First Night
A movie about opera is perhaps not the most obvious choice for a movie script but that is exactly what Christopher Menaul has done as he has written and directed First Night.
Fusing the stately grandeur of Gosford Park with the magical music of Amadeus, First Night is a unique story of love’s fluctuating fortunes set against a backdrop of visual and vocal beauty.
As the cast, the drama, and the music carefully walk a tightrope between humour and pathos a timeless romantic comedy unfolds.
The movie brings together a superb British cast including Richard E. Grant, Peter Basham, Sarah Brightman and Edyta Budnik.
And a handful of the cast as well as the director were on the red carpet earlier this week as the movie premiered in the UK.
Adam (Richard E. Grant) is a rich industrialist and frustrated opera singer aspiring to a more cultured world.
Spurred on by playful jibes that he’s just a City suit living a capitalist dream he decides to stage an opera in his lavish country retreat.
He feels sure the shallow taunting will end once his friends see him in full voice. In fact his singing might even help him win the hand of Celia (Sarah Brightman) the female conductor he’s been pursuing, especially since she is the first to be recruited for his showpiece.
First Night is released 14th October.
FemaleFirst Helen Earnshaw
Tagged in Richard E Grant