Professional arts events on your doorstep
Hi :)
I'm Ellie- not the Culturapedia caravan, but the newest Intern here on a placement after graduating from Lancaster University this summer. I have only been here in the office since yesterday, but kickstarted my placement last weekend at Mint Fest in Kendal where I met lots of weird and wonderful people and had a great time in the rain and shine promoting somewhereto_.
This week I'll be switching my focus to Spot On and Laura Mugridge's new show, Running on Air, which I am very excited about. There will be 16 shows in total taking place in rural spots all over the North West;kicking off in Garstang on the 16th September, then Newton-in-Bowland, Preston, and finishing up in the idyllic setting of Cedar Farm in Mawdesley on the 18th September.
Laura's show is a beautifully unique experience for an audience of 5 people at a time, combining storytelling with a bit of light audience participation which all takes place in her vintage VW campervan: Joni. Never have I been in contact with so many beloved campervans and caravans with such lovely names, (especially the caravan; a great choice if I do say so myself) and never have I been in such a fantastic creative environment. I'm very much looking forward to meeting Laura next week and seeing the show, as well as continuing my Culturapedia adventure with Spot On. In the meantime visit www.lauramugridge.co.uk for more info on what she does, as well as keeping up to date with her adventures with Joni at www.adventuresinwellingtons.blogspot.com.
Exciting times ahead..
Rob Howell from Spot On went along to Whalley to catch our last event of a long and varied five month season. Last night was the final show of the season and we finished it in style and grandeur in the Great Hall at Whalley Abbey. The show was The Shakespeare Ladies Club, written and performed by Alison Neil to a full house. The drenching June weather hadn’t dampened their enthusiasm for what was a highly polished performance of two fantastically researched historical monologues. Sometimes good theatre is spoiled by a lack of care. Performers have focused so much on performing that the costumes, lighting, props and publicity has been left ‘till there’s not enough time and not enough left in the budget. Last night was the exception. The set, design, lighting and sound were just right. Alison’s costumes were exquisite. The show combined the standards only usually achievable with sophisticated equipment in large venues with the intimacy of rural touring. The first half was the story of an 18th century group of ‘ladies of quality’ led by the countess of Salisbury, who contrived to bring Shakespeare back to prominence on the English stage. It was delivered beautifully with the aid of our hostess’, most efficacious, remedy for a troubled throat – peacock dung and black snails. The true story of the original ‘blue stockings’. Part two was delivered by a fictional character, recounting a story of 18th Century London poverty. It was hard to believe that the same performer took both roles. The detail and ‘finish’ of both performances was exquisite as were the voices. The ‘ladies of quality’ were fine indeed. Alison authentically dropped the ‘g’ from ‘ing’ words such as havin and partakin. Their activities were frequently punctuated, “Tay was drunk”. As well as being a performer. Alison is a highly regarded historical researcher. This combination made for fantastic theatre. The audience loved it, forgot about the rain outside and had another fantastic night out with Spot On. I hope that Alison will be back with us soon.
A Thousand Cranes' production of Paper Washi Wish is a delight. Exploring the traditions of Japanese paper theatre, the show was aimed at children aged 3 years and upwards. However, this very much older than 3 year old was equally delighted by the beautiful paper puppets and its inventiveness as the two characters went in search of the rabbit in the moon.
Infront of a full house of 30 children and thier parents/owners Paper Washi Wish kept the little group engaged through out. At the end of the show, all the children could come forwards and make thier own handmade paper in what was an extremely well thought-through workshop. I only fear for the parents when they get home, and the children, as instructed, ask to make paper in the kitchen blender.
We would love to have the company back with Spot On. This show also toured as part of the Bowland Arts Festival, which runs until the end of June. www.bowlandarts.co.uk
For images please visit www.spotonlancashire.co.uk/gallery of visit our flickr page at "Spot On Lancashire"
It was possible that everyone who lived in Dunsop Bridge (village at the centre of the British Isles) had crammed themselves into the village hall. Certainly for their first ever Spot On event, the local community were keen not to miss it.
Sward! produced by Blaize theatre, was a play about the life of a haymeadow. It was commissioned by the North Pennines Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty to educate and inform about the threat to haymeadows. A challenge to both create a play which met the brief, but also to entertain.
We had a great romp through two thousand years in the life of a hay meadow, from its inception in the bronze age, to a dystopian vision of the landscape in the 22nd century. Full of good humour and songs the play entertained us all and I even learned something.
Touring with an photographic exhibiton of the year of one haymeadow, by Neville Turner the play toured four venues in the Forest of Bowland, and linked into the fabulous Bowland Arts Festival, which runs until the end of June. www.bowlandarts.co.uk
Images can be seen at www.spotonlancashire.co.uk/gallery but you can also go to our flickr account "Spot On Lancashire"
Sue Robinson wondered off to Sawley to watch the apocalypse in four part harmony.
