I spent a delightful Sunday afternoon at the Symphony Hall in Birmingham where there was a screening of the film LaLaLaLand accompanied by a live orchestra.
I have already seen the film twice and own it on DVD and yes, I have the soundtrack! I also previously wrote a blog article on the delightful clothes featured in the film so I suppose you could say I am just a tiny bit obsessed!
Anyway, back to the Sunday afternoon; myself and resigned hubbie arrived to find a hoard of people looking forward to their cinema afternoon. I love clothes spotting and noticed that there were even a handful of the Emma Stone canary dress copies! I myself wore a 1950’s pink and white gingham check dress and some slingback kitten heels so I felt the part at least!
An interval drink ordered and then time to proceed to our seats. The venue was completely packed out with cinema fans alike. The orchestra came on stage and started to warm up. Then the main event started. The widescreen CinemaScope peeled back and LaLaLand finally started.
I had no idea what to expect. How were the orchestra going to fit in with the film etc? I needn’t have been concerned as everything was perfect! I remember seeing the film for the first time and knew during the opening sequence that I would love it. Watching it again for the first time in months, just reminded me of that first feeling. The prescence of the orchestra just heightened the whole spectacle.
I loved the old fashioned feel of the event from the overture (written on screen) to the intermission (likewise on screen) too! I wondered how they were going to ensue a seemless interval in the film and I loved how they did. The first half of the film ended on a close up of Emma Stone’s face which then faded out in a circle, just like the old films that I love. I couldn’t wait to return after the interval and was not disappointed.
When the film finished, I lost count of the encores and everyone was standing up clapping. It was a very special afternoon and a fantastic atmosphere.
Please can we have more afternoons like this? I would love to watch some of the old films, the Gene Kelly and Fred Astaires with the addition of a live orchestra. Judging by the popularity of this Sunday afternoon, I wouldn’t be the only one!
Many thanks to the Novello Orchestra who are currently on tour with their production I hope to see them again in the future
http://www.thenovelloorchestra.com
@NovelloOrch @THSHBirmingham
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