avalard.co.uk                                                  Avalard Productions

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Diary - Past events

12th INGRID PITT FAN CLUB REUNION & BIRTHDAY BASH - 22 NOVEMBER 2008 Robert is planning on attending Ingrid Pitt's birthday celebrations this November. The event takes place once again at the Polish Centre in Hammersmith, London. Further information is available here.

GENRE TALK : HAMMER HORROR -QFT, BELFAST - 6 November 2008, 7.30pm - 9pm This month to tie in with the BFI digital re-release of the 1958 Hammer Dracula, Robert Simpson will focus on his specialism, the hammer horror, and how it has influenced horror both in Britain and internationally. Using film clips, Robert will also discuss the work of Amicus, Roger Corman, Tim Burton, John Landis and the new wave of Brit horror. Tickets £2.00 from the box office, advance booking advised, as places are limited. Meet in the seminar room. Click here for more information.

DRACULA - INTRODUCED SCREENING AT QFT, BELFAST - 5 November 2008 Robert introduced a special matinee screening of the BFI's remastered version of the 1958 Dracula at the Queen's Film Theatre, Belfast. The screening was from the digital print. 5 November, 3.00pm.

ARTS EXTRA - 31 October 2008 BBC Radio Ulster, 6.30 - 7pm Robert was back again, as a guest on the Halloween edition of popular Northern Irish arts programme, Arts Extra. A quick dash to the cinema in the afternoon to watch the (disappointing) Quantum of Solace as there was talk of contributing to the James Bond discussion on the programme. In the end, Robert closed the show with a discussion with presenter Kim Lenaghan. Up for discussion was the Hammer Dracula screening at the QFT this week, and an update on Hammer's new film The Wake Wood which finished principle photography in Dublin that afternoon. The show played out on Robert's recommendation of Don't Look Now and The Wicker Man as the best horror double-bill of all time, and the sounds of Vincent Price's narration on Thriller...

DUBLIN - 28-30 October 2008 First proper meeting with PhD supervisor in Trinity provided the main focus for a quick trip to Dublin this week. Robert also managed to find time to visit the set of Hammer's The Wake Wood again in the closing days of the shoot, having spent several days on set earlier in the month in Donegal. But don't expect him to tell you much about the film - whilst he can tell you he was on set, he's sworn to secrecy about the content! He did however get the chance to take some behind the scenes photographs, and talked to cast and crew. Expect interviews to appear in the coming months.

MARGARET ROBINSON RETROSPECTIVE SHOW, Chertsey, England - 17 October 2008 Robert will be attending the preview night for the major retrospective show from artist and friend, Margaret Robinson. Robert got to know her through her Hammer work, and as the widow of late production designer Bernard Robinson, and is very much looking forward to showing his support at the exhibition. * Unfortunately owing to circumstances beyond his control Robert had to cancel his trip to Chertsey. Apologies were sent, and he understands that the evening went very well.

IRISH POSTGRADUATE FILM RESEARCH SEMINAR, TRINITY COLLEGE DUBLIN -25 September 2008 Robert presented a paper at this year's seminar (having given a paper on The Wicker Man at the conference in May 2006 - see below) as part of his ongoing research into Hammer films. Entitled "Is THIS A Hammer Film?", it hopes to address the complicated issues surrounding the production of an accurate Hammer filmography, tied in with the debated authorship of many Hammer titles. Robert has adapted the paper as an audio podcast. For more information check out: http://avalard.blogspot.com

LONDON - 17 September 2008 Robert was in London on Wednesday 17th September to be interviewed for a forthcoming dvd documentary on Hammer films. A lengthy session in a little London studio in the Docklands discussing some favourites and some not so favourite horror films. Amusingly he was being interviewed by someone he's interviewed a couple of times previously. Highlight of the afternoon was sitting in on the interview with Roy Ward Baker and finally meeting the legendary director. Sadly no time to enjoy London before catching a flight home.

MAN ON WIRE - INTRODUCED SCREENING AT QFT, BELFAST - 9 September 2008 Robert will be introducing the new documentary about the hair-raising high wire crossing between the two towers of the World Trade Centre at the Queen's Film Theatre, Belfast.

