Capturing a year in the life of a rural, lakeside community in 1980s Ireland, That They May Face The Rising Sun is a sensitive and beautifully realised adaptation of the last novel by John McGahern. It’s directed by Pat Collins, who (in addition to more recent films like The Dance and Song of Granite) previously made a 2005 documentary about McGahern’s life and work.

Joe (Barry Ward) and Kate (Anna Bederke) have returned from London to live and work in a small, close-knit community in rural Ireland, close to where Joe grew up. He’s a writer, she’s an artist and photographer who retains part ownership of a London gallery. Now embedded in a remote lakeside setting, the drama of a year in their lives and those of their neighbours unfolds through the rituals of work, play and the passing seasons.

Collins has crafted a delicate, meditative exploration of ritual, community bonds, and the question of how best to live. A quietly stunning adaptation of a book by a writer concerned with the ways Irish lives were changing and modernising in the 20th century, with gorgeous scenery filmed on the shore of Loch Na Fooey in County Galway.

A celebration of the most iconic – and much missed – homegrown star of the 21st century, BACK TO BLACK tells the extraordinary tale of Amy Winehouse. Painting a vivid, vibrant picture of the Camden streets she called home and capturing the struggles of global fame, BACK TO BLACK honours Amy’s artistry, wit, and honesty, as well as trying to understand her demons. An unflinching look at the modern celebrity machine and a powerful tribute to a once-in-a-generation talent. Featuring many of Amy’s hit songs recorded and performed in the film by Marisa Abela, BACK TO BLACK is made with the full support of Universal Music Group and SONY Music Publishing.

BOB MARLEY: ONE LOVE celebrates the life and music of an icon who inspired generations through his message of love and unity. On the big screen for the first time, discover Bob’s powerful story of overcoming adversity and the journey behind his revolutionary music. Produced in partnership with the Marley family and starring Kingsley Ben-Adir as the legendary musician and Lashana Lynch as his wife Rita,

Swimming the English Channel is widely recognised to be one of the toughest long distance challenges. In 1927, a Brighton-born swimmer became the first British woman to achieve this goal and her fight for recognition is celebrated in this engaging new biopic.

Mercedes Gleitze faces challenges in and out of the water as she contends with the patriarchal attitudes of 1920s England. Her achievements are questioned when a rival, Edith Gade, claims that she has also completed the Channel swim.

After media attacks, Gleitze is forced to undertake another swim to safeguard her sporting reputation.

Screening as part of our PRIDE weekend

Natasha Lyonne is the bubbly, wide-eyed, all-American cheerleader whose pious parents (Bud Cort and John Waters regular Mink Stole), suspecting that she’s a lesbian, send her off to a conversion camp. Under the direction of Cathy Moriarty and her saved ex-gay assistant RuPaul Charles, the teens (including Melanie Lynskey) are forced to overcome their homosexual desires, then deconstruct their identities, performing tasks relegated as “feminine” (scrubbing floors) or “masculine” (chopping wood), donned in high-camp, monotone, cotton candy pink or blue, until they can identify the “root” of their homosexuality. But when Lyonne meets bad girl Clea DuVall, she is suddenly awakened to her own desire.

Screening as part of our PRIDE weekend

During a long hot summer in south London, Jamie is bunking off school more than usual, scurrying back to the TV and the flat in the Thamesmead estate where he lives with his mother Sandra. Whilst his neighbour Leah, who's been kicked out of school, spends her days listening to Mama Cass records.

In the same block is Jamie's sporty classmate Ste, whose home life is punctuated by the regular beatings he receives from both his father and brother. One night, in a bid to escape the violence, Ste takes refuge in Sandra's flat and sleeps head to toe with Jamie. As Sandra struggles with a job promotion and her relationship with her hippy boyfriend Tony, Jamie and Ste gradually discover their affection for each other.

‘Superb….must-see movie’ Daily Mirror

‘A warm and funny love story… refreshingly unsentimental’ The Village Voice

‘Untalented gays’ PJ and Josie start a fight club to get the attention of their long-time popular girl crushes under the guise of teaching girls self defence, showing that lesbians will do anything except ask a girl out. However the pair find themselves in too deep and must find a way to end the club before their secret plan comes out. The comedic duo of Rachel Sennott and Ayo Edebiri is nothing short of perfect with hilarious one liners and deadpan humour, alongside a whole ensemble of memorable performances, such as Nicholas Galitzine who fully commits to his role as meathead jock Jeff and Ruby Cruz as the very endearing Hazel, who takes things a little too literally. There will no doubt be someone in this bunch of messy but charming characters who you will see yourself in. With brilliant writing and directing from Emma Seligman who seamlessly transitions between heartwarming, violent and comedic moments, and an original soundtrack from Charli XCX, this future camp classic is both incredibly current and gives in to early 2000’s high-school comedy nostalgia. So if you’re down for a fun time, get your popcorn ready! (It also gets bonus points for bringing back end credit bloopers).

The Riverside Musical Theatre Company are back on stage again in June with their next musical - Made in Dagenham, drawn from the real-life 1968 sewing machinists strike at the Ford factory in Dagenham, Essex, this strike was influential in the passing of the Equal Pay Act of 1970.

The leader of the strike, Rita O’Grady, encourages the women of the Ford factory to walk out after they are re-classified as unskilled workers, while their male counterparts see their wages increase.

After Rita is patronized and snubbed by the factory at a union meeting, the women’s grievances over their worker status turn into a fight for equal pay. Determined not to be treated like the poor relation, the women vote unanimously to strike (“Everybody Out”) and encourage the women at the Liverpool factory to strike also.

However, when the American bosses fly in and lay off 5,000 men as a result, including Rita’s husband Eddie, cracks begin to show in the women’s solidarity. Risking her marriage and her friendships, Rita continues with her efforts for equality and gives a rousing speech at a televised Trade Union Conference (“Stand Up”), leading to the passing of equal pay within the union.

As Eddie finally recognises his wife’s achievements, the women celebrate their life-changing success.

RMTC Creative team

Director and Choreographer - Sam De Vita

Musical Directors - Mike Wren and Jade Tournay-Godfrey

Producer - Mike Warden

Assistant Director - Rachel Lansdowne

Assistant Choreographer - Sarah Wheatley

Age guidance is 12+ and show runs for 2hr 30mins with interval

Made in Dagenham the Musical

Book by Richard Bean

Music by David Arnold

Lyrics by Richard Thomas                            

 

Based on the Woolley/Karlsen/Number 9 Motion Picture

 

This amateur production is presented by arrangement with Music Theatre International

All authorised performance materials are also supplied by MTI

www.mtishows.co.uk

For this production we shall be supporting The Blossom Appeal