Artsbeat April 2018 by amanda penman

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artsbeatblog.com

April 2018

Bewitched by Big Cat

Galleries Stage Music Workshops Celebrating the arts in Derbyshire and the Peak District

contemporary fine art and creative hub

Original paintings, drawings, prints, ceramics, photographs, textiles, mixed-media, jewellery and other locally made unique gifts for sale. A varied programme of exhibitions, workshops, art events and live music. Large workshop space for hire. Mon. Tues. Wed. Thurs.

10:30 - 16:30 10:30 - 16:30 10:30 - 16:30 CLOSED

Fri. Sat. Sun.

10:30 - 16:30 10:30 - 16:30 11:30 - 16:30

Hardwick Hall, Hardwick Square South, Buxton SK17 6PY 01298 937375 07977 956707 thegreenmangallery.com hello@thegreenmangallery.com

D I R E C T FRO M T HE WEST END Martin Dodd for UK Productions and Derek Nicol & Paul Walden for Flying Entertainment proudly present the Nottingham Playhouse and Liverpool Everyman & Playhouse production of

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THE STAGE

Adapted by Matthew Based on the best-selling novel by

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Khaled Hosseini

Directed by Giles

Croft

★★★★★ ‘a truly contemporary

cultural phenomenon’ THE SUNDAY EXPRESS

Originally produced by

29TH MAY - 2ND JUNE

Box Office 01298 72190 buxtonoperahouse.org.uk

BUXTON INTERNATIONAL FESTIVAL Opera.Music.Books

6–22 JULY

Verdi – Alzira Mozart – Idomeneo Brescianello – Tisbe Donizetti – The Daughter of the Regiment Public booking opens 6 April Box Office: 01298 72190 www.buxtonfestival.co.uk

contents 35

20 In conversation

gallery

9 Artist Lyndon Evans captures the countryside in his sketchbook 20 Sculptor Eddie Hallamâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s life-size bronze lynx is truly a labour of love 35 Photographer Ian Gregory joins the Belper Festival Arts Trail

27-33 Seven pages of the very best exhibitions in the coming month

stage 59-64 Dramatic new interpretations of classic tales take to the stage artsbeat April 2018

editor’s letter

51 music 51-56 Six pages of all the best of classical, folk, jazz, pop and rock

cover story 27 Mark Preston’s After Heavy Rain, Ible, is being exhibited at Gallerytop artsbeat April 2018

I am honoured as editor of artsbeat to be invited to help judge others’ work in various competitions during the year. My first of 2018 was to help choose the winners of the Derby Book Festival Flash Fiction contest, which meant that I was privileged to be able to read some brilliant stories created in just 50 words. The winners of this exciting challenge for writers will be announced at Derby Reads the official launch of this year’s book festival in the city at QUAD on April 12. In the summer I am thrilled to have been asked to judge the Amanda Penman Buxton Spa Prize, which is fast becoming one of the most prestigious art competitions in the country. It has a first prize of £5,000 and entries open on April 1 – so what are you waiting for! There is also £2,000 to be awarded for the Harold Riley Sketchbook Prize – if you want some inspiration turn to page 9 where you can read about last year’s winner Lyndon Evans. Please note the editorial and advertising booking deadline for the May issue is April 10. email: advertising: advertising@arts-beat.co.uk editorial: editor@arts-beat.co.uk telephone: 07872 066719 post: 19 Nottingham Road, Belper DE56 1JG website: artsbeatblog.com While every effort is made to ensure listings are accurate and up-to-date readers are advised to check with the venue before travelling, as no responsibility can be accepted for changes to programmes, errors or omissions. artsbeat2

@artsbeat

Putting Derbyshire first: artsbeat is published by Penman Publishing, 19 Nottingham Road, Belper and printed by Buxton Press

The Harold Riley Sketchbook Prize 2018 1st Prize ÂŁ2,000

Open for Entry 1stApril 2018 Exhibition st 1 - 31st July 2018 BuxtonSpaPrize.co.uk/Riley

Duffield

Art Gallery Loch Leven from Glen Coe by James Preston

Professional framer for 21 years offering expert advice. Artistsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; range of moulding available.

n Fine art prints & cards n Fine art photography n National Railway Museum posters Monday to Saturday 10am-5pm, closed Wednesday 22 Market Place, Wirksworth, DE4 4ET

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Work by artists including James Preston, Lynn Smith, Colin Halliday, Phil Dyke, Steve Slimm and Paul Raymond Gregory Open: Thursday to Saturday 10.30am-5pm Sunday 11am-3pm 3-5 Town Street, Duffield, Derbyshire mobile 07432 524 083 email jill.underwood59@gmail.com

Telephone 01332 840 845 artsbeat April 2018

PRIZE DRAW

Artist’s meticulous preparatory sketches caught the eye of judges

o Lyndon Evans, his sketchbook is sacred. It goes out with him at all times. In fact you get the impression that he would be uneasy if he didn’t know just where it was. Which is why it was particularly brave of him to enter it for the 2017 Buxton Spa Prize Sketchbook Award, as it meant him leaving it with strangers while he went on holiday. What he didn’t realise at the time was that the award entries would be made available for more than just the judges to thumb through and he says, with hindsight, he might not have gone through with it had he known. On this occasion ignorance was most certainly bliss, as his precious tome so impressed everyone who saw it that it won the first prize of £2,000. Not only that – many other artists were able to gain inspiration from his work by peeking at the pages normally reserved for his eyes only. “When I saw the Spa Prize competition I thought it would be interesting to enter, but never dreamt I would win anything,” he said modestly. “We were away for the presentation night so I had no idea it had won or the fact that it was on display until I went to pick the sketchbook up again two weeks later. It was definitely a huge surprise,” said the artist. Drawing has always been a big artsbeat April 2018

Lyndon Evans and his prize-winning sketchbook

part of Lyndon’s life and he admits it is important to him as it is the only way he knows to truly express himself. In the 1960s he studied illustration and printmaking at college and followed that up with a post graduate course in graphic design. After a short three-year stint as a college lecturer he began a life-long career as a designer in the film and television industry – working as a creative director for Granada at Manchester and the BBC in London as well as

for Cosgrove Hall Films, the creators of Postman Pat. He specialises in creating story board illustrations and his trusty sketchbooks have been put to good use throughout his working life. In planning meetings, while others were coming up with the ideas, he would be adding notes and drawings to the pages and would be able to give his team a visual idea of where they were going by the end of the session. “I am proud of the fact that

ST JOHN STREET GALLERY Contemporary Fine Art

‘

Being able to find the time to get back to proper drawing is brilliant

Explosion of colour a fusion of street scenes by Ruth Gray, ceramics by Zoe Marsh and still life and landscapes by Colin Halliday throughout april

y paintings y prints y glass y sculpture y ceramics

50 St John Street, Ashbourne, DE6 1GH 01335 347425 Monday to Saturday 9.30am-5pm enquiries@stjohngalleryandcafé.co.uk www.stjohngalleryandcafé.co.uk

Sponsors of the Ashbourne Festival Art Prizes

TOP: Pages from the sketchbook and, right, clockwise from top right: Lantern Pike; Thistle, Thornsett; Fig, Menton, France; and Frosty Field

I found good work out of drawing. The industry has changed completely since I started out, but even in these days of digital graphics I maintain that it always makes sense to get something down on paper,” said Lyndon. In the 70s he set up his own freelance company and, well into what should be his retirement, he is still called upon to help out former clients with story boards. He confesses that he enjoys it so much he has no intention of stopping anytime soon. Having said that Lyndon, who lives at Throstle Farm, at Little Hayfield, is these days enjoying the more leisurely lifestyle of someone in semi-retirement. “Being able to find the time to get back to proper drawing again is brilliant. It was really good to pick up where I left off in my college days and get going again. I don’t think I am artsbeat April 2018

up to speed again yet but I am getting there,” he said smiling. He works in pencil, charcoal and pen with watercolour and inks and is inspired by the changing light and movement in the landscape. He captures ideas in his sketchbook while out walking and develops them back in his studio in the garden of his home which has a commanding view of Kinder Scout and the High Peak. artsbeat April 2018

You can visit the studio and enjoy the view for yourself as Lyndon and his wife Pat, are part of the Hayfield Artists group that gets together for the Derbyshire Open Arts weekend at the end of May. At last count there were 19 creative people in the group and they stage their own mini art trail across five venues with three of them – painter Dawn Holmes, ceramicist Maria Tarnowska and jewellery

designer Stephen Grieve – joining Lyndon and Pat at the farm. “We have a little artists’ colony flourishing here in Hayfield and it really is rewarding to be part of it. We always look forward to the Open Arts weekend and welcoming people to the farm.” n For more details go to hayfieldartists.co.uk or derbyshireopenarts.co.uk

Mark Preston

Solo Exhibition 14 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 28 April 2018

www.gallerytop.co.uk

Gallerytop Chatsworth Road Rowsley Derbyshire DE4 2EH 01629 735580 info@gallerytop.co.uk

Gallery in the Gardens

New Exhibitors in the Gallery Lisa Salt Jeweller

Featuring original work by 40+ High Peak artists & makers Paintings, textiles, contemporary jewellery, ceramics, photography, etchings, linocuts, glass & wood

Joanna Allen Printmaker / Textile Artist

Open daily 10.30am â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 5.00pm. Tel: 07849 673058 Pavilion Gardens, Buxton, High Peak, Derbyshire SK17 6BE www.galleryinthegardens.co.uk

High Peak Artists 12

Simon Denvers Maker in Wood

Elizabeth Swift Felt Artist

artsbeat April 2018

BEYOND COMPERE

Win tickets to opening evening of music – hosted by Lesley Garrett

ickets to a spectacular evening of music fronted by Britain’s favourite opera star Lesley Garrett are there to be won in this artsbeat competition, run in conjunction with Buxton International Festival. Lesley is hosting the opening night of the Festival – an annual feast of opera, music and books in the Peak District spa town’s magnificent Opera House – on July 6. Lesley will compere the evening of music from the Northern Chamber Orchestra, conducted by Nicholas Kok with soloists from Opera North, as well singing a number of songs herself. The programme will open the 39th Festival by drawing on the works of Cole Porter, Richard Rodgers, Leonard Bernstein and Kurt Weill. It will raise the curtain on the Festival, which runs from July 6 to 22, with two new productions of rarelyperformed operas, Verdi’s Alzira and Mozart’s Idomeneo, plus concerts featuring jazz and classical music as well as leading writers and public figures in a programme of book talks. Alzira is based on a play by the revolutionary French writer Voltaire, with a plot which uses a love story to focus on a clash of civilisations as the Spanish conquer Peru. Idomeneo, which features some of Mozart’s most varied and inventive music, also uses love, artsbeat April 2018

Priz cont e est

Lesley Garrett

but this time to illustrate the plight of refugees from the Trojan War. This year’s festival includes a co-production with Opera della Luna which brings a Donizetti opera, The Daughter of the Regiment, up to date by setting it in a Californian Hell’s Angels’ camp. Ill-fated lovers are back in Tisbe, Brescianello’s rarelyperformed work which features the story of Pyramus and Thisbe, best known for being a part of Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream. And there will be a host of concerts featuring many wellknown names such as Stephen Kovacevich, Lucy Schaufer and Roderick Williams bringing the best in song, guitar, string

quartets, cello and piano to life. More modern music includes The Chris Ingham Quartet with their witty exploration of the jazz music of the late Dudley Moore, more famous now for his work as a comedian; and singer Barb Jungr’s acclaimed interpretation of the Beatles’ music in a show called Come Together. To find out more go to buxtonfestival.co.uk. To have the chance of winning one of two pairs of tickets send the answer to the following question to editor@arts-beat. co.uk with the subject title Buxton International Festival Competition by the closing date of April 30. Alternatively you can post your answer to artsbeat editor, 19 Nottingham Road, Belper, DE56 1JG. The question is: Upon which play by Voltaire is the opera Alzira based?

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artsbeat April 2018

arena

All the latest news from the Derbyshire arts community It’s time to sign up for the 2018 Spa Prize contest

rtists are being invited to enter the 2018 Buxton Spa Prize and capture the historic Spa town en plein air during May and June. Registration for the prize, which was successfully launched in 2014, opens on April 1 and artists have until May 13 to get their name down. The Open Category has a first prize of £5,000 from the Trevor Osborne Charitable Trust plus second and third cash prizes. The renowned Harold Riley sketchbook prize will also be repeated, and has a prize of £2,000 from The Riley Trust. You can read about the winner of the 2017 sketchbook prize on pages 9-11. The Buxton Spa Prize also has a Children’s Prize for those under 12 and Teen Prize for those aged 12-17. The event also has a popular People’s Choice category sponsored by Bill Barratt of Buxton and the Buxton Festival Choice which raises the profile of artists and the competition to the Buxton International Festival’s audience during July. The prize judges include leading UK en plein air artist Pete ‘The Street’ Brown, Derbyshire Museums manager Ros Westwood, Peak District artsbeat April 2018

An artist at work during one of the previous Spa Prize competitions

Artisan Ingrid Karlsson, prize sponsor Louise Potter and Amanda Penman editor of artsbeat magazine. Once registered the artists are then required to visit Buxton from May 4-13 to draw their location by ballot and have their board or canvas stamped. So even if you are not an artist you can join in by going to watch them in action. Children and young people are encouraged to create a piece inspired by what they love about Buxton. The deadline for all submissions is June 24. A selection of work will be showcased in an exhibition at The Green Man Gallery in the town from July 1-31. The organisers Neil M Scowcroft, Emma Potter, Liz Mackenzie and previous Spa Prize winners will be meeting artists at a social event at No6

Tearooms, The Square, Buxton on Saturday May 12 at 2pm. Prize founder Trevor Osborne said: “I am delighted that in only four years the Buxton Spa Prize has become a leading en plein air arts event. Last year, over 150 paintings were exhibited at the Green Man Gallery and the unique Harold Riley Prize for sketch/ work books rose to 35 entries making the prize the Artists’ Prize with a difference. “I am proud of what has been achieved in this beautiful town in the High Peak – it is becoming an arts beacon in the hills!” The prize is sponsored by The Trevor Osborne Charitable Trust, The Riley Trust, No 6 The Square Tearooms and Accommodation. For further details on how to enter the competition, go to buxtonspaprize.co.uk

n arena Artists call out THE annual Ashbourne Festival Summer Exhibition takes place from June 23-30. If you wish to enter your work, go to ashbournefestival.org to download the details and the application form. The date for submissions is June 9, 11am-4pm at St John’s Community Hall, off King Street, Ashbourne. St John’s Street Gallery, in Ashbourne has kindly sponsored a £200 prize for the best work in the open section, which will be selected by artists Lewis Noble and Maggie Cullen. There is also a £50 prize for the favourite artwork selected by exhibition visitors. The Ashbourne Festival organisers have also invited a number of artists – painters Val Hudson and Liz Salter; sculptor Sue Allanson; photographers Daniel Shiel and Mary Wardle; the Parkwood Pottery and paper artist Maggie Cullen to show their work at the exhibition.

