15
art bar comedy dance kids music theatre ideas
FIRESTATION MAY JUNE JULY AUGUST 2013 featuring BEaT MAGAZINE
hello
Box Office: 01753 866 865 info@firestationartscentre.com www.firestationartscentre.com
The Firestation Centre for Arts & Culture Issue 15 Spring/Summer Programme May - August 2013
hello hello
I’ve been looking a lot at value lately, initially for a research project, but also because it’s a word that seems to crop up a lot at the moment. Along the way, as part of my looking, I have made friends with a particular image that now haunts and inspires me daily. It is a cave painting, some 2,000 years old, of a collection of hands stencilled on the rough rock wall. It’s a truly remarkable image, beautiful and mesmerising. It draws me back day after day as I dig around the notion of value in contemporary arts and culture, and the complexities of what it is to run an organisation like ours. Unlike other cave paintings, which depict hunting triumphs and an array of beasts, this appears to have no function other than the joy of collective action and mark making. It’s colours are vibrant and alive giving it a surprising modernity, whilst it’s mix of tiny and grown up makers marks exudes a tactile intimacy. It reminds me that at one time there was no distinction between the making and the consuming, no high and low culture and no disconnect between creating and living. How complicated we have become. Then, as if by magic, it reminds me that what we do now and what those hands did then has never really changed, that the most potent and long lasting sparks of culture always come down to creating and sharing something we can’t quite define any other way. It’s what makes putting this paper together as exciting and as fun as putting those hands on the cave wall must have been. How far we’ve come, and how little we have changed. So, in the hope that we are already - or are soon to become - a little cave for you to make you own mark, here are 32 pages of events, ideas, images and opportunities to fill your summer and dirty your hands. From Dave Gorman (p4) to Marika Hackman (p8), from Underground Clowns (p14) to Barbecues (p23), have fun and don’t forget to say hello when you’re passing! Dan Eastmond MD
The Firestation Centre for Arts & Culture
contents contents
04 MAY listings 06
A.T.T.I.C. listings
07
Selah D’Or listings
08
BEaT MAGAZINE An interview with Marika Hackman
10
BEaT MAGAZINE A Chorus Line
12 june listings 12
The Firestation Shop
16
Events Diary
18
BEaT MAGAZINE Eugene Onegin
19
BEaT MAGAZINE The Innovators
On Foot & Bike
from th pages of e bea magazine t
From Windsor Castle, go straight down Peascod Street until you reach the Criterion & Crosses Corner pubs at the traffic lights. Go straight across and keep heading down, past East Berkshire College on your right, you should be able to see us, all red and shiny, on your right.
pull out listings section
20
Dance Week
23
Summer Barbecue listings
24
BEaT MAGAZINE Man Ray: Portraits
25
BEaT MAGAZINE Art’s Anti-innovator
www.firestationartscentre.com
28
Kids Club
Opening Times
30
Classes & Workshops
info@firestationartscentre.com
A whole week of Da n c e !
get read y for the summer
10am - Midnight Monday to Saturday, 10am -11pm Sunday
Box Office Opening Times
Connect with us
Non Event Nights
www.firestationartscentre.com www.beatmagazine.co.uk www.fireythings.com
Events Nights 10am to start of the event Monday to Saturday 1 hour before start of the event Sunday
Designers www.facebook.com/dunkdesign
02
We are a fifteen minute walk from Windsor & Eton Riverside Station or ten minutes from Windsor Central Station.
The Firestation is well served by buses to and from Windsor, Slough, Bracknell and the surrounding area. Routes 71, 191, 200, 701 & 702 either go right by us or very nearby.
By Car
The Firestation is within easy reach of the M4 (Jct 6) and M40 (Jct 2). We have a number of inexpensive short stay bays opposite The Firestation offering discounts for Advantage Card holders. A parking space at the rear of the building is available for Disabled Badge holders plus a limited number of spaces are kindly made available to us from 7pm (please check on arrival). Nearest multi-storey car park is situated 5 minutes away on the corner of Victoria Road and Alexandra Road.
Access
Our Websites
10am - 4pm Mon to Sat - 12pm - 6pm Sun
By Train
By Bus
Christmas Preview: The Snow Queen
01753 866 865
The Firestation Centre for Arts and Culture is housed in The Old Court, Windsor’s old Firestation, Magistrates Court & Police Station. You’ll find us on the corner of St. Leonards Road & St Marks Road, look for the big red fire doors.
20 july listings
27
St. Leonards Road, Windsor, Berkshire SL4 3BL
How to find us
“the best night ou t windsor in ” is ba c k !
26 august listings
Sponsors
contents
@firestationarts @tweetsfrombeat @fireythings
www.facebook.com/firestationarts www.facebook.com/beatmagzineuk
The Auditorium and Upper Bar are accessible by wheelchair and there is a designated disabled parking space and access ramp at the rear of the building.
To advertise in this magazine please call 01753 866 865
03
MAY
Box Office: 01753 866 865 info@firestationartscentre.com www.firestationartscentre.com
The Firestation Centre for Arts & Culture Issue 15 Spring/Summer Programme May - August 2013
MAY
Thursday 16th May, 8pm
Programmer’s Top Pick from the Edinburgh Fringe Festival
Thursday 02 May, 8pm
Voltaire and Joe Black Basement Studio Tickets: £12 / £10 Members Voltaire and Joe Black join forces to bring a dark cabaret show of legendary proportions. Witness two of the leading figures in the dark cabaret genre in one show! Hailing from New York City, Voltaire is most recognised musically for his song Brains which was featured in The Grim Adventures of Billy and Mandy on Cartoon Network. His music can best be described as a collection of murder ballads, tongue-in-cheek exercises into the macabre, with just enough bawdy songs about Star Trek and Star Wars to keep audiences rolling with laughter! Joe Black is the infamous gin-drinking darling of the UK cabaret scene; a piano, ukulele and accordion-playing monstrosity of musical comedy. Must be seen to be believed! Music Hall for the estranged, vaudeville for the oddly inclined and cabaret for those with a taste for the unusual.
house and Les Enfants Terribles present
Dave Gorman’s Screen Build: work-in progress
THE TRENCH
Auditorium Tickets: £12 / £11 conc. / £10 Members Group rates available for parties 10+
Inspired by the story of a miner who became entombed in a tunnel during WW1, Les Enfants Terribles tour the UK with their award-winning Edinburgh Fringe sell out show, The Trench. Blending live music, puppetry and physical performance, The Trench follows one man’s epic journey as he battles for salvation and sanity. As the horror threatens to engulf him, the boundaries between reality and fantasy begin to blur as he discovers a strange world beneath the mud and death, leaving him to question what’s real, what’s not and whether it even matters? Written by Oliver Lansley (BBC2’s Whites, ITV2’s FM and SKY’s Little Crackers)
Thursday 09 May, 8pm
… the overall vision stays with you like a strange, significant dream. - Times H H H H Les Enfants Terribles’ latest creation is exciting, slick and evocative. - What’s On Stage H H H H H This incredible production was skilfully performed with strong images, imposing puppetry and powerful projected shadow film. - British Theatre Guide H H H H H Total triumph...This production uses theatre to its full potential. It’s impossible to imagine any other art form achieving the same. - Edinburgh Evening News H H H H H
Friday 10 May, 8pm Thursday 23 May, 8pm Friday 24 May, 8pm Monday 27 May, 8pm Auditorium Tickets: £15 (limited availability) The man behind Are You Dave Gorman?, Googlewhack Adventure and Dave Gorman’s Powerpoint Presentation, hosts a series of different work-in-progress shows with a little help from his laptop and a big screen. Known as one of comedy’s most innovative thinkers, all manner of topics will be discussed as Dave works out what’s funny, and what’s funnier, for this brand new show.
16+ only!
Saturday 11 May, 8pm
Guy Pratt is The Sideman Auditorium Tickets: £12 / £11 conc / £10 Members
Celebrating 30 years as the bass player of choice for the heavyweights of rock and pop... “A natural raconteur with a droll turn of phrase” - The Guardian ‘Bass players are ten a penny but a good wit is hard to find, so we hired him’ - David Gilmour ‘Limos, Lear jets and transit vans, it’s all funny with Guy… well limos and Lear jets anyway’ - Johnny Marr
04
Grammy Award winner Guy Pratt has been a crucial member of the rhythm section of mega stars such as Pink Floyd, David Gilmour, Robert Palmer, Roxy Music, Bryan Ferry, Jimmy Page, David Coverdale, Gary Moore and Womack & Womack. And when he’s not been parading his talents live on the stages of every stadium, concert hall and festival around the world, he has been a favourite studio bassist and accompanying singer for the biggest recording artists including Madonna, Michael Jackson, The Pretenders, Elton John and Kirsty MacColl. His one man show is all about life at the pointy end of the music business; Guy regales audiences with stories from behind, behind the scenes. His selfdeprecating wit is irresistible and his rip-roaring anecdotes are brilliant and outrageous. This is an evening which is both funny and frank with enough insider’s references to satisfy even aficionados - and he’ll be bringing his beloved vintage Fender bass to demonstrate his craft.
Friday 17 May, 8pm
Saturday 18 May, 8pm
Thursday 23 May, 8pm
Smurphy’s Law presents
This is Nirvana & The Food Fighterz
The Agony and Ecstasy of Steve Jobs
Auditorium £9 / £7.50 Members / £10 door
Basement studio Tickets: £12 / £11 conc. / £10 Members
The ultimate tribute night is here as we celebrate two iconic bands in an exclusive double-header!
The Agony and the Ecstasy of Steve Jobs is an emboldened, passionate diatribe that will make you question what you thought you knew about one of the world’s most worshiped brands. One of the most talked about pieces of theatre to come out of the USA in the last few years has not been without controversy. After being broadcast and subsequently retracted from the popular radio programme This American Life, this is a tale that has clearly got under the skin of audiences and media alike. As a self confessed “worshiper at the church of Apple”, the playwright tugs at heart strings, and shows how one man’s story might not be able to topple an empire, but it can certainly give it a righteous shove.
Alexandra and the Sunflowers Basement Studio Tickets: £5 You’d be forgiven for thinking it’s all about Alexandra’s stunning looks or her sultry, sexy voice. And as a casual observer or lazy listener you’d probably be quite happy on either count! But you’d be missing the point...invest a little more time, listen a little deeper and you’ll realise it’s more about the clever, witty lyrics; the memorable melodies and the fabulous latin/jazz/swing flavoured arrangements from those talented Sunflowers! Alexandra’s ‘...lovely, slightly husky, intensely sultry voice would stand well on its own, but is instead paired up with some marvelously exotic arrangements... these sounds match the sensual lyrics to form an EP that oozes musical talent as much as it oozes sex appeal’ - Heath Andrews, reviewing “Relax... I Won’t Bite...”
This Is Nirvana formed out of respect for Nirvana in order to keep their music alive in a live format and to give fans, most of whom never got the chance to see Nirvana, the opportunity to be part of a Nirvana show. Throughout 2011-12 the band has played all over the UK and Scotland and also featured on the main stage of the Glastonbudget Music Festival, where the band will also appear in 2013. The Food Fighterz are the UK’s premier Foo Fighters tribute act and pride themselves on being authentic to the sound, image and stage presence of the real band and are the closest thing you’re going to get to seeing the Foo Fighters live in your own back yard!
