The Lady of Shalott Film Premiere

Friday the 15^th of May, The Lady of Shalott premiere at Lincoln’s Odeon Cinema.

It had taken us almost exactly a year to complete the film which had began with the casual observation that, 'as we were approaching the bicentenary of Tennyson’s birth perhaps we perhaps do something to mark it’. Two minutes later, a decision had been taken to make a filmed dramatisation of his most famous poem, The Lady of Shalott!

The Premiere was attended by over 250 people and there could have been many more if I hadn’t handled the invitations so cautiously (I was worried that too many would arrive after our last Premiere when about 500 people turned up – twice the number predicted!). Many of the cast came in costume including Victoria Rigby who played the Lady of Shalott and Ben Poole who played Tennyson. The audience were fabulous – crying, cheering and whistling as appropriate throughout the showing. The Odeon management were wonderful and made it a very enjoyable occasion. Afterwards, Gordon Hutchison, the Odeon manager, said: ‘Oh my goodness! Picture perfect! I was extremely impressed by the end result & the excitement it generated for the cast, crew & the audience. Simply to say ... I wish "Wag Screen" all the best for the future!’

The audience taking their seats