5 1 0 2 N U J APR
www.disscornhall.co.uk
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With all the excitement surrounding our successful Heritage Lottery Fund bid and receiving the ‘goahead’ to start work on the project, the Corn Hall’s 5th birthday in February slipped by unnoticed. But it’s worth noting, as I write this introduction to the last packed brochure of events before we let the builders set to work in July, just how much has been achieved in a relatively short time – largely thanks to your fantastic support. So, a belated Happy Birthday and three cheers to the Corn Hall! While the work is being done, we’ll be taking the Corn Hall ‘on tour’ to venues and villages around Diss. We’ll have a box office at DesignerMakers21 in St Nicholas Street, our website will continue as will a regular brochure of events. Details about the first two events can be found on page 20. So to this season. We’ve built quite a reputation for putting on top comedy at the Corn Hall, and this spring continues that tradition. Tickets for the great Henning Wehn, Germany’s Comedy Ambassador, sold out so fast that we managed to secure a second date two days later – and tickets for that have nearly all gone too. This season we have not one but two of our increasingly popular Comedy Club nights, and in June we welcome that legend of comedy Barry Cryer to perform his Twitter Titters show with Colin Sell. For theatregoers, there’s a sensational programme of screened drama with stellar casts, including A View From the Bridge, Man and Superman and Hamlet. Visiting theatre companies will be bringing us Edward Albee’s Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf and two exciting productions of new plays. As always, we have a powerful line-up of music and film, and we’re delighted that in June, Lars Tharp of the BBC’s Antiques Roadshow will be with us to talk about ceramics and china-mania over the last 400 years. Finally, because spring is in the air, a series of art exhibitions and events will celebrate the natural world around us.
Angela Sykes, Diss Corn Hall Manager
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BOX OFFICE 01379 652241 Mon - Fri 10am - 4pm Sat 10am-2pm www.disscornhall.co.uk The Old Stables, beside the Corn Hall, St Nicholas Street, Diss IP22 4LB DATE Wed 1 April 6-30 April Tues 7 April Wed 8 April Thurs 9 April Fri 10 April Wed 15 April Thurs 16 April Fri 17 & Sun 19 Apr Sat 18 April Tues 21 April Wed 22 April Fri 24 April Sat 25 April Wed 29 April Thurs 30 April Fri 1 May Sat 2 May 4-30 May Tues 5 May Wed 6 May Sun 10 May Wed 13 May Thurs 14 May Sat 16 May Sat 16 May Tues 19 May Wed 20 May Fri 22 & Sat 23 Wed 27 May Thurs 28 May Fri 29 May 2-27 June Tues 2 June Wed 3 June Thurs 4 June Fri 5 June Tues 9 June Wed 10 June Fri 12 June Sat 13 June Sat 13 June Sun 14 June Wed 17 June Fri 19 June Sat 20 June Wed 24 June Fri 26 June
Film Art Screen Arts Film Word Theatre Film Screen Arts Comedy Family Theatre Film Screen Arts Music Film Screen Arts Music Music Art Theatre Film Screen Arts Film Screen Arts Family Music Theatre Film Word Film Music Comedy Art Word Film Music Music Word Film Poetry Family Music Screen Arts Film Music Comedy Film Comedy
EVENT
TIME
Paddington (PG) Jonathan Gibbs Wood Engravings Rise and Fall of the City of Mahagonny – ROH The Babadook (15) What the Victorians Threw Away The Elephant Man The Homesman (15) The Hard Problem – NT Live Henning Wehn – Eins, Zwei, DIY The Saturday Club – Shoe Kangaroo A Strange Wild Song Leviathan (15) Hamlet Classic Clapton My Old Lady (12A) A View From the Bridge – NT Live encore Raymond Froggatt Belshazzar’s Feast Bee Inspired Miss Caledonia Mr Turner La Fille Mal Gardee – Royal Ballet encore Interstellar (12A) Man and Superman – NT Live Saturday Club – My Friend Mole The Kast off Kinks Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf – Open Space National Gallery (12A) Talks & Demonstrations on Beekeeping The Imitation Game (12A) The Johnny Cash Roadshow Corn Hall Comedy Club Sheila Tilmouth – On the Margins Fen Raft Spider – Helen Smith & Sheila Tilmouth The Hunt (15) Limehouse Lizzy D’Ukes Lars Tharp – Living up to One’s Teapot The Theory of Everything (12A) Luke Wright’s Stand up Poetry Club Saturday Club – IMPS Make & Play Father’s Day Dirty DC La Bohème – Royal Opera House Whiplash (15) Mishaped Pearls – FolkEast Barry Cryer – Twitter Titters with Colin Sell Trash (15) Corn Hall Comedy Special
8pm Box office hours 7.15pm 8pm 7.30pm 7.30pm 8pm 7pm 8pm 2pm 7.30pm 8pm 2pm 8pm 8pm 7.30pm 7.30pm 8pm Box office hours 7.30pm 8pm 2pm 8pm 7pm 2pm 8pm 7.30pm 8pm various 8pm 8pm 8pm Box office hours 8pm 8pm 8pm 8pm 7.15pm 8pm 8pm 10 or 11.15am 8pm 2pm 8pm 8pm 7.30pm 8pm 8pm
PAGE 4 4 4 5 5 5 6 6 6 6 7 7 7 8 8 8 9 9 9 10 10 10 10 11 11 11 12 12 12 13 13 14 14 15 15 15 16 16 16 17 17 17 18 18 18 19 19 20
April “…the richly varied, jazz-infused score…”
Film
Art
Wednesday 1 April 8pm Tickets £5 / Under 18 £2.50
Paddington
(PG)
Directed by Paul King, UK/France, 2014, 95 mins With Ben Whishaw, Sally Hawkins, Hugh Bonneville, Nicole Kidman Arriving in London from his native Peru, Paddington (voiced by Whishaw) is befriended by kindly Mr and Mrs Brown (Bonneville and Hawkins) and embarks on a series of delightful adventures. Just as things are looking up, he meets the eye of a museum taxidermist, played with appropriate malevolence by Kidman. A charming retelling of Michael Bond’s stories which has been enchanting audiences young and old. Even the cynical critics scored it 98% on their website, Rotten Tomatoes.
