look forward (with now minor trepidation) to the patter of sensible shoes.

It is perfect still, for a Rex July in 2018.  Come, see how many faces you recognise. Lose yourself in the faces and watch out for the, then hardly-knowns: Toby Jones and Daniel Bruhl.