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ARTS PREVIEW The very best of the spring season
“OMG, so many fabulous images to choose from for our full-page opener! Where to even start?” “Well, we have Frederic Aranda’s photo of Ian McKellen draped in a kind of toga, from the International Photography Exhibition at RPS...” “CALL OFF THE SEARCH”
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IAN AT HOME © FREDERIC ARANDA
4ike the daffs and crocuses on *randon 0ill, *ristol¼s cultural scene is busting out all over, as theatre directors, gig promoters and gallery owners block out their calendars between now and late summer. 6ow we¼re sucking diesel 0ere¼s the intel; eyes on° SPRING, LOADED
Get those box oٻce numbers on speed dial" the spring arts calendar has comprehensively sprung. This guide is, of course, selective; in order to cover the cultural waterfront we’d have had to hijack every page in the magazine. As this wasn’t an option, we made like a strict machine, and asked our friends at the city’s arts venues to recommend just one favourite show. Naturally most of them went right ahead and chose several, but here’s the edit…
SEE… BRISTOL OLD VIC Faustus: That Damned Woman, 10-21 March It’s not Johann Faust, it’s Johanna; in other words, a radical retelling of the myth, with a female Faust striking an altogether more altruistic bargain with the devil than her male predecessors. “If Pride and Prejudice*(*sort of) is too bright and breezy for your girls’ night out, Faustus is its devilish cousin – so come on in and experience the dark heart of female empowerment,” says comms boss Amanda Adams, as temptingly as Mephistopheles. That said, P&P sort of is also back in April – and as its Norn Ironaccented Lizzie Bennet might say, the craic will be 90. Maybe even 95.
The Red Lion, 11-21 March A tale of blind ambition and misplaced loyalty between three men at the centre of a semi-pro football team, Patrick Marber’s gorgeously crafted story of the beautiful game stars Bristol favourites Joe Sims and David Lloyd, with Patchway local boy Thomas McGee making his stage début. “This has Bristolian passion running through its core like a stick of rock,” says Amanda. “Grab a pie and a pint, and watch the drama unfold on and off the pitch.º
Oh, then and there’s the little matter of Semmelweis, 13 June-25 July, conceived by theatrical giant Sir Mark Rylance. Eyes right:
SEMMELWEIS Take five with Bristol Old Vic head of comms, Amanda Adams
The précis in one line, please Semmelweis celebrates the determination of one person to make a difference, and how it takes someone difficult to change the world.
So who was Semmelweis when he was at home? Ignaz Semmelweis was a pioneering doctor in 1840s Vienna, who discovered that hand disinfection would lead to a dramatic decrease in postnatal deaths. He took on the entire European medical establishment to prove his theories, which caused widespread ridicule, eventually resulting in him being committed to an asylum.
Sounds dark! Why did this story pique the interest of one of our greatest actor-directors? Mark has wanted to make this production ever since reading Semmelweis’ autobiography over 20 years ago. It’s the ultimate story of one man vs the system. What’s really fascinating is that it’s not a straightforward account of one heroic genius fighting against the establishment: Semmelweis was, by many accounts, a difficult, stubborn and tortured character, but also doggedly determined and charming – ultimately, he was a victim of his own refusal to compromise.
Mark Rylance – he’s a titan of English theatre, yes? Mark is absolutely one of a kind. You may know him as the first artistic director of The Globe, or as Thomas Cromwell in the BBC’s Wolf Hall. He has won Oscars, BAFTAS, Olivier Awards, Tony Awards and more; he’s widely regarded as the greatest stage actor of his generation. but it is up to you to come and see Semmelweis to see if this holds up!
Why is he creating this play at BOV? Bristol is the perfect place for artists to take a creative leap into the unknown, which is why theatre-makers from across the UK come here. Mark wanted to work somewhere that championed risk-taking in theatre, that put the audience’s imagination right at the centre of the work. Semmelweis is going to be an experimental project in many ways – in the same way some of our previous productions have been: The Grinning Man and Touching the Void are recent examples of genrebusting theatre projects that audiences have taken to their hearts. So Bristol Old Vic (and particularly the world-famous Bristol audiences) felt like the perfect fit for Mark and this project.