An exhibition in the Corn Hall Gallery 8-30 April Box Office Hours Free
Life is but a Dream – Jonathan Gibbs’ Wood Engravings Covering literary themes, pattern design and natural history, Jonathan Gibbs’ selection of work includes illustrations made for Mark Cocker’s book Claxton, describing flora, fauna and the environment, as well as engravings for Landmarks, by Robert Macfarlane. Jonathan grew up near Lowestoft and Beccles and studied at the Lowestoft School of Art before moving on to the Central School of Art & Design, and the Slade in London. He exhibits regularly in Edinburgh and London. Evening viewing Wed 8 April 6-7.45pm
Screen Arts Tuesday 7 April 7.15pm Tickets £15 / Under 18s £12.50
Delayed live
Rise and Fall of the City of Mahagonny This ground-breaking opera from the remarkable partnership of playwright and poet Bertolt Brecht and composer Kurt Weill was first performed in 1930. A satire on money, morality and pleasure-seeking among the dubious citizens of a fictional city, the themes and the richly varied, jazz-infused score – influenced by ragtime music – reflect the zeitgeist of 1920s Berlin, capturing the glamour and desperation of the period. Sung in English | Running time: c3 hours (incl 2 intervals).
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Film
Word / Archaeology
Wednesday 8 April 8pm Tickets £5 / Under 18 £2.50
The Babadook
(15)
Directed by Jennifer Kent, 2014, USA, 93 mins With Essie Davis, Noah Wiseman, Daniel Henshall After the death of her husband, Amelia (Davis) struggles to love her son, Samuel (Wiseman), a disturbed six year old. When a creepy pop-up storybook called The Babadook turns up in Samuel’s room, he is convinced that the Babadook is the scary creature he dreams about. Far too late, Amelia realises that by reading the book aloud, they have invited him over their threshold. A superbly acted psychological thriller in the mold of Polanski’s Repulsion.
Thursday 9 April 7.30pm Tickets £5
What the Victorians Threw Away – Dr Tom Licence In this illustrated lecture Dr Tom Licence will take us on a unique exploration of the lives of ordinary people viewed through the objects they threw away. Whether it’s medicine bottles telling us which illnesses they had, or cups revealing which nursery rhymes they taught their children, he has literally dug it up. Some of the objects mentioned in his recently published book will be available to handle. Dr Tom Licence is Director of the Centre of East Anglian Studies, Senior Lecturer in History at UEA, and former Fellow of Magdalene College, Cambridge. On 14-15 March he will be leading the dig behind the council offices in Diss.
Theatre Friday 10 April 7.30pm Tickets £10 / Concessions £9 Quayside Dramatic Society presents
The Elephant Man Based on the extraordinary and moving story of John Merrick, a horribly deformed young man who is admitted to Whitechapel hospital. There a doctor educates him and introduces him to London society, Merrick changes from an object of pity to the urbane and witty favourite of the aristocracy and literati. But his belief that he can become a man like any other is a dream never to be realised. 5
April “Brought the audience to its knees”
Film
Comedy
Wednesday 15 April 8pm Tickets £5 / Under 18s £2.50
The Homesman
Friday 17 April 8pm – SOLD OUT Sunday 19 April 8pm – EXTRA DATE Tickets £15
Henning Wehn (15)
After more than a decade in Britain, the German Comedy Ambassador has ‘groan’ to like puns… though he still couldn’t eat a whole one. Expect a crash course in personal accountability and have a right old laugh at the same time – Wunderbar! ‘Brought the audience to its knees’ The Telegraph ‘Marvellous’ The Guardian www.henningwehn.de
Directed by Tommy Lee Jones, France/USA, 2014, 122 mins With Tommy Lee Jones, Hilary Swank, Meryl Streep Big budget cinema at its best, it is also a moving essay on injustice, disenfranchisement and heartbreaking poverty. A poignant and hugely entertaining old fashioned Western.
Screen Arts Thursday 16 April 7pm Tickets £12 / Under 18s £10
– Eins, Zwei, DIY
The Saturday Club Saturday 18 April 2pm Tickets £5 / Children £3 (4+ yrs) Garlic Theatre presents
Live
The Hard Problem
Shoe Kangaroo and the Big Bad Boot Did you ever lose a shoe? That tumbled into a bird that flew over the sea to an island new where creatures strange and mysterious grew wondrous, magical Shoe Kangaroo. Using clowning, mime and beautifully crafted puppets, Garlic Theatre take you on a fantastical journey to the island of lost shoes.