Renewed glory CHATSWORTH Renewed is a new exhibition at the stately home celebrating the house through the ages, and marks the completion of the largest restoration and conservation project ever undertaken at Chatsworth. At the exhibition you will be able to discover hidden stories and forgotten features as revealed through the insights of the skilled people involved, past and present. Explore conservation in action and understand how much care and effort goes into even the smallest piece of work. The exhibition is on until the autumn and you can find more details at chatsworth.org

A WEEKEND celebrating the installation of Conversations and Memories – sculptures commemorating the contribution of tramway families to the First World War, will take place on April 28 and 29 at Crich Tramway Village. The permanent installation has been created by artistic duo Musson+Retallick who were winners in the 2017 International Civic Trust Awards for their Somme Memorial Artwork in Barnsley. They have used the museum

Bearded rocker

War sculptures archives and community engagement to inspire the artwork, which consists of groups of abstract steel figures, standing in different locations. During the weekend there will be sessions that allow access to parts of the museum’s collection, which inspired the artworks, not usually available to view. For more details go to tramway.co.uk BEARDED Theory has secured a rare festival headlining performance by Robert Plant. Joining him at the Catton Hall festival from May 24-27, will be a diverse collection of live acts, including one of the hottest young British bands on the circuit – Blossoms, a five-piece indie-rock band from Stockport; Jimmy Cliff; indie legends The Jesus & Mary Chain; local boy Jake Bugg; electronic punk duo Sleaford Mods and English punk sensations Idles. For more details go to beardedtheory.co.uk

artsbeat April 2018

n arena Floating courses A NEW initiative called Art Afloat was trialled on Birdswood, the historic narrow boat belonging to the Friends of Cromford Canal, last summer. Using the boat as an arts venue was such a success that a new programme of workshops and courses has been planned for 2018 and will be being launched in May. For more information about the courses you can enjoy on the floating studio go to the birdswood facebook page.

Food for Thought FOOD for Thought, a two-day lecture series looking at a wide range of culinary subjects is to be held at the School of Artisan Food on the Welbeck Estate in Nottinghamshire. The event from May 19-20 includes speakers including Robyn Eckhardt, food journalist and author of Istanbul and Beyond; Simran Sethi, journalist and acclaimed author of Bread, Wine, Chocolate and award-winning cookbood author Sumayya Usmani, pictured. For more information go to schoolofartisanfood.org

Daft and silly fun TIM Vine is back on tour, telling lots of silly new jokes, showing off new homemade props, singing some new daft ditties, and all with the appearance of confidence. In Sunset Milk Idiot the following subjects will be touched upon briefly by the comedian: pixie football, ice cream and nibble feeders. Go along, sit down, and laugh. The quantity wonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t let up. This artsbeat April 2018

is comedy without a message. In 2010 and 2014 Tim won the Dave Television award for Best Joke at the Edinburgh Fringe, the only person to have won it twice. He has successfully toured all of his stand-up shows and has four DVDs. He also appeared in five series of the award-winning sitcom Not Going Out. He will be at Buxton Opera House on May 10. For tickets go to buxtonoperahouse.org

n arena Open at Hadfield THE eighth Hadfield Open Art Show will be held on June 9 and 10 with a preview the evening before. This year the show is teaming up with The Craft Barn, in Station Road, where entries by young people up to the age of 15 will be showcased and judged separately. Entries are invited from artists across Glossopdale and further afield and should be submitted to Hadfield Hall on June 5, from 2-7pm. Adults can submit up to three pieces of work with a fee of £2 for each piece; children can submit one, without a fee. For details contact Annette on 07946 513973 or email hadfieldartshow@gmail.com. For enquiries about children’s work contact Julia Norton on julia.craftbarn@gmail.com More information is at hadfieldhall.wordpress.com.

Weekend of books THE third Wirksworth Book Weekend is being held at various locations in the town from April 5-8. For more details go to gowirksworth.com or wirksworthfestival.co.uk The event includes among many others readings about Ursula, the second Mrs Vaughan Williams; The Real Wordsmiths, a talk about the Lakeland Poets; The Wordsmiths of Gorsemere – a spoof comedy; Rob Stamper talking about his book Ramblings from a Derbyshire Folk Pub; Derbyshire Noir, Sarah Ward and Ros Watkins on crime fiction; Elvis McGonagall, poet and singer; Tony Jones and St John Theatre Company on writing for radio, and the Wirksworth Big Book Day, all day on Sunday in the Memorial Hall.

DERBY-BASED Mackney Photography, has won a prestigious gold award in the 2018 British Institute of Professional Photography Awards. Simon Mackney picked up gold for his series of commercial portraits titled PB Sports. Simon’s images which feature athletics, basketball and cricket, were selected for gold out of hundreds of entries from many countries. Simon, who co-owns Mackney Photography with his wife and business partner, Wendy, has been in the photography business for over 15 years.

Festive summer

Prestigious gold Simon said: “I am truly thrilled to have won gold at this year’s BIPP awards. It’s a tough competition to enter and the standards are extremely high. We wanted the images to be very high end, inspirational images; we used our fast flash high speed studio lighting to freeze the action, capture that moment in time, freezing athletes in motion flying onto crash mats. I feel I have created powerful imagery which fortunately the judges agreed with.” THIS summer Derby Theatre will present two festivals, a summer one of fresh, new and exciting theatre for emerging artists and audiences alike, and a second specifically aimed at 11-25-year-olds. The theatre will also play host to top quality touring productions and an exciting and eclectic summer season of cutting edge and thrilling Studio shows and some great one-nighters. For more details about the first show – the riotous comedy musical Spamalot – and to find a link to the online brochure go to derbytheatre.co.uk artsbeat April 2018

n arena Pump Room talks THE Buxton Crescent and Thermal Spa Heritage Trust – established to preserve the Crescent buildings and to create an visitor experience in The Pump Room and a suite of rooms in The Crescent, is staging a series of talks and other events in the Pump Room this year. The next talks are The Waters of Buxton – by Gill Williamson on April 11 at 6pm and Recreation at Georgian Spas – by Dr Paul Elliot on May 2, at 6pm. Tickets are £10 from Buxton Opera House. For more details about future events go to buxtoncrescenttrust.org

Return of the grand THANKS to a grant from the Bingham Trust, Buxton’s United Reformed Church’s late Victorian Broadwood grand piano has now been completely overhauled by Shacklefords of Macclesfield. To celebrate the return of the piano to the church a recital is to be held on April 14 by Marianne Kelly and Heather Sargeson. They will be bringing an exciting, varied programme all arranged for piano duet. The recital starts at 7.30pm and tickets are just £10 (£8 concessions, £5 children). More about the piano on artsbeatblog.com

Inspiring children CHILDREN from Derby schools will have the chance to meet award-winning children’s authors and poets in June at two Derby Book Festival Meet the Author events. The Year 5, 6 and 7 pupils will have the chance to talk to author Christopher Edge. Years 2, 3 and 4 will meet poet Rachel Rooney, whose poems have been published in several anthologies. Years 9 and 10 pupils at the artsbeat April 2018

city’s secondary schools will also have the opportunity to meet author, Patrice Lawrence whose debut Young Adult novel, Orangeboy won the Waterstones Children’s Book Prize 2017. Liz Fothergill, Chair of the Festival explained: “The aim is to inspire children’s love of reading by enabling them to meet, and explore the books of, their favourite authors: an opportunity which we believe will stay with them forever.” Fore more details go to derbybookfestival.co.uk

Beautiful & Unusual Gifts For All Occasions

4B The Colonnade, Buxton SK17 6AL. Tel:01298 938492 Email: isla@isladirect.co.uk

Wildlife sculptor Eddie Hallam will finally

Showcasing the best in local Art & Design

19 Borough Street Castle Donington Open: Tues - Fri 9:00 - 5:00 Derby Sat - 10:00 - 4:00 DE74 2LA Tel: 01332 987350 email: info@thetwobirdsgallery.com

ou read it here first. This year is going to be the year that Eddie Hallam finally finishes his life-size bronze sculpture of a lynx, and not just any old lynx - this is a tribute to Harvey the Big Cat that Eddie reared from a kitten and shared his home for 15 years. The 81-year-old wildlife artist and conservationist has had a love affair with lynx for the past 60 years, since he discovered them while working at Chester Zoo. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I had never seen a lynx and it was like meeting your wife for the first time. I was so entranced I stood for two hours staring at them. They are the most beautiful creatures I have ever set eyes on,â&#x20AC;? said Eddie. He was later inspired to open artsbeat April 2018

model his beloved Harvey

THE LYNX EFFECT his own wildlife park at Riber Castle near Matlock and it was there that he encountered Harvey – a zoo kitten that needed hand rearing. “He had been left outside by his mother and when I found him he was almost dead. I didn’t think he had a chance but he made it and from then on lived in the house with us. “To have a relationship with artsbeat April 2018

Eddie has been experimenting with different ways of sculpting the lynx

a wild animal like that was so amazing. I could speak his language and we understood each other. I really did love him, and just mentioning him now I can feel a lump rising in my throat,” said Eddie emotionally. In the mid 1980s he sold Riber Zoo and set up home at Greenways Farm in the village where he still lives and where he discovered his love for the carving and bronze work for which he is renowned today. However, he confesses that he has been creating all his beautiful wildlife sculptures with the aim of one day being able to immortalise Harvey. “When he died I vowed that I would cast him in bronze, but I knew to do so would cost a lot of money, so it was necessary to

raise the funds by creating all these other sculptures.” The business became so successful, with Eddie selling his work all over the world, that he has been forced to postpone casting Harvey over the years through lack of time as well as funds. But this year he has decided that he has to fulfil his dream. “It may have taken me ten years to get here but this year it is going to happen. I’m determined not to be distracted by other work and I am going to achieve what I consider the ultimate prize of having Harvey cast,” he said, before adding cheekily that if this pledge was put in print he would be forced to honour it. n To find out more go to wildlifesculptures.co.uk

Libby Jackson

credit: Tom Griffiths

Sathnam Sangera

Lionel Shriver

credit: Sarah Lee

Lucy Mangan

Robert Winston

Ken Clarke

Celebrating the joy of reading and stories with over 90 inspiring events! Get the full Festival Programme from 12 April at libraries, arts venues, cafes, tourist offices across the county. You can book online for all events at www.derbybookfestival.co.uk or call or visit the event’s box office.

Join us in June for nine jam packed days of bestselling authors, international speakers and award winning performers. There’s something for everyone with poets, historians, politicians, illustrators, storytellers and musicians!

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Sophie Sparham, above, Eleanor Marsh, top right, and Jowana Rose

FRINGE BENEFITS

Derby’s Furthest From The Sea’s Little Ed is inspired by Edinburgh

ittle Ed brings a taste of the Edinburgh Fringe to Derby this month with comedy, spoken word, music and theatrical performances at venues around the Cathedral Quarter. The city’s new Fringe Festival, which is being staged by Furthest From The Sea is this year promoting social inclusion, well-being and positive mental health which will all be an integral part of the festival. The event, from April 19-22, features surprising and thought-provoking performances in unexpected places including: mesmerising immersive theatre from Derbybased Smoking Guns Theatre Company; contemporary dance and physical theatre from Jowanna Rose; stand-up artsbeat April 2018

Derby’s Furthest From The Sea stages an ‘alternative’ spring festival of performance this month

comics Ian Hall, a nominee for Leicester Comedy Festival’s Best Kids Show 2018, Nick Tyler, Zahra Barri and James Hately; plus spoken word from Dwane Reads, Dan Webber and She Speaks UK. Music will be provided by,

among others, Furthest From the Sea stalwart Eleanor Marsh and the UP (ukulele project), Uke Duo – which is in fact a trio – who have always been a bit hit at the Matlock Bath Music Festival, wooed crowds at a Derby Folk Festival Fringe session and at the Y Not Festival. There will also be a chance to take part in some creative workshops with Derby performance poet Sophie Sparham, Rethink Derby Steps and Aquarius Derby. There will be nightly events plus fringe performances across The Cathedral Quarter, from 11am-4pm on Saturday April 21. The full programme for the event, sponsored by the Big Lottery Fund, is available fromfurthestfromthesea.co.uk/ LittleEd

IN THE FRAME City enterprise nominated in two categories for digital awards

ainframe, a Derby-based initiative that aims to bring together a community of digital and creative businesses across the county, is staging an awards night this month. The mission for the team working on the project at QUAD in Derby is to create a sustainable community of local digital and creative people, sharing their talent, knowledge and inspiration. They want to ensure that both business and the public appreciate the importance and value of creative business endeavours to the wider local economy and community. The quality of the awards entries amazed the panel of judges and they had a tough job to choose a shortlist for the awards night on April 24. Among the successful entrants was V21, co-founded by Claire Cutts and Joe Clark, which has been nominated in the Project Most Proud Of and Putting Derby/Derbyshire on the Map categories. The duo are brimful of energy, ideas and plans for their fledgling business based in a beautiful space in the heart of

artsbeat April 2018

the city above The Book Cafe at 21 Cornmarket. The upper floor of the onetime bank with big windows and high ceilings is the perfect location for an art gallery and it is where the pair officially launched the latest strand of their business – the V21 Gallery – in February. Claire, the creative director of the enterprise, has many years experience in sales, marketing and a variety of digital projects. She said: “This last year has been a massive challenge for us but it has been incredibly rewarding and we have been able to work with some amazing organisations. “We have had to learn as we went along but between us we have a lot of get up and go and all the hard work has been worthwhile. We are absolutely delighted to have been nominated for not just one, but two, Mainframe Awards.” The second award Cutts and Joe Clark, top, in their V21 nomination was for Claire Gallery in Derby city centre V21 Virtual Space’s work capturing 14 who is the media production of Derby’s main attractions in manager, are quite literally a 3D Virtual Tour. It includes putting Derby on the among others the Museum map, using a mixture of and Art Gallery, Banks Mill technologies such as laser Studios, the Roundhouse, the Cathedral Tower, Pickford’s scanning, photography, video, House and QUAD. drone and CGI. The interactive Claire and 18-year-old Joe, project has to be seen to be artsbeat April 2018

fully appreciated so go to visitderby.co.uk/3d-tour “Being passionate about Derby, we were inspired to create what we believe is a totally innovative and groundbreaking project that showcases what is truly amazing about our wonderful city and we are very proud of the result,” said Claire. To find out more about the three strands of the couple’s digital business – which are V21 Virtual Space, V21 Artspace and V21 Gallery – go to www.v21art.space. n The full list of Mainframe Awards nominations can be seen at artsbeatblog.com and at mainframederby.co.uk

Exhibition 1st to 31st July Please visit BuxtonSpaPrize.co.uk

1st Prize ÂŁ5,000 Open for entries from 1st April Exhibition 1st to 31st July Prize Sponsors Trevor Osborne Charitable Trust

Please visit BuxtonSpaPrize.co.uk

The Riley Educational Foundation

Still

Contemplative paintings by Michael Cook Thoughtful book sculptures by Maggie Cullen Meditative ceramics by Ann Bates Inspiring lettering by Elizabeth Forrest

The Bingham Trust

Bill & Sheila Barratt

The

Manger Gallery Art of imagination, mystery & vision

The Manger Gallery Kings Newton, Derbyshire To view the work telephone Michael Cook on 01332 862365 or go to www.mangergallery.co.uk

Showing throughout April 2018

IMPACT AND INTERPRETATION Catherine Headley, David Crouch and Kerri Pratt

Exhibition - March 17th - April 22nd Tarpey Gallery, 77 High Street, Castle Donington, De74 2pq Gallery also features Artwork by over 50 local Artists Thursday - Sunday, 10am - 5pm

www.tarpeygallery.com | info@tarpeygallery.com

artsbeat April 2018

gallery

artsbeat previews this month’s stand-out exhibitions Mark Preston at Gallerytop, Rowsley

erby-born artist Mark Preston has a solo exhibition of more than 40 paintings at the gallery from April 14-28. Mark paints in acrylics and works mainly in situ with little time spent in the studio. He said of his work: “I think painting is a process of not just looking, but learning to see, and for me it must be first hand, working directly from nature rather than from a photograph. Every now and then in a concentrated flow of working it feels as though I am tuned into nature, but it is then that I realise I am merely scratching the surface of what there is to see and learn from it. “I am interested in trying to convey the subtle qualities of colour, atmosphere or light that say a certain time of day or season or weather condition. Painting en plein air allows me

