York's Chocolate Theatre welcomes film of 'Blood + Chocolate'

The Joseph Rowntree Theatre, Saturday 5 September 2015

A film made during performances of Blood + Chocolate in October 2013 is set to receive its big screen debut at The Joseph Rowntree Theatre on Saturday 5 September.

The film was shot during the live performances at venues throughout the city and captures all of the atmosphere and drama of the production, which was a joint initiative between Pilot Theatre, York Theatre Royal, and Slung Low.  Blood + Chocolate is set in York in 1914, when the Lord Mayor sent out a chocolate tin, designed and made at the Rowntree's factory, to every soldier from York who fought at the front, and follows the stories of those who were left behind.

“The Joseph Rowntree Theatre opened 21 years after the events of Blood + Chocolate, and was established to provide a community meeting place and leisure venue for the workers of the Rowntree’s factory – many of whom would have lost close family members during World War I,” comments chair of trustees for the theatre, Dan Shrimpton.  “We’re delighted that Pilot Theatre has agreed for us to show this film on the big screen as a fundraising event for the theatre, which continues to serve the same charitable purpose for the wider people of York.”

Blood + Chocolate featured a cast of over 200 local performers who mingled with the audience as they enjoyed the promenade performance around city landmarks.  “The audience listened to the actors’ dialogue on headphones, but for this cinematic showing, they can sit back in our comfortable seats and let the cameras take them around the city,” adds Dan.  “The live performances played to sell-out audiences and received rave reviews.  These two showings will provide the local people who were involved in the show the chance to watch the whole thing from start to finish on the big screen, and those who missed this unique theatrical event to enjoy it in York’s chocolate theatre.”

“Pilot Theatre are delighted to be able to share the work of the people of York back with the Joseph Rowntree Theatre for its event.  Blood + Chocolate was an extraordinary participatory project and a testament to the power of publicly funded Arts activity in the City and how vital this is to protect and maintain. As a newly designated UNESCO City of Media Arts, we are proud to have played our part in the rich cultural heritage of York,” comments Marcus Romer, artistic director of Pilot Theatre.

Tickets for the showings are just £6.00 per person, available online at www.jrtheatre.co.uk.  Showings take place at 3.00pm and 7.00pm with doors open half an hour earlier.

ENDS

For further media information or photographs, please contact:

Jay Commins

PR Director, Joseph Rowntree Theatre

Tel:         01904 500698

Email:    jay.commins@jrtheatre.co.uk