– By Tom Stoppard In Tom Stoppard’s highly anticipated new play, directed by Nicholas Hytner (One Man, Two Guvnors), a young researcher at a brain science institute faces a hard problem – if there is only matter, what is consciousness? She is in need of a miracle, and she is prepared to pray for one. 6
Theatre
Screen Arts
Tuesday 21 April 7.30pm Tickets £12 / Concs £10 / Under 18s £6 (suitable for age 10+)
Monday 30 March 7pm Friday 24 April 2pm Tickets £12 / Under 18s £10
House presents Rhum and Clay with Filmed live at Manchester Royal Exchange
A Strange Wild Song In northern France in the Second World War, three children encounter a lost American soldier. When the soldier’s camera is unearthed decades later, his grandson searches for meaning through the half-developed photographs inside. Using a mixture of stunning imagery and humour and accompanied by an original score, critically-acclaimed company, Rhum and Clay present an unforgettably touching tale. ‘Without a doubt one of the best pieces of theatre at this year’s festival’ HHHHH Festival Journal
Film Wednesday 22 April 8pm Tickets £5 / Under 18 £2.50
Leviathan
(15) – subtitled
Directed by Andrey Zvyagintsev, Russia, 2014, 141 mins With Aladimir Vdovichenkov, Elena Lyadova, Aleksey Serebrykov The wonder of Cannes winner Andrey Zvyagintsev’s brilliant new film is that it works both as a Chekhov-style family tragedy and as an extremely barbed comment on contemporary Russia. The drama centres round a mechanic and his family who are trying to save their home from being bulldozed by a corrupt mayor. At times it is very funny, but essentially the characters are fatalistic, recognising they have no rights. A trenchant, wellcrafted social satire. 7
Hamlet – starring Maxine Peake By William Shakespeare This groundbreaking and critically acclaimed stage production of Shakespeare’s most iconic work was the Royal Exchange’s fastestselling show in a decade. Alongside Maxine Peake as Hamlet, a number of other roles, including Polonious and Rosencrantz, are also played by women. In this stripped-back, fresh and fast-paced version, BAFTA nominee Maxine Peake creates a Hamlet for our times, giving a performance hailed as ‘delicately ferocious’ by The Guardian and ‘a milestone Hamlet’ by the Manchester Evening News.
April-May “…magnetic, electrifying, astonishingly bold production…”
Music Sat 25 April 8pm Tickets £15
Film Wednesday 29 April 8pm Tickets £5 / Under 18 £2.50
Classic Clapton My Old Lady – 30th Anniversary Tour The world’s No1 Eric Clapton tribute band is back. Front-man Mike Hall, not only looks like Eric, he sings and plays guitar like him too. Along with his band of four excellent musicians, he stunningly recreates Slowhand’s electrifying stage performances. Covering Clapton’s illustrious career including his time with Cream, The Bluesbreakers, The Yardbirds, Blind Faith, Derek & The Dominos, this two hour journey includes all of his hits – Wonderful Tonight, I Shot The Sheriff, Lay Down Sally, Crossroads, Tears in Heaven, Layla plus an intimate ‘unplugged’ segment. www.classic-clapton.com
(12A)
Directed by Israel Horovitz, UK/ France/ USA, 2014, 107 mins With Maggie Smith, Kevin Kline, Kristin Scott Thomas Kline is a down-on-his-luck New Yorker who inherits a Parisian apartment, but when he arrives in France to sell, he's shocked to discover that it is occupied by an imperious 90 year old (Smith) and her equally obstinate daughter (Scott Thomas), who have no intention of budging. The script by celebrated playwright Israel Horovitz provides the perfect vehicle for Maggi Smith at her most grande-dame-ish, and for Kline and Scott Thomas as they develop an uneasy attraction. A crackling acerbic comedy.
Screen Arts Thursday 30 April 7.30pm Tickets £12 / Under 18s £10
A View From the Bridge
(12A)
– Mark Strong Encore Don’t miss a stellar cast led by Mark Strong (The Imitation Game) in this ‘magnetic, electrifying, astonishingly bold’ production of Miller’s tragic masterpiece by the Young Vic – the Evening Standard, Guardian and Independent’s top theatre pick of 2014. Brooklyn longshoreman, Eddie Carbone welcomes his Sicilian cousins to the land of freedom. But when one of them falls for his niece, Eddie’s jealous mistrust exposes an unspeakable secret that drives him to commit the ultimate betrayal. Running time: 150 mins no interval.
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Music
Art
Friday 1 May 7.30pm Tickets Tiers & 3 front rows £16.50 / £13.50
An exhibition in the Corn Hall Gallery 4-30 May Box Office Hours Free
Raymond Froggatt
Bee Inspired
Top UK country music entertainer Raymond Froggatt has made over 40 records, written around 3,000 songs and was voted the top male singer by the British Country Music Association for six years in a row. His songs have been recorded by artists around the world and he has toured with Rod Stewart, ELO, Tammy Wynette and Glen Campbell. ‘Froggie’ has delighted capacity audiences at the Corn Hall for many years and is back once again due to public demand.