Barbershopera began life in 2008 and have performed at the Edinburgh Fringe, on the West End and have won awards for their lyrics and musical composition. We welcomed them to Lancashire for the first time for the Spring 2011 tour and were rewarded with a treat of a show which left people giggling and snorting their way through 90 minutes of bad jokes, insanely creative plot invention and some really delightful, well controlled barbershop harmony. This impressed me the most; clearly playing the part of a horseman of the apocalypse whilst maintaining an even baritone part is a tricky task.
Barbershopera's Apocalypse No! at Sawley was acompanied by a considerable amount of eating and drinking from the audience. Pestilence and War ("Why can't we all just get along") may have been fighting it out on stage, but a grand hotpot supper was served up in the interval. Even at the end of the world, food is important to a good night out. We loved the nuns who had taken a vow of leisure and therefore couldn't feed the orphans, or that the 4 horsemen (War, Pestilence, Famine and Beth) had to wait to be CRB cleared to become teachers. We really loved the sung references to creativity in education.
This was an almost perfect rural touring show. Technically simple, easy to get in and travel around, its strength was in the singing and the overall quality of the writing and performance. We had some sightline problems at Sawley (hence the "almost perfect") causing the alligator and god (a plastic cow) to be ellusive to some at the back of the hall but all in all, a really great, talented and congenial bunch and we would happily welcome them back to the county.
If you missed them with us, find them at www.barbershopera.com
These are just a handful of doodles you generated on the back of our feedback forms. Carry on the good work you scribblers and sketchers, we like to see visual feedback just as much as ticky boxes and verbal comments.
Don't forget, you can give us feedback directly via our online questionnaire, our twitter feed, facebook and email accounts. Write us a letter, send us a note tied to a pigeon (try not to hurt the pigeon) or let your promoter know what you thought.
ODYSSEY One actor. One hour. One man’s epic quest to reunite with his family and seek his bloody revenge. The Guardian Theatre Ad Infinitum have moved to the front of the pack Odyssey premiered in 2009 at the Edinburgh Fringe receiving critical acclaim and going on to win The Stage 'Best Solo Performer Award'. Returning to Edinburgh in summer 2010 due to popular demand, Odyssey was shortlisted for a Total Theatre Award. The sell-out international tour (UK, Italy, Norway, Romania, Canada) of Odyssey continues, and in March we return to the UK... Friday 25th March Downham Village Hall, BB7 4DN Suitable for ages 8+ Te:01200 440146 Tickets: £6 Adults / £3.50 Children / £16 Family Ticket The Stage's Must See! Show 'This tour de force of physical theatre is unmissable ...a stunning piece of physicalised storytelling' Odyssey is a co-devised and co-written piece directed by Nir Paldi and performed George Mann. Costume: Clare Amos. Photography: John Rankin. Trailer: Ryan Garside. Voice Coaching: Tess Dignan. ABOUT Lecoq-trained Ad Infinitum reinvent the timeless Greek myth. One actor. One hour. One man’s epic quest to reunite with his family and seek his bloody revenge. Passionate, highly physical, and poignant storytelling brings this breathtaking adventure to life. A journey that will ignite the imagination and awaken the senses… REVIEWS AND AWARDS 2009-2011: ODYSSEY IS SHORTLISTED FOR THE TOTAL THEATRE AWARD WINNER OF THE STAGE BEST SOLO PERFORMER AWARD 2009 2009 The Stage's Must See! Show 'This tour de force of physical theatre is unmissable ...a stunning piece of physicalised storytelling' The Guardian 'Theatre Ad Infinitum have moved to the front of the pack' Edinburgh Festivals Magazine - * * * * * 'Talent like this is breath taking, if you only see one show -this is it' The Scotsman - * * * * 'A love of storytelling, great physical movement and the power to hold an audience in the palm of his hand' --
A Spectacular South African Arrival at the Oswaldtwistle Civic Arts Centre
The Oswaldtwistle Civic Arts Centre, Union Road, Oswaldtwistle, will unite both communities and cultures on Sunday March 20 with Dodgy Clutch - a visual story-telling show straight from the heart of South Africa.
Dodgy Clutch, a professional theatre company based in Newcastle, will perform Xolisile’s Song, (pronounced cholly-zee-lay) as the Civic Arts Centre’s first show delivered by Spot On.
The afternoon will see performers from South Africa and the North East of England come together to tell two tales from different worlds, linked together by the bird’s flight of a swallow, the bringer of hope. This show is a visual feast to the imagination, with singing, dancing and storytelling that will delight and enchant audiences of all ages.
Sue Robinson, Manager of Spot On Lancashire, said: "This show was commissioned especially for rural community venues and it's been spot on with all our audiences. We've had children as young as 18 months old and grandparents all loving its energy and enthusiasm. Dodgy Clutch has produced a remarkable show which leaves you feeling uplifted, entertained and maybe having learned something new. What better way could you spend a Sunday afternoon?"
