THURSDAY. SATURDAY
BOOKS. FILM
ANDY SERKIS/ JOHN RHYS-DAVIES
Who will win the battle of the LOTR guest speakers? In this corner stands Serkis, the voice and pre-actor behind CGI Gollum. A possible (and deserving) Oscar nominee, he’s here to talk about The Lord of the Rings: Gollum; How We Made Movie Magic (Houghton Mifflin, $9.95), which details how the freaky little schizoid former Hobbit evolved from sketch to pantomime to one of the most remarkable creations in film history. Also, expect details on the shameful white motion-capture “gimp suit” Serkis wore and all the raw fish he ate. 7 p.m. Thurs., Jan. 15. UW Kane Hall, Room 130 (free, but standby space only), 206-634-3400.
In the other corner: Rhys-Davies, who actually stands much taller than his gruff, ax-wielding dwarf alter ego, Gimli (and who also gave voice to Treebeard). No book, but he’ll spin rich yarns and anecdotes with that great baritone of hisand perhaps confide who among the nine members of the fellowship can best hold his liquor. Sat., Jan. 17. 8 p.m. $26-$30. Town Hall, 1119 Eighth Ave., 800-468-7623. BRIAN MILLER
WEDNESDAY
STAGE
PRIDE AND PREJUDICE
While Colin Firth may be Mister Darcy to fans of the BBC’s cherished 1995 Jane Austen miniseries, Book-It Repertory isn’t exactly slouching when it offers us instead the appropriately hunky Andrew De Rycke (pictured, with Jennifer Lee Taylor as the headstrong Elizabeth Bennet). De Rycke is back as the dashing Darcy, reprising his role from the company’s production three seasons ago. Jane Jones has taken over directing duties for this fresh new look at playwright Marcus Goodwin’s 2000 adaptation, which made devotees of audiences last time aroundword has long been that this is the most swoon-worthy of Book-It’s many grand takes on the classics. Previews begin Wed., Jan. 14. Opens 7:30 p.m. Fri., Jan. 16. Continues 7:30 p.m. Thurs.-Sat.; 2 p.m. Sun. $15-$26. Ends Sun., Feb. 15. ACT Theatre, 700 Union St., 206-216-0833. STEVE WIECKING
SATURDAY
VISUAL ARTS
ARTIFACT IDENTIFICATION DAY
Always wondered what the hell that little statue Grandpa brought back from Fiji is? Or that bone you found at Discovery Park? Then trundle down to the Burke’s version of Antiques Roadshow. Dozens of expertsincluding anthropology curators, geologists, and zoologistswill be on hand to investigate the story behind your beloved natural and cultural keepsakes. The museum will limit identification to three items per person, and, sorry, no dollar value will be assigned to your treasures. 1-4 p.m. Sat., Jan. 17. Free with museum admission. Burke Museum, UW Campus, Northeast 45th Street and 17th Avenue Northeast. 206-543-5540. ANDREW ENGELSON
SATURDAY
ARTS
SEX WORKERS ART SHOW
What better time to visit our state capital than when it’s overtaken by strippers, prostitutes, porn stars, and a dominatrix or two? Creative voices from all aspects of the sex industry will converge on Olympia for one sizzling stop of this seventh- annual cabaret toura chance for people like founder and director Annie Oakely (pictured) to prove that they’re even more than meets the eye. And don’t expect a convention for nervous men in raincoats: A diverse variety of music, burlesque, spoken word, video, and various pieces of visual art should expand anyone’s preconceptions about the business of sin. 8 p.m. Sat., Jan. 17. $12. Capitol Theatre, 206 Fifth Ave., Olympia, 360-280-2170 or www.sexworkersartshow.com for more info. STEVE WIECKING
SUNDAY
FILM
THE STORY OF QUI JU
Don’t mess with Gong Li. In this rustic 1992 film, the radiant leading lady of Zhang Yimou’s lavish early historical pictures is thoroughly deglamorized as a pregnant peasant implacably bent on justice. Her husband has been kicked and humiliated by the village political boss, so she sets out to obtain official redress, gradually moving her way up the bureaucracy and toward the city. She won’t yield, and neither will the authorities, but in this sometimes comic clash between a simple villager and an uncaring system, Zhang’s heroine has all the power. Waddling uncomplainingly down dusty roads, she bears the life force within her. The government doesn’t stand a chance. (NR) 1:30 p.m. Sun., Jan. 18. $6. Seattle Asian Art Museum, Volunteer Park, 1400 E. Prospect St., 206-625-8900. BRIAN MILLER