Local artists and designers join together to pay homage to earth’s main pollinator – the Bee. You’ll find bees depicted in mezzotints, wood engravings and linoprints, beaded and bejewelled bees, bees printed onto lampshades and cushions, mosaics of bees, bee decorated furniture, bees as jewellery, interpreted through sculpture and more. Selected makers from Designermakers21 plus guest artists Louise Bird, Diane Griffiths, Gary Breeze, Sara Guthrie and Suzanne Breeze. Find out more about bees and beekeeping – two days of talks and demonstrations (see p.12).
Running time approx 2hrs.
www.raymond-froggatt.com
Music Saturday 2 May 8pm Tickets £13 / Concs £12
Evening viewing with the artists Wednesday 6 May 6.30-7.45pm
Belshazzar’s Feast Belshazzar’s Feast, the much-loved hirsute odd couple of Paul Sartin (member of the multi-award-winning Bellowhead and Faustus) and Paul Hutchinson (Beauty & the Beast and Hoover the Dog), are renowned as consummate live performers who mix humour and intricate traditional English folk music in equal measure – along with big dollops of audience participation. ‘Paul Hutchinson and Paul Sartin play like no-one else you’ve ever heard. Their music is breathtaking and wickedly inventive and the between-tunes interchange as intelligent and hilarious as the music.’ Mike Harding www.belshazzarsfeast.com 9
May “…spectacular and thrilling… intelligent and thought-provoking”
Theatre
Screen Arts
Tuesday 5 May 7.30pm Tickets £10 / Under 18s £8
Sunday 10 May 2pm Tickets £15 / Under 18 £12.50
House present
Miss Caledonia
Encore
Written & performed by Melody A Johnson Desperate to escape rural drudgery, Peggy Ann Douglas has a plan to stardom by way of the local beauty pageants, following in the footsteps of her idol Debbie Reynolds. Can she sing, twirl and pivot her way into the judges’ hearts? Brimming with heart and humour, Melody A Johnson, along with the delightful live accompaniment of Alison Porter on fiddle, will have you in the palm of her hand on her quest for the tiara.
La Fille Mal Gardée Frederick Ashton’s final full-length ballet is one of his most joyous creations, displaying virtuosic choreography and is laced with humour. Inspired by his love for the Suffolk countryside, it is The Royal Ballet’s most emphatically English work. Running time: c2 hours 15 minutes (incl 1 interval).
Film Wednesday 6 May 8pm Tickets £5 / Under 18 £2.50
Mr Turner
Film Wednesday 13 May 8pm Tickets £5 / Under 18 £2.50
(12A)
Directed by Mike Leigh, UK, 2014, 150 mins With Timothy Spall, Marion Bailey, Paul Jesson
Interstellar
J M W Turner was Britain’s greatest landscape artist – revolutionary in his painting and eccentric in life. Leigh’s brilliant biopic examines his relationship with his father, his unconventional love life and his rocky dealings with his fellow Royal Academicians. Spall delivers a superb performance as Turner. ‘A masterpiece and the one film you should see on the big screen this year’ Kate Muir, The Times.
Directed by Christopher Nolan, USA/UK, 2014 169 mins With Matthew McConaughey, Anne Hathaway
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(12A)
A team of scientist explorers undertake a crucial mission, to travel beyond our galaxy to discover if mankind has a future amongst the stars. A spectacular and thrilling Hollywood epic that is also intelligent and thoughtprovoking.
Screen Arts
Music
Thursday 14 May 7pm Tickets £12 / Under 18s £10
Live
Saturday 16 May 8pm Tickets £15 / Concessions £13
The Kast off Kinks
Man and Superman – Ralph Fiennes as Jack Tanner By George Bernard Shaw Jack Tanner, celebrated radical thinker and rich bachelor, seems an unlikely choice as guardian to the alluring heiress, Ann. She decides to marry and tame this dazzling revolutionary, Tanner has other ideas… A romantic comedy, an epic fairytale, a fiery philosophical debate, Shaw’s witty, provocative classic asks fundamental questions about how we live.
The Saturday Club Saturday 16 May 2pm Tickets £6 / Children £4 (age 3-6 yrs) Birdsnest Theatre Company presents
My Friend Mole Mole is my best friend, he is brave and funny. Mole goes everywhere I go. No one can see him apart from me. Join Birdsnest Theatre as they weave this gentle tale of a very special friendship. With live music, storytelling, imagination and a rich visual language, this is a show that will delight and surprise its audience. ‘The creativity and innovation of this company is breathtaking’ Kay Miller, Head Teacher – Clun 1 hour including stay & play.
11
The Kast off Kinks feature a great line-up of long-term members of the legendary band, The Kinks. Along with Mick Avory, the original drummer, Jim Rodford on bass/vocals (also of The Zombies & Argent), and Ian Gibbons on keyboards/vocals (still with Ray Davies), they are joined on guitar and vocals by Dave Clarke who has played with The Beach Boys, Noel Redding and Tim Rose. Expect all the hits – You Really Got Me, Sunny Afternoon, Lola, Waterloo Sunset, Apeman, Come Dancing – and many more! kastoffkinks.co.uk
May “A fascinating exploration of this complex institution…”
Theatre
Word & Demonstrations
Tuesday 19 May 7.30pm Tickets £10 / Concessions £8.50
Friday 22 & Saturday 23 May Free
Open Space Theatre Company
Bee Inspired
Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?
– Talks & Demonstrations
By Edward Albee A naive young couple find themselves marooned amidst the vicious, humiliating and cynical battlefield of George and Martha’s marriage. Albee’s classic play was adapted for a memorable 1960s film starring Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton.
