Penda’s Fen (12*) + ScreenTalk with Spencer Banks, Ian Greaves and Gareth Evans
David Rudkin’s mystical TV film on paganism, and a discussion with actor Spencer Banks and writer Ian Greaves, whose new book reveals how the masterpiece was made.
Penda's Fen, a film for television by David Rudkin, tells the story of young Stephen, the Vicar's son, who is obsessed with the music of Elgar. The play looks at the mystical pagan past of the England, and spirituality, sexuality and the natural landscape.
Through visitations from angels, demons, Christ, King Penda and even Elgar himself, emerge the ancient secrets of the Malvern Hills. Director Alan Clarke achieves a masterful balance of the fantastical and literal that has connected with generations of viewers for over fifty years.
A post-screening discussion brings together lead Spencer Banks and writer Ian Greaves, author of Penda's Fen: Scene by Scene (Ten Acre Films), a new book on how the film was created. The book is a major step in our understanding of how a masterpiece came to be. Chaired by Gareth Evans.
Copies of Penda's Fen: Scene by Scene will be available to purchase following the event.
With thanks to the BFI National Film Archive and Ian Greaves.
Release year: 1974
Country: UK
Director: Alan Clarke
Runtime: 1hr 29min
Ticket prices
Students £13.50
Unwaged £13.50
Over 60s £13.50
Wheelchair spaces, free companion seats may now be booked online.
Please select the relevant preferences on the access registration page during your booking, so we can provide you with the correct information and discounts.
Booking a wheelchair space
Select a seat displaying the wheelchair user icon and then select 'wheelchair user' ticket type. The ticket will be priced at the lowest price for that event. If you need an essential companion, please select the E icon next to the wheelchair space you have selected.
Booking essential companion tickets
Please select at least two tickets and one of them will be automatically discounted to zero in the basket.
Booking British Sign Language or Captioned Seats
Select seats in the area appropriate to your needs.
Booking fees
£1.50 booking fee per online/phone transaction.
No fee when tickets are booked in person.
Booking fees are per transaction and not per ticket. If your booking contains several events the highest booking fee will apply. The booking fee may be reduced on certain events. Members do not pay booking fees.
Biographies
Ian Greaves has written about broadcasting history and the arts for over twenty years. Previous books include edited collections of Dennis Potter, Jonathan Miller and Ivor Cutler. He has devised documentaries for BBC Radio and curated events at the BFI, Barbican and Royal Court, and worked as consultant on major television archive projects including BBC Four’s fiftieth anniversary celebration of Play for Today and the Raven Row exhibition of community broadcasting, People Make Television.
Let our screens bring you closer
Cinema 1
Location
Barbican Cinema 1 is located within the main Barbican building on Level -2. Head to Level G and walk towards the Lakeside Terrace where you’ll find stairs and lifts to take you down to the venue floor.
Address
Barbican Centre
Silk Street, London
EC2Y 8DS
Public transport
The Barbican is widely accessible by bus, tube, train and by foot or bicycle. Plan your journey and find more route information in ‘Your Visit’ or book your car parking space in advance.
Location
Barbican Cinema 2 & 3 are located on Beech Street, a short walk from the Barbican’s Silk Street entrance. From Silk Street, you’ll see a zebra crossing that will take you over the road to the venue.
Address
Beech Street, London
EC2Y 8DS
Nearby public transport
We are within walking distance from a number of London Underground stations, the closest being Barbican, St Paul’s and Moorgate. The nearest train stations are Liverpool Street and Farringdon. Bus Route 153 runs directly past the Barbican along Chiswell Street
Car and bicycle parking
We have free bicycle spaces and paid car parking spaces available
We’ve plenty of places for you to relax and replenish, from coffee and cake to wood-fired pizzas and full pre-theatre menus
Access
Level access from the Pit floor foyer only to the two boxes (see Mobility below). All other seats lead off stepped aisles.
Mobility
Two boxes at the rear of the auditorium each have space for one wheelchair user and a companion. Please book early and ask for these seats.
Assistance dogs
Assistance dogs may be taken into the cinema – please tell us when booking, to ensure your seat has enough space. If you prefer, you may leave your dog with a member of the foyer staff during the performance.
Hearing facility
There is an induction loop in the auditorium. You can use this by adjusting your hearing aid to the ‘T’ setting.
For more access information, please visit our Accessibility section.
Access
Cinemas 2 & 3 are located at Beech Street, a short walk from the Barbican Centre’s main Silk Street entrance. There are a couple of steep, dropped kerbs and an incline to negotiate between the two sites. Level access from Beech Street.
Mobility
Each auditorium has three permanent wheelchair spaces (two in the third row and one in the front row) and 153 fixed seats with capacity for a further three spaces in the front row. Access to each auditorium is up a ramp. There are also a number of seats with step-free access.
Assistance dogs
Assistance dogs may be taken into the cinema – please tell us when booking to ensure your seat has enough space. If you prefer, you may leave your dog with a member of the foyer staff during the performance.
Hearing facility
An infrared system for hard of hearing customers is provided in each auditorium; headsets or neck loops can be collected from foyer staff. The ticket desk counter is fitted with an induction loop.
For more access information, please visit our Accessibility section.
