MEET MR TURNER IN KESWICK
Date Posted: 11th November 2019
J.M.W Turner visited Keswick several times as a young man and was enthused when he saw this mountainous landscape appearing through mist and rain for the first time. He subsequently painted Derwentwater, Friars Cragg, The Lodore Falls, Buttermere, Crummockwater, Ullswater, Windermere, Carlisle, Whitehaven, Ambleside, Cockermouth Castle and more. He couldn’t get enough of it. And – he’s coming back again! In response to Northern Exposure - a spectacular exhibition of his northern paintings and sketch books at Tullie House in Carlisle. Our wonderful Alhambra Cinema in Keswick has arranged 2 special showings of the excellent 2016 film Mr Turner, directed by Mike Leigh, to coincide with the show. The film deals with the last quarter of Turner’s life which completes the picture as it were and makes the exhibition of his first landscape works more meaningful.
Thank you to the Rennie family who run the cinema in such a committed and personal way. They promptly responded to our suggestion with enthusiasm. No wonder they are up for a national best small cinema award at the end of the month in London. I wish them success - they deserve it. The newly renovated cinema is a joy.
Mr Turner, starring a harrumphing Timothy Spall, will have special showings on Tuesday 19th November at 5pm and Friday 22nd November at 1pm. There will be a short introductory talk by Charli Summers from Tullie House at the first and probably me at the second if they can’t find anyone else at Tullie to do it! It will be a brief talk because the film is a long one – over 2 hours. At the time the film was released a reviewer wrote “You leave wanting to know more about the man and his work – and remembering that beautiful almost touchable light on the canvas and on the screen”
That is exactly what you are able to do between now and January 6th 2020. Come and see the film and then go to Carlisle and see familiar places depicted with the artist’s skill and sensitivity. I saw it when it was released but look forward to seeing it again, I expect to discover more at my second viewing.
- There are conducted tours of the Turner and Rembrandt exhibitions at Tullie House see www.tulliehouse.co.uk for booking details
- There is also an afternoon of talks 17th November in the lecture theatre at 1.00 pm. Booking essential. 01228 618718