December Brochure by Jake Harvey

Phoenix

Cinema Art Café Bar December Programme

Box Office

0116 242 2800 www.phoenix.org.uk

New film releases

Great Expectations It's a Wonderful Life The Sapphires Life of Pi Skyfall

Box office 0116 242 2800

December at a glance The Sapphires p4

Private Peaceful p4

Private Peaceful p5

The Muppet Christmas Carol p5

Skyfall p4

asdf p4

Starbuck p5

Sightseers p6

Great Expectations p5

It's a Wonderful Life p6

Silver Linings Playbook p6

Seven Psychopaths p7

Gambit p7

Nativity 2: Danger in the Manger p7

Life of Pi 3D p7

Happy Happy p10

Rise of the Guardians p10

Quartet p10

The Hunt p10

Coming in January

Les MisĂŠrables p10

Book online www.phoenix.org.uk

As a local independent cinema, we develop our film programme here in Leicester every month to bring you a wide range of great films from around the world – everything from world cinema and art house, to many of the better big releases. Customers sometimes ask us why we show mainstream films like Skyfall or The Master later than the multiplexes. Quite simply, we do it because it enables us to show more of the independent films our customers want to see, and it helps us keep our prices low. If we show a big film on its ‘release date’, we can expect to pay the film’s distributor up to twice as much compared to the cost of running it a few weeks later. We’re also obliged to show that film continually in one of our two screens for much of its programme run – taking up valuable cinema space, whether it proves successful or not. We choose, therefore, to do this sparingly so we can keep our costs – and therefore our prices – low, and continue to have space in our programme to show the breadth of films our customers enjoy and cannot see at other cinemas. We hope you'll feel – like many of our customers – it’s worth waiting a little longer to see some of these major films at Phoenix. To help you know what to wait for, our brochure and website now include details of some of the bigger films we’ve got coming up not just this month, but in the following month too. Front cover image: Great Expectations (see page 5)

Phoenix is a registered charity. Our aim is to bring inspirational film and art to all. Made possible with the support of:

Find Phoenix Discover Film

Welcome

Box office 0116 242 2800

Skyfall 12A Fri 7 – Thu 13 Dec Dir: Sam Mendes Actors: Daniel Craig, Judi Dench UK / USA 2012, 2hrs 24mins Missing in action after his last mission, Bond is mourned by M (the excellent Judi Dench). But when a cyber-terrorist begins attacking MI6, will Bond return, and will he be up to the task? Fizzing with excitement and beautifully shot, this is a Bond film with intelligence – finding time for crackling verbal exchanges between the action. Javier Bardem

steals the show as villain Silva, a ruthless and lascivious madman – his performance is a joy to watch. The Sunday 9th screening at 8pm will be introduced by Dr James Russell, senior Film Studies lecturer at DMU.

Continued from last month Amour 12A

Argo 15

Sat 1 – Thu 6 Dec Austria / France 2012, 2 hrs 7mins

Sat 1 – Thu 6 Dec USA 2012, 2 hrs

Retired music teachers George and Anne live a cultivated life in Paris, but their bond of love is severely tested when Anne has a stroke and George must care for her.

A dramatisation of the 1980 joint CIA/Canadian secret operation to extract six American diplomatic personnel out of revolutionary Iran.

Elena 12A Sat 1 – Mon 3 Dec Russia 2012, 1hr 49mins When a sudden illness threatens dutiful housewife Elena's potential inheritance, she is pushed to consider desperate acts.

Alps 15 Mon 3 – Thu 6 Dec Greece 2011, 1hr 33mins A group of people offer a grief counselling service where they impersonate the recently deceased to help their clients come to terms with their loss.

The Sapphires PG Fri 7 – Thu 13 Dec Dir: Wayne Blair Actors: Chris O’Dowd Australia 2012, 1hr 43mins A guaranteed crowd-pleaser with a belter of a soundtrack. Australia 1968, and down-on-his-luck talent scout Dave (O’Dowd) discovers four Australian aboriginal girls singing in his local backwater bar. Convinced they are the next big thing, Dave transforms them into upbeat soul outfit ‘The Sapphires’ and flies them out for their first gig - entertaining the troops in Vietnam. Funny, touching and with great performances – particularly O’Dowd who cements himself as a new kind of leading man.

