Monday 20th May - Tuesday 21st May

A Late Quartet

Dir: Yaron Zilberman (USA)

When the beloved cellist of a world-renowned string quartet receives a life changing diagnosis, the group’s future suddenly hangs in the balance: suppressed emotions, competing egos, and uncontrollable passions threaten to derail years of friendship and collaboration. As they are about to play their 25th anniversary concert, quite possibly their last, only their intimate bond and the power of music can preserve their legacy. Inspired by and structured around Beethoven’s Opus 131 String Quartet in C-sharp minor, A LATE QUARTET pays homage to chamber music and the cultural world of New York.

Featuring a brilliant ensemble cast including Christopher Walken, Phillip Seymour Hoffman and Catherine Keener and a ravishing score by Angelo Badalamenti.

A Late Quartet is a small, shining gem of a movie that works its way into your heart with insinuating potency of music.

Walken’s performance is heartbreaking, and a master class in the craft of acting.

Wednesday 22nd May 7:30pm

Spring Psychology Lectures with Gill Garratt

“CBT – what is it? Cognitive Behavioral Therapy explained.”

In the Chellew Room.

Gill Garratt is a nationally accredited psychotherapist, author and a specialist in the application of CBT (Cognitive Behavioural Therapy), particularly in the workplace.

For more details please visit: www.happytalking.co.uk

Wednesday 22nd May 7:30pm

Journals of Erwich – The Premiere

Joint Effort Studios invites you their new and exciting short fantasy film ‘Journals of Erwich’. This exclusive Premiere hosted at The Poly will give you the first viewing of the film before it is toured nationally around the country’s best film festivals. Join us for an evening of film with LIVE original orchestral soundtrack, Behind the Scenes sneak previews and a chat with the fantastic Cast and Crew.

www.facebook.com/journalsoferwich

7.00pm – Doors Open

7.30pm – Premiere

8.00pm – Awards, Thank you’s and Behind the Scenes

8.30pm – Q&A

Thursday 23rd May 7:30pm

Theatre Témoin presents THE FANTASIST

In the mind of the fantasist, the real and the fanciful become dangerously blurred. As Louise gazes into the night her fancy takes form. Objects move, time changes … and a seductive stranger opens up a world of exhilaration and magic.

Following an acclaimed international tour and 5 star sell-out success at Edinburgh Fringe 2012, The Fantasist comes to The Poly for one night only, melding original music, life-sized puppetry, and physical theatre. War Horse‘s Robin Guiver teams up with Lecoq trained Theatre Temoin in an emotionally powerful exploration of bipolar disorder.

‘Edinburgh Highlight’ – The Guardian
★★★★★ ‘Mesmerising’ – The Skinny
★★★★★ ‘Exquisite Theatre’ – Fringe Review
★★★★★ ‘Hilarious, beautiful and utterly astonishing’ – Edinburgh Guide

Friday 24th May 8:00pm

Robin Ince: The Importance of Being Interested

This new style show is a cross between stand-up and a funny lecture …

Award winning comedian and science enthusiast Robin Ince follows up his Happiness Through Science show with a look at his favourite scientists Charles Darwin and Richard Feynman.

Find out why we have eyebrows, why bald dogs have bad teeth, how heavy metal music makes pigs deaf and why spaghetti snaps into four pieces.  It is a loving look into the minds of two giants of human imagination who changed our worldview.

He’ll also stop off on the way to look at some of the more bizarre views of early science – is the ostrich really the offspring of the union of a gnat and a giraffe.

A night of spaghetti, barnacles and safe cracking.

Saturday 25th May 10:30am

Writing Workshop: Developing Voice

What is voice and how do you find it? This workshop will explore ways to penetrate deeper into your characters’ point of view in order to find their voice.

Telling the story from deep inside your character’s head increases readers’ empathy and makes the relationship between reader and character more intimate and satisfying.

The workshop will take the form of exercises, discussion, writing and rewriting.

The Tutor: Kath Morgan writes fiction and business copy, and teaches creative writing to adults. She has a degree in English and American literature, a PGCE in English and Drama, and a Masters Degree in Professional Writing, and has been teaching for over twenty years. She is currently working on her second novel. Her first novel is with her agent.

Early booking advised as places are limited and a minimum class size also applies.