05
MAY
Box Office: 01753 866 865 info@firestationartscentre.com www.firestationartscentre.com
The Firestation Centre for Arts & Culture Issue 15 Spring/Summer Programme May - August 2013
SELAH D’OR
Every other Sunday, 8pm
Smurphy’s Law presents
A.T.T.I.C. Loft Tickets: £5
The fortnightly acoustic session in The Firestation’s most intimate space returns this year, with stunning headliners each Sunday. Ranging from established musicians to local upstarts, each night is guaranteed to transport you to a world of acoustic greatness.
Monthly Cabaret, Comedy & Vaudevillian Villainy
Friday 31 May, 8pm Aslan Productions present
Snap. Catch. Slam. Auditorium Tickets: £12 / £11 conc. / £10 Members A young teacher, pushed to her limit. A Polish family, devastated with nowhere to turn. A devoted mother, crushed when her guard was down. Three devastating accounts of a single minute in one day that changed everything. Snap.Catch.Slam. is an award winning new play inspired by real life events by Emma Jowett (Beachy Head and Mile End). Three intimate and raw stories of unique moments that changed lives irrevocably.
with your host, the disgraceful Joe Black
“I found myself on the edge of my seat” - Three Weeks H H H H H “…vital and satisfying viewing.” - ThePublicReviews.com H H
HHH
thursday 30 May
“A triumph.” - Metro
Andrew O’Neill
“… captivating writing” - Exeunt Best new writing at the Lost Theatre Festival
“He’s got a natural optimism and love of silliness that leaves you feeling remarkably positive... a winning blend of polemic and off-beat whimsy. The very definition of Alternative” The Guardian
Finalist in the London Theatre Writing Award 2010 Nominated for Best Actress in The Stage awards
thursday 27 June
ed gamble
Advance booking is highly recommended!
“His comic timing impeccable, natural affinity with the audience infallible. He is blessed with the magic combination of well pitched audience participation, his improvisations spot on and hilarious” Cambridge Tab
A.T.T.I.C. will take place on the following Sunday nights:
Sunday 12 May
thursday 25 july
Paul McCaffrey
Sunday 26 May Sunday 09 June Sunday 23 June Sunday 07 July Sunday 21 July Sunday 04 August Sunday 18 August
06
MAY
firestation
BAR nights
our fully licensed bar is open 7 days a week with the best jukebox in town and regular music and media events
SAT 08 JUNE, 8PM Strange & Beautiful
ALL-ROUND GOOD EGGS
WHO CAN MAKE YOUR STUFF LO0K
JOLLY GOOD
Sat 22 June, 8pm
PEOPLE OF WINDSOR PLEASE JOIN US
Sat 06 July, 8pm
MEETING ROOMS BY DUNK: WWW.THEWINDSORHOUSE.CO.UK
The Spectacles
Bar POP!
“He has charm, charisma and success written all over him” Evening Standard “Likeable, animated and fluid with a first rate sense of timing” Chortle
WWW.FACEBOOK.COM/DUNKDESIGN
thursday 29 august Last Thursday of every month, 8pm Basement Studio £10 / £9 conc / £8 Members
adam kay
“This made me very, very happy” Stephen Fry “Wonderfully funny - a comedy classic” Scotsman “Genius” Radio 1
07
INE BEaT MAGAZ
Box Office: 01753 866 865 info@firestationartscentre.com www.firestationartscentre.com
The Firestation Centre for Arts & Culture Issue 15 Spring/Summer Programme May - August 2013
an interview with singer songwriter
Marika Hackman
08
There’s no point just alienating an audience is there? Yeah, and also, longer words are harder to fit into a lyric. I definitely think about the sounds of words and the amount of syllables they have. When I write the words have to just ‘fit’ in the line. So for instance, with Cannibal, I came up with the melody, and usually when I come up with the melody I say words randomly that sort of fit, and literally the first thing I said was: ‘have you seen my nose?’
It’s a really interesting quality to be complex and minimal at the same time. So yeah, spot on! Yay! On the topic of setting yourself parameters, I’ve read that you’re quite experimental with some of your songs, like Retina Television, using only sounds made with your body rather than relying on instruments. It’s just one of those things where you sit down and think ‘let’s try something a bit different, let’s do something fun’. If you put parameters on things, it tends to make you more creative. I was on an art foundation and they would set projects that were so vague and I found that really hard. But if someone had said: ‘Ok, you’re only
“I don’t use fancy words. It’s about the imagery you can create with basic language.”
Between supporting Ethan Johns on his February tour and headlining her own UK tour in March, Marika Hackman has released her debut album That Iron Taste via Dirty Hit.
Marika reveals some of the ideas behind her enigmatic music in an interview with Beat.
just means that you get the layers without having to be really fancy with what you’re doing.
Ah, and then it just comes from there? So it’s a very organic process? Yeah, and the same with ‘Here I Lie’, coming up with it I just said ‘I have no head’ and it went from there.
by Beat editor, Rachel Dakin
On the night of the album’s release, Marika gave a haunting and thought-provoking performance at the Southbank Centre’s Purcell Room. Marika’s lyrics are richly poetic, vivid with imagery and suggestive narrative, whilst remaining sparse, direct and presented with an unnervingly restrained and self-controlled vocal delivery that makes it hard to believe this artist is only 20. What comes across most strongly from speaking to Marika is her almost childlike sense of playful experimentalism. The quietly surrealist and psychedelic quality of her music sets her apart from an industry saturated with singer-songwriters, providing somewhat of a folk-antidote.
meaning, so I don’t use fancy words. It’s about the imagery you can create with basic language.
The first thing that strikes me about your music is the rich poetic quality of your lyrics. Cannibal in particular reminds me of Sylvia Plath’s poem ‘Cut’. Yeah, I’m a massive fan of Sylvia Plath. In fact, my mum gave me loads of her books for my birthday! Literature has a big influence on my music. You obviously have an incredible imagination, your lyrics are so vivid...and morbid! Yeah, it’s weird that that side of me sort of comes out in my lyrics, maybe it’s good that it does through song rather than anything else. Haha, rather than anything else? Like an axe?
Yeah, like that film Psycho haha. But yeah, we lived in the countryside and my mum was very strict about how much TV we watched, and she’d literally force me and my brother outside and then we’d go off and run around and start inventing things and playing games and spying on people and stuff like that. I was going to say, I think there’s a quite a childish imagination at play in your lyrics. I think I must be quite immature! No! The thing that’s incredible is that your lyrics are so imaginative and vivid and morbid, which is brilliant, but you have this very mature, minimal delivery. Yeah, I also think that you can use the simplest words to convey
That’s interesting. I think your singing has a very luxurious quality, where you let the lyrics almost take over. I think that you really tap into the musicality of language Well it’s a major compliment that you said that because that’s what I try and do. Even though people always comment on my lyrics, they are there because they are, in effect, the melody. They are the music, it’s the same thing. Yes, I recognise certain recurring melodies, but really your music is quite paired-down, it’s quite raw. When I find a melody I like, I stick with it and keep it quite simple. Even though something like Mountain Spines changes key continuously, I set myself the challenge to stick to and end up with this quite strange melody. If I take the guitar out from underneath it, it’s actually quite hard to sing. Right, because you haven’t got anything to guide you? The guitar is almost like a ladder? Exactly. Everything has to go together and with the lyrics all coming in at the same time, it
allowed to use this, and you’ve got to do it like this’, then you have to find a route out of it. You referred to your art foundation, and we spoke previously about how literature feeds into your lyrics, I wondered if there’s an exchange with art? I think there probably is. Everything goes into it in some way. I love Egon Schiele, and Klimt obviously, but I prefer Schiele. Bosch, because he’s mad. I love Turner, I love Heemskerck, do you know Heemskerck? No, I must look him up! He’s a Dutch painter. There are these rooms with lights and the figures are always from behind. It’s very still, but it’s mysterious and very calm. That mysteriousness definitely translates in your music. I’ve heard that you’re thinking about getting a band? Yeah, we’re in the process of doing that. Just a couple of guys who are multi-instrumentalists. We’re not going to try and recreate the records, we’re going to try and do a live show. So many artists have
a record out, and then when they do their concerts they basically have a backing track so it makes it sound identical to what you hear on your radio or whatever. But I want the live show to be different. Even if people have bought the record, they should come and see the live show because it’s going to be something different, because the song’s performed in a different way. Of course, like ‘Retina Televison’ had to be different, I was really interested to see how you would translate that into a live performance. I think I’m going to keep that stripped down, with me hitting the guitar. After talking about songs like ‘Mountain Spines’ being quite complex, how do you think that would work with a band coming in? Do you think you’d have to change your sound a bit? Maybe. We’ll see how it evolves. We’ll maintain quite a natural, organic process and play around with it. I mean, there are obviously things we can recreate from the record. But it would be fun to play around. Again, it’s a case of setting parameters. Having a live band, there’s only so much you can do, there’s only three of us. So that’s where the creativity starts over again, working on top of these songs. So it’s going to be really exciting to see what we come up with. Yes, your music has such an experimental, and quite psychedelic, quality. I was thinking your music is almost anti-folk. Would you say that? Yeah, people try and bracket you straight away and label you as ‘the new folk singer-songwriter’, so you’re the next Laura Marling, or the next Lucy Rose or whatever. And it’s kind of like, have you actually listened to my records? I love Laura Marling, but I don’t think our music is the same. It’s so different. I think it’s
INE BEaT MAGAZ
almost sexist, because people wouldn’t make those comparisons between two male artists. Yeah that’s true. Obviously, it’s really exciting that you’ve got this EP launching today! And your tour. You’ve been on tour for a while haven’t you? Yeah, since the 1st of February with Ethan. And you’re headlining your own independent tour? You must be really excited about that. Yeah, it starts on Thursday the 28th. I love doing supports, especially at a venue like this (Southbank Centre’s Purcell Room) with Ethan Johns, where people actually listen. Yeah, you’re not competing with a rowdy crowd. But with the headline tour there’s added pressure because people have actually paid to come and see me. But it’s very interesting to see, at this stage in the game, how many people turn up. And chatting to people afterwards, I really love doing that. That must be really helpful. Yeah, just like, ‘inflating my ego’! But yeah, it’s nice to mingle. Well yes, because you are really quite new on the scene, aren’t you? You’ve only released three songs before this EP, right? Well, I had released ‘You Come Down’ and ‘Mountain Spine’. ‘You Come Down’ was a single, and ‘Mountain Spine’ was an AA side, and then ‘Cannibal’ has been played as the sort of preview to the album, but it hasn’t actually been released to buy. It’s released today. So you’ve been active for just a year? And you’ve just rocketed! It’s exciting. Yeah, it’s exciting. I just take each day as it comes. You can download ‘That Iron Taste’ today and a free Covers EP at: http://www.marikahackman.com/
“If you put parameters on things, it tends to make you more creative.”
