A night out at The Plaza, Stockport

I was invited by my friends to The Smiths on Screen at The Plaza, Stockport.

This was a presentation 'celebrating 30 years to the day since the release of The Smiths' debut single Hand in Glove on 13 May 1983, which was recorded at Strawberry Studios in Stockport'.

We were treated to a film about an obsessive Smiths' fan, the Ken Russell documentary about Shelagh Delaney (writer of A Taste of Honey), followed by a showing of A Taste of Honey. itself. It had been so long ago since I had seen it, it was like watching it for the first time again. Compelling and thought provoking, it was filmed on location in Manchester, including parts of Stockport. Although a little before my time, it still felt like a familiar landscape. A lot of Smiths' lyrics were taken from A Taste of Honey which becomes evident as you watch it.

We were very moved by the documentary. Shelagh Delaney was a remarkable woman who was able to articulate so accurately the social issues and reality of those in her community. Shot alongside scenes of Salford (again at times a familiar landscape) it highlighted in particular the plight of those who ended up in cheap tower blocks isolated from their communities. Only 15 minutes long it gave a clear and strong message. Today's politicians should take note (although some of it feels too late already).

My dad had given me a potted history of The Plaza itself, explaining to me that it was once a bingo hall (which I do remember), but had now been restored back to its original 1932 decor. Apparently a lot of the original features had simply been covered during the bingo years and so remained intact behind the coverings which were taken down during the restoration. After the film we went upstairs to look at the cafe - again returned to its original decor and we were lucky enough to speak to two of the people involved in the cinema who were able to tell us in more detail about The Plaza's history. On the way out I snapped the box office - again lovingly restored - and the original ceramic tiles up near the ceiling.

A wonderful and thought provoking evening, and lovely to catch up with good friends.