Reality Check: Charlie Higson, Enemy of The Dead
To coincide with the release of his new zombie novel for young adults, The Dead, Alex Fitch talks to comedian turned novelist, Charlie Higson about his survival horror novels set in London, whose locations take in such notable locations as Buckingham Palace, The Tower of London, the Imperial War Museum and Waitrose! Alex and Charlie discuss what led him to write the first book in the series, The Enemy and how that led to a prequel, his disappointment at the cancellation of Randall and Hopkirk (deceased) on TV, the difference in writing novels such as King of the Ants for adults and writing about zombies for younger readers plus his fascination in giving nightmares to children…
Originally broadcast 17th September 2010 as part of a ‘Clear Spot’ on Resonance 104.4 FM
Extracts of the covers from The Enemy and The Dead by Charlie Higson
For more info about this podcast and a variety of other episodes you can download, please visit the home of this episode at www.sci-fi-london.com
Links: Wikipedia page on Charlie Higson
Charlie Higson’s website / The Enemy website
Listen to Alex’s interview with director Stuart Gordon, who adapted Charlie’s novel King of the Ants for the screen
Recommended events:
Orbital BECKY CLOONAN EXHIBITION EXTENDED TO SEP. 30th
Due to the big success of Becky Cloonan‘s show at the Orbital Gallery, we have extended the exhibition dates until the end of this month.
The show features original artwork from Demo, Pixu, the upcoming series Wolves and East Coast Rising, as well as limited screenprints, postcard sets and a hand-painted guitar.
The Orbital Gallery is open on our usual shop hours, from 10:30 to 19:00 Monday to Saturday and 11:30 to 17:00 on Sundays.
Orbital comics, 8 Great Newport Street, London WC2H 7JA
Film Screenings:
Free MEGA SHARK vs GIANT OCTOPUS screening @ THE ALIBI
Skill Wizard proudly presents the original, contemporary mockbuster from Asylum – the makers of MEGA PIRANHA – ignore the groan-worthy other oversized beast movies, all you need is MEGA SHARK vs GIANT OCTOPUS (2009).
Trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fa7ck5mcd1o
The Asylum really know how to make an entertainingly bad, pacy and non-ironic B (actually, more like Z) movie, just add beer.
“WINNER EATS ALL!” We have have some truly awesome MEGA PIRANHA merch to giveaway for the ‘Guess the Deaths’ game and for the most witty Heckle…
– Several Full sized glossy posters / A decent trucker cap / XL t-shirt
*** ALL signed by TIFFANY and PAUL LOGAN (stars of Mega Piranha)***
Mon 20th SEPT, the Alibi, 91 Kingsland High St, London E8 2PB
8pm – 2am (FILM AT 9pm) with DJing Schlock rock and metal…
FREE ENTRY
FilmBar 70 presents Tam Lin (aka The Devil’s Widow)
If you haven’t been to any of the FilmBar 70 nights yet, you’re missing out on an excellent evening of old adverts, trailers, music and some excellent films! One of our favourite nights of the month, check out www.youtube.com/Filmbar70 for the trailer!
Tam Lin (aka The Devil’s Widow) dir: Roddy McDowall (1970)
“Scum! You must treat them like scum!”
Filmbar70 is very proud to present a neglected and under-appreciated classic of British cinema – the magical and mysterious Tam Lin. The only directorial effort from Roddy McDowall (yes, Cornelius from the Planet of the Apes series), the film was unfairly critically mauled upon its release in 1970 and is ripe for re-evaluation. With an unbelievable cast headed by super suave Ian McShane and the alluring Ava Gardner, Tam Lin is sensuous, lyrical and unrepentantly romantic cinema of the highest order.
The indefinably wealthy and enigmatic Michaela (Gardner) lives a life of endless sensual gratification with her young lover Tom (McShane). With an entourage of swinging hipsters in tow, they head north from London for yet more decadent shenanigans. But when Michaela discovers that Tom has fallen for a provincial pastor’s daughter (Stephanie Beacham) and yearns for a simpler, more sedate life, the mood of the party threatens to turn from the celebratory to the downright sinister. As Tom learns the secret behind Michaela’s glamorous façade and the true price of the promise of eternal hedonism, he realises that he too may face the fate met by her myriad former lovers – madness, despair and destruction.
(£3 cover charge / FREE to members)
Roxy Bar and Screen, 128-132 Borough High Street, London SE1 1LB
Robert Rankin signings
ROBERT RANKIN will be signing The Japanese Devil Fish Girl at the Forbidden Planet London Megastore on Saturday 18th September 1:00pm – 2:00pm and The Book of FICTS at The MAGPIE and CROWN public house, Brentford from 7pm
The pickled Martian’s tentacles are fraying at the ends and Professor Coffin’s Most Meritorious Unnatural Attraction is no longer drawing the crowds. It’s 1895; nearly a decade since Mars invaded Earth, chronicled by H.G. Wells’ THE WAR OF THE WORLDS.
Saturday 18 September 13:00 – 14:00, Forbidden Planet London Megastore, 179 Shaftesbury Avenue, London, WC2H 8JR
THEN…come on over to the MAGPIE and CROWN public house for 7pm to celebrate the launch of “The Bumper Book of FICTS”, and buy copies of this 96 page, hardbacked, illustrated wonder… Robert and co-author Neil Gardner will be signing them personally and you’ll even get a limited edition exclusive book plate to commemorate the event.
Saturday 18 September 19:00- 23:00, The Magpie and Crown, 128 High Street, Brentford, Middlesex, TW8 8EW
