Yesterday I had the pleasure of attending the awards ceremony for the third annual Thurrock Film Festival. There were 72 shortlisted films, from many different countries, with several nominations in each of the competition categories.
As I sat in the Thameside Theatre, with many of the nominated film makers and their families, I couldn't help but smile at the enthusiasm of everyone attending. It made me wish I had fulfilled the directing ambitions I had as a youngster, but there's no use crying over misplaced youth (I'm pretty happy just watching and writing about movies).
Then it made me think, if we didn't have a local theatre, what would become of some of the groups that use it regularly? It's served the film festival well for the last three years and is home to many amateur dramatic groups. With the Thameside's future in jeopardy, what will happen to this section of the arts in Thurrock?
There are other places within the area that serve the arts; the High House Production Park playing an important part in the creative industry. However the Thameside has the history as well as housing our local museum and the largest library in the borough.
I admit to being lazy in my support of the theatre, only attending film related events and the pantomime. However, having visited the place every day this weekend, it's a lovely venue with so much to offer the local people. Where else would you get a room full of grown ups dressed up as T-Birds and Pink Ladies, singing at the top of their voices with absolute strangers? Where else can I go to watch productions of musicals, dramas and Shakespearean tragedies for the fraction of West End prices? I now plan to show my support and frequent a lot more shows.
The Thurrock Film Festival has renewed my faith in fans of film, whether they be the creative brains or the willing recipients of the work. I pray the festival continues for another year but will our local theatre still around to play host?
No comments:
Post a Comment