Artseast April / May 2019 Edition

Page 1

Dedicated to the arts in the Eastern Region

YOURS FREE

ARTSeast April-May 2019

WIN FREE

TICKETS

Festival Fever hits Bury & Norwich Henry Moore at Houghton Hall

V i s u a l A r t s | T h e a t r e & Fi l m | M u s i c | W h a t ’s O n


2

|

www.artseast.co.uk

Diss Auction Rooms - lots to gaze at Choice Lots Choice Auctioneers Best Choice

Comprehensive valuation service available on request. Contact us for more details

Diss Auction Rooms, Roydon Road, Diss, Norfolk IP22 4LN 01379 650 306 auctions@twgaze.co.uk

www.twgaze.co.uk


April-May 2019

|

3


4

|

www.artseast.co.uk

ARTSeast Competition Winners from the previous issue: Tickets to see The Wind in the Willows at Theatre Royal, Bury St Edmunds - Fay Squirrel of Sudbury

Editor’s Welcome

Tickets to see Rebellious Sisterhood at The Corn Hall, Diss -Natale Andrew of Diss Tickets to see Kathryn Tickell & The Darkening at Saffron Hall, Saffron Walden - Lizzie Brown of Bury St Edmunds

ARTSeast Magazine DBH 21, Diss Business Park, Hopper Way, Diss, Norfolk IP22 4GT www.artseast.co.uk www.falconpublications.co.uk follow us @artseastmag

Publishers Gary Enderby & Sarah Veness Editorial Sarah Veness sarah@artseast.co.uk 01379 773348 07803 328258 Advertising Gary Enderby gary@artseast.co.uk 01379 773347 07722 163703

Welcome to the April / May issue of

We also focus on the work of artist Sally Dunham,

ARTSeast Magazine.

speak to film director Jason Figgis - and local

This issue we have some news! From our June/ July

producer John West - about his links to the region

issue we will be changing to a new handier A5 size.

and flag up some of the bests exhibitions, shows and

Keep your eyes peeled for our new look mag!

performances in our informative news pages.

In this issue we take a look at the latest exhibition at

We have some great competitions for you including

Norwich Castle, delve into the world of Henry Moore

tickets to see Cirque Eloize at Norwich Theatre Royal

at Houghton Hall and preview some of the best

and concert tickets to see the Villiers Quartet at Wells

festivals lighting up our region this spring including

Maltings.

the Bury Festival and The Norfolk & Norwich Festival.

As the weather turns warmer, take some time out to

For our coffee and a chat feature, we caught up with

relax with this latest issue. We hope you find

dinosaur expert Ben Garrod ahead of his appearance

inspiration for some great days - and nights -out.

at The Apex in Bury St Edmunds. This promises to be a

Sarah Veness

great night.

Social Media Manager Sam Enderby

Editor

Accounts Julia Aitken accounts@artseast.co.uk 01379 773349 Design Copy Concept ian@copy-concept.co.uk 01379 608358 Distribution Melvyn Veness Andrea Snowden Published by Falcon Publications

Cover Image: Konfrontation by Kjell Engman (see p12)


April-May 2019

19

7

4

Editor’s Welcome

23 Jason Figgis & John West

7

Artist Profile: Sally Dunham

24

Theatre & Film News

10 Arts & Crafts Directory

26

Cirque Eloize Competition

12 Visual Arts News

27

Bury Festival

15 W.G. Sebald at Norwich Castle

30 Music News

19 Henry Moore at Houghton Hall

33 Villiers Quartet Competition

20 Coffee & a Chat: Ben Garrod

35 What’s On News

22 Arts Council: StartEast

36 Norfolk & Norwich Festival

|

5

20

27

36

Subscribe to ARTSeast We can deliver ARTSeast direct to your door with a year’s subscription of six issues at just £15. All subscribers receive a £15 voucher to spend at Photo Elite in Diss which can be redeemed online at www.photoelitediss.co.uk Just order your subscription online and pay by PayPal at info@artseast.co.uk or by online bank payment to Falcon Publications account no: 45594171 sort code 52-30-31 stating your name as reference. Please also remember to email your full name and address to info@artseast.co.uk


6

|

www.artseast.co.uk

Charles Debenham, Fenwick Rebuilding W&G, oil on canvas, 40x51cm

CHARLES DEBENHAM PAINTINGS 4th May to 2nd June

‘The man who painted Colchester and Sudbury’ Apply for published books Open Wednesday to Sunday 10am to 5pm

Chappel Galleries, Colchester Road, Essex CO6 2DE T: 01206 240326 E: info@chappelgalleries.co.uk www.chappelgalleries.co.uk

THE Gallery

art

Earsham Hall

Open daily Monday-Sunday

www.earshamhomefurnishings.co.uk


April-May 2019

Artist ProďŹ le: Sally Dunham Since studying in the 1990s, artist Sally Dunham’s passion for clay has shaped her work

|

7


8

|

www.artseast.co.uk


April-May 2019

For as long as she can remember, Sally Dunham has loved making models. From plasticine, she moved on to Fimo before finally discovering clay at sixth form college in Cambridge. ‘As soon as I touched clay I was hooked,’ says Sally. ‘The clay felt like an extension of my hands and I found I could create in 3D the images I was visualising in my mind.’

Sally is well-known for her Mister Herbert series which she began originally as a way to create work at a different price point. ‘Mister Herbert is great fun as I love thinking of new ideas for him,’ says Sally. ‘He has been joined by Mrs Herbert and their family and friends and each one is individually handmade with a drop of humour. I can make these to commission if someone has a specific idea for him.’

Sally went on to study for an art degree at the University of Wolverhampton.

In 2011, Sally started the now-renowned Art Unequalled art fair in The Maltings, Ely.

‘Towards the end of my second year we were given the option to specialise and I told my tutors I wanted to focus on sculpting people,’ says Sally. ‘They told me that if that was really what I wanted to do, then I would need to focus for three months solid on hands and faces and nothing else. I wasn’t impressed but it was the best thing they could have asked me to do. I managed to hone my skill and now, all these years later, people still comment on the particular accuracy of those areas of my work.’

‘I’d always wanted to set up an event of my own, focusing on high-quality makers where everything is handmade,’ says Sally. ‘It’s been so successful that we have expanded from an October / November show to also having one in June. Art Unequalled offers people the chance to see and buy work across a range of different media including furniture, sculpture, glass, wood, ceramics, textiles, jewellery, photography and illustration to name a few.

At first, Sally had worked figuratively carving into a block of clay and hollowing it out afterwards. But she soon developed her own technique.

Sally is exhibiting at Riverside Art & Glass in Wroxham from April 11th-25th, Craft in Focus at RHS Wisley from May 2nd-6th,The Garage Gallery,Aldeburgh from July 12th-17th and at Art in Clay at Hatfield House from August 16th-18th.

‘I roll out the slab of clay and, starting with the feet, I work upwards,’ says Sally. ‘I prefer the surface finish that this process gives as it has a more lively effect which comes across in the finished piece.’ Sally went on to sell a large amount of her degree work and started working as an artist soon after. With an enduring passion for humans and animals, she has perfected her art ever since. ‘I work mostly in clay but have also, more recently, started working in bronze which had always been an ambition,’ she says. ‘The first piece in bronze was a boxing hare, followed by a chimp with a skull. With the bronzes I make the original piece in clay in the same way as normal but I don’t fire it. Instead it is sent to a foundry where they make a mould of my work and then cast the piece into bronze.’

Sally is currently working on a project with the RSPB at Wells-next-the Sea. It is designed to encourage the increasingly rare Little Terns to nest on the marshlands. Sally has made 10 decoys and 15 eggs which will be sited to encourage other birds to join them and hopefully nest. ‘I’m thrilled to be part of this project and I hope it is incredibly successful,’ says Sally.