OPPOSITE: If Faustus was a woman, what would she trade her soul for?; RIGHT: Eat football, drink football, act football: The Red Lion
WHO’S AFRAID OF VIRGINIA WOOLF? Take five with TFT artistic director, Mike Tweddle
Remind us: who wrote this play, and what’s it about? Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf? is Edward Albee’s landmark black comedy and allegory of American society. Written in 1962, it’s about married couple George and Martha, who are apparently living the American Dream. However, when Martha invites George’s colleague Nick and his wife Honey back to their house for late-night drinks after a party, the paper-thin illusion that all is well starts to peel away as George and Martha realise they have a captive audience for their toxic domestic games, and the playing out of their private hell of a marriage.
If we only know the movie, will there be any surprises when we see the original Albee play? Well, the play is so much better! It’s definitely more epic, layered and nuanced.
But it’s hard not to think of the Burtons. Are Dick and Liz the elephants in the room? My memory of seeing the film is much murkier than my unforgettable experience of seeing a student production of the play 20 years ago, so the Burtons are not George and Martha in my mind. However, the iconic nature of the film is probably an advantage in some ways, and its fans will not be disappointed, because they are going to see some equally talented actors delivering a familiar story in a more live, immersive form, that will take their breath away.
Why revive this now? A masterpiece of this calibre is always relevant, with its profound insights and observations about human behaviour and relationships. This will be particularly the case in David Mercatali’s production, which will avoid feeling like a period piece, and be dedicated to breathing life into the story in a truly immediate and palpable form.
What makes it such a shoo-in for the Factory Theatre? The visceral, raw nature of this story will be palpable in this intimate setting. And it will feel exhilarating! The actors are going to be so close to the audience that it will feel even more like an arena. With it being staged in the round, the impact of seeing the reactions of other audience members will make it all the more shocking, funny and moving.
Tell us in one line why we should come along… It has all of human nature in one unforgettable story: heartbreaking, horrifying, charming, laugh-out-loud funny and stunningly well-written.
© BEN ROBINS
TOBACCO FACTORY THEATRES Brace yourself, because one of literature’s most coruscating domestic dramas is taking over Factory Theatre, with a new production of Edward Albee’s Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf: eyes left. In total contrast, Beauty and the Beast will return this summer: “This mischievous, music-filled, marvel of a show proves that a fairytale is not just for Christmas,” says marketing manager Hilary Coleman.
THE WARDROBE Polly (The Heartbreak Opera): 14-25 April That’s Polly as in Peachum; in other words, we’re in John Gay territory here, in his sequel to The Beggar’s Opera. It’s helmed by rated Bristolbased director Steph Kempson, who’s added some very non-18thcentury techno, tracksuits and palm trees into the mix. The play was originally banned for being »filthy and libellous¼, which naturally makes it ideal for an alternative Bristol theatre. Indeed, “we staged a packedout work-in-progress and it absolutely brought the house down,” says Matthew Whittle.
Oh, and send in the clowns (again…) Coulrophobia: 30 March - 4 April “This show was so packed with gags and audience interaction madness that we had to get it back again. Whether you love or hate clowns, you have to see this bonkers show,” says Matthew.
BRISTOL OLD VIC THEATRE SCHOOL Far from the Madding Crowd, 28 May-20 June (various Bristol dates and venues) Whenever you look up, there they shall be: this new adaptation of Hardy’s most likeable novel tours 20 venues across the region, playing to audiences right across Wessex. Dealing with themes of love and betrayal among the 19th-century farming community, with a spirited heroine and the most fanciable bad boy in the whole of English literature; we’re seeing nothing not to love here.
BRISTOL HIPPODROME It’s hard to pick a single show when this theatre receives one big hitter after another, but Grace Hield is “really looking forward to welcoming Les Misérables in April”. Because? “It’s an enthralling story of broken dreams and unreYuited love, passion, sacrifice and redemption, packed with amazing scenery and incredible songs,” says Grace. Psst: Everybody’s Talking About Jamie is coming here in May. More anon.
Miloš: a treat for the ears, easy on the eye
OPPOSITE CLOCKWISE FROM TOP: Belle, Sebastian and pals have already picked our their favourite boat on Harbourside; indie rock’n’roll par excellence at the Gate; Noel must have liked playing The Downs, as he’s returning for Bristol Sounds
HEAR…. COLSTON HALL Belle and Sebastian, 17 July Is the Hall letting the small consideration of an auditorium currently closed for refurbishment going to hold them back? As if!
