13 October 2005:
Wallace & Gromit: The Curse of the Were Rabbit  - an audience with the Directors, Nick Park & Steve Box of Aardman...

To celebrate the release of 'Wallace and Gromit: the Curse of the Were-Rabbit', the Curzon held a gala night with Aardman Animation, including Peter Lord and David Sproxton and the film's directors, Steve Box and Nick Park. The evening began with a wine and cheese buffet (naturally including a round of Stinking Bishop) whilst organist Simon Martin entertained in the auditorium. Sally Challoner and a News crew did a live outside broadcast into BBC Points West, and Nick Park arrived at the cinema with 15 seconds to spare!

The Austin A35 van, matching Wallace's 'Anti-Pesto' car in the film, was quite a challenge to get into the auditorium. However this was well worth the effort, attracting a lot of attention and providing great photo opportunities. A selection of Aardman shorts were shown, Nick and Steve signed film posters as souvenirs for the audience and the film commenced.

'The Curse of the Were-Rabbit' is lovingly made and hugely enjoyable, and the audience loved it. After the film there was a question-and-answer session with the film makers, led by Sally Challoner.

Nick Park, Steve Box, David Sproxton and Peter Lord were presented with signed copies of copies of Maurice Thornton's book, The Everlasting Picture Show, and the evening concluded with an auction of Were-Rabbit items by Toby Pinn, of Clevedon Salerooms.

A fantastic evening for the Curzon, the audience and everyone involved. The difficult part was getting the car out of the auditorium afterwards...

Click photos to enlarge