Art Unequalled takes place at The Maltings, Ely from June 1st-2nd and November 2nd-3rd. www.sallydunham.co.uk www.artunequalled.co.uk

|

9


10

|

www.artseast.co.uk

Arts & Crafts

DIRECTORY OPEN STUDIO WEEKEND 18 & 19 May 11am – 5pm Printmaking Courses for all abilities

curwenprintstudy.co.uk 01223 892380 enquiries@curwenprintstudy.co.uk

Screen printing for artists Courses & Workshops cut-editions@hotmail.com www.cut-editions.co.uk 07786330023

ART IN THE BARN Wingfield Barns

First Weekend of Every Month Sat & Sun 11am — 4pm

Original A Paintings Sculpture Prints Textiles OPENS SATURDAY 1ST JUNE 2019 C fee Shop Private View—Friday 31st May 7pm—9pm www.ar nthebarn.art Church Road Wingfield Suffolk IP21 5RA

To exhibit at Art in the Barn email: wingfieldarts@gmail.com


April-May 2019

|

Colorcraft

The Art & Craft Shop in Saffron Walden

The Westleton Gallery and Barnabees Books Original paintings, prints and books. Open Thursday to Sunday 10.30am-5pm Westleton Saxmundham Suffolk IP17 3AF 01728 648404 barnabeesbooks@gmail.com

For all your Art materials, Winsor & Newton, Daler Rowney, Sennelier, Proarte stockists, Paints, papers, boards, pens, pastels, canvas etc.... For all your Knitting, Crochet, Embroidery, Tapestry supplies, DMC, Anchor, Appletons, Sirdar, King Cole, Patons, Kits, Canvas, Aida, wool, thread, needles, patterns, felt, ribbon etc.... For all your modelling materials, plaster, glue, Balsa wood, construction card, Mount board, Doll’s house brick paper etc.... For all Mum’s homework and junior project requirements, pipe cleaners, poster paints, feathers, pom poms, glue, card, peel-offs, fat quarters, blank cards etc.... Useful stuff – Useful staff! Full programme of Art & Craft Workshops starting February, see our website for details. Where is this Emporium? Where it has been for over forty years.

Colorcraft, 1-2 Emson Close, Saffron Walden CB10 1HL Open 9.30am - 5pm, Mon to Sat

Telephone: 01799 522607 Email: colorcraftsw@hotmail.co.uk wwwcolorcraftsw.com

+ (-+1

)+/$ # 0#$ $-$)(

- ,- /)+% !+)' ).-,- ( $(" &) & *)-- +,

# ( + +)!- && +1 +% - -+

- )+/$ #

-# -) ,- *+$&

, &&$(" 0#$ $-$)( )* ( $&1 ' -) *' ("&$ (*)-- +, )+" .% )&&)/ ., ("&$ (*)-- +,

11


12

|

www.artseast.co.uk

News

Visual Arts

George Thomas Rope: Nature Notes George Thomas Rope was an Artist and Naturalist who observed and recorded nature through sketches, oil paintings and the written

Curwen Print Study Centre Open Weekend The Curwen Print Study Centre again welcomes all visitors for their annual Open Studio Weekend on May 18th-19th. It’s a fantastic opportunity to visit a professional working printmaking studio and view the historic presses still used today to teach traditional and contemporary printmaking to students and artists of all abilities.

word. His subjects included landscapes, animals, farming and all countryside creatures. The works in this Exhibition have been assembled over 40 years, including a number which were obtained direct from the Artist’s Studio where they had been stored for 70 years. A selection will be offered for sale. George Thomas Rope lived a quiet life in Blaxhall and Leiston and this display is a fitting tribute on the 90th

There really is something for everyone; with Printmaking

Anniversary of his death. Just as John Constable took inspiration

demonstrations throughout both days, plus the opportunity to meet

from the area around Dedham and East Bergholt, which became

and talk with our Tutors. Artist prints from the Curwen Gallery and some

known as ‘Constable Country’, Rope’s works, with a similar depth of

printmaking materials will be on sale … and with plenty of free parking

feeling, recorded his part of Suffolk. The exhibition runs until April

next to the studio in the beautiful surroundings of Chilford Hall in the

20th on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays (11-4) at The East Anglian

Cambridgeshire countryside what could be better!

Traditional Art Centre.

www.curwenprintstudy.co.uk

www.eatac.co.uk

First solo UK exhibition for top Swedish glass artist A leading Norwich Gallery is hosting the first significant solo exhibition in the UK by internationally renowned Swedish art glass designer Kjell Engman, the designer of the iconic Eurovision Song Contest trophy. Kjell Engman: Journey of Dreams takes place at Gallery in the Lanes from May 18th to June 28th - opening on the same day as the Eurovision Grand Final! His work will be complemented by an exhibition of Kosta Boda art glass and production pieces, together creating the biggest display of the iconic Swedish brand’s glassware seen in the east of England. Now in his 73rd year, Engman is renowned as one of Sweden’s most outstanding artists working in glass. His vivid imagination and passion for telling stories result in a style that is distinctive and immediately recognisable. It is bold, bright and colourful, ranging from the playful to the delicate to the sensuous. His art works could almost be described as Dali-esque in style - in total contrast to the simplicity and minimalism that we usually associate with Swedish design.

www.galleryinthelanes.co.uk


April-May 2019

Affordable art exhibition at The Art House Café, Cromer ‘Art and Mind’ at the Art House Café, Cromer is an open exhibition taking place from June 3rd-9th. All work submitted must be priced at under £100 and the commission from sales will be donated to the mental health charity Mind. If you are interested in taking part in this exhibition, please email info@arthouse-cafe.co.uk or telephone 01263 649856 for an application form. Deadline for completed applications is Tuesday 30th April. Before this exhibition, Art House Cafe will host 'Ultra Marine: An artistic journey under the Waves' - an exhibition of work by Susan Purser Hope and Rainie Kay who have been inspired by the beauty of the Norfolk coastal reef. Glass artist Susan and painter/printmaker Rainie have joined forces to produce both individual and collaborative pieces which illustrate the fragile beauty of this ocean environment and the threat to the creatures that live within it from man-made plastic pollution and human greed. The exhibition opens on April 1st and runs until May 11th.

www.arthouse-cafe.co.uk

Iceni Botanical: Spring into Summer The Iceni Botanical Artists are looking forward to welcoming the Mayor of Diss to open their next Art Exhibition at The Corn Hall, in Diss on May 4th. An East Anglian based group of Artists specialising in depicting the world of plants in all mediums, styles vary from classical botanical plant portraits requiring hours of patient work concentrating on accuracy and detail, through to natural habitats and landscapes.The membership includes several nationally distinguished, award-winning, leading artists in this field who exhibit extensively, with a large proportion having acquired highly desired qualifications through Certification from The Society of Botanical Artists. During their two month art exhibition - from May 4th-June 29th - at The Corn Hall they will be offering places on two one day workshops on Wednesday May 8th and Saturday June 1st covering Botanical Drawing and Painting. For more details and to book a place please contact The Corn Hall. Since the very early days of plant identification, the interest in botanical art and illustration has not diminished, and standards of accuracy and technical skill continue to rise and amaze.

www.icenibotanicalartists.co.uk

Harleston & Waveney Art Trail An art collective is set to open their studio and workshop doors as part of an annual art trail. Harleston & Waveney Art Trail, based in the picturesque Waveney Valley on the border of Norfolk and Suffolk, will take place in locations throughout, and between, Harleston and Bungay. Featuring 29 studios, including four new artists from the group’s inaugural emerging artists scheme, the trail takes in the studios of 33 professional artists and craftspeople. Visitors will be able to see artists at work, browse their collections and purchase work direct from the studios. From photography and book binding to textiles, paintings, prints, sculptures and rag rug making, there will be a range of art forms on offer. Ahead of the group’s art trail there will be three showcase exhibitions where visitors can view the work of participating artists. The first will take place at Norwich Theatre Royal from March 19th – May 20th, the second at the Fisher Theatre in Bungay from April 21st to May 16th while the third is hosted by the Farmer’s Kitchen in Alburgh for the entire month of May. The Harleston & Waveney Art Trail itself takes place across two weekends - May 18th-19th and 25th-27th from 11am-6pm each day.

www.hwat.org.uk

|

13


14

|

www.artseast.co.uk

In the heart of Cromer opposite the church


April-May 2019

|

Lines of Sight: W.G. Sebald’s East Anglia On the 75th anniversary of his birth, Norwich Castle Museum & Art Gallery are hosting a major exhibition of the author’s work…

‘Portrait of W.G. Sebald, Earlham Hall, Norwich, 1999’, © Basso Cannarsa / Opale / Bridgeman Images

15


16

|

www.artseast.co.uk

© Francisco Cantú 2018 ‘Literary Pilgrimage: American writer, Francisco Cantú posts a photo on Twitter of his Sebald inspired walk along the Suffolk coast, March 2018.’

