Wake the dead

Weekend Com-boo! Transylvania, The Horrors and Phillip Glass shatters the Barbican
By Alex James Taylor | 29 October 2015
This article is part of Weekend Combo – What to do this weekend

Top image: Still, ‘Rocky Horror Picture Show’ 1975 © 20th Century Fox

We bring you our guide to living well in the world’s capitals, from exhibitions to cinema, food, drink, fashion, music and beyond. Just call it culture and take it, it’s yours.

LONDON, FRIDAY 30th OCTOBER – SUNDAY 1st NOVEMBER 2015

Film

Scream Queens
This Halloween, transexual Transylvania is the hottest ticket in town, for Frank N. Furter is hosting a night of sex, violence and cross-dressing aliens from distant galaxies.

Follow the wholesome lovebirds Brad and Janet who stumble across a strange mansion on a rainy night. Greeted by the ghoulish butler Riff Raff they are then introduced to a wild collection of partygoers and a world like no other.

You’ll laugh, you’ll cry, you’ll puke, you’ll die! Strap in those suspenders and fasten your corsets, you’re in for a rough ride.

Sing-a-long Rocky Horror Picture Show is being screened at the Prince Charles cinema on Saturday 31st October at 23:45

Exhibition

Take a seat
It was on their home-made moulding machine – dubbed the “Kazam!” after the saying “Ala Kazam!” because the plywood formed in the mould like magic – that husband and wife duo Charles and Ray Eames produced their first mass-manufactured product, a plywood leg splint based on a plaster mould of Charles’ own leg.

From there the couple went on to become two of the most influential designers of the 20th century, moving fluidly between the fields of photography, film, architecture, and furniture design. It was their experiments with fibreglass that led to the production of one of their most recognisable pieces still today: the Eames plastic armchair.

Barbican’s latest exhibition tells the couple’s story, from their individual backgrounds through to their enduring influence. And if nothing else, we’re sure there’ll be some comfy spots for a quick lunch break nap.

The World of Charles and Ray Eames runs from 21st October–14th February 2016 at Barbican

Gig

Whilst you’re there… 
Barbican are flinging open their doors this weekend for a festival offering up classical music, but not as you know it. Sound Unbound aims to tap into the classical genre, releasing it from its limited confines and opening it up to new audiences.

From 100-piece symphony orchestras to intimate solo sets showcasing contemporary voices in the genre such as Max Richter, Philip Glass and Steve Reich the weekend long event delves into all corners of the visceral genre in a manner inclusive and unmissable.

Sound Unbound runs from Saturday 31st October to Sunday 1st November. See the full line up here

GALLERY

Gig

Depression Cherry
Or perhaps this Halloween you’d prefer to dabble in the spiritual? Well, the ethereal sounds of Beach House can fulfil those needs.

It’s been a busy year for the New York duo, bringing out their fifth and six studio records in quick succession, just two months apart. So there’s plenty of new material for members Victoria Legrand and Alex Scally to dig their teeth into.

Beach House play at Shepherds Bush Empire on Friday 30th and Saturday 31st October. Tickets available here

Festival

Waking the dead
The Horrors, Thurston Moore, The Wytches, The Black Tambourines…What sounds like our ideal Halloween party guest list is actually a music festival taking place this weekend.

For it’s inaugural year, Mirrors festival has kindly gathered together all these acts, and more, to play at Hackney Round Chapel (appropriate setting, noted) this Saturday for a ghoulish night of bludgeoned noise.

Leave your hymnbooks at the door, there’s an alternative sermon on the cards.

Mirrors takes place on Saturday 31st, tickets and line up here

Food + Drink

Saturday night’s alright for frightening
It’s not Halloween without a good ol’ fashioned haunting, right? Try The Granadier in Belgravia for all your ghosthunting needs.

Dating back to 1720 the building was originally built to house the Grenadier Guards. While the upper floors of the building were used as an Officer’s Mess, the cellar was used as a place to drink and gamble for the lower ranking soldiers. The story goes that one of these soldiers — now affectionately known as Cedric — was caught cheating at cards. His punishment was a beating so aggressive that he died and many believe he still haunts the pub to this day.

Many objects in the pub have been said to either disappear or move without explanation, while others have reported  icy chills. Both drinkers and landlords have heard footsteps wandering around empty rooms, and pained moans coming from the cellar. In one particular instance it is said that a man was having a drink in the pub when he noticed smoke start to waft around him. As he reached into the smoke, he was seen to shout in pain and pull his hand back quickly revealing a burn from an invisible cigarette.

The pub’s ceiling is covered with notes, put there by visitors hoping to rid the ghost by paying off Cedric’s cards debt. It doesn’t appear to have worked….

The Grenadier, 18 Wilton Row, SW1X 7NR

The Grenadier. Image courtesy of venue

Things that go bump in the night
Or, if you’re after something a bit more decadent, head to the Mondrian’s rooftop bar for an Eyes Wide Shut themed night, titled The Darkness Within – think Venetian masks, silk robes, and cultish orgies. (Well, perhaps not the latter…).

According to their invite, “guests are encouraged to explore the boundaries between light and dark, reality and fantasy through a series of daemonic demonstrations and twisted workshops.” Embrace your inner demon.

The Darkness Within takes place on Saturday 31st october at Mondrian Hotel’s Rumpus Room

TAGGED WITH




Read Next