ART PAGE nd this is why tokes Croft can’t have

THE ARTS

SNAPSHOTS OF BRISTOL’S CULTURAL LIFE

A STREET-ART NATIVITY

There’s a poignant story behind our Christmas cover this year, which was taken from a piece by Jody Thomas. It’s shown in its full glory above; this photo is the only way you can see it now.

“I painted the Madonna and Child in Stokes Croft over two very cold days in the run-up to Christmas 2012,” says Jody. “I based the design on an old stained-glass window I’d found with the help of Father Christopher, a priest I knew from my local church in Whitchurch. I adapted it and added some of my own details. It was so cold during that weekend that the gold paint barely wanted to leave the can, then it refused to dry and ran down the wall.

“I wanted to paint something classically religious in an unexpected setting. The feedback I got was very divided. Most people stopped by to say they loved it, others questioned, why that? Why here? It was a very polarising wall, which wasn’t surprising given its subject and location.

“Sadly, it lasted less than 48 hours before being deliberately taken out by another gra ti writer it probably took him less than ten minutes to ruin it.

“I’m usually OK about my work being painted over, as it’s part of the ephemeral nature of street art, but I did want that one to last at least until Christmas.

WHAT’ ’ 11 December 2020-2 January 2021

© GERAINT LEWIS

Listings were as correct as they could be at time of going to press, but please check websites and social media for latest information

ART

Ongoing

INTERNATIONAL PHOTOGRAPHY EXHIBITION The Royal Photographic Society’s gallery is currently closed, but you can still view the 162nd outing of the world’s longest running photography exhibition virtually, and admire the work of 43 international photographers. rps.org

SUGAR PAPER THEORIES: Meanwhile, also at the RPS, the icecool Sugar Paper Theories is a true-life Nordic noir, as Bristol photographer Jack Latham chronicles the most controversial murder investigation in Icelandic history. rps.org

Until 20 December

CHRIS KILLIP: THE STATION The recently deceased Killip’s vivid photographic document of the style, theatricality and raw energy of the anarcho-punk movement which fl ourished under hatcher; martinparrfoundation.org

Until 31 December

CHANTAL JOFFE: FOR ESME – WITH LOVE AND SQUALOR An exploration of the intimate act of painting and portraiture, capturing the changing faces across the years of Chantal and her daughter Esme. Also another chance to hear Art in the City, a conversation with Chantal o e. nline at arnolfi ni.org.uk

Until 17 January 2021

DENZIL FORRESTER: ITCHIN & SCRATCHIN Denzil’s paintings capture the vibrant energy of the dimly lit dance halls of 1980s London and today’s open-air clubs of amaica; spikeisland.org.uk

Until 21 February

JO SPENCE: FROM FAIRY TALES TO PHOTOTHERAPY Drawn from one of the most comprehensive collections of Jo Spence’s works in the world, and focusing on the intersection between arts, health and wellbeing. At rnolfi ni; arnolfi ni.org.uk

Until 28 February 2021

DO YOU BELIEVE IN MAGIC? Bristol Museum takes a look at the way that magic has been used to heal, hurt and harm down the ages; bristolmuseums.org.uk A PICTURE OF HEALTH: WOMEN PHOTOGRAPHERS FROM THE HYMAN COLLECTION A group exhibition of contemporary women photographers, featuring autobiographical perspectives and social commentaries; arnolfi ni.org.uk

Until 5 April 2021

BEING HUMAN Can art capture what it is to be human? Many notable sculptors have had a go; see the results at ristol useum; bristolmuseums.org.uk

Until 3 May 2021

WILDLIFE PHOTOGRAPHER OF THE YEAR This year’s batch of beautiful, disturbing, thought-provoking, wildin-tooth-and-claw winning shots from the world of nature; at hed, as per. bristolmuseums.org.uk

2 January-7 March 2021

168TH OPEN EXHIBITION he ’s nnual pen returns for its 168th year with a wide variety of work from emerging and established artists; rwa.org.uk SHOWS

Until 12 December

STREAMING BEAUTY Fairy godmother Annette Curtains hosts a uni uely fi lthy and interactive Christmas show, streamed straight to your living room; make sure the kids are in bed before tuning in, yeah? bristololdvic.org.uk

Until 14 December

FOOTSTEPS IN THE SNOW Bedminster’s acta theatre present a family performance set in a wintry wonderland; acta-bristol.com

