Entertainment

from Itchen Valley Forum - Issue 185 May

Feature

The Rude Mechanical Theatre Company are coming!

The Rudes are touring again this summer with a great new show and will be visiting East Hampshire again - their twenty-fourth annual visit to some villages! You won’t want to miss their brand of high tempo, physical theatre performed by some of the best actors / musicians around and designed to make you laugh out loud… and make you think. The new show is called ‘Gods and Dogs’. This new hilarious dystopian allegory is set in 2084 on the fictitious island of Abatina in a world where people are either glamorous celebrities or slobbering dog-like followers of them gripped to their telepafones – with the exception of the Nevnops (Not Very Nice People) as the President, Big Al, calls them.

The story follows Tina who enters ‘Marriage Maker’, a ‘telepavision’ gameshow. The idea of the game is if you win you get to marry the super-glamorous footballer, Harry Best, on the Saturday, have a weekend of love, then divorce him on the Monday. ‘All the fun & no ties!’ as the compere, Rich Nobb, puts it.

Unfortunately, Tina makes the mistake of falling in love when she wins & doesn’t want to divorce. Doreen, her best friend, has her own opinion, but then she might be a Nevnop & the Mind Police might get to her first & send her to the wolves on the ‘Other Side’ - a dangerous world over ‘the mountain’ where the inhabitants of Abatina, according to Big Al, must not go, with dangerous free-thinkers & wolves that might get them.

Will it really be like this in 2084? Is it happening even now? Will Tina get her man? Will Doreen escape the Mind Police? You’ll have to put down your telepafones and come to find out! Get your tickets now.

www.therudemechanicaltheatre.co.uk Commedia dell'Arte Inspired Theatre - 01323 501260 therudes1948@gmail.com

On Sunday 15th May 2022, the na�onally acclaimed Alresford Watercress Fes�val returns to the streets of this beau�ful market town for the first �me in 2 years and we cannot tell you how excited we are.

The fes�val will a�ract thousands of visitors to New Alresford in Hampshire. They come to celebrate watercress the superb locally grown, delicious and versa�le crop. Over 120 stalls showcase the very best local food and drink producers. Others sell arts, cra�s, jewellery and clothing, items for house, garden and much else besides. At 10:00 a large cavalcade of musicians, dancers and children accompany the Watercress King and Queen up Broad Street as they distribute freshly cut bunches of watercress to fes�val goers. Throughout the day, musicians and street performers entertain on the main stage, in St. John’s Church and on the streets. For the young, there are circus skills workshops, face pain�ng, and so much more. Well-known chefs will demonstrate delicious watercress-inspired dishes and more adventurous visitors can take up the challenge of the World Watercress Ea�ng Championships. See you there!

Stockbridge Music’s Founder and Director to step down after 10 years at the helm

Tim Lowden, the indomitable founder of Stockbridge Music, has confirmed 13–23 APR @ 7.30PMSHAKESPEAREINhis intention to step down as Music Director of THE GREAT the much-loved Stockbridge institution, with effect from 30th BARN April 2022. On hearing the news, Stockbridge Music committee member, Karen Malim, said: “We will all miss Tim’s energetic leadership enormously. However, we are delighted - as well as relieved! - that he has agreed to continue sharing his immense knowledge and wisdom as an invaluable member of the committee.” For the past 10 years Tim has shown an uncanny knack for having 25–30 APR @ 7.30PM Adapted by Sarah Harvey his finger on the pulse of contemporary tastes in classical music. In that time, he has brought more than 30 first-class, established soloists and chamber ensembles to sold-out venues in Stockbridge, giving the community the opportunity to hear top flight musicians, including Crispian Steele-Perkins, Kosmos, Adrian Brendel, David Owen-Norris and The Gesualdo Six, on their doorsteps and at very reasonable prices. Tim has also made it his mission to nurture young musicians. Thanks to his understanding of the time and dedication it takes to perfect their craft, many emerging soloists and ensembles - some of whom have gone on to international careers, - have been given a priceless platform in Stockbridge at the start of their professional lives. On 18th March, Tim’s flair was plain for all to see. Stockbridge Music’s 2022 Spring season opened in triumphant style with a sellout concert in St Peter’s Church by internationally acclaimed artists, Adrian Brendel, cello and Charles Owen, piano. Their beautiful and imaginative programme, from Bach and Fauré, to Liszt, Kurtag and Beethoven, showcased their versatility and emotional range, and held the audience in thrall from start to finish. It was a joy to hear such high-calibre music-making in the local church, and the occasion marked a fitting pinnacle to Tim’s illustrious journey at the helm of Stockbridge Music. The committee of Stockbridge Music is immensely proud of Tim’s achievements and, with Tim’s continued help and support, looks forward to nurturing and developing his legacy. www.stockbridgemusic.uk