Mr Charles Dance, that incarnation of aquiline reserve, will be at the Irish Film Institute on Friday, May 4th for a screening of his belated directorial debut Ladies in Lavender.

The picture, in which Dames Maggie Smith and Judi Dench  bicker delightfully, is being presented as part of the Bealtaine Festival, an event dedicated to celebrating the achievements of older artists.

As well as joining forces with Access Cinema to send Ladies in Lavenderthroughout the country, the festival, which runs throughout May, will be hosting a free screening every Friday night at the IFI.

Those uneasy about their advancing years may be unnerved to hear that one must be over just 50 to attend. Fifty? Haven't we been assured that that age is now the new 30?

Anyway, further details can be found at www.bealtaine.com.