Norwich cinema soundless for David Bowie Ziggy Stardust film

Those attending the screening of Ziggy Stardust: The Motion Picture at Vue in Castle Quarter were initially frustrated but eventually became among the first to see the fresh cut.

The film was beamed directly from Hammersmith Apollo on Monday (July 3) evening to commemorate 50 years to the day since the last gig of the Ziggy Stardust tour in 1973, which also saw the Starman stop off in Norwich.

The new version of the DA Pennebaker film shows the concert in full for the first time with clips featuring Jeff Beck, initially omitted as the guitarist would not give his permission, added back in.

Live footage from the London venue appeared on time at 7pm but as Bowie's original pianist Mike Garson began to play the opening sequence he had played decades ago, the Norwich audience was still waiting for the gift of sound despite having the vision.

David Bowie during the Ziggy Stardust star (Image: PA)

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Garson's set finished and still nothing could be heard in the cinema, with a Q&A session beginning with guests including the only surviving member of the Spiders From Mars, drummer Woody Woodmansey, leaving audiences guessing what was being said.

Grumbles began from disgruntled fans with shouts of "turn it up" and "sort it out".

About 20 minutes in, the house lights went up and a spokeswoman for the cinema addressed the audience telling them sound issues were being caused by problems with a satellite, reassuring the crowd they would have sound when the film itself began.

After 10 more minutes of silent film and tech team tinkering, cinema staff admitted defeat and told the audience they would put the film on early.

Vue in Norwich's Castle Quarter (Image: Newsquest)

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Cheers of fans at the 1973 gig then filled the cinema as the city crowd were able to take in the film before those in London.

On their way out, cinema-goers were offered a free ticket to another screening as compensation.

It is thought those in Norwich were not the only ones left without sound, with those at Vue cinemas in London's Westfield Shopping Centre and Dublin also reporting issues, however, it is not known whether they were also allowed to see the film early.

Vue Cinemas has been contacted for comment.