ARTSeast May 2015 Edition

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ARTSeast

New

May 2015

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Norfolk & Norwich Festival: Music from Around the World Interview: Suggs from Madness Local Arts Scene: Holt

Visual Arts

eatre & Film

WIN Tickets and a meal!

Literature

Music

What’s On


Gainsborough’ Gainsborough’ss House Museum, Gallery & Shop

Work by Anne Purkiss Artists at Home and at Work exhibition until 31 May 2015 Opening times: Monday to Saturday Saturday 10am to 5pm, Sundays 11am 11am to 5pm * DLQVERURXJK¡V +RXVH *DLQVERURXJK 6WUHHW 6XGEXU\ 6XͿRON &2 (8 *DLQVERURXJK¡V +RXVH *DLQVERURXJK 6WUHHW 6XGEXU\ 6XͿRON &2 (8 _ PDLO#JDLQVERURXJK RUJ _ ZZZ JDLQVERURXJK RUJ _ PDLO#JDLQVERURXJK RUJ _ ZZZ JDLQVERURXJK RUJ Charity Number: 214046

The Diss Auction Rooms

“Art every Friday� Viewing: Every Thursday 2-8pm Also The Gallery Sale: Saturday 22 August, contact James Bassam for details

Diss Auction Rooms, Roydon Road, Diss, Norfolk IP22 4LN 01379 650 306 auctions@twgaze.co.uk 2 |

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twgaze.co.uk


Pure Inspiration... ...Rhian is a valued member of the Royal

the varied wildlife that surrounds her home in

Watercolour Society of Wales, winning several

the Beacons.

awards for her unique and intense style of

Rhian exhibits regularly in Wales, but has

watercolour painting.

never transported her substantial work quite as

She is a keen photographer and takes all her

far as Norfolk until now. And we are thrilled

own photos from which to paint, capturing all

that she has!

Rhian Symes Original Works May 1st – June 25th 2015 Riverside Art & Glass Wroxham NR12 8RX t: 01603 784000 e: info@riversideartandglass.co.uk www.riversideartandglass.co.uk April 2015 | 3


25

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C el eb ra ti ng

ARTSeast Magazine

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Pllus Plus Plu us s lots lot lo ots ts more more mor mo re!

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A An n indep independent endent family business Established Est tabblished 1982

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Contents

7

23

39 Welcome

Theatre

What’s On

6

22

Theatre & Film News

38

Gt. Yarmouth Arts Festival

23

Theatre Royal - Norwich

39

In Here Festival

Cover Story

24

Stamford Shakespeare Company

40

Madness Competition

7

25

Absent Friends

41

What’s On Listings

Editor’s Letter

Norfolk & Norwich Festival

26-27 Coffee & a Chat - Madness

Visual Arts

Local Arts Scene

8-9 Visual Arts News

42

Holt Photos

10 Artists On View

43

Holt Introduction

11 Artist Profile – Alison Hollingsworth

44

Holt Festival

12 Suffolk Open Studios

45

Seahorse Studio

13 Summer Breeze/Lightscapes

26-27

14 Norfolk Open Studios 15 Castle Acre Art Trail 16 Harleston & Waveney Art Trail

28

Pulse Festival

17 Samuel Thomas

29

Kid’s Corner - Gt.Yarmouth Hippodrome

18 Alby Crafts / Animal Art 19 Fi Kilpatrick

11

Music

46

30

Radio 1 Big Weekend

31

Battle Proms Competition

32

Wymondham Music Festival

46

Fairy Fair

33

Woodbridge Chamber Concerts

47

Interview With Carol Ann Pennington

34

A Taste of Opera

48

Subscriptions/Competition Winners

35

Mary King/ Finley Quaye Competition

49

Win a Meal at Feathers Hotel, Holt

Literature

Arts Council

Directory

20 Felixstowe Book Festival

36-37 Museums at Night

50-51 Directory Advertisers

21 Book Reviews

May 2015 | 5


Welcome

ARTSeast ARTSeast Magazine Dolphin House (first floor) 23 Church Street, Diss Norfolk, IP22 4DD

Editor’s Letter

Editorial: Sarah Veness sarah@artseast.co.uk 01379 415001

Sales: Gary Enderby gary@artseast.co.uk

Welcome to the May edition of

charismatic frontman of Madness -

01379 415002

ARTSeast Magazine.

about their upcoming appearance at

01379 773347

the racetrack. You can also win tickets With the Radio One Big Weekend set to

to their gig inside the mag!

put Norwich on the map this month,

And that's not our only competition -

Accounts: accounts@artseast.co.uk 01379 415003

we're thrilled that our beautiful region

this month you can win theatre tickets,

is getting the recognition it deserves.

battle proms tickets, gig tickets and a

Our cover feature this month focuses

three course meal for two.

on the international music acts

Each month we're thrilled to hear about

appearing at the excellent Norfolk &

all the amazing exhibitions, festivals,

Norwich Festival this month. We can’t

performances and concerts coming up

wait to take in as many concerts as

but this month we've had more calls

Town & Country Printers

possible! Our local art scene this

and emails than ever before. What a

info@tcprinters.co.uk

month looks at the beautiful town of

fantastic region we live in!

Holt – home of world class galleries

So sit back, pour a glass of wine and

Distribution:

and exciting festivals.

perhaps even venture outside to the

Tim Walken

With the line up for this year's

garden to enjoy reading your ARTSeast

Melvyn Veness

spectacular Newmarket Nights finally

Magazine in the sunshine…..

Carol Tunmore

Design: Copy Concept ian@copy-concept.co.uk 01379 608358

Printed by:

unveiled, we caught up with Suggs -

@artseastmag

ss Sarah VeneEditor

www.artseast.co.uk ARTSeast Magazine is published by

Since the April issue came out, we've been inundated with people wanting to find out more about the cover image we used. It's a painting by Norfolk artist Alex Egan entitled Brambles, Blackberries. To find out more about Alex's work, turn to p9.

Cover image: Flavia Coelho © Bernard Benant


Cover Story

Music from around the world

Taraf de Haiouks

Norfolk & Norwich Festival - May 8th-24th 2015 Music has always played a large part in Norfolk & Norwich Festival and this year it comes from all over the globe. Such is the strength of the Festival’s music programme that Songlines magazine have included it in its top ten UK music festivals of 2015 – the only festival in the list that isn’t solely a music event. The Hot Sardines are the goodtime New York sensations that have taken America by storm and are now conquering Europe with their electrifying mix of Parisian swing via New Orleans jazz and New York sass. Icelandic composer Ólafur Arnalds, whose music has underpinned ITV’s Broadchurch, visits with his full band to perform their unique sweeps of ambient classical electronica. Charismatic South African legend Abdullah Ibrahim celebrates his 80th year with a one–off concert bringing together echoes of the township jazz he grew up with, a stunning solo piano set, and the lustrous colours of a brand new trio.

Meklit Hadera

The Hot Sardines

Canziniere are Italy’s leading traditional music ensemble reinventing Italy’s Pizzica folk dance with energy, passion, rhythm and mystery. Over in The Adnams Spiegeltent the explosive desert blues of West Africa’s Songhoy Blues is guaranteed to brew up a storm as will the uplifting feel good sounds of The House Gospel Choir and genre hopping Brazilian singer Flavia Coelho and another Malian bluesman Boubacar Traoré. The Festival’s big music commission comes from a little closer to home. Norwich’s The Voice Project have been commissioned to create a new piece, The Observatory, specifically to be performed at The Sainsbury Centre for Visual Arts. This new promenade performance will be performed by almost 200 choral singers plus 5 solo voices and accompaniment from percussion, a trombone section and pedal steel guitar maestro BJ Cole. Also from Norwich are The Neutrinos, taking a sabbatical from their hit show Klanghaus to play a set of throbbing art-punk noise and sexy urgent energy while other UK based ensembles

Singer Meklit Hadero originates from Ethiopia, whilst Italian

include experimental jazzers Polar Bear, piano/drums/sax trio

pianist Stefano Bollani has been likened to a latin-jazz Fats

Mammal Hands and the spellbinding voice of Radio 2 Folk

Waller. Alt-folk Scottish singer James Yorkston is a member of a

Award winner Emily Portman coupled with Bellowhead multi

trio that features award winning Indian singer/musician Suhail

instrumentalist Sam Sweeney who has just walked off with the

Yusuf Khan and double bassist Jon Thorne playing a largely

Radio 2 Musician of the Year Award.

improvised set based on traditional material from the UK and India. From Ireland Triad are a traditional Irish acoustic folk supergroup featuring Donal Lunny, Pádraig Rynne and Sylvain Barou. Taraf de Haiouks are hailed as the world’s greatest

Norfolk & Norwich Festival box office 01603 766400, online booking and full information on all Norfolk & Norwich events at nnfestival.org.uk

gypsy group with their riotously virtuostic Romanian folk. Their name translates literally as ‘Band of Outlaws’. May 2015 | 7


Visual Arts

Visual Arts News Landscape Patterns The Landscape Patterns project is part of the Breaking New Ground and supported by Heritage Lottery fund. Taking place around The Brecks, the project aims to capture the excitement of discovering a pattern amongst nature, whether it is within moss, on a fungi, in exposed roots, and interpret these into artwork. The Brecks contain a mosaic of landscapes, making it an ideal place to interpret these polymorphous patterns

Bags of Delight

into art. The projects are led by Stephanie Hartick, a Landscape Architect and Artist and take place in various locations and offer something for people of varying abilities. On May 19th there's a sketch book stroll in Brandon Country Park, while on May 27th Artists on Legs is a half term activity walk for all the family - both can be booked through –

www.suffolkwalkingfestival.co.uk

Bags - be they tiny pouches to carry the bare essential or a tote to carry home the shopping - are an important part of our everyday life. From ancient times people have needed pouches, purses or bags to keep belongings safe and close by. An array of bags ranging from historic examples from the Embroiderers’ Guild’s national museum collection to modern bags made by members of Beccles Craft Group will go on show at Beccles Museum, Suffolk, from June 2nd-July 19th. The one thing all the bags have in common is they are all decorative. Elizabethan swete bags were filled with sweet-smelling herbs and spices to mask the bad odours of the time. Pouches were also given as gifts in themselves or used as ‘wrapping’ for gifts, such as gold coins. the exhibition is open 1.45pm-4.30pm, Tuesdays to Sundays. For more info, email: museummanager@btconnect.com.