W.G. Sebald, The Rings of Saturn (Shingle Street- Unused Photograph). 1994. © The W.G. Sebald Estate

W.G. Sebald, The Rings of Saturn (Lowestoft Station - with crop marks). 1992. © The W.G. Sebald Estate

W.G. Sebald, The Rings of Saturn (Sizewell – Unused Photograph). 1994. © The W.G. Sebald Estate

Running from May 10th to January 5th, this unprecedented

to his work have grown significantly since his untimely death in

exhibition - in collaboration with the University of East Anglia -

2001 at the age of 57.

brings together a diverse selection of celebrated artworks, curious objects, archive material and the author’s own, unseen photographs to tell the story behind the creation of one of East Anglia’s most famous literary masterpieces, The Rings of Saturn (1995). From the mystery of Sir Thomas Browne’s skull to the secret landscapes of the Cold War, from the ghostly vessels of the vanished Herring fleets to intricate pattern books of Norwich silk weavers, this exhibition gathers the threads of Sebald’s enigmatic text to present a uniquely poetic visual portrait of East Anglia that will appeal to both those familiar and new to his work.

Born in the Bavarian Alps in 1944, Sebald spent most of his adult life in England, first in Manchester then moving to Norfolk in 1970, to study and teach at the University of East Anglia (UEA), where he became Professor of European Literature in 1988. The exhibition Lines of Sight is held to mark what would have been Sebald’s 75th birthday. Curator, Dr Nick Warr from The University of East Anglia explains: ‘Sebald’s books are an idiosyncratic mixture of text and image. Part fiction, part autobiography and part travelogue, they intertwine global history with personal memory to recount the fates of lost and forgotten people. Sebald produced all of his published texts whilst living and teaching in Norfolk and the

W.G. Sebald (1944 – 2001) – or Max to his friends – is one of

distinctive character of the East Anglian landscape and the

the most revered, authors of the late 20th century. His

stories of those who have made a home here are the elements

evocative and unclassifiable prose works: Vertigo (1990), The

that connect them all. A remarkable feature of this exhibition are

Emigrants (1992), The Rings of Saturn (1995), and Austerlitz

Sebald’s own, previously unseen photographs that he took

(2001) - continue to attract a remarkable international

during his walks along the Suffolk coast. This extraordinary

following. His reputation and the passionate devotion of readers

visual record, loaned from the Sebald Estate, not only


April-May 2019

U.E. Sebald, The Rings of Saturn (W.G. Sebald as ‘the narrator’). 1995. © The W.G. Sebald Estate

documents one of the most famous journeys in Modern European literature but also maps out Sebald’s creative process as it meanders its way around the places, people and events that have shaped the region.’

Bay (1672) from National Maritime Museum, Greenwich. With the story behind the creation of The Rings of Saturn as its focus, Lines of Sight is as much about showcasing the amazing things that inspired Sebald to write his masterpiece,

All of the uncanny black and white images that appear in

as it is about inspiring renewed interest in his work for a new or

Sebald’s books were made in collaboration with the

established readership.

photographer Michael Brandon-Jones, who assisted the writer in transforming various photographs, found images and objects into the strange pictures that punctuate the author’s texts. A selection of rarely shown Brandon-Jones’ prints are on display alongside Sebald’s manuscript notes and instructions, giving the visitor a rare insight into how the text was carefully assembled image by image.

Each image in Sebald’s work is testament to his fascination with the overlooked; the objects, places, people and events that have drifted to the margins of everyday life. Inspired by Norwich’s most noteworthy polymath, Sir Thomas Browne, Sebald sets out in The Rings of Saturn to identify, through the diligent examination of these remnants, the patterns of nature and history and in turn seek meaning in the strange family

To augment this archival element of the exhibition with a view

resemblances they appear to share. From the cosmic dust of

to expanding its appeal beyond those already familiar with the

an exploded moon to the gas lit winter gardens of a Victorian

text, Sebald’s work is juxtaposed beside the objects and

mansion; the luminous rays of Southwold lighthouse to the

artworks he weaves into his narrative. Items from Norfolk

darkness of the Belgian Congo; the bombing raids of the

Museums’ own collections, such as the ornate Norwich

Second World War to the history of sugar beet farming, Lines of

weavers’ pattern books are shown with loans from National

Sight presents in an engaging and inclusive manner, Sebald’s

collections, such as Willem van de Velde’s magnificent oil

unique perspective on the history and ecology of East Anglia.

painting, The Burning of the Royal James at the Battle of Sole

www.museums.norfolk.gov.uk

|

17


18

|

www.artseast.co.uk


April-May 2019

|

Iconic Sculptor’s Work comes to Houghton Hall This summer, Norfolk will host a fantastic display of work by Henry Moore….

In a unique collaboration with the Henry Moore Foundation, Houghton Hall in Norfolk will present a major exhibition, Henry Moore at Houghton Hall: Nature and Inspiration from May 1st-September 29th. This will be the first significant show of the artist’s work in East Anglia. Curated by Sebastiano Barassi, the Henry Moore Foundation’s Head of Collections & Exhibitions, the exhibition will include several monumental outdoor pieces in the grounds of the house, as well as a selection of smaller works, models and etchings, which will be shown in the ground floor gallery spaces. There will also be sculptural interventions in the State Rooms, particularly in The Stone Hall. Highlights include many of Moore’s most celebrated works such as Large Reclining Figure 1984, The Arch 1963-69, Three Piece Sculpture: Vertebrae 1968-69 and Upright Motive No.8 1955-56. Lord Cholmondeley, owner of Houghton Hall, said: ‘It is a great accolade for Houghton to have the Henry Moore Foundation involved in this year's exhibition. We feel honoured that the Foundation are lending such a range of important work and have agreed to curate the show for us. We are also extremely grateful to our sponsors, particularly the Gagosian Gallery.’ Henry Moore (1898 – 1986) is considered to be one of the most important British artists of the 20th Century and arguably the most internationally celebrated sculptor of the modern era. Moore was a pioneer, and the first British artist to become a global star in his own lifetime. His work came to symbolise post-war modernism and can be said to have caused a British sculptural renaissance. He worked in many different mediums, but his most recognisable works are large bronze groups using both figurative and abstract elements. He also produced fibreglass versions of some of his most iconic pieces, specifically for exhibition, and two of these will be on show at Houghton. Moore left a large body of work to the Foundation, which he set up in the grounds of his house at Much Hadham, Hertfordshire, in 1977. Part of the Foundation’s remit is to make loans and organise exhibitions both in this country and abroad.

Houghton Hall was built by Sir Robert Walpole, Great Britain’s first Prime Minister, and was designed by the most prominent architects of the early Georgian period, Colen Campbell and James Gibbs; whilst the gilded interiors of the State Floor, with their mythological painted ceilings and profusion of marble and mahogany, was the work of William Kent. Sir Robert’s great picture collection was sold to the Empress Catherine of Russia in 1779, but the furniture, bronzes and Roman antiquities were left intact, as well as the family portraits, and the original silks and velvets have survived in remarkable condition. Houghton and its estate passed to the Cholmondeley family at the end of the 18th Century and is still a family home. The house and awardwinning gardens have been open to the public since 1976. The collection of contemporary sculpture and works of art was started at Houghton in 1998 by Lord Cholmondeley, and substantial pieces by artists such as James Turrell, Richard Long, Rachel Whiteread, Phillip King, Zhan Wang, Stephen Cox, Anya Gallaccio and Jeppe Hein can be seen in the grounds and parkland. In addition, Houghton began a series of major contemporary exhibitions with light works by James Turrell in 2015, followed by Richard Long in 2017, and Damien Hirst in 2018. www.houghtonhall.com

19


20

|

www.artseast.co.uk

Coffee & a Chat We caught up with professor, author and

evolutionary biologist Professor Ben Garrod

ahead of his appearance in Bury St Edmunds.