Please note - the Café Bar will be closed Thu 6 Dec from 4pm – 11pm. A limited range of drinks and snacks will be available in the foyer.

Book online www.phoenix.org.uk

Great Expectations 12A Fri 14 – Thu 27 Dec Dir: Mike Newell Actors: Helen Bonham Carter, Ralph Fiennes UK 2012, 2hrs 8mins This luscious adaptation of Charles Dickens’ timeless tale of an orphan becoming a gentleman thanks to a mysterious benefactor arrives crammed with British acting royalty, including Ralph Fiennes, Helena Bonham Carter and Jeremy Irvine of War Horse fame. Beautifully shot, this powerful interpretation

Private Peaceful 12A Fri 7 – Thu 13 Dec Dir: Pat O’Connor Actors: Richard Griffiths UK 2012, 1hr 42mins When young “Tommo” Peaceful volunteers for the Army, his protective older brother follows him out to Flanders. Encountering ruthless senior officers and the horrors of trench warfare, the brothers find themselves a world away from their homelife and their rivalry for the affections of local girl Molly. Based on the novel by Michael Morpurgo (writer of War Horse) this is a heartfelt story of the unbreakable bond between brothers and the heroism found on the battlefields of World War I.

will surely satisfy fans of handsome period dramas. As you’d expect, Fiennes delivers a barnstorming performance as Magwitch and Bonham Carter makes for a suitably terrifying Miss Havisham.

The Muppet Christmas Carol U Fri 7 – Mon 10 Dec

Starbuck 15 • subtitled Fri 7 – Thu 13 Dec

Dir: Brain Henson Actors: Michael Caine USA 1992, 1hr 25mins

Dir: Ken Scott Actors: Patrick Huard, Martin Petit Canada 2012, 1hr 49mins

To mark its 20 year anniversary, Brian Henson’s timeless family musical comes to us on a gorgeous new digital print. 20 years! A generation raised on this film have now grown up, fled the nest (hopefully!) and had kids themselves. So bring the whole family together at Phoenix to introduce a new generation to an absolute Christmas classic. All together now: “There goes Mr Humbug, there goes Mr Grim...”

A new award-winning comedy from Quebec. Forty-something slacker David is in debt and his girlfriend is pregnant, but his life is about to get more complicated. Having ‘enthusiastically’ donated sperm in his youth under the alias 'Starbuck', he has fathered 533 children, who have filed a lawsuit to find out who 'Starbuck' really is. Handed a file on the plaintiffs, David sets out meeting his estranged children without revealing his identity. A rare comedy of pathos and hilarity.

Box office 0116 242 2800

It's a Wonderful Life U Mon 17 – Mon 24 Dec Dir: Frank Capra Actors: James Stewart, Donna Reed USA 1946, 2hrs 9mins Never mind just the best Christmas movie: Capra’s 1946 ode to family, community and the power of redemption is a strong contender for greatest movie ever made. Jimmy Stewart plays George Bailey, a downhearted businessman who over the course of one night

discovers the true meaning of Christmas. It’s become our tradition to show it at Phoenix, and well, it just wouldn’t be Christmas without it would it?

Sightseers 15

Die Hard 18

Fri 14 – Thu 20 Dec

Fri 14 – Sun 16 Dec

Silver Linings Playbook 15 Fri 21 – Thu 27 Dec

Dir: Ben Wheatley Actors: Alice Lowe, Steve Oram UK 2012, 1hr 28mins

Dir: John McTiernan Actors: Bruce Wills, Alan Rickman USA 1988, 2hr 11mins

Ben Wheatley’s latest – the follow up to his terrific 2011 horror flick Kill List – arrives having been nominated for 7 British Independent Film Awards. Chris (Oram) wants to show his girlfriend Tina (Lowe) the world, touring round Britain in his beloved caravan. But it has to be the perfect trip, and anyone who disturbs it – litterbugs, nosy middle-class ramblers etc – is in for a very nasty surprise. This jet black comedy thriller is twisted, darkly amusing and destined for cult classic status.

