Make
a Scene Film Club is, in their own words, a
big gay film club that plays camp classics and LGBT cinema to friends
of Dorothy and their friends, exploring their queered take
on film, TV and pop culture.
Yet
this is no ordinary film club – enhanced with drag interventions, audience
participation, props, lighting and sound effects and impromptu interjections
this film club was a sing-along /cabaret / fancy dress competition / comedy show / panto / film screening extravaganza! Interactive screening
simply does not cover what took place this evening!
This
was Make A Scene’s first venture in the Z-Arts Centre and their largest venue
so far, having aired previous showings of the likes of Home Alone, Hedwig and the
Angry Inch, The Little Shop of
Horrors and marathon viewing events dedicated to Victoria Wood, Nighty Night or showing the Oscars live
in venues around Manchester City Centre.
The
growing success of these events was evidenced by the large numbers that attended The
Witches – the theatre was almost filled to capacity, but a larger marker of
their success, in my opinion, was that plenty of the audience were dressed up
in granny drag and were practically
swinging from the roof with excitement from start to finish.
The
Witches was shown to mark Roald Dahl Day and a family friendly screening was also
shown that afternoon. It was well attended with many children and included face
painting and other workshops.
For
the evening show, which was certainly not family friendly, some of the audience
had also paid for a prosecco high tea experience in the wonderful theatre bar
(or should I say the Hotel Excelsior?) and by appearances all seemed to enjoy
it thoroughly. Our hostess for the evening, drag queen Grace Oni Smith, gave us
all a rather grand welcome from the sweeping staircase and she certainly looked
the part, fashioning herself as the Grand High Witch. As we entered the theatre
there was certainly a great amount of excitement – even for the faithful
followers of Make A Scene, there is always a wonder about what will take place
and I must say that it is hard indeed to describe all that happened.
After
all were seated and ushered, it was made very clear that we were NOT to be a
quiet audience and heckling, booing and joining in with the dialogue on screen
was much encouraged. The hosts Gary and Grace ad-libbed as a hilarious comedy
duo while giving some instructions, talking us through some trailers and adding
some thoughts on the film we were about to watch.
The
film began and the fun ensued – some scenes were simultaneously acted out by
what you might call cast members and selected audience members who had dressed
up for the night. The mimicry on stage was very effective, adding humour and
queer insights.
There
were some moments of depth – while it was in humour that the audience and cast
members were all ‘cast’ as witches and we, the audience, wanted to kill all
children and we all agreed that children smelt like doggy droppings, using Roald Dahl’s words, the fact that, in Dahl’s
book, the witches lived among us, and disguised themselves to blend in mirrored
so many LGBT experiences. Trans representation was also pointed out through
noting the male actors in the film who were cast as witches. While these might
have been thought provoking moments, they were presented with great, queer
humour and the audience howled, indeed cackled with glee.
It’s
hard to know what to expect from each event that Make A Scene puts on, but I
would advise that if you really want to peacefully watch the film or TV show
being screened, this is not the event for you – audience heckling, interaction
from the cast will make you miss parts of what is being screened, so it is
worth watching in advance if you can. This is not a criticism in any way – it’s
just the nature of the event.
Make
A Scene aim to live through the experience of a film or show that has some
resonance with the LGBT community with an explosion of commentary, a song and a
dance and a right knees-up. Expect chaos, irreverence and to laugh all
night long.
Make
A Scene will be showing Cabaret in the near future. I would advise to get your
tickets quickly as they are likely to sell out.
Reviewer - Aaron Loughrey
on - 15/9/18
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