Evento

Screenage Kicks and Newcastle Castle present Witchfinder General

Film rating: 18. Newcastle Castle reserves the right to deny entry to ticket holders who do not possess appropriate photographic ID.

As part of Screen Demons, the North East horror film festival coordinated by Screenage Kicks, Newcastle Castle will screen Witchfinder General (1968) in the Great Hall of the Castle Keep. The classic British horror film, directed by Michael Reeves, stars Vincent Price as the notorious Matthew Hopkins, whose career flourished during the English Civil War. With its gothic architecture and history of grisly punishments, Newcastle Castle makes a suitably atmospheric setting for the screening.

As Screenage Kicks audiences expect, Witchfinder General will combine immersive elements and state of the art sound and vision. Screenage Kicks' Kristian Atkinson will introduce the film and place it into the context of British horror films of the 1960s.

** Please note: This screening will take place in the Great Hall of Newcastle Castle Keep, which is unfortunately inaccessible to wheelchair users. There is no heating inside the Great Hall, so please wear suitable clothing. **

Film screening - 7.00pm - 9.00pm
Ticket price: £10 (plus booking fee)

Panel discussion - 9.00pm - 10.15pm
Afterwards, audience members can stay for a panel discussion about the film. Horror fiction writer Stephen Laws will discuss Witchfinder General's production and legacy, alongside Mark Iveson, author of Cursed Horror Stars. Jo Bath (Dancing with the Devil and other True Tales of Northern Witchcraft) will talk about the real-life Newcastle witch trials of the 1650s.

The Garrison Room, where this event takes place, is a former jail for the county of Northumberland and is where some of Newcastle's condemned witches would have spent their last nights before being sent to the gallows.

The panel discussion, lasting approximately 45 minutes, will be followed by an audience Q&A.

Combined price for film screening and panel discussion: £14.50 (plus booking fee)