Places & Faces North Norfolk 13 April 2018 by Countrywide Publications

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APRIL 2018

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OVER PAGES OF WHAT’S ON —

Fashion: DELCATE PASTELS

r e h t Hea

The Frogman

JACK LOWE —

SMALL

SHAPPI KHORSANDI

—

KATHLEEN TURNER —

JOE PASQUALE

orwich NR7 0TA 01603 709200 www.robinsonsaudi.co.uk Q5 range, in mpg (l/100km) from: Urban 32.8 (8.6) – 52.3 (5.4), Extra Urban 44.8 (6.3) – 58.9 CO2 emissions 162 - 132g/km. Fuel consumption and CO2 figures are obtained under standardised EU test conditions

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Some Mothers do ‘ave em

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: I) own the vehicle: pay the optional final payment; ii) return the vehicle: subject to fair wear and tear, charges may apply; or iii) cles purchased on Solutions Personal Contract Plan between 1st October and 31st December 2017, and registered by 31st March o acceptance fee required. Cost of optional metallic paint included in the finance example at £645. **Payable with optional final mile excess mileage charges apply (incl. VAT). Further charges may be payable if vehicle is returned. Indemnities may be required. any time. Available to over 18s in the UK only. All cars must be set to a time and distance service regime. Additional work, including

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G OT A P R O J EC T I N M I N D ? W I L L W O R K W I T H YO U TO AC H I E V E

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TO APRIL’S PLACES&FACES®

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CONTRIBUTORS

John Haresign ,Vicky Edwards, Hellen Culling, Katja Bainbridge, Jean Levy, David Wakefield, George Nicholls, James Rampton, Samantha Fraser, Mark Nicholls, Kate Morfoot, Liz Morais, John Bultitude, Judy Foster, Pete Goodrum, Nicholas Mobbs, Peter Clarke, Carl Lamb, Julian Gibbons, Hayley Philpott, Eliza Miller, Jennifer Dwyer, Melanie Cook, Kayla Dunne, Lucy Downing, Samantha Thompson, Richard Batson, Neill Barston, Julie Handforth Doidge, Christopher Weston, Patrick Prekopp

LET’S FACE IT; Heather Small is no stranger to the big time, and big hits. But right now she’s making a sound that, for her, is bigger than ever. Pete Goodrum caught up with the M People star ahead of her new tour and the release of her new album which will feature her Greatest Hits with M People. When it comes to recapturing the magic of Frank Spencer, one of the best loved characters from the TV world casting can prove to be very tricky so when the new stage version of “some Mothers Do Av Em” was being created who better than Joe Padquale to play the part of Frank Spencer. Vicky Edwards talked to Joe about taking on the mantle of one of the clumsiest comedy characters of all time. Top comedian Shappi Khorsandi’s brilliant new show, “Mistress and Misfit,” focuses on Emma, Lady Hamilton, the mistress and misfit who lit up the life of Admiral Nelson gives us a terrific insight into her new show that will be coming to Bury St Edmunds in May. Kathleen Turner the actress known for her starring roles in Romancing the Stone, Jewel of the Nile, War of the Roses and Who Framed Roger Rabbit (the voice of Jessica Rabbit), will soon be lending her trademark husky alto to classic tunes from the American songbook. In ‘Finding My Voice’ Kathleen will interweave songs such as ‘Let’s Fall in Love’, ‘On the Street Where you Live’, ‘Every time we Say Goodbye’ and many more with stories from her remarkable life and career. Kathleen found the time in her busy schedule to tell us a little more about her show and her career in film. For those car enthusiasts amongst us David Wakefield looks at a new venture by Volvo into the very popular compact sport utility market and road tested the new Volvo XC40, launched last year and newly crowned as European Car of the Year. Our fashion pages this month feature a range of delicate pastels for the ladies and a classic collection of spring jumpers and knitwear for the men. So as we say every month sit back, take some time out and relax with a cup of coffee or a glass of wine and enjoy reading our April issue of Places&Faces® magazine.

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CONTENTS

26 71

44 Photo: MATT CROCKETT

COVER STORY

PERSONALITIES

WHAT’S ON

FASHION, BEAUTY & HEALTH

57 59

19 25 26 29

Heather Small

Ladies Fashion: Delicate Pastels The perfect smile One knit wonders

30 42 46 51 52 114

Joe Pasquale: Some mothers do ave’ em Ten things you might not know about: Sir Tom Kathleen Turner finds her voice Shappi Khorsandi: Mistress and misfit Jack Lowe: Frogman When God moved house Terrance McKanne: Portrait artist Five minutes with...

32 34 49

Kayla Dunn: Visit North Norfolk What’s on in April Chastity Belt at the Open Pinnochio Paul Draper at the Waterfront fEAST: SALT Shrek-tacular Local Books

HOMES 81

JHD Interior Design Tips

FOOD AND DRINK 61 63 64 68

Cocktail time !! Richard Bainbridge Food and wine from The Imperial Hotel The White Hart

FEATURES 71

Selecting the perfect Wedding Venue Elderly Care

BUSINESS 13

Financial advice from Carl Lamb

North Norfolk’s Stockist and Showroom of Clearview Stoves the industry’s leading manufacturers

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For the Highest Quality Financial Advice

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Pensions

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Find out more at almarygreen.com Tel 01603 706740 Email enquiries@almarygreen.com Almary Green Investments Ltd, Greenfields House, 10 Meridian Way, Meridian Business Park, Norwich NR7 0TA

WEALTH MANAGEMENT

Governments across the world are taking a long hard look at digital currencies and it is likely that tighter regulation will be introduced to control their use and values may suffer as a result.

INSIGHT INTO BITCOIN THERE HAS BEEN MUCH IN THE NEWS IN RECENT MONTHS ABOUT THE METEORIC RISE THEN SUBSEQUENT FALL OF THE VALUE OF BITCOINS. CARL LAMB EXPLAINS THE DIGITAL CURRENCY PHENOMENON AND WARNS ABOUT THE PITFALLS.

HARDLY A DAY GOES BY without a news story about the rollercoaster ride being experienced by those who have put their money into Bitcoin. However, it’s important not to let this high profile coverage lull you into thinking that Bitcoin is an ideal solution for all mainstream investors. So what is Bitcoin? In essence, it is a digital currency and was invented as a way of paying for goods and services online without having to get involved with complex currency conversions. When the currency was first established, it was set down in the protocols that only 21 million bitcoins can ever be “mined” so the supply is finite. Bitcoins can be bought and sold: the price you pay is determined by market forces so will rise and fall according to demand. There are other digital currencies out there too, all operating on a similar basis. The problem is that over the past couple of years, increasing numbers of people have jumped onto the Bitcoin bandwagon and the price rocketed. Suddenly it seemed that holdings in Bitcoin could be a viable investment rather than just a means to pay an online bill. However, much like the dot com bubble back around the turn of the millennium, the hyper-inflated values have recently begun to see dramatic crashes and there are as many people suffering huge losses as there are making profits. The other problem is that Bitcoin and other digital currencies are a honeyfall for criminals and money launderers. There are real concerns that they are being used

by those who deal in drugs and the illegal weapons trade and they have become the financial tool of the Dark Web. Even without the criminal undertones, there are huge dangers in putting your hard-earned money into such a high risk solution. Bitcoin is not regulated and there’s no protection for anyone who buys digital currency. It is stored electronically and has no existence outside the web: it can be hacked or simply lost if your technology breaks down. Governments across the world are taking a long hard look at digital currencies and it is likely that tighter regulation will be introduced to control their use – and values may suffer as a result. There is a very real danger that its value could collapse altogether leaving holders with nothing. If you have bought – or are considering buying – Bitcoin, it is critical that you remember that this is not a traditional investment product and is no more safe than a racing tip from a man in the pub. We take clients’ investment strategies very seriously. There’s a huge range of different types of investment solutions out there, all with differing levels of risk and potential return. Getting independent financial advice is certainly the best way to ensure that you stand a good chance of achieving your financial objectives by using a diversified mix of investments that match the level of risk that is acceptable to you. I wouldn’t currently recommend digital currencies as an investment route to my clients and I don’t hold any myself. At present, for me the jury is out… The value of an investment and the income from it could go down as well as up. The return at the end of the investment period is not guaranteed and you may get back less than you originally invested. The tax treatment of investments depends on individual circumstances and is subject to change.

Carl Lamb

Almary Green Chartered Financial Planners www.almarygreen.com | 01603 706740

For independent financial advice, contact Almary Green on 01603 706740 or email enquiries@almarygreen.com. Please remember that the advice here is generic and we recommend that you get individual personalised advice.