If you have any questions, please email the tutor at katmorgan2@btinternet.com putting Developing Voice Workshop in the subject line.

Saturday 25th May 8:00pm

The Music of John Denver

After their successful shows in Aspen, Colorado this October, Steve Weisberg and Chris Bannister will be performing a series of concerts in the UK in May 2013. Steve who played lead guitar with John Denver on seven of his platinum selling albums during the 70s will join Chris to celebrate John’s timeless music and share his memories of one of the best loved musicians of all time.

Monday 27th May - Tuesday 28th May

The Look of Love (18)

Directed by Michael Winterbottom
Screenplay by Matt Greenhalgh
Starring Steve Coogan, Anna Friel, Tamsin Egerton and Imogen Poots.

After starting his show business career as a mind-reader in a cabaret act, Paul Raymond went on to become Britain’s richest man and a modern
King Midas. With an entrepreneurial eye and a realisation that sex sells, he began building his empire of gentleman’s clubs, porn magazines and nude theatre – provoking outrage and titillation in equal measure.

Raymond’s personal life was as colourful as his revue shows. His marriage to Jean, a nude dancer and choreographer, ended in a difficult divorce when he met Fiona – a glamour model who became the famous pin-up star of his magazines and shows. His daughter Debbie was the true love of his life, his business partner and heir to his empire – until her tragic and untimely death aged 36. Three weeks later Raymond was named Britain’s richest man and his fortune put at 1.5billion.

Wednesday 29th May 2:30pm

CUBE THEATRE presents FREDDIE DARE & THE GINGER ROBBER

Meet Fred Andrews, schoolboy and loser. Fred’s dad died a while ago, and his mum is too sad to pay attention to him.  To make it even worse, he’s struggling to make any friends at his new school.

But then he discovers a mysterious package at the bottom of a wardrobe and an unexpected visitor in the shed. Is it a film? Is it a play? Yes… FREDDY DARE & the GINGER ROBBER brings you both!

An epic adventure with striking visual effects, great original music, stylish performances and a dazzling script that packs an emotional punch.

Come and find your inner superhero!

Wednesday 29th May 7:30pm

CUBE THEATRE presents AUBADE

A young, trainee teacher arrives at a failing school, determined to raise the aspirations of poverty-line pupils. As she struggles with a difficult class, she turns increasingly to her single, middle-aged mentor for help.

But her mentor has troubles of his own. Disillusioned, alienated, and recently bereaved after years of caring for his declining mother, he finds solace as the star of his own Fred Astaire fantasy. And now he’s looking to cast his own Ginger Rogers whether she wants to dance or not.

Blending film and theatre, knife-sharp dialogue and dance.

*Contains very strong language, and one scene of graphic fantasy violence.

Recommended 15 years +

Friday 31st May - Saturday 1st June

The Adventures of Prince Achmed (1926)

Silly Boys & The Poly present…

THE ADVENTURES OF PRINCE ACHMED (1926)

(Dir: Lotte Reiniger, cert PG, 81mins)

The Silent Film Club returns with another extremely visual silent film treat – the oldest surviving animated feature film in cinema history. Using a pioneering technique of animated cut-out silhouettes this is the story of a hero on an enchanted horse battling with an evil sorcerer.

An original soundtrack will be played live, using exotic instruments such as the oud, cumbus and darabouka to complement the Arabian nights flavour.

Saturday 1st June 1:00pm

Workshop: A Crash Course in Music for Silent Film

Led by the Silent Film Club

(max. 20 people)

Want to know how we go about sound-tracking a silent film? What instruments we use? Where we get our inspiration?

Come along to this two-hour course in silent film music composition. Meet the team, learn exercises, use our weird instruments and compose an original soundtrack to a silent film of your choice!

For people with a basic understanding in music, bring your instruments if you like.

Limited places available – not bookable ONLINE – telephone or call in to book.

Monday 3rd June 7:30pm

Searching for Sugarman

Another chance to see this award winning documentary.

(Dir: Malik Bendjelloul, cert 12A, 85mins)

In the early 1970s, A&M released two albums by a singer-songwriter known only as Rodriguez, who dropped out of sight and was rumoured to have died after the records failed to sell. When Rodriguez unexpectedly attracted a cult following in South Africa, two of his ardent fans decided to track down the truth behind his disappearance from the music scene.

