Rachmaninov and Nazis
In a café at a railway station, housewife Laura Jesson meets doctor Alec Harvey. Although she is already married, they gradually fall in love. They continue to meet every Thursday in the small café, although they know that their love is impossible.
Brief EncounterYes, everyone knows it's an absolute total bastard, this sort of stuff. But, then again, Celia Johnson and clever Trevor Howard's missed opportunity - all ciggies, tea and train timetables - had the sort of luxuries Emily Bronte could only have dreamed of when she had Heathcliffe and Cathy prancing up on the moors in the bollock-freezing cold.
It's followed by Casablanca, the synchronicity lovers' jackpot: “Of all the bars, in all the towns, in all the wld, u had to walk into mine :-)” as Bogey never texted to Bergman.
Anyway, Ambrose at St Luke's has once again picked two films to make your pulse beat faster tonight for the ridiculous price of two quid.
Wrap up warm and let your heartstrings play an open G.
*Brief Encounter, 7pm, Casablanca, 9pm, St Luke's bombed out church, Leece St, £2. Friday, Feb 17. Licensed bar.
Rich
Leaf on Bold Street has been a haven of tea and talk for ages.
New this month are Chocolate Workshops on Saturday; heaven for fans of all kinds of choco goodness. This session involves two hours of exotic choc tasting and learning the skills of chocolatiers.
With history from the bean to the bar, this "dabble" workshop comes from the Chocolate Cellar which recently closed its shop in Liverpool One.
For thirty quid a head, they will demonstrate various techniques before giving you the chance to create your own masterpieces.
The price includes a hot chocolate drink. Hell, what do we know.
*Leaf on Bold Street, Saturday 18th February, from 11am, tickets £30, get tickets here
Last chance to bag a Bunnyman bit
Will Sergeant is best known for his work as songwriter and guitarist with Echo & The Bunnymen with whom he has recorded and performed world-wide for around three decades. He also has long-term ties with the experimental side of life, in the fields of performance, recording and the visual arts.
Apart from his collaborative projects, he has also produced solo works since the 1980s and Penny Lane Gallery has had his artwork up since November when they threw a big party in a bijou space
Now it's got to come down this weekend, so if you have disposable income after spending £30 on looking at melting chocolate, Will’s artwork might be for you.
*Will Sergeant art, Penny Lane Gallery, 28 Penny Lane, Mossley Hill, L18 Friday-Sat February 17-18.
Elkie Brooks eh?
Described as one of the most successful and popular singers the UK has ever produced, Elkie Brooks certainly has staying power if nothing else.
With her smokey Salford larnyx, she is one of the most recognisable vocal talents of her generation.
Brooks, with hits like Pearl's a Singer and Don't Cry Out Loud, has toured almost every year during her solo career, which has been going since the late 60s. Her 1982 UK concert tour was seen by more than 140,000 people in just three months.
Brooks was offered the main role of Eva Peron in Evita but turned it down. "Don't Cry For Me, Argentina" was then recorded by Julie Covington and was an international smash hit. Brooks also turned down the song "The Flame"; it was then recorded by Cheap Trick and it reached no. 1 in the U.S. and Australia.
Oh well.
*Elkie Brooks, Floral Pavilion Theatre, Marine Promenade, Wallasey, Saturday February 18, from 7.30pm, tickets £21