TALK : SHANE MEADOWS -QFT, BELFAST - 9 September 2008, 7.30pm Co-inciding with the release of Somers Town Robert will be giving another of his screen talks in September, this time on the work of British director Shane Meadows at the Queen's Film Theatre. The session is part talk, part group discussion and features clips from the films. Robert will be looking at Meadow's alternative and personal portrayal of England, and his use of improvised performances. Further details TBC.

EL BANO DEL PAPA- INTRODUCED SCREENING AT QFT, BELFAST - 5 September 2008 Queen's Film Theatre, Belfast.

THE APARTMENT - INTRODUCED SCREENING AT QFT, BELFAST - 3 August 2008
Robert will be introducing the classic Billy Wilder comedy during its two-week-long residency at the Queen's Film Theatre, Belfast.
3 August, 6.20pm.

FANTASTIC FILMS WEEKEND - 13-15 June 2008
National Media Museum, Bradford
Robert is once again attending the annual fantasy and horror festival in Bradford, organised by Tony Earnshaw. He'll be conducting interviews at the event which will be published shortly after the event.
Full details of the festival, inlcuding booking details are at: http://www.nationalmediamuseum.org.uk/fantastic/2008/

HAMMER HORROR COURSE- starts 29 April 2008
Queens University Belfast, 7-9pm
For the next five weeks Robert will be taking the class through the history of Hammer horror films, from The Quatermass Xperiment through to Beyond the Rave.  A period cinema-going field trip is planned for June 21.
Full details and to book are here. 

ILLUSTRATED TALK : THE ROLLING STONES ON FILM  -QFT, BELFAST - 10 June 2008
Robert will be giving an illustrated talk on the music documentary, focussing on the Rolling Stones at the Queen's Film Theatre, Belfast to coincide with the screening of the new Stones documentary Shine A Light. Further details are here . 

ROYAL MAIL STAMP LAUNCH- 09 June 2008
Robert helped organise a photo-shoot to launch the new Carry On and Hammer Horror stamps from the Royal Mail this week. With the stamps launching across the UK, and Barbara Windsor having been the campaign face in London, Robert put something more macabre across for the Northern Ireland publicity. Postwoman Andrea Boothman, and Royal Mail's Uel Houston posed alongside giant blow-ups of the stamps in Friar's Bush graveyard in Belfast's Stranmillis. As well as finding the suitable location Robert also supplied his own cape (one in the Gresham Blake-designed bespoke Hammer clothing range) for the stills. Images from the shoot appeared in various Irish newspapers.

BONZO DOG DOO DAH BAND - 06 June 2008
Astoria, London, 7.15pm
During a few days in London, Robert was delighted to see the Bonzo Dog Doo Dah Band in the flesh at last, in the soon-to-be-demolished Astoria theatre. A little rough round the edges, but a great night with Ade Edmondson standing in for Viv Stanshall, and a surprise appearance towards the end from Phil Jupitus. The concert itself was filmed, so whether Robert was caught on camera in the final cut or not, he'll enjoy reliving the evening in the near future...

ARTS EXTRA - 6 May 2008
BBC Radio Ulster, 6.30 - 7pm
Robert was a guest on the 29 April edition of popular Northern Irish arts programme, Arts Extra. The live on-air interview lasted just under ten minutes and centred around Robert's Hammer Horror course as well as a re-evaluation of Hammer's output.
(Thankfully a taxi was laid on in order to get him back up the Lisburn Road in time to teach the next class...)

HAMMER HORROR COURSE- starts 29 April 2008
Queens University Belfast, 7-9pm
For the next five weeks Robert will be taking the class through the history of Hammer horror films, from The Quatermass Xperiment through to Beyond the Rave.  A period cinema-going field trip is planned for June 21.
Full details and to book are here. 

COLLECTORMANIA - 2-4 May 2008
thecentre:mk, Milton Keynes
Robert will be manning the Hammershop stall at the popular collectables fair during the May bank-holiday weekend. There's bargains to be had, and he's looking forward to chatting with the fans.
For full details (including the impressive guest list) go to www.collectormania.com

TEARS FOR THE SCREAM QUEEN - 18 April 2008
The Times, London
Robert was interviewed by Will Pavia of the London Times newspaper on 17 April for an article on the recent death of actress Hazel Court. Select comments made their way into the article which was published on page 3 of the 18 April edition (though crediting a "Roger" Simpson with Robert's comments!). The (corrected) text is available to read here.