09
Box Office: 01753 866 865 info@firestationartscentre.com www.firestationartscentre.com
The Firestation Centre for Arts & Culture Issue 15 Spring/Summer Programme May - August 2013
Led by the superb, well-known Eastender,
the form of Paul, whose story won’t be
the night I went) is all of the above. The
John Partridge, seventeen dancers are
overly dissimilar to many watching, which
simplicity is spellbinding, and the use of
each fighting for one of the eight places
is meticulously told and beautifully handled
mirrors as an alternate backdrop (designed
available in the chorus. This bunch of
by Gary Wood; and then there’s Cassie.
by Robin Wagner) is intelligently employed.
twinkletoes is superb across the board, and
She’s the pinnacle of this production, and
This musical was last found in London in
it’s a delight to spend two hours getting to
the desperation to see her solo dance is felt
1976 on Drury Lane, and this is a testament
know them, and why gaining a place on
unanimously throughout the auditorium, for
to the timeless classic that is welcomed
the stage is so important. What begins as
which Scarlett Strallen receives a rapturous
back in town with open arms.
just another audition becomes an audition
applause. It’s one of the most majestic
tied up with emotion and significance. The
things to be found on a West End stage and
This production is booking until January
essential commitment to every pointed
will move you the length of the Thames.
2014 at the London Palladium.
in abundance; we leave the Palladium in
The repetition of monologues and solo
Adam Penny is the founder and managing
absolute awe. Sheila (the stunning Leigh
performances is gripping, if a little heavy
editor of the brilliant and indispensable
Zimmerman) is on the path to becoming
and lacking an interval. It’s certainly not
London theatre review site: What’s Peen
the woman her mother never was; Ed
a problem or hindrance, barely even that
Seen? This article was originally published
Currie effortlessly lives up to the demands
notable, but the number of people leaving
on What’s Peen Seen?
of hilarious Bobby; heartbreak comes in
during the performance (certainly on
toe and every note flies from the stage
super
A Chorus Line is 120 minutes of musical theatre celebrating itself, purely demonstrating not only the glitz of performing on a big stage but the hard graft that comes in equal measure. This is a major revival of a groundbreaking American musical suitably timed to pay a great tribute to the multi award-winning composer, Marvin Hamilisch, who unexpectedly passed away recently.
culture
Adam Penny gets raptured and spellbound at the London Palladium
superculture superculture superculture
A Chorus Line
INE BEaT MAGAZ
s u super p culture e r c superculture u l superculture sup sup sup superculture t superculture erc erc erc sup sup sup ult ult u erc ercult erc supercultureure ult ult ult ure ure ure ure ure r superculture e superculture superculture superculture superculture superculture superculture superculture superculture
INE BEaT MAGAZ
sup erc ult ure
superculture
supe supe rcult rcult ure ure
Superculture!
€#supercultureiscoming
10
11
FEBRUARY JUNE
Box Office: 01753 866 865 info@firestationartscentre.com www.firestationartscentre.com
The Firestation Centre for Arts & Culture Issue 15 Spring/Summer Programme May - August 2013
FEBRUARY JUNE
Saturday 01 June, 2pm - midnight
PLAY! 2013
Come and play at Royal Holloway University’s FREE one-day arts festival – where theatre, dance, music, comedy, creative writing, debate and media meet to showcase the best of creations by students and staff. Open to all ages and with something for everyone, drop in to our varied programme of finished performances, works in progress and interactive workshops, all with the chance to see behind the scenes with technical preparation and set up. Forget your usual theatre tickets – Play! allows you to roam between spaces and events at your leisure, giving you the opportunity to fully immerse yourself in the whole line-up. What are you waiting for? Come and play!
All Spaces Free admission but pre-registration is required To register, please visit http://tinyurl.com/Play2013 Featured this year:
Underground Clown Club Film screenings
the firestation previews
Balkan Ensemble Shakespeare Society
The Edinburgh Festival
New writing Student Workshop Drawing, animation and documentary-making Late aftershow club night by Insanity Radio
rhul.ac.uk/play
some Audience feedback for Play! 2012 : “Interesting, creative, innovative and moving, in different ways.” “Lovely venue, fantastic for seeing new talent.” “Informal, vibrant and supportive of new work.”
ity ton, high qual A 100 % Cot ith w ed en az bl Tea-Towel em provocation n io at st re the Fi - LONG LIVE ‘ART IS DEAD r the culture CULTURE!’. Fo eur and provocat vulture, chef 2.95 in your life!. £1
This su p beautifu erb 18”x12” print is l and a a uthenti the Fire c p iece by station Christo ’s re sident Viola. P artist, reoccu female pied w form, C ith the hristo’s photog raphy a artwork ims to and and all be pro uring, a vocativ s well a e s gentl e and sensitiv e. £ 1 2 5
The Edinburgh Festival Fringe is the largest arts festival in the world and takes place every August in Scotland’s capital city. Platforming performances from all genres, it is the most vibrant and diverse arts festival on the planet.
Wednesday 05 June, 8pm
Friday 07 June, 8pm
Wednesday 24 July, 8pm
James Mullinger: Living the Dream!
Jimmy McGhie
Basement Studio Tickets: £9 / £8 conc. / £7 Members
with special guests Basement Studio Tickets: £10 / £9 conc. / £8 Members
Each year, the Fringe sees an emergence of the next best thing: this could be cutting edge theatre (The Trench), stunning dance (The Gambler) or the next comedy sensation (we’ve had too many to list!). It’s often the case that these stunning breakthoughs will only be seen once they’ve broken; whether that’s on your TV, in the arenas, or if we’re lucky, right here warming-up at The Firestation. Well, we’ve made sure the Fringe comes to you for a change with the chance to see cutting edge work heading up to Edinburgh before anyone else. Keep an eye out for the ‘Fringe Preview’ stamp in this brochure and join us for the Fringe at The Firestation!
A highly regarded young stand-up and comic performer, Jimmy performs on the UK and international comedy circuit to great acclaim. Having previously supported Chris Addison and Simon Bird on tour, co-presented the Dave Gorman radio show and performed the coveted stand-up slot on BBC Three’s Russell Howard’s Good News, Jimmy’s comedy stock is set to go into the stratosphere. Jimmy has taken three solo shows to the Edinburgh Festival, receiving rave reviews. “See him now before you have to queue around the O2”
James Mullinger is about to before a father for the second time and he tells all on pregnancy, fatherhood, farts and Thomas The Tank Engine as well as life on the road, meeting Paul McCartney and his past as a hard drinking party machine when he lived near Windsor. Packed with hilarious stories, non-stop gags and a honesty rarely seen in stand up comedy, you are guaranteed to leave the show with a smile on your face and a spring in your step. “Fast paced, intelligent and very very funny.” - Shappi Khorsandi “Fantastic, very talented and very funny. The next big thing.” - Michael McIntyre “A great show, very funny stuff.” - Time Out
mus
ic an
d vis
uals
for t
he li
ving
love & emptiness The Firestation Centre for Arts & Culture Saturday 08 June 8pm Sunday 30 June 12pm Sunday 25 August 12pm
12
13
FEBRUARY JUNE
Box Office: 01753 866 865 info@firestationartscentre.com www.firestationartscentre.com
The Firestation Centre for Arts & Culture Issue 15 Spring/Summer Programme May - August 2013
FEBRUARY JUNE
Saturday 22 June, 8pm
Rhys Matthewson & David Morgan Basement Studio Tickets: £10 / £9 conc. / £8 Members A double-bill of preview shows from two of the UK’s fastest rising comedians! David Morgan is an award nominated stand-up and highly sought after MC. His debut show Triple Threat premiered at Dave’s Leicester Comedy Festival where it earned a nomination for Best New Show and was then shortlisted for the Amused Moose Laughter Award at the Edinburgh Fringe in 2011. TV credits include: Most Shocking Celebrity Moments 2012 ( FIVE), Big Brother’s Bit on the Side (FIVE), Geordie Shore’s Mint Bits (MTV) and Tweets of The Year (ITV).
www.comedyclub4kids.co.uk
Friday 14 June, 8pm
Saturday 15 June, 1pm
Friday 21 June, 8pm
Saturday 22 June, 8pm
Pete firman
Comedy club 4 Kids
Piff the Magic Dragon
Chris Dugdale: Magic & Mischief
Basement Studio Tickets: £12 / £10 Members
Auditorium Tickets: £8.50 adults / £5.50 children
Auditorium Tickets: £10
Auditorium Tickets: £10 / £8 Members
The UK’s top comedic conjuror brings his latest box of tricks to Windsor. Fresh from BBC1s The Magicians, and hosting duties on E4’s The Body Shocking Show, Pete previews his brand new Edinburgh Festival show for 2013.
Like the name says, it’s a Comedy Club 4 Kids!
Piff is an award winning comedian, combining stunning magic with delightfully deadpan humour.
You’ve seen him on TV, now see him live!
“The new poster-boy for British comedy magic” - The Telegraph “The best magic tricks in the Universe.” - Independent
Cracking entertainment for everyone over six years old and under 400 years old (no vampires or Highlanders). We have the best comedians from the UK and world circuit doing what they do best… but without the rude bits! “A highlight for children... giving them a taste of some of the biggest names in comedy with the fun, rowdy feel of a real comedy club.” The Guardian
The stand out star of ITV1’s Penn & Teller: Fool Us, Piff’s appearance was an instant sensation, racking up over ten million views on YouTube and being voted one of TV’s 50 Greatest Magic Tricks. In the past year Piff has performed a hit season at the Sydney Opera House, worked with The Muppets at Radio City Music Hall in New York and opened for Mumford & Sons on their recent UK tour.
Chris Dugdale returns to The Firestation this Summer with an exclusive Edinburgh preview of his newest show, Magic & Mischief! A unique blend of magic, mind control and mischief, packed full of dynamic, hard hitting magic that will entertain and astound! Having performed at 9 Royal Performances including a private show for H.M The Queen, catch him in Windsor for one night only! “The most amazing ending to any trick ever” - ITV
Saturday 15 June, 8pm
Saturday 29 June, 8pm
The Underground Clown Club present
Luisa Omielan: What Would Beyonce Do?!
Pictures, Petals and Rain
Auditorium Tickets: £12 / £10 conc. + Members
Basement Studio Tickets: £7.50 / £5 conc. and Members Since being founded in 2011, The Underground Clown Club have been producing a wide variety of plays, poetry and other new writing from their base at Royal Holloway University of London. Pictures, Petals and Rain is the conclusion of their theatre project that has been in the works since the companies beginning: Three plays written together as a trilogy, performed together in one evening for the first time. The company will be performing: A Table Set For Two; A Play About Love How to Dance; A Play About Life Safe; A Play About Loss.
14
At the 2010 New Zealand International Comedy Festival, Rhys Matthewson was written into NZ comedy history when he was awarded the highly coveted Billy T Award with his show Rhyspect, making him the youngest ever recipient at only 19 years of age. In 2013 Rhys’s debut UK tour show was nominated for Best New Show at Leicester Comedy Festival and he has recently written for Jason Manford’s Good News, Bad News (ITV1).
Friday 21 June, 8pm
Saturday 29 June, 2:30pm
rope
The Elephant Bridesmaid
Basement studio Tickets: £7.50 / £5 conc. and Members
Auditorium Tickets: £8.50 adults / £7.50 children / Family £28
Rope is a morality play that explores two undergraduates’ attempt to commit a murder... without any consequences. Brandon, a fortunate and highly intellectual student, persuades his timid friend Granillo to assist him in committing murder, in the very room where a dinner party is about to take place. The duo host a bizarre dinner party with the guests wondering why their meal is being served from the chest in the centre of the room...
