riverbank arts centre newbridge

But it’s the magical story and its equally magical style of animation that will capture the adults, but the wonderment of the tale will enthrall older children.

The story tells of Sophie Hatter who is a put-upon, over-worked milliner. Though the hat shop was left to the whole family when her father died, she is the only one putting in the hours. One evening, the town is aflutter with the news that Wizard Howl’s (Bale) castle has been seen (Howl’s castle has legs and wanders through the countryside popping up hither and thither). Howl is a legendary seducer of women and is rumoured to eat the pretty ones’ hearts. Sophie, who has no personal vanity and is deeply insecure, is sure that she will be safe, and heads out to visit her sister Letty (Malone) in the baker shop where she works.

War is brewing and the streets are full of soldiers, a couple of whom accost the bewildered Sophie; she is rescued by a mysterious stranger who teaches her how to fly before floating her down to Letty’s balcony. Dazed, and still walking on air, Sophie returns to the shop. She is followed in by a strange woman who reveals herself to be the Witch of the Waste and places a curse on Sophie, who wakes up in the morning to find that she is 90-years old. So Old Sophie sets off into the Waste to find a cure; aided by a helpful enchanted scarecrow, she finds herself at the moving castle, where she meets Howl's apprentice Markl, and his fire demon Calcifer (Crystal). Howl’s castle is a typical bachelor pad, and Sophie sets to work with a will. By the time Howl returns the place is sparkling.