Christmas Ghost Stories

Channelling the spirit of MR James with a spooky festive special

Something a little different for our Christmas special -- an evening of festive spookiness in Highbury Hall, Moseley. Commissioned by Birmingham MP Joseph Chamberlain in 1878 as his 'country retreat', this place still carries a sense of being tucked away from the world and on long cold nights some ominous creaks can be heard emanating from the upper floors... For one night only Highbury will pay host to two spine-tingling gems from Christmasses Past: A Warning to the Curious (dir: Lawrence Gordon Clark, 1972, 50 mins) An amateur archaeologist (Peter Vaughan) digs up a crown and finds himself shadowed by a mysterious stranger... Whistle and I'll Come to You (dir: Jonathan Miller, 1968, 42 mins) A bumbling academic (Michael Hordern) discovers a whistle carved from bone on the Norfolk sand-dunes. "A masterpiece of economical horror" - screenonline Both of these films were BBC adaptations from short stories by M.R. James which infected the dreams of many a young viewer for years afterwards, and will be screening in the main hall alongside a programme of appropriately suspenseful/snow-covered short films. There's also a chance to win the BFI's recent dvd release of A Warning to the Curious. In the drawing-room you will find aural treats including sundry DJs and reworkings of a couple of James stories by Nicholas Bullen (Black Galaxy). In the mo(u?)rning room there is another opportunity to experience The Divine Edgar, an installation by Scott Johnston (filmficciones, see picture below) which inspired patient queuing and mass hysteria at the recent Dream within a Dream event. And if all that gets too much for you, we will keep the fire going in the bar. Highbury 4 Yew Tree Road Moseley Birmingham B13 8QG Accomodation nearby: Moseley Bed and Breakfast The Gables Hotel Price: £7 advance / £8 on the night Tickets on sale at Swordfish, Jibbering and Polar Bear records in Birmingham. Or book by sending £7 per ticket (+ 50p postage per order) via paypal to flatpack[at]7inch.org.

Something a little different for our Christmas special -- an evening of festive spookiness in Highbury Hall, Moseley. Commissioned by Birmingham MP Joseph Chamberlain in 1878 as his 'country retreat', this place still carries a sense of being tucked away from the world and on long cold nights some ominous creaks can be heard emanating from the upper floors... For one night only Highbury will pay host to two spine-tingling gems from Christmasses Past:

A Warning to the Curious (dir: Lawrence Gordon Clark, 1972, 50 mins) An amateur archaeologist(Peter Vaughan) digs up a crown and finds himself shadowed by a mysterious stranger...

Whistle and I'll Come to You (dir: Jonathan Miller, 1968, 42 mins) A bumbling academic (Michael Hordern) discovers a whistle carved from bone on the Norfolk sand-dunes. "A masterpiece of economical horror" - screenonline

Both of these films were BBC adaptations from short stories by M.R. James which infected the dreams of many a young viewer for years afterwards, and will be screening in the main hall alongside a programme of appropriately suspenseful/snow-covered short films. There's also a chance to win the BFI's recent dvd release of A Warning to the Curious. In the drawing-room you will find aural treats including sundry DJs and reworkings of a couple of James stories by Nicholas Bullen (Black Galaxy). In the mo(u?)rning room there is another opportunity to experience The Divine Edgar, an installation by Scott Johnston (filmficciones, see picture below) which inspired patient queuing and mass hysteria at the recent Dream within a Dream event. And if all that gets too much for you, we will keep the fire going in the bar.