April-May 2019

Like many children, Ben has always been fascinated by dinosaurs. ‘Not just dinosaurs, but anything prehistoric,’ he laughs. ‘My first

fossil find was on a beach near where I grew up. I was five years old

and was on a day out with mum and dad. We found the fossilised

shell of a belemnite, which was a relative of the squid we see alive

today. It was over 100 million years old and that blew my socks off! It

made me start questioning where all these ancient animals went,

why we don’t have dinosaurs around now and how the planet could

be so old. Obviously, I loved dinosaurs too and loved reading about

them in all my old books, imagining what it would be like to see a T. rex walking through my garden.’

But just why does Ben think dinosaurs spark the imagination so vividly?

‘It’s hard to pin down exactly why we love them so much and I think

it’s for a few different reasons,’ he says. ‘First of all, when we are

growing up we love to learn lots of facts about things . . . the speed of

but with a few more cartoons, quizzes and examples, I think they can be enjoyed by young and older readers. Each book focuses on just one species and it was so hard to pick just six. Eventually, I chose

Tyrannosaurus, Triceratops, Stegosaurus, Diplodocus, Velociraptor

and Spinosaurus. There’s something there for everyone and between them, these dinosaurs really tell the complete story.’

Of all the dinosaurs to roam our planet, which does Ben think would have been the most dangerous to humans?

‘Arrrrrgh, this is such a tough question,’ says Ben. ‘Is one T. rex worse than one hundred velociraptors? Even something like a Triceratops could have been deadly. It’s easier to say which dinosaurs would

have been safe - there wouldn’t have been many! Stegosaurus had

tail spikes around one metre long, Ankylosaurus had a tail club which could have destroyed a car and Argentinosaurus weighed so much

that you definitely wouldn’t want to be stepped on. And they’re just the herbivores! Imagine what the meat-eaters would have done.’

fast cars maybe or the size of planets in space. Dinosaurs are the

The dinosaurs were wiped out by an environmental catastrophe

discover which was the biggest. I also think they inspire us through

declining?

same and we love to learn how fast an Allosaurus could run or

being so big, fierce and scary but we feel safe because we know

dinosaurs can never hurt us because they’re all extinct (or are they?)’ Ben is described as an ‘evolutionary biologist’ but what exactly does

that entail?

‘I’m a Professor of Evolutionary Biology at the University of East

Anglia,’ explains Ben. ‘Sounds fancy doesn’t it but it’s the coolest job

in the world. The ‘Biology’ bit just means I get to study all sorts of life

– it could be anything that is alive or was ever alive, so anything from a chimpanzee or a Troodon, to a butterfly or monkey puzzle tree. The

‘Evolution’ bit means I study how these living organisms change and adapt over time. How does a changing marine environment affect

sharks or how does predation from birds affect camouflage in lizards?

All these changes are down to evolution. I study life and how it changes, and I share that knowledge with as many people as

possible. Being a scientist means you get to study cool stuff like this

every single day.’

To date, Ben has written six books. ‘My series ‘So You Think You Know About Dinosaurs’ are pretty cool,

even if I do say so myself,’ he says. ‘I wanted them to be the most up-

to-date dinosaur books in 66 million years and although I wanted

them to be enjoyed by young readers, the content should be the

same as that which I teach to university students. I know young

readers really want to learn and we don’t need to dumb stuff down,

|

roughly 65 million years ago. But were their numbers already

‘No, they weren’t,’ says Ben. ‘The Cretaceous period was the third

major period of the dinosaurs and they were doing really well. Some of the most well-known dinosaurs were around right about the time when the asteroid struck. It was also the age of the titanosaurs – the

biggest dinosaurs to ever live. If that asteroid hadn’t crashed into the sea just north of Mexico then in all likelihood, things might have

been very different and you might really have had a Tyrannosaurus in your garden or a Protoceratops in your playground. But remember, the asteroid did not kill all the dinosaurs . . .’

Ben has traveled the world to find dinosaur remains but where are the most likely places to spot them?

‘My favourite was when I went with Sir David Attenborough to

Argentina to film the discovery and excavation of a true dino giant,’ says Ben. ‘The great thing about loving dinosaurs and living in the British Isles is that we have so many fossils of dinosaurs and other

prehistoric species. There are certain beaches and riversides famous for fossils and you have a very good chance of finding the fossil

bones of a prehistoric marine reptile or shark teeth or ammonite shells.’

So You Think You Know About Dinosaurs is at The Apex, Bury St Edmunds on Sunday 12 May at 3pm. www.theapex.co.uk

Photo: Tom Warry

21


22

|

www.artseast.co.uk

StartEast Boosts Business Growth in Cultural Sector

Fairview Farm Enter prises

StartEast is a business support programme for cultural

Story Machine Productions

enterprises in Norfolk and Suffolk and has generated growth in

A small grant has helped to enable, the Norwich based company

over 350 creative businesses, increasing revenue, jobs and

working with artists and technologists to bring books to life

launching new enterprises and products. Over 4000 hours of

through immersive events and digital resources, to create shows

bespoke advice and workshops, led by a dedicated team of

for major publishers and the Man Booker Prize.

industry experts in all aspects of business planning including

Virtually There Studio

marketing, finance and product development, and direct grant investment of over £300k have made a big impact on the cultural economy in the East. The following are among those who have received support:

Emily Godden was a student at University of Suffolk when she joined StartEast and is now working full-time managing her own business Virtually There Studio, which uses VR technology to create positive behaviour change towards the environment.

EA Dubs

21 businesses have been supported to attend international

Support and funding have helped to enable Gavin to move his

festivals and trade fairs, including Canada, Sweden, Germany

business from a one bedroom flat to a professional studio space

and Prague. Laboratory Media Education attended

where artists can record and cut music onto vinyl (one of only

MusicTechFest in Sweden and has attracted the interest of a

four places in the country where this is possible), with additional mastering, mixing and live broadcast options. Fairview Farm StartEast supported the set-up of Fairview Farm and awarded funds to secure the property and get the project underway. Bespoke day provision, for 16–30yrs with disabilities or difficulties, combines art with nature, and aims to develop academic ability, increase independence and social skills and broaden employability opportunities and confidence.

major international technology developer. Chalk Circle Theatre

Company attended IETM in Munich, resulting in an invitation to collaborate with a theatre in Lithuania. StartEast: building the cultural economy, is a major regional economic development initiative which is managed by Norfolk County Council in partnership with Suffolk County Council and on behalf of the New Anglia Local Enterprise Partnership Cultural Board. It is delivered by the New Wolsey Theatre and funded by Arts Council England Creative Local Growth Fund and the European Regional Development Fund. To find out more visit www.starteast.co.uk


Suffolk hits the Big Screen

April-May 2019

|

Famed for the beauty of its countryside and coastline, Suffolk has inspired artists and authors for centuries. Now it’s inspiring a different type of artist…. Have you ever considered Suffolk as a location for a horror film? No. Well think again. Film-making partnership Figgis-West are about to change your mind. Irish director Jason Figgis, who has worked with big names including John Hurt and Alan Rickman, has teamed up with local producer John West to create what they hope will become a horror classic. ‘Our partnership works really well as John deals with the location and crew while I take care of the creative side of things including the scriptwriting and sourcing the cast,’ says Jason. Jason Figgis

Jason with John Hurt

The filming went seamlessly. ‘It’s very unusual to film a feature film in just eight days but it was as if it was meant to be. Everything was perfect,’ says Jason. ‘We’re just in the final editing stage and the finished film will hopefully leave the audience with a tingle down their spine.’ With Winifred Meeks out in early summer, Figgis-West had turned its attention to their fascinating new documentary The Haunting of M.R. James.

‘I first discovered Jason’s work when he did a documentary on Simon Marsden, the photographer and author,’ says John. ‘I made a note of his name and when I discovered he was coming to Suffolk to make a documentary on M.R. James, I got in touch and things went from there.’

‘This documentary asks whether author M.R. James really believed in the supernatural that he wrote about in his amazing ghost stories,’ says John. ‘Because of the time in which he lived, it wasn’t the done thing to admit it.’

Horror film Winifred Meeks - written and directed by Jason Figgis was shot on location in and around Dunwich last Halloween. ‘It was definitely a fitting location,’ laughs producer John West. ‘The house was on the site of an old leper graveyard and many spooky things happened while we were filming. We all stayed in the house for a week. I heard a child crying in the night and Lara Belmont, our leading lady, woke up one morning to discover a child’s handprint on the outside of her window - on the second floor!’ The film follows the tale of two women - one living, one dead - who are fighting for control of the house and stars talented actress Lara Belmont. ‘The flatness of the Suffolk landscape and the big skies were perfect for the film,’ says Jason. ‘The topography reminded me of the inspiration behind a lot of MR James’ work. He is a huge inspiration of mine.’