Until 22 December

BS3 SANTA Street theatre meets travelling Santa’s grotto in Bemmie, as Bristol favourites Stewart Wright and Lucy Tuck bring Santa and Elf literally to your doorstep; tobaccofactorytheatres.com

Until 24 December

RAYMOND BRIGGS’ FATHER CHRISTMAS: ONLINE TFT has teamed up digitally with the Lyric Hammersmith and Bristol’s Pins and Needles to beam a magical production of the Briggs classic into your home; tobaccofactorytheatres.com

Until 30 December

SHERLOCK IN HOMES Don your deerhunter, grab your notepad, boil your kettle and join

Sharp Teeth over Zoom to solve a murder mystery from your own home. bristololdvic.org.uk

Until 28 February

BRISTOL OLD VIC AT HOME Five big-hitters from the back catalogue: A Christmas Carol, The Grinning Man, Swallows and Amazons, Messiah and The Night that Autumn Turned to Winter; full run-down begins on page18. bristololdvic.org.uk

12 December

MARK STEEL & FRIENDS The award-laden Mark headlines the return of Comedy at the Gate; ashtongatestadium.co.uk

11 December

LUKE WRIGHT: THE BALLAD SELLER

© MATTHEW HENRY, WILDLIFE PHOTOGRAPHER OF THE YEAR 2020

OPPOSITE PAGE: Humbug! A Christmas Carol

ABOVE: Hot Georgian gossip, Luke Wright style

LEFT: Spend a night in with the Chagalls

TOP RIGHT: Snow Moose, Wildlife Photographer of the Year show

Wordsmith Luke retells the stories of Georgian balladeers, who would hawk their verse proclamations of scandalous a airs, grisly crimes, and colourful characters on street corners for a penny. At Wardrobe, thewardrobetheatre.com

11-18 December

THE FLYING LOVERS OF VITEBSK If you missed the live-streamed show, Kneehigh’s deliriously romantic tale of the love a air between arc and Bella Chagall is available online, on-demand. The two-actor cast are breathtaking. bristololdvic.org.uk

14 December

CLOSER EACH DAY The world’s longest running improvised comedy soap is back on stage at The Wardrobe, and doing what it does best; closereachday.co.uk

14 December-3 January

SLEEPING BEAUTY The Redgrave brings the fun of panto direct to your home, through a handy streamed link. redgravetheatre.com

18 December

INSTANT WIT Need a laugh? Welcome the local improv favourites back to Alma Tavern; almatavernandtheatre.co.uk

18-24 December

FLIX DRIVE-IN PANTO: CINDERELLA Ashton Gate will be hosting its first drive in panto this Christmas, as Flix Drive-In take on Cinders in a new, never before seen way. ashtongatestadium.co.uk

18 December-3 January

ROBIN HOOD Watch Craig Revel Horwood being helplessly upstaged by Sooty at Hippodrome; actual show in an actual theatre. atgtickets.com

18 December- 9 January

BEAUTY AND THE BEAST Living Spit put their trademark spin on the tale as old as time; live at Bristol Old Vic; bristololdvic.org.uk

20-28 December

ANGELS IN BRISTOL: THE STORY OF CHRISTMAS IN NINE MIRACLES It’s the nativity, but not as you know it. Don’t miss this unique collaboration between some of Bristol’s top creative talent and the local community. Register for free to receive a new story in your inbox every day; see p 21. bristololdvic.org.uk

21 December

SNOW DAY A wintry tale about family and friendship for children aged 3-8, at The Station; thelittlethingstheatre.co.uk

OTHER

Ongoing

BRISTOL FESTIVAL OF IDEAS The autumn programme of online events; see full list at ideasfestival.co.uk

Until 13 December

SANTAS ON THE RUN ... goes freestyle! Choose a route, location and distance, then get fundraising: skip, run, walk ride, hop, skate or sledge. And dress up, obviously. chsw.org.uk

Until 16 December (Wednesday evenings)

CRIME AND CRINOLINES IN CLIFTON Take a stroll with Show of Strength and learn a whole bunch of stu you never knew about Bristol’s most swellegant suburb; stagestubs.com

Until 3 January

GROMIT UNLEASHED: THE GRAND ADVENTURE A new trail for the Gromits, with seven new designs as well as the return of some old friends, at Cribbs Causeway; grandappeal.org.uk n