Written especially for parents to enjoy with their children, The Elephant Bridesmaid is a magical musical about weddings and wombats and the loveliest elephant the world has ever known. So, join Nessie the Elephant and her fantastic animal friends and help them as they go in search of an outfit fancy enough (and large enough) to make her the Australian jungle’s first and most beautiful Elephant Bridesmaid! (For ages 4 to 104!)
All My Single Ladies, you know when you spotted your Baby’s Father Father, and you fall Crazy In Love but it all goes tits up and you’re all Me, Myself and I, then you Get Me Bodied, and you’re like hold up, he’s the Best Thing I Never Had, I must have bumped my head because Who Runs The World? Well, if like me you’re an Independent Woman who still lives with your mumma, come check out What Would Beyonce Do?! I want you to say Hello and let’s get this party Jumpin’ Jumpin’ Two sell-out runs at Soho Theatre and smash hit runs in Edinburgh and Shoreditch, with every performance full to bursting! #WhatWouldBeyonceDo
15
DIA R Y
The Firestation Centre for Arts & Culture Issue 15 Spring/Summer Programme May - August 2013
events may
Box Office: 01753 866 865 info@firestationartscentre.com www.firestationartscentre.com
Your at-a-glance guide to all events and performances from MAY through to AUGUST. For all up-to-date info please check our website www.firestationartscentre.com or call the Box Office 01753 866865
june
july
august
01 WED
01 SAT 2pm Play 2013 / Page 12
01 MON Dance Week: 4Motion Workshops / Page 20
01 THU
02 THU 8pm Voltaire and Joe Black / Page 04
02 SUN
02 TUE Dance Week: 4Motion Workshops / Page 20 8pm Dance on Film / Page 20
02 FRI
03 FRI
03 MON
03 WED Dance Week: 4Motion Workshops / Page 20
03 SAT 1pm Kid’s Club: Activity Day / Page 29
04 SAT 8.00pm A.t.t.i.c, / Page 06
04 TUE
04 THU Dance Week: 4Motion Workshops / Page 20 8pm Dance on Film / Page 20
04 SUN 8pm A.t.t.i.c. / Page 06
05 SUN
05 WED 8pm Jimmy McGhie / Page 13
05 FRI 7.30pm 4Motion Dance Performance / Page 30
05 MON
06 MON
06 THU
06 SAT 7.30pm 4Motion Dance Performance / Page 30 8pm Bar POP!
06 TUE
07 TUE
07 FRI 8pm James Mullinger: Living the Dream / Page 13
07 SUN 8pm A.t.t.i.c. / Page 06
07 WED
08 WED
08 SAT 1pm Kid’s Club: Treasure Planet / Page 28 8pm Strange & Beautiful / Page 13
08 MON
08 THU
09 THU 8pm Dave Gorman Screen Build: Work in Progress / Page 04
09 SUN 8pm A.t.t.i.c. / Page 06
09 TUE
09 FRI 8pm Overtones / Page 26
10 FRI 8pm Dave Gorman Screen Build: Work in Progress / Page 04
10 MON
10 WED
10 SAT 1pm Kid’s Club: Madagascar 3 / Page 29
11 SAT 1pm Kid’s Club: Brave / Page 28 8pm Guy Pratt is The Sideman / Page 04
11 TUE
11 THU
11 SUN
12 SUN 8pm A.t.t.i.c. / Page 06
12 WED
12 FRI 8pm Penance / Page 21 8pm Friday Night Jive / Page 20
12 MON
13 MON
13 THU
13 SAT 1pm Kid’s Club: Return to Neverland / Page 29 8pm Mark Thomas: 100 Acts of Minor Dissent / Page 21
13 TUE
14 TUE
14 FRI 8pm Pete Firman / Page 14
14 SUN
14 WED
15 WED
15 SAT 1pm Kid’s Club: Comedy Club 4 Kids / Page 14 8pm Pictures, Petals and Rain / Page 14
15 MON
15 THU
16 THU 8pm The Trench / Page 05
16 SUN
16 TUE
16 FRI 8pm International Guitar Night / Page 26
17 FRI 8pm Alexandra and The Sunflowers / Page 05
17 MON
17 WED
17 SAT 1pm & 4pm Treasure Island / Page 26
18 SAT 1pm Kid’s Club: Activity Day / Page 28 8pm This Is Nirvana & The Food Fighterz / Page 05
18 TUE
18 THU 7.45pm Book Swap / Page 21
18 SUN 8pm A.t.t.i.c. / Page 06
19 SUN
19 WED
19 FRI 8pm Tom Deacon, Rhys James Tom Toal / Page 21
19 MON
20 MON
20 THU
20 SAT 1pm Kid’s Club: Wreck-It Ralph / Page 29
20 TUE 8pm Josh Widdicombe: Greatest Hits So Far / Page 27
21 TUE
21 FRI 8pm Piff The Magic Dragon / Page 14 8pm Rope / Page 14
21 SUN 8pm A.t.t.i.c. / Page 06
21 WED
22 WED
22 SAT
22 MON
22 THU
23 THU 8pm Dave Gorman Screen Build: Work in Progress / Page 04 8pm The Agony and Ecstasy of Steve Jobs / Page 05
23 SUN 8pm A.t.t.i.c. / Page 06
23 TUE
23 FRI
24 FRI 8pm Dave Gorman Screen Build: Work in Progress / Page 04
24 MON
24 WED 8pm Jimmy McGhie / Page 13
24 SAT 1pm Kid’s Club: Rise of The Guardians / Page 28 8pm Glitter Box / Page 26
25 SAT
25 TUE
25 THU 8pm Selah D’Or featuring Paul McCaffrey / Page 07
25 SUN 12pm BBQ featuring Strange & Beautiful / Page 23
26 SUN 8pm A.t.t.i.c. / Page 06
26 WED
26 FRI 8pm A Writer’s Lot / Page 22
26 MON 12pm BBQ Smurphy’s Law Live Set Special / Page 23
27 MON 12pm BBQ featuring Better Mechanics / Page 23 8pm Dave Gorman Screen Build: Work in Progress / Page 04
27 THU 8pm Selah D’Or featuring Ed Gamble / Page 07
27 SAT 2.30pm & 7.30pm Outdoor Theatre / Page 22 8pm New York Dolls / Page 22
27 TUE
28 TUE
28 FRI
28 SUN 2.30pm & 7.30pm Outdoor Theatre / Page 22 12pm BBQ hosted by Flow / Page 23
28 WED
29 WED
29 SAT 12pm Dance in The Park / Page 20 2.30pm The Elephant Bridesmaid / Page 15 8pm Luisa Omielan / Page 15
29MON
29 THU 8pm Selah D’Or featuring Adam Kay / Page 07
30 THU 8pm Selah D’Or featuring Andrew O’Neill / Page 07
30 SUN 12pm BBQ featuring Strange & Beautiful / Page 23
30 TUE
30 FRI
31 WED
31 SAT 12pm The Big Picnic / Page 27
31 FRI 8pm Snap. Catch. Slam. / Page 06
16
1pm Kid’s Club: Hotel Transylvania / Page 28 8pm Chris Dugdale: Magic & Mischief / Page 15 8pm The Spectacles DJ set in the Bar 8pm Rhys Matthewson & David Morgan / Page 15
DIARY
17
INE BEaT MAGAZ
Box Office: 01753 866 865 info@firestationartscentre.com www.firestationartscentre.com
The Firestation Centre for Arts & Culture Issue 15 Spring/Summer Programme May - August 2013
Neil Kavanagh explores the latest innovators in music ....and the challenges they face
There are two great things about the live screening of performances in cinemas: the reduced price and multiple venues enable wider accessibility to a more diverse audience, it also softens the blow when you see a complete travesty and have avoided buying tickets at the Royal Opera House.
by Rachel Dakin
[
] Tchaikovsky’s lyrical adaptation of Pushkin’s verse novel ‘Eugene Onegin’, directed by Kasper Holten at the ROH, carried great expectations. Sadly, Holten’s directorial debut became an unfortunate example of life reflecting art: naïve and chaotic, much like Tatyana’s impassioned and impulsive letter. Although Shoreditch’s Rich Mix cinema lacks the sophistication and grandeur of the Opera house, the screening compensated for this with a useful introduction to the performance, including interviews with the cast, costume and set designers, conductor and Holten, revealing some directorial decisions and aspects of the rehearsal process. Holten expressed a desire to channel Tchaikovsky’s vision of a simple and direct performance, in contrast with the grand operas so popular in the 1870s. Whereas Pushkin’s novel is elaborate, highly-stylsed and embedded with textual references, Tchaikovsky’s interpretation is essentially reduced to romantic tragedy and the familiar pain of regret. Holten’s production emphasizes this focus on nostalgia and the power of memory. However, rather than maximizing its simplicity and sincerity, his decisions overcomplicate the lyrical opera. This confusion is primarily caused by Holten’s decision to cast younger versions of Tatyana and Onegin, in the hope of exaggerating the nostalgia and regret for
mistakes made in their youth. Initially, this seems relatively effective: the dancer, VIgdIs Hentze Olsen, depicting a young Tatyana provides a spectral, fleeting reminder of the past. The counterparts linked by their bold and recognizable red dresses, suggesting Tatyana’s passionate sentiment. However, this double-act soon becomes irritating and distracting. The poignancy of the famous letter-scene, in particular, was ruined by the dizzying sensation of double vision. Melodramatic pirouettes and gyrations detracted from Krassimira Stoyanoya’s performance, which alone would have been more powerful and moving. Another pivotal scene in the Opera is similarly tainted: the fatal duel between Onegin and Lensky, following Onegin’s flagrant flirtation with his best friend’s lover and Tatyana’s younger sister, Olga. Simon Keenlyside portrays Onegin as an unsophisticated flirt, rather than the imperious and bored aristocrat that Pushkin notoriously modeled on himself. The tragic duel is confused and verges on the ridiculous, as the old Onegin observes the unfolding scene with angst, whispering into his younger self’s ear in a hopeless effort to reverse fate. Tchaikovsky’s masterpiece dissolves into a crude take on ‘A Christmas Carol’, with the protagonist clumsily re-encountering the ghosts of his past. After Lensky is shot dead, the scene is similarly assassinated when the old Onegin takes the pistol from the young Onegin’s hands and gestures at suicide.
Not only is this a glaring inconsistency, as the pair suddenly acknowledge each other, but the poignancy of this central scene is reduced to pantomime. As the performance lurches on, the stage is increasingly strewn with the wreckage of these memories: piles of novels belonging to the bookish young Tatyana; bales of hay representing their provincial youth in the country; snow lacing the surfaces; the large incumbent tree branch present at the duel, and the dead body of Lensky lying centre-stage, inert. These objects effectively signify the events that haunt Onegin’s mind and traumatise his present, though they also clutter the stage and interfere with the sleek minimalism of the set design. The performance was saved by the endurance and magnificence of Tchaikovsky’s score, conducted by the young and energetic Robin Ticciati, leading the tremendous Orchestra. Pavol Breslik’s Lensky received the biggest applause, and rightly so. Equally captivating was Elena Maximova’s Olga, which suggests that casting doubles for Tatyana and Onegin was the show’s main downfall. During the introduction, Holten inadvertently revealed what was perhaps the cause of his muddled direction: ‘This opera has a very special place in my heart […] When you do a piece that you really love, it’s almost sometimes harder than when you do a piece that you find tricky.’