John West and Lara Belmont during filming of Winifred Meeks

‘Obviously we can’t prove whether he really believed but we present the evidence to the audience and let them decide for themselves,’ says Jason. ‘East Anglia inspired James’ stories so it was natural to film in this region.’ To find out more go to www.johnwestmedia.com or https://figgisjason.wixsite.com/director

23


24

|

www.artseast.co.uk

News

Theatre & Film

Cambridge welcomes Edmond de Bergerac

Acclaimed actors Freddie Fox, Henry Goodman, Josie Lawrence and Chizzy Akudolu star in the multi award-winning romantic comedy

Edmond de Bergerac, the celebrated play behind the story of French play Cyrano de Bergerac. This fantastic show comes to Cambridge Arts Theatre from April 15th-20th. It’s Paris, 1895. Edmond is a struggling playwright with writer’s block. His last play was a flop, he’s down on his luck. Until he helps his best friend Leo woo a girl called Jeanne by writing romantic letters to her as if from Leo... and it’s a brilliant idea for the plot of his brandnew play, Cyrano de Bergerac. With the help of the celebrated actor Coquelin, theatrical legend Sarah and faded star Marina, Edmond starts writing again. But will he finish his masterpiece? Will the play be a hit? And will Jeanne ever discover that Leo’s love letters were penned by Edmond?

www.cambridgeartstheatre.com

Lights! Planets! People! in Norwich Six months ago renowned space scientist Maggie Hill launched a careerdefining mission to find habitable planets beyond our solar system. It did not go well. Then her girlfriend stopped speaking to her. Maggie’s going to have to address both of these catastrophes. Lights! Planets! People! written by TV and radio scriptwriter Molly Naylor and performed by Karen Hill, is an intimate and exhilarating story about how we try to control the things that define us and our desire to connect with each other. Along the way it takes in issues around the environment and mental health. It tours the country until July 2019 including a ‘hometown’ date at Norwich Arts Centre on May 8th. The show is an insightful, moving, funny and inspirational take on the interconnected worlds of women, science and space travel.

www.norwichartscentre.co.uk

Ipswich’s Jerwood DanceHouse marks first decade with 10 Celebratory Events A flagship addition to the regenerated Ipswich waterfront, the Jerwood DanceHouse was the vision of DanceEast who wanted to build themselves a home dedicated to dance, for artists and the local community. That community came together ten years ago to raise a spectacular £8.9 million to bring that vision alive. The Jerwood DanceHouse, the first and only purpose-built dance facility in the East of England, opened its doors to the public with a weekend of celebratory events in October 2009. In its first ten years it has received 550,000 artist, audience and participant visits, presented 246 productions including 101 new commissions and 39 premieres and its annual audience has tripled. To mark the venue’s 10th anniversary year there are ten celebratory events planned including, on Saturday April 20th, the world premiere of a new work from the National Youth Dance Company with whom DanceEast has a long-standing relationship. Guest Artistic Director Botis Seva is working with 38 of some of England’s most talented young dancers. On July 6th House to Home features over 100 dancers from the local community telling the story of the Jerwood DanceHouse. To find out more - and to hear about the other celebratory events - go to www.danceeast.co.uk


April-May 2019

Smash-hit musical returns starring Alexandra Burke Proving she still has the X-Factor, songstress Alexandra Burke has returned to play Rachel Marron in the new UK Tour of The Bodyguard The Musical, which arrives in Norwich from April 30th for two weeks. Alexandra is a popular visitor to the Norwich stage, having trodden the boards in the city in both the first tour of The Bodyguard in May & June 2016, and in Sister Act in May 2017. She will perform the role of Rachel Marron at evening performances only. The musical features the breath-taking music of the late Whitney Houston, who starred in the Oscar-nominated 1992 movie about a superstar singer who falls for her bodyguard, who was played by Kevin Costner. A romantic thriller, The Bodyguard features a host of irresistible classics with music played by a live ten-piece orchestra. From Queen of the Night, So Emotional, One Moment in Time and Saving All My Love, to Run to You, I Have Nothing, I Wanna Dance with Somebody and one of the biggest hit songs of all time, I Will

Harry Potter Actor’s New Play comes to Norwich The Garage, Norwich is hosting Play Before Birth on June 6th-7th written by Harry Potter actor Rohan Gotobed. Klara has organised her baby shower, but one guest wasn’t invited; Moira. She wants to change the conversation. Are children really the future? Klara is uncertain. What do you think? Provoked by a world doomed before 2030, Coast to Coast Theatre Company are determined to create urgent and raw theatre that will change how you see motherhood. Rohan Gotobed played the young Sirius in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows before turning his talents to writing and directing.

www.thegarage.org.uk

Always Love You.

www.theatreroyalnorwich.co.uk

Bury Theatre Star Trail Some of the most famous names to have graced the stage at Theatre Royal Bury St Edmunds, are to be commemorated in a new trail around the town promoted by Our Bury St Edmunds which runs the Business Improvement District (BID). The Theatre Royal Star Trail, which has already raised close to £10,000 for the theatre, will see stars placed on the pavement in prominent positions in the town centre from May 25th to October 27th – not unlike the world-famous Hollywood Walk of Fame. Sponsorship of the trail from local businesses will go towards the £170,000 the theatre needs to raise each year to support its operating costs. As with previous Our Bury St Edmunds Trails, those who ‘find’ all the stars will be able to enter a draw for one of 10 prizes. Chief Executive of Our Bury St Edmunds Mark Cordell said: ‘Our Bury St Edmunds is gaining a reputation for its unique and quirky trails, having worked with local artists for the previous highly successful events to support local charities. I’m sure this one will prove equally popular as residents and visitors to the town centre alike try to find everyone from local celebrities such as Rick Wakeman and Ian Lavender, to Dame Judi Dench and Joanna Lumley.’

|

25


26

|

www.artseast.co.uk

Cirque Eloize brings their spectacular show to Norwich Theatre Royal

A driving force in Quebec culture and world leaders in the world of circus, Cirque Eloize are returning to Norwich Theatre Royal from June 28th-29th with another stunning show which promises an evening rich in entertainment. Fresh from the critical acclaim which greeted Cirkopolis on its visit to the city last year, their 2019 offering is Hotel which is set in a timeless art deco hotel where strangers from all walks of life meet. You will meet a maître d’hôtel who is overwhelmed by everything that is going on, a mischievous maid, and a handyman accompanied by his devoted dog. The story is told by someone who is staying on the top floor and the audience will also get to meet some of the guests including lovers who are not sure where their relationship will go, and a celebrity who finds there is more to life than just her public façade. Hotel will be brought to life by a company of top international circus and acrobatic performers drawn from across Europe and America. Director Emmanuel Guillaume said the plot will mix strangers, tourists, businesspeople and the anonymous who all come together as strangers. ‘Our hotel presents this playground while also bringing alive the circus maxim that anything is possible. Through the language, our artists portray these characters and tell the story of their encounters.’

As well as a feast for the eyes, it will also be one for the ears according to Eloi Painchaud, the musical director, composer and arranger. ‘To express the world of Hotel, I dipped into my childhood memories of when we had a rooming house with a French restaurant, which was the ultimate in chic in our small rural area,’ says Eloi. ‘My mother loved the classics of Yves Montant through to the jazz of the Hotclub of France. The swing rhythms of the speakeasy bars, in fact, have coloured my creation a lot. The smooth voice of Sabrina Halde, with her mastery and passionate interpretations, has particularly inspired my writing.The thrumming gypsy guitar, the piano that seems to have a life of its own and the incandescent brass section sketch out the humanity that brings the music of this hotel alive.’ www.theatreroyalnorwich.co.uk

Competition

WIN TICKETS ARTSeast has joined forces with Norwich Theatre Royal to offer a pair of tickets to the first night of Hotel on Friday June 28 at 7.30pm. To be in with a chance of winning, please email your name, address and telephone number to info@artseast.co.uk. Closing date: May 24th, usual terms and conditions apply.


