Recent Posts

Thank you for the scans Stephany.

Now I have my own copy. (I can't believe that I bought OK Magazine.)

Who noticed three different dresses, one for each course?

Stephany, did you miss Hayley supporting Il Divo in Paris on 21/05/06. Perhaps she forgot as well!

Graeme, I have listened to the album many times (and heard Hayley at the Royal Albert Hall). Each time it is a haunting theme and, as you say, the words are difficult to work out.

A little late I know, but I have just opened up the album sleeve. (Sorry Debbie, Hayley and the RPO.) Inside we have the answer.



The sleeve features interviews by Michael Beek of Music from the Movies. Part can be seen here:

www.musicfromthemovies.com/review.asp?ID=7073


I made the text larger in the second quote.
Richard

Now this is what you really, really want:

www.musicfromthemovies.com/article.asp?ID=937

FLOOD washes onto CD :

Flood burst onto the screen this month; it is of course the film that sees the city of London overwhelmed by an immense tidal surge following a raging storm. Starring Robert Carlyle, Tom Courtenay and David Suchet, it is a drama of epic proportions with stunning visual effects and a powerful dramatic score by Debbie Wiseman, all surrounding an eerily timely story. Wiseman’s music swells and rages relentlessly and, with a haunting lament as its main theme, it truly is a must-listen. The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra provides the performance, while classical superstar Hayley Westenra provides stunning vocals.

The album is released by Silva Screen Records on September 24th, includes album-sleeve interviews with both Debbie Wiseman and Hayley Westenra (by yours truly) and is available to pre-order at www.silvascreen.co.uk. Meanwhile the film is currently enjoying a limited release in London’s West End, hopefully with a wider release thereafter. Go to www.flood-london.com to take a look!

Michael Beek

related links & further information:

Debbie Wiseman page

CD release September 24th.

Tidal wave of interest in London’s flood defences
Author:
Jane Nower

Date published:
16-Aug-2007

Keywords:
Flood, Robert Carlyle, Thames Barrier, TE2100, tidal wave, Apollo Cinema West End, Environmnet Agency


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


UPDATE: RELEASE DATE OF FILM 24/08/07 Apollo West End Cinema

Recent floods in the south east of England have caused a tidal wave of interest in the latest disaster movie ‘Flood’ being released by distributors Lionsgate on Friday 24 August 2007.

www.environment-agency.gov.uk/news/1841501?lang=_e®ion=&projectstatus=&theme=&subject=&searchfor=&topic=&area=&month=

At last a venue. Does this mean HDW and DW (and HWI) will be at the London Premiere?

More contradictions. Maybe Belinda will get flooded first after all.

Release Information
In cinemas from 31 August 2007
Distributor
Lionsgate
Running Time
110m
Genre
Action
Director
Tony Mitchell
Lead Actors
Robert Carlyle, Jessalyn Gilsig, Tom Courtenay, David Suchet
Certificate

Writing Credits
Matthew Cope and Richard Doyle
Language
English
Synopsis
A bright autumn morning, London shines in all its glory. Meanwhile in Scotland, a storm of hurricane proportions crashes into the coast, devastating the sleepy town of Wick. Mountainous tides barrel the coast of Britain, heading for London. However, the authorities remain skeptical that nature could deal any blow that the Thames Barrier could not withstand. But the reality is that the storm and seasonal high seas will soon converge in the Thames causing a colossal surge big enough to flood London.


www.myfilms.co.uk/film.asp?id=287856

From the Environment Agency:

Recent floods in the south east of England have caused a tidal wave of interest in the latest disaster movie ‘Flood’ being released by distributors Lionsgate on Friday 17 August 2007.

The $30 million blockbuster was partly filmed at the Thames Barrier over eight days, to create an action-packed scenario where a freak 25 metre wave sweeps up the Thames Estuary, tops the Thames Barrier and floods London.

Media reactions to the fictional tale are being compared to the hysteria that swept the United States in 1938, when a radio adaptation of HG Wells' War of the Worlds saw Americans gripped by panic at the thought of martian invaders devastating their country.

As a result of the interest, Lionsgate and the Environment Agency have resolved to work together to highlight the actions that people can take in the face of real-life flood events and to reassure London of the Thames Barrier’s efficiency. The film stars Robert Carlyle (Trainspotting, Twenty Eight Weeks Later) as engineer Rob Morrison. The plotline opens as Rob is called to inspect the Thames Barrier by his ex-wife Sam, the Barrier’s director of operations, (Jessalyn Gilsig, "Nip/Tuck").

Meanwhile, Rob’s estranged father Professor Leonard Morrison (BAFTA Award Winner, Tom Courtenay) tries desperately to contact Thames Barrier staff to warn them of potentially devastating weather conditions moving down the coast from Scotland. The hard Government decisions in the film are taken by the deputy prime minister played by David Suchet (best known as the famous detective Hercule Poirot).

In reality, a team of Environment Agency engineers and operations staff at the Thames Barrier work continuously to ensure that this type of scenario remains firm fiction, with most recent modelling showing that the Barrier can withstand expected flood pressures for many years to come.

The possibility of London’s defence structures succumbing to a major flood is currently estimated at having a 1:2000 or 0.05 per cent chance of occurring. The last major flood was a 1:300 event in 1953 and it was this event that led to the construction of the Barrier.

Steve East, Thames Barrier technical support team leader said: "The recent flooding and heavy rains in Britain will have made people more aware of the dangers of extreme weather. In fact, our current modelling already takes into account the many different factors that contribute to tidal flooding including weather conditions, fluvial flows and known tidal cycles.

"Even with all of the possible worst case scenario statistics included, our calculations can not be combined to create a wave that could pass over the top of the Thames Barrier. The defences that we have in place can presently cope with the worst that can realistically be thrown at it, but of course it is right that we plan for the future, to ensure that this level of protection is at least maintained in the decades to come. The Thames Barrier protects 125 square km of central London – encompassing 1.25 million people and an infrastructure valued at £80bn."

The Thames Barrier does not stand alone as a defence system – rather it is part of an integrated system of defences stretching from Teddington in west London, to Shoeburyness in the outer estuary. The estuary is also protected by over 300 km of floodwalls, embankments and numerous small gates and barriers. London’s flood defences compare with some of our European neighbours such as Italy where for example, flood protection in Venice is also being designed to 1:1000 year level. Defences in other major cities such as St Petersburg are also designed to the same level.

Producer Justin Bodle said: "The best way to create a programme about an unpredictable scenario like this one is to work with the real-life experts. The Thames Barrier is a structure admired the world over for its efficiency and resilience. Our production may be a work of fiction but it has served to highlight the challenges and investment needed to maintain effective flood management programmes in the UK."

Anyone who is concerned about property flooding can sign up to Floodline on 0845 988 1188 to received personalised warnings for their area.

www.environment-agency.gov.uk/news/1832194?lang=_e®ion=Thames%20Region

So if we can find out which London Cinema Lionsgate are going to show it (nothing on Lionsgate website), we might be able to see it before Belinda and Rodders.

PS. If it is still going, it is an option for 29/09! As close to Hayley as you can get.

PPS. Hayley cannot attend the UK premiere as she is entertaining Grant and Beverley!