Film Wednesday 20 May 8pm Tickets £5 / Under 18 £2.50
National Gallery
(12A)
Directed by Frederick Wiseman, France / UK / USA, 2014, 181 minutes With the Director and staff of the National Gallery Frederick Wiseman’s monumental documentary study of the National Gallery makes it look like a cathedral, full of hushed grandeur. Presented with Wiseman’s habitual clarity and austerity: no voiceovers, obvious direction or overall “story”, rather unhurried scenes which emphasise professional expertise, from a meeting where senior staff battle (politely) with younger ones who want reforms, to an expert who unravels the mysteries of the masters. A fascinating exploration of this complex institution and a celebration of art history. 12
To complement our Bee Inspired exhibition (see p.9), local beekeeping support group Dicklebees, will give talks, demonstrations and answer questions. They’ll also bring an observation hive, examples of commonly used types of hive, a video on beekeeping and equipment, examples of honey and bee-friendly plants. Friday 22 May 2pm Bee-friendly Plants talk 3pm Skep Making demonstration Saturday 23rd May 11am 100 Honey Recipes talk 12pm Skep Making demonstration 2pm Introduction to Beekeeping Dicklebees, based in Dickleburgh, are open to all levels, from absolute beginners to those with years of experience. It aims to promote beekeeping as an important hobby through the sharing of knowledge.
Film
Music
Wednesday 27 May 8pm Tickets £5 / Under 18 £2.50
Imitation Game
Thursday 28 May 8pm Tickets £18
The Johnny Cash Roadshow
(12A)
Directed by Morten Tyldum, UK/ USA, 2014, 114 mins With Benedict Cumberbatch, Keira Knightly, Charles Dance, Mark Strong
Celebrating the career of a music legend, The Johnny Cash Roadshow re-creates with astounding accuracy just what it was like to be at a real Cash show! Fronted by respected singer/songwriter Clive John, with The Spirit Band and featuring Jill Schoonjans as June Carter, all aspects of Cash’s life are covered including all the greatest hits plus an amazing video backdrop with evocative images and shots from Johnny Cash’s life.
Benedict Cumberbatch’s brilliant portrayal of Alan Turing, the mathematical genius who broke Germany’s Enigma code during WWII, has justifiably put him amongst the contenders for the Best Actor Oscar. The story cuts between the struggle of Turing and the team at Bletchley Park to crack the code and his post war arrest and persecution for his homosexuality. A strong supporting cast, with Dance as the commander of the code-breakers and Strong as the head of MI6, backs this gripping and profoundly moving story.
‘Clive’s resemblance is uncanny’ Rosanne Cash www.johnnycashroadshow.com
In with a chance for an Oscar for Best Film.
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May-June “Batters the audience into laughter…”
Comedy
Art
Friday 29 May 8pm Tickets Advance £9 / Door £10 Min age 18
An exhibition in the Corn Hall Gallery 2-27 June Box Office Hours Free
Corn Hall Comedy Club
– On the Margins
Gareth Richards
This exhibition of prints, paintings and photographs is taken from work that Sheila began in 2009 as Artist in Residence at Redgrave and Lopham Fen studying the endangered fen raft spider. She has continued to work within this landscape and is especially interested in the small creatures that populate the fen ecosystem.
Gareth has a unique brand of edgily surreal jokes, one-liners and stories based on true events. His outsider viewpoint and appealing persona make him a favourite with audiences all over the UK. Oh, and he’ll sing some songs whilst accompanied by his Omnichord and sequencer, oh fancy! ‘A delightful hour of comedy’ The Guardian
Gareth Richards
Adam Hess
Stay to hear Sheila and Helen Smith talk about the fen raft spider (see p.15).
Adam Hess
Nathan Cassidy – Compère An award-winning stand up, Nathan is a regular at the Edinburgh Fringe. He has also won the Sir Michael Caine Award for new writing for his play The Cure For the Common Cold …oh get him! ‘A great comedian. His rapport with the audience is instant and constant…’ HHHH Broadway Baby
The fen raft spider project is funded by Arts Council England.
Evening viewing Tuesday 2 June 6.30pm-7.45pm
Known for his surreal one-liners, Adam is also an accomplished storyteller and sketch writer. As well as stand up, he writes for Russell Howard’s Good News and Stand Up For the Week. ‘Batters the audience into laughter’ Chortle
Sheila Tilmouth
Nathan Cassidy
Hot chilli & Rice and bar from 6.30pm. Line-up is subject to change.
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Word
Music
Tuesday 2 June 8pm Tickets £5
Thursday 4 June 8pm Tickets £15.50
Helen Smith & Sheila Tilmouth
– on the fen raft spiders of Redgrave and Lopham Fen Helen Smith is the scientist who manages the Species Recovery Program for the fen raft spider. Sheila Tilmouth is its artist in residence. Bringing together their differing perspectives, they will talk about their work on the fen raft spider programme and their recently published book On the Margins – a tribute to one of Britain’s most beautiful and least common animals. An evening viewing of Sheila’s exhibition in the gallery will be open from 6.30pm (see p.14).