Exhibitions and galleries

The Anvil Gallery, Derby Work by artists including April Young, Kerri Pratt, Colin Halliday, Andrew Macara, Daniel Ablitt, Mark Gordon, and Heather Duncan. Go to aprilyoung.co.uk for details. Art Café and Gallery in the Gardens, Pavilion Gardens, Buxton The downstairs gallery showcases artsbeat April 2018

to observe these elements first hand. “My connection with the Peak District was formed from an early age walking with my father (the artist Rex Preston) and artist friend Wilfred Ball,

their enthusiasm and love of the landscape rubbed off on me,” he said. Above is May Blossom, Hollinsclough, and on the cover is detail of After Heavy Rain, Ible.

the work of more than 40 artists and craftspeople from the High Peak Artists group. In the café there are selected works by gallery artists: Jill Kerr, Kathy MacMillan, Susan Johnson, Kate Pheasey, Pentimento Ceramics, Sarah Myatt and more. Opening hours: as Pavilion Gardens. Please telephone to check before your visit 01298 23114. Go to galleryinthegardens.co.uk for details. Banks Mill Studios, Derby Butterfly Cry: The story of Frida

Kahlo Portraits and West End Girls with Christ of St John, by artist John McDonald. April 16-May 18, check opening times with the studios. Launch event April 20, 6pm-8.30pm. See more information on page 31. For more details go to banksmill. co.uk or turn to page 31. Baslow Pottery, Ivy House, Nether End, Baslow The gallery displays original work from more than 20 local artists. Wednesday to Saturday, 10.30am-

n gallery 5.30pm and 11am-5pm on Sundays and bank holidays. More details at baslowpottery.co.uk. Blackberry Barn Studio, Bamford, S33 0AY Open Studio Event May 5-7 and 11-12 with Sheffield Open Up. Jenny Mather invites you to experience her new dramatic paintings of the Upper Derwent land/river scapes and a series of exuberant still life works. Opposite her studio in St John’s Church will be some of her large meditational paintings. Jenny will be giving a third of all sales money to Christian Aid, Tear Fund and local charities. For further details go to jennymather.co.uk The Anglers Rest Pub and Cafe, Bamford Throughout May Bamford artist Jenny Mathers will be exhibiting Diary of a Painting – the River Derwent dancing through the Chatsworth Estate. Jenny will be giving a third of all sales money to Christian Aid, Tear Fund and local charities. For further details go to jennymather.co.uk Church Farm Art Gallery, Church Street, Baslow The gallery is a showcase for both professional and talented amateur

The Orangery, Derby Arboretum ROCK Pools, Bringing the Sea Inland, until April 28. A series of pictures taken by Derbyshire artist Howie Johnson in his home town in Scarborough over a period of four months. The main images which will be on display in this exhibition are circular prints on watercolour paper, which were taken with blind photography( shooting without looking) from above. The exhibition will also feature two large chiffons showing the sea rolling in; a rock pool for visitors artists. Owner Norman Tomlinson, exhibits his own work, and others such as Caroline Appleyard, David Alderman, Mike Connley and Judy Tomlinson. Open ThursdaySaturday 10.30am-5pm. Go to churchfarmgallery.co.uk for details. Chatsworth House, Chatsworth n Chatsworth Renewed is

to walk over; groynes (sea breakers) covered in limpets and a moving video of the sea projected on to the walls as well as the sound effect of gulls and crashing waves. Open 10am-4pm except Wednesdays. For more details about Howie’s work go to saatchiart.com an exhibition on until October highlighting the work of those involved in the restoration work just carried out at the stately home. n Sowing Colour, a vivid installation of more than 200 porcelain pots by Natasha Daintry is now being exhibited in the Dome Room at Chatsworth. Natasha is a ceramicist of international acclaim known

Leabrooks Arts Complex CHARLES Wilby’s new collection of Derbyshire landscapes, entitled A Green and Pleasant Land, is exhibited, in the gallery at Leabrooks Arts Complex from April 1-27. His stunning, meticulously observed acrylic paintings do justice to a county famed for its natural beauty. There will be an opportunity to meet the artist from 1pm until 3.30pm on April 7.

artsbeat April 2018

n gallery The Old Lock Up Gallery, Cromford THE gallery is exhibiting work by two artists Stephen Snoddy and Richard Perry until April 21. Homage by Snoddy is a set of 12 new paintings in response to Henri Matisse’s paintings of the period 191317 when he was at his most experimental. The paintings Open Window, The Piano Lesson, Goldfish and Palette, and The Studio,

Quai Saint Michel are all a source of inspiration for the new collection. The recent sculptural work by Perry uses a geometric language to play with concerns of weight and balance, the process, a conflicting one of intuitive adjustment and premeditated decision. The gallery in Swift’s Hollow, Cromford is open Friday to Sunday. For times visit the gallery website at theoldlockupgallery. wordpress.com

particularly for her experiments with glazes, using a high-white porcelain as the luminous ground on which to explore colour For details go to chatsworth.org Cromford Gallery and Studio, Market Place, Cromford The artist of the month is printmaker Jill Kerr. Read more about her work below. The gallery is open Wednesday-Sunday 10am-5pm. Go to cromfordstudioandgallery.weebly. com for details. The Derwent Gallery, Grindleford Landscapes In The Wild. The gallery features paintings by various artists including Gareth Buxton, Kristan Baggaley and Pauline Rignall. Open 11am to 4pm Thursday to

Saturday and 1pm-4pm on Sundays, telephone 01433 630458. Déda, Chapel Street, Derby Anon by photographers Maria Falconer and Paul Hill, until April 28. More details at deda.uk.com Derby Museum and Art Gallery The Art of Industry: From Joseph Wright to the 21st Century, until June 17. This exhibition explores the interwoven histories of art and industry, this exhibition examines both the way that artists view industry and conversely the way that industry portrays itself. The exhibition charts the change in the artists’ viewpoint from depicting industrial buildings set in sublime

Cromford Studio and Gallery

Friends’ Trophy twice in the Derbyshire Open. She is a member of Peak District Products and High Peak Artists and Craftworkers. She exhibits widely and has work in public permanent collections. Editions of her work are limited to between 10 and 20 original prints. The gallery is open Wednesday to Sunday from 10am-5pm.

JILL Kerr’s linocut prints will be exhibited at the gallery in Cromford’s Market Place during April. Themes for her work include rural scenes and landscapes. She has gained several awards including the artsbeat April 2018

Part of Homage by Stephen Snoddy

landscapes to representing the ‘dark satanic mills’ and technological power houses reaping havoc on the natural world. For more details go to derbymuseums.org Duffield Gallery, Town Street, Duffield Work by artists including James Preston, Phil Dyke, Steve Slimm, Lynn Smith, Colin Halliday and Paul Raymond Gregory. Open Thursday-Saturday, 10.30am-5pm and Sundays, 11am-3pm. Telephone 01332 840845 for more details. Ferrers Gallery, Staunton Harold Estate, Ashby de la Zouch Woodlands, March 30-June 17, inspired by woodlands and all

Beech and Birch by Jill Kerr

n gallery that reside in them, artists and designer-makers will be working in various mediums to portray their interpretation of the theme. It will feature work by Ingrid Karlsson. A wide selection of British designermakers working in varied mediums. Go to ferrersgallery.co.uk for details. Gallerytop, Chatsworth Road, Rowsley Mark Preston, Solo Exhibition April 14-28. Read more on page 27. The gallery is open Tuesday to Saturday 10am-5pm and Sunday 11am-4pm.More details at gallerytop. co.uk The Gallery, High Street, New Mills The gallery is run collectively by 30 artists and showcases a variety of work including paintings, jewellery, silk scarves, ceramics and feltwork. Open 10-4pm. Closed Wednesday and Sunday. The Green Man Gallery, Buxton n The Spring Gathering – until April 25. Over 70 art works will be on display in this celebration of

from a variety of artists. More details at hallofframes.co.uk Hallam Art Group Exhibition Free exhibition May 5-7, 10-5pm. Refreshments available. Education Centre, Sheffield Botanical Gardens, S102LN www.hallamartgroup. wordpress.com I’m Thinking of the Sea, by Diana Syder, will be part of the Spring Gathering at Buxton

creativity across the region. Public launch: March 31, 11am to 2.30pm. n Yarns and Threads – Traditional Craft Demonstration Day. A celebration of stitching and knitting, lace making and crochet, spinning and weaving and possibly more, April 21, 11am to 4pm. Free entry. For more details go to the gallery’s facebook page or thegreenmangallery.com Hall of Frames, King Street, Belper Original and limited edition artwork

Ilkeston Arts and Crafts Festival, Cantelupe Centre, Market Place, Ilkeston More than 25 local artists will be displaying their work, May 13, 11am4pm. A selection of painting, drawing and photography will be available to view and buy. Ron Brooks will be demonstrating Chinese brush painting, and there will be glass fusing workshops available throughout the day (bookable slots) with local artist, Dawn Turner. Rachel Carter and Kerry Wheatley will be here to display the plans for the Winding Garden for RHS Chatsworth 2018. If you wish to join the artists at the festival contact Paul Opiah at U Choose Smoothie

Artists join to tell story of hill

HILL is the story of one Derbyshire hHill near Wirksworth told in photography, moving image, sculpture, poetry and song. It tells of life on its contours and in its shelter, in a place that might seem ordinary, but is not ordinary at all. Hill will be on display at Buxton Museum and Art Gallery until June 6. It will showcase the work of award-winning photographer Kate Bellis, whose images capture the working life of the hill and the community that lives in its lee. Alongside Kate’s photographs, the exhibition

will house a full-sized friesian dairy cow – made from the Hill itself, using Longcliffe Limestone – by acclaimed sculptor Sally Matthews (pictured above). Kate and Sally’s work will be complemented with a film by

Wirksworth-based film-maker Gavin Repton, poetry by Lucy Peacock and a song by Carol Fieldhouse. The works will also feature in a book with accompanying DVD, which has just been published. artsbeat April 2018

n gallery the passion and pathos of this work is difficult to resist. Showcasing Butterfly Cry, Studios, Derby (pictured) a series of portraits of Mexican Artist Frida Kahlo. BUTTERFLY Cry: The story Introducing West End Girls: of Frida Kahlo Portraits and a collaboration which links West End Girls with Christ heritage, history and the of St John, by artist John University of Derby, through McDonald. April 16-May 18. the stories of some of the Launch event April 20, 6pminspirational women of Derby’s 8.30pm. West End. This exhibition is a story of Featuring the Christ of St John, love and loss, suffering and after Salvador Dali, including strength, and of the right to The Big Yins as seen on BBC dare anything. It is the story of Arts. the making of an artist. The artist will be working live Go along to Banks Mill and for much of the exhibition. enjoy a range of paintings If you want to watch, or talk, or which is refreshing, exciting, learn to paint this is a fantastic colourful and accessible. opportunity. From stunning large-scale The Big Yins appears with kind permission from photographer portraits to intimate interiors,

Banks Mill

Bar, Bath Street, Ilkeston on 07983 990140. Ingleby Gallery, Ingleby The gallery is open on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, 10am-5pm and weekends from noon-5pm. Go to ingleby-gallery.co.uk for details. Isla Fine Art Cards and Gifts, 4b The Colonnade, Buxton Buxton artist Pam Smart will be exhibiting in the shop’s gallery throughout April. As well as fine art cards and gifts there is a gallery space at the shop in the heart of Buxton and there will be regular exhibitions during the year. Go to Isla–Fine Art on facebook for more details. Jarva Gallery, Market Street, Whaley Bridge The gallery exhibits about 90 per cent British designers’ and artists’ work – jewellery, ceramics, original art, bronze sculpture and glassware, Open Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, 9.30am-5pm, Wednesdays 9,30am3pm, and Saturdays, 9.30am-4pm. For more details go to jarvagallery. com. artsbeat April 2018

Mixed media artist Ingrid Karlsson has work in the Woodlands exhibition at Ferrers Gallery

John Connolly’s Ormscliffe Gallery, Bolsover Inspired by the sea, moors and woods, John’s work is full of drama and emotion, the observer can experience a feeling of remoteness and a sense of place. More than 300 original paintings are on show at his personal gallery in Bolsover. Go to connollyart.com for more details. Kunst Gallery, The Old Nail Shed, Campbell Street, Belper Go to weare kunst on facebook for

James Stenson, and Highland Scullery appears with kind permission from photographer and former Buzzcocks drummer John Maher. details of exhibitions and events at this alternative arts venue. Leabrooks Gallery, Somercotes Charles Wilby, A Green and Pleasant Land, April 1-27. More details on page 28. The gallery is open from Monday to Saturday, 10am-5pm and 11am3.30pm on Sundays. Wednesdays by appointment only. Details at leabrooksartscomplex.com Little London Gallery, Church Street, Holloway Featuring the work of resident artist Chris Tkacz. There are also prints by David Harban and Paul Hipkiss, paintings by Carol Hill and John Scott-Martin, textiles by Jacqui Wakeley and ceramics by Andrew Metheson. The gallery is open from 9am-5pm Wednesday to Saturday. For details go to littlelondongallery.co.uk The Makers, 47 Church Street, Ashbourne Art and gifts made by UK artists, designers and makers. Check out what’s new on their facebook page. Currently exhibiting work by Long

n gallery Eaton artist Joy Pitts who turns clothing labels into works of art. The Manger Gallery, Kings Newton, Melbourne The current exhibition is Still – contemplative paints by Michael Cook, thoughtful book sculptures by Maggie Cullen, meditative ceramics by Ann Bates and inspiring lettering by Elizabeth Forrest. A small atmospheric gallery housed in a 19th century stable which is part of the family home of artist Michael Cook where he exhibits his own work, Go to mangergallery.co.uk for details. The Marlow Gallery, The Close, Church Square, Melbourne Contemporary paintings, ceramics, sculpture and glass. Email Emily Daley at studio@themarlowgallery. co.uk or phone her on 07980550812 to book an appointment to view. For more details go to themarlowgallery.co.uk Matlock Artists Society, All Saints Church, Smedley Street, Matlock Matlock Artists Society will be hosting a watercolour demonstrations by artist Paul Talbot-Greaves, whose work aims to reflect the rugged scenery of the landscape on April 21, 10am-noon. All are welcome, £5 entry includes refreshments. The Old Lock Up Gallery, Swift’s Hollow, Cromford Homage: Paintings by Stephen Snoddy and sculptural work by Richard Perry, until April 21. The gallery is open 11am-5pm Friday and Saturday and 11am-4.30pm on Sundays. Go to The Old Lock Up Gallery on Facebook for details. Open Up, various locations in Sheffield, South Yorkshire and the Peak District Artists open studios May 5-7 and May 12 and 13, 11am-5pm. For more information go to openupsheffield. co.uk QUAD Derby A new exhibition by Mark Neville,

St John Street Gallery THE spring collection of work at the Ashbourne gallery is an Explosion of Colour with the latest ceramic paintings of Zoë Marsh, atmospheric street scenes by Ruth Gray and vivid landscapes and stilllifes by Colin Halliday. Zoë was the winner of the Ashbourne Festival Art prize for 2017 and her ceramic landscapes and patterned paintings are magical and quite extraordinary. Ruth’s work entices us to explore the beautiful towns and villages of the Peak District which she portrays masterfully in her exquisite entitled Battle Against Stigma which aims to address the stigma of mental health problems in the military. The exhibition, from March 30-June 24, is part of FORMAT International Photography Festival’s Off Year Programme. Also included is the UK premiere of Displaced Ukrainians, focusing on the plight of children in a zone of dispute and conflict. Go to derbyquad.co.uk for more details. The Richard Whittlestone Wildlife Gallery, Pilsley, near Chatsworth The gallery is open 10am-5pm Tuesday to Saturday. More details at richardwhittlestone.co.uk Rob Wilson Art, Lockside Mill, St. Martins Road, Marple Open to visitors every Friday, 10am4pm. Go to robwilsonart.co.uk for more details. Smallprint Company, Friary Street, Derby Looking Beyond – Wood engravings by Rob Chapman. Rob’s exhibition

Storm by Colin Halliday

paintings of local street scenes. Colin doesn’t spare any paint in his robust portrayal of dramatic landscapes and vibrant stilllifes in oil. His passion for his art is clear in the exuberant and dynamic way he applies paint to his chosen topic. of intricately produced wood engravings is inspired by the landscape around his home, April 14-May 12. The first day of this exhibition coincides with The Smallprint Co’s first Open Day of the year. More details at smallprintcompany.com St John Street Gallery, St John Street, Ashbourne n Maggie Robinson, A Touch of Realism, until April 14. n Throughout April work by ceramicist Zoe Marsh and painters Ruth Gray and Colin Halliday can be seen under the theme of An Explosion of Colour. Read more about this above. The gallery is open 9.30am-5pm, MondaySaturday. For more details go to stjohngalleryandcafe.co.uk Tarpey Gallery, High Street, Castle Donington Impact and Interpretation, until April 22. Read more about this above right. The gallery is open Thursday to Sunday 10am-5pm. More details at tarpeygallery.com artsbeat April 2018

n gallery Tarpey Gallery, Castle Donington FEATURING three local painters; David Crouch, Catherine Headley and Kerri Pratt, Impact and Interpretation sees the artists share an intention not to produce a realistic, photographic image, instead focusing on creating something that has an element of familiarity, to intrigue and engage the viewer without fully revealing itself. David Crouch’s reduced forms (see right) where simple shapes, wavering blocks, gentle agitation and part-suggesting smears of colour punctuate an otherwise pared back canvas are inspired by moments of feeling and experience, of contact with place or people.