April-May 2019

|

27

The World-Class Bury Festival 11 Days, 50 Events, 13 Venues…..

Clare Teal


28

|

www.artseast.co.uk

Kate Rusby

Chineke! Orchestra, conductor Wayne Marshall

Barbara Nice Raffle

John Lil

Sara Dowling

James Campbell


April-May 2019

Featuring 11 days packed with over 50 events across 13

A highlight of the 2019 Bury Festival will be the return of

venues, the 34th Bury St Edmunds Festival will bring a world

bestselling classical violinist of all time Nigel Kennedy to The

class celebration of culture and entertainment to the vibrant

Apex on May 22nd. He will reinterpret the work of George

Suffolk town between May 16th-26th. The popular Festival

Gershwin with a selection from his recent album, Kennedy

will take in some great music, song, dance, comedy, film and

meets Gershwin, as well as perform music by Bach and some

other art forms with top performances by both local and

of his own compositions.

international artists. The fantastic line-up includes a return visit by renowned

Join Edinburgh Fringe’s favourite housewife ‘Barbara Nice’ for an evening of good fun, while comedian and author James

classical violinist Nigel Kennedy flying in from Poland for his

Campbell will present a stand-up comedy show for children.

one-off concert. Add in performers such as Rick Wakeman,

Then there’s Dr John Cooper Clarke, who brings a mix of classic

Clare Teal, John Lill, Kate Rusby and John Cooper Clarke and

poetry with hilarious ponderings on modern life. Dance

you begin to get a flavour of just how much there is to get

enthusiasts can enjoy two contrasting evenings from high

excited about in this year’s packed programme. Also includes

energy ceilidh to classical ballet and not to be missed are the

guided walks, exhibitions and an array of family events.

screenings of Oscar Wilde plays recorded live from London’s

A wide variety of music genres will be represented with

Vaudeville Theatre at the Abbeygate Cinema.

something for most tastes from classical favourites and easy

This year’s finale concert at The Apex will feature Chineke!

listening to blues, jazz and folk plus a brass band, Latin

Europe's first orchestra to feature a majority of black and

American sounds and an early music trio. Similarly, vocal

minority ethnic musicians. Chineke! was founded by the

artists range from the Puppini Sisters, with their own close

pioneering double bass player Chi-chi Nwanoku OBE. They

harmony swing-style, and a Judy Garland tribute by Sara

perform throughout the UK and abroad to great acclaim

Dowling to concerts by St Edmundsbury

fulfilling their mission to champion change and celebrate

Cathedral Choir.

diversity in classical music.

The packed programme kicks off on May

See the full line-up and book online

16th with an evening concert at The Apex by the ever-popular Rick Wakeman. Best known for his time in Yes, the keyboard player, singer-songwriter, broadcaster and raconteur will be performing a selection from his two recent albums, Piano Portraits and Piano Odyssey, both of which entered the UK’s top 10 on release.

at www.buryfestival.co.uk. Tickets

are also on sale at The Apex and

other venues around Bury St

Edmunds or call the Box Office on

01284 758000. Follow on Twitter

and Instagram @buryfestival and

Facebook.

|

29


30

|

www.artseast.co.uk

Music News Felixstowe welcomes Music Legend Jools Holland Felixstowe Spa Pavilion by arrangement with One Fifteen presents is hugely excited to announce the visit of Jools Holland & his Rhythm & Blues Orchestra featuring Gilson Lavis with special guests Pauline Black and Arthur ‘Gaps’ Hendrickson from The Selecter and guest vocalists Ruby Turner and Louise Marshall. The legendary musician, composer, TV presenter, performer, writer, conductor, Squeeze star and so much more, arrives at the Pavilion with his Rhythm & Blues Orchestra and very special friends and guests for an unforgettable night on June 14th.

www.spapavilion.net

Doo-Wop comes to Fisher Theatre, Bungay The theatre show ‘The Story of Doo-Wop’ by the UK’s premier DooWop quartet, The TestostaTones, visits the Fisher Theatre in Bungay on April 12th. The show explores the story of the vocal style of singing which emerged in the 1950s and paved the way for early rock, enjoying resurgences in several following decades. The Story of Doo-Wop is performed as a live “broadcast” from a radio studio and presented by the host for the evening, Chuck Anderson, a fictional radio show disc jockey who “spins the discs” of some of the biggest hits of the genre which will be performed live by The TestostaTones, a group who have sung for the Queen, live on BBC Radio 2 and at some of the most iconic venues in the UK. They have been described as “the missing song from the soundtrack of a Martin Scorcese movie” and will be singing ‘Blue Moon’, ‘Earth Angel’, ‘Runaround Sue’, ‘Teenager in Love’, ‘Why Do Fools Fall in Love’ and ‘In The Still of the Night’, among many others.

www.fishertheatre.org

Sing Out Saturdays – sing yourself free in 2019! Have you always wanted to sing, but never got around to it? Do you love to sing but want to do more? Are you fed up with formal choirs and too much commitment? Do you want to sing yourself free and have fun? Help is at hand! Singing leader extraordinaire Chris Rowbury runs regular singing get-togethers in Hadleigh and Wivenhoe. These fun and friendly mornings of song are open to anyone who wants to sing. Sing out Saturdays take place usually every third Saturday of the month and run from 10.30am to 1pm at the Ansell Centre in Hadleigh or 2pm to 4.30pm at the Scout Hall in Wivenhoe. The next two sessions are on Saturday April 13th and Saturday May 18th. Simply turn up on the day – no commitment needed and you don’t have to come every month. Sessions cost only £9 per person including refreshments. Everyone is welcome and no experience is necessary as Chris teaches all songs by ear. There are no auditions or solos. You can hear recordings of the kind of songs covered and find full venue details and dates on the website.

www.singoutsaturdays.co.uk


April-May 2019

Rockin’ All Over King’s Lynn Celebrating Bach in Cambridge

Status Quo fans are in for a treat when Francis Rossi takes to the stage of the King’s Lynn Corn Exchange on May 20th. The

This Easter, two Cambridge institutions — the acclaimed early

co-founder, lead singer and lead guitarist created Status Quo

music orchestra, the Academy of Ancient Music, and King’s

in 1967 and has since sold around 128 million albums and

College Choir — will join forces to make a special live concert

had more chart hits than any other rock band. Rossi sang the

recording of Bach’s beautiful Easter music. The concerts will

first words at Live Aid in 1985, survived the obligatory

take place on April 15th and 16th at King’s College Chapel.

rock’n’roll brush with alcohol and drugs, was awarded an OBE

They will perform Bach’s Matthew Passion on 16th century

in 2010 and has a BRIT for his Outstanding Contribution to

musical instruments, true to Bach’s time. This will be outgoing

Music. Having spent longer on the UK singles chart than The

King’s Music Director Stephen Cleobury’s final celebration of

Beatles while also making an amusing diversion into TV with

Easter at King’s, bringing to the end his incredible thirty-seven

an appearance on Coronation Street, the teetotal father-of-

year career with King’s College Choir.

eight has some of the best rock’n’roll stories ever. And in his

What’s more, AAM and King’s College Choir have previously

show - I Talk Too Much - with his acoustic guitar at hand, he’ll

recorded Bach’s St John Passion together, so this new

share them for the first time. Expect laughter, revelations,

recording will complete their set of Bach Passion recordings.

snatches of classic tunes and a great night out. Francis will be

www.aam.co.uk

signing copies of his album and book after the show.

www.kingslynncornexchange.co.uk

Norwich Arts Centre: Shemekia Copeland Shemekia Copeland powers into Norwich Arts Centre on April 29th. Her instantly recognisable voice—capable of being sultry, assertive and roaring—delivers every song with unparalleled honesty and passion. With her new Alligator Records album, America’s Child, Copeland confidently announces an electrifying new chapter in her constantly evolving story. Produced by Americana Instrumentalist Of The Year winner Will Kimbrough (who also plays guitar on the album) and recorded in Nashville, America’s Child is a courageous and fiery statement of purpose, a major step forward for the singer whose musical consciousness continues to expand as her star continues to rise. When Shemekia broke on the scene at age 18 in 1998 with her ground-breaking Alligator Records debut CD Turn The Heat Up, she instantly became a blues and R&B force to be reckoned with. From her debut through 2005’s The Soul Truth, Shemekia earned eight Blues Music Awards, a host of Living Blues Awards (including the prestigious 2010 Blues Artist of The Year) and more accolades from fans, critics and fellow musicians. 2000’s Wicked received a Grammy nomination. Two highly successful releases on Telarc cemented her reputation as a singer who, according to NPR’s All Things Considered, “embodies the blues with her powerful vocal chops and fearless look at social issues.”