Film Wednesday 3 June 8pm Tickets £5 / Under 18 £2.50
The Hunt
(15) – subtitled
Directed by Thomas Vinterberg, 2013, Denmark, 115 mins With Mads Mikkelsen, Thomas Bo Larsen, Annika Wedderkopp Lucas (Mikkelsen) has been forced to start life again, having overcome a tough divorce and the loss of his job. Just as things are starting to go his way, his life is shattered when an untruthful accusation made by a child throws his small community into a collective state of unreasoning hysteria. Mikkelsen is outstanding, and Vinterberg’s script is a screenplay masterclass, completely upending your expectations as to how the climax will play out. 15
Limehouse Lizzy – 2015 Tour The boys are back! Limehouse Lizzy keep the spirit of Celtic rock icon Philip Lynott and his band Thin Lizzy alive, well and dominating stages worldwide. This year, they have added a tribute into their show to ex-Thin Lizzy guitarist (and renowned solo artist) Gary Moore. Asked to record and tour by members of the original Thin Lizzy, Limehouse Lizzy enter their 21st year with their most explosive show, and critically-acclaimed line-up yet. ‘if you’re sceptical about tribute acts, you won’t be after seeing Limehouse Lizzy’ Radio Times www.limehouselizzy.co.uk
June “…china mania – in all its crazy manifestations…”
Music Friday 5 June 8pm Tickets £10
Word Tuesday 9 June 7.15pm Tickets £12.50 Diss DFAS presents
D’Ukes Making their first visit to the Corn Hall are the virtuosos of the ukulele – D’Ukes. Featuring six musicians all playing the same instrument, D’Ukes motto is: ‘If it’s a good song we will take it apart, rebuild it and uke it up’. Singing and playing music by artistes as diverse as Amy Winehouse, Johnny Cash and Deep Purple all on different types of Ukulele with a hint of percussion, D’Ukes are quickly becoming one of the country’s top ukulele bands. Whatever your musical taste – expect the unexpected!
Lars Tharp
– on The Importance of Living Up To… One’s Teapot
Diss Decorative and Fine Arts Society celebrates its 25th anniversary this year. To mark this milestone, a special lecture – open to everyone – will be given by Lars Tharp, celebrated expert on Ceramics and Oriental Art, BBC Antiques Roadshow broadcaster and speaker. He will talk about china mania – in all its crazy manifestations over the last 400 years. Tickets include cake and a glass of sparkling wine at the end of the evening. The Corn Hall will be open from 6pm for guided 10-minute tours.
www.tharp.co.uk
Film Wednesday 10 June 8pm Tickets £5 / Under 18 £2.50
The Theory of Everything
(12A)
Directed by James Marsh, UK, 2014, 123 mins With Eddie Redmayne, Felicity Jones, Maxine Peake This story focuses on his early life in 1960s’ Cambridge. A healthy, active 21 year old, he receives the shattering diagnosis of motorneurone disease and is given only a short time to live. With his first wife Jane by his side, Hawking embarks on his most ambitious work and together they achieve more than they could ever have dreamed of. Redmayne’s performance as Hawking is exceptional. 16
Poetry
Music
Friday 12 June 8pm Tickets £8 / Students £6
Stand-Up Poetry Club – Luke Wright: Stay at Home Dandy Luke Wright would love to spend his life flouncing around looking fabulous, but back in rural Suffolk he’s got the school run to do. By turns funny, poignant and political, this stay-at-home dandy celebrates ordinary people having extraordinary moments, then sticks a “champagne-rinsed rococo boot” into the swines who run things. ‘Go for the wordsmithery, stay for the painful poignancy.’ The List Supporting Luke, the extraordinarily talented Jemima Foxtrot returns with her poetry and incredible singing voice.
Saturday 13 June 8pm Tickets Advance £12 / Door £14
Dirty/DC – the AC/DC tribute Dirty/DC have been playing throughout the UK and Europe since 1998 and have developed a lineup and stage show that has made their reputation amongst AC/DC fans. A full 2 hour plus show – with all the AC/DC favourites – in which every visual detail has been finetuned and the music delivery and the show itself has an impact regularly described as ‘Awesome!’
The Saturday Club Saturday 13 June 10-11am or 11.15am-12.15pm £5 per child (ages 2-8). Must be accompanied by an adult Pre-booking essential, only 30 child spaces per session Designed and run by local creative play group, Imps
IMPS Make & Play Father’s Day Special Make some lovely gifts to delight your Dad, such as a 3D card, a tasty treat in a decorated box...and a surprise... (I won’t tell you till the day because your Dad might be reading this!!). There will also be time to play and explore in the post office (colouring, stamping, posting) and the workshop (hammering, squirting, whisking). Dress for mess! 17
‘They’re the best tribute band in Britain’ Kerrang Magazine ‘A great show. They look and sound just like the real thing’ Classic Rock Magazine www.dirtydc.co.uk
June “…a hauntingly beautiful set to an enraptured audience”
Screen Arts
Music
Sunday 14 June 2pm Tickets £15 / Under 18 £12.50
Delayed live
Friday 19 June 8pm Tickets £10 / Concs £8 / Door £12 FolkEast present
Mishaped Pearls
La Bohème By Giacomo Puccini The most popular opera of all returns in one of The Royal Opera’s best-loved and most sublime stagings, now being seen for the very last time. A masterpiece of realism, several of today’s greatest opera stars, Anna Netrebko as Mimì, and Joseph Calleja as her lover, Rodolfo return to perform in a revival that promises to go down in Royal Opera history. Sung in Italian | Running time: c2 hours 50 minutes (incl 2 intervals).