INE BEaT MAGAZ
As we gradually emerge into the months of Spring, it is clear to see a unanimous consensus across the UK music press tipping which emerging acts are on course to set the world alight and reap the rewards of (relatively) untold fame and fortune. However the ‘Class of 2013’ have their work cut in terms of delivering a truly innovative sound - a task that seemingly only becomes open for argument upon reflection once withstanding the test of time. In their defence, musical innovation is pretty tricky. There are only a certain amount of notes, all of which don’t fit in certain chords, which don’t fit in certain keys. Certain chords don’t progress well from one to another and there are only two conventional time signatures used in most popular music– and one doesn’t even get used that much. There are millions of songs. The chance of replication arising is inevitable. We must differentiate by aesthetics, experimentalism and deliverance. I fear that this decade (whatever it’s called – ‘Teensies’?!) will be remembered in musical history for the ‘some DJ feat. some rapper/singer formula’ that occupies cultureless meat market nightclubs on Saturday nights (I’m looking at you,
Guetta!). And putting this current social monstrosity alongside 60’s psych, 70s’ glam or punk and 80s’ new wave, it’s just embarrassing. Cue: Savages. The all-girl quartet creates a violent, dark and artistic noise, which tips its hat to the post-punk and goth eras of decades past, yet is still modern and, more importantly, meaningful. It has message. Savages avalanche their way into our eardrums at a time where a lot of people in this country are angry, especially the youth, and there seems to be a level of understanding between music and society, perfectly reflected in their tense live performance. Birmingham’s Swim Deep make shameless pop music, but it’s it drenched in (what alternative culture would regard as) ‘cool’ –
a concept that is somewhat groundbreaking in itself. Putting their 90’s grunge hairstyles and attire aside, their acknowledgement of themselves as a pop band is incredibly warming – exemplified by regarding themselves as a cross between Duran Duran and One Direction. Jokers. Fellow ‘B-Town’ cool kids and Swim Deeps’ bromancers Peace collect scraps of influence from the past, but infuse their own melting pot of contingent identity. A consistent theme to their sound is partying. Most of their material was written for the dancefloor, yet they can still throw out a few surprises. ‘California Daze’ knocked everyone’s sock off last summer because it’s simply a GREAT song – in the most classical sense of the word – and even though being an anomaly to the party vibes
it stretches their character to a further level of integrity. Sonically, there’s nothing revolutionary about Temples. It’s neo-psychedelic pop that could be an extract from Woodstock ‘69. That isn’t necessarily a bad thing. The songs are extremely enjoyable and well written with suitably apt production and I can understand their inevitable success from a generation that still demands this sound (look how galactic Tame Impala have become recently, for example). Their revivalism encourages the argument that maybe this decade doesn’t need pure innovation and we’ve just accepted that we are drowning in post-modernism. Niall Kavanagh is an East London based writer for ‘This is Fake DIY’, ‘The 405’ and ‘Sex Beat’.
Peace
Savages Swim Deep
18
19
FEBRUARY JULY
Box Office: 01753 866 865 info@firestationartscentre.com www.firestationartscentre.com
The Firestation Centre for Arts & Culture Issue 15 Spring/Summer Programme May - August 2013
FEBRUARY JULY
Saturday 29 June – Saturday 06 July
Dance Week! A jam-packed week of classes, workshops, dance on film and live performances!
The Firestation and 4Motion present a Dance Festival extravaganza! This year, we have a BIGGER, BETTER and more EXTRAVAGANT festival in store for you! With dance events taking place over an entire week, including Dance in the Park for all the family and friends, Dance on Film cinema screenings, workshops throughout the week, and an exciting 2-night Performance Showcase, there’s something for everyone!
Saturday 29 June, 12:00pm – 4:00pm
Dance in the Park!
Tuesday 02 July Thursday 04 July
Bachelors Acre Free Admission
Dance on film
A free to attend event for all ages and abilities. Join The Firestation’s dance tutors for a day of free workshops out in the sun! Presented by our dance partners; 4Motion, Swingland, Starlight Dance, Blossom Ballet and SOTA!
Auditorium Tickets: £7.25 / £5.75 conc. / £4 Members Tue 02 Jul: Matthew Bourne’s Swan Lake, 7:30pm Thu 04 Jul: Black Swan, 8:00pm
Friday 12 July, 8pm
Saturday 13 July, 8pm
Thursday 18 July, 7:45pm
penance
Mark Thomas: 100 acts of MINOR Dissent
Book Swap
Basement Studio £6
Auditorium Tickets: £10 / £8 conc. and Members
Auditorium Tickets: £5
After seething in the shadows of suburban Surrey, Penance is screaming through the drudge that infects the live scene, shredding stages and audiences in their wake, with the unique sound that can only be described as the bastardised lovechild from when Doom Metal violated Metal Core!
Mark Thomas is well versed in the art of creative mayhem and over the years his troublemaking has changed laws, cost companies millions and annoyed those who most deserved to be. Now he returns to what he does best, mischief- joyously bad behaviour with a purpose.
Novelist Marie Philips (author of Gods Behaving Badly) and publisher Scott Pack continue to host an evening of conversation and banter in this increasingly popular literary event.
Penance are sure to always bring something new to any night of live music. The past three years have seen the band wowing crowds across England with their catchy riffs and exuberant energy on stage. Headlining a number of venues The Peel, The Purple Turtle and the Camden Underworld, catch them live, for one night only, at The Firestation!
After his award winning show Bravo Figaro, Mark sets himself the task of committing 100 Acts of Minor Dissent in the space of a year. Mark catalogues everything from the smallest and silliest gesture to the grandest confrontations and the results are subversive, hilarious, mainly legal and occasionally inspiring.
You won’t hear boring speeches, the same old questions or authors reading from their latest book - but you could witness almost anything else. Audience members are required to bring an unwanted book along with them which they will have the opportunity to swap for another. And there’s tea and cake! The Firestation Book swap continues to go from strength to strength, with literary festival appearances and much interest from radio and TV.
Saturday 29 June – Saturday 06 July Friday 19 July, 8pm
4Motion Dance Festival 2013
Edinburgh Preview
4Motion is back this summer to present its’ week long Professional and Community Dance Festival, culminating with an exciting 2-night Performance Showcase.
featuring Tom Deacon
4Motion’s Youth Companies and School Groups will perform along side our community adult dance group ‘4MAD’. 4Motion’s professional company will present an exert from their Brighton Fringe touring performance, and we will also welcome returning 4MDT dance graduates and guest professional companies from London and the local area. Don’t miss out on Windsor’s dance event of the year and your chance to see the best of emerging talent in dance performance, choreography and dance on film. There is something for everyone – take part, try out or simple sit back and enjoy, so join 4Motion this summer for what promises to be an exciting dance week! Performances: Friday 5th & Saturday 6th July, 7.30pm
Monday 01 July - Thursday 04 July
4motion workshops Join 4Motion for a series of workshops, every morning from 10am.
20
Audiotorium Tickets: £12 / £10 conc. and Members A night of jam-packed comedy as we preview some of the hottest comedy heading to this year’s Fringe Festival! With three comedians on the bill, laughter is guaranteed! Your line up for the night is:
Friday 12 July, 8pm
Friday Night Jive Auditorium Tickets: £5 Classic swing, jive and boogie all night long, with resident DJs and exhibitions, with a special class from 8pm to get you in the mood! For more information on our swing and jive classes, see page 30.
Tom Deacon Host of Tom’s Wednesday Night Club, (BBC Radio 1); as seen on Dave’s One Night Stand and The Rob Brydon Show (BBC2) Rhys James (AAA Stand-Up Edinburgh 2012), “Amazing skills for someone so young” - Comedy Central Tom Toal (Finalist Leicester Square Act of the Year 2011; Laughing Horse Act of the Year 2011)
21
FEBRUARY JULY
Box Office: 01753 866 865 info@firestationartscentre.com www.firestationartscentre.com
The Firestation Centre for Arts & Culture Issue 15 Spring/Summer Programme May - August 2013
Saturday 27 July, 8pm (doors 7pm)
Sylvain Sylvain of the New York Dolls + support Auditorium Tickets: £16 standing / £18.50 seated Sylvain Sylvain was one of the creative member’s of the truly trend setting inspirational band of the seventies, The New York Dolls. Their visual style influenced the sound and the look of many new wave and 1980s-era glam metal groups, and they were at the pinnacle of the local New York scene that later spawned The Ramones, Blondie, Television and Talking Heads. The band was influenced by vintage rhythm and blues, the early Rolling Stones, classic American girl group songs, and proto-punk bands such as the MC5 and The Stooges, as well as glam rockers such as Marc Bolan. In synthesizing this wide variety of influences they created something which critic Stephen Thomas Erlewine wrote “doesn’t really sound like anything that came before it. It’s hard rock with a self-conscious wit, a celebration of camp and kitsch that retains a menacing, malevolent edge.”
Friday 26 July, 8pm
A Writer’s Lot
BARBECUE
ar B ar B , k , s k u s d u d 1122ppmm -
After splitting in 1975, Sylvain went on to record solo albums. In 2004, Morrissey asked them to play Meltdown Festival in London and the band reformed for more shows including the O2 Wireless Festival and Lounge on the Farm in 2008. They also brought out a new album; “Dancing Backwards in High Heels” in 2011.
Basement Tickets: £7.50 / £5 conc. and Members James William is a writer who, whilst struggling to bring his newest play to life and to reign in his conceited actors, is fighting to convince everyone that, to make good theatre, you must have a death at the end. His violent plotlines and the worries of his real-life girlfriend, sees him sent to a psychologist to treat this strange ‘fixation’ with death.
Now, Sylvain Sylvain is going back out on the road with His version of the New York Dolls. They will be playing classic Dolls tunes as well as his own new material including the latest single “Leaving New York“. This band can rock and roll any venue to its foundations and they’re here, in Windsor, for one night only!
An exclusive Edinburgh Fringe preview of a new black comedy which follows one writer’s mental decline into the surreal world of his plays.
Monday 27 May
featuring Better Mechanics
Sunday 30 June
relax on our sun-drenched terrace with summer grooves from our special guest djs, great value drinks and our famous barbeCue offering the best in freshly prepared food
featuring Strange & Beautiful & The Flying Ducks Pop-up kitchen
Sunday 28 July
Hosted by Flow & The Cattle Grid Pop-up grill
Saturday 27 & Sunday 28 July
The Tales of peter rabbit and benjamin bunny (2:30pm) Twelfth Night (7:30pm) Venue: St. George’s School, Windsor Castle
(Please note, performances will commence whatever the weather)
The Tales of Peter Rabbit & Benjamin Bunny
Twelfth Night
Tickets: £10 Adult / £7.50 Child / £30 Family Ticket / Groups of 10 or more £7 each
£14 Adult / £12 Members / £10 Child / £40 Family Ticket / Groups of 10 or more, £10 each
Peter Rabbit knows very well that he is not to go into Mr McGregor’s garden, especially as it was there that his father met his untimely end - put into a pie! But he cannot resist... and it’s only after several nasty scrapes (and minus all his clothes) that he finally escapes home to a severe telling-off from his mother.