The alternative best Christmas movie ever made! Since 2009 we've shown Die Hard every Christmas, and this year it arrives on a gorgeous 35mm print. When regular cop John McClane visits his estranged wife at her job in LA’s fancy Nakatomi Plaza, he never expected the building to be taken over by terrorists. Endlessly quotable, with Alan Rickman (in his first feature film) magnificent as Hans Gruber one of cinema’s best ever baddies.

Dir: David O. Russell Actors: Bradley Cooper, Jennifer Lawrence USA 2012, 2hrs 1min From David O. Russell (The Fighter) this superb comedy-drama has picked up Oscar buzz and a bunch of awards on the festival circuit. Bradley Cooper stars as formerteacher Pat – recently out of an institution following a breakdown over his wife’s affair. Back living with his parents and determined to get back with his wife, things get complicated when he meets the enigmatic Tiffany. The film is funny, touching, and contains De Niro's best performance in years as Pat's long-suffering dad.

Book online www.phoenix.org.uk

Seven Psychopaths 15 Fri 28 Dec – Thu 3 Jan Dir: Martin McDonagh Actors: Colin Farrell, Woody Harrelson UK 2012, 1hr 50mins Martin McDonagh follows his hugely successful 2008 debut In Bruges with another very funny and violent crime-caper. Farrell stars as struggling screenwriter Marty, swept into a world of gangsters and guns after his best friend Billy and his partner in crime Hans (an excellent Walken) steal

Gambit 12A Fri 21 – Thu 27 Dec

a local mob boss’s beloved Shih Tzu. McDonagh’s script is brilliant – hilariously self-referential and delighting in subverting clichéd movie tropes. It's backed up with cracking performances all round – including Tom Waits as a bunny-carrying odd-ball.

Nativity 2: Danger in the Manger U Fri 21 – Thu 27 Dec

Life of Pi 3D PG Fri 28 Dec – Thu 3 Jan

Dir: Michael Hoffman Actors: Cameron Diaz, Colin Firth USA 2012, 1hr 29mins

Dir: Debbie Issit Actors: David Tennant, Pam Ferris UK 2012, 1hr 45mins

Dir: Ang Lee Actors: Suraj Sharama, Irrfan Khan USA 2012, 2hrs 6mins

Perfect holiday season entertainment, this new comedy was written by the Coen Brothers and boasts a fantastic cast including Colin Firth, Stanley Tucci, Tom Courtenay and Alan Rickman. A loose remake of the 1966 film of the same name, Firth stars as beleaguered art curator Harry Deane, hoping to con his tyrannical boss (Rickman on brilliant form) into buying a fake Monet. Escape the Christmas shopping madness and relax with this hilarious guilty pleasure.

After the huge success of Nativity in 2009, the gang returns (minus Martin Freeman but plus the fabulous David Tennant) in this hilarious road-trip comedy. Wacky classroom assistant Mr Poppy enters his school into the National 'Song for Christmas' Competition, but he needs a ‘proper’ teacher to come along too. After abducting hapless new teacher Mr Peterson (Tennant), the St Cuthbert's kids are off! A sweet, good-natured and big-hearted Christmas treat for the whole family.

Based on Yann Martel’s Man Booker Prize-winning novel of the same name, this new film from Ang Lee (Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon) is a visually stunning work, sure to be in the mix come awards season. Recounting his life story to a Canadian writer, Indian-born Pi describes a shipwreck – a tragic incident that left him adrift in a lifeboat with a full-grown Bengal Tiger. It’s a tale of courage and determination, and a beautiful film.