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VISIT NORTH NORFOLK

Spring in to

N O r t h N O r fo lk

T h e r e ’s p l e n t y g o i n g o n t h i s E a s t e r i n n o r t h No r f o l k , f r o m r o c k p o o l r u m m a g i n g , t o E a s t e r f a m i l y e v e n t s t o l a m b f e e d i n g , s a y s K a y l a D u n n e f r o m Vi s i t No r t h N o r f o l k .

pring in North Norfolk

brings excellent events for all the family to enjoy during the Easter holidays. The coast and countryside shows sign of new life and are great for exploring at this time of year and there is plenty to do to keep the family entertained. Wroxham Barns has a fun filled Easter with the lambs arriving at the Junior Farm. Daily bottle-feeding sessions take place at 11.00am, 1.30pm and 3.30pm until the end of June. The Big Top is also returning to Wroxham Barns with a brand new Foolhardy Circus Show this Easter called Whoops!, celebrating 250 years of circus. See the first-ever clown routine performed by Stone Age Man, an aerialist and rope dancer. There are twice daily performances at 12.00 and 2.00pm up to Sunday 15th April. Hop along to Cedric’s Chocolate Bunny Burrow at Bewilderwood, running until 15th April. Bounce through the Tricky Tunnels, bundle into a tree house, make bunny ears and catch the tale of the Pesky Bunnies at the storytelling stage. At the National Trust’s Blickling Estate, up to 15 April, visitors can explore the gardens and find out about the plants and animals of springtime, with a shortbread treat at the end of the trail. Discover secret tunnels, squishy trees and a sundial. There’s plenty of fun to be had, from a family game of croquet by the lake, to planting seeds in the walled kitchen garden. Nowhere does ‘chick and duckling season’ like Pensthorpe Natural Park, where, up to 15 April, visitors can join in its Easter Eggstravaganza. As well as its 700-acres of ancient woodland, wetlands, gardens, lakes and walking trails to explore, there’s an Easter trail to follow plus craft-making activities for all the family with a chance

to create an Easter-inspired treat to take home. There will also be a daily Golden Egg Hunt, off-road exploring on the Pensthorpe Explorer, indoor and outdoor play areas and daily bird feeds. It’s the time of year to see ducklings waddling behind their mothers, crane chicks learning to walk and a new litter of red squirrel kittens. Getting outdoors and finding out more about the north Norfolk coast and countryside is great fun for families. Terrific Tuesdays at Blakeney Quay, run by the National Trust team, is a fun opportunity to learn how to catch a crab, check out the birdlife, go bug hunting, explore the grassland at Friary Hills, and more. Explorers are to meet at Blakeney Quay on 3 April 11:00 to 16:00 and 10 April 10:00 to 16:00. For more outdoor adventure, head along to the Wild Wednesday events at Brancaster Beach, run by the National Trust. The ‘50 things’ themed family fun day involves kite flying, stone skimming, tracking wild animals, building sandcastles and bug hunting. Meet at Brancaster Beach (PE31 8AX, look out for flags and staff ), on 4 April 11am to 4pm and 11 April 10am to 4pm. At West Runton Beach (meet outside the beach café), on 3 April (11.30 to 1pm) and 12 April (12.30 to 2pm), the Fascinating

Fossils event is for explorers who want to discover the fossilised remains of some of the amazing beasts that lived on the beach millions of years ago. If you fancy doing something a little different, why not explore the Norfolk Broads aboard a Herbert Woods luxury picnic boat (up to 24 May). Sail along the tranquil waterways, getting up closer to nature and enjoy the changing landscape. Children will be given a Broads Explorer Log Book to jot down wildlife spotted as well as a captain’s log to complete along the way. Day boats can be hired by the hour from £18. On Easter Sunday (2pm), Hindringham Hall once again opens its gates to the private gardens at Hindringham Hall. Explore the walled vegetable and fruit garden, daffodil area, water garden, medieval fish ponds and moat, which dates from 1150 and is one of only a handful of complete moats in Norfolk. The gardens will open again on Wednesdays from 10-1pm and Sundays from 2-5pm until 30 September.

Whatever you fancy doing, there’s plenty of fun to be had this Easter. For a full list of events, timings and admission prices, go to visitnorthnorfolk.com/whats-on

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Discover the delights of The Westcliﬀ A la Carte Restaurant perfectly situated so that it overlooks the sea. Designed by the renowned architect ‘Skipper’, this grand Edwardian dining room has its own Minstrels’ Gallery, marble fireplace and spectacular stained glass windows and doors.

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A n ' O Pri L s t WHA IN

JASON DONOVAN AND HIS AMAZING MIDLIFE CRISIS Jason is delighted to announce that he will be hitting the road once again, only this time, it’s a tour with a twist!!! He is headed to new locations across the country and these intimate gigs will be a unique opportunity to see him like you’ve never seen him before! With a wealth of tantalising tales under his belt, this autobiographical show will take Jason’s looming 50th birthday as its starting point and will zigzag back and forth through his life. Hear some new stories (and possibly one or two you’ve heard before!) plus some of the songs you know and love for a night like no other! – Marina Theatre Lowestoft Monday 16 April www.marinatheatre.co.uk

THE JIVE ACES Renowned worldwide for their highenergy spectacular showmanship, their viral video ‘Bring Me Sunshine’ and for being the first live band to reach the final rounds of ‘Britain’s Got Talent’, The Jive Aces have firmly established themselves as the UK’s No.1 Jive & Swing band. Joining

them will be Guest singer Miss Amy Baker and the JiveSwing.com lindy hoppers. Get your dancing shoes on! – Diss Corn Hall Friday 20 April www.thecornhall.co.uk

40TH ANNIVERSARY TOUR The Greatest Rock & Roll Band In The World’ is a bold statement but Showaddywaddy has lived up to that title as they recently celebrated their 40th anniversary. Formed in the 1970s in Leicester from several local bands, they have sold more than 20 million records and have toured the world. Their live show is dynamic and uplifting featuring all of their biggest hits, many of which reached number one in the pop charts of Europe. ‘Under The Moon of Love’, ‘Three Steps to Heaven’, ‘Hey Rock & Roll’, ‘Pretty Little Angel Eyes’ and many, many more. So come and join the ‘Dancing Party’… ‘You’ve Got What It Takes’! – Friday 13 April - Marina Theatre Lowestoft www.marinatheatre.co.uk Saturday 21 April - Princess Theatre Hunstanton www.thelittleboxofﬁce.co.uk

A n ' O P ri l s t A H W IN

AN AFTERNOON WITH ROGERS AND HAMMERSTEIN The Phoenix Players return to the Maddermarket with our favourite musical treats. Performing many best-loved Rodgers and Hammerstein classics from Carousel, The Kind and I, The Sound of Music, Oklahoma and more! You won’t be able to resist joining in. And if that wasn’t enough to wet your appetite, your ticket also includes coffee and cake in the interval. – Maddermarket Theatre Norwich Wednesday 18 - Thursday 19 April www.maddermarket.co.uk 20

GEORGIE FAME On one of a very select number of UK tour dates, Georgie Fame appears in concert at The Apex, for one night only. With his much loved blend of jazz and rhythm and blues, Georgie has consistently worked in the highest musical circles and has become a true icon of the British music scene. He has released more than twenty albums and fourteen hit singles, including the number ones - ‘Yeh, Yeh’, ‘Get Away’ and ‘The Ballad of Bonnie and Clyde’. Add to this a long list of collaborations with some of music’s most famous names and you have bona fide music legend! In this very special and intimate evening, audiences will be treated to his hits, alongside music from the artists that have influenced him - all interspersed with personal stories and anecdotes from his incredible career. – The Apex, Bury St Edmunds Thursday 12 April www.theapex.co.uk

KIKI DEE AND CARMELO LUGGERI For almost two decades, Kiki Dee and Carlo Luggeri have been touring their spellbinding acoustic live shows across the UK and Europe. Performing in this stripped back fashion allows each of their exceptional talents to shine through and create a wonderful and warm sense of intimacy for the audience. 2018 marks Kiki’s 50th year in the music industry and has cemented her status as one of the UK’s finest and most revered vocalists. – Theatre Royal Bury St Edmunds Saturday 14 April www.theatreroyal.org