Shipwrecked on the shores of Ilyria and believing her brother to be dead, Viola disguises herself as a page boy to work for Orsino, the local Duke, who is awash with unrequited love for Lady Olivia. All manner of comic mix-ups over mistaken identities ensue, whilst below stairs, plots involving yellow stockings are afoot to take the pompous Malvolio down a peg or two …
But Peter doesn’t learn his lesson and, with his cousin Benjamin, returns to the garden to recover his lost clothing. This time it’s left to Benjamin’s father to rescue the rabbits from the McGregor’s cat and they flee leaving Mr McGregor to wonder what had been going on in his garden! With live music, this delightful new production provides a magical and enchanting experience for young and old alike.
22
SUMMER
The New York Dolls had a big influence on the UK punk scene of the late seventies, Steve Jones of the Sex Pistols was heavily influenced by the Dolls so much so he would emulate Johnny Thunders stage style.
Royal Holloway, University of London Drama Society presents
FEBRUARY JULY
Sunday 25 August
featuring Strange & Beautiful with special guest Simon Lee (Faze Action)
Monday 26 August
Smurphy’s Law Live Set Special & The Cattle Grid Pop-up grill
Sunday 29 September featuring Insanity Radio
Quantum Theatre presents Shakespeare’s wonderfully merry play of love and deception, of disguises and madness, and the extraordinary things that love will cause us to see - and do!
23
INE BEaT MAGAZ
Box Office: 01753 866 865 info@firestationartscentre.com www.firestationartscentre.com
The Firestation Centre for Arts & Culture Issue 15 Spring/Summer Programme May - August 2013
Man Ray: Portraits I have spent many a Sunday afternoon admiring the Kings and Queens sitting in their gold gilt frames in the National Portrait Gallery. But I must admit that the gallery’s latest offering of Man Ray’s portraits provides a pleasant change...
On entering the exhibition, we are greeted by walls of vintage black and white Man Ray prints, small in relation to the frames that encompass them. Arranged informally but neatly – sometimes in one row, at other times in three – it feels like I am walking into Man Ray’s studio. His Female Nude (1920) welcomes me; a woman lolls on a bed in a rather ungainly manner, her hair untamed, her stomach slightly rolled, her gaze downwards. Juxtaposed with this intimate portrait, a snap – it certainly seems to be a quick, unposed shot – of his close friends Joseph Stella and Marcel Duchamp (1920) sits on the opposite wall. The two men, slumped on a sofa, stare directly into the camera, their faces almost blank if not a little perturbed by Man Ray’s camera clicking. Along with these men, Man Ray (born Micheal Emmanuel Radnitzky) was a key player in the Dadaist and Surrealist movements in 1920s Paris, and the exhibition traces his photographic career from avant-garde 1920s Paris to 1940s Golden Age Hollywood and finally back to Paris. Whilst there are certainly remnants of Man Ray’s surrealism and experimentation with
photographic techniques– such as the Aztec-esque mask in Noire et Blanche (1926) – most portraits are simply concerned with intimately capturing the true subject and the real person. And it is here where Man Ray shines. In Virginia Woolf (1934), Woolf is shown raising her hand slightly, staring into the distance, lost in thought. His portrait Pablo Picasso (1922) captures the painter at work, rugged and natural, with his latest creations in the background. And I would suggest that here lies the greatest strength of the exhibition; curator Terence Pepper has constructed Man Ray’s world portrait by portrait, and we momentarily find ourselves as members of the literary and artistic groups dotted along the walls. The chronological structure spanning the years 1916 to 1968 aids our journey.
by Elizabeth Metcalfe Contemporary copies of Vanity Fair, Harper’s Bazaar and VU featuring Man Ray’s work allow us to delve even further into Man Ray’s world, complimenting his fashion portraiture. Sensual portraits of women draped in clothing and clad in jewelry, such as Jacqueline (1930) have a freshness to them, whilst Lee Miller – model, British Vogue’s first female war correspondent and Man Ray’s lover for a time – is seen as sexy model as well as playful woman in Lee Miller with a Circus Performer (1930). Just as this exhibition is soft and considered, so is Man Ray’s portraiture. Even royalty are strikingly informal, as Maharaja and Maharanee (1927) well illustrates. As ever, we see the intimate connection between the couple and Man Ray. Perhaps this is Man Ray’s greatest strength. Man Ray: Portraits closes on 27th May. Elizabeth Metcalfe is an English student at King’s College London and a writer, published by the Guardian and London Student.
Art’s Anti-Innovator To innovate
is to ‘make changes in something established, especially by introducing new methods, ideas, or products’
I am as opposed to beginning with a dictionary definition as the next bohemian arts writer, but here I feel unable to compete with the Oxford’s authority. Innovation, then, arrises from a need for changes. New methods are used to meet new demands, and when a different device is called for, new ideas are tested for the ultimate goal of producing it. This is innovation.
Art may seem the very antithesis of innovation: the frivolous plaything of the creative-minded and unserious, which can be put to no real practical use. But of course any connoisseur in the study of (or even modest interest in) culture will know this to be the very opposite of what art is. Art’s very role is innovative. Art has always championed new methods; new ways of saying things in response to universal or select need. When art was beginning to mirror the reason and empiricism of the new technical age at the start of the nineteenth century, the Romantics sought chaos and the depiction of nature’s sublimity in their canvases; when portraits were becoming insincere and cold, the Pre-Raphaelite brotherhood introduced purely aesthetic values and a focus on classical beauty to art. These were movements that changed the established norm; movements that reacted against dogmatic paradigms and responded to the human need for a visual antidote (or in the case of music or fashion respectively, a sonic or sensual one). The Pre-Raphaelite brotherhood sought classical beauty and innocence – John William Waterhouse, Hylas and the Nymphs (1896), left. If you were to name the most innovative artist today you would probably answer ‘Damien Hirst’. Certainly, that was my initial thought. He was invited to design the Brit Award Statue this year and the 2012 exhibition of his work at the Tate pulled in a record 5.3 million visitors. He is probably the highest earning British artist (The Times Rich List figure of £235 million is said to be an understatement) and I think it is fair to say that he is admired as a confident maverick and innovator by those who do admire him. Many of his works, to me, are stunning and very moving. And I have always liked his ironic treatment of art. But when I thought more about Hirst I changed my mind. Although it may be novel for an artist to have such wealth and fame, Hirst would be better described as an anti-innovater. You
24
INE BEaT MAGAZ
by Rosie Pentreath
see, innovation by very definition strives to meet needs. The Romantics responded to a need to be reminded of the power of nature over stifling pollution. And whilst Hirst’s sharks intrigue us and we are hypnotised by his beautiful butterflies for a while, we are only momentarily dazzled (Symphony In White Major....Absolution II, above). We do not need Hirst. In fact, the expensive price brackets indicate the very not needing Hirst. To buy even a souvenir plastic skull at £36,800 is to display excessive and utterly disposable (in the sense of being disposed with insanely) income. Instead of reacting against society as the Romantics did, Hirst is the very product of it. His pieces are stunning and can prompt reflection and philosophising, but his work is disappointingly inevitable. The fact that he is an architect who hires teams to produce the works is entirely anti-innovative itself; no striving with new methods there. Instead, a rather traditional notion of hiring a workforce to carryout one man’s vision. The 21st century itself is an age of anti-innovation. We are saturated with products we do not need – products that we merely desire, or think we need after sitting surrounded by advertising. Perhaps the reason for my initial thought of Hirst as an appropriate subject of a feature on innovation is because of his status as a definitive – probably the definitive – 21st century artist. He will certainly be written in the art history books as having been one of the greatest innovators of his time. But being remembered as the most prominent artist of a period doesn’t make that artist an innovator. Today, our society is ordered through hyperlinks and behind firewalls. Our innovators are the ones that come rough and ready, and raw: quite the opposite to Hirst’s gleaming plastics and perfectly symmetrical diamondencrusted skulls, we seek something more realistic. Our needs are met by Banksy climbing a ladder to make art on the side of the buildings our sterile offices reside in, or Matti Braun’s pathway across dark water upon logs through an exhibition of delicately beautiful silk screens . Perhaps they will not be such large contenders for the art history books, but true innovators and antidotes they undoubtedly are. In spite of them though, anti-innovation may be the most innovative paradigm that the 21st century ever produces. And Damien Hirst? The embodiment of that: art’s definitive anti-innovator. Rosie is a writer, musician and artist, working and freelancing for BBC Music Magazine and Homes and Antiques Magazine, living between Bristol and London. http://rosiepentreath.blogspot.co.uk/
25
AUGUST
Tuesday 20 August, 8pm
Tuesday 17 – Tuesday 24 December
Josh Widdicombe: Greatest Hits So Far
christmas preview:
The Snow Queen
Auditorium Tickets: £10 Star of Channel 4’s The Last Leg, Stand Up For The Week and BBC1’s Live At The Apollo, Josh Widdicombe will be performing his greatest hits at the world famous Hammersmith Apollo. After two sell out UK tours, two sell out runs at the Edinburgh Festival Foster’s Edinburgh Comedy Awards Best Newcomer nominee 2011, Josh will be recording his hotly anticipated debut DVD and prepares here in Windsor for one night only!
Auditorium Tickets: £10 adults / £7.50 children / £7 groups of 10+ £30 Family ticket (2 adults + 2 children) A young boy, Kay, and his dear friend, Gerda, are devoted to each other. Kay’s Grandmother tells them both about an evil mirror that won’t reflect the good and beautiful in people, but magnifies all that’s bad and ugly and about the cold hearted Snow Queen who lures children away to her Palace in the North Pole.
“Guardian sports reporter turned ace observationalist Josh Widdicombe has the ability to find the sparkle in the mundane that puts him in line to be the next Sean Lock.” – The Guardian
Friday 09 August, 8pm
Friday 16 August, 8pm
Overtones
International Guitar Night
Basement Studio Tickets: £6 Overtones were formed in 2001 and were a big feature in Windsor’s celebrations of the Queens Golden Jubilee in 2002, playing to a crowd of hundreds at Windsor Race Course. A few studio sessions, EP’s and a Live video release culminated with the band entering the Brooklands College battle of the Bands in 2004. Against stiff competition they emerged victorious! Big things were on the horizon, then...nothing! Nearly 10 years later….Overtones are back! For one night only in one of the venues that gave them one of their first gigs as a band all those years ago,The Firestation will play host to a night of Overtones’ signature covers.
Roland Chadwick made his Classical Guitar début at the Sydney Opera House Broadwalk Theatre in 1988. Tours of Italy, England, Sweden and Mexico followed in 1989/90 during which he was Australia’s representative at Festival Cervantino in Mexico (’89).