ILLUSTRATED TALK ON TIM BURTON -QFT, BELFAST - 20 March 2008
Robert will be giving an illustrated talk on the work of Tim Burton at the Queen's Film Theatre, Belfast to coincide with the screening of the latest Burton film Sweeney Todd. 
Tickets for the talk will cost £1.

SWEENEY TODD - INTRODUCED SCREENING AT QFT, BELFAST - 16 March 2008
Robert will be introducing Tim Burton's latest film, the musical Sweeney Todd at the Queen's Film Theatre, Belfast.
16 March, 9.15pm.

 CRUDE AWAKENING - INTRODUCED SCREENING AT QFT, BELFAST - 21 JANUARY 2008
Robert will be introducing the screening of environmental documentary Crude Awakening at the Queen's Film Theatre, Belfast.
The screening takes place at 9.30pm on Monday 21 January 2008.

MEMORABILIA - 24 & 25 NOVEMBER 2007
The ever-popular Winter Memorabilia show at the NEC, with the full HammerShop team in operation. Robert will be working with the shop again this weekend.

11th INGRID PITT FAN CLUB REUNION & BIRTHDAY BASH - 17 NOVEMBER 2007
Robert has been delighted to accept an invitation to attend Ingrid Pitt's 70th birthday celebrations this November. The star of The Vampire Lovers and Countess Dracula has recently completed work on a new film - Sea of Dust, not to mention the new Hammer Horror - Beyond the Rave. The event takes place at the Polish Centre in Hammersmith, London. Further information is available here.
* Ingrid Pitt's weekly blog for website Den of Geek included a write-up of the event by Ingrid. Click here for more...

DRACULA - INTRODUCED HORRORTHON SCREENING - 28 OCTOBER 2007
The new BFI restored print of Hammer's Dracula (1958) is released across the UK and Ireland from 2nd November. Robert has been invited to introduce a special preview screening at the Irish Film Institute in Dublin as part of the Horrorthon festival. The introduction starts at 5pm.
Click here for details and booking.

THE HAMMER STORY LAUNCH EVENT - 27 OCTOBER 2007
Robert is hoping* to attend the day-long event to help launch the brilliant new edition of Marcus Hearn and Alan Barnes' official Hammer book - The Hammer Story. The event will include screenings of three Hammer films, special guests and signings. It takes place at the Cine Lumiere, South Kensington, London, and is organised by Don Fearney.
Full details here.
* Unfortunately, owing to unforeseen circumstances, Robert will not now be at the Hammer Story event. He thoroughly recommends the book however. His review of the book is here.

LONDON FILM AND COMIC CON - 1 & 2 SEPTEMBER 2007
The HammerShop will be open for business at Earl's Court, with Robert on hand once again to answer all those awkward Hammer questions.

HAMMER AT BRAY III - 4 AUGUST 2007
Robert was in attendance at the Hammer get-together at Bray Studios, near Windsor, organised by Don Fearney. Along with chatting to the fans he was delighted to meet up with the likes of Jimmy Sangster, Vera Day, Martine Beswicke, Ingrid Pitt, Damien Thomas, Margaret Robinson, Peter Graham Scott (who sadly died the next day) and everybody else. The weather was stunning and a good time had.

MEMORABILIA - 7 & 8 JULY 2007
Once again Robert has been asked to help out with the HammerShop at the summer Memorabilia collectables show at the Birmingham NEC. Robert will be on hand to answer all those awkward questions about Hammer Films, and to chat with Hammer fans.

6th FANTASTIC FILMS WEEKEND, BRADFORD - 15-17 JUNE 2007
Robert will be at the 6th annual Fantastic Films Weekend, enjoying a feast of classic horror and science fiction on the big screens at the National Media Museum. This is his fourth time at the event, which is organised by Tony Earnshaw. He's particularly looking forward to meeting with John Hough and Brian Aldiss....