WHAT’S ON

CILLA - THE MUSICAL A spectacular and heart-warming musical adaptation of the critically acclaimed ITV mini-series based on the early life of Cilla Black, by BAFTA award winner, Jeff Pope (Philomena, Little Boy Blue). The story follows the extraordinary life of the ordinary teenage girl from Liverpool, Priscilla White, and her rocky, yet incredible, rise to fame. By the age of just 25 she was recognised as International singing star Cilla Black and would go on to become Britain’s favourite television entertainer headlining series’ of Blind Date, Surprise Surprise and many more. The musical score is the ultimate soundtrack to the 60’s including Cilla’s greatest hits Anyone Who Had a Heart, Alfie and Something Tells Me, alongside a backdrop of the legendary ‘Liverpool Sound’ including The Beatles’ Twist and Shout, and American influences like California Dreamin’ by The Mamas and The Papas and many more. Kara Llily Hayworth plays Cilla. Following weeks of open auditions up and down the country, Kara fought off thousands of hopefuls to be named as the girl who would step into the legend’s coveted shoes in the first ever musical about the star’s life. Executive producer and Cilla’s son, Robert Willis, said of Kara: ‘I knew she was the one my mum would have wanted!’. In the role of Brian Epstein is TV and stage favourite Andrew Lancel best known for his portrayal of Frank Foster in Coronation Street. – Norwich Theatre Royal Tuesday 17 - Saturday 21 April www.theatreroyalnorwich.co.uk

HEATHER SMALL It has been 25 years since Heather Small, ‘The Voice & Face of M People’, burst onto the music scene. After over 11 million record sales and 1994 and 1995 Brit award winners, Heather Small is embarking on her nationwide “How Can I love You More” Tour, which will be a 25th Anniversary Celebration of the music of Heather Small & M People, featuring all the hits, ‘Moving On Up’, ‘One Night in Heaven’, ‘Search For A Hero’, ‘Renaissance’, ‘Open Your Heart’, ’Testify’, ‘Dreaming’, ‘Angel St’ and the anthemic ‘Proud‘. Heather’s rich and distinctive voice has earned her a reputation for being one of Britain’s most accomplished soul divas. – Heather Small 2018 Tour Wed 9 May Corn Exchange, Cambridge www.cambridgelivetrust.co.uk

Sat 12 May Regent Theatre, Ipswich www.apps.ipswich.gov.uk Wed 16 May The Waterfront, Norwich www.thewaterfront.ticketabc.com 21

WHAt's On APril IN

MARTINE MCCUTCHEON Martine McCutcheon, first found fame as Tiffany Mitchell in Eastenders in the 1990s, before releasing her platinum-selling debut solo album ‘You, Me & Us’ in 1999 containing the No. 1 single ‘Perfect Moment’. West End and TV roles followed and along the way she became the nation’s sweetheart. In 2003, Martine memorably played Natalie opposite Hugh Grant in ‘Love Actually.’ Now 41, happily married, mother of a 2 year old, the time felt right to return to the studio. Martine has cowritten most of the songs on the new album ‘Lost and Found’ with her husband, the multiinstrumentalist/vocalist Jack McManus, and she has never sounded better! Martine is back not only musically; she also reprised her role in the Comic Relief reunion of ‘Love Actually’ earlier this year and has just wrapped a film with Alan Davies called ‘The Bromley Boys.’ However it’s music that’s her main focus. First single ‘Say I’m Not Alone’, is a song like nothing

AWARD WINNING VOCAL TRIO Brit Award winning vocal trio Blake return in 2018 with a special UK tour, celebrating 10 years together. The show features songs from their brand-new 10th anniversary album including Elgar’s ‘Nimrod’, the Beatles’ ‘Here There and Everywhere’, ‘Somewhere’ from West Side Story & the classic ‘Caruso’, along with all the band’s popular anthems in powerful three-part harmony. Enjoy a spectacular show with video projections, emotive lighting & the boys’ famously off-piste banter. – Maddermarket Theatre Norwich | Saturday 7 April www.maddermarket.co.uk

A CONCERT FULL OF LIGHT Sheringham and Cromer Choral Society return to Cromer Parish Church to present a wonderful programme of 21st century choral music celebrating the theme of Light. This may be a ‘modern’ music concert but guaranteed to be highly melodic and no fear of dissonance! This promises to be an evening of beautiful music with a line-up of top class soloists. Also on the programme are works by the widely performed American composer Morten Lauridsen, the Norwegian Ola Gjeilo and the Devonbased composer of sacred music Graham Keitch whose works are rapidly becoming popular and frequently performed by choirs and in cathedrals around the world. This is a concert not to be missed. – Cromer Parish Church on Saturday 28 April Tickets are available now from Sheringham Little Theatre box ofﬁce 01263 822347 or online at www.sheringhamlittletheatre.com 22

Martine has ever recorded before; big, bold, brash, merging clanging guitars, thumping drums and a hard hitting lyric. Other album highlights include the rocky ‘Any Sign Of Life’, the beautiful ‘Stay With Me’ (which is a duet with Jack) and album closer ‘Rebellion’. The album is a deeply personal record that deals with everything from relationships to Martine’s debilitating illness that saw her unable to work. “Life brought this album about very gradually,” explains Martine. “It was a really unconscious thing; I started writing the songs at a time in my life when I’d lost everything.” – Princess Theatre Hunstanton Sunday 29 April www.thelittleboxofﬁce.co.uk

STEEMY DAN AND SONGBIRD ‘Steemy Dan’ will once again be ‘Reelin’ in the years’ on their return to the Ocean Room and on this occasion will be joined by ‘Songbird’ who will be presenting the timeless classics of Fleetwood Mac. Both bands will be faithfully celebrating the music of these legendary acts, who between them, have collectively sold almost 150 million albums worldwide. Steemy Dan’s dynamic performance of Steely Dan’s wonderfully crafted songs will include Rikki don’t lose that number, Josie, Peg, FM (No static at all), The Fez, Haitian Divorce, Do It Again, Kid Charlemagne & many more. Whilst Songbird’s all immersive show will include state of the art video projection and feature all of the hits of Fleetwood Mac with tracks taken from Rumours, Tango in the Night, Tusk and Mirage. Steemy Dan are a 10 piece band who have been described as ‘the closest you can get to the original thing’ whilst also receiving praise from the legendary guitarist Elliot Randall who played on many of Steely Dan’s original recordings including ‘Reelin’ in the years’. Both bands feature some of the very best local musicians and it promises to be a fantastic evening of entertainment for all. – The Ocean Rooms, Goleston | Saturday 14 April www.steemydan.com

WHAT’S ON

THE JUNGLE BOOK An exciting new adaptation of Rudyard Kipling’s family classic, The Jungle Book, comes to life in this colourful new show brought to you by the team behind Goodnight Mister Tom and Michael Morpurgo’s Running Wild. Loved as a wild and fun tale of family, belonging and identity, this production is packed with memorable characters, new songs and brilliant storytelling. Mowgli the man cub battles for survival in this heart-warming coming-of-age story about a child raised by wolves in the jungle. With the help of his animal friends, including Bagheera the panther, Baloo the bear and Kaa the python, Mowgli outwits the cruel and powerful tiger, Shere Khan, and learns the law of the jungle. This unforgettable musical adventure is adapted by the Olivier Award-winning Jessica Swale (Nell Gwynn), features live music on stage created by Joe Stilgoe and is directed by Max Webster (The Lorax, The Old Vic). – Norwich Theatre Royal | Tuesday 10 - Saturday 14 April www.theatreroyalnorwich.co.uk RUBY TURNER For many years Ruby Turner has been regarded as having one of the greatest voices the UK has ever produced. Ruby can breathe life and meaning into a song whether it is a passionate soaring ballad or a soulful up-tempo groove. Her career to date has been sensational, with major tours, film, TV and theatre appearances. Described as truly the genuine article and blessed with a voice that has been likened to Aretha Franklin and Janis Joplin, Ruby continues to win the hearts and minds of an ever growing and diverse fan base. – Norwich Playhouse | Saturday 28 April www.norwichplayhouse.co.uk

TRUE STORIES LIVE CELEBRATES WOMEN OF THE WORLD FESTIVAL WITH AN ALL FEMALE LINE-UP Norwich’s popular monthly storytelling event True Stories Live is taking part in the Women of the World Festival with a special all female line up on Sunday 29 April in the main hall at Norwich Arts Centre. Special guests will be comedian Bec Hill and writer, artist, filmmaker and performer Paula Varjack. They will tell stories about their own true-life experiences alongside past female TSL participants telling their stories based on a theme of ‘Now’s the Time’. As with all TSL events the night will be compéred by Norwich based scriptwriter, poet and performer Molly Naylor. True Stories Live is the intimate monthly storytelling evening founded at Norwich Arts Centre that has grown to become a regular sell out success and has toured to great acclaim to London, around the country and to the Edinburgh Book Festival. – Norwich Arts Centre | Sunday 29 April www.norwichartscentre.co.uk 23