Catherine Headley’s works are inspired by regular visits to Penwith in Cornwall. Kerri Pratt’s draws attention to subtleties of the apparently insignificant, things that are taken for granted, the

Two Birds Gallery, Borough Street, Castle Donington

exhibition celebrating the historic mills in the Derwent Valley, April 14-May 11. Read more about the guild on page 40. Go to chesterfield.ac.uk or email hello@weststudios.co.uk for more details. Whynot Gallery, Lichfield Street, Burton upon Trent

Art, photography, jewellery and design from a wide range of local and UK based artists. They also offer a selection of craft workshops for all ability levels. Open Monday to Friday, 9.30am-5pm and 9.30am4pm on Saturday. U Choose Smoothie Art Gallery, Ilkeston Work by more than 20 local artists can always be seen at the gallery. For more details go to uchoosesmoothie.co.uk V21 Gallery, 21 Cornmarket, Derby, Above The Book Cafe Go to v21art.space. for details of any exhibitions in this new gallery. Read more about the duo behind the enterprise on page 24. West Studios, Chesterfield n Amanda McConnell: Happy World artsbeat April 2018

overlooked, the mundane and banal that surround us in our daily lives. For more details about the artists and their work go to tarpeygallery.com. The exhibition is on until April 22.

Check out all the latest events, workshops and exhibitions on the whynotgalleryuk facebook page

Rob Chapman’s wood engravings can be seen at Smallprint Co Friary Street Derby

Photography exhibition, unitl April 11. n Chesterfield Embroiderers’ Guild, Over and Over and Over Again – an

Wirksworth Framing Company, 22 Market Place, Wirksworth A family-run framing business that exhibits work by a mixture of local artists and prints by nationally renowned artists. Work by Iain Mackay, Richard Pett, Ian Daisley, Sam Toft, Alex Clarke and Thomas Joseph. Go to wirksworthframing.co.uk for more details.

A creative space for a creative community.

TAKING A STAND Photographer Ian Gregory has a particular fascination with Crich Tower

or his 50th birthday Ian Gregory, pictured, decided he would like to have his first proper camera so he could try his hand at photography. He had never been taught how to use one, so he set about learning everything he could from magazines, books and online. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I had always been interested in taking pictures, but I had never had a decent camera before I persuaded my wife Angie to buy me one,â&#x20AC;? said Ian, who is proud to say that he has lived in Belper all his life. Within a short time he was capturing images with which he was happy enough to share online and even enter into competitions. A photograph taken while paragliding on holiday in Turkey so impressed

‘

Living in Derbyshire means you have great landscapes on your doorstep judges in one contest that he won a week-long workshop in the Lake District with landscape photographer John Gravett. “It was that course that inspired me to concentrate on landscape photography. While there I realised outside is where I am happiest – the course sowed the seed in me and I have never really looked back,” said Ian. The engineer, who works for Bombardier in Derby, says that on the workshop, which was nine years ago, Gravett encouraged him to develop his own individual style of photography and experiment. “There were only eight of us on the course and there was a lot of one-to-one tuition about composition, exposure and the use of filters, which I have been experimenting with ever since. “Living in Derbyshire means you have great landscapes on your doorstep and while I enjoy travelling I don’t need to go very far to find something to photograph,” said the 60-yearold. As you will have probably worked out from the pictures on these pages one of Ian’s favourite spots is Crich Stand – he has spent many an hour on the hill capturing the tower in all weathers. His photographs are for sale at the tearooms on the site, which is the memorial of the Sherwood Foresters now known as the Mercian

Regiment – and they have proved to be very popular with the visitors on the annual pilgrimage to the tower in July. Encouraged by the feedback for his work Ian has now taught himself how to make frames and he is looking for other places to sell his work. They can be found at the Homesford Cottage Tearooms on the A6 near Whatstandwell and also at his son’s shop and tearooms, Beaurepaire Patisserie in Belper’s King Street. If you want to meet Ian and talk to him about his pictures and at the same time enjoy some fantastic coffee and cake then you need to make sure you visit Belper for the annual Arts Trail on May 6 and 7 Ian is one of the 120 artists taking part and he will be at the Patisserie. Clockwise from top: Crich Stand Trails,

Just Hanging About, Lumsdale Valley and Sunrise on Black Rocks

Cromford Studio and Gallery Featured artist for April

Jill Kerr

The Old Lock Up Gallery Homage by Stephen Snoddy and Sculptural work by Richard Perry 19, The Hill, Swifts Hollow, Cromford DE4 3RF Open now until April 21st

Linocut prints of rural scenes and landscapes by an award-winning artist Open: 10am-5pm Wednesday to Sunday Market Place, Cromford, DE4 3QE 01629 826434

T: 07927 128989 E: theoldlockupgallery@gmail.com theoldlockupgallery.wordpress.com

Scarthin Books A homely refuge and social hub

New, secondhand and antiquarian bookshop with almost 100,000 titles We buy books and music by appointment

Vegetarian & Vegan Cafe with cosy outdoor seating area

Bookshop 9-6pm Monday-Saturday, 10-6pm Sunday Cafe 10-5.15pm Monday - Saturday, 10-6pm Sunday

Listed by the Guardian online as one of the ten â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;best bookshops in the worldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; The Promenade, Scarthin, Cromford, DE4 3QF Tel: 01629 823272 email: nickscarthin@gmail.com

www.scarthinbooks.com

and watch our film on

artsbeat April 2018

cinema

Find out where movies are being screened near you Does film rescue Mary from myth?

ary Magdalene is a biblical drama film starring Rooney Mara, Joaquin Phoenix, Chiwetel Ejiofor and Tahar Rahim. It is the last film scored by Icelandic composer Jóhann Jóhannsson before his death. The film, directed by Garth Davis (Lion and Top of the Lake) is set in the Holy Land in the first century and sets out to revise the myth that Mary Magdalene was a prostitute, telling a version of the New Testament that attempts to make the female saint the story’s protagonist.

Cinema

Bakewell and Ashfield Film Society Medway Centre, Bakewell, 7.30pm on the second Sunday of the month. More details at bashfilms.org.uk Assembly Rooms Theatre, Bakewell Town Hall, Film Friday every fortnight. Go to bakewelltownhall.co.uk for details. Belper Ritz, King Street, Belper Full monthly programme. Top films, silver screen, Ritz Recommends and dementia-friendly screenings. Go to ritz-belper.co.uk. Buxton Cinema, Pavilion Arts Centre, Buxton All the latest blockbusters and live screenings. For tickets go to buxtonoperahouse.org.uk artsbeat April 2018

In this drama a young woman (Rooney Mara) leaves her small fishing village and traditional family behind to join a radical new social movement. At its head is a charismatic leader, Jesus of Nazareth ( Joaquin Phoenix), who promises that the world is changing. As the notoriety of the group

spreads and more are drawn to follow Jesus’ inspirational message, Mary’s spiritual journey places her at the heart of a story that will lead to the capital city of Jerusalem, where she must confront the reality of Jesus’ destiny and her own place within it. The film can be seen at Buxton Cinema at the Pavilion Arts Centre from April 15-18.

Buxton Film, Pavilion Arts Centre Studio, Buxton Monday evening art house films. Details at buxtonfilm.org.uk Calver Film, The Village Hall, Calver Films every second Thursday of the month at 7.30pm. Membership needed, details from 01433 630760. QUAD, Derby Go to derbyquad.co.uk for details The Northern Light Cinema, North End, Wirksworth Go to thenorthernlightcinema.co.uk Parwich Film, Memorial Hall Usually, but not always, on the second Friday of the month. Go to parwich.org for more details. Peak Film Society, Partington Players Theatre, Glossop Films on a Saturday evening usually

twice a month. More details about membership at peakfilmsociety.org Tansley Film Community Cinema, Tansley Village Hall First Tuesday of the month, Seat reservations essential at book@ tansleyfilm.org.uk. More information at tansleyfilm.co.uk Tideswell Cinema, George Inn,Tideswell All films at the George Inn at 7.30pm. Go to tideswellcinema.com for membership details. New Mills Cinema@ SpringBankArts Every second and fourth Thursday at 7.30pm. Go to springbankarts.org.uk Youlgrave Cinema, Youlgrave Village Hall, Holywell Lane Monthly September-May, usually on a Friday at 7.30pm. Go to youlgrave. org.uk for details.

John Connolly Art Commissions, workshops and one-to-one tuition

Ormscliffe Gallery and Studio

open by appointment at other times 16 Langwith Road, Bolsover S44 6HQ 07967-316622 email: john@connollyart.com

www.connollyart.com

Church Farm Art Gallery CHURCH STREET, BASLOW, NR BAKEWELL

A tiny gallery packed with work featuring flora, fauna, landscapes and seascapes We also offer a framing service with a wide choice of mounts and mouldings OPEN THURSDAY-SATURDAY 10.30AM-5PM WHEN CLOSED RING THE BELL TEL: 01246 582334

www.churchfarmgallery.co.uk 40

THEY’LL

or the past year there has been a thread running through the activities of the Chesterfield Embroiderers’ Guild linking – to a special exhibition. Over and Over and Over Again at West Studios will be the culmination of months of planning, stitching and making by the 33 members of the organisation, which is part of the national guild. The exhibition was the brainchild of Antonia Stanford, (pictured second left), who has a special interest in historic Derbyshire and especially the county’s links to the birth of the industrial revolution and cotton and weaving factories. She thought it would be a good idea to celebrate the Derwent Valley World Heritage Site and the Arkwright mills with artsbeat April 2018

HAVE YOU IN STITCHES Embroiderers’ Guild demonstrates real attention to detail at town exhibition a themed exhibition, and her peers have relished the challenge. Last September they visited the Masson Mill Museum at Matlock Bath for inspiration and they also gained some new ideas following a talk on creating miniature houses at one of their monthly meetings. The exhibition will consist of two group projects – a display of digitally printed cushions and a selection of fascinating ‘room boxes’ based on aspects of mill life. Some of the members have done additional research to enhance their boxes artsbeat April 2018

and even incorporated aspects of their personal history. In addition to these projects the women have also been working on their own work based on the mill. “The work is individual and very diverse but all linked to the theme. It has been a very interesting project and one we have all enjoyed,” said Barbara Meeke, (pictured front centre). What has pleased them all even more is that they are to be able to exhibit at West Studios in Sheffield Road, a relatively new exhibition space for the town, and part of Chesterfield College. “We have been moaning for years that there is not a enough exhibition space in Chesterfield, so were all delighted when this gallery area at West Studios opened.

“We were very keen to display our work there as we really want to raise awareness of the marvellous facilities now available in the town. The staff there have been very helpful and were just as keen to have us there.” Over and Over and Over Again will be launched on April 14 and runs until May 11. The studios are open from 10am-4pm Monday to Friday and 10am-1pm on Saturday. Although the guild members are all women at the moment, the group is open to everyone and they would love to welcome new members. To find out more about them go to emreg.org.uk and click on chesterfield. n To find out more about the West Studios go to weststudios.co.uk

DERWENT GALLERY Landscapes in the wild

Approaching snow shower Stanage Edge by Kristan Baggaley

Open Thursday-Saturday 11am-4pm and Sunday 1pm-4pm

Main Road, Grindleford, S32 2JN Tel 01433 630458 www.derwentgallery.com

Award-winning traditional Peak District pub serving breakfast, lunch and dinner Telephone 01298 83288 Mobile 07866778847

see www.peakpub.co.uk for details

HIGH TOR PLAYERS LEABROOKS GALLERY

ABSENT FRIENDS by Alan Ayckbourn In association with Samuel French

A Green and Pleasant Land Meticulously observed Derbyshire landscapes by Chas Wilby April 1st-27th

Meet the artist event April 7th from 1pm-3.30pm Open: Monday to Saturday 10am-5pm Wednesday by appointment Sunday 11am-3.30pm Leabrooks House, Leabrooks Road, Somercotes 01773 602961

www.leabrooksartscomplex.com

Prints

Originals

Framing

THU 26 APRIL ASHOVER PARISH HALL FRI 27 APRIL WIRKSWORTH TOWN HALL SAT 28 APRIL BAKEWELL TOWN HALL 7:30PM TICKETS Â£8 Ashover & Wirksworth 01629 733407 Bakewell ticketsource.co.uk or 01629 810152

hightorplayers.co.uk

artsbeat April 2018

have a go

Brush up on your skills – or try something entirely new Join recorders group for Royal themed session

f you play the recorder then you may be interested in a special workshop paying homage to the forthcoming royal wedding. The Belper Recorders Group is inviting people to join its fourth Belper Arts Festival workshop which will have a fun programme of ‘royal’ celebratory music from the last five centuries. The workshop takes place at Strutts Centre, Derby Road, Belper, from 1.30pm-4.30pm on May 12. There will be a warm-up session from 1pm. Tickets for the event cost £13 which includes hot and cold drinks and lots of cake. Peter Fender, a London-based musician, conductor, composer and conducting teacher, will be leading the workshop and helping the group to get the

Workshops and Courses

Alfreton Life Drawing Classes, Firs House, Firs Gardens, Alfreton n There is no teacher, so you are free to express yourself artistically. Please bring your own materials and equipment. Everyone over 18 is welcome, £7 per session, Thursdays, 7pm-9pm. For further information contact Julie on 07881383282 . artsbeat April 2018

most out of the music and themselves. He has run two previous workshops for the group. For more details and tickets contact Marianne on 01332 781991 or email marianne. hulse@googlemail.com. You need to book in advance as no tickets will be available on the door. These workshops have been very popular in previous year, so get in early. The workshop is open to players of any shape or size of recorder but is not suitable for beginners.

Once registered you will be sent the music electronically. Please remember your music stand. The recorders group meets about twice a month on Saturday mornings and is currently open to new members playing bass, tenor or treble recorders at intermediate or improver standard. There is a waiting list for descant-only players. If you are unable to attend the workshop get in touch with Hilary on 01773 827274.