Thu 6

Wed 5

Tue 4

Mon 3

Sun 2

Sat 1

1pm Elena 1.30pm Amour 3.30pm Argo 4.30pm Amour 6.15pm Elena 7.30pm Amour 8.45pm Argo 12pm Lazy Sunday: Argo 1pm Amour 2.45pm Elena 4.15pm Amour 5.15pm Argo 7.30pm Amour 8pm Elena 1pm Argo 1.30pm Amour 3.45pm Elena 4.30pm Amour 6.15pm Argo 7.30pm Amour 8.45pm Alps 3.30pm Argo 4.30pm Amour 6.15pm Alps 7.30pm Amour 8.30pm Argo 1.15pm Argo 1.30pm Amour 4pm Alps 4.30pm Amour 6.15pm Argo 7.30pm Amour 8.45pm Alps 3.30pm Argo From 4pm Phoenix Café Bar closed for today only (see p4 for details)

Dec '12 1pm 3.15pm 3.45pm 6.15pm 6.30pm 8.30pm 8.45pm Thu 13 3.15pm 3.45pm 6.15pm 6.15pm 7.30pm 8.30pm 8.45pm 4.15pm Fri 14 4.30pm 6.30pm 7.30pm 8.30pm Sat 15 1pm 1.30pm 3.15pm 4.30pm 7pm 7.30pm 9pm Sun 16 11.30am 12pm 2.30pm 3pm 5.45pm 6pm 8.15pm 8.30pm Mon 17 1pm 1.30pm 3.30pm 4.30pm

Starbuck Skyfall Private Peaceful The Sapphires Starbuck Skyfall Private Peaceful The Sapphires Private Peaceful The Sapphires Starbuck Film Quiz Skyfall Private Peaceful Sightseers Great Expectations Sightseers Great Expectations Die Hard Sightseers Great Expectations Double Bill: Miracle on 34th Street and Scrooge Great Expectations Sightseers Great Expectations Die Hard The Bygone Leicester Moving Picture Show Lazy Sunday: Great Expectations The Bygone Leicester Moving Picture Show Bolshoi Ballet: The Nutcracker Great Expectations Sightseers Die Hard Great Expectations Sebastian Buerkner Exhibition open Sightseers Great Expectations It’s a Wonderful Life Great Expectations

8pm 8.15pm Mon 24 12pm 1pm 2.15pm 4pm 5pm 6.30pm 7.45pm Tue 25 Wed 26 1pm 1.15pm 3.30pm 4.15pm 6.15pm 6.30pm Thu 27 1pm 1.15pm 3.30pm 4.15pm 6.15pm 6.30pm 1pm Fri 28 2pm 3.30pm 5pm 6.15pm 8pm 8.30pm Sat 29 12pm 12.30pm 2.15pm 3.15pm 4.15pm 6pm 6.30pm 8.30pm 8.45pm Sun 30 12pm 12.30pm 2.45pm 3.15pm

Silver Linings Playbook Gambit Nativity 2 Great Expectations It’s a Wonderful Life Gambit It’s a Wonderful Life Great Expectations Silver Linings Playbook Closed: Merry Christmas! Nativity 2 Great Expectations Silver Linings Playbook Gambit Silver Linings Playbook Great Expectations Nativity 2 Great Expectations Silver Linings Playbook Gambit Silver Linings Playbook Great Expectations Rise of the Guardians 3D Life of Pi 3D Seven Psychopaths Life of Pi 3D Happy Happy Life of Pi 3D Seven Psychopaths Rise of the Guardians 3D Life of Pi 3D Happy Happy Life of Pi 3D Rise of the Guardians 3D Life of Pi 3D Happy Happy Seven Psychopaths Life of Pi 3D Lazy Sunday: Life of Pi 3D Rise of the Guardians 3D Seven Psychopaths Life of Pi 3D

