The life and work of this great British eccentric comedy actor is celebrated with many film extracts, including clips from the Quota Quickie films from the 1930s/40s, before he became established as a screen star. Later, Sim’s idiosyncratic style of acting in such famous British comedies as The Belles of St Trinian’s (1954) endeared him to a cinema-going audience desperate to escape the day-to-day dreariness of an invasive, bureaucratic post-war Britain.

Sim’s earliest successes as a leading man included the police detective in the thriller Green for Danger (1946); as the headmaster of Nutbourne College, co-starring with Margaret Rutherford, in the comedy The Happiest Days of Your Life (1950); and as a pompous, secretive writer of pulp fiction in the comedy Laughter in Paradise (1951). Also in 1951, he gave one of his most celebrated performances: playing the title role of Scrooge in a film adaptation of Charles Dickens’s A Christmas Carol.

Alastair Sim was an enigmatic character off the screen, and Mark Simpson will explore Sim’s life outside films – including his ‘adoption’ of George Cole, his extensive work on stage (including his theatrical collaborations with playwright James Bridie), his championship of ‘youth’  – and his stalwart refusal to sign autographs.

Doors open at 18.30 for a 19.30 start, and the event is expected to end at 22.30. Refreshments will be available.

Tickets & Pricing

Spring Season 2012 ticketing applies.