Anne Alldread Textiles

annealldread@yahoo.co.uk or visit annealldread.com Artcore, Charnwood Street, Derby n Art For Life, Wednesdays, 1-3pm. n Our Stories, which aims to bring together people from migrant communities in a series of art-based workshops, every Tuesday from 10am-12pm. For details email info@ artcoreuk.com or call 01332 384561.

n Regular felt making workshops in Belper covering a variety of felting techniques, from the basics, to creating a beautiful scarf, cushion or wall hanging. Or you can join in at the weekly textile groups on Monday, 2-4pm and Wednesday 10am12.30pm, to try tapestry, weaving, collage, mixed media, printing, design and much more. A small friendly group with an emphasis on enjoyment while creating. For details call 07817745705, email

Bakewell Life Drawing Classes Friends Meeting House, Bakewell n Classes every week to term

BOBBIN LACE MAKING

one-day workshops and weekly evening classes 6 Friar Gate Studios, Ford Street, Derby Telephone 01332 742533 or visit the website for more details

www.louisewestlacedesign.co.uk

Quality framing service including sports memorabilia, medals, posters, prints and photographs Needlework and canvas stretching

Original art l prints l art materials l gifts

www.outframed.co.uk

n Tel: 01773 747251 n Market Place, Ripley, DE5 3FJ

Anne Alldread

textile artist and felt maker

n Felt making workshops n Weekly textile group n Fashion accessories n Textile art works n Interior accessories n Commissions To book contact annealldread@yahoo.co.uk For more information go to www.annealldread.com

Printers of Artisan Stationery

Workshops, Events & Gallery www.smallprintcompany.com The Smallprint Company, 2-3 Friary Street, Derby DE1 1JF hello@smallprintcompany.co.uk

The Old House

Studio

Art Courses in the Peak District

2018 Dates Now Available Robert Dutton, Richard Holland, Joe Francis Dowden, Tim Fisher, Paul Talbot-Greaves, Carol Hill, Paul Dene Marlor, Judith Selcuk, and many more p Top UK Artists and a variety of media p Enjoyable interactive workshops for all abilities p Small classes maximum ten students p Two-course lunch provided p B&B accommodation available For information on all workshops please visit the website, telephone 01457 857527 or email: info@pennine-art.uk

www.pennine-art.uk 44

Open seven days a week 34 Union Road, New Mills, SK22 3ES Go to thepulsecafe.co.uk for more information artsbeat April 2018

n have a go end on April 4, 2018, Wednesdays 1.30pm-4.30pm. All ability levels. Angus Stokes tutors with help and advice if requested. Male and female models. Short and long poses. Occasional character clothed model. Cartridge paper and drawing materials available. Easels welcome. Email: angus@angusstokes. com Facebook : facebook.com/ angusstokesartist Bakewell Community Arts Workshops, Medway Centre n Crafternoons – Third Friday of the month, during term time, 1pm–3pm. For further details call the Medway Centre on 01629 813638. Creartii Art Studio, 17 Green Lane, Belper n Various workshops, after school clubs and courses available throughout the week. Go to creartii.co.uk for detail. Cromford Studio and Gallery, Market Place, Cromford n Watercolour tuition is available for small groups or on a one-to-one basis, all abilities welcome. Call 01629 826434 for more details. Cromford Mill, Cromford n Arkwright Spinsters demonstrating spinning and other crafts, third Sunday of every month, 11-4pm. n Knit and Natter, second Wednesday of every month, 10amnoon. Details at cromfordmills.org.uk Derbyshire Adult Education, derbyshire.gov.uk/coursesearch n Various courses available at different venues including the Derbyshire Eco Centre, near Wirksworth and Sharp’s Pottery at Swadlincote as well as libraries and other centres. To book a place call 01629 533290, email swadlincote. ace@derbyshire.gov.uk or go to the website link, keyword ‘masterclass’. Glossop Branch of the Embroiderers’ Guild, Glossop Cricket Club, SK13 7AS n Meetings are last Wednesday of the month, 1pm to 3pm. artsbeat April 2018

April 25: Expressive stitches – Speaker: Dionne Swift. Go to glossopstitchedup.blogspot. co.uk for details. Green Man Gallery, Hardwick Hall, Buxton n Life drawing, a weekly session for artists at any stage with a professional life model, Tuesdays, 7pm-9pm. Contact Curtis Bollington 07880 535615. Over 16s only. n Adult Dance Classes: For information or to book, call Catherine Farrimond, on 01298 70984. n Every day: 6x4: Inspired by Landscape. Drop-in and join this fundraising attempt. Entries can also be sent by post. Cost: £1 per entry. n Every Tuesday in term time – Changing Faces with Funny Wonders. A weekly creative session for young people (11 to 18) with community arts company, Funny Wonders. More information at funnywonders.org.uk or email hello@funnywonders.org.uk. For further information and booking for other courses contact hello@ thegreenmangallery.com or 01298 937375 unless otherwise stated. Green Door Printmaking Studio, Banks Mill, Derby n Screen printing with Monotype, April 14, 11am-4pm. n Woodcut, April 14, 11am-4pm. For more details and to book online, visit: greendoor-printmaking.co.uk or call 07919 823 097. Helen Jagger, sustainable textile design n Drop-in sessions at St Ann’s Catholic Rooms, Buxton, Fridays, 9.15am-11.45pm. n Buxton Campus, Buxton, Tuesday evenings in term time, 7pm-9pm. Contact the college on 08000 740099 to book. Guidance with a range of sewing projects. Go to helenjagger.co.uk for more details. Leabrooks Artists Forum, Leabrooks Arts Complex, Somercotes DE55 4HB n Artists sharing information,

ideas and enterprise. The meetings take place on the first Saturday of every month from 10.30am-1pm. Beverages and cake cost £3.50, if required; everything else is free. Painters, sculptors and potters who have experience of exhibiting are invited to join the group. Go to leabrooksartscomplex.com for more details. Louise West Lace Design 6 Friar Gate Studios, Ford Street, Derby n Evening classes in bobbin lace making, Tuesdays 6-8pm. n One-day workshops for a maximum of ten students, £30. The next courses are on April 11 and May 5. Go to louisewestlacedesign. co.uk for booking details. Little London Gallery, Holloway n Develop your studio practice and techniques with Chris Tkacz, at his Little London Gallery studio in Holloway near Matlock. Contact Chris Tkacz by email at info@littlelondongallery.co.uk or telephone 01629 534825 for more details. Matlock Artists Society, All Saints Church Hall, Smedley Street n The club’s Portrait Group meets the first Wednesday of every month from 9.30am-noon. Everyone welcome, £5 to include light refreshments. For details contact Doreen Andrews 01629 824640. n At the same venue, on the second Thursday of every month, the society invites all keen to paint/ draw in a happy, relaxed group to go along. This is a self-help group with no tutor, 9.30am-noon. For details 01629 584708. The Old House Studio, Woodhead Road, Torside, Glossop n Art courses in the Peak District. Top UK Artists including Carol Hill, and Tim Fisher, and a variety of media. Workshops, which are enjoyable and interactive, for all abilities. Small classes maximum ten students. Two-course lunch provided. B&B accommodation

n have a go available. Carol Hill will be there with a watercolour en plein air course on June 6 and 7. For more details visit pennine-art.uk Tel: 01457 857527, email: info@pennine-art.uk Pam Smart, Art Workshops in the Studio with a View, Buxton n A full day workshop from 10am-4pm with materials and refreshments. n Seam Gems – collages with acrylics, brusho, stencilling and more, April 19. n Fabulous Flowers, May 12, 10am-4pm. For more details go to pamsmart. co.uk Pitchblue Creative, Coldwell Street, Wirksworth n Full day workshops from 10am3.30pm with lunch and a half day is until 1pm. You can choose one day or two. There are also regular weekly courses: Textiles and Felt-making on Tuesdays, Big Brush Painting on Wednesdays, Textiles, Afternoon Crafts and evening Sip and Paint on Thursdays. Go to pitchbluecreative. com for details. Pauline Townsend Silk Painter n Workshops for beginners and improvers in Buxton. Workshop schedule available on the website: silkpainter.co.uk Purple and Grey – courses for emerging artists n Purple and Grey Derbyshire Art Group meet on selected Wednesdays of each month 10.30am-12.30pm, at Tansley Village Hall, new members always welcome. Next up is April 18. The next workshop at Tansley is Drama in Watercolour Landscapes with Bill Lupton on April 11. Go to purpleandgrey.co.uk for details. Small Print Company, 2-3 Friary Street, Derby n Beginners’ Bookbinding, April 28, June 9, August 25 and October 13. n Create a Letterpress Print, April

21, May 26, June 23, July 21, August 18, September 22, October 27 and November 24. Details of various other courses at smallprintcompany. co.uk StraightCurves, 104 Saltergate, Chesterfield n A range of arts and crafts workshops and courses for all ages and abilities from accessible studios in Chesterfield. There are also regular events see details below. Book online at straightcurves.co.uk 01246 807575 info@straightcurves.co.uk n Woolly Wednesdays – every Wednesday, 10am-12.30pm and 6.30pm-9pm. All arts and crafts are welcome at this session. n Little Creatives – every Friday and Monday 9.45-11am. Little Creatives is a workshop designed especially for pre-school children and their parents. n Book Club – 7-8pm on the third Thursday of the month, refreshments included. The Studios, New Mills n Intro to Linocut Printmaking. Create a two colour lino print with Lucy Gell. April 22, 10am-4pm. Go to thestudios.co for more details. St John Street, Gallery, Ashbourne n Wendy Darker, Chickens in Acrylic, April 5. n Louise Jannetta, Woods in Springtime, April 9. n Liz Welby, Getting Started with Brushes, April 16. n Sue Lewis-Blake, Monochrome Marks and the Impact of Colour, April 26. To book, phone 01335 347425 or email enquiries@ stjohngalleryandcafe.co.uk. More details can be found on the gallery website: stjohngalleryandcafe.co.uk Sumacdesigns, Banks Mill Studios, Bridge Street, Derby n Clay workshops. Three separate workshops – flowers, bowls and tile panels. Every day between 12.45pm

and 7.30pm. Each session is an hour and a half. For more details email Sue on sumac_53@msn.com or go to sumacdesigns.co.uk Parkwood Throwing Courses, Parkwood Centre, Alfreton Park, Alfreton n Eight week throwing courses Thursday evenings from 7-9pm; three hour taster sessions from 6-9om and weekend throwing courses, Saturday and Sunday from 10am-5pm. Go to parkwoodthrowingcourses.co.uk for details. Allison Turner Designs, 26 Derby Road, Long Eaton n Card Making every Tuesday, 1pm-3pm n Scrapbooking Thursday evening 5.30pm-7.30pm fortnightly. For more details of many other courses go to allisonturnerdesigns.co.uk West Studios, Sheffield Road, Chesterfield n Tutored Life Drawing Class by Wallspace Visual Arts, held the first Tuesday of the month. Contact John King on john@wallspacevisualarts. co.uk or phone 07795 804793. n Photography – ten-week course Monday evenings from 6pm-9pm, starts April 9. n Silversmithing and Jewellery Making, ten-week course runs on Tuesday mornings 9am-12pm, starts April 10. n Photoshop – a ten-week course running on Monday evenings from 6pm-9pm, starts April 9. n Ceramics Workshop:Intro: working with clay, six-week course. Starts Thursday, April 12, 1pm-4pm n Advanced Ceramic Techniques. six-week course. Starts Monday, April 9, 6pm-9pm. n Printmaking Skills: Intro to Print: Collagraph and Lino, five-week course. Starts Thursday, April 12, 6pm-9pm. For more information call west studios on 01246 500 799 or email hello@weststudios.co.uk or go to weststudios.co.uk for details. artsbeat April 2018

BETTER & BIGGER

Organisers of Belper’s arts festival plan to build on their success

reparations are now being finalised for the 2018 Belper Arts Festival which takes in the town for most of May. The festival is a combination of separate community-based events including music, dance, film, theatre, photography literature and art. The music festival based at St Peter’s Church runs from May 13-19 and will include performances from among others classical guitarist James Rippingale and soprano artsbeat April 2018

Margaret Keys, who you can read more about on page 51. Following the huge success of the First World War play Hamp last year, Larry Waller returns to the director’s chair to stage Nell Gwynn, by Jessica Swale, which you can read more about on page 62. The children’s showcase Shine!

Belper Arts Trail has been chosen to be artsbeat’s first High Five feature because it first became part of the Belper Arts Festival in 2013 – the same year the magazine launched. The arts festival, which started the previous year, has gone from strength to strength. Both are established in the arts calendar and each year help cement Belper’s reputation as a centre for creativity in the visual and performing arts. Amanda Penman

Clockwise from top left: Mixed media artist Helen Hallowâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s colourful work; a charcoal drawing of a sighthound by Diana Shepherd; a recycled tin and driftwood kingfisher, by sculptor Deborah Miles; Captain Dan and his team of pirates; and The Philharmonics performing on last yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s main stage Above: Jewellery by Caroline Brogden Left: ceramics by Diana Parker Previous page: Belper Mill by Ruth Gray

artsbeat April 2018

returns to the town on May 20 with children aged from six to 18 years bringing song, drama and musical theatre to an eight-hour production. There will be an enchanting textiles display entitled Woollen Woods in Belper Parks from May 12-19 and a walk to take in Beth’s Poetry Trail – a permanent memorial to Beth Fender who founded Belper’s two poetry groups – on May 10, and Belper Open Houses from May 26-28. The first major event of the festival on May 6 and 7 is the Arts Trail which is this year celebrating its fifth anniversary and therefore has the honour of being the first recipient of an artsbeat High Five. This year they have more than 120 artists in 53 venues, supported by a full programme artsbeat April 2018

of music that is taking on a new dimension for 2018, with a Live Music Trail weaving its way through the town between noon and 4pm each day at ten venues fronted by the main stage in The Memorial Gardens. You can also expect lots of pirate shenanigans from Captain Dan and his team, who will be setting up camp in The Ritz Cinema for a variety show three times each day. It is also hoped that during the two days there will be craft demonstrations in the Market Place, a one-day historical exhibition at the Masonic Hall and an arts and heritage walk. The Strutts Centre on Derby Road is also joining the trail this year and will be hosting a large number of the artists taking part.

