To Catch a Thief (1955), dir. Alfred Hitchcock
Christmas Spiegeltent, Waterfront Square, Off Canons Way, The Harbourside, Bristol BS1 5LL
Sunday 1st December 2024, 19:00 (GMT)
Tickets: from £8-£156:
Sunday 1st December 2024
6.00pm – Doors open
7.00pm – Show starts
10.00pm – Close
30 min interval
Join us for an unforgettable closing night gala evening as we celebrate the magic of classic cinema and the thrill of live performance at the Bristol Spiegeltent. Experience Alfred Hitchcock’s timeless masterpiece, To Catch a Thief, brought to life with an exhilarating live circus performance, paying homage to Cary Grant’s acrobatic beginnings.
About the Film
Based on the novel by David Lodge, To Catch a Thief, begins with a high stakes chase as the French police close in on American expatriate John Robie at his villa near the Côte d’Azur. Robie, once an acrobat before turning to a life of crime as the notorious cat burglar “Le Chat,” escapes with the same agility that made him infamous. A former jewel thief who preyed on the wealthy vacationing on the French Riviera, Robie’s criminal career was interrupted by World War II when he joined the French Resistance. Now, with new jewel thefts mimicking his old style, Robie must prove his innocence.
Adapted by the legendary Alfred Hitchcock in 1955, To Catch a Thief stars the dashing Cary Grant, who, like his character, trained as an acrobat in his youth, alongside the enchanting Grace Kelly. This special gala screening marks the 120th anniversary of Cary Grant’s birth and serves as the grand finale of the 6th Cary Comes Home Festival, celebrating the enduring legacy of Bristol’s own Hollywood icon and his acrobatic past.
Prizes for the Best Dressed
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Bristol Aquarium
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Avery’s Wine Merchants
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Bristol Old Vic
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Watershed Cinema
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Costume Inspiration
Don’t miss our online discussion about Cinematic Style: Cary Grant and His Leading Ladies with Keith Lodwick and Dominique Breckenridge – for ideas of how to style your outfit!
And, join our festival director in an online conversation with Mark ONeill, author of the official sequel, To Catch A Spy.
A Unique Viewing Experience
Set against the enchanting backdrop of the Spiegeltent, this event features a live circus performance that complements the film’s thrilling narrative and celebrates Cary Grant’s roots in acrobatics. Born Archibald Leach in Bristol in 1904, Grant’s journey from a stilt-walker with the Bob Pender Troupe to a Hollywood legend is a testament to his extraordinary talent and charisma.
About Bristol Spiegeltent
Managed by Bristol-based, family run business called Handmade Events Ltd. (est. 2012), Spiegeltent translates as ‘mirror tent’ and they were created in the Flemish Region of Belgium in the late 19th century. Spiegeltents are hand-hewn pavilions known for their wild and decadent ambiance and used for travelling dance halls, bars and bohemian entertainment salons. The magnificent round tent is made of dark wood with intricately carved panels, stained glass windows, bevelled mirrors and an impressive draped ceiling. Its innate beauty and romance makes it a truly extraordinary venue for any event.
This event is the finale of the Cary Comes Home Festival. Established in 2014, the festival aims to celebrate Cary Grant’s Bristol roots, develop new audiences for his films and recreate the golden age of cinema-going. This year’s festival is themed around Cary Grant as Acrobat and takes place 29 November – 1 December 2024, with expanded cinema screenings, panel discussions and workshops.
Seating Options
Premium Table – Seats 6 with front row view and table service
Booth with captions – Seats 4 with table service
Premium Theatre Seating – Inner circle
Premium Theatre Seating with captions – Outer Circle, with captioned screen
Standard Theatre Seating – Outer circle
Accessible Seating
Essential Companion Seating – available for those to accompany audience members with disabilities, situated next to a seat or space for a patron using a wheelchair or similar.
Don’t miss this spectacular event that combines the elegance of classic cinema with the thrill of live performance. Secure your tickets now and be part of an evening that promises to be as captivating as Cary Grant himself.
The bar will be open serving Cary Grant themed cocktails!
GALA TICKETS
Tickets for the gala screening of To Catch A Thief, with live circus performance, are sold separately via the Christmas Spiegeltent website – from £8-£156:
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| OPENING NIGHT RECEPTION WITH LIVE MUSIC FROM THE RICHIE PARADISE TRIO |
PANEL: CARY IN MOTION CELEBRATING CARY GRANT’S PHYSICAL PROWESS |
PANEL: ANIMAL MAGIC! PANEL DISCUSSION WITH MATTHEW SWEET, MICHAEL LAWRENCE AND THEO JONES |
Celebrating Bristol’s recent designation as a UNESCO City of Film, in recognition of the city’s vibrant screen heritage, of which Cary Grant is one of our brightest stars.