HAMMER SCI-FI ALL-NIGHTER - 5 MAY 2007
Robert took a train down from Milton Keynes to attend the Hammer all-nighter on the evening of 5 May. Five classic Hammer films were screened as part of the Sci-Fi London festival (Spaceways, Four-Sided Triangle, X The Unknown, Quatermass Xperiment and Stolen Face). Some seven hours later he stumbled onto a deserted, but bright Regent Street before making his way back for the second half of Collectormania.

COLLECTORMANIA 11 - 3-7 MAY 2007
Robert was assisting Sally Dickson with the HammerShop team for the shop's first visit to the popular Milton Keynes collectable fair. During the four day event at thecentre:mk Robert worked alongside a new team, and talked with the Hammer fans. He was pleasantly surprised to meet no fewer than five separate fans from Northern Ireland during the weekend...

MEMORABILIA - 31 MARCH/1 APRIL 2007
Following on from the successful November event, Robert has confirmed he will be attending the spring Memorabilia event at the Birmingham NEC with the HammerShop team, and will once again be on hand to meet and talk with the fans about Hammer...

THE LEGEND OF HAMMER - 27 January  2007
Robert was one of the many guests in attendance at the Legend of Hammer event at the Cine Lumiere in South Kensington, London. The day-long Hammer festival included the launch of Wayne Kinsey's superb book Hammer Films: The Elstree Years, and the premiere of Don Fearney's new documentary Legend of Hammer: Vampires.
Other Hammer faces in attendance included Jimmy Sangster, Christopher Matthews, Edward de Souza, Janina Faye, Madeline Smith, Caroline Munro, Ingrid Pitt, David Prowse, John Forbes-Robertson, Peter Sasdy, John Hough, current chairman Larry Chrisfield, as well as many Hammer fans.
Congratulations to Wayne and Don for a wonderful day.

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MEMORABILIA - 25/26 NOVEMBER 2006
Robert will be at the Memorabilia event at the Birmingham NEC this coming weekend along with the HammerShop team, and will be available to meet and talk with the fans about Hammer. On Sunday Robert will be hosting an onstage Q&A with some of the glamorous Hammer vamps.
Further information is available here.

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Robert Simpson and Marcus Hearn during on-stage Q&A, Carnglaze Cavern, Cornwall. October 2006

PLAGUE OF THE ZOMBIES - CORNISH FILM FESTIVAL
Robert will be conducting an onstage interview with Marcus Hearn from Hammer Films, and a Q&A with audience members at a special screening of Hammer's The Plague of the Zombies at Carnglaze Cavern, as part of the Cornwall Film Festival on Friday 13th October 2006. The event will start at 7.30pm in the unique setting of an actual Cornish cave. A free pint of beer is on offer to all those who come dressed as Cornish Zombie Tin Miners...
Full details of the event are here.

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PAGANISM AND THE WICKER MAN
Robert presented a paper on Friday 5th May 2006 on the subject of Paganism and The Wicker Man. The paper looked at the historical sources which influenced the portrayal of paganism in the film and was a companion piece to the the paper for the conference in Harvard. The event itself was The Irish Postgraduate Film Research Seminar, organised by Martin McLoone and held at the University of Ulster's Portrush campus.
The paper is being submitted for publication in the conference proceedings.
* Robert ultimately declined to submit the paper for publication. The research is ongoing, and Robert was unhappy with the current form of the paper. It is hoped that the paper will be published elsewhere on completion.

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Robert presented a paper at the Bradford Film Festival's Crash Symposium on Wednesday 15th March 2006.
For full details on the Symposium, which was free to attend, are here.

WOMB WOUNDS: THE FEMALE AS A THREAT IN THE FILMS OF NEIL MARSHALL
Syposium opens at 9.30am.
Womb Wounds starts: 1.50pm
The evolution of the role of women in ‘life and death' films such as Dog Soldiers and The Descent.
*The working paper has now been published in the Crash Cinema Proceedings 5.

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WE CARRY DEATH OUT OF THE VILLAGE
Robert has been invited to Harvard University* in late May to present his paper on the representation of paganism in The Wicker Man (1973). Full details on the conference and Robert's attendance will be posted here shortly.
The conference website is here.
* Due to circumstances beyond our control, Robert was unable to attend the Charming and Crafty Conference at Harvard.  It is hoped however that his paper will be published in due course, regardless.