The trail, from 10.30am 4.30pm each day, will include some artists familiar to the festival such as Ruth Gray, Andy Mayers, Duncan Pass, Barry Bulsara and Natasha Braithwaite and some newcomers including Peter Watson, Jason Keeble, Steve Mitchell, Matthieu Leger, Richard Pearson, Helen Hallows, Brenda Wilson, Tricia Rice and Diana Parker. Brochures and badges will once again cost £3 per person and will be available on the day at The Memorial Gardens, The Market Place, Strutts, Gatehouse Antiques and The North Mill. n For more information about the whole arts festival go to belperartsfestival.org. The arts trail has a separate website belperarts.org

music

artsbeat’s essential guide to Derbyshire’s best live tunes Leading soprano stops off in Belper for festival launch

elper Arts Festival will open on May 5 with a concert at St. Peter’s Church. Irish soprano Margaret Keys and guests will appear in Belper between concerts with Michael Crawford and Russell Watson. Festival co-ordinator George Gunby said: “Margaret Keys in concert is a great way to open the festival. “We’ve been lucky to get her. Margaret is on tour with Russell Watson and after the Belper show she flies to Dubai for a concert.” Margaret gave up a career as a teacher to follow her musical dream. Since turning professional she has performed for the Pope and Prince Charles, sung with Rod Stewart, Alfie Boe and Aretha Franklin, appeared on Sunday Night At The London Palladium and debuted at New York’s Carnegie Hall. In June she will be releasing a new album. To hear her singing scan the QR code on this page. Another musical event which will be staged during the Belper Arts Festival is a recital by Derbyshire classical guitarist James Rippingale on May 10. He plays a wide range of music

artsbeat April 2018

Margaret Keys’ concert will be the curtain-raiser to Belper Arts Festival

from the tradition Bach and Tarrega to modern works by Harrison, Henze, Britten and Brouwer. James will also be holding two guitar workshops earlier in the day. The Duo Piccolo e Grande will perform at No. 28 in the Market Place, Belper, on May 18. Enzo Puzzovio and Stewart McCoy have been professional musicians since 1984 and formed the duo in 2012. They specialise in rarely-heard works from the Italian baroque and their featured instrument is a precise replica of an ivory and ebony 1752 mandolino in the

V&A collection. They also play an antique hurdy-gurdy. Belper’s own Pete Castle will be singing and telling stories alongside Nicky Rafferty at No 28 on May 17 and young musicians from the town Laurie Illingworth and Friends ( Joseph Knight and the Sunflower Thieves) will be at the same venue on May 12 at 7.30pm. To find out more about other festival events go to belperarts festival.org where you can also buy tickets.

n music Rock and Pop

Alstonefield Village Hall, Alstonefield Aynsley Lister, April 28, 7.30pm. Influenced from an early age by the 60s rhythm and blues era, Lister takes these key elements and mixes them with a more current and melodic lyrical approach. He was the only British artist to be featured in Classic Rock’s Top 10 Contemporary Blues Rock Artists. Tickets online at WeGotTickets. Buxton Opera House and Pavilion Arts Centre, Buxton n Hello Again, the story of Neil Diamond, March 30, 7.30pm. n Judy and Liza, March 31, 7.30pm. n Fastlove, A tribute to George Michael, April 1, 7.30pm. n Rumours of Fleetwood Mac, April 8, 7.30pm. n The South, April 12, 7.30pm. n The Drifters, April 13, 7.30pm. n The Carpenters’ Story, April 14, 7.30pm. n Judie Tzuke, April 19,7.30pm. n Kim Wilde, April 20, 8pm. n The Bootleg Beatles, April 22, 7.30pm. n Wuthering Heights, the music of Kate Bush, featuring Rachel Sinnetta and her Rubber Band, April 27, 7.30pm. Details at buxtonoperahouse.org.uk Bakewell Oxfam Supporters Group Rock ‘n’ roll, Bakewell Town Hall Bakewell Oxfam Supporters Group invite you to Rock ‘n’ Roll for Oxfam on Sunday April 22, 2pm-5pm. The Backseat Jivers will provide live music; Heather Clements of Hopfrogs Dance School, will run a Rock ‘n’ Roll dance workshop and the Bakewell Oxfam group will provide the tea and cake. Tickets, £10, from Bakewell Book and Gift Shop or reserve on 01629 815469 or 812104. Proceeds for Oxfam. Guildhall Theatre, Derby April 26, the sounds of the Eagles from Talon, a band who aim to

Innovative arrangements beautifully performed on instruments including the guitar, cello, fiddle, banjo and uilleann pipes, add a touch of WITH their unique musical magic. style and irrepressible sense Willy, best known for his of fun, changing gear with partnership with John Otway, almost every number, it is has had a long and varied easy to see how audiences career. are captivated by Wild Willy The group’s singer, Jane Barrett’s French Connection. Williams, has just recently From a riverside cafe, via a finished performing on Van hooley in Dublin, to a night Morrison’s latest album, and out in New Orleans with riproaring fiddle and banjo – this is a wonderful new addition to the ensemble. Her effortless band does it all. A master of live entertainment, but highly emotive vocals draw you in and leave you multi-instrumentalist Wild wanting more. Willy Barrett’s dry off-theYou can see them at Ashover wall humour has audiences Parish Hall on April 20 at laughing out loud between 7.30pm. For tickets ring 01246 numbers, as the warm and 590343. Go to wildwillybarrett. charismatic vocals of Jane com for more details. Williams take centre stage.

Wild Willy makes the connection

faithfully re-create the music of the Eagles with honesty, respect and reverence. Sitting on bar stools and armed with no more than their trademark four part vocal harmony, acoustic instruments and laid back banter, Talon will leave audiences spellbound as they perform their own arrangements from a wide range of acoustic classics. For tickets to go derbylive.co.uk Queen’s Head, Belper n Bonfire Radicals April 27.

n SoulDeep Fusion May 4. n Rock for the Homeless, May 12. For more details go to queensheadbelper.weebly.com The Venue, Derby n April 5, Radar Love – Peach, Shadowlark and TFAS. n April 13, Super Hans. n April 20, Absolute Bowie Band. n April 26, Radar Love – No Hot Ashes, Black Dog, Anthem and Public Conscience. More details from livemusicderby.co.uk artsbeat April 2018

n music Trio promises faultless folk AFTER a mammoth solo world tour promoting the Verging On The Perpendicular album, Dan Walsh’s annual UK tour offers an exciting change for 2018 seeing the launch of the all-new Dan Walsh Trio. This exciting new outfit sees him team up with award winning fiddler Ciaran Algar and long-time collaborator Nic Zuppardi on mandolin. Although a few favourites from Dan’s previous highly praised albums will be in the set, the gigs are mostly to be shaped around brand new and innovative material. At the heart of the trio’s sound is British, Irish and

American folk music, delivered with a healthy dose of funky grooves. Add to all that poignant songs, astonishing musical departures and lively humour and the result is sure to be a truly memorable live show

The Courtyard, Derby, April 20. A potent mix of the hottest electric jazz. n Yana, The Cube, Deda, May 4. Go to derby-jazz.co.uk for details.

Folk and Jazz

Bakewell Oxfam Bakewell Oxfam Supporters Group invite you to a Jazz Breakfast with The Steve Salfield Quartet on April 8, 10.30am-12.30pm at Bakewell Medway Centre. Sumptuous continental breakfast, good coffee, Sunday papers all to the sound of mellow jazz. Tickets available at Bakewell Book and Gift Shop or reserve by phoning Jude 01629 815469 or Daryl 01629 813209. Proceeds to Oxfam. Belper Folk Club, Old King’s Head, Days Lane, Belper Every Tuesday at 8.30pm. For more details check out their facebook page or go to belperfolkclub.co.uk The Butterfly House Cafe, The Torrs, Market Street, New Mills Mr Wilson’s Second Liners, Lazlo Baby and Jilah Bakhshayesh, April 7, doors 7.30pm. All proceeds to Music In Hospitals and Care. Tickets artsbeat April 2018

You can seen them on May 12, at 7.30pm, at Alstonefield Village Hall, Alstonefield. Tickets from wegottickets.com/ event/420258 Dan is also playing at North Wingfield Resource Centre on May 4 (see listings).

Zoe Gilby who is performing at Kirk Langley on May 4

online from newmillsfestival.co.uk or telephone 07753842861. Chesterfield Jazz Club, Chester Street, Chesterfield Jazz vocalist Sue McCreeth, April 19, 8.30pm. More details at chesterfieldjazz.wordpress.com Derby Jazz, various Derby venues n Gary Reader Band, The Cube, Deda, April 6. n SoulDeep Fusion Trio Plus One,

The Flowerpot, Derby n Acoustic Wednesdays, Woolley and Archer, April 4. n Singer songwriter Connor Adams will join Derbyshire’s own Blair Dunlop on April 5. n The Christians, April 13. n Colin Blunstone, April 20. For details go to rawpromo.co.uk Green Man Gallery, Buxton n The Sunday BuskStop. Free lunchtime gig by local musicians with soup, bread and cake for lunch and excellent company. noon-2pm. n Sarah McQuaid, April 22. More details on page 55. Contact hello@thegreenmangallery. com or 01298 937375 for tickets. Sir William Hotel, Grindleford Open mic/acoustic music night, 8.30pm, normally last Friday in the

n music Four voices in perfect harmony WIRKSWORTH community choir Raise Your Voices, is hosting a dual event in Wirksworth Town Hall on April 28. Kongero, a Swedish ‘FolkAppella’ quartet, will lead a workshop during the day then perform a concert in the evening. They are extremely talented and experienced musicians who travel extensively, sharing their unique style of exquisite singing across the continents. With their voices moving together in tight harmony or intertwining in a whirling tempo, the highly acclaimed folk vocal group draws traditional Swedish music out of the past and into the present. A concert with Kongero takes the listener on a month. See Sir William Open Mic Night facebook page for details about the next event. Guildhall Theatre, Derby n Fans of folk can’t miss out on Scottish songwriter Kris Drever, who celebrated a decade of critical and commercial success last year by winning both BBC Radio 2 Folk Singer of The Year 2017 and Best Original Track 2017 April 23. n Irish Legends The Fureys are in Derby as part of their 40th Anniversary tour for a great night of music, songs and stories. Go to derbylive.co.uk for details. Live & Local, various event at various locations n Harp and a Monkey: The Importance of Digging Holes, The Great War and More, Spring Bank Arts Centre, New Mills, April 21,

fabulous journey, an allembracing Scandinavian folk music experience – blue notes, amazing vocal polyphony, groovy, powerful, and intimate. The band was formed in 2005 and besides doing concerts they also conduct well-received workshops in traditional Swedish vocal music and vocal harmonies. 7.30pm. Tickets on 01663 308202. n Sheesham and Lotus and Son, The Verney Institute, Pleasley, April 28, 8pm, tickets 01623 810035 and Crich Glebe Field Centre, April 29, 7.30pm, tickets 01773 853260. n Zoe Gilby Quartet, Kirk Langley Village Hall, May 4, 7.30pm, tickets 01332 824403. n Dan Walsh in Concert, North Wingfield Resource Centre, May 4, 8pm, tickets 01246 856 451. Go to liveandlocal.org.uk for details of times and tickets. The Old Hall Hotel, Hope n Singers and musicians in the bar, 8pm, every second and fourth Wednesday of the month. n Daria Kulesh with Marina Osman, April 8. A special evening of Russian music. n Ar Faoued, April 11.

Tickets for the 7pm concert are £12 and available from Traid Links and Le Mistral in Wirksworth. The workshop from 10am-4pm costs £20 and requests for booking forms should be made to raiseyourvoiceswirksworth @gmail.com To find out more about the quartet go to kongero.se n Chris Ronald, April 25. Go to folkandblues.wixsite.com for more details or call 07913331078. Peak Concerts n Emily Smith and Jamie McClennan, April 21, Whitworth Centre, Darley Dale. n Brooks Williams and Hans Theessink, May 19, Imperial Rooms, Matlock. More details at peakconcerts.co.uk PR Promotions, various locations n Narthen in Concert, April 20, 8pm, Nailers Football Club, Belper. Barry Coope, Lester Simpson, Fi Fraser and Jo Freya make up this exciting new line-up. Original and traditional songs on piano, melodeon and fiddle, not forgetting their wonderful four voices in harmony. Tickets from Ticket Hotline 01773 853428 artsbeat April 2018

n music Live performance at Buxton gallery SINGER songwriter and guitarist, Sarah McQuaid, returns for her third gig at The Green Man Gallery in Buxton on April 22. The concert will be part of an international tour introducing her new solo album, If We Dig Any Deeper It Could Get Dangerous. Doors open at 7pm for 7.30pm start. Tickets £10 in advance / £12 on the door. Book at the gallery on 01298 937375 or at wegottickets. com/event/429689 Village Folk, The Lawns Hotel, Chellaston, Derby Moore Moss Rutter will be appearing at Village Folk as part of their New Album Launch Tour. Widely regarded as three of the best players of traditional folk among a precociously gifted generation, their finely-crafted arrangements wield a rare potency. Liberally sprinkled with a modern electro-acoustic grit, this trio has as much to do with contemporary music as it does with folk or baroque. April 14 for tickets go to villagefolk.org

Classical Music

Bakewell Town Hall, Bakewell Town Hall Chamber Series. Une Soirée Française. Music for flute, viola, cello and harp. Works by Ravel, Debussy, Fauré, Roussel and others, Katherine Baker (flute); Marie Leenhardt (harp); Christine Andersen (viola); Simon Turner (cello), April 21, Assembly Room Theatre, 7.30pm (Doors 7pm) Tickets from ticketsource.co.uk/date/370555. More details at bakewelltownhall. co.uk artsbeat April 2018

PICTURE : Phil Nicholls

Belper Recorders Group, Strutts Centre, Belper The fourth Belper Arts Festival workshop – a fun programme of ‘royal’ celebratory music from the last five centuries with London-based musician, conductor and composer Peter Fender, 1.30pm (sign in and warm up from 1pm) to 4.30pm May 12. For more details or to register your interest or to buy a ticket – please contact Marianne by phone: 01332 781991 or email: marianne.hulse@ googlemail.com Buxton Opera House, Buxton n English Touring Opera with Mozart: The Marriage of Figaro, March 23; Puccini: Il tabarro & Gianni Schicchi, March 24 and Rossini: Fireworks, March 25. n Coffee Concert, Alice Braithwaite and Rachel Fright, April 6, 1pm. Details at buxtonoperahouse.org.uk Chesterfield Philharmonic Choir Handel’s Messiah on April 7 at 7.15pm. at Chesterfield Parish Church. Featuring the Derbyshire Sinfonia Orchestra and soloists Caroline Taylor, Michael Gibson, Isabella

Cheevers and Patrick Relph. Tickets can be obtained from choir members and Chesterfield Visitor lnformation Centre in Rykneld Square, online at.chestphilchoir.org. uk and on the door. Derby Cathedral, Derby The London Concertant present Vivaldi’s Four Seasons by Candlelight, April 20, 7.30pm. A classical treat from one of Britain’s finest ensembles. More details from derbycathedral.org Derby Chamber Music Society, Multi-Faith Centre, Derby University April 20, a concert by Martin Cousin (piano). Bach: English Suite No.6 in D minor BWV 811; Chopin: Sonata No.2 in B flat minor, Op.35; Brahms: Sonata No.3 in F minor, Op.5. More details are available at derbychambermusic.org Derby Concert Orchestra, St Mary’s Church, Wirksworth May 19, 7.30pm, Stravinsky: Symphonies of Wind Instruments and Respighi Sibelius: Fountains of Rome Symphony No 1 in E minor. go to derbyconcertorchestra.co.uk for more details.

n music Sounds will take you back in time SHEESHAM and Lotus & ‘Son is one of North America’s foremost and popular authentic old time roots bands. If you imagine the world through sepia-tinted glasses and step back in time to the dusty Wild West, and you enter a crusty old saloon, this is the band you would probably want to hear. A visual delight as much as a musical kick up the pants, they transport audiences to rumbustious times when selfproclaimed Quacks flogged snake-oil as a miracle cure-all for everything from syphilis to broken hearts. These are the frontier settlements where the men were wild and the women wilder. This dynamic and entertaining musical vaudeville show has its roots in the Vaudeville and Juke Joints of the American South, where Mississippi Riverfolk meet the Appalachian Highlanders; blues meet fiddle tunes; creating a rollicking and full Derby Choral Union, Derby Cathedral Lobgesang (Hymn of Praise), May 12, 7.30pm. More details from dcu. org.uk Music at Duffield, Ecclesbourne School, Duffield The Astaria String Quartet, April 21. Turina: The bullfighters’ Prayer; Bloch: In the Mountains (Two Sketches) and Haydn: The Seven Last Words of our Saviour on the Cross (complete). The quartet have recorded their first album, Fiesta, a celebration of Spanish and Latin American

flamed conviviality one might consider outrageous.This show is vividly antique in both sight and sound, and the band’s excellent musicianship sets them apart as true innovators of their craft. music which includes compositions by Turina, Villa-Lobos and a first recording of the Tango Ballet by Piazzolla for string quartet. For more details go to musicatduffield.com. Mayfield Music, St John the Baptist Church, Mayfield The welcome return of jazz violin supremo Christian Garrick following last year’s spectacular success of the Budapest Café Orchestra – this time with a programme entitled Spirit of Stephane – an homage, in Christian’s inimitable style, to the fabled French fiddler Stephane Grappelli. Chris’s quintet will

You can see them thanks to Live and Local at the Verney Institute, Pleasley, on April 28 and Crich Glebe Field Centre on April 29. More details about times and tickets in the listings. remember and celebrate Grappelli’s incredible legacy of 79 years of music-making with a swinging show, April 22, 3pm. Tickets from penny@ mayfieldmusic.org.uk by telephone on 01335 342114 and at Natural Choice, St John’s Street, Ashbourne. Price £14 (£6 students) The Pleyel Ensemble, Methodist Church, Market Street, Chapel-enle-Frith n Sarah Ewins violin, Heather Bills cello and Harvey Davies piano. Programme to include Shostakovich piano Trio and Ravels String Duo, April 8, 3pm. Full details available at pleyelensemble.com artsbeat April 2018

n bookshelf

n Circe By Madeline Miller (Bloomsbury £16.99 )

From the Bailey’s Women’s Prize for Fiction winning, internationally bestselling author of The Song of Achilles comes the powerful story of the mythological witch Circe, inspired by Homer’s Odyssey. In the house of Helios, god of the sun and mightiest of the Titans, a daughter is born. But Circe has neither the look nor the voice of divinity, and is scorned and rejected by her kin. Breathing life into the ancient world, Madeline Miller weaves an intoxicating tale of gods and heroes, magic and monsters, survival and transformation.

n Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine By Gail Honeyman (HarperCollins £8.99 )

Widely hailed as the fiction debut of 2017, this book is a triumph of deft observation of everyday life. By turns laugh-aloud funny and deeply poignant, it is a book

that champions everyday courage and the importance of friendship in a world where people are increasingly isolated. Challenging the stigmas that exist around loneliness in contemporary society, it is a gentle reminder of those we too easily overlook and how a life can be changed by small acts of kindness.