Art for the Bank Holiday Leading Norfolk artist Nicola Slattery has just been elected to the Royal Society of British Artists (RBA) based in the Mall Galleries, London. Having exhibited widely across the UK and in Europe, Nicola Slattery is perhaps one of Norfolk's best known contemporary artists. Once again she opens her studio to the public as part of the ever popular annual Norfolk and Norwich Open Studios which gets under way on the Spring Bank Holiday weekend May 23rd-25th. And if you feel inspired to create your own art from imagination then Nicola has a weekend course on June 6-7th called "Art from Imagination". It's open to all levels of ability including beginners, but places are limited, so phone soon! Full details at www.nicolaslattery.com or call 01986 788853.

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Visual Arts

Alex Egan: Tree Portraits Renowned Norfolk artist Alex Egan is unveiling her new body of work 'Tree Portraits' at the Fairhurst Gallery on Bedford Street, Norwich from May 16th-June 12th. Alex has been painting for fifteen years and is a member of the north Norfolk collective, Group Eight. She continues to take inspiration from the countryside and the exhibition will showcase a collection of intimate studies of trees in mixed media. Gallery director Dulcie Humphrey says; 'We got really very excited when we first started talking about putting some of Alex's work in our antique

CRAFTCO Gallery: Tessa Newcomb As part of the Southwold Arts Festival, Suffolk artist

frames and presenting these trees as grand old family

Tessa Newcomb will be exhibiting her work at

members...we love the detail and character in Alex's work.'

CRAFTCO Gallery. Art is in Tessa Newcomb’s

www.alexegan.co.uk

blood. She is the daughter of the famous visionary painter, Mary Newcomb (1922-2008). Tessa is the heir to her mother’s world which is

Jerwood Drawing Prize Artists are invited to submit entries for the Jerwood Drawing Prize 2015, the largest and longest running annual open exhibition for drawing in the UK. Selected from original art works it has established a reputation for its commitment to championing excellence, and promoting and celebrating the breadth of contemporary drawing practice within the UK. The Jerwood Drawing Prize is open to all UK based artists, from student to established, working with drawing. The selectors will bring together up to 70 works for an exhibition in the Jerwood Visual Arts programme, at Jerwood Space, London from September 16th – October 25th 2015 and on tour to venues across the UK. First Prize of £8,000, Second Prize of £5,000 and two Student Awards of £2,000 each.

somewhere between reality and a waking dream, a place where perspective and light are stretched to create a metaphor, a shorthand, for existence. Despite her artistic heritage Tessa’s inspiration is all her own and so is the painterly technique she uses to describe it. Newcomb lives in coastal Suffolk in a shore-line landscape of boats, tar-clad sheds and fishing nets. The haunting cry of gulls is never far away and over many a painted horizon they rise and fall on the salt sea breeze. Under Tessa’s skilful hand and brush we feel the Southwold pebbles grind and crunch under our feet; we see the papery petals of the horned poppy, sulphur yellow against an old rust-red anchor. In her very singular paintings Tessa Newcomb has identified the very essence of the ceaseless sea and its ever-changing environs.

www.craftco.co.uk

Registration for artists will close at 5pm on June 26th 2015.

www.jerwoodvisualarts.org May 2015 | 9


artists

ON VIEW C u r we n Print Study C e n t re

DISTINCTIVELY PRINTMAKING Nicola Slattery Open Studio Weekends 23/24/25 May and 30/31 May Also Paintings and Printmaking weekend art courses

www.nicolaslattery.com Tel: 01986 788853

Courses for artists of all abilities and ages 2015 Brochure out now curwenprintstudy.co.uk 01223 892380 enquires@curwenprintstudy.co.uk

ALISON WAGSTAFFE artist – printmaker

www.aliwagstaffe.co.uk Shak hake ke ooff those Winter blues

and Spring into action!

an exhibition

The exhib exhibition continues ue throughout throughout A April pril until unt the end of May Fr iday and and Saturday Saturday 1 0 am - 4 pm Sunda y 11am-3pm 11am - 3pm Friday 10am4pm Sunday All p profits rofits go go to Artbox, Artbox, a not-for-profit not-for-profit community community group group promoting promoting the arts arts for for adults with special needs.

www.artboxarts.org.uk/whatson.htm artbo tbo xar ts..or uk tson.h tson htm The Galler Galleryyw attw The Th hw e .ar House Hou use on xarts The Hill, Hill H , or Halesworth Halg ess.u wuk/ ork/ th h/wha Road,aChediston, C Suffolk Suffolk IP19 IP19 0AE www.galleryhoth.co.uk www w.galleryhoth.co.uk 10 |

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www.artboxarts.org.uk www.artboxarts.org.uk

Artfellows Picture Framers & Art Gallery Bespoke Framing, Hand Finishing, Good Selection of Original Paintings, Antique Restoration Exclusive Greetings Cards


Visual Arts

Artist Profile: Ali Hollingsworth Born in Helston, Cornwall, Ali Hollingsworth's early years were

For this year’s Suffolk Open Studios (every week-end

influenced by very creative parents who were passionate

throughout June), Ali and Jackie have teamed up with 2 more

about the English coast and countryside.

artists to form a “hub”. Debs Burrow and Christine Lester are

Ali describes herself as an “intuitive” painter and currently paints mainly in acrylic and collage. She is inspired by the beautiful Suffolk coast and countryside that she calls home and admires the work of Mark Hearld and Mary Newcomb and the way they combine every-day rural life with an element of fantasy in their work.

well known local artists who also offer painting classes. Hackney Road Studio is looking forward to welcoming guests to view and discuss the artists’ work and working methods whilst enjoying the delightful studio garden. Samples of each artist’s work can be found on the Suffolk Open Studio’s website. Ali’s work can also be seen at the Cork Brick Gallery in Bungay with a “gardening theme” coinciding with the Bungay Garden Street Market on May 17th. She has exhibited widely throughout Suffolk and has a painting in the collection of the National Trust. Hackney Road Studio is located on Hackney Road, Melton (to the left of the Spar Shop/Garage) to the rear of 1 Leeks Hill Villas.

Hackney Road Studios, Melton, Woodbridge is Ali’s creative space which she shares with owner, Jackie Dommett. 'Working with a like-minded artist like Jackie creates a supportive and collaborative experience which enhances and inspires my work,' says Ali when describing life in the studio. 'Jackie and I have much in common. We are keen gardeners and share a love of art history. We also like to visit art exhibitions and are drawn to the same works of art and yet our paintings are very different with Jackie preferring to work small scale as opposed to my larger works!' This bodes well too when it comes to critiquing each other’s work. 'We can as a spectator, see instantly a difficult area of a painting that as the artist, you just cannot see without months of “mulling” over it,' says Ali.

May 2015 | 11


Visual Arts

Suffolk Open Studios The long-running Suffolk Open Studios initiative, have

grown in great numbers

announced that over 128 Suffolk artists will be opening their

from its humble

studios to the public over the weekends of June 2015. As always, visitors will be treated to a huge range of art, from watercolours and acrylics, to photography and printmaking, and jewellery and sculpture.

beginnings of a group of around 15 local artists in the Snape and Aldeburgh area; the network now covers the

Chairman of Suffolk Open Studios Tom Lund-Lack says; 'I love

whole of Suffolk. Many of

the variety in artists that we attract each year; returning artists, up and coming artists as well as established ones but who are

Artist: Anna Boon

new as members to our Open Studios. We hope to have record numbers of visitors this year as previous years of success

Artist: Christine McKechnie

suggest we will!'

the artists collaborate

Suffolk Open Studios has been running since 1993 and has

by creating mapped trails incorporating several studios to

2 15

Let art draw you in

create a great day out

Visit Suffolk Open Studios artists this June when they open their studios to the public over the four weekends. With 128 Suffolk artists taking part, there will be a huge range of art to view, from watercolours and acrylics, to photography and printmaking, jewellery and sculpture and much more.

for visitors, many also

Many of the artists collaborate by creating mapped trails incorporating several studios to create a wonderful day out. Pick up your free Directory to find the complete listing of artists taking part and the many art trails that will be open Entry is free.

When? Participating studios will be open the weekends of: 6/7, 13/14, 20/21 and 27/28 June from 11am-5pm.

Art about town

demonstrate their craft, allow the public to try their skill for themselves and provide refreshments. The Suffolk Open Studios committee is also keen to attract new artists to join. Artists nearly always work alone which may feel lonely at times and means there may not always be a source of feedback for new ideas and work. Being part of the Open Studio network gives artists a sense of belonging and a ready-

In the lead up to June, some of our artists will be participating in Art About Town, a scheme which collaborates with friendly local shops, cafes and restaurants allowing artists to exhibit, helping to promote their work. Keep an eye out for this in towns near you, from 18-30 May 2015.

made network for discussion on all things arty and creative!

More information

Studios also publicise upcoming exhibitions, and artists have

For more information please visit the website: www.suffolkopenstudios.org Follow us on Twitter: @suffopenstudios and Facebook. Pick up your free Suffolk Open Studio Directory, from libraries, shops, hotels and galleries to name but a few or download a PDF of the Directory from our website.

the option of participation in these events.

Artists receive exposure via Open Studios website, on their social media and of course, in the directory. Suffolk Open

For more information, go to www.suffolkopenstudios.org FREE TO VISIT Follow us on Twitter @Suffopenstudios & Facebook

12 |

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Visual Arts

Snape Maltings Exhibition

A Shared Passion

Summer Breeze contains

Lightscapes is an exhibition of new paintings by artists Brin

artworks by Naomi Brangwyn

Edwards and Belinda King at the Edmund Gallery, Bury St

and Liz James. Both artists

Edmunds. Brin and Belinda live in Assington near Sudbury.

take their inspiration from

Though their oil paintings differ in subject matter - Brin

the natural world, working in

paints birds whereas Belinda paints mainly landscapes -

vibrant colours, often

they have much in common in their artistic approach. Both

incorporating other

spent some of their formative years in the tropics, and the

materials. As a glass artist,

hot saturated colours they explore may have a root in these

Naomi uses traditional

early experiences. They are fascinated by the effects of light

techniques but in her own

and the use of colour to describe an emotional response to

distinctive style, layering

their subject. Bold abstracted mark making is at the core of

glass, introducing open

their work, which rejects detail in favour of a more general

spaces. Primarily a painter,

interpretation based on mood and memory.