Winner of Best Documentary feature at both the BAFTAs and the OSCARS this year – this is a must-see documentary.

Tuesday 4th June 7:30pm

Summer in February – SPECIAL PREMIERE

RETURNS ONLY NOW FOR THE PREMIERE BUT WE ARE ALSO SCREENING THIS WONDERFUL FILM ON Mon 15th, Tues 16th & Wed 17th JULY

The Poly is thrilled to present a special premiere of the hottest new British film release, Summer in February.

With Lamorna and Prussia Cove providing the backdrop for this beautiful adaptation of Jonathan Smith’s 1995 novel, Metrodome Distribution are giving Cornish audiences this opportunity to see the film 11 days in advance of its UK release on the 14^th June.

Directed by Christopher Menaul and starring Dan Stevens (Downton Abbey), Dominic Cooper (The Devil’s Double), Emily Browning (Sucker Punch), Summer in February is set in the years running up to the First World War and focuses on the wild and bohemian Lamorna Group of the Newlyn artist’s colony, dominated by the charismatic Alfred Munnings. The incendiary anti-Modernist Munnings, now one of Britain’s most sought-after artists, is at the heart of a complex love triangle, also involving aspiring young painter Florence Carter-Wood and Gilbert Evans, the land agent in charge of the Lamorna estate.

Inspired by the true diaries of Evans, Summer in February, reveals the tragic consequences of this ill-fated love affair and casts light on the Newlyn colony which fuelled Cornwall’s international reputation for art.

“Cornwall provides the perfect filming location with its stunning landscape and coastline, its rich history and culture and the wealth of talent on offer here to support productions.” says Festival Director, Tiffany Holmes, “We’re really excited to be working with Merlin Cinemas and The Poly to present the premiere of Summer in February and to celebrate Cornwall’s role in both the story and the making of the film.”

The screening at The Poly in Falmouth will take place on Tuesday 4^th June at 7.30pm, followed by a Q&A with the author and screenwriter Jonathan Smith. 

Thursday 6th June 7:30pm

Beneath the Waves: Film Festival

This international film festival, now in its fourth year, will showcase the talent of marine photographers worldwide. Films have been individually selected from the US-based flagship event, to highlight marine conservation issues locally and across the globe. The festival aims to encourage, inspire, and educate scientists, advocates and the general public to produce and promote open-access, engaging marine-issues documentaries. The goal is to facilitate widespread science communication by bringing together marine films from around the world for open discussion. Celebrated speakers from marine science and photography worlds will also be joining the festival to present their work.

Beneath the Waves is running a Short Film Competition, with a first prize of £200, and also a Still Photography Competition, with a first prize of £50. Pieces do not require underwater footage but are encouraged to focus on local conservation issues. Films and photographs with all types of messages and subject matter are welcomed. Winning images will be exhibited in the main upstairs gallery from 1st June  prior to the festival, and the selected film will be shown alongside international films.

To request pre-submission criteria email beneaththewavesfalmouth@gmail.com

Deadline for entries is Tuesday 21 May 2013

Friday 7th June 7:30pm

Sparkle and Dark presents The Girl With No Heart

Delicate, intense, provocative and haunting, THE GIRL WITH NO HEART takes us on an epic journey into a paper world of forgotten wishes, a world where a child’s heart has the power for immeasurable good or unimaginable destruction. 

Inspired by the tragic events of the Hiroshima and Nagasaki atomic bombings during WWII, the show highlights the fragility and frustration of children surrounded by a war they cannot control.

This stark yet beautiful fable is brought to life with the company’s unique brand of highly visual puppetry and shadow, live music and new writing that subtly interlaces Japanese cultural references throughout.

Award winning theatre company Sparkle and Dark’s Travelling Players are delighted to be touring THE GIRL WITH NO HEART in 2013 after achieving 5-star reviews and sell-out shows in Edinburgh 2012!

