STAR of stage and screen, Paul Nicholas, surprised the audience at a charity screening of the film See No Evil at the Whitty Theatre on Monday evening.
To everyone’s enjoyment Paul, who had a small role in the movie, sent a personal video message in which he recalled being in the cast of the Wokingham-located film more than 50 years ago.
He said: “Being in the borough, you’ll probably recognise much of the terrain in the film.”
Probably best remembered for BBC television programme Just Good Friends, Paul recorded his memory in his dressing room at London’s Apollo Theatre where he is currently playing The Major in Fawlty Towers.
After joking about the small part he had played in the movie, and suggesting people look out for his one line: ‘It’s the mare, Mr Reding,’ he wished the audience a very pleasant evening.
The screening of See No Evil, starring Mia Farrow, was a fundraiser for Arts4Wokingham (A4W) a local charity whose mission is to bring more public art into the borough.
A4W’s Paddy Haycocks welcomed a number of special guests to the event, including Reading University’s Professor of Film, John Gibbs, who offered an introduction to the movie, Wokingham MP Clive Jones, and the High Steward of Wokingham, Lucy Zeal.
John Gibbs gave the audience three things to consider as they watched the film.
He said: “Try to see beyond the opening sequence, and consider instead the family relationships shown in the first part of the film.”
He also mentioned a special low level camera support created by cinematographer Gerry Fisher for the film.
“The camera style is boldly narrative,” he said, “and so people may like to think about what camera shots reveal – and don’t reveal – to the audience.”
His final comments concerned the lead actress, then recently married to Andre Previn, whose interest in the film galvanised it into reality.
Farrow, who plays a recently non-sighted girl hunted by a dangerous killer, is said to have worn opaque contact lenses to help her experience her situation more effectively.
“Mia Farrow’s striking performance is the heart of the movie,” he said, “and deserves special merit.”
See No Evil was shot in 1970 almost entirely on location in Berkshire, including at Binfield Manor, Coworth Park in Sunningdale, and in Wokingham town centre.
Filmgoers enjoyed glimpsing a number of Wokingham locations which feature in the movie, including the drive from All Saints Church along Broad Street, towards Market Place, and a rather steamy view of Wokingham market stalls from the front window of The Red Lion pub.
In addition to donations for tickets to watch the film, a special raffle on the night included an authentic 1970’s framed poster of the film, a dinner voucher for two at Wokingham restaurant Fare Eatery, and a DVD copy of See no Evil to enjoy at home.
The poster was won by Clive Jones’s wife, Nicky, and may become for them both a unique reminder of Clive’s Berkshire constituency.
Arts4Wokingham is keen to galvanise as much support from the local community as possible.
Its major launch project, The Arc, an impressive steel sculpture to be located outside Wokingham’s Carnival Hub, is spearheading many of its current fundraising campaigns.
A4W thanks The Whitty Theatre, Wokingham Film Society, and Fare Eatery for generously supporting the event.
For information, visit: arts4wokingham.com and wokinghamfilmsociety.com
