Love London Love Culture’s Emma Clarendon selects a few highlights from the BFI’s new season celebrating the best of musicals on film…
Screenings of some of the best musical films created: during the season, there will a huge number of screenings – not just in London but up and down the UK. There will be screenings including: Grease, Guys and Dolls, My Fair Lady and Gentlemen Prefer Blondes to name a few.
Singalong screenings: with the reemergence of musical films, singalong screenings have been proving immensely popular over the last few years and the BFI plans on celebrating this by having several singalong screenings. Prepare to sing your heart out to films such as The Little Mermaid, West Side Story and La La Land.
The Little Shop of Horrors Director’s cut and afterparty: celebrate Frank Oz’s beloved musical horror comedy with this special screening celebrating the film. The afterwards head to the BFI Waterfront for a spooky shakedown, featuring spine-tingling tunes, gruesome cocktails and dancing until the witching hour.
Celebrate the legacy of Gene Kelly by attending Gene Kelly: The Legacy – An Evening with Patricia Ward Kelly: find out more about the man behind the dancer, choreographer, star and director behind some of the most memorable musical film moments from his wife and biographer, offering an intimate insight into his world.
Celebrate the work of Barbra Streisand: for those who love Barbra Streisand, there is an opportunity to catch all three of her best known and loved films: Funny Girl, Yentl, and Hello Dolly! with screenings of each of these films.
A celebration of Bob Fosse: the BFI will also be highlighting the work of renowned choreographer and director Bob Fosse, with screenings of Sweet Charity, Cabaret and All That Jazz.
50th Anniversary of Goodbye Mr Chips: mark the 50th anniversary of Goodbye Mr Chips with this special screening of the film which stars Petula Clark and Peter O’Toole.
A range of talks and events: there will also be a number of other talks and events exploring the legacy and influence of musical films including: New York City in Musicals, Who’s in the Money? The Great Depression, Musicals and Hollywood’s New Deal, Study Day: Hollywood Musical Stars and Guys and Dolls: Gender and Sexuality in Hollywood Musicals.
For more information about the season visit: https://www.bfi.org.uk/musicals