Ages 8yrs+

www.sparkleanddark.com

REVIEWS OF THE SHOW

“Puppetry, live music and lots of origami collide in The Girl With No Heart, a beautifully staged drama about how children’s lives are destroyed by wars they don’t understand and don’t have any control over… stunning!” Lauren Paxman, The Stage *****

“A masterful production… Something that should be seen and never forgotten.” EdfringeReview *****

“The Girl With No Heart creates something charming and endearing, yet powerfully affecting with apparent ease. I have rarely felt as overwhelmed by emotion because of the sheer beauty of a play, and I could tell I was not only the one; from young children to experienced theatregoers, the effect was unanimous.” The Student Journal *****

Monday 10th June - Tuesday 11th June

In the House (Dans la maison)

Dir. François Ozon – France – 15 – 105mins

This clever psychological comedy about teaching and erotic obsession is Ozon’s best work to date.  He touches on a number of his recurrent concerns, among them the nature of creativity and stories within stories.

High school litereature teacher Germain (Fabrice Luchini) lives a beige, repetitive life; his despair at the state of contemporary education has given way to apathy and he is barely conscious of his curator’s wife’s (Kirstin Scott Thomas) boredom.  Unexpectedly he discovers a student in his class whose compelling sense of prose and voyeuristic eye for detail stir his long dormant enthusiasm for his work.

The student begins to write about a local family and serialises his encounters in essay form under the increasingly voracious guidance of Germain.  As the student becomes more audacious, the borders between reality and fiction become indistinguishable and things go badly.

A sharp, enticing psychological cat-and-mouse game. Its gleeful dark wit comes from manipulations, voyeurism and the idea that we all invade each other’s lives and thoughts.

Dark, tense, and wryly funny, In the House is brilliantly directed by François Ozon and features fine performances from its talented cast, not least of all from Kristen Scott Thomas.

Thursday 13th June 8:00pm

Roisin Conaty and Paul McCaffrey

A fabulous double bill featuring two of the hottest rising comedy talents: ROISIN CONATY & PAUL McCAFFREY

Winner of the Foster’s Edinburgh Comedy Award 2010 for Best Newcomer, Roisin Conaty is a multi-talented writer and performer. She brings her distinctive style of stand up to theatres all over the country.

Since winning the Edinburgh Comedy Award Roisin has appeared on Have I Got News For You, Russell Howard’s Good News, Victoria Wood’s Angina Monologues , Dave’s One Night Stand and E4’s new talent show Show and Tell. She has also appeared on The News Quiz, Arthur Smith’s Balham Bash, Russell Kane’s Whistle Stop Tour and It’s Your Round.

As well as winning the coveted Edinburgh Comedy Award, Roisin has also won the Laughing Horse New Act Award and been a finalist in the Amused Moose and Funny Women Competitions.

“Definitely one to watch”  – The List,  “Effervescent Jokesmith” - The Evening Standard,  “A nice line in observation” - The Guardian

–

Paul McCaffrey quickly established himself as one of the most exciting new acts around, winning both The London Paper and the Latitude Festival new act competitions.  Paul has been heard on Russell Kane’s Whistle-Stop Tour and is a regular guest on The Matt Forde Show. He has also done studio warm-up for The Morgana Show (Channel 4) and That Sunday Night Show (ITV 1) and can currently be seen at some of the best comedy clubs in the country.

In summer 2012, Paul returned to the Edinburgh Fringe Festival with his new show Pills‘n’Thrills and Bellylaughs.

“He has charm, charisma and success written all over him” - Evening Standard, “Likeable, animated and fluid with a first rate sense of timing” - Chortle, “Obviously born to be a comic” – Scotsman

Monday 17th June - Tuesday 18th June

The Sessions

Dir: Ben Lewin, Cert 15, 95mins

THE SESSIONS has captured the hearts of festival audiences across the world, winning numerous Audience Awards (San Sebastian Film Festival & Sundance Film Festival) and a Special Jury Prize for Ensemble Acting (Sundance Film Festival).

Virginity – losing it, trying to lose it, trying to hang on to it – has been a constant subject of drama, literature and the movies.  This is the remarkable true story of Mark O’Brien (John Hawkes), a poet and journalist living in Berkeley, California, who at the age of 38 decides he wants to experience sex for the first time in his life.  The problem is that since an attack of polio at the age of six he’s been confined to an iron lung except for four hours a day when he can be wheeled around on a gurney.

Also starring the excellent William H Macy and Helen Hunt who gives a brilliant performance as his surrogate sex partner.  Hunt brings an intelligence, empathy and good humour to her performance that is beautiful to watch and her unselfconsciousness about her own body is initially breathtaking in its frankness.

