WhatsOnWest

Orchestra to inspire next generation

scchoir — Fri, 05 Mar 2010 13:04:28 +0000

Bristol’s longest established orchestra is set to blossom this spring with two exciting new musical experiences having a particular focus on inspiring the next generation of Bristol musicians.

Bristol Concert Orchestra will stage its most ambitious concert ever on Saturday 13th March: a performance of Mahler’s Symphony No.2 ‘Resurrection’ at the Colston Hall. The symphony is one of the mightiest pieces of music ever written, requiring a huge orchestra and chorus plus two vocal soloists. The orchestra on this occasion will number over 100 players, and the massed chorus will number nearly 200.

Conductor Stefan Hofkes says of the Mahler ‘A performance of this symphony is always an experience not to be missed – the work takes the listener from early solemnity to an absolute high on a scale not seen before. his is truly overwhelming music to be moved and inspired by – and the perfect music to introduce older children to the unique experience of live large-scale classical music. It’s such wonderful music – immediately appealing, but with much more to interest and capture the imagination than traditional introductory music by Mozart, Beethoven or Tchaikovsky for example. The monumental conclusion of the symphony will leave a life-long impression on any younger people in the audience’.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_dlpPzM6OC4[/youtube]

Many children will already be in attendance at the concert forming part of the massed chorus including choirs from Colston’s School, the Henbury Singers and Thornbury Choral Society, who will also perform John Rutter’s arrangement of several well-known spirituals ‘Feel the Spirit’. Colston’s School is celebrating its tercentenary this year and originally occupied the site where the Colston Hall now stands, so it is most appropriate that they return for this gala concert.

The 13th March concert starts at 7:30pm. Tickets are available from the Colston Hall box office Tel: 0117 922 3686, priced £10 – £14 (concessions from £7), or www.colstonhall.org/whatson/Event1235

Bristol Concert Orchestra in concert at the Colston Hall

In its second new venture, the orchestra will seek to inspire younger Bristol children with a FREE concert aimed at 5-11 year olds on the afternoon of Sunday 25 April at St Alban’s Church, Westbury Park. Admission will be free to all children aged 11 or under AND adults accompanied by children, with an optional retiring collection.

They will play Offenbach’s ‘Orpheus in the underworld’ overture which includes the famous ‘can-can’ music and Poulenc’s delightful setting of the children’s classic ‘Story of Babar the Little Elephant’. Bristol children’s author T.M. Alexander will captivate the children narrating the story of Babar whilst the full palette of sounds and emotions are brought to life by the orchestra.

Stefan says of this concert ‘Bristol Concert Orchestra is passionate about inspiring the next generation of Bristol musicians, and by offering free admission for this concert we hope to fill the church with families. There are other concerts for children in Bristol, but it can cost £40 in admission for a family of four for these, so we especially hope children who would not otherwise get the chance to go to an orchestral concert will come along to enjoy this delightful music’.

The concert on 25th April starts at 3:30pm. Advance booking is recommended – free tickets can be reserved online at www.bristolconcertorchestra.org.uk

It’s 39 Steps from the West End to Poole

webmaster — Tue, 19 Jan 2010 12:26:53 +0000

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.

Patrick Barlow commented on the production: “We have four very skilled actors in the show – and they need to be. Where else would they get the opportunity to run out on stage as an old lady, come off and then go back on minutes later as an underworld villain. And as director, Maria brings enormous wit and very funny visual ideas. This production has everything: comedy, thrills and romance.”

There have been 28 productions around the world of The 39 Steps, including productions in Seoul and Tel Aviv, while Italy are now in their second year. In the West End the production has won the Olivier and Whatsonstage Awards for Best Comedy and in the US the Broadway production won two Tony Awards and two Drama Desk Awards.

All that jazz!

webmaster — Wed, 13 Jan 2010 10:46:50 +0000

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.

Paxton on parade

webmaster — Sun, 10 Jan 2010 14:00:52 +0000

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.

He has performed thousands of concerts around the world in such places as Australia, New Zealand, Japan, Hong Kong, Scandinavia, France, Germany, Italy, Belgium, Holland, England, Scotland, Ireland, Canada, and all over the United States; and his songs have been translated into various languages.

Fatal Encounter

webmaster — Sun, 10 Jan 2010 13:56:44 +0000

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.

Is the gallant Mark Adler who comes to Joanna’s rescue when her handbag is snatched all he seems? What is the involvement of the young Rex Winter? Is Perry’s ex-wife Grace involved? And why is M.P.’s wife Hilary so worried?

The answers to all these questions provide enough twists and turns to keep the audience guessing until the final unexpected showdown.

Old-timers dancing

webmaster — Tue, 05 Jan 2010 11:39:48 +0000

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.

The first Grand Tea Dance, held in January of this year, attracted nearly 300 people. This year organisers have included a Dorset Cream Tea in the ticket price, and some great raffle prizes, to help the party go with a swing!

The New Year’s Grand Tea Dance will take place on Thursday 21st January 2010, 2pm – 4pm. Tickets cost just £7.50 and are available from Lighthouse on 0844 406 8666. Advance booking is essential.

U2 at Glastonbury

webmaster — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 11:20:39 +0000

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…”

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webmaster — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 15:25:09 +0000

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