Blue Now at Aviva Studios
Creative Tourist
Happening as part of the Factory International Weekend of Film and Music is BLUE NOW, a live performance by Neil Bartlett as he reimagines artist, filmmaker and activist Derek Jarman’s seminal 1993 film, Blue. Finished just months before his death from AIDS-related illnesses, Jarman’s film consists of a shot of unchanging blue, accompanied by a monologue as the filmmaker considers his illness and its effect on his vision, mortality and lost loved ones. It is widely considered one of his crowning achievements.
BLUE NOW gathers stars Travis Alabanza, Julie Hesmondhalgh, Jay Bernard and Joelle Taylor who will perform Jarman’s text (originally voiced by Jarman alongside Nigel Terry, John Quentin and Tilda Swinton) in Manchester. There is also a new score which is to be performed live by original composer Simon Fisher Turner who will collaborate with cellist and composer Lucy Railton.
