Baal At The Nft In London

Ragged limbed and hungry…

I’m sure many of you will have seen Dukebox’s post on the message boards last month. But here’s a reminder for those of you who didn’t. David Bowie’s performance in ‘Baal’ is to be screened at the National Film Theatre on The South Bank in London (just along from the RFH, venue of the Meltdown Festival) this Thursday and again next Wednesday.

Originally shown on the BBC almost exactly twenty years ago in March 1982, ‘Baal’ is being screened as part of the excellent Alan Clarke season, which (IMHO) includes some of the most powerful work ever shown on British screens. Here’s a bit from the NFT site regarding ‘Baal’ itself:

“Ever since his days directing theatre in the 60s, Clarke had been obsessed by Brecht, and here committed to video a version of the great man’s earliest play, the tale of an unkempt, carousing poet who crashes into Bavarian high society, leaving chaos in his wake. David Bowie is suitably debauched as the eponymous anti-hero, and lends his vocals to several inimitable BB ballads. Working from a scenario devised by the eminent Brecht scholar John Willett, Clarke’s adaptation is bleak and bawdy by turns. With Jonathan Kent, Zoe Wanamaker. 62 mins.”

Although the recordings are different from the film versions, I’m sure you’re all aware of the brilliant ‘Baal’ soundtrack EP that includes some remarkable Bowie vocals, (particularly in ‘Remembering Marie A.’ and ‘The Drowned Girl’), but, if you didn’t get to see the broadcast the first time round, and you don’t have a copy of the scratchy video that circulates among collectors, you really should try and get along if you’re in London on Thursday.

There will be a repeat screening next Wednesday, and you can check ticket availability by calling the NFT box office on +44 20 7928 3232.