A member of the audience for Dodgy Clutch, Brindle, said: "The show was fantastic -slick, energetic and fast paced. Loved every second of it!"
To book tickets for Dodgy Clutch please ring Oswaldtwistle Civic Arts Centre Box Office on: 01254 398319
Show starts at 2.30pm and is suitable for all agesTickets are: £6 for adults, £3 for children.To find out further information about Spot On please ring 01254 660360 or visitwww.spotonlancashire.co.uk
Running for over 15 years Spot On Rural Touring is Lancashire’s own network dedicated to delivering professional arts events to communities through the support of volunteers. Dodgy Clutch is now the fifth show to feature in Spot On’s spring season with its final Lancashire show at the Oswaldtwistle Civic Arts Centre.More info:A rich feast of music dance, puppetry, storytelling and drama, Dodgy Clutch, in collaboration with S.A artists, are touring their new show ‘Xolisile’s Song’. (Cholli-zeeee-lay with a click on the ch!)
This is the second collaboration with South African artists from Director Ozzie Riley whose first show ‘Elephant’ toured extensively internationally and was praised widely in the uk south Africa and New York’s Broadway.
‘Xolosile’s song’ hosts a talented cast of performers, singers, dancers and musicians from South Africa and the UK. Zamaxolo Mgaduka is the founder of Uhpondo lwe Afrika He won the Eastern Cape’s Cultural Citizen award for his work in traditional African Dance. Nhlanhla Mahlangu is a talented singer and contemporary dancer who trained with Moving into Dance in Johannesburg, He performed a solo piece for the president of the united states at the Washington centre with Hugh Masakala. Amber zamani-esskeli is a recent graduate from the northern school of contemporary dance and Gavin Lewerey Cajun musician pyrotechnician and blacksmith brings his many talents to this perormance. Director Ozzie Riley and choreographer Vivian Woods have produced this moving, visual experience that engages all ages and intellects.
‘Xolisile’s Song’ consists of four simple stories connected through a swallow; the messenger of hope. It tells the lives of four different people in an uplifting tale of innocence and reconciliation.
The tour is part of an International Collaborative Commission project led by the Northern Rural Touring Consortium and is a legacy of the International Village of Culture festival March 2009. It is made possible by Arts Council Grants for the Arts and the National Rural Touring Forum.For documentary images of this tour, please visit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/spotonlancashire/ and select "Dodgy Clutch Spring 2011"For further feedback please contact Sue Robinson, Project Coordinator, details below
For info about the Village of Culture please visit www.nrtf.org.uk/ivoc
To feedback and add images, please visit our facebook page: facebook.com/ivoctours
Full tour details can be found at www.dodgyclutch.com
Friday 18th March First slide show at 2.15pm – exhibition open from 2.15pm until 5.30pm Thorneyholme Primary School, Dunsop Bridge Join pupils from Brennand's and Thorneyholme RC Primary Schools for the Magic Lime Show – an exhibition of drawings depicting the traditional rural industry of lime burning. Working with Melling-based Pete Flowers, of Flowers Arts Projects, children from the two primary schools have been honing their artistic skills on everything from fossils to lime kilns ready to host an afternoon of displays and slide presentations which will take a closer look at what must have been a heavy, dirty and hazardous occupation. For more information and to book a place contact Sandra Silk on 01200 448000 or emai lsandra.silk@lancashire.gov.uk Spot On is a partner is this project led by the Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty team who have been working with local communities to understand and celebrate the Bowland landscape. Working with North West artists and local primary schools, this event is one of three which bring our discoveries to life.
"Look, look its a cat's tail"
Oxfordshire Touring Company finished their 67 date rural tour at the Rainhall Centre, but there was no sense of ending, or lack of energy. The company of 3 (plus a techie) romped their way through Alice in Wonderland (with a little bit of Looking Glass added in). They treated quite a young audience to some charming effects, lively songs and the best Queen I've seen (although she looked remarkably like Zaphod Beeblebrox which is an obscure cultural reference few under 30 would get)
We loved the croquet, and everyone threw the flamingoes to the back of the auditorium with great gusto.
The audience was perhaps a little young for the show- but with rural touring this often happens, and at some points we were fighting with the sound of 30 children chomping on dorritos ( If I ate that muich in an hour I'd be sick or hyper) but they kept with it, and there was a strong sense that even the littles got something from the experience.
A delightful moment was the upstaging of the cast by a 4 year old, trotting out of the door to the toilet, doing a few jumps and twirls at the front of the stage as she went. Camera wouldn't move fast enought to capture her, but we know what she'll be by the age of 18. I'd love to see her in a rural touring show. She probably won't remember her few seconds in the lights.
Images at www.flickr.com/spotonlancashire
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