On Halloween Eve at Mossy Bottom Farm, excitement turns to dismay when the clumsy Farmer ruins the pumpkin patch. Shaun tries fixing it with science experiments, but things go wrong when a wild beast appears in the woods.

Set in Georgian-era England, the story begins with the death of the wealthy Mr. Dashwood. Because of estate laws, his property passes entirely to his son from a first marriage, leaving his second wife (Caitríona Balfe) and her three daughters suddenly destitute and facing financial uncertainty.Evicted from their grand estate, the family relocates to a modest cottage provided by a distant relative. There, the two eldest sisters must navigate societal expectations, harsh family betrayal, and the fickle world of courtship to find both love and financial security.

The next presentation in FILM183's Gangster Season is Touch of Evil (1958), presented here in its restored version, is Orson Welles’s feverish borderland masterpiece: part film noir, part gangster picture, and part grotesque study of corrupted authority. A car bomb explodes on the US-Mexico border, drawing Mexican narcotics official Miguel Vargas and his new American wife, Susan, into a nightmarish investigation led by Hank Quinlan, Welles’s hulking, racist and morally decayed police captain. As Vargas pursues the truth, Quinlan’s methods reveal a justice system poisoned by prejudice, intimidation and the gangster logic it claims to oppose.

Famously wrested from Welles after production, Touch of Evil was later reconstructed in 1998 according to his detailed 58-page memo, restoring the film’s darker rhythms and its legendary opening tracking shot without imposed credits or music. The result is a dazzling, claustrophobic work of late Hollywood noir, alive with canted angles, crowded frames, cheap motels, backroom deals and a sinister performance from Welles himself. Charlton Heston, Janet Leigh, Akim Tamiroff and Marlene Dietrich move through a world where law, crime and desire are fatally entangled. For a Gangster movie season, this is an essential boundary case: not just a tale of organised crime, but a vision of institutions becoming indistinguishable from the underworld they pursue.

Next up  FILM183 will be showing Drive (2011) on Monday, 30th November 2026.

In the seedy underbelly of 18th-century Paris, money is king. Nothing is sacred – even love itself can be bought for the right price. A native of this hedonistic underworld, Manon is caught between twin desires when she falls in love with the student Des Grieux.

Steadfast and devoted, he offers the possibility of an honourable life. Yet, the riches promised by the world of Parisian society remain tempting... Manon’s inner turmoil and struggle for survival lie at the devastating heart of Kenneth MacMillan’s 1974 adaptation of Abbé Prévost’s novel.

In this signature work of The Royal Ballet, MacMillan’s nuanced understanding of human psychology makes for an unflinching look into the moral degradation of Manon’s Paris, while all its decadence and decay are brought to life through Jules Massenet’s score and Nicholas Georgiadis’s designs.

THE COMIC STRIP PRESENTS

1.BEST OF RIK MAYAL

Featuring  clips  from BAD NEWS, MR JOLLY, and FISTFUL OF TRAVELLERS CHEQUES

2.RED NOSE OF COURAGE

Ex PM John Major (Ade Edmondson) runs away from the circus to become an MP.  Under pressure from his Dad, the circus manager, (Alexei Sayle) Major is obliged to work evenings as part of a clown act, even when he’s Prime Minister. But then he falls for the Opposition Leader (Dawn French)

INTERVAL

3. BEST OF STELLA STREET

Scenes from the hit BBC series starring PHIL CORNWELL and JOHN SESSIONS

LIVE Q&A with PETER RICHARDSON and PHIL CORNWELL

4. FOUR MEN IN A CAR

Four salesmen heading to a conference in Swindon have the journey from hell, involving road-rage, a snowstorm, food poisoning and a farmer’s wife wielding a shotgun.

Starring Rik Mayal, Nigel Planer, Ade Edmondson and Peter Richardson.

The most powerful man in the world embarks on a frantic mission to prove he is humanity's savior before the disaster he's unleashed destroys everything.

Grace is a woman who lives in an old house kept dark because her two children, Anne and Nicholas, have a rare sensitivity to light. When the family begins to suspect the house is haunted, Grace fights to protect her children at any cost in the face of strange events and disturbing visions.

When an unsuspecting town newcomer is drawn to local blood fiends, the Frog brothers and other unlikely heroes gear up to rescue him.

Lowen Ashleigh is hired by Jeremy Crawford to ghostwrite novels for his bestselling author wife Verity, who is unable to finish following an accident. Lowen gradually uncovers Verity's disturbing truths while residing at the Crawfords' home to work.

Frances Haugen, a young Facebook engineer, enlists the help of Jeff Horwitz, a Wall Street Journal reporter, to go on a dangerous journey that ends up blowing the whistle on the social network's most guarded secrets.

Under the oppressive heat of the Spanish sun, the fiercely independent Carmen attracts thecattention of Don José. She warns him not to fall in love with her, but his obsession knows no bounds.Damiano Michieletto’s searing production returns, casting scorching light on the lust, violence and destructive desire of Bizet’s ever-popular opera.

