Matthew Bourne’s The Car Man (Theatre Screening)

We were due to show this screening of Matthew Bourne’s ballet in May, but had to cancel that due to the Covid-19 lockdown. We are delighted to be able to offer it to you now.

Bourne takes the steaming story of Bizert’s opera Carmen and transposes it to a small town in America in the 1960’s. Thanks to the sweltering heat, there’s a frisson of sex and tension already in the air for the workers of a small garage diner – a claustrophobic setting familiar from many film noir. The arrival of a brutal, handsome stranger drives everyone even further into an explosion of lust, violence, betrayal, greed and revenge. This is a night from which no-one emerges unscathed.

The music is based on Rodion Shchedrin’s version of the opera, but the story is loosely based on James M. Cain’s novel The Postman Always Rings Twice (1934) and the 1946 and 1981 films of the same name. This production is notable for its frank depictions of violence and sex, including homoeroticism.

This is Bourne’s most erotic and shocking piece, aided by Bizet’s music hauntingly rearranged by Terry Davies, and once again beautifully designed by Lez Brotherson. The production was filmed live at Sadler’s Wells.

This screening will (as always) be introduced by Barry Purves with informed trivia, anecdotes and some background of the production.

The bar will be open before and after the show, as well as during the interval.

Please come and join us in a friendly, informal and Covid-19 safe atmosphere, to take advantage of sensational screening facilities as well as our low prices and free car park.