One summer’s day a splinter from the mirror lodges in Kay’s heart and he changes, becoming cruel and cold – and later that year, when winter comes, the Snow Queen appears and whisks Kay away to her icy palace…
“His talent for comedy is priceless.” – Evening Standard
featuring Amrit Sond, Roland Chadwick, Michael Watts & Mike Berk Grammy Award Winner Amrit Sond has graced the same billing as some of the world’s most renowned guitarists on the scene today: Dominic Miller (Sting), Hugh Burns (George Michael), Ronnie Johnson (Van Morrison, Leo Sayer). Of Indian origin but Kenyan by birth, and having toured Europe and across the UK, his experience has led him to create truly unique compositions.
AUGUST
Box Office: 01753 866 865 info@firestationartscentre.com www.firestationartscentre.com
The Firestation Centre for Arts & Culture Issue 15 Spring/Summer Programme May - August 2013
Auditorium Tickets: £7 / £8 door
Michael Watts is a fingerstyle guitarist and is an aficionado of the best of modern guitar building. He is a previous winner of the Acoustic Guitarist of the Year award and has shared a bill with some of the greatest players in the world. For the last 15 years, Michael Berk has been stunning audiences around the UK, performing over 500 shows with little more than a guitar and the occasional percussionist. London’s famous 12 Bar Club calls him “one of the few truly gifted acoustic guitar players around… a true virtuoso”.
No one knows what’s happened to him, but the heartbroken Gerda decides she must set out to find him.
Saturday 31 August, 12 - 7pm
The big picnic Alexandra Gardens Tickets: FREE Save the date! The Firestation’s Big Picnic returns this year for another jam-packed line-up of
A long and dangerous journey ensues until she eventually reaches the Snow Queen’s palace, only to find Kay irretrievably under the Snow Queen’s spell. Can Gerda break the evil spell and bring her old Kay back once more? Michael Whitmore’s delightful adaptation of Hans Christian Andersen’s magical tale conjures up a captivating mix of fantasy, fable and love triumphing over evil in this ever popular Christmas favourite.
music, DJs, stalls, food and drink, arts and crafts, a bouncy castle and (hopefully!), sunshine! For information on the line-up as it’s announced, keep an eye on our website: www.firestationartscentre.com
Saturday 17 August, 1pm & 4pm
Treasure Island
Glitter
Auditorium Tickets: £7
Revue Show
Box
The producers of the smash-hit Fairy Tales of the Unexpected are debuting a brand new production this coming August with another fantastic show after wowing audiences during the Summer of 2012. Promising fun for all the family, LP Creatives present Treasure Island for one day only over the Summer holidays! The audience will be taken on a magical trip into a world of Pirates and Princesses as one of the nations favourite children’s novels is given a fantastical “naughtical” twist. See Jim Hawkins, ‘Billy Bones’, old Ben Gunn, the ghost of Captain Flint, Seadog Sally and of course Long John Silver star in a host of adventures in a show packed with action, singing, cheering and booing, puppets, lots of colourful costumes, and maybe even a monkey or two! Treasure Island is a spectacular children’s show created to spark the children’s imagination whilst also entertaining all the accompanying Mums, Dads, Grandmas and Granddads! It features a professional cast of all singing and all-dancing actors.
Saturday 24 August, 8pm
Something with Sparkle Auditorium Tickets: £12 / £11 conc. / £10 Members
Show Times: Tuesday 17 December
7pm
Wednesday 18 December 3pm & 7pm Thursday 19 December
11am, 3pm & 7pm
Friday 20 December
3pm & 7pm
Come and join the Glitter Box Fairies for a fabulous, sparkling night of dancing, singing, cabaret and magic.
Saturday 21 December
11am, 3pm & 7pm
Sunday 22 December
11am & 3pm
Let them whisk you away to their glittering land of cheeky retro routines, sensual singers, stunning costumes and crowd pleasing comedy.
Monday 23 December
11am, 3pm & 7pm
Tuesday 24 December
11am & 3pm
Welcome to The Glitter Box!
26
27
kids
Box Office: 01753 866 865 info@firestationartscentre.com www.firestationartscentre.com
The Firestation Centre for Arts & Culture Issue 15 Spring/Summer Programme May - August 2013
n o i t a t s e r i f
Kids
Club Every Saturday! Tickets: Cinema: £5 adults / £2.50 children £1 Members, Envy and Advantage Card Holders Activity Days: £2.50
Live Events: See dedicated show listings for more information
May
June
Saturday 11 May, 1pm
Saturday 08 June, 1pm
Brave
Treasure Planet
(2012) Rating: PG Brave follows the heroic journey of Merida, a skilled archer and headstrong daughter of King Fergus and Queen Elinor. Determined to carve her own path in life, Merida defies an age-old custom sacred to the unruly and uproarious lords of the land...
Saturday 18 May, 1pm
KIDS club ACTIVITY DAY
Get messy as we provide arts, crafts, games and Wii competitions this Summer season!
(2002) Rating: PG Treasure Planet follows restless teen Jim Hawkins on a fantastic journey across the universe as cabin boy aboard a majestic space galleon. Befriended by the ship’’s charismatic cyborg cook, John Silver, Jim blossoms under his guidance and shows the makings of a fine shipmate, but great dangers lie ahead when Jim discovers that his trusted friend Silver is actually a scheming pirate with mutiny on his mind...
Saturday 15 June, 1pm
July
August
COMEDY club 4 KIDS
Saturday 13 July, 1pm
Saturday 03 August, 1pm
Return to Neverland
kids club activity day
Saturday 22 June, 1pm
(2002) Rating:U Set in London during World War II, this is the story of Wendy’s daughter, Jane, who is kidnapped by Captain Hook. Peter Pan must come to the rescue once again!
Hotel Transylvania
Saturday 20 July, 1pm
Cracking entertainment for everyone over six years old and under 400 years old (no vampires or Highlanders). We have the best comedians from the UK and world circuit doing what they do best…but without the rude bits! See page 14 for more information.
(2012) Rating: PG The last thing Simon Van Helsing, the youngest in a long line of monster hunters, wants to do is fall in love with Dracula’s daughter, Mavis. Upon discovering that they are natural enemies, the doomed couple attempt to bring peace between the warring monsters and humans.
Saturday 29 June, 2.30pm
The Elephant Bridesmaid Written especially for parents to enjoy with their children, The Elephant Bridesmaid is a magical musical about weddings and wombats and the loveliest elephant the world has ever known. So, join Nessie the Elephant ad her fantastic animal friends and help them as they go in search of an outfit fancy enough (and large enough) to make her the Australian jungle’s first and most beautiful Elephant Bridesmaid! (For ages 4 to 104!)
Saturday 29 June, 12pm
dance in the park A free to attend event for all ages and abilities. Join The Firestation’s dance tutors for a day of free workshops out in the sun! Presented by our dance partners; 4Motion, Swingland, Starlight Dance, Blossom Ballet and SOTA!
28
kids
Wreck-It Ralph
(2012) Rating: PG Ralph is tired of being overshadowed by Fix-It Felix, the good guy star of their game who always gets to save the day. But after decades doing the same thing and seeing all the glory go to Felix, Ralph decides he’s tired of playing the role of a bad guy. He takes matters into his own massive hands and sets off on a gamehopping journey across the arcade through every generation of video games to prove he’s got what it takes to be a hero.
Saturday 27 July, 2.30pm Sunday 28 July, 2.30pm
The Tales of Peter Rabbit and Benjamin Bunny
Quantum Theatre bring Peter Rabbit to life in an extra-special outdoor performance! See page 22 for more information
Get messy as we provide arts, crafts, games and Wii competitions this Summer season!
Saturday 10 August, 1pm
Madagascar 3
(2012) Rating: PG Alex the Lion, Marty the Zebra, Gloria the Hippo, and Melman the Giraffe are still fighting to get home to their beloved Big Apple and of course, King Julien, Maurice and the Penguins are all along for their third comedic adventure! Their journey takes them through Europe where they find the perfect cover: a travelling circus, which they reinvent...Madagascar style.
Saturday 17 August, 1pm & 4pm
Treasure Island
Shiver me’ timbers! A raucous Summer pantomime filled with pirates, treasure and cheeky monkeys! See page 26 for more information
Saturday 24 August, 1pm
RISE OF THE GUARDIANS
(2012) Rating: PG When the evil spirit Pitch launches an assault on Earth, the Immortal Guardians team up to protect the innocence of children all around the world.
29
classes & workshops
Box Office: 01753 866 865 info@firestationartscentre.com www.firestationartscentre.com
The Firestation Centre for Arts & Culture Issue 15 Spring/Summer Programme May - August 2013
classes & workshops
classes & workshops 4Motion Youth Dance Theatre Classes
4Motion Adult Dance: Get A Move On!
Baby Boticellis
Cuban Salsa with Starlight Dance
Windsor Photographic Society
Tuesdays 23 April – 02 July (excluding 28 May)
Looking for a fitness class that makes exercise fun? Well 4Motion’s Get a Move On! adult dance class may just be for you! We meet every Tuesday evening kick starting with an intense yet fun fitness session, followed by deep yoga stretches, then onto the dance routines that promise to challenge and make you smile! We have an open door policy where everyone is welcome, from the total beginner to the experienced dancer. Our aim is to spread the contemporary modern dance word making it accessible and fun, so drop in and give it a go!
Splatter painting, clay modelling, group painting and lots of fun, Baby Boticellis is a relaxed and fun environment for kids and their parents to get creative make a mess and not get told off!
Starlight Dance company continues to provide authentic Latin dance tuition and social evenings for adults, suitable for beginners and more advanced dancers, taking in Salsa, Meringue and Bachata. No partner required, easy to follow courses, fun and relaxed environment Tuitions by Miguel Ramirez professional dancer and choreographer from the Dominican Republic.
The Windsor Photographic Society is one of the largest photographic societies in the UK. Members enjoy a friendly atmosphere with a varied and stimulating programme of practical help, creative sessions, speakers, competitions and social evenings.
Led by 4Motion’s Creative Workshop Team Basement
Once Upon a Time there was a group of dancers who wanted to explore a hidden land, a land where goblins and witches are real, legends are born and mythical creatures roam. Inspired by classic fairy tales and fables, 4Motion takes a modern twist to create a fantasy journey of spellbinding dance performances. 4Motion invites you to be part of their exciting summer term of dance, creating a performance inspired by ‘Once Upon a Time’. 4Motion delivers high-energy and inclusive classes, focusing on contemporary modern dance, fitness, choreography, and performance skills. Our aim is to help develop creative minds, confident voices, versatile performers….and have lots of fun! Everyone is welcome to try out the first class for free (for new members).
NEW PRICES
SPARKS 5-7 yrs 4.20-5.10pm / £65.00 FLAMES & HEAT 8-10yrs & 11-12yrs 5.10-6.20pm / £70.00 BLAZE 13yrs+ 6.20-7.30pm / £70.00 All 4Motion youth groups will be part of the end of term 4Motion Youth Dance Performance at The Firestation, performing to family and friends.
.......................................................................... 4MDT Youth Company
Led by Artistic Directors Elaine & Dean Auditorium 4MDT Youth Co. is 4Motion’s young professional dance theatre company. The Company has won awards for Best Choreography (British Red Cross, Dance for Life 2009) and Diversity (2010), performed at the 2010 Big Dance event in London, invited to perform at Eton Chapel’s annual Christmas Service in 2011 & 2012, performed at Dorney Lake as part of the Cultural Olympiad Performances (July 2012), and has recently performed at South Hill Park as part of the Lift Off Dance Festival 2013. 4MDT workshops are for dedicated young people who enjoy dance and theatre, have a passion to explore advanced choreographic methods, and a drive to create and perform original performances. 4MDT will be working towards their premier performance at the Brighton Fringe Festival this summer.