4.30pm Amour 6.15pm Alps 7.30pm Amour 8.30pm Argo 3.15pm Skyfall Fri 7 4pm The Muppet Christmas Carol 6.15pm The Sapphires 6.30pm Private Peaceful 8.30pm Skyfall 8.45pm Starbuck 12.30pm The Muppet Christmas Carol Sat 8 1pm Starbuck 3pm Double Bill: Breakfast at Tiffany's and Charade 3.30pm Skyfall 6.30pm The Sapphires 7.30pm Private Peaceful 8.45pm Skyfall 10am Christmas Family Fun Day Sun 9 12pm Skyfall 1pm The Muppet Christmas Carol 3pm The Sapphires 3pm Private Peaceful 5.30pm The Sapphires 5.45pm The Muppet Christmas Carol 7.45pm Starbuck 8pm Skyfall The Sapphires Mon 10 1pm 1.30pm Private Peaceful 3.15pm Skyfall 4pm Starbuck 6.15pm The Sapphires 6.30pm The Muppet Christmas Carol 8.30pm Skyfall 8.45pm Private Peaceful Tue 11 3.30pm The Sapphires 3.45pm Starbuck 6pm Skyfall 6.15pm Private Peaceful 8.45pm Starbuck 9pm The Sapphires The Sapphires Wed 12 1pm 6.30pm 7.30pm 8.45pm Tue 18 4pm 4.15pm 6.15pm 7.15pm 8.30pm Wed 19 1.15pm 1.30pm 3.30pm 4.30pm 6.30pm 7.30pm 8.30pm Thu 20 4pm 4.30pm 6.15pm 7.30pm 9pm 3.15pm Fri 21 3.30pm 6pm 6.30pm 8pm 8.30pm 8.45pm 1pm Sat 22 1.30pm 3.30pm 3.45pm 6.15pm 6.30pm 8.45pm 9pm Sun 23 12pm 12.30pm 2.45pm 3.15pm 5.15pm 5.30pm

Sightseers Great Expectations Sightseers Sightseers Great Expectations Sightseers Great Expectations It’s a Wonderful Life Sightseers Great Expectations It’s a Wonderful Life Great Expectations Sightseers Great Expectations Sightseers Sightseers Great Expectations It’s a Wonderful Life Great Expectations Sightseers Great Expectations Nativity 2 It’s a Wonderful Life Gambit Social Cinema: The Nightmare Before Christmas Great Expectations Silver Linings Playbook Nativity 2 Gambit Silver Linings Playbook Great Expectations It’s a Wonderful Life Gambit Great Expectations Silver Linings Playbook Lazy Sunday: Silver Linings Playbook Great Expectations Nativity 2 Gambit It’s a Wonderful Life Great Expectations Double Bills Events Digital Arts

Happy Happy Life of Pi 3D Seven Psychopaths Rise of the Guardians 3D Life of Pi 3D Happy Happy Life of Pi 3D Rise of the Guardians 3D Life of Pi 3D Seven Psychopaths Closed: Happy New Year! Rise of the Guardians 3D Life of Pi 3D Seven Psychopaths Life of Pi 3D Seven Psychopaths Life of Pi 3D Happy Happy Rise of the Guardians 3D Life of Pi 3D Happy Happy Life of Pi 3D Rise of the Guardians 3D Life of Pi 3D Seven Psychopaths

Quartet • Les Misérables • The Hunt • The Sessions • Safety not Guaranteed • Mental • The Impossible

Films to look out for in January

www.phoenix.org.uk

Book online

0116 242 2800

Box Office

Key

5.15pm 6.30pm 7.30pm Mon 31 1.15pm 1.30pm 3.30pm 4.30pm 6.15pm 7.30pm 8.30pm Tue 1 Wed 2 1pm 1.30pm 3.30pm 4.30pm 6.15pm 7.30pm 8.45pm 1pm Thu 3 1.30pm 3.45pm 4.30pm 6.15pm 7.30pm 8.30pm

Box office 0116 242 2800

Happy Happy 15 • subtitled

Fri 28 Dec – Thu 3 Jan Dir: Anne Sewitsky Actors: Agnes Kittelsen, Henrik Rafaelsen Norway 2010, 1hr 25mins This funny and charming Norwegian film arrives in the UK having won the Grand Jury Prize at Sundance. Despite her husband thinking she is ‘not particularly attractive’ and preferring hunting with their boys than having sex with her, Kaja is an eternal optimist. But when a perfect couple move in next door (who sing in a choir together and have adopted an Ethiopian baby) and as Christmas approaches, Kaja begins to wonder, maybe she deserves better?

