Royal Academy's MANET: PORTRAYING LIFE to Screen at Town Hall Theater, 4/18

Following the success of DaVinci: A Life, a direct broadcast from London's National Gallery shown at Town Hall Theater last year, THT will show a new series of broadcasts beamed directly from sold-out art exhibits from across the world.

The series offers an unprecedented opportunity for audiences to experience the finest masterpieces from the world's foremost galleries. At Town Hall Theater, a special 11 am screening has been added to the 7 pm screening. "Seniors and a lot of other people really enjoyed the morning show when we did DaVinci," says THT executive director Douglas Anderson. "It's a great time to come downtown, see something wonderful at the theater, and then stay in town to eat or shop. It makes a lovely day."

The first of three broadcasts is Manet: Portraying Life, a close-up look at the recent sold-out exhibit at the Royal Academy, London, which spans the artist's entire career. The exhibit explores more than 50 works, including masterpieces like Olympia, The Railway, and Luncheon on the Grass. The broadcast will take us behind the scenes at the exhibit, and will include a background documentary on Manet's life and career.

"Even if you could get a ticket to this exhibit, you'd end up getting glimpses of the paintings in over-crowded rooms, and with no commentary," says THT executive director Douglas Anderson. "Watching these broadcasts is like being all alone in a gallery with the art, with your own personal art expert bringing insight into the work. It's a dream for art lovers."

Future broadcasts in the series will be from a long-awaited Edvard Munch exhibit in Oslo (August 15), which has been called a "once-in-a-lifetime show," and a rare Vermeer exhibit at London's National Gallery (October 10). All are on sale now.

Manet: Portraying Life will be shown at Town Hall Theater on Thursday, April 18. Showings are at 11 am and 7 pm. Tickets are only $10, $6 for students, and may be purchased at 802-382-9222, www.townhalltheater.org, at the THT Box Office (Mon-Sun, Noon-5 pm) and at the door.

To post a comment, you must register and login.