The title refers to the six sessions she prescribes for her patient which bring him considerable embarrassment as they progress.

All in all a funny, moving, beautifully acted movie about desire and love.

Wednesday 19th June

The Two Brunels – An Illustrated Talk by David Pollard

As part of the celebrations later this year, for the arrival of the railway to Falmouth in 1863, David Pollard, former Town Centre Manager, will be giving a fascinating talk into the life and works of the greatest engineer Britain has ever known, Isambard Kingdom Brunel.  His father, Marc Brunel is less well known but between them they dramatically changed the industrial landscape of the country during the 19^th century.

The talk, in the Main Theatre on June 19^th starting at 7.30 pm will be lavishly illustrated and is not to be missed!

Tickets are £5/£4 (concessions) and can be obtained from The Poly Box Office, telephone 01326 319461, or here online.

Monday 24th June - Tuesday 25th June

The Place Beyond the Pines

The highly anticipated new drama from director Derek Cianfrance (“Blue Valentine”) powerfully explores the consequences of motorcycle rider Luke’s (Academy Award nominee Ryan Gosling) fateful decision to commit a crime to support his child.

The incident renders him targeted by policeman Avery (Golden Globe Award nominee Bradley Cooper), and the two men become locked on a tense collision course which will have a devastating impact on both of their families in the years following.

Carefully observed and consistently compelling, it feels like an instant American classic.

Wednesday 26th June 7:30pm

The Village at the End of the World

(Dir: Sarah Gavron and David Katznelson, cert TBA, 76mins) (UK/Denmark)

Few of us can say that they received a polar bear claw from a Greenlandic hunter for their first birthday.  Yet it seems magical things can happen in the Village at the End of the World.

A heart-warming saga from the deep-frozen Far North, this charming Anglo-Danish documentary covers a year in the life of an isolated fishing community in northern Greenland. A winning blend of human stories and ravishing Nordic landscapes.

Thursday 27th June 7:30pm

The Freshman (1925)

(Dir: Fred C Newmeyer & Sam Taylor, cert U, 76mins)

One of Harold Lloyd’s best feature-length comedies in which he plays a naïve young man who heads off to college believing it will be just like it is in the movies. Harold soon discovers that campus life isn’t what he expected and he soon becomes the laughing stock of the university.

Determined to prove himself and to woo fellow student Peggy, he tries out for the football team with hilarious results.

Monday 1st July - Tuesday 2nd July

A Hijacking

Director: Tobias Lindholm 99mins (15) DENMARK S/T

This Danish ransom thriller arrives from the festival circuit heaped with praise and tells the story of the hijacking of a Danish cargo ship on the Indian Ocean by Somali pirates for ransom.

Director Lindholm,  who co-wrote paedophile witchunt drama ‘The Hunt’ with Thomas Vinterberg,  and several episodes of ‘Borgen’,  was inspired to write this film after a couple of high profile hijackings of Danish-owned freighters.

The film follows the action on board the ship and back in Denmark where the shipping company’s CEO (Soren Malling) is negotiating with the pirates. The hero may be a ship’s cook Mikkel (Pilou Asbæk, the spin doctor from ‘Borgen’), but expect the parallels with ‘Under Siege’ to end there: Lindholm says he’s strived to create a documentary-style realism, shooting scenes on an actual freighter and casting a real-life hostage negotiator.

‘It actually grows more chillingly subdued as its nightmare scenario unfolds.’ Variety

One of the most suspenseful films of the year, no doubt, perhaps because it embodies everything that Argo should have been about.

Monday 8th July - Tuesday 9th July

Love is all you Need

The cliché-averse Love is All You Need is a romantic comedy following grumpy widower Philip (Pierce Brosnan) and optimistic cancer patient Ida (Trine Dryholm) who meet accidentally en route to their respective children’s wedding in Italy.

A wedding under the Mediterranean sun with Pierce Bronson is enough to make you think you are about to watch Mamma Mia again. But this Danish love story, directed by the Oscar nominated Susanne Bier, delivers a more realistic story.

An enchanting romantic comedy set on the Italian Riviera where two middle-agers find their lives in turnaround.

If you’re in the mood to watch something that will make you smile, then Love is All You Need is perfect.