Liz has a fluid, expressive

They regularly discuss each others paintings, and to some

style to portray the

extent influence one another. This is their first shared

atmosphere of a place rather than topographical detail.

exhibition.

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LIGHTSCAPES an exhibition of recent paintings by

BRIN EDWARDS and BELINDA KING THE EDMUND GALLERY Angel Hill, Bury St Edmunds, IP33 1LS

May 23rd²28th 2015

!

Opening times: 10 am³5.30 pm

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!

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May 2015 | 13


Norfolk & Norwich Open Studios 2015 Norfolk & Norwich Open Studios is back for its 21st year

'Norfolk & Norwich Open Studios has always proved both

giving art lovers the chance to see all manner of art treasures

enjoyable and beneficial in making new friends

from over 450 artists, showing their work in almost 250

and customers,' he said.

different venues across the county. Ten schools will also be taking part and 17 ‘Art Trails’ offer the opportunity to visit a number of artists in a particular area on a plotted path, stopping at studios and local attractions in the area. Some of the artists will be giving demonstrations or leading workshops and many will be serving tea and cake.

Taster exhibitions are also taking place around the county at The Atrium, North Walsham from May 9th-16th and the Ravenous Café, Beccles from May 23rd - June 7th. These are a great way to get a flavour of the extraordinary range and diversity of art produced in Norfolk and available to see in Norfolk & Norwich Open Studios.

Artists taking part are working in a very diverse range of art

nnopenstudios.org.uk

forms and techniques, encompassing painted landscapes, textiles, jewellery, metal-forged sculptures, rug tufting, photography and wood turning. Some of these are first timers, some have been exhibiting for a few years and a select few

N Norfolk orfolk & Norwich Norwich Op Open en Stud Studios ios 23 May – 7 June 2015

have been involved since the very first year.

Chedgey in studio

Painter Chedgey has recently been commissioned to paint portraits of two of his ex students - Norman Lamb MP and the

See See Art r B Buy uy A Art rt r M Meet eet A Artists rtists

Hollywood actor Mark Strong. His studio, on the river at

In Association With

nnopenstud nnopenstudios.org.uk ios.org.uk

Hellesdon, was originally built as a garage and disco for the children of the previous owner. He thinks it’s the only art studio in East Anglia with a sprung floor, a bar and disco lighting! 14 |

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Principal Funders

Funders


Advertisement Feature

Visual Arts

Castle Acre Art Trail

Artist; Helen Breach

Art, heritage and beautiful countryside all in one place - and

Hopkins abstract paintings, weaving by Janet Walker, together

that place is Castle Acre in West Norfolk. The Castle Acre Trail

with atmospheric photographs by Phil Spencer.

offers a walk between the villages of Castle Acre and West Acre with fourteen artists at seven venues.

If you’re impressed with the village and want to live in an artistic community, take a look at Norfolk House, Newton Road

At Castle Acre Village Hall, see mosaics by Carolyn Ash and

Castle Acre. Four bedrooms, semi-detached Victorian house

retro-jewellery by Lisa Bowles. Haidee Adkins opens her doors

with detached studio and garage. A wonderful family home,

for her the first Open Studios to show landscape paintings. No.

full of character and space, centrally located with no onward

4 Bailey Street will be busy with Louise Tiplady demonstrating

chain. For sale by private treaty (£365,000) with Helen Breach,

stone-carving and Louise Maclaren working prints. Further

artist no.07 West Norfolk in Open Studios brochure.

down Bailey Street, see pen & ink sketches by Les Williams and look for the colourful skeins of wool indicating Jennifer Woodward and Tony Davey. Helen Breach will be exhibiting a mix of life-drawings, prints and acrylic sheet constructions.

01760 755 425 or helen@helenbreach.com for more information.

Castle Acre Trail open 23, 24, 25 May, 30 & 31 May, 6 & 7 June

In South Acre, at the West Acre Theatre: Leah Spencer with

10.00 – 5.00

relief & intaglio prints, Leila Barton prints & watercolours, Bette

www.thecastleacretrail.co.uk

May 2015 | 15


Visual Arts

Harleston & Waveney Art Trail 2015 This thriving collective of artists and craftspeople living within

Brochures are available in arts venues,

ten miles of Harleston in the Waveney Valley goes from

libraries and other public buildings

strength to strength. This year some 24 members will be

across the area and details are on

welcoming visitors to their open studios over

Mary Spicer: Old Barn

www.hwat.org.uk

the weekends of May 16th/17th and May 23rd-25th (11am to 6pm). The artists cover a wide range of styles, techniques and media, and this year have two highly-respected new members – Mary Spicer, based in Ditchingham, and Rosemary Elliot in Wingfield. In addition there are two taster exhibitions featuring work by all the participating artists at Pennoyers Centre in Pulham St Mary (May 16th-24th) and in the gallery and cafÊ at the Fisher Theatre in Bungay (May 16th-30th).

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Rosemary Elliott: Autumn Equinox 2


Advertisement Feature

Let’s Celebrate Summer

’28 @ Twenty-eight’ - Norfolk based artist Samuel Thomas turns 28 in May so he’ll be releasing 28 new original paintings with limited edition signed prints starting at £95. See Norfolk & Suffolk as you’ve never seen before through Pop- art inspired paintings that are an explosion on the senses at this large solo exhibition.

Red Lion, Cromer, 26th May – 7th June Samuel prides himself on being a self-taught artist having developed a unique painting style that is refreshing, euphoric and mesmerising. He has held many successful exhibitions in East Anglia and ships work to as far as the US, but Cromer still remains his home. Samuel explains his thoughts: ‘Painting is not always about looking back at places you’ve been, it is also about looking forward to the places and the experiences you long for.’ Samuel is forever the optimist; painting projections of the self into a better future as demonstrated through his painting ‘Open Road' and in the woman’s quest of finding love in

communities into booming holiday destinations as exemplified in the painting ‘Two Hearts - Two Minds’. Other notifiable influences are 1950’s Pop art evolving into 1960’s psychedelia as shown in ‘Bursting into Spring’. Nostalgia along with a sense of looking forward exists simultaneously throughout the artist’s portfolio and consequently a sense of timelessness remains, thus a wide audience identifies with the artwork.

‘Paris – queen of hearts’. Further romantic themes are

Everyone is invited to the exhibition held within a large

explored through his heart shaped tree series shown in

function room and the restaurant serves excellent food and

‘Cherry blossom under the tree’.

drink overlooking the beautiful seafront. There will be two

‘The best way to describe my paintings is a day dream played out on canvas. And this is the reason people gravitate toward the art because we all long to escape from our reality from time to time!’ explains Samuel. Although the artist’s work is varied in subject and style, one unifying theme that runs

further exhibitions by Samuel taking place in August and October at the same venue, these dates are shown on the website; visit www.samuelthomasart.co.uk where you can view and order artwork directly. Follow on TWITTER: @samuelthomasart or like us on Facebook- ‘Samuel Thomas Art’.

throughout is escapism and the pursuit of happiness.

VENUE: Red Lion Hotel, Brook St, Cromer, NR27 9HD.

Influences range from art deco poster art of the 1920’s with

Every day: 10am – 8pm.

the revolution of seaside towns from small fishing May 2015 | 17


Visual Arts

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Visual Arts

Contemporary glass at its best

The vibrant art scene in Norfolk has further confirmed its status as a creative hub with the opening of this glass studio and gallery – Fi Kilpatrick Glass & Design. This working studio and gallery is the labour of love of Fi Kilpatrick, a contemporary glass artist with almost 30 years experience. Fi works mainly to commission for both commercial and residential clients and she is committed to making her studio a destination gallery for beautiful glass bowls, architectural glass panels, ceramics and jewellery, prints and paintings. Fi, who says working with glass is “fascinating”, is passionate about the medium and it shows in the depth and quality of work that undoubtedly draws on the coast and rural outlook

! ! ! !

around north and west Norfolk for inspiration. Fi also runs regular classes throughout the year, teaching the art of both Fused and Stained Glass. So whether you are after a

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one day taster course or a full weekend immersed in glass, this is the place for you! Gift Vouchers available from the studio make the ideal present for any occasion.

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Call in for a chat and to view work in progress in the studio – visitors are welcome to look around and stop to talk about the

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fascinating glass-working processes. Please see website for opening hours - www.fikilpatrick.com

( May 2015 | 19


Literature

A literary Gem The Felixstowe Book Festival burst onto the literary scene in

Terry Waite

2013 with confidence, popularity and sparkle. Now in its third year, it returns on June 27th-28th 2015 for an entertaining weekend of fiction, non-fiction, poetry and writing events. There is something for everyone from author talks to writing workshops, vintage tea parties to candle lit tales of haunted theatres, children’s storytelling to crime fiction. The 2015 line up has over 40 speakers including Esther Freud, Patrick Gale, Erica James, Adele Parks, Jill Paton Walsh, Nicola Upson and Terry Waite. Esther Freud

Photo: Emily Greene

The festival, described as "…one of the friendliest and most welcoming to both readers and authors..''offers plenty to stimulate and engage festival goers in their interesting and diverse programme.

BOOKS BY THE SEA FOR ALL WHO LOVE TO READ Patrick Gale

Author talks, workshops, events for adults and children 27-28 JUNE 2015

Photo: Daniel Hall

For more details about all the events and speakers and to subscribe to the newsletter go to www.felixstowebookfestival.co.uk Tickets can be purchased through the website or by telephone on 01473 295900 (New Wolsey Theatre) or in person at Stillwater Books, 36 Hamilton Rd, Felixstowe. Programmes also available in county libraries, book shops and other venues. You can also follow the Festival on Twitter: @felixstowebook and on Facebook: www.facebook.com/FelixstoweBookFest

01394 279783

www.felixstowebookfestival.co.uk 20 |

www.artseast.co.uk


Literature

Book Reviews Art in Vienna 1898 – 1918 Phaidon books (£39.95) Opulent is the only

By Sandra Sheehy, Head of the Art Department at Diss Publishing Bookshop

The book is full of highly detailed illustrations that beautifully show his expert draughtsmanship.

word to describe this

His style is so distinctive and original with a very personal

lavish book with its

sense of colour.

gold cover and sumptuous illustrations. Art in Vienna describes the

Struck down by Spanish influenza at such a young age this book demonstrates how intensely creative his short life was and one can only wonder how much more he could have achieved.

time of succession when the old order

Maggi Hambling war requiem and aftermath (£30.00)

was being

This book is beautifully

challenged by new ideas and approaches. Vienna was

designed with full

transformed from a backward looking and slightly staid city

page pictures of

into a vibrant and exciting hub of ideas. The cafes became

Maggi Hambling’s

hot beds of discussion frequented by all the main

sculptures so all the

protagonists. How wonderful it must have been to enjoy a

textural detail can be

coffee and strudel in the presence of Sigmund Freud,Gustav

enjoyed. James

Klimt and Egon Schiele.

