A site-specific screening of the concert-film, ‘Regis – Let The Night Return’ (2021) by Vasileios Trigkas, accompanied by a temporary photography and ephemera display.
[ID: The image shows an empty ancient theatre at night, only the stage is under spotlights, and a man is walking towards the sound set up in the middle of the stage.]
Doors: 1pm
— limited capacity; 4 timed entries
[Please note that visitors are required to wear a face mask during events and are encouraged to take a Lateral Flow Test before their arrival at the Horse Hospital.]
The Horse Hospital is pleased to present the long-anticipated London premiere of the film ‘Regis — Let The Night Return’ (2021) in conjunction with a temporary display of photographs and ephemera from the original live performance.
‘Let The Night Return’ (2021) is a feature film by Vasileios Trigkas documenting a unique one-off performance by Regis at the Ancient Theatre of Epidaurus in Peloponnese, Greece, a remarkable UNESCO world heritage site devoted to Asclepius – Greek god of medicine and healing. The 2,360-year-old, 14.000 capacity open-air Auditorium, which is still preserved in its original form and shape as the oldest and last remaining blueprint of architectural acoustics, naturally became the ideal setting for the act.
The intention was to capture the night’s phenomenal sound quality – something that could only be achieved through the use of several sound recording devices on set, bringing the same immersive live sound experience, straight to the listener’s speakers. In the piece, ancient hymns are blended with musique concrète, pythagorean guitar riffs, a 200 B.C. composition and an organ/piano amidst other unpredictable elements. Featuring piano by Ann Margaret Hogan, soundscapes by Vasileios Trigkas and additional guitar by Justin K Broadrick.
There’s something brutally bare and demented about this one, opening with the simmering choral drone ‘Epidaurus’ fizzing with whirring industrial components and rumbling subs, before 'Calling Down a Curse’ extends to terrifying dimensions with an intoxicating Ugandan Methods style percussive backbone and a slowed down voiceover by filmmaker Vasileios Trigkas, to our ears sounding like Burial as if rendered by Conny Plank as a kind of alternate version to his still entirely unclassifiable ‘Biomutanten’. Perhaps best of all is the closing 'Temporary Thing’, featuring Regis, Anni Hogan and Justin Broadrick taking on a cover version of the Lou Reed classic, here extended to HD and sounding ridiculously good. It's one of the most sought-after pieces of the Regis puzzle. (Downwards Records, 2021)
The film will be shown alongside a temporary display of photographs, equipment and ephemera from the original film set. Limited edition merchandise (books, LPs, postcards, posters... etc) will be available to purchase on the day.
Karl O'Connor is most certainly Regis and it is also highly probable that he propagates other pseudonyms. This has only added to the greater mythology surrounding the influential Downwards label that he has run with Peter Sutton (Female) since 1993. Unconventional and single-minded to say the least, by decentralising the focus on the dj/producer personality, he remains one of the more highly regarded creative forces within the British techno/electronic scene. Degenerate art indeed.
Asklipeion of Epidaurus, archaeological site copyrights - Hellenic Ministry of Culture and Sports | UNESCO