Rise of the Guardians 3D PG Fri 28 Dec – Thu 3 Jan

The Bygone Leicester Moving Picture Show

Dir: Peter Ramsey Actors: Hugh Jackman USA 2012, 1hr 37mins

Sun 16 Dec, 11.30am & 2.30pm Tickets: £6.50

This wonderful animation comes from DreamWorks - the studio behind How to Train your Dragon. When Pitch the ‘Nightmare King’ launches a plan to engulf Earth in darkness, it’s up to the Immortal Guardians - Santa Claus, the Tooth Fairy, the Sandman, the Easter Bunny and Jack Frost - to protect the children of the world. Executive-produced by Guillermo Del Toro, this is a film stuffed full of imagination, excitement and humour. Could it challenge Pixar for an Oscar come February?

Coming in January

Leicestershire Film Archive

Phoenix's annual Christmas screening of local history presented live by Rob Foxon of the Leicestershire Film Archive. This year's programme includes the film record of the 1932 Pageant of Leicester shot by Charles West of the Evington Cinema. It was open air theatre on Abbey Park on a grand scale with a cast of thousands! See pre-war Leicester, the 1935 Silver Jubilee celebrations, farming and country life and of course Leicester's trams.

Dates will be confirmed in the January brochure.

Les Misérables

Quartet

The Hunt

One of the most successful musicals ever made gets a sumptuous film adaptation. Featuring an all-star cast including Hugh Jackman and Anne Hathaway singing live, and directed by Tom Hooper (The King’s Speech).

Dustin Hoffman’s directing debut is a very funny and moving film set in a retirement home for ageing opera singers. Starring Maggie Smith, Tom Courtenay and Michael Gambon.

This stunning Danish film arrives having picked up three awards at Cannes, including Best Actor for Mads Mikkelsen. After an incident at his school, a kindly teacher’s life falls apart.

Book online www.phoenix.org.uk

Double Bills

11 All Tickets £10 (Individual film tickets released the week before show if available)

Miracle on 34th Street 1947 U / Scrooge 1951 U

Breakfast at Tiffany's 1961 PG / Charade 1963 PG

Sat 15 Dec, 3.15pm Running time: 3hrs 10mins (including 15 min interval)

Sat 8 Dec, 3pm Running time: 3hrs 57mins (including 15 min interval)

Come celebrate the festive season with two classics!

Escape the Christmas chaos with a double-bill of Audrey Hepburn – one of our all-time favourite stars!

In George Seaton’s classic film, Edmund Gwenn stars as Kris Kringle - a nice old man who is institutionalized for claiming to be Santa Claus. It is up to young lawyer Fred Gailey to defend him in court and prove that he's the real thing. We follow with our favourite adaptation (excluding The Muppets of course) of Dickens’ A Christmas Carol, featuring a masterful performance from Alistair Sim as Ebenezer Scrooge.

The Social Cinema Christmas Special

Fri 21 Dec 8pm 'til midnight Tickets: £5 / £6 sofa seats

The Nightmare Before Christmas PG

First up: Blake Edward's 1961 movie that cemented Hepburn's status as a style icon and gifted actress. As Holly Golightly, Hepburn is enchanting. We follow with Stanley Donen's hugely underrated comedythriller. Hepburn plays ‘Reggie’ Lampert - deciding to divorce her husband on holiday he turns up dead, and Reggie is pursued through Paris by mysterious strangers including the debonair Cary Grant. What a splendid idea! This Christmas sounds fun. Serving up a somewhat darker-edged Christmas movie, The Social Cinema is pleased to offer you Tim Burton's twisted tale of The Pumpkin King himself, Jack Skellington, and his mission to bring that crazy old world of Christmas to Halloween Town. With Tim Burton's signature visuals, twisted humour and some truly fantastic songs by the mighty Danny Elfman, you can't help but feel (if in a slightly macabre way) Christmassy. This month we’ve a special Christmas menu, delicious festive cocktails, music and a stocking full of fun, games and gifts to help spread the Halloween… or rather Christmas cheer! Space is limited so book soon. Contact the box office for full details.