Cahill’s writing is

This book deals with each genre in detail and has a

sensitive and

particularly fine chapter on the innovative architecture of

thoughtful.He has an

Adolf Loos.

articulate and imaginative approach to the work and as such the text

I can’t recommend this book too highly, a wonderful time in

illuminates and adds another layer to her work.

visual history when the modern twentieth century took shape.

Egon Schiele by Erwin Mitsch (£24.95) This book is a perfect accompaniment to “Art in Vienna” as it tells the story of Egon Schiele, a brilliant, original artist who changed art history in his tragically short life. Gustav Klimt was his

C O M P E T I T I O N WIN AN ARTIST’S MANNEQUIN Artist mannequins are very helpful aids in drawing and composition. These beautifully finished wooden figures are perfectly proportioned and have fully moveable joints which can be positioned at whichever angle you choose. Diss Publishing Bookshop is giving away an 8” mannequin - usually priced at £11.50 - in this months competition.

Schiele, having idolised him and learnt all he could from him,

To be in with chance of winning, simply email your name, address and telephone number to info@artseast.co.uk

then surpassed the older artist and even ridiculed him in a

Prize to be collected from Diss Publishing Bookshop

mentor but Egon

painting as an outdated artist. May 2015 | 21


eatre & Film

Theatre & Film News

Westacre Theatre: Home Westacre Theatre plays host to David Storey's timeless play Home this month. As five apparently unrelated characters meet in a garden, the autumnal sun shines overhead and everybody waits for rain. Two gentlemen, the benign Harry and the highly

David Suchet heads to Cambridge

opinionated Jack, discuss the past, the weather, old friends,

One of Britain's most respected actors is appearing in an adaption

moustache-styles and the war. Meanwhile, cynical Marjorie and

of Oscar Wilde's The Importance of Being Earnest at Cambridge

flirtatious Kathleen bemoan their ailments and indulge in the

Arts Theatre this month. Running from May 18th-23rd, the show

kind of gossip and bickering that have characterised their lives.

sees David Suchet in the role of the formidable Lady Bracknell.

At first, the context in which they exist together is ambiguous but

Wilde's superb satire on Victorian manners is one of the funniest

as the play unfolds it becomes more and more obvious that

plays in the English language and still leaves audiences laughing

their personal quirks and dysfunctional behaviour have thrown

out loud. Directed by Adrian Noble, this is a chance to experience

them into a bewildering environment of strangers and insecurity.

this major new production before it opens in the West End this

Performances are 22nd, 23rd, 29th and 30th May at 7.30pm.

summer.

www.westacretheatre.com

www.cambridgeartstheatre.com

Regional Premiere of The Goob An award-winning film - The Goob - shot in Norfolk is to have its regional premiere at Cinema City, Norwich on May 27th, ahead of its general release. During a long hot summer in rural Norfolk, it’s a rough coming of age for Goob Taylor as he fights with brutal, womanising stock car racer Gene Womack for his mother's attention, and falls for the exotic charms of a pretty foreign field worker. Director Guy Myhill and lead actors Liam Walpole and Sean Harris will be appearing at Cinema City for the regional premiere of this award-winning film and to answer questions.

www.picturehouses.co.uk

22 |

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All aboard the carousel

Photo credit: Alastair Muir

Opera North’s hit production of the classic American musical

Opera North brings exceptionally high musical and

Carousel returns to UK stages for a new tour following a sell-

performance standards to this much-loved story with a full-

out run at the Théâtre du Châtelet in Paris. On stage at

scale orchestra and chorus, and a classically-trained cast,

Norwich Theatre Royal from May 28th to 30th, Carousel is one

conducted by James Holmes who is considered today’s

of the greatest musical theatre works of the 20th century, and

foremost expert interpreter of Rodgers’ scores.

was composed by one of Broadway’s most successful, innovative and enduring partnerships, Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein II.

Carousel was first performed in April 1945 at the Majestic Theatre in New York and when asked if he had ever been tempted to write an opera, Richard Rodgers replied that he had,

Set in a tight-knit fishing community on the New England shoreline, Carousel revolves around the ill-fated affair between a charismatic but troubled carnival barker Billy Bigelow and a young mill-worker, Julie Jordan. When they fall in love, little do they realise that Billy’s rebellious ways will end in tragedy. Billy is

and that Carousel was the closest he had come to doing so. His score is studded with some of the most powerful, uplifting and moving music ever written for the stage, including 'If I Loved You', 'June is Bustin' Out All Over' and, of course, 'You'll Never Walk Alone.'

given a chance to make good, but is it too little too late, or will a lucky star save him and those he loves?

Carousel

MAY BOX OFFICE: (01603) 63 00 00 Mon 27 Apr – Sat 2 May DEAR LUPIN James and Jack Fox star in touching tale of a father and son £8 - £27 Sun 3 May TAP SHOES, TUTUS, ROCK CHICKS & COOL DUDES Heather Millan School of Dance & Performing Arts £7 - £17.50 Tues 5 – Sat 9 May THE BOY IN THE STRIPED PYJAMAS Heart-wrenching tale of an unlikely friendship, adapted from the best-selling novel £7 - £24 Mon 11 – Sat 16 May PETER PAN GOES WRONG Hilariously disastrous fun for all ages £7 - £23.50 Sun 17 May TARAF DE HAIDOUKS* £7 - £25

Mon 18 May OLAFUR ARNALDS* £7 - £22.50 Tues 19 May THE HOT SARDINES* £7 - £22.50 Wed 20 May ABDULLAH IBRAHIM* £8 - £27 Thur 21 May THE MEASURE OF ALL THINGS £7 - £18

*

Sat 23 May POLITICAL MOTHER £7 - £20

*

Sun 24 May CHRIS & PUI CBeebies’ favourite double act £7 - £12 Thur 28 – Sat 30 May CAROUSEL Classic musical from Opera North £8 - £45

Sun 31 May RAT PACK LIVE Swingsational tribute to Frank, Sammy and Dean £7 - £24

*

T H E AT R E ST R E E T, N O RW I C H N R 2 1 R L

Book online: www.theatreroyalnorwich.co.uk May 2015 | 23


Summer Shakespeare...and more

Outdoor theatre is uniquely British and there are numerous

The Rutland Open Air

one-day, or one-week open air theatre performances of

Theatre is in the

Shakespeare across the country in June, July and August,

beautiful grounds of

often in makeshift settings. But in the very centre of England,

the historic Tolethorpe

on the edge of Rutland, is a unique theatre which claims to

Hall where there is a

be one of the finest open air theatres in Europe and was

spacious orangery where interval coffee is served, a theatre

described by “The Stage” newspaper a few years ago as

bar and an elegant pre-performance restaurant which provides

“England’s premier alfresco venue”.

5,000 meals during the season. It is the home of the Stamford Shakespeare Company and their annual summer three month Stamford Shakespeare Season attracting more than 34,000 theatre-goers each season -

Henry V Romeo & Juliet

Stamfo rd Shak Season espeare 2015

which this year celebrates its 39th year. In 2015, the Stamford Shakespeare Company will perform Henry V, Romeo & Juliet and Tom Jones (based on the novel by Henry Fielding) across different dates from June 2nd to August

Tom Jones based on the novel by Henry Fielding

22nd.

RUTL RUTLAND AND OPEN OPEN

BOX

AIR AIR THEA THEATRE TOLE TRE TOLETHOR THOR

PE OFFICE PE HALL HALL www.s tamford : 01780 756 133 shakes peare.c o.uk

June 2nd - August 22nd 2015 Season at Tolethorpe Hall

Box Office: 01780 756133 Brochure: 01780 480216

The venue offers the comforts of an indoor theatre with the charms of an outdoor setting, and on a fine summer evening the permanently covered, 600-seat raked auditorium faces an

Take your seat protected from summer showers beneath the permanent canopy and see a stage like no other ...

open air, wooden decked stage set in an idyllic woodland glade. Their proudest boast is that no performance is ever cancelled because of rain! The stage has a sub-stage enabling actors to appear suddenly through trapdoors, and a gantry above the centre of the stage hidden by tree branches enables fairies in “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” (performed every four years,) to fly down from the tree tops to the stage, bringing gasps from the audience.

Open Air Theatre Relax and enjoy a performance in the comfort of an indoor theatre with an outdoor setting.

www.stamfordshakespeare.co.uk 24 |

www.artseast.co.uk

A summer evening at the Rutland Open Air theatre truly is a magical experience.

www.stamfordshakespeare.co.uk


eatre & Film

Theatre Royal, Bury St Edmunds - June 2nd-6th Summer 1974. A well-intentioned tea party descends into chaos. Wealthy, unfulfilled housewife Diana arranges a gathering of

Cabot directs Ashley Cook (Colin), John Dorney (John), Kevin Drury (Paul), Catherine Harvey (Diana), Kathryn Ritchie (Evelyn) and Alice Selwyn (Marge).

C O M P E T I T I O N

old friends to cheer up bereaved Colin, whose fiancée drowned two months earlier. Paul, her bullying, self-absorbed husband, has recently had a dalliance with Evelyn, the glamorous wife of his friend and incompetent business associate, John. The party is completed by long-suffering Marge, who has left Gordon, her hypochondriac spouse, ailing at home. Preparations for the party spark tensions and open old wounds.

WIN 2 TICKETS to Absent Friends To be in with a chance of winning tickets to the opening night on June 2nd at 7.30pm simply email the answer to the following question to info@artseast.co.uk: Which of these was a play written by Alan Ayckbourn:

As lingering resentments and deep-rooted jealousies surface,

A) Woman In Black

an unexpectedly cheerful Colin strolls into the mayhem.

B) Woman In White C) Woman In Mind

Acerbic and painfully funny, Absent Friends explores friendship, marriage and what it ultimately means to be happy. In one of his finest plays, Ayckbourn’s craftsmanship and acute social observation have never been sharper or more biting.