www.norwichartscentre.co.uk

|

31


32

|

www.artseast.co.uk

Pick up your free copy of

The Visual Arts Guide 2019

Featuring artists, art galleries and workshops across Norfolk & Suffolk Published by ARTSeast Magazine DBH 21, Diss Business Park, Hopper Way, Diss, IP22 4GT

01379 773347 www.artseast.co.uk

Do you need a programme, brochure or leaflet published? Falcon Publications publish a range of programmes, brochures and town guides for arts venues and local councils. Can we help with yours? Just give us a call on 01379 773347 or email info@falconpublications.co.uk for further details

Publishing is our business Falcon Publications DBH 21, Diss Business Park, Hopper Way, Diss IP22 4GT www.falconpublications.co.uk


April-May 2019

|

The Villiers Quartet in Residence at Wells Maltings Hailed as one of the most charismatic and adventurous quartets of the British chamber music scene, the members of the Villiers Quartet have developed a reputation as exceptional interpreters of English composers including Elgar, Delius, Fricker and Bush. The first concert of their 2019 season at Wells Maltings – the new £5m arts, heritage and community centre in Wells-next-the-Sea - was a sell-out success, with the atmospheric Kiln Room providing excellent acoustics for their magnificent afternoon performance. The Villiers Quartet comprises: James Dickenson (violin), Tamaki Higashi (violin), Carmen Flores (viola) and Nicholas Stringfellow (cello). On Sunday April 14th, they’ll be back at Wells Maltings at 3pm for another highly-anticipated afternoon concert, this time performing Haydn’s String Quartet op.51 (The Seven Last Words of Christ). Then at the same time on Sunday June 23rd, they’ll be performing Peter Racine Fricker – Quartet No. 2 and Matyas Seiber – “Quartetto Lirico” Quartet No.3 (1948-51). After this, they’ll be making two more trips to North Norfolk, returning to Wells Maltings on Sunday September 15th for another 3pm concert performing Anton Webern – Langsamer Satz (1905) and Sibelius – Quartet in D minor “Voces Intimae” (1909). Their last performance in this particular season will be on Sunday November 17th at 3pm when the acclaimed quartet will perform Hubert Parry – Quartet no 3 in G Major (1878-80) and Anthony Payne – Quartet no 3. These classical concerts are a real pleasure to listen to and are certainly not to be missed! www.wellsmaltings.org.uk

Competition

WIN TICKETS ARTSeast has teamed up with Wells Maltings in Wells-next-theSea to offer one lucky reader the chance to win a pair of tickets to hear the Villiers Quartet on Sunday June 23rd. To enter, simply email your name, address and telephone number to info@artseast.co.uk Closing date: May 24th, usual terms and conditions apply.

33


34

|

www.artseast.co.uk

Works in War me 19th May Steam Engines in steam-BBQ-family activities- wartime vehicles Father’s Day Model Railway Show 16th June Model railways– engines in steam– BBQ– family activities The Joker Centenary 14th July Engines in steam– BBQ– family activities Steampunk 3rd August

Market– engines in steam– BBQ– family activities www.longshopmuseum.co.uk/01728 832189


April-May 2019

What’s On News

Celebrating Americana Celebrating its 12th anniversary as the UK’s first and finest Americana

Bringing the Home Front to Life

festival, Maverick Festival returns to Easton Farm Park on July 5th –

Housed on the site of the Garrett Engineering Works, ‘the

and talented musicians from both sides of the Atlantic, and this year is

closest factory to Germany’, The Long Shop Museum in Leiston

no exception! Over the past decade, organisers have stuck to what

is the ideal backdrop to see what life was like on the home

they believe in, presenting exciting and inspiring line-ups year after

front during the Second World War. This Living History event

year. Recent additions to the festival line-up include London based

runs from 10am-4pm on Sunday May 19th with a range of

five-piece Dana Immanuel & The Stolen Band; a banjo-whacking,

exhibits, activities and stalls to ensure a lovely day out for the

guitar-shredding, fiddle-sawing, foot-stomping, whiskey-soaked, all-

whole family. Meet uniformed characters, including those

female outfit! Since 2014, they have been delighting crowds

7th. Maverick Festival is renowned for showcasing the most authentic

from the Royal Norfolk Regiment Re-enactment group and

spanning the blues, rock, Americana, indie, folk and country scenes

learn all about rationing, how to join the home guard, what to

with their high-energy live show and utterly unique brand of musical

do with an unexploded bomb, and what it was like to a Land

badassery. Visit the website for full line-up.

Girl!

www.maverickfestival.co.uk

Sandringham Craft & Wood Festival This Easter weekend (April 20th-22nd) fifteen of the best chainsaw carvers from twelve different countries will be competing in the debut Sandringham Cup. Going head-to-head in three days of creative talent, they will be carving huge, impressive sculptures using a chainsaw as their main or only tool. If you are looking for something a little smaller, there will also be three times daily speed carves when the competitors have just thirty minutes to create something amazing – auctioned off immediately afterwards. The Festival will be celebrating wood crafts of other types with a huge working marquee where demonstrations will be running all day on coppicing, coopering, bodging, woodturning and much more. There will also be exciting demonstrations of other traditional crafts with hourly glass-blowing displays; blacksmiths; textile crafts and many more. Lose yourself for hours in the huge interlinked craft marquees as you browse the extensive choice of lovely goods on offer. Displays include shire horse logging, the Welsh Axemen competing in various axe and saw races, plus vintage and steam machinery demonstrations. The fine food halls are bursting with delicious condiments, sweets, cheeses, meats and gin, wines and ciders. Grab a tasty lunch from one of the street foods available. sandringhamcraftandwoodfestival.co.uk

|

35


36

|

www.artseast.co.uk

Boy Blue

Festival Fever

This May the city of Norwich comes alive with The Norfolk & Norwich Festival Running from May 10th-26th, the vast and wide-ranging

the city - backwards; Stopgap Dance Company’s Frock &

programme showcases artists from around the world and the

Frippery, a dance riot celebrating self-identity; Curious’ Wild

region presenting a huge variety of work and events

Longings, a luscious garden tour created specially for The

throughout the city and around the county. It spans

Plantation Garden and Hannah Jane Walker’s highly

performance, theatre, music, visual arts, literature, circus,

anticipated new show Highly Sensitive, using games and

outdoor and family events, includes world and UK premieres,

poetry to investigate toughness and weakness.

one-off spectaculars, and a host of free events across the Festival.

Further Festival highlights include Adelaide-based, internationally renowned contemporary circus company

Premieres include: News New News, a news show made for

Gravity & Other Myths presenting their multiple award-

adults with the children of Norwich Primary Academy, recorded

winning production A Simple Space in Norwich for the first

in front of a studio audience and broadcast live from Andy

time, in Tenebrae’s fifteenth year, a unique new choral work

Field and Beckie Darlington; The Ladder, a new show from

from Owain Park forms the central element to their Cathedral

Hoipolloi presented alongside The Duke and ME & ROBIN

concert; Queen of British Soul Beverley Knight at Norwich

HOOD to celebrate the company’s 25th anniversary; Moliere

Theatre Royal; one of the UK’s most outstanding jazz talents,

Award-winner Victoria Thierrée

Norfolk-born Kit Downes performs solo

Chaplin’s (Le Cirque Invisible) Bells

organ at St Peter Mancroft; seminal hip-

and Spells, a wonderful and strange

hop dance company Boy Blue present

journey following an incurable

universally acclaimed and Olivier Award-

kleptomaniac; Ray Lee’s sonic

nominated Blak Whyte Gray; the third year

spheres in Congregation, taking

of the BBC Radio 3 New Generation

audiences on a magical mystery tour

Artists; Thomas Adès and Britten Sinfonia

of the city; Genevieve Lacey’s

will return following their sell-out

Pleasure Garden, a listening garden

performance of Beethoven’s Symphonies

inspired by 17th century Dutch

2017 and 2018, concluding their season

composer Jacob Van Eyck at

with a performance of Beethoven’s Ninth

Fellbrigg Hall; Johannes Bellinkx's Reverse - a unique walking tour of

Symphony; universally acclaimed Gandini Hannah Jane Walker

Juggling’s Smashed; and the Adnams


April-May 2019

Me Robin Hood, Murdo Mac

Spiegeltent Lates programme including cabaret, sell-out

depicting some of Norwich’s most curious and memorable

superstars Johnny Woo and Le Gateau Chocolat; music from

landmarks in a Festival commission. His panoramic spheres

Nakhane, Afriquoi and Hannah Williams and the Affirmations

will be spread across the City’s cultural quarter with maps to

plus a programme of free daytime events for all the

locate them all.

community.