For example, “We’re bringing Belle and Sebastian, with special guests Django Django, to Lloyd’s Amphitheatre as part of our Colston Hall Presents programme,” says Heather Myatt. “Get ready for a bit of a dance and an epic singalong; these two bands are the perfect addition to a summer’s night on Bristol’s spectacular harbour.”
BRISTOL SOUNDS Various acts, 24-28 June We’re down at Lloyd’s again, for Bristol’s favourite summer music festival. ¹With each gig as different as the other, from 6oel /allagher¼s High Flying Birds to Supergrass, Paul Heaton and Jacqui Abbott, and Jack Savarotti, there’s no better place on a summer’s evening,” says Crosstown Concerts. “And now we have the added bonus of an all-day Saturday show headlined by The Levellers… it’s going to be a fantastic five days.º
ST GEORGE’S BRISTOL 250 Years of Beethoven, March-May (various dates) “Ask anyone to name of their favourite classical music composer, and there’s a high chance it will be Beethoven,” says Suzanne Rolt.
“He was one of the greatest musical minds the world has ever seen, and this special anniversary year is a great time to hear some of the big moments in his music. Its great power is that it sweeps you along and transforms how you feel about yourself and about life; whether it’s the rousing notes of his Fifth Symphony, with fate knocking on the door, or the entrancing beauty of the opening of his Moonlight Sonata”. )nd how could we not include classical guitarist 5iloí 3aradagliȎ on 7 June? “Returning to the concert platform following a devastating hand injury, performing with clarinetist Andreas Ottensamer, Miloš is once again breaking down barriers and bringing joy to audiences across the globe.” Eyes up to see a photo of Miloš. We know, right? Maybe we should cross-reference him in the ‘gaze’ section…
ASHTON GATE The Killers, 9 June <he first act coming out of the cage and doing Rust fine at the /ate this year; undoubtedly more will be added to the summer season in due course. We don’t really need to explain why this is the indie rock’n’roll event of 2020 announced thus far, do we?
JAZZ AND BLUES FESTIVAL Various gigs and venues, 26 – 29 March <he first big music fest of the year returns with a weekend packed with gigs, workshops, films and the late-night *ambalan Ram. ¹+lare Teale and Denny Ilett front a big band that takes us back to the ’60s, when bossa nova was in full swing, and as we await the new *ond film, conductor +harles 0ablewood leads a first-class orchestra and singers for a night featuring every single Bond theme from Dr No to Spectre,” says Polly Eldridge. What’s your favourite? It has to be /olLfingMr, right?
LOVE SAVES THE DAY Eastville Park, 23-24 May It’s the end of an era, as Bristol’s beloved Love Saves invites you to One Last Dance in Eastville Park; the festival has grown in size and awesomeness over the years, with massive acts including Jessie Ware, *onobo, ;kepta, ;tormby and 4ily )llen. 1t¼s definitely the last festival at this site; there’s been no announcement about 2021 so far.
THE DOWNS BRISTOL How are Crosstown going to follow last year’s Grace Jones, Lauryn Hill, Idles and Madness? Absolutely no idea yet; watch this space.
GAZE… BRISTOL MUSEUM & ART GALLERY Pre-Raphaelites: Dreaming of a Medieval Past, 16 May – 27 Sep One of the most romantic of all art movements, the Pre-Raphaelites were “fascinated by the stories, objects and colours of an imaginary medieval world,” explains Lauren MacCarthy.
“They rebelled against academic conventions, and searched for new means of artistic expression, by choosing entirely new subjects and
portraying them in shockingly heightened realism.º
-xpect the usual dreamy suspects, including *urne-2ones, 5orris and :ossetti, and to immerse yourself in their world, go unplugged" ¹We¼re trying to encourage visitors to switch off, so the experience can be enRoyed without outside interruptionº · so phones in pockets, please.
M SHED ‘Vanguard’ Bristol Street Art: the Evolution of a Global Movement, 6 June – 1 November What do the ss GB, +oncorde, :ibena and street art have in common' +orrect" they were all created in *ristol. )nd while *ristol can¼t claim to have invented graٻti, it¼s fostered it like no other city; find out more at this landmark show, which celebrates they city¼s role as the birthplace of modern *ritish street art.
