REVIEW – BRIEF ENCOUNTER
A 60th anniversary screening of
Noel Coward’s immortal classic

Furness & Midland Hall, Carnforth Station
Saturday 26 November 2005 at 3pm and 7.30pm

A fitting tribute

It was 60 years ago last Saturday – to the day – that Brief Encounter received its première at the Gaumont Theatre in London. It couldn’t have been more fitting, then, that the sixtieth anniversary of this evergreen weepy should have been at the wonderfully restored station in Carnforth where it was originally located.

Whilst some people still cry buckets at the very mention of the name of Celia Johnson or Trevor Howard, others are left cold by the arch social behaviour and clipped BBC accents of Coward’s screenplay.

The stage play on which it was based, Still Life, is shorter and more dramatically satisfying, I think. Still Life was, incidentally, touchingly and robustly staged at The Platform over the summer, in aid of Morecambe’s Winter Gardens Theatre.

Whatever you make of the film, it has indisputably etched Carnforth, its station and particularly the refreshment room firmly on the British mind over the last half century. The screenings somehow generated a sense of occasion that both allowed for nostalgia, yet also made one feel so grateful for the efforts of Carnforth Station and Railway Trust who have restored the rather fine building so sensitively.

The screening was preceded by the 1936 classic documentary, Night Mail, with its rail-beat verses by WH Auden and an idiomatic score from a young Benjamin Britten. Mmm, lovely evocative images – and such a tragedy that the Royal Mail is abandoning this extremely efficient and green way of handling its business by its much lamented travelling post offices.

There was yet another attraction on the day; Margaret Barton, reckoned to be the oldest surviving member of the original cast, was present in the morning to talk about the making of the film. Sprightly as ever for one who was a mere slip of the downtrodden lassie who served in the buffet, she regaled her audience with humour, impeccable manners and not a little gusto.

They don’t make them like that any more. Well done to all concerned for promoting this eloquent and fitting tribute.

Copyright © 29 November 2005 Michael Nunn

This event was supported by Lancashire County Council, NorthWest Vision, Mitchells Hotels of Lancaster, and Carnforth Station Trust.

Web Links
• Read a review of another recent Northern production of Still Life here.
• Read more about Brief Encounter on the Internet Movie Database here
• A Brief Encounter with Carnforth Station web site
• Buy Brief Encounter on DVD from Amazon.co.uk
• Buy Night Mail and West Highland double bill DVD from Amazon.co.uk