"ROTD" Fans to Gather in Oxbridge

On May 20th, Oxbridge, England will see an influx of coats, tails, brooms, and silver serving dishes, as fans of "The Remains of the Day" will gather for an annual three-day celebration of the book and film.

Past events have seen fans arrive dressed as their favorite characters from the 1993 film, including head butler Mr. Stevens (played on film by Anthony Hopkins), and Miss Kenton (Emma Thompson). Creativity abounds. Last year, one fan arrived dressed as the romance novel Mr. Stevens is caught reading in a key scene, and another arrived dressed as the setting, Darlington Hall.

Events planned for the three-day gathering include discussion panels on recent scholarship about the historical era and the novel, a screening of the "Remains of the Day" film, a marathon of PBS' "Edwardian House," and "best costume" and "best service to a local resident" awards. Many Oxbridge locals say they enjoy the influx of classy-looking make-believe servants, and many welcome lodgers who pay for their board by half-days spent cooking, butlering or gardening.

The movie is based on the Booker Prize-winning May 1989 novel by author Kazuo Ishiguro.