RWA Wilhelmina Barns-Graham; The Artists of St Ives, 14 Mar–24 May ¹<hese shows take you on a visual Rourney from the sparking turYuoise seas of ;t 1ves to the sun-baked volcanic sand of 4anbarote,º says director )lison *evan. ¹<hey range from on-the-spot, representational pencil drawings to bold and expressive abstract paintings · a feast for the eyes that will uplift the spirit.º
Streets Ahead: Bristol Street Art 2020 (6 June – 23 August). 8art of a citywide celebration of street art see also ‘Vanguard’ at 5 ;hed, the :W) biggie for summer looks forward to the future of street art and the new directions it¼s heading in. <he exhibition is curated by .elix *raun and 4uke 8almer who originated +rimes of 8assion, an exhibition that took place at the :W) 1 years ago. Were you there'
LEFT: Warhol who? Hajjaj at Arnolfini; BELOW: Pretty vacant: Killip’s punks at MPF
LIME TREE Art of Wales: 6-31 March ¹Wales is home to some of the finest artists in the =3, many of whom have less recognition than they deserve outside their own country,º says ;ue ,ean. ¹7ur )rt of Wales exhibition showcases some of our favourites, from 5ary /riٻths, >ivienne Williams and +atrin Williams to <revor ;owden, 0elen ;inclair and 4isa 5arie <ann.º
ARNOLFINI )rnolfini have three maRor exhibitions moving into spring and summer; we covered Zanjir in our last issue, so here are the others.
Angelica Mesiti: Assembly; until 26 April ¹<his has already connected with so many visitors,º says head of comms ;ara *lair. ¹) large-scale video installation across three screens, set in a luscious red-carpeted amphitheatre, Assembly translates poetry and protest into a series of music, dance and performance pieces. 1t¼s a truly immersive experience that grabs your attention in its entirety, and transports you directly to the chambers of 1taly and )ustralia where it was filmed.º
Hassan Hajjaj’s The Path; from 4 April <he 8ath bursts into )rnolfini¼s space with a series of vibrant photography showcasing the acclaimed 5oroccan-*ritish photographerartist¼s diverse wealth of work. ¹0aRRaR¼s work is characterised by an exuberant melue of colours, patterns, brand logos and found obRects, such as the ;prite cans and tomato soup tins he works into his picture frames,º says ;ara. ¹<he work includes 0aRRaR¼s My Rock Stars series, through which he is keen to connect with the myriad of rich musical wealth *ristol has to offer.º
MARTIN PARR FOUNDATION Chris Killip: The Station 25 March - 23 May +hris 3illip¼s photos documenting the style, theatricality and raw energy of the anarcho-punk movement were taken at <he ;tation, a music venue in /ateshead in 1! , and capture the counter-culture movement which Æourished under <hatcher¼s government.
¹1t¼s a great privilege for the .oundation to be able to show these »lost¼ images,º says 5artin 8arr. ¹We can look back at the whole punk movement with both awe and fascination and these raw and immediate images capture the whole punk scene brilliantly.º
Chloe Dewe Matthews: Thames Log, summer/autumn 2020 ¹We¼ve been following +hloe¼s distinctive work for a few years now,º says .oundation director 2enni ;mith. ¹<he series charts how the course of the <hames is intertwined with the lives that surround it; but it¼s also a wider document of contemporary *ritain.º
ROYAL PHOTOGRAPHIC SOCIETY International Photography Exhibition 162, 15 Feb-22 March <he world¼s longest running photography exhibition returns, showcasing the contemporary work of photographers.
¹;elected from a worldwide open call, and curated by some of the most inÆuential people in photography today, this edition includes stark landscapes made during periods of extended solitude, alongside images created using pinhole cameras made from apples which celebrate community orchards,º says +arly 0eath. ¹;pirituality, family, identity, and inclusion are some of the powerful narratives explored this year.º
UPFEST Greville Smyth Park, 30 May-1 June ¹<his year sees =pfest¼s first ever greenfield festival, with the boards and canvases previously found across a multitude of venues brought together for a huge weekend-long celebration of street art,º says fest director ;teve 0ayles. ¹<he walls and murals, traditionally painted over the festival weekend, will be created in the fortnight leading up to the festival, giving more people the chance to witness these spectacular creations come to life firsthand.º n
‘Miami Painting No 3’ by Steven Lindsay
84 Hotwell Road, Bristol, BS8 4UB Telephone : 0117 929 2527. For more information visit: www.limetreegallery.com