Don't forget to include your name, address and phone number. Closing date: May 21st. Usual terms and conditions apply. May 2015 | 25


Coffee & aChat

Over 25 years after they formed, Madness are stronger then ever. Here lead singer Suggs talks to ARTSeast before their highly-anticipated gig at Newmarket.

This summer North London’s most famous and nuttiest pop institution embark on the biggest tour of their career. The Grandslam Madness itinerary takes the band, led by singer Suggs, aka Graham McPherson, to perform at a selection of the nation’s leading sporting grounds: football, rugby, cricket and of course Newmarket Racecourse on June 26th. In the process of bringing Madness to the masses the tour will be a trip down sporting memory lane for Suggs who first began exploring the UK as a (Chelsea) football fan before Madness first hit the road in 1979.

26 |

www.artseast.co.uk


Coffee & a Chat

'It’ll be the greatest tour since Boudica. We’ll be going across

ever remember being onstage and feeling fed up with the

the countryside rampaging and pillaging. We have our people

people around me.'

working on designing a chariot - even as we speak.' he laughs So what are the qualities that make Madness endure?

Madness' two most recent albums - The Liberty of Norton Folgate and Oui Oui, Si Si, Ja Ja, Da Da - have received widespread acclaim from both critics and fans.

'In England alone there are probably 20 more festivals than

'We were teetering on the cusp of the whirlpool of 80s

there were when we began,' says Suggs. 'You are playing to

nostalgia. We could have quite happily stopped flapping our

audiences who are there not just to see you. So through that

flippers and slipped gently down into the hole with everybody

we have managed to accrue a whole new generation by

else,' says Suggs. 'But we flapped and flapped like mad and

playing 40 or 50 festivals over the past 5 years. It’s been very

tried to write what we thought would be an album to stand

flattering and marvellous to see so many different age groups

with anything else we’ve done which I think we did.These

enjoying the band. We are looking forward to this on the tour

albums didn’t sell in their millions but were extremely well

– people of all ages.

received in the intellectual music circles and that has an

I think the reason we endure is that we genuinely do enjoy ourselves. From the very beginning you could see the joy in the early videos we made and hear it in the records. The fact that we were friends before this band started is key. I

effect on how you are perceived generally. If we just knocked out some old crap then you wouldn’t be held in high regard.' On the tour, racecourses make up quite a bit of the band's itinerary.

genuinely think the whole spark or art of craft and creativity

'Racecourses are great - we’ve played a few in the past

was a by-product of our friendship. I think that’s what people

where they have been a few races and then you get a bit of

feel. It’s a genuine experience. It’s not manufactured. I can’t

Madness,' laughs Suggs. 'It’s an unbeatable combination. We’ve played at Newmarket before and it’s really lovely with the racing- that’s a good one. I think we even had the Queen’s box or something. Our dressing room was actually where the Queen hangs out when she’s watching the races, very charming.' Madness appear at Newmarket Racecourse on June 26th. For tickets go to http://newmarket.thejockeyclub.co.uk/newmarket-nights May 2015 | 27


eatre & Film

Pulse Festival 2015 New Wolsey Theatre, Ipswich - May 28th-June 6th Returning for its 15th year, this 10-day festival offers a bright and inspiring snapshot of contemporary theatre with established and emerging artists both locally and from further

The Spalding Suite

afield. This year for the first Opening PULSE are Britain’s hottest young acrobats, the all-

time Latitude Festival

male trio Barely Methodical Troupe with Bromance, described

joins Mayfest (Bristol),

as “a jaw-dropping magnificent show” by The Stage.

Watch Out (The

Completing the double bill is Idle Motion’s That is All You Need

Junction,

Kid Carpet

to Know, a fantastic piece of visual theatre that tells the story of

Cambridge), Sprint

Bletchley Park and the secrets of the remarkable men and

Festival (Camden People’s Theatre, London) and

women, such as Alan Turing, who cracked the enigma code

PULSE to offer the Spring Festivals Commission. This year’s work

during WWII.

is Action Hero’s Wrecking Ball, performed as a work-in-progress at PULSE on May 30th. Other highlights of PULSE 2015 include Inua Ellams The Spalding Suite, inspired by the UK’s basketball sub-culture and mixes live beatboxing, hip-hop, music, moves and poetry, Chris Goode’s STAND examines what makes people take a stand for what they believe in and Greyscale Theatre Company’s War Is Boring/War Is Fun was written 24 years ago during a civil war by a teenage girl. PULSE wouldn’t be PULSE without a chance to catch an early

"An essential date on the theatrical calendar" The Guardian

28 May - 6 June pulseipswich.co.uk Tickets: 01473 295900

#pulse15 " @PulseIpswich

glimpse of ideas that artists are working on right now. Among the artists sharing work in progress on Scratch Day (May 30th) are Christopher Brett Baily and Kazuko Hohki. The Children and Young People’s Day features workshops and performances including Kid Carpet, the Noisy Neighbours and Bookstory among much more. The festival will end each day with free music in the New Wolsey bar to entice non theatre-going audiences and create a sense of community amongst the companies, artists and audiences. www.pulseipswich.co.uk www.facebook.com/PulseFestivalpswich | @Pulse Ipswich

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/PulseIpswich

@NewWolsley | #Pulse2015


eatre & Film

Kid’s Corner: Great Yarmouth Hippodrome

As a family we love going to the circus. And when it comes to circus you can't beat The Hippodrome in Great Yarmouth. The stunning venue - Britain's only surviving total circus building - coupled with the consistently exceptional talent and professionalism of the acts on offer, make for a fantastic family day out.

Feeling very important, we were shown to our plush seats and settled down to wait for the show. As usual - it was spectacular! Circus regulars Jack Jay and Johnny Mac fronted a swashbuckling, water show complete with acrobats, actors and aerialists. It was very funny, fastpaced and showcased some of the best circus talent in the world. The set was brilliant with a purpose-built 40ft galleon taking centre stage. The ship was made by 3d creations who

So when we heard about their production of Pirates Live it was

made parts of the set for Pirates of the Caribbean and it was

a must-do for the Easter holidays.

used to spectacular effect. At the end of the show, everyone

With two mini-pirates in tow, we headed to Great Yarmouth.

had a chance to meet the stars and to have their photo taken -

We'd been asked to trial the new VIP tickets on offer so we were

a lovely touch that meant the world to our two children.

extra-excited! Waiting outside for us was an usher who took our

We were also given a tour of the Hippodrome's Museum which

orders for drinks both before the show and during the interval

houses a wealth of costumes, props, historical artefacts and

and even got us sorted with sweets, popcorn and a flashing toy

anything circus-related used since the building was built in

for each of the children. We even ordered ice cream for the

1903. The kids were fascinated by the clown shoes!

interval! The new VIP tickets are a great idea and offer great value. But, that aside, all the tickets offer excellent views and a chance to soak up the magic. There are some fantastic shows coming up at the Hippodrome this year including Cirque du Hilarious from May 1st-4th and the Summer Spectacular which runs from July 15th September 20th. The summer shows have a unique water feature where the ring is transformed into a swimming pool complete with synchronised swimmers - one of only four in existence in the world. For more details and to book tickets go to

www.hippodromecircus.co.uk

Sarah Veness May 2015 | 29


Big Music Weekend On May 23rd-24th, the fine city of Norwich plays host to

Alongside Foo Fighters, who will headline the Main Stage on

Radio 1's Big Weekend. Headlining the event at Earlham Park

24 May 24th, are Taylor Swift, Sam Smith, Rita Ora, George

are global superstars Foo Fighters and Muse who will be

Ezra, Clean Bandit, Olly Murs and Imagine Dragons.

joined by some of the hottest UK and international acts. The Big Weekend- Europe's biggest free ticketed festival- brings the whole nation together for one weekend of amazing live music.

50,000 tickets for Radio 1’s Big Weekend 2015 were snapped up in 40 minutes, and as with previous years, the majority of tickets were reserved for those living in Norwich and the surrounding areas.

Joining headliners Muse to perform on the Main Stage on Saturday May 23rd, are Florence + The Machine, 5 Seconds Of

Radio 1’s Big Weekend is now in its 12th year and will be produced in partnership with Norwich City Council.

Summer, David Guetta, Ben Howard, The Vaccines, Fall Out Boy and Charli XCX.

To find out more about the event go to

www.norwich.gov.uk/bigweekend 30 |

www.artseast.co.uk


Music

Proms and a Picnic! The UK’s premier picnic proms series, The Battle Proms are summer celebrations with music, Spitfire, cannons, cavalry and fireworks, all set in the grounds of some of the UK’s most celebrated stately homes including Burghley House in Lincolnshire and Hatfield House in Hertfordshire.

Venues and dates for 2015: · Burghley House, Lincolnshire: Saturday 4 July 2015 · Blenheim Palace, Oxfordshire: Saturday 11 July 2015 · Hatfield House, Hertfordshire: Saturday 18 July 2015 · Highclere Castle, Hampshire: Saturday 1 August 2015 · Ragley, Warwickshire: Saturday 15 August 2015

Website: www.battleproms.com Email: info@battleproms.com

COMPETITION Bring your own picnic and enjoy an evening of exceptional entertainment. These unique picnic concerts bring together sublime music, stunning aerial displays, thunderous cannon fire, plus cavalry and fireworks displays. In 2015 we will be marking 200 years since the Battle of Waterloo and 70 years since the end of the Second World War with a number of programme additions at all Battle Proms Concerts. In addition, in a very special Blenheim Palace Battle Proms event, 150 re-enactors will participate in a skirmish as part of the Road to Waterloo programme of events marking 200

WIN TICKETS ARTSeast has teamed up with the Battle Proms team to offer three lucky readers the chance to win a pair of tickets to the venue of their choice from the list above. Just send your name, address and telephone number to info@artseast.co.uk to be in with a chance of winning. Closing date: May 21st, usual terms and conditions apply.

years since the Battle of Waterloo. May 2015 | 31


Music

Festival time for Wymondham Wymondham Music Festival Fortnight returns for the 20th year from June 20th-July 4th. The annual Town Busking Day is also on the menu, taking place on Saturday, May 23rd from

Wymondham Young Musicians event featuring Norfolk Young

11am-2pm.

Musician 2015, Alexander Little (July 1st) and BJ Cole and Emily Burridge cello and steel guitar.

