CULTURE IS THRIVING IN CHISWICK
Culture
IS THRIVING IN CHISWICK But it’s been a tough two years, says Torin Douglas
Culture is alive and well and thriving in Chiswick, despite COVID. We now have a beautiful Chiswick Cinema plus the Weston Studio at Hogarth’s House and three Sunday markets, all opened during lockdown. And Chiswick’s arts groups and venues have really risen to the COVID challenge over the past two years – though it’s not been easy for any of them. The Arts Society Chiswick moved its monthly lectures online, and its speakers adapted brilliantly to the new medium but it’s great to have them back in person again. The Bedford Park Society held its annual lectures online, and is adding extra Zoom lectures this year. And Chiswick House and Hogarth’s House hosted Zoom lectures with other historic houses in the Thames Luminaries series.
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Chiswick Playhouse – with a full programme planned for 2020 – instead put on productions in the Tabard pub courtyard and, when allowed back indoors, cut capacity till restrictions were lifted. It launched a public appeal and fund-raising concerts and interviews to help it survive the crisis. In an exciting programme for 2022, it has just announced a concert celebrating Stephen Sondheim on 4th and 5th February. In 2020, Chiswick House had to cancel its weddings, Giffords Circus, Pub In The Park and outdoor cinema, but it launched an outdoor market and an outdoor festival of concerts and comedy in the walled garden. Supported by a public appeal and the Cultural Recovery Fund, it opened its doors again and started a new programme of f @outandaboutmagazines
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exhibitions and talks - and we look forward to more in 2022. The Bedford Park Festival went online in June 2020 - including a virtual Green Days, Craft Fair and Bandstand, plus streamed concerts, talks and plays, an online photography competition and art exhibition and 14 ‘virtual’ Open Gardens. But it was back in person last summer with music events and talks - and a fete in the grounds of St Michael & All Angels instead of Green Days weekend. We hope Green Days, a Chiswick highlight for over 50 years, will be back in full this year in June. The Chiswick Book Festival also went online in 2020 - streaming interviews with Lady Antonia Fraser, Lloyd Grossman and others. A panel discussion at Chiswick House on ‘Hogarth, Soane and A Rake’s Progress’ www.outaboutmagazine.co.uk