A n ' O P ri l s t A H W IN

CALLING ALL PIRATES The Easter blockbuster shows Pirates Live! Returns at the the Hippodrome Circus, Great Yarmouth on the 29 March with a brand new production for 2018. This all action Pirate Water Show has been called “phenomenal” by the Eastern Daily Press and for good reason; this immense production brings together a motley crew of Pirates, Fire Eaters, Acrobats, Aerialists and Hilarious Comedy in an experience like no other. This year however stars of Pirates Live, Jack Jay and comedian Johnny Mac have said that audiences better get prepared to get involved themselves as members of their pirate crew. This all new version of the smash hit show is set to break all records, with advance bookings at an all-time high. So if you or the kids feel like dressing as a Pirate, do it, it will make a great family photo or selfie at the end of the show when everyone has a chance to meet Jack and Johnny on the main stage. – Hippodrome Circus Great Yarmouth 29 March – 22 April www.hippodromecircus.co.uk

STARS OF STRICTLY Strictly Come Dancing finalist Giovanni Pernice returns to the stage with a bang in his brand new UK and Ireland tour ‘Born to Win’. Returning to join Giovanni are Luba Mushtuk, dancer and assistant choreographer on ‘Strictly Come Dancing’, as his gorgeous leading lady, along with ‘Dancing with the Stars Ireland’ professionals Giulia Dotta, Kai Widdrington, Emily Barker, and Curtis Pritchard. Get ready for glitzy costumes and spectacular routines to dances like the Paso Doble, the Argentine Tango, the Rumba, the Viennese Waltz, and not forgetting the Jive, to name just a few! Choreographed by ‘Strictly Come Dancing’s’ creative director, Jason Gilkison, and produced by Strictly Theatre Co. – Marina Theatre Lowestoft | 27 April | www.marinatheatre.co.uk

IRISH FOLK MUSIC As part of their 40th Anniversary tour, Irish Legends, the Fureys perform a great night of music, songs and stories. Hear them sing their timeless classics including ‘I will love you’, ‘When you were sweet 16’, ‘The Green fields of France’, ‘Her father didn’t like me anyway’, ‘Leaving Nancy’, ‘Steal away’ etc plus songs from their new CD ‘The Times they are a changing’. Their emotive songs stir many emotions... tears, laughter, sadness and joy. – St Georges Theatre, Great Yarmouth Wednesday 25 April www.stgeorgestheatre.ticketsolve.com

RHYTHMN OF THE NIGHT TOUR Ian and Oti will deliver a night of Latin and Ballroom numbers with high intensity - The Strictly Come Dancing pros will perform a dance showcase spectacular, designed to dazzle and wow you! Meet the two Strictly favourites before their show, by booking for their Meet and Greet experience where you will receive a programme which you can get personally signed, and it’s a great opportunity to take photos and chat to Ian and Oti! Meet and Greet tickets are £20 and must be bought in conjunction with a show ticket. The Apex, Bury St Edmunds | Tuesday 24 April | www.theapex.co.uk 24

The

| APRIL 2018

y R r e b p s Ra Can Noli CAbaret

Chastity Belt

A West End star fresh from sharing the stage with Amanda Holden is set to dazzle audiences in Norwich this May.

Chastity Belt, who starred in Richard Harris’ 1984 comedy Stepping Out alongside the Britain’s Got Talent judge, has been confirmed as host of Mister Jack’s Raspberry Cannoli Cabaret. She will appear alongside confirmed acts including royalfavourite Ray Gelato and the Giants and the UK’s most famous burlesque group, the Folly Mixtures. She said: “I’m thrilled to be part of the Raspberry Cannoli Cabaret and working with Mister Jack. He has brought together some of best from the bright lights of the capital to create a stellar line-up. This will be my debut performing in this glorious city and I can’t wait to host what’s set to be a spectacular show.” The Raspberry Cannoli Cabaret comes after great demand and a successful sold out event in 2017 starring the collaboration of the Folly Mixtures and Ray Gelato and the Giants. The event will transport OPEN in Norwich into the venue of a 1960s Italian-American inspired old style night club, where ladies dazzle and wise guys meet. A spokesperson for Mister Jack said: “It’s a pleasure to be working with Chastity Belt for the first time. Securing acts like this proves that you don’t have to travel to the capital for high-quality cabaret. The audience

can expect an evening of pure spectacle.” Mister Jack is launching “The Raspberry Cannoli Cabaret” a New York, Italian-American club. Live music and live cabaret performance come together for an evening of spectacle, dancing, cocktails and so much more. The “Godfather of Swing”, Ray Gelato and The Giants will perform a sensational musical set supported by mesmerising dance, cabaret and burlesque performances. Escape to “The Raspberry Cannoli Cabaret” where style, big hair, hats, pizzazz, bling and happiness are compulsory. Dress code “New York - Italian American - 1960’s - wise guys ‘n gals Hats - Bling” “Glamour, Sophistication, Escapism” - “Create your own memories” The Raspberry Cannoli Cabaret will take place on Saturday 5th May 2018 at 8pm at OPEN, Norwich over 18’only so you will need to take with you proof of age in case you are asked for it. www.opennorwich.org.uk

Photography by MANUEL HARLAN

| APRIL 2018

WEST END REVIEW

Benet Catty heads to the National Theatre, Lyttleton to see if this Disney classic has been brought to life on the stage ...

isney has had considerable success taking some

of their most loved animated films and transferring them onto the musical stages of the world. They began with Beauty and the Beast, a Vegas-style staging of perhaps the best of the 90s rejuvenation of the Disney brand. The Lion King has recently become the highest grossing stage show in history, approaching its 20th anniversary in London. Mary Poppins, with Cameron Mackintosh, has flown around the world. Aladdin, an entertaining if slightly pedestrian musical, is now in its second year in London. Others, like The Little Mermaid and Tarzan, have yet to make it here but have been successful in America and Europe. But this is the first time that one of the “big 5” original Disneys have been adapted for the stage, here initiated not by Disney themselves but by the National Theatre. There’s lots to look forward to with Pinocchio. It’s a National Christmas show (which is what War Horse was), the adaptation is by Dennis Kelly (who did the same for the world-beating Matilda), the design is by Bob Crowley (the best designer in the world) and the direction is from John Tiffany (lately of Harry Potter on stage, currently sold out until the twenty-second century). Pinocchio begins well. Snow falls and we hear the gorgeous When You Wish Upon a Star (perhaps the most iconic Disney song) sung by a heavenly choir. It ends similarly well. But in the intervening two and a half hours it takes for the puppet to find his way to humanity, this is a musical more to admire than like. Its big visual idea is for the ‘real’ characters to be puppets and the puppet Pinocchio to be real. The puppets and furniture are all scaled up, so we see a real actor on a vast table, for instance, which immediately plays with our perspective. It’s charming and it impresses, but it doesn’t involve. The score, too, is a great achievement. Leading arranger Martin Lowe (whose previous work includes the dazzling Once, also for Tiffany, and Jerry Springer The Opera) has gone back to the original manuscripts provided by Disney’s

archives. He has woven underscores and songs cut from the original 1940 film, combined them with European folk music and expanded versions of the five songs we know (“I have no strings” most prominently) and turned the whole into something of its own. But, again, one admires the achievement of the construction of this new score rather than being washed along by it. Even the design from Crowley feels insufficiently eye-grabbing. The puppets (designed with Toby Olie) are impressive but the design is mostly surrounded by black walls and black backgrounds which gives the stage an oddly dead feeling. A (very over-long) scene in a fairground offers much more visual interest. The cast of twenty can’t quite escape the woodenness of Dennis Kelly’s lazy script which too often goes for obvious child-friendly gags. The brilliance of Matilda, not least Kelly’s work on it, was that it is a children’s story in which the audience is never patronised. Here, it’s hard to see the appeal of the show if you don’t have young children. The title role needs a breakout turn, along the lines of what Charlie Stemp gave to Half a Sixpence: another second-rate show that was made first-rate by production values and high-quality casting. Joe Idris-Roberts is energetic and charming, occasionally even touching, but the material doesn’t really let him dazzle. There are some nice performances – Annette McLaughlin as Blue Fairy and Audrey Brisson as Jiminy Cricket were both very charming – but in the main it’s all a bit too broad. That your dreams don’t come true with Pinocchio is primarily to do with tone. While it is imaginative and theatrical and warm, it rarely if ever achieves magic. There are no “wow” moments where one is taken back to being a child again; no moments of wonder and pizazz. It is impressive, often engaging and the performances are charming – particularly Idris-Roberts – but I’d have a long nose if I recommended it. PINOCCHIO on now until Tuesday 10 April, For more info or to BOOK ONLINE www.nationaltheatre.org.uk

Monday 23 - Saturday 28 April Eves 7.30pm, Mats Wed & Sat 2.30pm TICKETS: £8 - £35 Book online: www.theatreroyalnorwich.co.uk Theatre Street, Norwich NR2 1RL

fr o m co m ple te

MUSIC

oblivion

Paul Draper released his long awaited debut solo album, Spooky Action last summer – the album was the result of a decade of thinking, tinkering, writing, recording and focusing. Neill Barston caught up with former Mansum frontman at his recent performance at The Waterfront in Norwich.

