by Jenni Horn
jhorn@thekmgroup.co.uk

A film which recorded the last event in The Theatre Royal, Chatham, will be screened next month.

A group of artists got together just days before the building was demolished in April to perform in the historic venue for the last time.

Chatham-based singer/songwriter Lupen Crook, lead singer of The Long Weekend Oliver Burgess and Medway music legend Billy Childish climbed over the rubble and performed on the dilapidated stage, stalls and bar area. Dave Wise, Chatham photographer and writer, who founded the arts organisation Urban Fox, filmed the occasion.

He said: “We wanted to show how beautiful the inside of the building was, and how much of a shame it was that it wasn’t being saved, so Billy, Lupen and Oliver performed their songs and poems all around the interior, downstairs and up, highlighting the stunning plasterwork and tiles, which have now all been lost.”

The result, Final Curtain at the Theatre Royal, will be shown for the first time on Wednesday, August 12, at The Command House, Dock Road, Chatham. The evening, a Smoking Dog Club special, will also feature live performances by Lupen Crook, Oliver Burgess and local poets. The evening’s entertainment will start at 8pm and entrance is £3.

Dave added: “We asked several questions of Medway Council in relation to the Theatre, we wanted to feature their views in the film but they refused to answer our emails, which is a shame.”

The film will be available to view online after August 12 at www.hakimslater.com and www.davewise.biz

And you will be able to view it here, at www.medwaymessenger.co.uk

The film will not be released on DVD, so the screening at The Command House will be the only chance to view the film in its original, high-quality format.

For more details about the film screening, or to reserve your tickets, email info@hakimslater.com.