An all-star cast brings this white-hot drama to life, with Ginger Costa-Jackson in the fiery title role, alongside Russell Thomas as the jealous and despairing Don José. Following his 2023 Royal Opera debut, Sesto Quatrini returns to conduct Bizet’s electrifying and sensual score.

As war and plague devastate 14th-century England, a humble peasant ignites a rebellion, uniting an army of commoners to defy the King’s might in a desperate fight for justice and survival.

Prue and her classmate Curtis are drawn into a magical forest filled with enchanted creatures, loyal allies, and formidable adversaries as they embark on a desperate quest to rescue Prue's abducted baby brother from a murder of crows led by a mysterious woman named Alexandra.

GIANT, the 5-star critically acclaimed play starring John Lithgow (Killers of the Flower Moon, The Crown) as Roald Dahl, comes to the big screen. Winner of 3 Olivier Awards® including Best Play and a Tony Award® for Best Actor in a Play (John Lithgow), the production was filmed live in London’s West End ahead of its sold-out Broadway run.

The stellar cast includes Aya Cash (The Boys, The Franchise, You’re the Worst), Elliot Levey (Cold War, Patriots, Good) and Rachael Stirling (The Divine Mrs S).

A world-famous children’s author under threat. A battle of wills in the wake of scandal. And one chance to make amends...It’s the summer of 1983, The Witches is about to hit the shelves and Roald Dahl is making last-minute edits. But the outcry at his recent, explicitly antisemitic article won’t die down.

Across a single afternoon at his family home, and rocked by an unexpectedly explosive confrontation, Dahl is forced to choose: make a public apology or risk his name and reputation. Inspired by real events, GIANT explores with dark humour the difference between considered opinion and dangerous rhetoric offering a complicated portrait of a fiendishly charismatic icon.

Three friends attempt to communicate with the spirits occupying a haunted house, and become embroiled in a supernatural adventure. It's a matter of life and death for Alison, Mike, Mia and the Ghosts.

On the outskirts of a village by the sea, lives a Fisherwoman; smelly, single and perpetually ridiculed. One day, fed up with her stuffy, small-minded neighbours, she commissions herself a husband to be made from wicker. In an otherwise conservative town, this unconventional romance sparks outrage, jealousy and chaos.

Medical courier Bryan unwittingly finds himself fighting for survival as one fateful, horrifying night collapses around him in chaos.

Gifted Melon Comedy brings you a great night of laughs with some of the circuit's top comedians. Closing our debut show we have Ben Norris, who headlines all the top clubs in the country and has appeared on Mock The Week, Never mind the Buzzcocks and Comedy Central. Opening the show is circuit legend John Mann, with support from rising star Ali Warwood, all hosted by Gifted melon Comedy's Tim Saint.

At a cosy Christmas party, young Clara meets the mysterious magician Drosselmeyer, who gives her a nutcracker doll. When the guests have departed and the house is asleep, Clara sneaks downstairs in search of her favourite gift. Instead, she finds Drosselmeyer, who whisks her away on a journey into a whole world of enchantment: fantastical landscapes of flurried snow and glittering confection where toys come alive and the magic never stops.

“The only Christmas album you'll ever need" ★★★★★ - Songlines 

“A festive folk supergroup!” Matthew Bannister, Folk On Foot

Since their initial one-off pilot in 2015, five leading lights of the UK folk scene have been reconvening each December to share their joyous Christmas party with audiences across the country.

Expect reimagined Winter classics from both sides of the Atlantic, some little known Yuletide gems, and plenty of songs direct from the pen of these five critically acclaimed songwriters.

Perhaps most of all though, look forward to the feeling

of having started the festivities with A Winter Union.

A Winter Union release their third studio album “Through The Western Door” in December 2026, touring the UK with their biggest live show to-date.  

"Just fantastic!" Katie Derham, BBC Radio 3 InTune

Links:

awinterunion.com

facebook.com/winterunion

x.com/awinterunion

instagram.com/awinterunion

BUDAPEST CAFE ORCHESTRA

Tickets £20

THE GHOULASH GANG ARE BACK!

Following their rousing performance in February 2026, the Maestros of Music and Mischief are returning to the Electric Palace to sweep you away once again with their collection of rollicking dances, grief-stricken ballads, folk anthems and -- who knows -- a dash of East European reggae!

Budapest Café Orchestra are

CHRISTIAN GARRICK – violin, darbuka

MURRAY GRAINGER – accordion

KELLY CANTLON – double bass

ADRIAN ZOLOTUHIN – guitar, saz, balalaika, domra

In 2009 Christian Garrick established the refreshingly unconventional and snappily attired Budapest Café Orchestra with the intention to present a broad range of music from all over the world in the most entertaining and fun way. BCO perform all their music from memory. Combining their trademark wit and charm, audiences are left tingling with warmth, delight and amazement.