Festival Fortnight kicks off with two new events: a Community Choirs concert for locals new to choral singing, and an evening

Folk fans have two treats in store - singer songwriter Kathryn

Ceilidh featuring Klezmerized! The Festival’s largest event, the

Williams will be at Central Hall, supported by Wymondham’s

Midsummer Jazz Picnic, returns with Simon Nelson’s Dixie Mix

own Johnny Steinberg (June 26th) followed by Glasgow’s

(June 22nd) along with the popular Teddy Bear’s Picnic (June

Trembling Bells with Mike Heron of Incredible String Band fame

28th). The Abbey has a busy programme of concerts and

(July 2nd). The annual Music Lecture & Recital on June 23rd

recitals featuring Rob Goodrich, Director of Music at the Abbey

features Dan Tidhar – the measured and the unmeasured in

(June 24th); jazz with the Sue Richardson Quintet, who will be

harpsichord music – and a special concert is being staged at

celebrating the life and music of Chet Baker (June 25th),

the Abbey in memory of Leonie Woolhouse on July 2nd,

Baroque cellist Richard Tunnicliffe (June 27th); the

featuring music from Monteverdi's Vespers, Debussy and Matthew Woolhouse.

WYMONDHAM MUSIC FESTIVAL 2015 Wymondham ondh ondh dh dh usi u usic sic Festival si sic Fe Fe Music Reg Charity Ch C hariitty ty no no 1081375 1

TOWN BUSKING DAY SAT 23 MAY

FESTIVAL FORTNIGHT SAT 20 JUNE SAT 4 JULY

The Festival Finale on July 4th brings the fortnight to a resounding crescendo, with an all day programme of open-air music in the Market Place (11am-6pm), followed at 7.30pm by Wymondham Symphony Orchestra’s Summer Concert in the Abbey.

FIND US ON:

FESTIVAL OFFICE T. 01953 333500 wymfest.org.uk

Keep in touch with Wymondham Music Festival at www.wymfest.org.uk, where you can buy concert tickets, as well as following the Festival on twitter, facebook and google+. Puff’s Toyshop in Wymondham Market Place also sells concert tickets

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Music

Woodbridge Chamber Concerts Alongside its famous market square, the attractive parish

where their performance was described as ‘outstanding’. They

church of St Mary’s is home to Woodbridge Chamber

are returning with works by Haydn, Mendelssohn, ending with

Concerts, a short series of concerts held each May. The church

powerful and lyrical Piano Trio No 1 by Brahms.

has one of the best acoustics in the area and an intimate atmosphere, ideal for chamber music. ‘The aim of the concerts is to provide a platform for some of the finest young professional musicians of the day and all are personally chosen, with programmes from the classical and romantic traditions,’ says its organiser, John Treadway.

‘A world class artist’ said The Strad magazine of the award winning cellist Philip Higham. A great friend of the concert series, he brings with him a group of outstanding artists in a concert exploring some of the chamber works of Vaughan Williams, championed by the famous London based Nash Ensemble. It includes his Piano Quintet and the concert ends

This season is in many ways one of ‘happy returns’. After their

with its more famous predecessor, ‘The Trout’, by Schubert.

debut recital at Snape Maltings, St Mary’s was the Wu Quartet’s

There is a pre concert talk given by Hugh Cobbe, formerly Head

first concert venue in Suffolk. They will perform quartets by

of Music at the British Library, on the Vaughan Williams works to

Haydn and Beethoven and end with Schubert’s famous

be performed.

‘Rosamunde’ Quartet, written towards the end of his life and with a real sense of his own mortality.

Tickets are now on sale - all seats are reserved and not behind pillars! They can also be purchased at Browsers Bookshop in

The Fournier Piano Trio were winners of the audience prize in

the Thoroughfare, Woodbridge. If your legs aren’t what they

the 2011 Trondheim Festival and chosen to be part of the

once were, you can book a parking spot alongside the church

centenary series of the Manchester Midday Concerts this year,

providing step free access.

Saturday 2nd May – 7.30pm The Wu Quartet Mozart. Quartet in B flat K589 ‘Prussian’ Beethoven. Quartet in F minor Op 85 ‘Serioso’ Schubert. Quartet in A minor D804 ‘Rosamunde’ Saturday 23rd May – 7.30pm The Fournier Piano Trio Haydn. Piano Trio in G major ‘The Gypsy’ Mendelssohn. Piano Trio No 2 in C minor Brahms. Piano Trio No 1 in B Major Saturday 30th May – 7.30pm RVW Anniversary Soloists Vaughan Williams. Six Studies in Folk Song for Cello and Piano Vaughan Williams. Romance for Viola and Piano Vaughan Williams. Piano Quintet in C minor (1903) Schubert. Piano Quintet in A major ‘The Trout’

For more information and to download a brochure go to:

www.woodbridgechamberconcerts.org.uk Box Office: 01986 798324 May 2015 | 33


Music

Opera fit for a King

The Yorke Trust has been presenting opera in Norfolk for over fifteen years, with many of its young singers now enjoying successful careers in opera houses all over the world from London to Sydney. This year, following two stunning productions, they wanted to do something a little different without compromising their high

“ATasteof Opera” The Tudors

Three performances all with a themed sit down dinner included Fri 24 July • £50 Birkbeck Hall The Great Hospital Norwich

Sat 25 & Sun 26 July • £45 Our Lady St. Mary South Creake

All performances start at 19.30

standards. So there has been careful cutting of cloth and Jennifer Hamilton has selected some of the great solos, arias and ensembles from popular romantic operatic operas, each with a Tudor theme, which will be sung within the context of a Tudor feast. Rossini, Verdi and Donizetti are all on the menu and orchestral scores are being recast for an ensemble of wind quintet and string quintet by musical director Quentin Poole and Merion Bowen, who was for many years Sir Michael Tippett’s personal assistant. Performing at the Great Hospital in Norwich (you can taken an optional guided tour) and St Mary’s Church, South Creake, they promise a rewarding evening in period surroundings. Perhaps slightly irreverently dubbed Inter-

Enquires: 01328 823502 info@yorketrust.org Box Office: www.yorketrust.org

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Course-Opera by one of our former young players, you are invited to wear appropriate attire for the occasion should you wish!


Music

Singing Workshop

The Apex: Finley Quaye

Mary King's multi-faceted career encompasses roles as a

June 6th 2015, The Apex - Bury St Edmunds

performer, coach, writer and broadcaster. One of the driving forces behind Channel 4's award-winning 'Operatunity', Mary has given masterclasses in both classical and musical theatre styles of music. This two-day non-residential workshop will appeal to experienced singers interested in going 'beyond the notes.' It will focus on technical aspects, blend, articulation of

When his album - Maverick A Strike - exploded onto the world scene in 1997 it instantly gave Finley Quaye world-wide recognition.

words, communication and energy. Participants will need to

Finley is a grandson of

commit to advance preparation in order to be fully familiar with

vaudeville pianist Caleb

the music which will be provided four weeks in advance. The

Quaye, son of British bebop

repertoire will be carefully chosen to develop different skills and

singer Cab Quaye and

will include both accompanied and a cappella pieces, in a

brother of noted guitarist

variety of languages. The workshop will culminate in a short

Caleb Quaye and entertainer

showcase performance for family and friends.

Terri Quaye.

To find out more go to www.libricini.com

His 1997 blinding debut single ‘Sunday Shining’ was reminiscent of Bob Marley, and just a year later he won the Brit

“Beyond the Notes” Upper Voice Singing Workshop with

Mary King

Award for Best Male Solo Artist. Other memorable hits from the late 90s include ‘Even After All’ and ‘Your Love Gets Sweeter’. And now? Finley’s back! With the release of his fourth album last year, he’s proved to doubters that his voice is as good as ever, and this gig promises both his classic hits and the melodic reggae of this latest album.

COMPETITION

WIN TICKETS To be in with a chance of winning two tickets

11th and 12th July 2015

to see Finley Quaye at The Apex just email your name, address and phone number to

Anteros Arts Foundation (formally the King of Hearts) Fye Bridge Street, Norwich

info@artseast.co.uk. Closing date: May 21st Usual terms and conditions apply

with David Neil Jones (piano) May 2015 | 35


Arts Council

Museums at Night Festival 2015 Museums at Night, the UK’s annual after-hours festival of arts, culture and heritage, will be taking place over four days this May, from Wednesday 13th until Saturday 16th.

Museums at Night, which is supported using public funding by Arts Council England, offers people the opportunity to experience culture and heritage in a totally unexpected way. During the festival, hundreds of museums, galleries and historic spaces all over the UK will open up late and put on a dazzling array of special night-time events. With more than 35 events planned at venues across Cambridgeshire, Suffolk and Norfolk, there will be plenty for people to do ‘after dark’ this May. Among the wealth of events taking place across the East of England this year, people can see what it is like to be locked in a museum after dark with the Sedgwick Museum of Earth Sciences in Cambridge or jump on the ‘Holiday Express’ at North Norfolk Railway to discover holidays of the past. 36 |

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Arts Council

Museums at Night is designed to encourage new audiences

Escape the Crystal Room - Sedgwick Museum of Earth

into museums and galleries and it has experienced

Sciences, Cambridge (May 15th)

phenomenal growth in the seven years it has been running. In 2014 there were 180,000 visits to 700 events in more than 500 venues across the country. New for 2015, a second two-day festival will also take place from October 30th-31st.

Ever wondered what it would be like to be locked in a museum after dark? Your mission, should you choose to accept it, is to escape the Crystal Room, an interactive live escape game designed for groups of 3 to 8 people. Following

Full listings of all events, many of which are free, can be

the success of last year, solve puzzles and crack codes as

found at www.museumsatnight.org.uk

you race against time in order to escape the room you are

North Norfolk (May 14th-16th) As part of the new North Norfolk Stories Festival, North Norfolk will

locked in! All Ages.

The Imagination Museum - Fitzwilliam Museum, Cambridge (May 15th)

present 18 free events over three

Everything is not as it seems in The Imagination Museum.

days at museums, parks, libraries

Allow the Fitzwilliam to introduce you to Mildred, Henry and

and other cultural venues and

Harriet, three eccentric tour-guides who will bring to life a

heritage sites across 10 North

series of museum artefacts through words and movement.

