Give us a stunning fully-orchestrated version of The Princess Bride? As you wish
Presented by: Adelaide Festival Centre in association with Symphonic Cinema
Reviewed: 28 September 2024
The Princess Bride has been a fixture in pop culture since its release in 1987, with its star-studded cast, iconic quotes, and enduring tale of adventure and true love. ‘Movies in concert’ have been popular for years, with audiences flocking to screenings of the likes of Harry Potter with an orchestra playing John Williams’ beloved score. This production of The Princess Bride, however, is something even more special, as it’s the first time many people have ever heard Mark Knopfler’s score orchestrated. The Princess Bride was a movie on an inconceivably low budget, and Mark Knopfler (of Dire Straits) managed to create a miracle with little more than guitars and synth. The low-budget sound of the original movie is charming, but Knopfler’s skill with a melody really comes through in the fully orchestrated version of his work.
Introducing the night was Tripod’s Steven Gates, who warmed up the audience with an original song that borrowed from one of the main motifs of the film score. In typical Tripod fashion, the song, about breaking up with a girlfriend because she didn’t like the movie, was witty, funny, and a little bit cheeky. It was a fun and lighthearted way to start the night.
The Southern Cross Symphony Orchestra were joined by special guest Slava Grigoryan, master guitarist and artistic director of the Adelaide Guitar Festival. Under the expert baton of Jessica Gethin, the orchestra sounded wonderful, keeping an appropriate balance between the movie sound and the music, and I found myself torn between wanting to only watch these musicians at work, and wanting to sit back and enjoy the movie in full cinematic sound.
It’s a beautiful thing when everyone in the room loves the same thing, and the audience (of unusual size), despite most of them having seen the movie countless times, oohed and aahed and laughed at all the right moments. It was a collective nostalgic journey, and everyone was along for the ride.
There is only one more performance tonight of this stunning production, so make sure you go and see and hear The Princess Bride as you’ve never heard it before.
Reviewed by: Kristin Stefanoff
Venue: Festival Theatre, Adelaide Festival Centre
Season: 28-29 September 2024
Duration: 2hrs and 5min, plus interval
Tickets: $99 – $149
Bookings: https://guitar.adelaidefestivalcentre.com.au/whats-on/the-princess-bride
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