ith a wry laugh, former Mansun frontman Paul Draper reveals it was a mere quirk of fate that saved his long-awaited solo album from complete oblivion. According to the Liverpool-born singer, the demos earmarked for Spooky Action had frustratingly gathered dust within the depths of his West London studios, seemingly destined for classic ‘lost album’ status. But after finally summoning the courage to revisit these halfrealised songs following a successful spell as a producer, it emerged his sound engineer Ben had accidentally taken the album’s fledgling recordings home thinking they were blank DVDs ripe for recording over. “It’s just lucky we had those demos on DVD-R’s that were not a rewritable format, otherwise they would have ended up as Ben’s recording of Arsenal on Match of the Day. If anyone wants to ask him any more about that, he’s now in my band as our guitarist,” says Paul on the curious course of events. While such an ocean of time elapsed since his former output could easily have put paid to the prospects of a return, it seems there was a strong sense of unfinished business surrounding Spooky Action’s emergence. Though it may have been a long and winding road, persistence has paid off with the album gaining critical acclaim and cracking the top 20 charts. Its performance prompted record label Kscope to embark on a major re-issue of Mansun’s back-catalogue over the next 18 months. Significantly, the band’s vocalist has no interest in being viewed as a nostalgia act, though admits the decision to perform and write again was in part inspired by fans devotion. This included several high profile conventions over recent years that ensured the music remained in the public’s consciousness. “I suppose I was a studio person as that’s where I’d been for the past 15 years, but I’ve so enjoyed being out doing the live shows again, It’s been quite an adventure,” remarks Paul on the whirlwind events of the past six months, which has seen him move away from production desk duties honing material for the likes of Skin of Skunk Anansie, and most recently in being at the helm of the debut album for the Anchoress. He says he owes a debt of gratitude to those who have carried forth the legacy of the band, which at its late 90’s peak stood on the brink of near stadium-sized fame with the success of their first two albums. In recounting those years, he concedes a sense of frustration over their demise surrounding the recording of their fourth album, Kleptomania. Following pressure from fans, it gained a belated release by Parlophone records following the group’s demise. Consequently, by Paul’s own admission, “It’s more likely the Beatles would get back together in their original line-up than Mansun,’ though he explains he has had contact with former drummer Andie Rathbone. Despite the band’s untimely implosion, there were some notable highs, including the chance to meet Paul’s musical hero Prince while touring in the US. As he recalls, it was an all too fleeting encounter in a VIP club lounge, with the Purple Rain songwriter being

surrounded by a typically large entourage. He described his shock death as ‘a massive loss to music,’ as was the passing of his other great inspiration, David Bowie. “I’ve always been a Bowie fan, and it was great to be able to support him on his tour of Italy back in 97. One night, he just came backstage to our dressing room, chain-smoking a cigarette and he just said how much he liked our music. He insisted we just call him Dave - he was very disarming, and the consummate performer. It didn’t get much cooler than being able to hang out with him,” adds the Mansun singer of one of his favourite touring memories. As for his latest band line-up, he enthuses it’s far more complex than it was first time around, with keyboards adding to depth of their sound. They’ve even raided the EMI archives for effects that were used on his former early recordings that will be placed centre-stage for the upcoming tour dates. “It’s been a long while since I’ve played the songs from our debut Mansun album, and I think certain record last the test of time, which this one has done. “For the new tour, this will be the first time that we’ll be playing Attack of the Grey Lantern in its entirety, which we didn’t even manage back in the day. “I’m just pleased that fans have seen the new material as a continuation of what we achieved with Mansun,” explains Paul, who had been refreshingly modest about the prospects of his latest material before its release. While he admits that being on an independent label has meant that the sustained promotion afforded to the likes of solo artists such as Ed Sheeran would never be possible, it’s a situation he is entirely happy with. Being able to pursue his music on his own terms is something that he is valuing hugely, as he speaks with real hope for future shows and recording. “What’s been happening the past few months has taken me into a whole new world – the response to the new album has been much bigger than I’d thought. “We’re putting out a live album based on the London show last year at the Scala, which is taking up all my time right now,” admits Paul, who recalls he managed a few drinks with friends over Christmas before swiftly returning to the studio that has almost become his second home. The New Year has clearly brought key challenges in preparing to head out across the country. Buoyed by a fresh sense of momentum, Paul enthuses that he’s already penned several tracks towards the follow-up to Spooky Action, and feels in a rich creative vein. For someone who has comparatively achieved so much in their career, you can’t help wonder if there’s anything that he would add to a personal wish list of ambitions? “I think to be honest, I would be fine just being a jobbing version of me, I’m happy just doing what I’m doing right now,” adds the singer who is clearly thriving in a rich vein of songwriting and relishing the prospect of hitting the road once more.

| APRIL 2018

Some Mothers Do ‘Ave Em

I hope the insurance is comprehensive and the Stage Manager has a well-stocked first aid kit when the world premiere of Some Mothers Do ‘Ave ‘Em goes on national tour. “Oh blimey, yes!” says the effervescent Joe Pasquale, who will play Frank Spencer, the character made famous on TV in the 1970s by Michael Crawford and that had a nation chorusing his ‘Ooh, Betty!’ catchphrase “We have a stunt coordinator and I’m doing it all – hanging by my ankles, chicken chasing and all sorts. But we’re not doing it as Michael’s version of Frank Spencer; that would be an insult to Michael. I’m putting my personality into it, which is how to make it believable. There’s a difference between child-like and childish and Frank isn’t childish; he believes in what he’s doing.

Photography by SCOTT RYLANDER

When it comes to recapturing the magic of one of the best-loved characters from the TV world, casting can be tricky. But when it came to bringing Frank Spencer to life in the brand new stage version of Some Mothers Do ‘Ave Em, who better than Joe Pasquale? He chats to Vicky Edwards about taking on the mantle of one of the clumsiest comedy characters.

THEATRE

“We did three workshops and at the last one we had an invited audience who were across an age range of between eighteen and seventy. All the younger people didn’t know the show or have a frame of reference with Michael, but they laughed their socks off. Even the older people who remember the original, forgot Michael doing it in within five minutes – the script is so good,” enthused Joe, explaining that the show is based on an original story about Frank trying to get on a TV talent show. “It’s still set in the 70s, so you get the mustard wallpaper, tank tops and all the trimmings. It is so funny and you can take the whole family to see it. Apart from panto and maybe musicals there aren’t any theatre shows that people of all ages can enjoy together, but this is proper family comedy.” Agreeing that he is something of an adrenalin junkie (as well as slumming it on – and winning – I’m a Celebrity fourteen years ago, Joe has also appeared in TV documentaries that have entailed him being trained by the SAS and imprisoned in Costa Rica) he jokes: “If it’s not dangerous or life threatening then I’m not interested anymore. I read the book Feel the Fear and do it Anyway fifteen years ago and it made me think. Now, if I’m not sure about doing something, I automatically say OK; let’s do it. You might as well live while you can.” Asked how the show came about, Joe recalls playing King Arthur in the Monty Python musical comedy Spamalot in the West End a couple of years ago. Stuck in an airless dressing room at the height of summer, wearing chainmail and kingly robes, a broken fan was about as much use as a chocolate fire guard. Setting about taking it to pieces, cleaning it and putting it back together again (“I was sweating my knackers off”), when he turned the power back on the fan exploded. The show’s director Christopher Luscombe and staff director Guy Unsworth were present and both roared with laughter, calling it a pure Frank Spencer moment. A seed was sown and Guy sought out Raymond Allen, writer of the original TV series. Fate was smiling. Allen, it transpired, was a big fan of Joe’s. Unsworth set about writing a script and now, two years, several script edits and three workshops later, the show is underway. “We have been working really hard on it, Guy in particular,” says Joe, admitting that when he first met “this very well spoken young lad who looked like an American football player” he questioned what the youngster could possibly teach him about comedy. “I soon realised that he knew everything; he’s a natural,” marvels Joe. “He suggests the smallest change; a tiny nuance to get the comedy out of a line, and he’s always right. He’s also a real historian on British comedy. I think he’ll be one of the biggest directors in the West End.” Joined by a cast that includes Susie Blake as Mrs Fisher, Frank’s disapproving mother-in-law, Moray Treadwell as Mr Luscombe, David Shaw-Parker as Father O’Hara and Chris Kiely as Desmond, playing his long-suffering wife Betty is Spamalot co-star Sarah Earnshaw.