A soldier and a thief, a cutthroat, courtesan and a druid, even the Emperor Valentinian – each play a part in the beginnings of this legend…the rise of the House of Pendragon.

n Vinyl Junkie By Derby author Tony R Cox (Fahrenheit Press, £6.35 from Amazon) n Pendragon By Derbyshire author James Wilde (Bantam £8.99 )

It is AD 367. In a frozen forest beyond Hadrian’s Wall, six scouts of the Roman army are found murdered. For Lucanus, known as the Wolf and leader of elite unit called the Arcani, this chilling ritual killing is a sign of a greater threat. But to the Wolf the far north is a foreign land, a place where daemons and witches and the old gods live on. Only when the child of a friend is snatched will he venture alone into this treacherous world. What he finds there beyond the wall will echo down the years. Cabals from the edge of Empire to the eternal city of Rome, from the pagan monument of Stonehenge to the warrior kingdoms of Gaul, will go to any length to possess what is believed to be a source of great power, signified by the mark of the Dragon.

Newspaper reporter Simon Jardine and Tom Freeman, DJ and part-time private investigator, attend a homecoming gig for a megastar band. The glitzy, extravagant bash is noisy and oppressive but the booze is free. Afterwards Jardine and Freeman see a record company manager roughed up and threatened. And back home, they hear that a man was murdered just yards from the gig venue. Then another body turns up. This time it’s closer to home and there’s a link to both payola and drug dealing in night clubs. Vinyl Junkie is set in in Derby in 1974, when payola – the scheme that pays corrupt DJs to play records and has spread to bribes in record stores – was rife. It’s a crime thriller that moves seamlessly through death and depravity into a world of drugs and corruption at the highest levels.

Bookshelf is sponsored by Scarthin Books, of Cromford 57

artsbeat April 2018

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artsbeat April 2018

stage

Catch the best shows and performances in the county Haunting tale of friendship spans continents

ollowing an outstanding West End run The Kite Runner – an unforgettable theatrical tour de force – is coming to Buxton. Based on Khaled Hosseini’s international best-selling novel, this powerful story is a haunting tale of friendship which spans cultures and continents. It follows one man’s journey to confront his past and find redemption. Afghanistan is a divided country on the verge of war and two childhood friends are about to be torn apart. It’s a beautiful afternoon in

Theatre

Belper Arts Festival, Nell Gwynn, Strutts Centre, Belper Tickets are now on sale for the showcase theatre event of the Belper Arts Festival this May. Belper Captive Audience Theatre Company is presenting the unmissable musical adaptation of Jessica Swale’s award-winning, hilarious, West End musical hit, Nell Gwynn May 17-19. Read more on page 62. For tickets go to belperarts.org or the Oxfam Books and Music shop, King Street, Belper. Buxton Opera House, Buxton and Pavilion Arts Centre n Captain Flinn and the Pirate Dinosaurs 2: The Magic Cutlass, March 27-29. artsbeat April 2018

The stage version of The Kite Runner is coming to Buxton next month

Kabul and the skies are full of the excitement and joy of a kite flying tournament. But neither Hassan nor Amir can foresee the terrible incident which will shatter their lives forever.

The play can be seen at Buxton Opera House from May 29-June 2 at 7.30pm with a matinees on Wednesday and Saturday at 2.30pm. For tickets go to buxtonoperahouse.org.uk

n Great Expectations, April 3-7. n Royal Shakespeare Company presents a pre recorded streaming of Macbeth, PAC, April 12, 7pm. For more details go to buxtonoperahouse.org.uk

n Curious Monkey in association with Northern Stage present Leaving by Paddy Campbell, April 7, 7pm. n Derby Theatre and the National Theatre present Connections 2018 – the East Midlands festival of youth theatre April 9-14. More details at derbytheatre.co.uk Guildhall Theatre, Derby n You’ve Got Dragons, presented by the Talking Flight Theatre Company. Based on the book by Kathryn Cave. A family show, March 28. n At Journey’s End from the Three Legged Dog Theatre, a new musical ghost story, April 4-6. n Summer Holiday, April 10-14. After nearly 50 years of presenting an annual revue show in Derby, this year Good Companions Stage Society have chosen to bring the

Derby Theatre, Derby n The Play That Goes Wrong, April 3-7, Fawlty Towers meets Noises Off in this multi award-winning smash hit comedy. n Spamalot – funnier than the Black Death! April 17-21. n Little Angel Theatre presents Red Riding Hood and the Wolf, April 8, 11.30am and 2pm. Go to derbytheatre.co.uk for tickets. Derby Theatre Studio n What Happened to Vandal Raptor, written and performed by punk poet Henry Raby, April 20, 8pm.

n stage Graham Greene thriller at Derby FRED is found dead. They deny it was murder. Rose is in love. They say she’s in danger. And that boy, Pinkie... they say he’s evil – but what has he done? As two 17-year-olds, Pinkie and Rose get embroiled in a vicious gang war in Brighton, one brutal murder leads to the next. The police are impassive but the courageous and life embracing Ida Arnold wants the truth. Nothing scares her. Whatever the cost, she’ll see justice is done. Pilot Theatre and York Theatre Royal bring the dark underworld of Graham Greene’s classic novel legendary musical, Summer Holiday to the Guildhall stage. The1963 film starring Cliff Richard is now a feel-good stage musical in Michael Gyngell and Mark Haddigan’s adaptation, with Don and his fellow London Transport bus mechanics journeying through Paris, the Alps, Italy and then Greece, along the way picking up three young girls in a clapped-out Morris Minor and a young American pop star on the run from her domineering mother; – all to the strains of a hitfilled score featuring In the Country, Summer Holiday, I Could Easily Fall in Love with You, Bachelor Boy, Move It, Living Doll, The Young Ones and On the Beach. A real taste of Great British nostalgia. For details go to derbylive.co.uk High Tor Players – Absent Friends, Ashover, Wirksworth and Bakewell High Tor Players present this Ayckbourn comedy at three venues

Brighton Rock can be seen at Derby Theatre from May 15-19

Brighton Rock to the stage, adapted by Bryony Lavery. The director is Esther Richardson and new music has been composed by Hannah Peel. An unmissable new version Ashover Parish Hall, April 26, Wirksworth Town Hall, April 27 and Bakewell Town Hall, April 28, all at 7.30pm. Colin must be comforted in his grief over the death of his fiancee so his friends, who never met the girl, arrange a tea party for him. Understandably they are on edge wondering what to say, but there is more to their unease. Diane and Paul, John and Evelyn, and Marge and her husband, who is perpetually out of circulation with trivial illnesses are all kept together by a mixture of business and cross-marital emotional ties. By the time Colin arrives for tea... well go along and find out! Tickets available 01629 733407 or for Bakewell only ticketsource.co.uk or 01629 810152. Live and Local, various locations n Badapple Theatre, Amy Johnson, April 11, Anslow Village Hall, 7.30pm, tickets 01283 812849.

of this gripping noir thriller comes to Derby Theatre from May 15-19 at 7.30pm with matinees on the Wednesday and Saturday at 2.30pm. For tickets go to derbytheatre.co.uk April 12, Taddington Village Hall, 7.30pm, tickets 01298 85384. April 14, Whitwell Community Centre, 8pm, tickets 01909 723 490. April 22, Chilwell Arts Theatre, Chilwell School, 7.30pm, tickets 07772 053412. More details on page 63. n Box Tale Soup – The Wind in the Willows, Melbourne Assembly Rooms, April 12, 5pm, tickets 01332 863522 and Shirebrook Village Hall, April 13, 7pm, tickets 01623 742475. n Third Party Productions, The Sagas of Noggin The Nog, The Playhouse, Chapel-en-le-Frith, April 22, 2pm, tickets 03336 663366. Locko Amateur Dramatic Society, Spondon Village Hall, Sitwell Street, Spondon Straight and Narrow, a comedy straight from the heart by Jimmie Chin, April 25-28, 7.30pm. For tickets email tickets@ theladsdrama.co.uk or telephone 07746968582 artsbeat April 2018

n stage Spoken word

Buxton Opera House, Buxton John Beatty, presented by the LowePro Buxton Adventure Festival, April 11, 7.30pm. Jason Donovan and his Amazing Midlife Crisis, April 28, 7.30pm.For tickets go to buxtonfestival.co.uk Derby Poetry Society April 13, Maria Fox: Benjamin Zephaniah – a controversial contemporary poet? Monthly meetings on the second Friday of the month. Room 3, Friends’ Meeting House, Derby, 7.30pm. Contact Gina Clarke on 01773 825215 for details. Matlock Storytelling Cafe, Imperial Rooms, Matlock First Friday of the month. Doors open at 6.30pm with stories at 7.30pm. More details at matlockstorytellingcafe.co.uk Scarthin Books, Cromford Jon McGregor reading and book signing, Saturday April 21, 2pm 4pm. Jon McGregor will be reading from his latest novel Reservoir 13 with an atmospheric musical accompaniment (bring a smart phone if you have one). This is a free event, it is advised to arrive early to secure a place for the reading. Find out more at www.scarthinbooks.com Scrivener’s Bookshop, Buxton n Book Club, first Wednesday of every month 7-8pm. Everyone welcome. Call 01298 73100 for information.

Nudity and the periodic table FOLLOWING her critically acclaimed, 103 date, sellout international run of The Kardashians Made Me Do It, and fresh from being ravaged by hunger and sand-flies on Channel 4’s Celebrity Island, Shazia Mirza returns to the road with her brand new artsbeat April 2018

Belper revivial for comedy classic BELPER Players are reviving a classic British comedy from the 60s at the Strutt Centre in Belper from March 14-17. Billy Liar is the stage adaptation of Keith Waterhouse’s famous novel, telling the story of Billy, a young man who turns to fantasy as he dreams of n Storytelling Sundays: these free meetings are held on the second Sunday of the month, 2pm-3.30pm, at Scrivener’s Books, 42 High Street, Buxton.Telephone 0129871622. Spital Arts, St Leonard’s Church, Valley Road, Chesterfield From Sheep to Shawl. A journey show, With Love From St Tropez. It’s a show about lies and truth (or is that the same thing?), nudity and the periodic table – things that hold the key to the future. The comedian will be at Wirksworth Town Hall on April 13, (tickets on 01629 823408) and the Guildhall Theatre, Derby, May 18, (tickets derbylive.co.uk).

breaking away from his working-class northern roots. Director Jane Wilton has been inspired by the music of the times and says that all may not be as it appears in her production of the play. The audience is invited to get into the mood by dressing in the style of the times. Performances are at 7.30pm with a matinee performance on the Saturday at 2.30pm. Tickets on 07544 374088 or from belperplayers.com. through fleece and fibre and how they can be used, presented by Spital weaver Valerie Burrows, April 13, 7.30pm. Demos and a chance to have a go. Tickets from the Spital Arts facebook page, spitalarts@gmail.com or 01246 220741.

Shazia Mirza

n stage Nell Gwynn’s story is pure entertainment THE musical adaptation of Jessica Swale’s awardwinning, hilarious, Nell Gwynn is being staged at the Strutt’s Centre in Belper as part of the town’s annual festival. The play, being presented by Belper’s Captive Audience Theatre Company, from May 17-19, tells the story of the loud, sassy and extravagant orange seller from the perilous streets of 1660s London who falls for the star of John Dryden’s latest play. In so doing she launches a missile into the King’s Company Theatre and with it, the establishment itself – transforming herself from a life of poverty into one of our most mysterious and enchanting historical figures. She will be brought to life by director Larry Waller’s electric cast, and an incredible musical score still resonating in the West End. Larry said: “This production pays tribute to the spirit of a woman who became an

Dance

Déda, Chapel Street, Derby n TEN, Ace Dance and Music: April 12, 7.30m. At a time when more and more people find themselves having to leave their own lands, the concepts of ‘home’ and ‘belonging’ have become unsettlingly absent to millions across the world. Inspired by global migration, TEN is centred around the relationship between two brothers.

actor in a man’s world, and, unwittingly a trailblazer for women’s rights, taking her own rightful place in history. “This show is not a history lesson, but pure entertainment with the colour and extravagance of the period, enhanced by exceptional musical and theatrical performances of a talented local cast including a scintillating Megan Van Der Gibson as Nell Gwynn. “We expect people to leave with their ears ringing from its fabulous, lively musical score. And I can assure audiences that all stops are being pulled to make this a special, in-the-round

performance, from the costume to the set design.” Arts festival organiser George Gunby said: “Having worked with Larry for a number of years, I know how hard his cast are working to make this the best theatre production of its kind. Belper is so lucky to be blessed with a rich theatre heritage and this show benefits from an experienced and capable cast led by a director who takes his trade extremely seriously.” Doors open at 7pm with show starting at 7.30pm. For tickets and more details go to belperartsfestival.org

Full of intense physical power and very human fragility, TEN explores the concepts of ‘moving away’, looking at how and why people choose unimagined destinies over the lives they always thought they would live. Ace Dance and Music continues its relationship with choreographer José Agudo, combining contemporary dance with an essence of Flamenco, Kathak and Ace’s own Afro-fusion style, TEN is a visceral and

exhilarating dance production. n Deda and Hopfrogs Dance School: Tea Dance, April 18, 2pm4pm. The monthly tea dance session offers an easy afternoon of mixed dancing in a relaxed atmosphere. Enjoy popular Sequence, Ballroom and Latin American dances – new and old. Relax in sociable company with steps to suit everyone’s abilities. Everyone is welcome – no partner needed. Hosted by Déda and professional artsbeat April 2018

n stage dance teachers from Hopfrogs Dance School. n University of Derby Joint Honours Degree Show, April 21, 7.30pm. An evening premiering original dance pieces created and choreographed by the third-year dance students on the Joint Honours Dance and Movement Studies or Creative Expressive Therapies (CET) dance pathways at the University of Derby. n DeNada Dance Theatre presents Spanish choreographer Carlos Pons Guerra’s TORO, a new, gender questioning, Hispanic take on the fairy tale Beauty and the Beast, April 27, 7.30pm. n Flamendo Express, April 28, 7.30pm – an extravagance of raw, heart-wrenching flamenco – with sizzling soloist La Joaquina, guitar virtuoso Chris Clavo and the power and grace of Alejandro Molinero. The evening will be accompanied by acknowledged heir to the legends of flamenco song, and custodian of its future Pedro Sanz – whose voice lifts the dancer above the stage as if on wings. More details at deda.uk.com

Comedy

Buxton Opera House and Pavilion Arts Centre, Buxton n Buxton Buzz Comedy Club, April 6, 8pm with Tanyalee Davis headlining. n Jon Richardson, Old Man, April 11, 8pm.