BCO play an average of 75 shows per annum. Since their inception they have recorded one album every year and in January 2025 made their 16th waxing Goulash Supernova. BCO are frequent guests on BBC Radio 3’s In Tune.

Christian Grarick has worked with artists such as Dame Cleo Lane, Wynton Marsalis, Nigel Kennedy, Julian Joseph, Dolly Parton, All About Eve, Van Morrison, Luka Bloom, Martin Taylor, Bryan Ferry, the Danish Radio Band & Caro Emerald. He has made tours of the Far East and Australia with guitarist John Etheridge in a tribute to Stephane Grappelli. He performed twice for the late Princess Diana. In a separate royal event he played for the Queen, Queen Mother and relations at Buckingham Palace for the then Prince Charles' 50th birthday celebrations. On receiving a solo fiddle rendition of Happy Birthday Prince Charles asked Christian to rewrite "that horrible old tune", a request Christian met some twenty years later much to the current King's pleasure. Christian is also professor of jazz violin at Guildhall School of Music, Royal Academy of Music and Royal College of Music in London.

Adrian Zolotuhin teaches school-age musicians of all standards and is curator of the fabled Imperial Balalaika Orchestra of Overton. Murray Grainger is one of the UK’s most in-demand accordionistas often working with Opera North and acclaimed folk traditionalists The Haar. Kelly Cantlon is a veteran bassist who was once a Vagabond of Northern Soul icons Jimmy James & The Vagabonds.

 

"Not so much a band name as a whole genre of its own, Budapest Café Orchestra embraces an encyclopaedia of music and

mischief." SCOTSMAN

“Your music is really great.” Helena Bonham Carter

"Their arrangements are brilliant, their improvisations inspired. Their humour and, on occasion, sheer silliness hides a real brilliance of execution. In every bit of the material the charming irony hides really serious and focussed music-making. This is entertainment of a high order." Sir Roger Norrington

“The music is magic in their hands.” Sean Rafferty BBC Radio 3

“Absolutely acoustically electrifying!” Time Out

The Alter Eagles are delighted to bring their celebration of one of the best-loved bands of all time - to the Electric Palace  for the very first time. Now in their 24th year the band have established themselves as one of the country's top tribute acts, headlining at theatres all over the country. Playing a mix of old and new Eagles' songs, all the classics - including Hotel California, Take It Easy, One Of These Nights, Take It To The Limit, Desperado, Lyin' Eyes and Life In The Fast Lane - as well as Henley, Frey and Walsh solo numbers (like Boys of Summer, The Heat Is On and Rocky Mountain Way) along with some deep cuts, the band have wowed audiences with their faithful tribute to one of the most popular bands of all time.

The band members are Steve McCormack (vocals, guitars)  Alan Tomkins (keyboards, guitars, vocals) Mike Wilton (bass, vocals) Mike Bradley (guitars, vocals) and Ed Chisholm (drums and vocals). Find out more by visiting the band's website at www.altereagles.co.uk.

"World class." - Lemonrock Gig Guide

"Pitch perfect harmonies." - Brighton Evening Argus

"A joy to watch." - East Anglian Daily Times

"One of the best tribute bands I can remember seeing." - Windsor Observer

"The Alter Eagles brought more than a little American West Coast harmony to a warm English West Coast St Ives - they were perfect." - St Ives Times and Echo

"Opening with the acapella harmonies from Silver Dagger and segueing in to Take It Easy, just as The Eagles did in some of their live shows back in the 1970s, The Alter Eagles pumped out hit after Eagles hit, along with their own brand of humour and excellent communication with their audience."  NEWBURY TODAY

Website: https://www.altereagles.co.uk

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AlterEaglesUK

Instagram: https//www.instagram.com/altereagles

BRENTWOOD MAC – An outstanding tribute to the music of FLEETWOOD MAC

Brentwood Mac returns to the Electric Palace following two previous sell-out concerts. They are consistently performing to sell-out audiences in Essex and beyond, so find out why and join us for a fabulous evening of Fleetwood Mac music.

Brentwood Mac is a charismatic musical ensemble dedicated to bringing the timeless melodies of Fleetwood Mac to life. Their repertoire spans all eras of the band, from the early Peter Green days to their iconic hits and their attention to details in capturing the nuances of each era ensures an authentic and unforgettable experience for audiences.  

From the haunting vocals of Stevie Nicks to the driving rhythms of Mick Fleetwood, Brentwood Mac pays homage to every member of Fleetwood Mac, delivering a performance that transports audiences back in time. Whether you’re a Fleetwood Mac enthusiast or a new listener, Brentwood Mac promises a night of captivating music that’s sure to leave you wanting more!

Following a string of sell-out concerts we recommend that you buy your tickets early to avoid disappointment.

Bar opens at 7pm

Doors & bar open at 6:45pm

Concert starts at 7:30pm

Approx finish time 10:00pm