Friday 12th July 8:00pm

Jenny Eclair

Welcome to Jenny Eclair’s new stand-up show. After thirty years in the business she should vaguely know what she’s doing? Professional Grumpy Old Woman, writer and panto star; Eclair has been round the block that many times she’s lost count.

You may recognise her from Loose Women where she is happy to be one of ‘The Coven’.  She is also a Pilates Ninja and a disgrace in her own kitchen.

Touring as a stand-up gives Eclair enormous pleasure. It also gives her dreadful varicose veins, but most importantly it gives her partner (St Geof) a bit of a break.

Help him keep her out of the house, by supporting this show!

Monday 15th July - Wednesday 17th July

Summer in February

After our special premiere last month, we are delighted to screen again the hottest new British film release, Summer in February.

With much of the film shot in Cornwall with Lamorna and Prussia Cove providing the backdrop for this beautiful adaptation of Jonathan Smith’s 1995 novel this stunning film is directed by Christopher Menaul and stars Dan Stevens (Downton Abbey), Dominic Cooper (The Devil’s Double), Emily Browning (Sucker Punch).

Summer in February is set in the years running up to the First World War and focuses on the wild and bohemian Lamorna Group of the Newlyn artist’s colony, dominated by the charismatic Alfred Munnings. The incendiary anti-Modernist Munnings, now one of Britain’s most sought-after artists, is at the heart of a complex love triangle, also involving aspiring young painter Florence Carter-Wood and Gilbert Evans, the land agent in charge of the Lamorna estate.

Inspired by the true diaries of Evans, Summer in February, reveals the tragic consequences of this ill-fated love affair and casts light on the Newlyn colony which fuelled Cornwall’s international reputation for art.

Friday 19th July 7:30pm

When The Moon is Full – The Wren Band

“When the Moon is Full” reveals the power of traditional folklore in contemporary popular culture and is full of rich harmonies and ace musicianship.  This new show from Wren Band explores a rich vein of Gothic myth and legend through the tales of Dartmoor and beyond, and is inspired by the writings of the C19th folklorist and folk-song collector Sabine Baring-Gould, and most notably his “Book of Were-Wolves”.  Wren Band features internationally-acclaimed duo Marilyn Tucker and Paul Wilson, award-winning Border piper David Faulkner, dynamic fiddlers Nick Wyke and Becki Driscoll, mandolin virtuoso Matt Norman, and the distinctive voices of Rosa Rebecka and Sarah Owen.

Monday 22nd July - Tuesday 23rd July

Renoir

Director: Gilles Bourdos – FRENCH S/T – 111mins

Set on the French Riviera in the summer of 1915, Gilles Bourdos’ lushly atmospheric drama RENOIR tells the story of celebrated Impressionist painter Pierre-Auguste Renoir.

In declining health at the age of 74, and with his middle son Jean, home to convalesce after being wounded in World War I, the elder Renoir is filled with a new, wholly unexpected energy when a young girl miraculously enters his world.  Blazing with life, radiantly beautiful, Andrée will become his last model, and the inspiration for a remarkable rejuvenation.

At the same time, Jean also falls under the spell of the free-spirited young Andrée. Their beautiful home and majestic countryside grounds reverberate with familial intrigue, as both Renoirs, père et fils, become smitten with the enchanting and headstrong young muse.

Tuesday 30th July - Saturday 3rd August

Young Generation presents Les Misérables

YOUNG GENERATION is thrilled to announce that they will be staging “Les Misérables School Edition” .

The longest-running, award-winning youth theatre company in Cornwall will perform this brilliant musical from Tuesday 30 July – Saturday 3 August at the Poly in Falmouth, evenings at 7.30 pm.

Those who are unable to get to London this year to see the stage show will be able to experience the same emotional drama performed by a first-class cast in Cornwall.  Be sure to bring your tissues !”

Friday 15th November 8:00pm

Matt Richardson – Hometown Hero

Winner – Best New Show – Leicester Comedy Festival.

Following appearances on MTV, E4, Channel 4 and BBC Radio 2’s Russell Kane’s Whistle Stop Tour, Matt takes his much anticipated debut tour on the road to a hometown near you.

‘Poised to become the next bright young sensation of comedy’ - The Guardian

‘His 2013 debut tour is definitely one for the diary’ - Three Weeks

‘A whirling ball of talent, energy and intelligent observational comedy’ - Off Beat Magazine