Formed in 2009 as a result of a collaboration between songwriter and musician Ged Flood and mezzo soprano Manuela Schuette, Calie Hough (percussion), Andrew Sleigtholme, Tom Finigan, Massimo Troiana and Laurel S Pardue on fiddle complete the line-up, creating a unique and immediately identifiable sound.
(15)
Mishaped Pearls third album Thamesis was released last year to critical acclaim and their 2014 appearance at FolkEast saw them perform a hauntingly beautiful set to an enraptured audience.
Directed by Damien Chazelle, 2014, USA, 107 mins With Miles Teller, J K Simmons, Melissa Benoist
‘An ambitious and absorbing fusion of folk and classical influence’ R2 Magazine
Film Wednesday 17 June 8pm Tickets £5 / Under 18 £2.50
Whiplash
Andrew Neyman (Teller) is a young jazz drummer, desperate to rise to the top. Terence Fletcher (Simmons), an instructor known for his teaching talents and his terrifying methods, is looking for a prospective Charlie Parker. Andrew’s passion to achieve perfection spirals into obsession as his ruthless teacher pushes him to the edge of his ability and his sanity. Builds towards an electrifying final act with one of the most gloriously satisfying conclusions in recent cinema. 18
www.mishapedpearls.org
Film
Comedy
Wednesday 24 June 8pm Tickets £5 / Under 18 £2.50
Saturday 20 June 7.30pm Tickets £19.50
Trash
Barry Cryer – Twitter Titters with Colin Sell
(15)
Directed by Stephen Daldry, UK/ Brazil, 2014, 114 mins, English & Portuguese with subtitles With Rooney Mara, Martin Sheen
In yet another farewell tour, Baz returns, having been charged with persistent joking and asks for 20 other shows to be taken into consideration.
There is a touch of Slumdog Millionaire meets City of God in this tale of three Brazilian kids caught up in a web of corruption after they stumble across a cash-filled wallet belonging to a crooked politician in the rubbish tips of Rio de Janeiro. Sensitively scripted by Richard Curtis, director Stephen Daldry rediscovers the upbeat oomph that powered his debut feature Billy Elliot, finding hope and humour amid squalor and violence. Sheen and Mara star as an American priest and his assistant, but the real stars are the teenagers from the Brazilian favelas, who are just as terrific as their characters in the story.
You are the Judge and Jury – Be merciful to the aged accused – He merely seeks to bring a ray of sunshine amid the dark clouds of life. He’ll be enjoying himself – Do join him.
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June “The audience were almost crying with laughter”
ON TOUR Comedy
Summer Garden Party at Bressingham Gardens
Friday 26 June 8pm Tickets Advance £9 / Door £10 Min age 18
Saturday 11 July
Corn Hall Comedy Club
5.45-8.15pm
– Ed Fringe Special
Tickets £20 incl canapés and a free glass of wine
Can’t make it to the Edinburgh Fringe? Not to fear, for our last comedy night before we close, we have two top comedians warming up their Edinburgh muscles!
What could be more delightful than a summer’s evening stroll through Bressingham Gardens (regularly described as the best in England), enjoying wine, music and canapés? As a special treat, Adrian Bloom will provide insights into the history and design secrets of this stunning oasis. There are six distinct gardens set in over 17 acres to explore, including the Fragrant Garden, the Summer Garden and the famous Foggy Bottom.
Matt Richardson Join award-winning stand up and Heat Magazine’s Weird Crush of 2014, Matt Richardson (The Xtra Factor, Nevermind the Buzzcocks), as he previews his new show for the Edinburgh Festival and UK tour 2015. It’ll be fast paced, funny and probably rude. Matt Richardson ‘Charming and Hilarious’ The Mirror ‘…a breakneck pace of delivery that pounds out the gags with barely room to breathe.’ The Guardian Vikki Stone Vikki has blagged, stolen and borrowed 20 musical instruments, each with a story that will become the underscore for this tale of love, loss and music. ‘The audience were almost crying with laughter’ The Guardian ‘Hilarious and brilliant’ Heat
“Over the years we have been to stately homes, National Trust properties and the flagship gardens of the RHS, but none compare with yours.” Groby Gardening Society www.thebressinghamgardens.com
Vikki Stone
All proceeds will go to the Corn Hall Trust, thanks to the generosity of Adrian Bloom.
Hot chilli & rice and bar from 6.30pm. Line-up is subject to change.
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CLASSES & COMMUNITY
As if we’d leave you with nothing to do while all the exciting work is being done at the Corn Hall! Take to the road with us as the Corn Hall goes ‘On Tour’ to venues and villages around Diss. Here are our first two events.
Pilates Classes Mondays except Bank Holidays 9.30-10.30am, 10.30-11.30am and 11.30am-12.30pm Wednesdays 11-12 and 12pm-1pm – Waveney Room, Diss Corn Hall A fantastic form of exercise to improve your health, posture, concentration and coordination. For more information contact Amanda on 07557 025513 or go to: http://amandapilates.com
The Marvellous Imaginary Menagerie on Fair Green Sunday 19 July Two shows – 2pm & 4pm
Baby Café
Tickets Advance £3 / On the day if available £5 (for all ages 6+) Numbers strictly limited
1pm-2.30pm – Waveney Room, Diss Corn Hall Every Monday except Bank Holidays Baby café has a friendly, relaxed atmosphere with advice and support always on hand for those who are breastfeeding. Contact the Children’s Centre on 01379 651786.