Norfolk towns. Highlights include:

The Imagination Museum has been created in collaboration with writer Anna Selby, with original music by Max Perryment. It will awaken everyone’s curiosity and desire to explore the

The Screaming Cockler, Sheringham Little Theatre - a

nooks and crannies of the museum space. Family Friendly.

ghost story devised and performed by young people about female cocklers in North Norfolk in the 1700s; •

Curious Creatures, Mundesley and Stalham Libraries - a chance to see live birds and reptiles and learn about the local rehabilitation and conservation work undertaken by The Seal and Bird Trust in North Norfolk;

Sheringham Park Bat Walk – explore the world of bats during a stroll through this National Trust park (home to seven types of bat) as night falls, and to listen to them with the help of a bat detector. Any age

Artists Rooms: Jeff Koons - Norwich Castle Museum & Art Gallery, Norwich (May 16th) Inspired by the world of contemporary artist Jeff Koons, this very special evening has been designed by an extraordinary group of young people: the Koons Collaborative, as part of the Young Norfolk Arts Festival. Events include a resident DJ in the Koonsbury Festival Garden, a selfie opportunity on the Kitschbooth, parading bears, living statues, firebreather and many more surprises! All Ages.

May 2015 | 37


What’s On

Family festival fun A life-sized mammoth will walk through the centre of Great Yarmouth on June 6th as part of the celebrations to mark the opening of the third Great Yarmouth Arts Festival. The procession will include 8ft models of other animals alive at

Minster and there will be a Gala Concert of a Youth Orchestra in the Minster on June 6th.

the time, dancers, acrobats and musicians along with various

‘Art in the Minster’ brings together an exhibition of art by

school and community groups. There's also a puppet show, a

the East Anglian Group of Marine Artists, the Society of Artists,

Neighbourhood Fair, Art on the Railings with music, dance and

The Guild of Artists and Craftsmen and the Photographic

food and youngsters can try out their skills on a specially laid

Society. The Quill Group will also be displaying a selection of

bike track in the Market Place.

their poetry and writing. Ernie Childs and his students are

For music lovers there is La Boheme direct from the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, Carmina Burana and other works performed by the Pakefield Singers led by the widely acclaimed musical director, Vetta Wise. Gilbert and Sullivan will be performed in St. Andrew’s Church, Gorleston and there will be Harp, Harpsichord and Organ recitals. The Cavick String Quartet returns to play Mendelssohn, Haydn and Frank Bridge in the

exhibiting in the Library and the 133 gallery on King Street has an exhibition on films. St. George’s Theatre has a selection of plays, opera and films including Bernard Shaw’s Man and Superman, a drama about Edith Cavell, a comedy evening with Patrick Monahan and an illustrated talk about Thomas Gainsborough and John Constable. For more info go to www.greatyarmouthartsfestival.co.uk

Great Yarmouth

arts

festival 2015

FRIDAY 5 TO SUNDAY 14 JUNE

Music | Visual Art | Theatre | Film | Heritage Workshops | Neighbourhood Carnival

f 38 |

/greatyarmoutharts

www.artseast.co.uk

@gyartsfestival

www.greatyarmouthartsfestival.co.uk


The In Here Festival Gladiators, seals and acrobats all take to the stage in Great Yarmouth in a new programme of indoor performance, circus and workshops from SeaChange Arts this May. Over three weeks, the organisation behind the Out There Festival hope to take a little of that magic and mayhem indoors. The festival kicks off with an acrobatics workshop on May 7th at the Drill House and Teeterboard masterclass, hosted by Lost in Translation Circus from May 9th-11th.

innovative new theatre shows to the town. On May 20th local schools will get to be a part of The Adventure at Yarmouth’s historic Tolhouse Museum. In this fantastic interactive theatre piece, the audience join the cast to crack a fiendishly puzzling

Much of SeaChange’s work involves developing new shows

mystery. Ridley Scott’s epic movie Gladiator gets a Blue Peter

and there will be an exclusive chance to see one of their latest

style makeover in Gloriator - a hilarious sword and sandal epic

productions on May 9th as Dizzy O’Dare present a preview

made from cardboard on May 21st. While on May 23rd,

showing of Wires, a new tightwire performance created in part

Lorraine and Alan, is a quirky, modern retelling of the Orkneys’

at SeaChange’s Drill House.

Selkie myth, set in Blakeney.

SeaChange’s partnership with the Collaborative Touring

To find out more and to book tickets, visit

Network, headed by Battersea Arts Centre, brings a trio of

www.seachangearts.org.uk

TSTANDING A FESTIVAL CEOF, CIOURCUS & FUN! PERFORMAN

LORRAINE & ALAN SAT 23 MAY 7.30pm A Bucket Club and Battersea Arts Centre presentation, in association with Farnham Maltings.

£6 [U16s: £4, Family: £15] 01493 331484 or online at seachangearts.org.uk In Here programme supported by:

May 2015 | 39


What’s On

Newmarket Nights

The Jockey Club Live returns with a bang this summer with a

The racecourses have world-class customer facilities, featuring

series of live concerts at racecourses across the country.

an array of award winning restaurants that cater for all tastes,

In the East, Newmarket Racecourses is set to play host to an exciting mix of global superstars. Delivering their best line up yet, the season of live events features artists ranging from the hottest chart talent to legendary household names. The events are fast becoming renowned for combining a fun-filled time at

be it fine dining through to delicious bistro food. The Jockey Club venues welcome over 2 million people a year for some of the UKs biggest racing events so you can be sure of the evening running as smooth as possible, whether you come by foot, car, train or even helicopter!

the races with a spectacular concert in the informal and relaxed open-air setting of some of the world's most famous racecourses.

COMPETITION

WIN MADNESS TICKETS ARTSeast has teamed up with The Jockey Club Live to offer one lucky reader two tickets to see Madness live at Newmarket on June 26th. To enter, email your name, address and telephone number to info@artseast.co.uk Closing date: May 21st Usual terms and conditions apply

Line-up details: June 19th - Kylie Minogue Jun 26th - Madness July 17th - Status Quo July 24th - Boyzone July 31st - Kaiser Chiefs August 7th - Sir Tom Jones August 14th - Spandau Ballet August 29th - McBusted For more information and to book tickets go to

www.thejockeyclublive.co.uk 40 |

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What’s On

What’s On – Here’s a quick look at what’s coming up in our region. If

May 27th-July 1st - Interaction by Annie Brundrit and Sally

you’d like an event, show, exhibition, performing arts

Hirst. This exhibition explores crossovers in their mixed media

class, festival, talk or anything else arts-related included

work. Fisher Theatre Gallery. www.fishertheatre.org.

in our listings section, please get in touch. Each listing costs just £15 (no VAT) and you can pay by cheque to

THEATRE & FILM

Falcon Publications or by PayPal to info@artseast.co.uk.

May 10th-13th - The Tiger who came to tea. This much-loved

If you’d prefer to pay by BACS online, call 01379 415002

children's book by Judith Kerr is brought to life in this clever

for account details. To submit a listing, email details to

adaptation by David Wood MBE. Tickets:

info@artseast.co.uk. We need details 8 weeks before the

www.cambridgeartstheatre.com, 01223 503333

date of the event to guarantee inclusion. May 12th-16th - A Girl if a Half-Formed Thing. Theatre

MUSIC May 8th - Robbie Williams Swing When You're Winning. A 3 course dinner followed by entertainment from the extremely talented Robbie Williams tribute act. 7.00pm for 7.45pm Stoke By Nayland Hotel, Golf & Spa May 24th - Kingfisher Sinfonietta Orchestral Concert. Framlingham College Theatre, 6.30pm. Tickets from Framlingham Stationers, 01728 724244 or you can buy them at the door.

adaptation of the award-winning novel by Eimear McBride. Part of the Norfolk & Norwich Festival. Norwich Playhouse. Tickets: www.norwichplayhouse.co.uk, 01603 598598 May 24th - Ministry of Science Live. This show comes with a bang! With a hovercraft, a human cannon and bottle rockets plus much more. Kings Lynn Corn Exchange. Tickets: www.kinglynncornexchangec.co.uk, 01553 764864

FESTIVALS/CRAFT FAIRS May10th - Paintopia Face & Body Art Festival.The UK’s biggest

June 5th - Jazz at the Movies. Former teacher of Sam Smith, Joanna Eden, plus the groovy sounds of the Chris Ingham Quartet present a "Jazz at the Movies" night St Peter’s by the

and best Face and Body painting festival attracting body artists from around the world. Sprowston Manor Hotel. www.paintopiafestival.com

Waterfront, Ipswich, 7.45pm. www.jazzbythewaterfront.com May 15th-17th - Crab & Lobster Festival, Cromer and

EXHIBITIONS May 16th-17th Watercolour Painting for adults. This unusual course will look at watercolour in an historic way. 10am - 3.30pm. Castle House, Dedham. £100 tutor Philippa Dow. www.munningsmuseum.org.uk

Sheringham. A feast of food, art, music and heritage. www.crabandlobsterfestival.co.uk May 22nd-23rd - Norwich Global Village Market. Handmade and fairly-traded items on sale from around the world. The Forum, Norwich. www.norwichglobalvillagemarket.co.uk

May 8th-27th - Bury Art Trail. Taking art out of the gallery environment and into the heart of the town. Art for sale in prominent window displays. For more information see www.hadleyexhibitions.co.uk

May 2015 | 41


What’s On Scene Local Arts

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Local Arts Scene

Holt: A Perfect Day Out The lovely Georgian market town of Holt sits inland from the North Norfolk coast and is a fantastic place for lovers of the arts. The town is awash with independent shops, world-class art galleries, tempting restaurants and cafes and interesting shopping yards. In 1708 a great fire destroyed the bulk of the medieval town centre leaving very little standing. After receiving donations from around the country, the job of reconstruction began which explains the wealth of Georgian architecture in the town. In the heart of Holt is the famous Greshams School, founded in 1555, whose past pupils include Benjamin Britten, W.H. Auden, Michael Cummings and Erskine Hamilton Childers, the fourth

President of Ireland. In the school grounds lies the Auden Theatre, which is used by both pupils and professional performers and offers a range of productions throughout the year. Famous child artist Kieron Williamson sells his incredibly successful paintings through The Picturecraft Gallery in Holt and he was initially tutored by Holt artist Carol Ann Pennington at her gallery The Last Picture Show in Town. The annual Holt Festival takes place each summer offering a wide range of shows, performances, talks, concerts and exhibitions across all areas of the arts. Just to the south of the town is the lovely Holt Country Park offering almost 100 acres of woodland for walking and cycling. May 2015 | 43


Local Arts Scene

Holt Festival 2015 July 19th-26th Holt Festival - North Norfolk's premier mixed arts festival has announced its first highlights for 2015. Under the stewardship of new Artistic Director Charles Pugh, the 7th Festival is already looking to include something for everyone.