Daniel Brine, Festival Director said: ‘The 2019 Festival will be

In England’s first UNESCO City of Literature, Norfolk & Norwich

my second as Festival Director, and my first full programme. As

Festival and the National Centre for Writing will once again

I get to know the rich cultural heritage of the city and county

present a world-class literature programme, including the City

better from the people living here, I am also mindful of fast-

of Literature Weekend, taking place over three full days.

paced changes occurring on a global scale, our relationship to

Highlights include

the rest of the UK, Europe

everything from Man

and further abroad. It’s

Booker Prize judge Lila

been fascinating to work

Azam Zanganeh and

with artists to present work

nominee Sarah Hall talking

from the county and

sex, death and everything in

around the world in that

between to beautiful poetry

context this year. We

from activist and Brazilian poet Adelaide Ivanova.

explore notions of

Will Teather

Visual art at the Festival will explore the Norfolk landscape from city to coast through exhibitions across the county. The programme features titans of sculpture Henry Moore at Houghton Hall and Anthony Caro at Norwich University of the Arts’ East Gallery, the multi- faceted talents of contemporary exponents Ryan Gander with the first in a series of onetwelfth-scale public works of art presented at Merrivale Model Village in Great Yarmouth and Joe Moran at Norwich Castle Museum & Art Gallery where he presents a choreographed piece amidst one of the Castle’s collections. Norwich-based artist Will Teather will create a series of radical artworks

journeying and crossing borders with shows such as The Journey, Chris Bullzini’s spectacular highwire traverse of the city skyline and Las Maravillas de Mali making a special UK appearance at the Festival. We also look at the idea of making and doing ourselves, a theme that seems increasingly present throughout the UK, with projects like Engage and Playing Up. We have multiple pieces of work exploring magic and illusion such as the charming Bells and Spells and The Chore of Enchantment, in which make-believe and imagination flourish. I look forward to people exploring the programme and hearing what audiences think.’ nnfestival.org.uk

|

37


38

|

www.artseast.co.uk

APRIL – MAY 2019

HEATHER SMALL

GRANDPA MAGIC

FRANCIS ROSSI

WED 10 APR 8pm / £29.50*

MON 15 APR 10.30am & 2pm / £10* Magic, music, stories and fun for ages 4–9. ________________________________________

GRETCHEN PETERS

SOLD OUT! WED 24 APR 7.30pm ________________________________________ TUE 23 APR 8pm / £29.50*, £25.50*

SOOTY’S MAGIC SHOW THU 18 APR 11am & 2.30pm / £13* (£11 child / £42 Family)

Accomplished soul singer whose hits include ‘Moving On Up’, ‘One Night In Heaven’ and ‘Search For The Hero’ and ‘Proud’. ________________________________________

FASTLOVE A TRIBUTE TO GEORGE MICHAEL FRI 12 APR 7.30pm / £26*

Izzy wizzy let’s get busy! Sooty & co are is back in a brand-new show. ________________________________________

THE C3 CHURCH’S EASTER CONCERT

With her band & The Southern Fried String Quartet. ________________________________________ SOME KINDA WONDERFUL: THE MUSIC OF

STEVIE WONDER THU 25 APR 7.30pm / £24*

FRI 19 APR 5pm / Free Child-friendly Good Friday concert. ________________________________________

BRAND NEW HEAVIES SAT 20 APR 8pm / £28.50* ________________________________________

FLEETWOOD BAC & TOO PETTY SAT 13 APR 8pm / £19* standing (£21 seated) Fleetwood Mac and Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers tributes. ________________________________________

LOLLYPOPS & MOPTOPS SUN 14 APR 1.45pm / £19.50* The Dreamers, The Temple Brothers (Everly Brothers tribute) & Buddy Walker (Buddy Holly tribute). ________________________________________

By Noel McCalla, Derek Nash and their band. ________________________________________

THE 545 Pioneers of acid jazz - fusing funk, soul and hip hop in hits such as ‘Never Stop’ and ‘Midnight At The Oasis’. ________________________________________

FAT CAT COMEDY CLUB

TOM PAXTON & THE DON JUANS

SUN 14 APR 8pm / £13* For line-up, see www.fatcatcomedyclub.com.

MON 22 APR 7.30pm / £29.50* Songwriter who defines the American folk sound.

FRI 26 APR / £5 Bessie Turner (tbc), The Daze, Substation, Kelodown & Salvador. ________________________________________

GRAHAM KENDRICK SAT 27 APR 7.30pm / £17* Presented by Southgate Church. ________________________________________

MIDGE URE

SOLD OUT! SUN 28 APR 7.30pm / £22*

BOOK TICKETS AT WWW.THE

* Ticket price includes booking fees where applicable. Concessions may be available, categories change according


April-May 2019

CHARTER SQUARE, BURY ST EDMUNDS, IP33 3FD

TUBULAR BELLS FOR TWO

KING OF POP

MON 6 MAY 7.30pm / £28.50* Two ambitious musicians play over twenty instruments. ‘A musical tour de force. Mesmerising to watch’ – Sydney Morning Herald. ________________________________________

TUE 14 MAY 7.30pm / £24* (£34* VIP)

APEX GALLERY (OPEN DAILY) VISIBLE GIRLS TUE 2 APR – TUE 28 MAY

WET WET WET TUE 7 MAY 8pm / £26*

The world’s leading MJ tribute, Navi is joined by Jackson’s iconic female guitarist, Jennifer Batten. ________________________________________

RICK WAKEMAN Hits include ‘Help From My Friends’, ‘Goodnight Girl’ & ‘Love Is All Around’. ________________________________________

SOLD OUT! THU 16 MAY 7.30pm / £28 ________________________________________

PUPPINI SISTERS FRI 17 MAY 7.30pm / £27.50 (Under 25s £5)

IAN WAITE & VINCENT SIMONE WED 8 MAY 7.30pm / £30* ________________________________________

CROONERS FRI 10 MAY 7.30pm / £24*

The Lives, Tribes and Spirit of British Women: a photographic exhibition by Anita Corbin. 36 years after her original portrait series, Corbin called the original Girls back together, viewing those changed women through a modern lens. _____________________________________

ROSEY HANCOCK COLOUR INJECTED LIFE WED 29 MAY – SUN 23 JUNE Regarded as the world’s leading close-harmony group, the Puppini Sisters count Prince Charles and Michael Bublé amongst their fans! ________________________________________

Rip roaring comedy musical packed with swinging songs. ________________________________________

FAT CAT COMEDY CLUB SUN 12 MAY & 9 JUNE 8pm / £13* For line-up, see www.fatcatcomedyclub.com. ________________________________________

DAVID GOWER SOLD OUT! MON 13 MAY 7.30pm / £21*

CLARE TEAL AND HER BIG MINI BIG BAND SAT 18 MAY 7.30pm / £26 (Under 25s £5) A rich jazz infused repertoire by the very best in the business. ________________________________________

DR JOHN COOPER CLARKE TUE 21 MAY 8pm / £28.50, £24.50 With a mix of classic verse, new material and hilarious ponderings on modern life.

Pictures with an abstract feel that celebrate the artist’s love of colour, line and texture in everyday life.

APEX.CO.UK • 01284 758000

g to event. Event details correct at time of print, but could change, see website or ring for up-to-date information.

|

39



Turn static files into dynamic content formats.

Create a flipbook
Issuu converts static files into: digital portfolios, online yearbooks, online catalogs, digital photo albums and more. Sign up and create your flipbook.