Roll up; roll up, for the most mysterious, magical and magnificent experience of your life! An enormous exotic caravan has suspiciously arrived in Diss complete with strange characters that entertain, amuse and beguile. From Les Enfants Terribles – the makers of The Trench – comes an outdoor event like no other: packed with vaudeville acts, live musicians and puppeteers. Feast your eyes on this wondrous extravaganza for all the family.
Blood Donor Sessions Tuesdays 28 April, 26 May, 16 & 23 June 1-3.30pm and 5-7pm New donors: Please register in advance at www.blood.co.uk
Easter Acting Workshop with The Keeper’s Daughter Wednesday 1 April - Thursday 2 April, 10am-4pm For aspiring performers aged 13-19 £45 Learn how to devise a unique take on a classic Shakespearean rom-com and discover what it takes to shift a play from the stage and transform it into an interactive event which places the audience at the centre of the drama. The Keeper’s Daughter specialise in creating atmospheric, interactive, theatre for young people. www.thekeepersdaughter.org.uk ‘The best Shakespearean adaptation I’ve seen’ – audience member on Starcross’d For more details contact us at thekeepersdaughter@rocketmail.com
For tickets, or more information about all events, contact the Corn Hall Box Office on
01379 652241 You may also order online from
www.disscornhall.co.uk
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BECOME A FRIEND OF THE CORN HALL If you believe that the Corn Hall should be an important feature in the life of Diss – please support us by becoming a Friend – and there are of course benefits! Become a Friend for £25 a year (under 25s £15) – get £1.50 off tickets at most performances and £1 off films Become a Good Friend for £100 or a Very Good Friend for £250 – Good Friends get 6 free tickets, and Very Good Friends 15 free tickets each year Please complete this form and send it, along with your cheque made out to “The Diss Corn Hall Trust”. To: Diss Corn Hall, St Nicholas Street, Diss IP22 4LB I would like to
become a Friend – enclosing £25 become a Good/ Very Good Friend – enclosing £ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
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Well done Diss – you raised £125,000! With Garfield Weston and the Big Give’s help, you raised £125,000 towards the Corn Hall and Heritage Triangle Project, and the project is now ‘GO’!
So where are we? We have planning consent for all parts of the project – the Corn Hall restoration and improvement, the development of the ‘shared’ streetscape and the garden and boardwalk. Hudson Architects of Norwich and other consultants have been appointed, and we are on course to start work in July, with construction time taking about a year. We do still need about £130,000 to complete our funding, so if you want to find out more about the project, to get involved, or donate to it visit: www.heritagetriangle.co.uk Spread the word
DissHeritageTriangle
@DissHT
Grain Brewery, Alburgh, IP20 0BS www.grainbrewery.co.uk 01986 788884 23
BOX OFFICE 01379 652241 Mon-Fri 10am-4pm
Sat 10am-2pm
The Old Stables, beside the Corn Hall, St Nicholas Street, Diss IP22 4LB www.disscornhall.co.uk email: boxoffice@disscornhall.co.uk diss.cornhall @disscornhall Tickets In person: During box office opening hours. By phone: Card payment is accepted (credit cards incur a 50p processing fee). Outside box office opening hours you may leave a message and your call will be returned. Tickets will be held for collection on the door or can be posted to you for an additional 50p if requested. By post: Send full details of the tickets you require along with a SAE and a cheque for the full amount. Cheques should be made payable to the Diss Corn Hall Trust. Online: Tickets for most events may be booked online at www.disscornhall.co.uk. Email: You may email requests for tickets to boxoffice@disscornhall.co.uk.
Accessibility There are three disabled parking bays on the street in front of the Corn Hall. The hall, bar and accessibility toilet are fully accessible to wheelchair users via the side entrance. Please inform the box office when booking. The main hall is fitted with an induction loop which covers all seats. Hearing aids should be switched to the t-position. Please note: sound enhancement is only available for films and amplified performances.
Bar and door opening times The bar opens at 6.30pm on event nights. The auditorium will usually open 30 minutes before the start of the performance.
DISS
Getting involved If you are interested in volunteering as a steward, in the box office, or in any other way, email admin@disscornhall.co.uk. We’d love to hear from you.
Thanks Our heartfelt thanks go to: Diss Town Council, South Norfolk Council, Norfolk County Council and our dedicated team of volunteers. Special thanks to our Good Friends Terence Blacker, Eve Boyd, David Case, Lynn Clark, Peter Dudley, Don Dunkin, Brian & Gunilla Falk, Alan & Stephanie Franks, Charles & Liz Handy, Stephanie Harrison, Jo & Gary Hincks, Judith Howard-Rees, Alun Howkins, Paul Howling, Rosemary Jones, Martha Kearney, Orla Larkinmood, Jay Leader, Dr A Linder, Glynne Lloyd-Davis, Richard Mabey, T. Manning, Linda Merricks, Elizabeth Mooney, Sheila Moss-King, Stephen Murphy, Sue Shrager, John Taylor, Richard Vivian, Sue Wright and Corporate Friends: Conisbee structural and civil engineers, Dayburst Couriers, Grain Brewery, Mere Players and John Taylor Builders.
Patron The Duke of Norfolk.