London Opera & Dance Dance In London Riverside StudiosRiverside Studios
The Riverside Studios juggle theatre, dance and performance art, in a varied programme, with first-class facilities. Consequently, it's held in high esteem within dance circles, and the venue regularly attracts top-draw performers from the United Kingdom, and abroad.
Although smaller than the Barbican or Southbank, Riverside Studios often opts for a more diverse choice. As well as dance, theatre and film it also hosts art and photography exhibtions, TV shows, book launches, workshops, live music and comedy.
Situated in a pleasant riverside location, overlooking the Thames in Hammersmith, The Riverside Studios was where TFI Friday used to be filmed.
The Riverside Studio's main attraction for me is its 'double-bill' cinema programmes. Back in the distant past, when people went on holiday to Margate, ate out at sit-down Wimpys and bought clothes from doorstop catalogues - cinemas mostly offered double-bills.
Not one film, no - two for the same admission price. One pairing that sticks in my mind, was "Chariots of Fire" with "Gregory's Girl". Like most, I was expecting Chariots to be the main event, but in truth, Gregory's Girl knocked it out of the park. Which neatly highlights why they're such a force to be reckoned with. I'd probably never have seen it at the time, had it not been part of a double feature. I also saw 'The Empire Strikes Back" as a double bill - they preceded it with "Star Wars" and queues snaked around the block.
Yep. I miss the double-bill programme, so it's heartening to know that the Riverside Studios is keeping the flag flying, all by themselves. They still soldier on, fashionable or not and bless them for it.
If you're a movie lover and like to see a pair of films at a time then make your way over. There's an art to pairing films - Moviedrome on BBC2 used to do it on Sunday nights, and it's not just similar genres or types - but leading actor, early and late work by a director, many interesting ways. Let's hope it doesn't become a lost art.
Crisp Road, Hammersmith, W6 9RL.
Call: 020 8237 1000
Nearest Tube: Hammersmith.