Box office 0116 242 2800

Bolshoi Ballet The Nutcracker Sun 16 Dec, 3pm (Doors open 2.45pm) Running time: 2hrs 5mins (with intermission) Tickets: £14 / £12 conc A real treat for Christmas, with a chance to catch this celebrated December 2010 performance with the Orchestra of the State Academic Bolshoi Theatre, the Bolshoi Soloists, and Corps de Ballet. It's Christmas Eve in the Stahlbaum home. Presents are given to the children, including a strange wooden nutcracker carved in the shape of a little man – a present for the Stahlbaum’s daughter Marie from her godfather Drosselmeyer.

Events Enjoy the world's best ballet and theatre productions on the big screen at Phoenix

The Magistrate Thu 17 Jan, 7pm Sat 19 Jan, 1pm Tue 22 Jan, 7pm Running time: TBC Tickets: £14 / £12 conc Academy Award nominee and Tony Award-winner John Lithgow (Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, 3rd Rock from the Sun) takes the title role in Arthur Wing Pinero’s uproarious Victorian farce, directed by Olivier Award-winner Timothy Sheader (Crazy for You and Into the Woods). In a similar vein to the National Theatre’s smash-hit classic comedies She Stoops to Conquer and One Man, Two Guvnors, The Magistrate is sure to have audiences doubled up with laughter. When amiable magistrate Posket (John Lithgow) marries Agatha (Olivier Award-winner Nancy Carroll, After the Dance), little does he realise she’s dropped five years from her age – and her son’s. When her deception looks set to be revealed, it sparks a series of hilarious indignities and outrageous mishaps.

At midnight, after the celebrations are over, the toys magically come to life. The nutcracker grows to life-size and takes command of the tin soldiers, flying to the rescue of Marie, who is threatened by the Mouse King and his army!

Book online www.phoenix.org.uk

Digital Arts

An exhibition of work by

Sebastian Buerkner Location: Cube gallery and around Phoenix 17 Dec – 31 Jan Free Entry Phoenix presents an exhibition of new and recent work by Sebastian Buerkner, one of the most exciting and innovative artists working with animation today. Sebastian Buerkner’s intricate and starkly beautiful films are painstakingly drawn using computer software, creating layers and fragments of imagery, shape and colour. Sebastian’s work explores the nature of film and moving image – its structure and language and the way it can alter our perceptions of space, time and the world around us. In the Cube gallery, a 3D animated film The Chimera of M flashes between the real and surreal, whilst on the video screens in the cafebar That’s Your Dog tells the story of a life through a stream of snapshots. The exhibition continues with Realm Pins, a journey cut up and retold in a series of stripes. Sebastian Buerkner trained as a painter but now works exclusively in digital animation. He has exhibited widely in solo and group shows internationally. Born in Germany, he lives and works in London. The Chimera of M has been commissioned by FLAMIN in partnership with Phoenix and the Elephant Trust.

Box office 0116 242 2800

Christmas

at Phoenix Come all you children, mums and dads - there’s something for everyone at Phoenix this Christmas. Catch a film, join our family fun day, and treat yourselves to some festive food and drinks!

The Muppet Christmas Carol PG Fri 7 – Mon 10 Dec The Muppets give us their version of the classic Dickens tale of Ebenezer Scrooge.

Nativity 2: Danger in the Manger U Fri 21 – Thu 27 Dec Hilarious comedy with David Tennant playing a worried teacher on a road trip to the National ‘Song for Christmas’ Competition.

Rise of the Guardians 3D PG Fri 28 Dec – Thu 3 Jan When the evil spirit Pitch launches an assault on Earth, the Immortal Guardians must protect children around the world.

It's a Wonderful Life U

Family Fun Day Join Santa, Mrs Claus and the Muppets! Sun 9 Dec, 10am – 2.30pm Full day: Children £12, Adults £10 Film only (12.45pm): £5 all tickets Enjoy a fabulous day of family fun at Phoenix – children (and parents!) welcome.

