Source: Barbican Centre, Sarah Harvey Publicity press release Special Thanks to Liz Parkinson The Barbican in London will be screening Akira Kurosawa`s classic THRONE OF BLOOD in June...
THRONE OF BLOOD (????, Kumonosu jo) (12A) (Japan, 1957, Dir. Akira Kurosawa 109 min) + ScreenTalk with Yukio Ninagawa – Saturday 2 June, 2pm THRONE OF BLOOD is Kurosawa`s unforgettable transposition of Macbeth to the ghostly forests and grim castles of medieval Japan in the Age of Warring States. Kurosawa`s samurai Macbeth is not a strong, heroic figure, but a frightened, ambitious man who is fearful of the witches’ spell and kills to save his own blood. Laced with superb performances by Toshiro Mifune in the title role, alongside the wonderful Isuzu Yamada as Lady Macbeth, Kurosawa mixes the Japanese with the Jacobean, drawing upon the imagery of Noh in this indelible dark treasure. Even the sound of clothing -- the sibilant rustle of Lady Macbeth`s kimono, the rattle of armour -- is used to call up dark reptilian images while reinforcing the physical reality of the moment. The screening will be preceded by Japanese film specialist Tony Rayns in conversation with one of the most feted theatre directors in the world, Yukio Ninagawa. The screening complements Ninagawa`s eagerly-awaited production of Shakespeare’s romance tragedy, Cymbeline, in the Barbican Theatre. Ticket prices Standard: £12.50 / £11.50 online Barbican Members: £10.50/ £9.50 online Concessions: £10.50 Under 15: £6.00 Barbican Centre Cinema Hotline: 0845 120 7527
About Barbican
A world-class arts and learning organisation, the Barbican pushes the boundaries of all major art forms including dance, film, music, theatre and visual arts. Our creative learning programme further underpins everything we do. In 2012 we celebrate the Olympic year with many of our projects forming part of the Cultural Olympiad and London 2012 Festival -- it is also our 30th Birthday year. Over 1.5 million people pass through our doors annually, hundreds of artists and performers are featured, and more than 300 staff work onsite. Our architecturally renowned centre opened in 1982 and comprises the Barbican Hall, the Barbican Theatre, the Pit, Cinema One (with Cinemas Two and Three opening in Beech Street in September 2012), Barbican Art Gallery, a second gallery The Curve, foyers and public spaces, a library, Lakeside Terrace, a glasshouse conservatory, conference facilities and three restaurants.