STREET MUSIC FROM THE DUSTY ROADS OF LONDON: TRAMPS AND BUSKERS ON 16MM FILM

Event information

7PM TICKETS £5 ADVANCE
£6.50 ON THE DOOR
A rousing celebration of street life and entertainment from the days before surveillance cameras and rigid legislation.

This mixed programme of rare, quirky films from the Big Smoke includes:

THE VANISHING BUSKER (1965) DIR IAN BRIMS. 26MINS. 16MM
Harry H. Corbett of Steptoe and Son speaks to brilliant, devoted entertainers The Happy Wanders and The Road Stars who are also seen here performing, drinking in cafes and evading the law.

JESUS BLOOD (1972) DIR STEPHEN DWOSKIN. 30MINS. 16MM
Dwoskin’s intensely melancholic film was made in the orbit of the radical London Filmmaker’s Co-operative and centres on a very tender, cracked singing performance delivered by a tramp, orchestrated by composer Gavin Bryars and later covered by Tom Waits.

SHOWMEN OF THE STREETS (2011) DIR JOHN LAWRENSON. 42MINS. DIGITAL
A detailed and distinctly entertaining labour of love. Meet the Mighty Atom, the Amazing Blondini, Prince Monolulu, Lord Mustard and The Man with X-Ray Eyes! London was their backdrop and the streets their stage. This film traces a tradition of people who chose to defy class structure and take their chances on the road.

Gavin Bryars will discuss with William Fowler the making of Jesus Blood and its extraordinary music. John Lawrenson will introduce his Showmen of the Streets.

Don’t miss this rare cornucopia of documentaries, experimental film and song!

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