Bristol Concert Orchestra’s spring 2010 programme is focussed on inspiring the next generation of Bristol musicians with a performance of Mahler’s awe-inspiring 2nd Symphony ‘Resurrection’, and a FREE concert for younger children including Poulenc’s ‘Story of Babar the Little Elephant’.

The West End’s longest-running comedy The 39 Steps – adapted by Patrick Barlow and directed by Maria Aitken – visits Lighthouse, Poole’s Centre for the Arts from March 1^st.
This blissfully funny show follows the incredible adventures of our handsome hero Richard Hannay, complete with stiff upper lip, British gung-ho and pencil moustache as he encounters dastardly murders, double-crossing secret agents, and, of course, devastatingly beautiful women. A cast of 4 fearless actors plays over 139 roles in 100 minutes of fast-paced fun and thrilling action.
Maria Aitken’s multi award-winning production contains every single legendary scene from the 1935 classic Hitchcock movie thriller, including the chase on the Flying Scotsman, the escape on the Forth Bridge, the first theatrical bi-plane crash ever staged and the sensational death-defying finale in the London Palladium, as well as the ‘stockings and suspenders scene’, considered controversial at the time of the film’s release.
RADA trained actor Dugald Bruce Lockhart who plays lead Richard Hannay actually had a relative who was an international spy. His great uncle Bertie, aka Robert ‘Bertie’ Bruce Lockhart (1887-1920), served as British Vice Consul in Moscow in 1911 – 1917 and was sent home just before the October Russian Revolution on account of an unsuitable extramarital affair (see attached document).
The other cast members are Katherine Kingsley as Annabella/Margaret/Pamela, Dan Starkey as Man 1 and Richard Braine as Man 2.

Read more on It’s 39 Steps from the West End to Poole…

2010 sees monthly Studio Jazz nights return to Lighthouse, Poole’s Centre for the Arts in a brand new Tuesday night slot with Neon kicking-off the New Year line-up on February 2^nd.
Neon is a collaboration mixing the best jazz musicians of two generations with legendary UK saxophonist Stan Sulzmann and two of the brightest stars on the UK jazz scene. The older generation is represented by sax master Stan Sulzmann, who has played with everybody over the years and is much admired by young and old players alike, while the incredible talents of Jim Hart (vibraphone) and Gwilym Simcock on piano, perfectly capture the spirit of the younger generation.
In his sixtieth year, the ever innovative Stan Sulzmann has created a fresh, vibrant band with his two brilliant young collaborators playing exhilarating, uplifting, melodic music of the highest order. Neon’s first album ‘Here to There’ was launched on Basho Records on 12th May 2008.

Read more on All that jazz!…

Much-loved American folk singer and singer-songwriter Tom Paxton will be performing an evening of new songs and greatest hits at Lighthouse, Poole’s Centre for the Arts on January 31^st.
A Grammy nominee and Lifetime Achievement award-winner (Recording Academy, BBC and ASCAP), Paxton has been writing, performing and recording music for over forty years.
Tom Paxton’s songs are known and loved around the world: The Last Thing On My Mind, Ramblin’ Boy, and Bottle Of Wine, just a few of his truly timeless works. His generosity to both audiences and fellow musicians is renowned, and his passion for justice and the ties that bind people together is unwavering: for all this and more, Tom Paxton ranks as one of the most revered musicians of his generation.
Paxton’s songs have been recorded by Pete Seeger and The Weavers, Judy Collins, Joan Baez, Doc Watson, Harry Belafonte, Peter, Paul and Mary, The Kingston Trio, The Chad Mitchell Trio, John Denver, Dolly Parton and Porter Wagoner, Willie Nelson, Flatt and Scruggs, The Fireballs, and many others.

Read more on Paxton on parade…

Lighthouse, Poole’s Centre for the Arts welcomes another classic thriller from the pen of prolific writer Francis Durbridge, as Ian Dickens Productions Ltd present a stylish new production of Fatal Encounter from January 26th.
An all star cast is led by Nicholas Ball who shot to fame as the title role in Hazell and most recently appeared in EastEnders as the gangster Terry Bates. He is joined by well-loved British star Anita Harris and respected television and stage actor Neil Stacy (Duty Free). They are joined by Michael Howe (from the sit com Solo), Susan Skipper (Don’t Wait Up) and regular Ian Dickens’ actor Michael Kirk.
Howard Mansfield is concerned for his wife Joanna, who has become unusually distressed and nervous. When he arrives home one day to find that Joanna has accidentally shot his former friend Perry during a struggle, he decides to protect her by confessing to the shooting himself.
Although the police accept that the shooting was an accident, Perry’s death leaves Howard caught up in a web of international blackmail, conspiracy and attempted murder.

Read more on Fatal Encounter…

Poole’s older dancing community are gearing up for their second annual Grand New Year’s Tea Dance at Lighthouse, Poole’s Centre for the Arts on January 21^st.
A team of staff and volunteers will be transforming the concert hall into a dancehall for the afternoon as a 7-piece dance band warm up for 2 hours of swinging sounds, including waltzes, tango, jive and jazz.
Roy and Betty Sheppard have been coming to the tea dance in Poole since they were set up by Borough of Poole Arts Development two years ago.
“It’s brilliant!” says Roy, now in his 80^th year, “It brings back the era of the late 1930’s.”
Betty agrees, “There’s a variety of styles: ballroom, Latin American and sequence dances, all with nostalgic music.”
Regular tea dances were set up at Lighthouse two years ago to encourage older residents to keep fit and active, while enjoying high quality live music. These events have proved hugely popular with experienced dancers and novices alike, and tickets frequently selling out.

Read more on Old-timers dancing…

U2 will headline the Pyramid Stage on Friday night at Glastonbury 2010.
Festival organiser Michael Eavis said: “The 26-year-old rumour has finally come true. At last, the biggest band in the world are going to play the best festival in the world! Nothing could be better for our 40th anniversary party. And there are even more surprises in the pipeline…”

Read more on U2 at Glastonbury…

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