“Sarah’s role is so much more difficult. She has to be softer and so likable, but she’s brilliant,” says Joe, confessing that he’s a terrible on-stage ‘farter’ and that Sarah knows all about playing long-suffering having been downwind of his lively bottom during the run of Spamalot. “She calls me the Unstoppable Moron,” he chuckles. Unstoppable is certainly right. As well as the tour of Some Mothers, Joe continues to do stand-up and has just had a book of his short horror stories published. “It’s a book for adults called Deadknobs and Doomsticks. I’m a bit of a horror buff and when I did an Open University course in geo-science and geology, as a by-product I did some writing courses.” Sending his stories to an author friend for feedback, his chum promptly forwarded them on to his publisher who saw the potential and immediately told Joe to write some more. Reminiscent of the Duracell Bunny in terms of energy, does Joe find acting in a long tour a tiring prospect? “My life is a sitcom, so, no acting required for this one [another infectious laugh], but touring in Some Mothers will be a lot easier than my stand-up show. Then I usually do forty one-nighters at different theatres. A week in one place will be like a holiday,” he beams, adding that there are certain dates he is particularly looking forward to. “I like to get out and about. I don’t just sit there watching the telly. I get the local pamphlets from the hotel and go see whatever there is to see and get to know a place. Norwich is a smashing city and I always look forward to going back there.” As for playing Frank, daredevil Joe is mindful that he has already had his fair share of ‘industrial injuries,’ including getting stuck inside a bingo machine, breaking his toe while tap dancing and dislocating a shoulder in panto. “It’s got danger written all over it for me,” agrees Joe cheerfully. “I wouldn’t want to be my understudy. “But the world is a miserable place sometimes and we need to empty our bins, mentally. The only way to do that is release some laughter and you’ll laugh for two hours solidly at this, I promise.” Radiating warmth as naturally as Frank Spencer causes chaos, Joe’s mum certainly ‘ad a very funny, talented and lovable lad.

Some Mothers Do ‘Ave ‘Em Monday 9-Saturday 14 July To book, log onto www.theatreroyalnorwich.co.uk or call the box office on 01603 630000 31

| APRIL 2018

Gritting the new road with

SAlt

THEATRE Dawn Finnerty Co-director

Theatre company fEAST is back on the road touring the county with a new adaptation of Norfolk novelist Jeremy Page’s acclaimed book Salt. After a year off

to reorganise, the Norfolk company kicks off its new spring season at the Garage in Norwich on the 20 April and travels the county until 5 May visiting theatres and town and village halls. The show features regular fEAST performers Owen Evans, of celebrated Norfolk comedy duo the Nimmo Twins, and Robin McLoughlin, who adapted the novel for the stage, and newcomers Sally Blouet, Katie-Anna Whiting, Tom Girvan and Sam Thompson. Dawn Finnerty will direct, marking the fourth of fEAST’s productions with a woman at the helm. Dawn and Robin were regular performers with fEAST and Salt is the first show they have produced together after taking over the running of the company from founders Rob John and Mandy McKenna. Salt is the story of a young boy, Pip Langore, trying to make sense of his family’s troublesome history in north Norfolk from the end of the Second World War through to the 1980s. Set across decades of blood, smoke, mud, tears and fish, Salt is a funny and tragic play about the relationship between people and the landscape they live in, with live music and a strong regional flavour. Dawn says: “Robin McLoughlin has worked tirelessly for several years to adapt this magical and atmospheric novel for the stage and I’m really looking forward to the challenge of staging it. “The elements of water, air, earth and fire feature heavily with saltmarsh mud and samphire, sea breezes, nimbus clouds, boats cast on stormy tides and fireworks aplenty.” The team behind Salt also have links going back several decades in the county. Novelist Jeremy Page and Owen Evans were pupils at the newly formed Paston Sixth Form College in 1984 and were in Rob John’s first class as a teacher. And, 33 years later, company newcomer Sam Thompson was directed at Paston College by Dawn Finnerty. Rob John has also written a new play, which will follow Salt in an autumn tour - the first time in fEAST history that the company tours two plays in one year.

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Photography by HELEN MAYBANKS

| APRIL 2018

THEATRE

r a l u c a t k e Shr The all-singing, all-dancing monster of a hit show Shrek The Musical returns to the Norwich stage at the end of June ready to delight old and young alike during a two-week run at the Theatre Royal.

ased on the story and characters from the Oscar-winning Dreamworks Animation film which turned the world of fairy tales upside-down, one of the familiar faces in the cast will be local boy Kevin Yates. The multi-talented musical theatre actor who hails from King’s Lynn was here in Shrek’s first UK & Ireland tour three years ago – although theatre-goers might be hard pushed to recognise him in the street as he played multiple characters in a variety of costumes and make-up, from one of the three little pigs and a happy villager to being the puppeteer for Puss in Boots and the head of the dragon. That hugely successful two-year tour of Shrek was Kevin’s very first professional job straight out of drama school – and it proved a big learning curve for him. So, as he told Judy Foster, he is delighted to be returning to the show again and this time with a little more responsibility as he joins main cast members Amelia Lily (from 2011’s X-Factor), who plays Princess Fiona, and Steffan Harri (who starred in the first UK tour of Shrek) as the swamploving ogre. “I can’t wait,” he said. “Shrek was my debut as a musical theatre actor so it is wonderful to come back to the show that taught me so much. You go to drama school and try to learn as much as you can dancing, singing, acting-wise, but it is only when you get your first job that you not only learn how the industry works but also important life lessons, especially when you are touring. To come back to it again is like returning to an old friend.” When the last tour ended in February 2016, Kevin then went into Rent the Musical. “I had an injury at the end of Shrek so I couldn’t do the last venue – but I had physiotherapy and was doing lots of exercises and then got back into auditions. So I was recovering when Rent the Musical came up. It was the 20th anniversary cast and the actual 20th anniversary date was while we were on tour – so I had a really good time during the nine-month tour around the UK.” Between Shrek finishing and Rent starting, Kevin had a sixmonth break and moved back home to King’s Lynn. “I got back in touch with my roots which was lovely. I got to see a lot of old school friends. I had a lovely response from everyone and they are all very supportive. I love King’s Lynn and had such a wonderful time growing up there. I was very lucky. It’s a town that celebrates its art.” Kevin was part of the Kinetic Theatre at Springwood High School in the town and also at the Footlights Dance Centre (now Studio 19). “I didn’t know I was going to become a professional - it was just lovely to have something to go to that wasn’t sport as I wasn’t particularly a sporty young man. I was always more creative and wanting to perform.” He was first inspired to get up on a stage at the age of five or six when he saw his sister performing in a school play. “I saw her do that and I said that’s what I want to do. I didn’t think I would ever be doing it to earn money, but then as you grow people try to point you in the direction of the next step which was to go to drama school, so I thought OK I’ll try to do that. I’m very glad I was pushed as I’m not highly competitive. My aim is to carry on doing the work and to keep performing.” Kevin initially auditioned for two drama schools but wasn’t successful. So he took up a place at Colchester Institute to study musical theatre for a three-year course, but during his second year he was getting such good marks that he decided to audition for drama school again.

“This time I got into Arts Educational Schools London (ArtsEd) and studied there for three years. The first time I auditioned for them it was very clear I wasn’t ready – but this time I was. It was like the path was laid out before me. If you love what you do then it doesn’t feel like work and even though I was dancing for hours a day and was singing all the time and was exhausted, it wasn’t work. It was the life I was living. So I was no stranger to hard work and then I came into Shrek the Musical where I had a role that had so many quick changes, but I was well prepared for it. It just felt kind of normal.” With the new tour, there have been some changes to his role in Shrek. “Last time I was second understudy for Donkey. This time around I am first understudy, so it is a bit more responsibility. As of yet, I’ve not been on as Donkey, but have now had all of my understudy rehearsals so I am fully certified and ready to go on whenever!” And there’s certainly no rest for him as once again Kevin is playing multiple roles. “My ensemble role is Papa Bear, which is my main character. Last time I was one of the pigs and the pigs have the best fun in the show as they have such a playful naughty nature they can get away with anything. With Papa Bear, he has his wife and child and it is strange to go on stage and feel responsibility for them. There are times when Baby Bear runs off stage and I think ‘Oh god, where are you going now?’. I’ve clearly got a strong paternal instinct. Now I get it – I understand what my mother went through!” He is also doing a lot of puppetry work – as the Fiona puppet and the giraffe puppet, and he is back in the head of the Dragon, but this time he is also puppet captain. “It’s a nice responsibility to have. The dragon is very big. I have to lip sync her movements with the singer’s voice and I feel like I am channelling her.” No doubt there will be a large contingent from King’s Lynn in the audience again when Shrek returns to Norwich from June 26 to July 8. “I hope everyone can come again,” Kevin said. “My friends and family came last time I did it – it’s so lovely to be able to perform in front of the people who are the reason you are where you are. When I see my old singing teachers coming to see me, I feel like it’s a performance for them and a big thank you from me because you should never forget where you came from. If it wasn’t for the teachers and everyone who supported me and came to see the shows when I was in school, then I wouldn’t have the confidence I have now. It’s due to that support that I am able to do what I do.” He highly recommends the show for all ages: “It’s fun – filled and uplifting, and family friendly. It has something for everyone. You have Lord Farquaad supplying the humour for the parents, you’ve got Donkey entertaining the kids, but then you’ve got the very important message from Shrek and Fiona which is that at the end of the day what you look like is irrelevant. It is the love you feel for each other that is important. I do think it’s such an important message to teach children. It’s a universal thing. I think that’s why people love Shrek.”