Wednesdays 24 April – 03 July (excluding 29 May) 5.45pm-7.30pm / £80.00
.......................................................................... 4Motion Youth Dance Performance Friday 05 july & Saturday 06 July 7.30pm
Basement
Tuesdays 16 April – 09 July (excluding 28 May) 7.35pm-8.45pm £65 for 10-weeks / £7 drop-in
.......................................................................... SOTA Stage School SOTA Seeds Basement SOTA Seeds classes provide a fabulous introduction to performing arts for little ones. Watch them flourish as they explore through dance, singing and drama.
Ages 4-6 years
Tuesdays 16th April - 25th June (excludes Tuesday 28 May) Tuesdays 3.45pm-4.30pm
Ages 3-5 years
Sundays 21st April - 30th June (excludes Sunday 26 May) Sundays 10am-10.45am £78 per 10 week term
Musical Theatre Class Basement Have a ball learning songs, dances and acting scenes from West End and Broadway musicals with our highly experienced acting, dance and singing coaches.
Ages 8-14 years
Tuesdays 16th April - 25th June (excludes Tuesday 28 May) Tuesdays 4.30pm-5.45pm £120 per 10 week term
SOTA Sunday Stage School Basement SOTA School enables 6-16 year olds to develop skills in dance, singing and drama in a creative and stimulating environment. Working in three age groups, pupils rotate between three workshops lead by professionally trained workshop leaders and performers. The emphasis is on fun through confidence building, skills development and self expression.
Ages 6-16 years
Sundays 21st April - 30th June (excludes Sunday 26 May)
..........................................................................
Sundays 10.30am-1.30pm £245 per 10 week term
4Motion Dance Festival 2013
half term & easter workshops TBA
Saturday 29th June – Saturday 6th July 2013. Performances: Friday 5th & Saturday 6th July 2013, 7.30pm For details see page 20.
Berkshire Theatre School Summer Schools: Shrek from Monday 29 July - Friday 02 August The Lion King from Monday 19 - Frday 23 August For more info visit www berkshiretheatrecompany.co.uk
30
Basement
Our new class leader Becky Young says, “Through my work with children I have always used art, messy and creative play. I help parents to understand that it’s not about whether the children have an end product, it’s about the process. Art and creative work covers the areas of the foundation stage curriculum, but it is so much more for the children than ticking a box.”
Tuesdays 07 May – Tuesday 16 Jul (excluding 28 May) 10am-11am £4 per child / extra siblings £2.50
.......................................................................... Swing & Jive Basement
Learn the original swing dance from the 1930s, 40s and 50s (aka the Lindy hope or Jitterbug)! Can be danced to everything from Big Band swing (Glenn Miller, Benny Goodman, Count Basie) through Rock ‘n’ Roll, the lounge swing of Bobby Darin, Frank Sinatra and the Rat Pack and modern artists like Michael Bublé!
Beginners 8pm-9pm Learn the basic swing steps and some fun moves! No previous experience needed! No partner needed!
Intermediates 9pm-10pm
Basement
Every Wednesday from Wednesday 01 May 8pm-10pm Individual classes £8 Beginners 6 week courses £40 If you would like to pre-book your course, please contact: Zoe Ramirez via email starlightdancing@hotmail.co.uk mob: 07929 168886 Payment on the night via cash is accepted: please pay all monies directly to your tutor before the class begins.
.......................................................................... Sing Out!
Space varies A hairbrush holding, loud and lively singing group for absolutely everyone, singing your way from ABBA to Queen to U2 and even have a stab at 3 part harmonies! The Sing Out group now numbers over 30 singers and meets up at The Firestation every Friday evening at the end of a long week to relax, de-stress and Sing Out!
Every Friday from Friday 03 May 6pm-7pm £5 per session
Move your dancing on with more complex rhythms, moves and combinations including Swing out, Lindy hop charleston and variations. No partner needed!
..........................................................................
Mondays 06 May – Monday 01 July
Basement
Mondays 8pm-10pm £30 per 5 week block (includes free entry to Friday Night Jive!) £8 per session
.......................................................................... Life Drawing
Glitter Box Burlesque Discover the art of tease with Glitter Box Burlesque classes. Learn peeling, tracing, core moves, prop work and routines. Plus you have the opportunity to join the Glitter Box Fairies in the end of term show. Whether you are learning for fun, fitness or thrills, Burlesque is ideal for everyone, of any age or shape. The only things we’ll be stripping off are your inhibitions.
Basement
Every Thursday from Thursday 02 May (excludes Thursday 09 & 23 May)
A fun and dynamic life drawing session for all abilities, with a great atmosphere, music and stage lighting to enhance the definition and features of the subjects. You can be left to your own devises or alternately tutor, Patrick Palmer, is happy to give advice. Each week there is a nude model to study, holding various times poses of different lengths.
Beginners: 7pm - 8pm Intermediate: 8pm - 9pm £8 per session / £40 for six sessions
Patrick is a professional artist with over 20 years of experience in life-drawing. He was classically trained at Heatherley’s School of Art (Chelsea) and at The National College of Art and Design (Dublin). He was also given extensive personal tuition by Michael Clack, a close friend of Francis Bacon and by Bobby Gill, an honorary lecturer at The Royal Academy.
Every Sunday from Sunday 05 May 5.30pm-7.30pm £10 drop in, £8 with Advantage Card/Conc/Mem £80 for 10 sessions
Auditorium
Mondays 13 May – Monday 01 July (excluding 27 May & 24 June) 8.00pm-10.30pm Contact: Chris Towler on chris.towler@talk21.com mob: 07917878315
.......................................................................... Blossom Ballet
Blossom Ballet and its syllabi were created and carefully designed by pre-school professionals specifically for babies, toddlers and young children. Blossom Ballet offers a new way to learn through exciting movement classes derived from imaginative play, providing a sound foundation for dance, education and social needs. Inspirational pictures, props and instruments are used but most importantly, Blossom Ballet is about having lots of fun and making new friends.
Hawthorne School of Dance
Classical Ballet - Delivered in a fun and imaginative manner with classes divided by age and ability - suitable for girls, boys, beginners and improvers. Optional examinations validated by the ISTD (Imperial Society of Teachers of Dancing) Tap dance - delivered in an energetic and interactive manner with classes divided by age and ability - suitable for girls, boys, beginners and improvers. Optional examinations validated by the ISTD (Imperial Society of Teachers of Dancing) Street - Inspirational, energetic and funky classes delivered by dancing professionals working within the commercial industry - suitable for girls, boys, beginners and improvers.
saturday 05 january - thursday 28 march [exc. monday 18 - saturday 23 february] summer term begins monday 05 april
Pre-Primary ISTD Ballet & Tap [5 yrs] Sat 11.35am-12.25pm £96
NEW Primary/Grade 1 ISTD Modern & Tap [6 yrs+] Wed 4.50pm-5.40pm £96
Primary ISTD Ballet & tap [6 & 7 yrs]
Children naturally progress throughout the levels according to their age.
Mon 4.55pm-5.45pm £96 Sat 12.30pm-1.15pm £96
Upon graduation from Blossom Ballet, pupils are welcome to join Hawthorne School of Dance to continue their learning in Ballet, Tap and Street.
Grade 1 ISTD Ballet & Tap [7 yrs+]
Monday 15 April - Saturday 13 July Summer School: Tuesday 06 - Friday 09 August, 10am - 2pm
Mon 6.45pm-7.30pm £60
Seeds [18-26 months] Wed & Thu 10am-10.30am £72
Saplings (27-36 months] Tues 10.10am-10.40am £72 Wed & Thu 10.40am-11.10am £72
Saplings+Buds [almost 3] Mon 2.30pm-3.00pm £72
Buds [3 yrs] Mon 3.10pm-3.50pm £84 Sat 10.00am-10.40am £84
Buds [3 & 4 yrs] Wed & Thu 11.20am-12.00pm £84 Wed 3.10pm-3.50pm £84
Blossom ISTD Ballet & Tap [4 years] Sat 10.45am-11.30am £90
Blossom/Pre-Primary ISTD Ballet & Tap [4 & 5 yrs] Wed 4.00pm-4.45pm £90
Pre-Primary ISTD Ballet & Tap [5 & 6 yrs] Mon 4.00pm-4.50pm £90
Mon 5.50pm-6.40pm £96
Street Dance [7 yyrs+]
.......................................................................... Art Academy Space varies
Artists Patrick Palmer, Gordon Collett and Mike Nicoll have programmed eight weeks of art classes and two day workshops for a range of abilities. With specialist expertise in their chosen fields, join them as they offer classes in Advanced Life Drawing, 3d Illusions and more. With a different course offered every week, there is a wide selection of choice for artists of all abilities.
Friday 03 May: Advanced Life Drawing Thursday 09 - Friday 10 May (2 day course): Painting a Trompe l’Oeil: “Lemon Tree in an Alcove”
Thursday 16 - Friday 17 May (2 day course): Gouache and Pencil
Fri 24 May: Life-like Portraiture Thursday 30 - Friday 31 May (2 day course): Gouache and Graphite
Thursday 06 - Friday 07 June (2 day course): Painting a Trompe l’Oeil: “Bookcase”
Thursday 13 - Friday 14 June (2 day course): Drawing 3D Illusions
Thursday 20 - Fri 21 June (2 day course): Indian Ink and Sandpaper For more information, visit our website: www.firestationartscentre.com
31
Firestation Membership By joining our fantastic membership scheme you can benefit from a whole host of offers and special events. On top of an array of discounts (which are listed below), you are exclusively invited to a Members only event to celebrate the launch of the new season, supplying all the information you need to enjoy the next season’s sensational programme to the fullest! Individual, family and corporate membership packages available.
Volunteers join us on a regular basis and they are integral to our success.
Want to get involved?
One of the things that makes The Firestation so special is the multitude of people who come together to make it happen. There are a myriad of ways in which you too could become involved in The Firestation’s creative melting pot!
Opportunities range from Box office to Marketing & Distribution, Ushering to Technical assistance and Bar work. In exchange for your well-spent time here, we offer exclusive, exciting benefits as well as a spectacular insight into work in the arts industry! boxoffice@firestationartscentre.com Curating, Performance & Workshops We’re always on the lookout to nurture new talent, from offering DJ spots in the bar, programming new bands in our music nights, to performances or artists leading a workshop or class. info@firestationartscentre.com
• Exclusive booking period for premium events • 20% discount on all season performances • 10% discount at The Firestation Bar • 10% discount on private hires and conferences. • Discounts with our partner restaurants and shops. Check website for up to date list of deals and offers. Firestation membership £25.00 with Concession £20 Family Membership £37.50 Corporate Membership: Please contact our Box Office Manager on 01753 866 865 to discuss your outstanding Corporate Membership options. To get your superb Firestation Membership please visit our website and fill out the short registration form or call The Firestation Box Office
For any suggestions or any other feedback on anything we do, talk to our team or drop us a line at info@firestationartscentre.com