Film: The Ballad of Wallis Island + a special Magic Lantern presentation!

This British big little gem is our March film. Preceded by a special Magic Lantern presentation by local glass artist Pippa Stacey.

Date
Thu March 26, 2026 7:30PM
Location
Upstairs, The Sydenham Centre, 44A Sydenham Road, SE26 5QX
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Film: The Ballad of Wallis Island + a special Magic Lantern presentation!

Overview

James Griffiths, 2025, UK, Colour, English, 93′ mins, Certificate: 12
An eccentric super fan, living alone on a remote island off the coast of Wales, is bringing his favourite folk duo back together for an extraordinary, against all odds private performance. I cry, you cry, we all cry. Unexpected tears, of joy and of laughter – a lot of laughter, unforced, unapologetic, guttural laughter. And the not unexpected ones. Proper, cleansing tears of deep and true emotion. Often at the same time.

All because of the originality, spirited humanity and healing magic of this big little comedy about grief. And about all the weird and wonderful ways grief can transform into power to move on. Stop surviving and start living again. Tom Basden and Tim Key wrote and star, (along with the always brilliant Carey Mulligan), in this British sleeper indie hit that transfixed audiences last year and is well on its way to achieving cult status. Based on the same team’s, Edinburgh Film Festival winner short, The One and Only Herb McGwyer Plays Wallis Island (2007), this is a triumph of screenplay writing and proof that cinema is so much more than simply a visual art.

And if this one of a kind Ballad wasn’t enough, we will be treating you to a special Magic Lantern presentation by local glass artist Pippa Stacy!

Join us for an extraordinary night of magic, cinematic and otherwise.