Please note: this is not the listing for the opening event. The opening night for this exhibition will be taking place on the 25th! A photographic exhibition of images from the production of Robert Fuest’s 1971 horror comedy film The Abominable Dr. Phibes. Curated by Mark Ferelli, the exhibition will also be accompanied by new performance works by Ferelli made in response to the evanescent archive of these fragments of cinema history…
THE OPENING EVENT AND PERFORMANCE: Tuesday 25th June at 6pm. Book tickets here
Exhibition continues from Wednesday 26th June until Saturday 6th July [Tues-Sat 12pm-6pm]
Booking recommended but walk-ins welcome. Suggested donation £4-£10.
During the autumnal months and into the winter of 1970, EMI-MGM Elstree Studios Borehamwood saw the production of an unusual and highly imaginative new British horror film, The Abominable Dr. Phibes, brimful of a knowing wit and style seldom seen since the golden age of the genre way back in the 1930s.
The film’s director, Robert Fuest, whilst calling upon the services of legendary horror great Vincent Price as the film's lead, chose to cast a relative newcomer Virginia North, British actress and model amongst whose most recent credits stood the then Bond movie On Her Majesty's Secret Service, to appear in the important role of Vulnavia - silent, ethereal assistant and dancing partner to the vengeful machinations of Dr. Anton Phibes
Dressed in an evocative, colourful and stylish wardrobe by notable costume designer Brian Cox, her subsequent onscreen persona, with its unusual blend of beauty, mysterious allure and plangent aire of beguiling mutism amidst the grue and gore, made for a truly memorable performance - one that has held a special place in the hearts and minds of the film's ardent devotees ever since - gently threatening as it does to steal away the cinematic show from her more illustrious acting companion!
Stills photography for the duration of the film's production, including that for future publicity and test shots for costume and make-up, were undertaken by renown stills cameraman John Jay, based then at EMI-MGM Elstree. His coverage in both colour and monochrome was extensive, portraits of both North and Price in their respective roles providing an important working record during the film's making.
This exhibition, PHASHIONABLE! VULNAVIA: OUR LADY OF PHIBES, presents a rare opportunity to view the very best of these on-set studio and costume portraits, with many not easily seen before, of Virginia as Vulnavia - providing a unique and at times candid insight into her very special and enduring performance from beginning to end.
Curated and annotated by Mark Ferelli, known for his previous film related magic lantern performance works DEVIL DADDY (2003) and PHIBES RISEN (2005) at The Horse Hospital, the presence of these portraits double both as photographic exhibition and performance space for VULNAVIA'S LAST DANCE (2024) - a new work for the magic lantern to be shown on two accompanying evenings - during which he evokes, implores and excavates within a fluid, evanescent series of uncanny projections, the long past dancing denizens of the haunted ballroom lair of 'Dr. Phibes' that once occupied 'Stage One' EMI-MGM Elstree. Its a show born of numerous visits to this exact site, now tramelled and entombed beneath the bustle and hurry of a Borehamwood Tesco Express carpark and petrol station forecourt.
Though fear not. For Ferelli it is STILL THERE and for one evening at least...you will believe it too.
MUTISM IS BEAUTISM/GO NORTH