Whitley Bay Film Festival: Labyrinth (1986) 30th Anniversary screening (cert U)
This screening is dedicated to the late Steve Donald, festival friend and mentor who worked in the animatronics department on the film.
'Steve had forged his own path into the world of special effects and was now working for Jim Henson. He had an amazing career long before Viz ever earned a living for his younger brothers. He had a car and a credit card at a time when my bank wouldn't even give me a cheque guarantee card. The first time I ever saw a credit card used was in a restaurant in Hampstead. Steve took it out and the waitress brought a mechanical device to the table that made the customer a carbon copy of the transaction paperwork. I had never witnessed such a thing. It was amazing. Not only was Steve earning what felt to us like a prince’s ransom but he had an amazing job too, working for his hero Jim Henson. It was his dream come true. I remember going down to see him one time, we went and ate at a little place in Hampstead. It was sunny and it was the first time I'd ever eaten outdoors at a cafe. It was such an adventure. It was a beautiful neighbourhood and was somehow tranquil, despite being busy. Connie Booth arrived and sat at a table next to us. As she was behind me, Steve discreetly pointed her out, advising me not to turn and stare. That's a great memory for me, my brother enjoying the high life in London, and I've always associated London with those good times, the success and the sunshine'. Simon Donald
The event will be introduced by Steve's younger brother, Simon Donald (VIZ co-creator). £1 of all tickets bought for this event will be donated to St Oswald's Hospice.
Simon Donald, internationally renowned lavatory humorist and co-founder of Viz Comic, made history alongside his brother Chris and school friend Jim Brownlow by turning their playground antics into the notorious sales phenomenon of the late 20th century. Their magazine, and its remarkable story, is celebrated in Donald’s highly rated autobiography, Him Off The Viz.
He has worked in stand-up as a character comedian since 2005 and appears as a compere, both at comedy clubs and events, lectures on the history of Viz Comic to arts and business courses and hosts cartoon workshops for younger students.
Simon is also a trained actor; in the late 1970s he appeared in a number of groundbreaking plays at Newcastle’s Young People’s Theatre.
LABYRINTH
“Where everything seems possible and nothing is what it seems”
Wonderful musical fantasy adventure directed by Jim Henson, produced by George Lucas and starring David Bowie, the film follows Sarah Williams fantastical journey to rescue her baby brother Toby who has been captured by Jareth the Goblin King, played by Bowie. Jareth has hidden Toby deep within the confines of a magical otherworldly Labyrinth. Sarah encounters a myriad of amazing characters in her quest to find the centre of the maze. Jim Henson employs his creature shop, animatronics and puppetry to masterful effect in Labyrinth, a movie that has become a classic for children and adults alike in the 30 years since its release.