SHREK THE MUSICAL Tuesday 26 June - Sunday 8 July 2018 www.theatreroyalnorwich.co.uk 35

| APRIL 2018

P E TE G O O DRU M’S m o n t hl y l o o k a t s o m e of t he l es s er k n own f a c t s o f ro c k a n d po p…

ThiMnigghts You not Know AbOut:

Sir

TOM JONES Nowadays of course he’s famous as a judge on TV’s The Voice. But he’s a legendary singer with an astonishing career. He’s sung with the greats, became a friend of Elvis (you may have heard him mention it!) and consistently reinvented himself with changing sounds. As host of a successful TV show he featured soul artists not being seen elsewhere, and gained an extra, massive, following. A hugely successful performer in Las Vegas he played at least one week a year there from 1967 to 2011. The half open shirt, the tight trousers - they were as legendary as his voice for a while.

From a humble Welsh childhood to international super stardom has been an extraordinary and very public journey. But, I give you ten things you quite possibly didn’t know about - Sir Tom Jones.

Not long after his twelfth birthday the young Tom complained of feeling ill. He was tired and had no energy. It turned out he had tuberculosis. He would spend the next two years confined to bed.

HE MADE UP FOR LOST TIME!

When his health improved he was determined to make it into music. In his early twenties he became lead singer for local ‘beat group’ Tommy Scott and the Senators, who developed a considerable following. By 1964 they’d recorded some tracks for legendary producer Joe Meeks. He took the demos to several labels - all of whom rejected them.

SPOTTED!

Before tv talent shows! Still playing the Welsh clubs and dance halls the group was spotted at the Top Hat in Cwmtillery by Gordon Mills. From South Wales himself, but now based in London, Mills saw the potential. He took Tom to the capital and renamed him, from Thomas John Woodward to Tom Jones - trading on the popularity, and racy image, of 1963’s Academy Award winning film of the same name.

THE FIRST BIG HIT.

The breakthrough came with big hit ‘It’s Not Unusual’. The odd thing was though that the track had been intended for bare footed pop songstress Sandie Shaw. Her agent turned it down. Tom - who had sung the demo - begged for a chance to record it. The rest, as they say, is history!

FAKE NEWS!

When the song became a hit the press releases claimed that Tom was 22, single and a miner. Not exactly right! He was in fact 24, married and he had a son. As to being a miner? No, never did that. He worked in a glove factory, and on construction sites. But never as a miner.

THE KNICKER THROWING.

TEN THINGS

IT WASN’T A GREAT START.

It all started at the Copacabana Club in New York, in 1967. Who she was we don’t know but a lady threw a pair of knickers at Tom, whist he was singing. It was something he wasn’t best pleased about. In fact he grew to hate it, claiming that it was a distraction, drawing attention away from his voice.

SOMETHING ELSE HE DIDN’T LIKE.

‘What’s New Pussycat?’ became a massive hit for Tom. But, when super star writer Burt Bacharach played it to him for the first time Mr. Jones was not instantly impressed. ‘It’s just not me’ he said, and it remained his least favourite of the big hits.

FRIENDSHIP.

It’s always been important to him. Tom’s best friend at school was Dai Perry. They grew up together, and lived in the same street in Treforest. As Tom became famous, and rich, he would still meet up with Dai, often slipping him an envelope full of cash. Sadly Dai passed away and Tom went back to Treforest to say his final goodbye, visiting his friend’s open coffin in the local chapel of rest. Reports claim that staff were taken aback when a people carrier arrived, and out stepped... Tom Jones.

ANOTHER EXAMPLE OF STAYING CLOSE TO HIS ROOTS.

‘Evil’ was a song written by White Stripes front man Jack White. Tom recorded it in March 2012. As a single it was released on 7” vinyl through independent record stores. But - there was an exclusive version on multi coloured vinyl and that was only available at Spiller’s Records in Cardiff. The shop where the young Tom had bought his rock ’n’ roll discs as a kid in the 1950s.

AND THAT TV SHOW.

It was massive. Broadcast by ITV in the UK and ABC in America ‘This is Tom Jones’ was reputed, between 1969 and 1971, to make a cool $9m for Tom. He went on to host a second show, ‘Tom Jones’ in 1980 and 1981. Both shows have been the cause of complicated legal actions with various organisations claiming ownership of the recorded material. But Tom’s impact was enormous. So much so that, as host of a variety show, in 1969 he was nominated for a Golden Globe - for best actor!

| APRIL 2018

SMALL IS BIG... ...BIGGER THAN EVER! L

et’s face it; Heather

Small is no stranger to the big time, and big hits. But right now she’s making a sound that, for her, is bigger than ever. About to start a tour, and release an album, that will feature her Greatest Hits with M People, and from her solo material, but reconfigured for orchestral arrangements, she is reveling in the new sound. When I catch up with her its late afternoon and she’s been talking and ‘doing’ interviews all day. ‘I’m not complaining in the slightest’ she says. ‘It’s a privilege - but it does start to get to my voice!’ You wouldn’t guess it. She’s keen to talk, and so full of enthusiasm for what she’s doing, and life in general. I start by asking about the new album and tour. What was the motivation? ‘Firstly, I just love to sing. I need to be out there, doing it. But, as well, the idea of doing the songs with a full orchestra was something I’d often thought about, and suddenly it all fell into place’. I mention to her that I know she’s cited both Elkie Brooks and Nina Simone as her influences. I say too that I’ve seen, online, the video of her singing ‘Fever’ with the Snake Davis band at Ronnie Scott’s club. So, has there always been a jazz singer lurking within the lady who dominated pop and dance with M People in the 1990s? ‘Absolutely there has’ she says. ‘I think my real influences are the great jazz and blues singers all the way back to Bessie Smith. People

and music of African origin, the real essence of jazz, that’s always been my inspiration’. She’s forthcoming about the fact that she now has a career of twenty five years or more behind her. ‘As you grow, and gain experience, you learn that you can do more, find more range. You can put more nuances into a song. And the size, the depth, of a full orchestral sound lets you explore that more. I love that’. And she means it. ‘I’m not one of those singers who get up there just for the money. I don’t pass go and collect. I never pass go until I know I’ve made the gig work. That I’ve given it my all’. There’s a pause. ‘It’s not that I haven’t had success. I know that. I’ve been in a top band, I’ve earned a good living, and I’m grateful for that. It’s a privilege to do what I do. Because I just love to sing. But you know, it’s about the music. And’ another pause - ‘this is the truth - I hate routine’. Not entirely sure where she’s going with that I ask her to expand on the thought. ‘It’s like if somebody says hey Heather , here’s this thing and it means flying half way round the world for a three day job. I’m like ok - let’s do it!’ That would explain the Oprah Winfrey gig then? She laughs. ‘Yeah I mean when she calls you go right?’ And go she did. Right in the middle of a UK tour with M People she got a call from ‘Oprah’s people’ asking her to perform on her show. So she flew

across the Atlantic, and played the Oprah show. ‘She is amazing. A real role model….someone to look up to’. All of that is a long way from growing up on a West London council estate in the 1970s. It’s a long way too from being a nervous, shy teenager. But, armed with her religion and her faith, coupled with a determination to ‘be somebody’ and a desire not to be stereotyped, she joined her first band Hot! House and by the 80s had released a couple of albums with them. Then of course came M People. ‘Moving On Up’, ‘One Night In Heaven’, and ‘Search For The Hero’ burned themselves into the nation’s consciousness. Brit and Mercury Awards followed. Solo albums became huge successes with ‘Proud’ achieving anthemic status. Not many songs are chosen to be the soundtrack to events as enormous as London’s successful 2012 Olympic bid, the 60th anniversary of VE Day in Trafalgar Square, the launch of Queen Mary 2, the Tsunami Relief Concert, England’s victory at the Rugby World Cup celebrations, and the official ceremony marking the handover of the Olympic Games from Beijing to London. ‘It is amazing’ she says. ‘But listen, two things. First, a singer is a singer. That’s why I can take songs that people are familiar with and bring something new to them. That’s what the orchestra thing is about. And then, you know, it’s not all about the big things. I got asked to go to a school, where these little kids are putting on a show. And

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they were great. And the last song they did was ‘Proud’. I tell you, I kept saying to myself ‘keep it together’ but I couldn’t. There was not a dry in the house. I mean it. And that was huge. It’s the power of music. It crosses boundaries’. She’s laughing, but I can hear the emotion and sincerity in her voice. And then she takes the point and runs with it, in an unexpected direction. What she says is truly profound. ‘It’s like sport. It’s the same. You go all around the world. Go wherever. Go to places where you don’t speak any of the language - and you can’t communicate. But you take a football with you - and something magical happens. It crosses boundaries. Everybody knows what to do. See what I mean?’ I do.