Wordsworth satire adapted for stage AN exciting new theatre event will be presented by Wirksworth Community Theatre in the Town Hall over three nights in April. The group has managed to obtain the permission of the author, Sue Limb, to perform her play, The Wordsmiths at Gorsemere and to adapt it for staging in Wirksworth. Written as a radio play and first performed by the BBC, this production is a brilliant satire on the lives of the Lakeland poet, William Wordsworth, his sister Dorothy and their various literary – and very strange – friends. Accordingly, the main character has become William Wordsmith and, as well as Dorothy, the cast includes n Milton Jones is Out There, April 15, 8pm. n Dara O’Briain, Voice of Reason, May 1, 8pm. n Joe Lycett, May 2, 8pm. n Daliso Chaponda, May 5, 8pm More information at buxtonoperahouse.org.uk Derby Theatre n Rob Rouse: Are You Sitting

poets such as Cholericke (Coleridge), Percy Jelley (Shelley), Lord Byro (Byron), De Quinine (De Quincey) and Sir Walter Spott (Scott). The Wordsmiths at Gorsemere, directed by Mike and Helen Knott, will draw on the wide range of talent to be found in the town and includes new and seasoned actors, a sound effects team and mime artists. The opening performance will form part of the Wirksworth Book Festival and take place on April 6, starting at 7.30pm. Two further performances will then be staged on April 20 and 21. In addition, an optional pre-theatre talk on the real Lakeland poets will take place each evening at 6pm in the Club Room, free of charge. Tickets from Marsdens, 7 Market Place, Wirksworth, or on 01629 820191. Comfortably? April 28, 8pm. n Count Arthur Strong is Alive and Unplugged, April 29, 8pm. Go to derbytheatre.co.uk for tickets. Derby Arena, Derby As part of his latest UK stand-up tour entitled, Spoiler Alert, award-winning comedian and writer Ed Byrne asks whether as a nation we are spoiled, then turns the question upside down

Two jovial WAF girls celebrate Amy’s inspirational life, pioneering career and wartime heroism and chronicle her final journey and mysterious WITH brilliant storytelling disappearance without trace Badapple Theatre’s Amy over the Thames Estuary. Johnson is an enthralling The drama is being brought to portrait of Hull’s ‘first lady of the air’ and one of the world’s Anslow, Taddington, Whitwell most famous aviators, who in and Chilwell in April thanks 1930 became the first woman to Live and Local. For ticket to fly solo between Britain and details please go to the listing Australia. on page 60.

First lady of the air remembered

artsbeat April 2018

n stage Unique retelling of Tales of the Riverbank THE Wind in the Willows is being staged at Melbourne and Shirebrook by Box Tale Soup, courtesy of Live and Local. This exuberant, awardwinning puppet company works its magic on a beautiful new adaptation of Kenneth Grahame’s evergreen classic. The play follows the peaceful pleasures of Ratty’s beloved river bank to the fearful frights and wicked weasels of the Wild Wood. The characters of Mole and Ratty, along with gruff old Badger and wild Mr Toad are brilliant. Just two human performers are joined on stage by a dozen colourful handmade puppets and a lovely set with a vintage

and shakes it until the funny falls out. His live work has built up legions of fans and he remains the observational stand-up to see and is not to be missed. April 20, 8pm. Go to derbylive.co.uk for tickets. Funhouse Comedy Club, various locations n The Old Bell, Derby, March 30, Marki Simmons, Mandy Muden and Jonny Lennard, with Barry Dodds. April 27, Mark Maier, Alistair Barrie and Jack Barry, Compere Stevie Gray n Willington Dragon , April 1, Sully O Sullivan, Mandy Muden and compere Fran Jenking. May 6, Wes Zaxharuk, Andy Kind and compere Dave Bryon.

trunk revealing strange contraptions as if by magic. What’s clever about this show is where the human performers finish and the puppets begin – not only are the performers very skilled puppeteers and story tellers, but both humans and non humans are in clever

costumes that look like parts of them have been skilfully constructed from the pages of books. Box Tale Soup’s show is for younger audiences and suitable for a mixed audience aged five plus. For ticket details please see the listing on page 60.

Should I Go? competition battle it out for a £100 prize. Compere Spiky Mike. Book tickets for all shows at funhousecomedyclub.co.uk

Shappi Khorsandi will be at Derby’s Guildhall Theatre

n Blessington Carriage , April 9, Champions Special Gong Show. See ten winners of the Should I Stay or

Guildhall Theatre, Derby Shappi Khorsandhi will be performing Mistress and Misfit on Friday May 4, from 8pm. In her new comedy show, Shappi presents England’s unsung heroine, Emma Hamilton. “For too many years she has been known as just ‘Nelson’s mistress’, a bit of a harlot. Yes, she occasionally danced on tables naked, but who hasn’t?” Shappi is inspired by Emma, although she never wants hair big enough to house mice in. artsbeat April 2018

attitude

Comment and opinion from reviewers and readers Jim Cartwright will have seen few better versions

he design of the on-stage boozer for Jim Cartwright’s Two at Derby Theatre had to be faultless for the actors to be able to work their magic. The gasps from the audience as they first glimpsed the phenomenal set said it all – they had nailed it and we knew we were going to be in for an incredible evening. That was confirmed the second the landlords played by Sean McKenzie and Jo Mousley burst full-throttle into the bar. The couple, who played all 14 of the artfully composed characters who pass through the pub, were superb with

Young Theatre in line for awards? The new kids on the block at Buxton Opera House will surely be a force to be reckoned with when it comes to stage show awards. Their performance of West Side Story was one of the most exhilarating shows by a young company I have ever seen – it is hard to believe that they have only been working together for months and not years. The show is artsbeat April 2018

chameleon-like changes, and pitch-perfect comic timing. Quite how they did so much so seamlessly I am not sure. It seemed impossible. This production, directed by Julia Thomas for Derby Theatre, is astonishing, funny and sad – and is another triumph for artistic director often described as the greatest dance musical of all time and from the off the new young company was determined to do it justice. The much-loved musical, based on Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet, tells the story of two teenagers from rival New York street gangs, the Jets and the Sharks, who fall in love and cause already simmering tensions to explode. The dynamic, pulse-racing choreography was sensational for such a young team and they must have put in hours

Sarah Brigham and her fantastic team. Jim Cartwright was in the audience that night and I would put a bet on the fact that he will have seen few performances of a higher calibre since it was premiered in 1989. AP A full version of this review is at artsbeatblog.com of rehearsal to get the moves and timing perfect. This cast, however, were not just stellar dancers and actors, they were also impressive singers. This electrifying and moving version of West Side Story is a very professional production by an amateur cast and I am sure this is just the first of a long list of great shows they will bring us and they must be in line for a hatful of awards. AP A full version of this review is at artsbeatblog.com

n attitude Classical music reviews by Mike Wheeler Derby Concert Orchestra, Derby Cathedral In a programme of colourful orchestral showpieces and one of the nineteenth-century’s most intensely emotionally symphonies, Sibelius’s Scene with Cranes was almost like air from another planet, the rarefied atmosphere beautifully projected by DCO and conductor Jonathan Trout. Rimsky-Korsakov’s Capriccio Espagnol was the opener, in a suitably colourful reading, with characterful accounts of the various solos, but with the heavier brass and timpani tending to swamp the rest of the orchestra. DCO’s assistant conductor Ed Temple consolidated the impression he made at the orchestra’s Christmas concert with a direct, unfussy account of Dvořák’s Scherzo Capriccioso. Jonathan Trout returned after the interval for Tchaikovsky’s Symphony No 6 in a performance that seemed a bit disengaged and unengaging. But then came that extraordinary slow finale, and it all clicked into place. The music was given a genuine strength and dignity that was maintained through the devastating climax, leading to a beautifully controlled slow fade. Sitwell Singers, St Osmund’s Church, Derby The Sitwell Singers bookended the first half of their concert with two complete Renaissance masses, Palestrina’s

The Sitwell Singers who performed with saxophonist Alistair Parnell

Missa Aeterna Christi Munera and Byrd’s Mass for Five Voices. Assistant conductor David Henshaw encouraged a fine sense of flow in the Palestrina, before Malcolm Goldring took over for the rest of the choral items. Following Palestrina’s less intricately polyphonic double-choir Stabat Mater, the singers navigated the harmonic twists and turns of Gesualdo’s O Vos Omnes with intensity and concentration. As well as a couple of solo spots, saxophone player Alistair Parnell joined the choir to add Jan Garbarek-like improvisations to Palestrina’s Sicut Cervus and Morales’ Parce Mihi, Domine. But however fine the performances, as a piece of programming this was a serious miscalculation, with the first half alone dragging on for an exhausting ninety-five minutes, and with hardly any stylistic variety in the choral items. By the end the singers were showing signs of tiredness – and who can blame them? Sinfonia Viva, Derby Cathedral Frank Zielhorst officially

stepped into his new post as Sinfonia Viva’s principal conductor with a programme balancing Mozart and Haydn with a youthful Britten masterpiece. The ballet music from Mozart’s Idomeneo got an alert, vigorous account, fitting its origins as the celebratory conclusion of his first truly great opera. Elegant, athletic, graceful, the performance emphasised the music’s sheer danceability. Variations on a Theme of Frank Bridge, Britten’s tribute to his early composition teacher, got a dazzling performance – muscular, drily witty, fragile and racy by turns, with the culminating fugue full of nervy excitement. It was good to see Haydn getting top billing for once, instead of being relegated to the warm-up spot. No 104 was a brilliant way to end his symphonic career, whether or not he consciously intended it as such, and Viva’s performance left us in no doubt of the fire and nerves of steel behind the Papa Haydn persona. A hugely promising start to Frank Zielhorst’s time with the orchestra. artsbeat April 2018

n attitude Captivating show is a treat for Buxton audience Just occasionally a piece of theatre captivates, charms, disturbs and moves like no other experience can. The Little Matchgirl is one such event and Buxton audiences were lucky to have the opportunity to relish the magic and beauty of this production. This co-production by Shakespeare’s Globe and Bristol Old Vic was first produced in 2016 and this version has been touring since before Christmas, and the late snowfall set the tone for what is essentially a winter show. Drawing on some of the familiar stories by Hans Christian Andersen and using puppets, on-stage musicians and a versatile cast of seven the production by Emma Rice

Musical packed with passion Who needs the West End when you can experience the full razzamatazz theatrical extravaganza on your doorstep thanks to Belper Musical Theatre with their latest show Sister Act. This talented group of performers never disappoint so it is no surprise that tickets to their shows sell like hot cakes and they are regularly nominated for the coveted Eagle Awards in Derby. If they don’t win something artsbeat April 2018

does, she says, “blend my love of folk tales and their deeper meanings with contemporary politics and a rage against poverty”. The first half of the show is largely the tale of Thumbelina (Katy Owen and puppet) who seeks and finds shelter, but at the expense of being captive of a toad (Karl Queensborough) and his son, Ralph, (Guy Hughes) and then of Mole. She is rescued and saved by a Swallow. Running through the whole piece is, of course, the story of the Little Matchgirl (Edie Edmundson is the puppeteer and it’s as moving an this year for this show I will be amazed, as it was packed with oomph and passion. The energy of the cast was intoxicating – I am not sure how they can keep that up for one evening let alone a run of four days. This show is a feel-amazing musical with body-rocking songs and the perfect cheesy storyline that will bring a smile to your face and have you top-tapping in the aisles. As the raunchy soul diva on the run, Jen Lewis is herself a sensation and deserves to take the plaudit of star of the show. Her voice, comic timing

experience as you could hope for). She is homeless and cold. She scrapes a living selling matches to wealthy, self-absorbed bypassers but trades her precious matches to hear stories of hope and escape told to her by Ole Shuteye (Niall Ashdown) and his troupe. (Including the mostly silent Jackson – Elizabeth Westcott – a stooge who has the last word). In the second half she hears a story about vanity, The Emperor’s New Clothes, and love, The Princess and the Pea. All of this delights and distracts us and the Matchgirl but the clowning can only delay the inevitable. Back in her real world - and one not so far from our own - the cold persists and in the absence of shelter the Matchgirl succumbs. The limp puppet lays centre stage and tears fall just as the bitter snow fell. Keith Savage A full version of this review is at artsbeatblog.com and sheer vitality could not be faulted. It was great to see musical director Dave Adey and his fabulous orchestra actually on stage as part of the show and the stage crew did a marvellous job of seamlessly moving around the very effective set. As always with this group the lighting and sound were also impressive. The director was Becky Pearcy and the choreographer Fiona Carratu. AP A full version of this review is at artsbeatblog.com

n attitude We’ll always be gripped by great ghost stories The appeal of a ghost story has never gone away, whether it be a book, a play or a television drama. Horrible things can happen, but still we feel as M R James (who was born as long ago as 1862) said: “If I’m not very careful, something of this kind may happen to me!’” The voice that shouts “It’s in the trees, it’s coming!” at the beginning of Kate Bush’s Hounds of Love is a sample from the film Night of the Demon, in turn an adaptation of James’ story Casting The Runes. For a well-educated man, James could not offer you much protection from fear, for every story in which you could discover that you should not cast the runes, because of

Gritty drama was unexpected It’s rare that I leave a theatre to a chorus of moans and groans when I’ve been reviewing a musical. More often a toe-tapping audience high on happiness will depart with a song on their lips. Sadly that wasn’t the case at Chesterfield’s Pomegranate Theatre. It seems something must have gone wrong with the marketing of the musical Teddy, as the predominantly artsbeat April 2018

Review by Les Hurst of Scarthin Books, Cromford

what they might bring, there are other stories such as The Mezzotint (a picture of a house changes gradually to show a monster enter and leave) in which you are an observer who can do nothing to change things or help. His early stories were read by candlelight to his college over-60s audience were expecting something along the lines of Dreamboats and Petticoats – while what they got was a gritty piece of theatre with some great original music. And, as the post-war generation are a feisty bunch, this audience made certain it was known that in their view they deserved more. More glitz and glamour, more of the promised 1950s hits and quite a lot less of the expletives. So, let’s be clear, if what you want to see is dolled-up dancers jiving to all your old favourites from the roll ‘n’

friends, while the later ones were read to his school pupils. In fact, he wrote that one such story (a Scout camp ends unhappily) was written and read to the school troop in similar circumstances. You can’t help feeling that the title of one of his stories, A Warning to the Curious, indicates a wicked sense of mischief in the man. This is not a complete collection of James’ ghost stories, but it is an attractive hardback, one of a series published by the British Library. Luckily, there are many similar authors out there, easily available. But who will read them when alone, for who knows what might be standing just where the shadows begin? The Ghost Stories of M R James, Edited by Roger Luckhurst British Library Classics, 2018, £12.99 roll era then this is not the musical for you. If, however, you want see a pair of spunky Bonnie and Clyde characters battling against austerity in a postBlitz London to the new music of a gutsy four-piece band then get yourself some tickets as you will have a great evening out. The pace was fast, the writing interesting, the actors and musicians were energising and the choreography mesmerising. AP A full version of this review is at artsbeatblog.com

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