Mon 17 – Mon 24 Dec An angel helps downhearted businessman George Bailey see what life would have been like if he had never existed. A Christmas classic!

Die Hard 18

Mrs Claus and her elves will be your guides as we journey around Phoenix – stopping for crafts, drama, face painting and games. We’ll join together for a festive party lunch before sitting back in the cinema for our merry movie The Muppet Christmas Carol.

Fri 14 – Sun 16 Dec Back by popular demand. When terrorists take hostages during a Christmas party in Los Angeles, NYPD officer John McClane must save the day.

If everyone’s on the nice list, Santa will drop in to say hello! Suitable for age 4+. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Advanced booking advised on 0116 242 2800.

Book online www.phoenix.org.uk

Phoenix Café Bar For December we have festive goodies galore in the Phoenix Café Bar:

* Good-old Christmas pudding * Mince pies * Traditional Italian panettone Christmas cake * Christmas special ales and ciders * Home-made mulled wine * Warming gingerbread lattes You can also take advantage of our two regular film + food offers: Film & Dine Enjoy a film + a meal for £13 anytime (£11.50 concessions) Lazy Sunday A full English breakfast + a film at 12 noon, every Sunday for £9.95 (except Sunday 9th December) Our Café Bar is open to everyone, every day, whether you’re watching a film or not. Drop in for a drink, a snack or a meal. We serve fresh, locally-sourced food and a great selection of wines and ales. Opening times See backpage for standard opening hours and a few changes over the Christmas period. Please be aware that on 26 and 27 Dec, the kitchen will close at the earlier time of 6.30pm.

Film Quiz Thu 13th Dec, 7.30pm Join us in the Café Bar in December for the famous Phoenix Film Quiz! Enjoy a drink and some food whilst pitting your wits against a fiendish selection of questions, music and film clips taken from the length and breadth of contemporary, classic and world cinema – all set by our resident quiz masters Alan and Jake. Book places at the Box Office on 0116 242 2800. £1 per team member – maximum five members per team.

New Car Park There’s now a pay & display car park next to Phoenix. It’s free after 6pm and on Sundays (full details below)

Opening Times

Tickets

Mon – Fri

Sat – Sun

You can buy tickets in advance online, by phone or in person at the Phoenix box office. There is no phone or online booking fee.

Box office

12pm – 9pm

11am – 9pm

Café Bar & DMU Cube gallery

9am – 11pm

10am – 11pm

Food Served 11am – 9pm

Full

Conc*

Student

After 5pm & weekends

£7.25

£5.60

£5.00

11am – 9pm (Sat) Before 5pm 10am – 6pm (Sun)

£5.90

£5.25

£5.00

3D films cost an additional £1.50

Christmas opening: Phoenix will be closed on Christmas Day and New Years Day. On 24 Dec and from 26 -31 December we will open at the later time of 11am.

*Concessions are available with proof of status, for: • Unemployed • Under 16s • Disabled • Retired in receipt of state pension

Box Office 0116 242 2800 Book Online www.phoenix.org.uk

Art exhibitions are all FREE entry.

Phoenix, 4 Midland Street, Leicester, LE1 1TG

Orange & EE Wednesdays: 2 for 1 tickets (for Orange

Special ticket offers Mercury Mondays: 2 for 1 tickets (requires purchase of Leicester Mercury on Thursdays) & EE customers)

For office enquires, including corporate space hire, call 0116 242 2821.

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Parking is also available around Phoenix. On single yellow lines, parking is free after 6pm. In pay and display bays, parking is free after 6pm and all day on Sundays. Please always check the signs as circumstances may change and temporary restrictions may be in place.

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Rutland Street NCP on Halford Street (LE1 1TQ) is a short walk from Phoenix and costs £3.80 all day for Phoenix customers (with tickets stamped at the Phoenix box office).

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A temporary pay and display car park is available next to Phoenix. Parking costs £1 for 1 hour, £1.50 for 2 hours, £2 for 3 hours and £4 all day. Parking after 6pm and on Sundays is free.

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