Steve Harley

chart topper and pop pioneers Steve Harley with his band Cockney Rebel, influential and constantly evolving folk rock

From comedy to cuisine, politics to pop and classical and

legends Steeleye Span and the rejuvenated original punk poet,

much more, Holt Festival brings you the best in music, theatre

comedian, movie radio and rock star John Cooper Clarke and

and the spoken word in a glorious artistic celebration. Staged

his special guest Martin Newell.

in the last week of July with the charming North Norfolk Georgian country town as its backdrop, this award winning annual feast of the arts has quickly become one of the most eagerly anticipated events of the Norfolk calendar. It is also increasingly enticing more visitors into the area.

There’s a world exclusive with the premiere of Hello Mr Gershwin, a musical journey through the remarkable but tragically short life of George Gershwin and a UK exclusive as masterful award winning classical guitarist Mariano Mangas performs his first ever British show in Holt. Lorraine & Alan is a

The festival is welcoming many high-calibre speakers

retelling of the Orkney Selkie myth relocated to Norfolk using

including Jeffrey Archer, Michael Buerk, Dame Stella Rimington,

live sound design and several hundred plastic bottles. It was

Loyd Grossman and Tom Parker Bowles as well as the

an award winner at the 2014 Edinburgh Fringe.

inimitable Blofeld and Baxter to Holt. Other big names include Jeffrey Archer

Entry details for the Holt Festival Art Prize, which attracts submissions from far and wide will be announced soon.

www.holtfestival.org Box Office 01603 598699

COMPETITION

WIN TICKETS ARTSeast has teamed up with the Holt Festival to offer one lucky reader a pair of tickets to see Lorraine & Alan – a play at the festival. Lorraine & Alan is a modern re-telling of the Selkie myth - relocated to Norfolk - with live electronic sound design and song. It is about moving out of your parents’ house and the sleepiness of little England. It is about delicious salty peanuts and a woman who eats them. Auden Theatre, Gresham’s School, Holt July 26th, 6-7pm, To win tickets, simply email your name, address and telephone number to info@artseast.co.uk. Closing date: May 21st 44 |

www.artseast.co.uk


Local Arts Scene

Find something unique in Holt Everyone likes to find something unique, and if it's made in Norfolk even better. At Seahorse Studio in Albert Street, Holt you can watch the creative process as Helen Wright makes glass beads in the studio. From simple spacer beads to ornate flower vases and little vessel beads that seem to have the patina of centuries, you can buy just a single bead, a set or a piece of jewellery. matched she can make something just for you. Lampworking is an ancient type of glasswork where a torch or lamp is used to melt the glass. The oil-fuelled lamps used in Murano, Italy, in the 14th century have been replaced with propane and oxygen torches, but otherwise not a lot has changed! Helen has studied on Murano and with teachers from around the world. Using glass from Italy, Germany, Czech Republic and USA, Helen adds metals such as silver, gold and palladium foil to create different effects. Commissions are welcome – if you have a particular colour scheme you'd like

Helen also stocks work by artists that she admires. Beautiful fused glass from Hazel Millington, exquisite silver jewellery by Melinda Scarborough, bold lampwork necklaces by Sarah Lamb, fabulous polymer clay necklaces and cuffs from Anarina in Athens and Adriana Allen in the USA, and hand-made silk devoré scarves by Sue Harris. All one-of-a-kind and perfect presents – or a treat for yourself.

Open Wednesday – Saturday, 10.00 – 17.00

May 2015 | 45


Local Arts Scene

Get away with the Fairies Now in its 14th year, the award winning Fairyland Trust returns with the magical Fairy Fair this month.

The event offers plenty for all the family; children can tend cuddly British wildlife and other magical creatures In the

The Norfolk based charity with a national reputation for

Fairyland Wildlife Hospital, or visit the Fairy Queen and King.

introducing families to flowers, wildlife and trees will run the

The king and Queen will be residing in the woods, telling

Fairy Fair, amid the stunning 86 acres of gardens, ancient

children about trees and all their magic. Budding Fairies and

woodlands and lakes of Holt Hall, over the late May Bank

Elves can take part in Elf or Fairy Training which covers all the

Holiday weekend (May 24th-25th).

important elements of how to be a proper Fairy or Elf. Mum

Tickets for the Fair, which won the Festival Kidz Gold Award for Best Day Festival in 2013, and was runner up in the Families

and Dad may enjoy live music and performances, plus quench their thirst in the Trusts own onsite pub, The Good Elf.

Choice category in 2014, is a firm favourite with families. It is

Drop-in activities include building your own Fairy House in the

packed with magical activities to delight children and entertain

woods, sending a post card from the Pixie Post office and the

all the family such as, the Trust’s renowned workshops

popular Fairyland Photobooth.

including: Fairy Crowns, Fairy Gardens and the ever popular, Magic Wings Wildflowers will be a major theme of the Fair this year. For the

The event, which has been described as ‘THE children’s event of the year’ also features Maypole Dancing, the return of Mr Pineapple Head, three story tellers, great live music, stilt-

first time, a team of Wildflower Fairies will be on hand at the

walkers and Stripy the giant Swallowtail Caterpillar . The Trust’s

Fair to help children make their own wearable Fairy Wildflower.

own Corncockle Café and a host of other local food outlets will

It’s not just flowers. Pirates are running games and there are Magic Animal Shields and Elf Sticks to make, Secret Dens to create in the Woods and a Woodland Trail to explore.

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be open to keep people fed, and for shopping there are craft stalls, selling hand-made and fairly-traded goods.

www.fairylandtrust.org

JMA Photography


Local Arts Scene

Spotlight on......Carol Ann Pennington Here we chat to one of Holt's best-known artists and owner of The Last Picture Show in Town Gallery.

What inspires you to paint? All that I have experienced in my life has led to this time of latter day creativity where I have the facility, the freedom and the daily interaction with those who pass by and are drawn in and those who visit to buy or discuss commissioned work. Each day is different and presents a new challenge which in itself is inspiring. Inspiration comes from a rapport established between artist and prospective buyer which, if the chemistry is working, is a wonderful opportunity for both their vision of what they want on their wall and my vision of what I am imagining, coming together in a whole greater than the sum of its parts. The unknown element of this synchronicity never fails to be a creative challenge and is endlessly inspiring.

What would your perfect Norfolk day consist of? Are you Norfolk born? If not, what brought you to the county?

This is a difficult one because it is perhaps 13 years since I have experienced what most people would regard as a perfect

No. We visited Norfolk for many years and had a house here

day out in Norfolk. Rather than using a cliché and describing

in Hindringham for much of that time moving permanently to

idyllic picnics in sand dunes, long walks in leafy country lanes,

live in this lovely county in 1995. It had been our intention to

suppers at one of the many excellent hostelries, swimming in

do so after holidaying at Cley and as the saying goes “once

the North Sea when it is warm – all these long ago consigned

seen, never forgotten” we were hooked on the wide skies and

to memory - now my favourite day out in Norfolk has to be

endless coastal marshes. Nothing can compare with the

spent at the Last Picture Show 10 am – 4 pm with a steady

sheer space and peace of this place. Even in the tourist

flow of interesting encounters, paintbrush in one hand, free

season we can still find places in both coast and country with

coffee (which is always available) the sun streaming in, no

no signs of human life.

urgent emails and Miles Davis playing on a CD.

What do you love about Holt?

What is your proudest moment?

I love working in Holt. The Last Picture Show is in a perfect

The morning there were approx. 50 people outside the Last

location – first business encountered en route from the steam

Picture Show fighting to get near enough to the window to see

railway, very much on the sunny side of the street, good light

the Exhibition, wondering why we were not open (it was

all day, most days – for an artist, a dream venue. There is a

Sunday) and ringing me at home to demand entry. It was at

wonderful community spirit and neighbourliness which one

this point that I realised we had unknowingly played a

would find in a village, while providing all the advantages of

significant part at the beginning of young Kieron Williamson’s

thriving business support organisations. Add to all this the

‘journey to international fame’. I felt then, and feel now,

charm of the many ‘yards’ and exciting nooks and corners in

extremely proud that time he spent at the studio every week

what is still very much a Georgian market town and you

aged 6 years may have contributed in however small a way to

realise why it is good to be here.

his incredible success story. May 2015 | 47


ARTSeast Magazine

Competition winners from our previous issue: Science Blast, Granary, Wells - Lorraine Crossland of Blakeney

East Anglian Game & Country Fair tickets - Fay Wheeler of Mulbarton, Sandra

Swans at Epic, Norwich - Alex Howard of Bury St.Edmunds

Snelling of Ipswich, Harvey Salmon of Halesworth, Fran Hammond of Stanwick,

Meal at the Bicycle Shop, Norwich - Juliet Fairhead of Bungay

Northants and Jane Pasby of Pulham Market

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minute survey Take a few minutes to complete our ARTSeast reader survey to be in with a chance of winning a tasty three-course meal for two at the beautiful Feathers Hotel in Holt.

The Feathers Hotel is a cosy family-run hotel with a luxurious a la carte restaurant on site. The relaxing, intimate Plume Restaurant has an excellent menu created from fresh, local ingredients. One lucky reader can win a 3-course table d'h么te dinner for two people in the Plume Restaurant. To be in with a chance of winning, just complete this page and post to ARTSeast, Dolphin House (first floor), 23 Church Street, Diss, Norfolk, IP22 4DD.

Winners will be notified by phone or email, usual terms and conditions apply. Closing date for entries is May 20th. The prize is subject to availability.


ARTSeast

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www.artseast.co.uk

Dolphin House (first floor) 23 Church Street, Diss, Norfolk IP22 4DD

Tel: 01379 415002 Email: info@artseast.co.uk

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Pick up your free copy of the ARTSeast Visual Arts 2015 guide Available throughout Norfolk & Suffolk Also online at www.artseast.co.uk

Additional copies available on request

Please telephone 01379 415002 May 2015 | 51



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