WIN Tickets for ABBA’s Hits

win! win!win!

A Pair of Tickets to See Thank You For The Music ABBA’s Million-Selling Hits at The Deco Theatre, Northampton

Forty years ago ABBA released, what was then, their final album Visitors. It neatly wrapped up a nineyear, hit-packed career that featured 19 top 10 UK hits, including nine number one hit singles.

Bjorn, Benny, Agnetha and Frida then disappeared from the live music scene, leaving concert shows like Thank You for the Music to keep the spirit of their sensational live performances alive.

Calling all Dancing Queens, the Thank You for the Music concert show is coming to The Deco on 10th June - and we have a pair of tickets to give away. To be in with a chance of winning, simply answer the question at the foot of this article.

This international smash-hit tribute show brings all of ABBA’s number one hits to the stage in a production like no other. The hugely popular show, now in its 20th year, with a brand-new show for 2021/22 combines the unmistakable harmonies, colourful costumes, and dazzling performances – performed by an all-star cast.

Join the party of the year – you can dance, you can jive, and have the time of your life as the production brings you all the hits, including Waterloo, Dancing Queen, Super Trouper, Mamma Mia, Knowing Me, Knowing You, Gimme, Gimme, Gimme, The Winner Takes It All and, of course Thank You for the Music as well as many, many more.

Thank you for the Music - for without a song or a dance what are we – is touring the nation.

HOW TO ENTER

For a chance to win a pair of tickets, answer this question:

Thank You for the Music features ABBA’s number one hit:

Send your answer by email to jane@affinitymag.co.uk

The winner will be drawn at random on 30th May 2022.

Editor’s decision is final and there is no cash alternative.

This is a tribute show and is no way affiliated with any original artists/estates/management companies or similar shows.

Promoter reserves the right to alter the programme.

a. Super Trouper b. Super Duper c. State Trooper

To buy tickets contact the box office: www.theoldsavoy.co.uk/events/category/live-on-stage

Bringing The Great Gatsby to Life

One of the most successful productions in Northern Ballet’s history, The Great Gatsby has not only earned fantastic reviews but has been nominated for several awards and enjoyed sold-out shows across the country. Ahead of its arrival at Milton Keynes Theatre, Choreographer, Director and Costume Designer David Nixon OBE, talks to us about bringing Fitzgerald’s timeless novel to the stage.

When did you first decide you wanted to turn Fitzgerald’s book into a ballet?

Fitzgerald’s beautifully written novel first captured my attention when I was in high school, coincidentally the same year that the movie with Robert Redford and Mia Farrow premièred. I fell in love with the mysterious Gatsby, his unrelenting passion and obsession with recapturing his one true love. As a choreographer I always wanted to revisit this book and I was thrilled that in 2013, with the help and imagination of Patricia Doyle, my desire to create a ballet from this great American novel was finally realised.

Why do you think the story continues to be so popular today?

The Twenties is a captivating time in recent history, filling our imaginations with elaborate parties till the wee hours of the morning, beautiful women in thin beaded dresses and head bands, laughing as they whirl around to jazz music in the arms of handsome men in black tie and tails. All of this glamour and aspiration wraps itself around The Great Gatsby whilst corruption slithers in and out of its pages.

It’s the figure of Gatsby and his obsessive dream that always holds me in its grip. He sees only the possibility of recapturing the past through whatever means available to him, defying barriers of class, money and power in the process. It’s this that I think continues to resonate with audiences to this day.

How did you approach transforming the novel into a stage show?

The challenge with any great work of literature is how to bring it to life through another medium whilst trying to give heed to and express the magnificence of the language. This production does not intend to translate the book word for word but to capture the emotions, turmoil, loves and indiscretions of the people whose stories it tells. I am

thrilled that Jérôme Kaplan designed the sets with his uncomplicated and beautiful concept, conjuring an America as painted by Edward Hopper, and that Tim Mitchell brought his personal magic to illuminate our production.

How did you choose the music for The Great Gatsby?

Music is crucial to evoking the jazz era and I was inspired by a compilation of Sir Richard Rodney Bennett CBE’s work. It was Northern Ballet’s Orchestra Manager, Barry Collarbone, who suggested this composer, eagerly supported by then Music Director John Pryce-Jones and with the help of Sir Richard’s biographer Anthony Meredith. Orchestrators John Longstaff and Gavin Sutherland had the task of bringing this music to life for our small but talented orchestra. Unfortunately Sir Richard never got to see the finished ballet as regrettably he passed away in December 2012 but I believe the breadth of his compilation and the sheer imagination of the music serve as a tribute to his artistry and craft.

Don’t miss your chance to see The Great Gatsby at Milton Keynes Theatre from the Tuesday 24th to Saturday 28th May. For tickets visit

www.ATGtickets.com/MiltonKeynes.

TRAVEL

Welcome to Sif-NÓS

Opening THIS month (May) is NOS Hotel & Villas. A fantastic brand-new hotel developed by K-Studio (Dimitris & Konstantinos Karampatakis). There are 18 suites distributed in four stone-built homes with interiors that defend the privacy of space, yet communal areas which encourage togetherness.

This brand-new hotel, is in the small town of Faros on the island of Sifnos. NOS, as a name, is inspired by the way the local idiom of pronouncing words cut in half; an abbreviation of the island’s name on which it is located (SifNÓS). At the same time, it’s a reference to the Latin pronoun “we, us, our”, which is engraved in the new hotel’s genetic code as a sense of belonging, connection and communication.

Its location is sensational. In the privileged area of Faros and within a “dive away” from the island’s most wellknown beaches, NOS rises like an independent peninsula. The bright and spacious interiors with secluded courtyards, terraces and balconies, unite with unique delicacy and gentleness the inside with the outside, the past with the present. Made for those who seek to have personalized service and unique experiences.

The entrance of the private courtyard with the surprising aqueous element leads to your suite. Geometries and light soften through the arches and vaulted corridors creating a cocoon of privacy. The earthy colour palette, the natural, clean and tactile materials -stone, marble and a local type of lime mortar- condense in just a few square meters all the uniqueness of this particular part of the Cyclades and its abundant goods.

The likes of ceramic wash basins and stools with woven tops celebrate the craftsmanship of Siphnean artisans. At the same time Coco-mat mattresses, Marshall speakers, Nespresso coffee machines and tote bags with beach towels are the material references of contemporary well-being. Joanna Burtenshaw’s original artwork on the walls convey the island’s strong character. while the draped sheets over the open-air seating and dining areas create the effect of a double room giving you the option of moving your indoor activities outside.

With beautiful sea views setting the scene and a luscious menu by Award-winning Executive Chef Athinagoras Kostakos, the enchanting dining terrace awaits for an allsensory al fresco experience. Fresh ingredients from local producers meet authentic Mediterranean flavours with a modern twist in exquisite dishes that reflects NOS’ contemporary interpretation of the island’s authentic way of life.

It is the perfect place to visit for tranquillity, noble simplicity, and refined luxury that magically blends with the serenity and purity of its authentic landscape.

For more information, or to book, visit

www.stayatnos.com