Wartime miracle inspires artists to create a ‘Monument’ to Charlie Chaplin as campaign to save the National Picture Theatre continues
March 1941; a bomb lands on the National Picture Theatre in Hull where 150 people had gathered for a screening of Charlie Chaplin’s ‘The Great Dictator’. All miraculously survived.
Today, as the fate of the derelict building remains uncertain, performance company Kings of England has created a new black and white short film, a ‘Monument to Charlie Chaplin’, which will be screened at Hull Truck on 1 November and 2 November at 7:00pm. The piece commemorates this moment in history and celebrates Chaplin’s playful critique of Capitalism. The 16mm, 25 minute silent movie is set to an original score composed by Nick Gill, and was shot in the shadows of the National Picture Theatre and across key landmarks in the city. The piece, which features five young people from Hull aged 10-12, draws on the choreography from Chaplin’s ‘The Great Dictator’ and takes a carefully considered look at the site and its surrounding area. The film will be followed each night by a full-length screening of Chaplin’s original movie masterpiece.
Explaining the narrative of the film, Simon Bowes from Kings of England said: “Five children congregate at the site of an old ruined cinema, where Chaplin’s satire on Fascism was interrupted by a Nazi bomb. Parading five inflatable globes across the city centre they arrive at Hull Truck’s black box theatre. There they perform variations on the film’s famous ‘Globe Scene”, an image of precarious fortitude.”
The National Civilian WW2 Memorial Trust has campaigned for the past 5 years to buy the dilapidated theatre on Hull’s Beverley Road. Outside London, Hull was the most heavily bombed city in England during World War II and in 2007 the ruins were given a Grade II listing as it is the last blitzed civilian building ruin left standing in England. English Heritage has supported the campaigners who want to turn the walls that withstood the blast into a memorial and education centre. Permission for the redevelopment of the site was granted 2 years ago but has since experienced challenges from the current owners of the site.
The iconic landmark, which is still very much in the hearts and minds of local residents, and this significant moment which left the building in a decimated ‘freeze frame’, form both the inspiration and backdrop for ‘Monument to Charlie Chaplin, which is the second installment of ‘In Eldersfield’, a decade-long, 10 chapter cycle of performance works by emerging talent, Kings of England, which seek to ask why, and how, history still matters.
Peter Reed, producer of ‘Monument to Charlie Chaplin’ said: “It is so important that we keep the past alive for the next generation. Kings of England’s work is always intergenerational, but this project was particularly important as it brings to life a significant moment in Hull’s history, which is especially poignant due to the ongoing campaign the save the theatre. The work is of course a Monument to Charlie Chaplin, but it is also in part a tribute to Hull.”
The project was made in partnership with Hull Truck, Hull City Council and supported by Arts Council England. Throughout Kings of England’s visit to Hull Truck, there will be an exhibition of artwork and information regarding the National Civilian WW2 Memorial Trust’s efforts to save the site in the theatre foyer.
Awesome!