I throw in a curve ball, by suggesting dance might do the same. Is that why perhaps she did ‘Strictly’? ‘Oh right. Let me tell

When you spend some time talking with Heather Small you start to learn that this story is not an unexpected example of her and how she lives her life. ‘She adds, ‘I laugh readily, and I can laugh at myself ’. Now there’s an opportunity I’m not about to squander. It’s the chance to ask something I’ve wanted to, but frankly have been a bit nervous about. I tell her that, and she laughs out loud - again - and says - ‘So go ahead. What?’ I’m guessing, I say, that you were ok with the whole ‘Miranda’ business then. (You’ll recall that there were numerous references to ‘Proud’ and Heather in the BBC2 sitcom). ‘Ha! Of course I was cool with it. I don’t take myself too seriously. I loved it. Why? Have you read anything that said otherwise?’ I tell her no, but there were perhaps a couple of interesting mentions in the press. ‘It was not a problem. It was hilarious’. So there it’s official! A glance at my watch reveals that my allotted time for the interview is, to my surprise, drawing to an end, which I mention, and she is genuinely surprised too. ‘It’s been a mad day’, she says, and I think one of my appointments went wrong. But this has been fun. It’s like I said, it’s a privilege’. I say good luck with the album and the tour, and she brings the conversation full circle. ‘I can’t wait. I’m thrilled to be doing what I do. But this tour, it gives me the chance to expand, to do more with the songs. That orchestra behind me - it makes me feel I have more at my disposal’.

There was not a dry in the house. I mean it. And that was huge. It’s the power of music. It crosses boundaries. you the truth about that’. Somehow I know a story is coming. ‘Here’s what happened. All my family are big ‘Strictly’ fans. My sister was ill and I said to her if you get well, and they ask me - I’ll do it. You know what happened? They asked and I was a bit hesitant - but my sister got well. So when they asked again I’m like ‘I owe her’. So I did it. Ok - I wasn’t like one of the real stars people tune in every Saturday for, but I did it - and I did it for my sister. Because she got well’.

Heather Small cares about a lot of things…her family…her charity work. She’s someone who genuinely revels in the fact that she loves doing what she does. A singer is a singer she’d said earlier. Only a singer who really understands music, and cares about it, would say that… someone really big…... as big as Heather Small. And believe me - this new work is going to sound big, really big.

Orchestral Greatest Hits from Heather Small, the Voice of M People, is released in May 2018. Heather’s tour plays the Norwich Waterfront, Norwich on Wednesday 16 May.

| APRIL 2018

The actress known for her starring roles in

Romancing the Stone, Jewel of the Nile, War of the Roses and Who Framed Roger Rabbit (the voice of Jessica Rabbit), will soon be lending her trademark husky alto to classic tunes from the American songbook. In ‘Finding My Voice’ at The Apex on 9 May, Kathleen will interweave songs such as ‘Let’s Fall in Love’, ‘On the Street Where you Live’, ‘Every time we Say Goodbye’ and many more with stories from her remarkable life and career.

You’re doing a one-woman music show! That’s unexpected… I’ve never sung – I mean, not publicly – but I wanted to explore what I could sing and we started to find songs we loved and I felt good singing. I have a deep voice and I like the feel of it. Then I would tell a story that the song reminded me of and eventually we just said: ‘Why don’t we make a show? A one-woman show?’ What sort of stories are you telling? Like when I was shooting Peggy Sue Got Married, I flew my grandparents in on the day I was filming a scene with Peggy Sue’s grandparents, including an actor called Leon Ames, who was 83. His line was: ‘When’s it going to be? Friday or Saturday?’ and he was saying: ‘When’s it going to be? Thursday or Friday? Oh, give me another take…’ Eventually 42

from behind the camera I hear: ‘Oh for heaven’s sake, Friday or Saturday!’ I went, ‘Grandmommy!’ And she said: ‘Well, I’m 85. If I can retain it, why can’t he?’ Your family’s quite conservative. Were they OK about you going into acting? My father was very much against it but he died the week before I turned 18. I was here in London at the American School because my father was at the embassy but we ended up in Springfield, Missouri, with my grandparents. The greatest culture shock of my life! And you moved to New York the minute you could? The second I finished university. My car was packed and I drove to New York that night. I was supposed to share a flat with another woman but when I got there she and her boyfriend had reconciled and he’d moved in, so I spent my first night in my car. New York was very frightening back then but when you’re 21, you’re invincible. Was your big break Body Heat? That was my first film! But I never moved to LA. People understand it better now with all the revelations coming out but it was a very hostile environment towards women. The way they treated women, the disrespect, the sense that you were just a prop. Did you ever experience it? You know when it’s creepy. I got an email from my exhusband when the whole Weinstein thing started. He said: ‘You told me 25 years ago he was a creep!’ I said: ‘I told you 30 years ago!’ But by the time I met Harvey I was well established and he tended to prey on younger, less secure women and that wasn’t me. How did you avoid being put in that ‘sexy’ pigeonhole after Body Heat? After Body Heat, you can imagine there were endless offers for Body Heat 2, 3, 4, whatever. And I said no. If I’ve explored one thing, I have no desire to do it again. I remember an interview I did for Playboy. I showed up for the cover shoot and they had all this lingerie and I said: ‘I don’t think so!’ I’d brought an outfit I liked, which was a long skirt. I was never going to do that crap. I wore what I wanted to wear. You do a lot of work for women’s groups, don’t you? I’m chair of the board of advocates for Planned Parenthood. We are clinics. We take care of women and their health. We were designed originally to help women plan their families. Are you a feminist? Absolutely! A lot of younger women are reluctant to call themselves feminists, aren’t they? Yeah, well, they didn’t march half their lives, did they? I always have been. That was how I was brought up. So, who are your friends when you’re in London? I became good friends with Maggie Smith when we were in theatres next to each other. I was doing The Graduate and she was doing The Lady In The Van and there were all these barriers and police and everything for me, and I’d come out, look over and see Maggie Smith just come out of her stage door and walk away. And one day I got a note from her saying, ‘May I borrow a barrier?’ So I carried the barrier over to her stage door and asked if she’d have dinner with me on Thursday, so Thursday nights we used to have dinner at The Ivy and used to stay so late we’d close the place. _ Kathleen Turner is performing at The Apex in Bury St Edmunds on Wednesday 9 May 2018. Tickets are £27.50, ring the box office on 01284 758000 or see the website www.theapex.co.uk for more details, or to book.

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KATHLEEN TURNER e c i o V y M g n i d n i F Te l l s P l a c e s & F a c e s Â® a little more about h e r l if e , c a r e e r i n f i l m and new show

| APRIL 2018

To p co m e d i a n SHAPPI KHORSANDI has had a ball writing her new show “Mistress and Misfit”

Shappi Khorsandi’s brilliant new

misTreSs MisfIt

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show, “Mistress and Misfit,” focuses on Emma, Lady Hamilton, the mistress and misfit who lit up the life of Admiral Nelson and added to the gaiety of nations during the Georgian era. One of the best-loved stand-ups in the country, Shappi affirms that, “This show has been the most fun to write. It’s about passion and tragedy. What better things are there to write comedy about?” Absolutely. The terrific news is that after an acclaimed, sell-out run at the Edinburgh Festival last summer, Shappi is now about to embark on her biggest nationwide tour yet with “Mistress and Misfit.” And she just can’t wait. Chatting to me in the run-up to the tour, Shappi underlines the sheer thrill she gets from stand-up. “It’s really amazing!” exclaims the comedian, who made a big impression when she appeared on I’m a Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here! before Christmas. Shappi, who will be performing “Mistress and Misfit” at 50 venues around the country this spring, continues that, “It’s like skydiving. The adrenaline rush is incredible. It’s probably the only time in my day when I’m utterly focused and have no responsibility to anyone else apart from the audience. “It’s like a lovely, warm, relaxing bath, but a very high-octane bath! You can’t reproduce that feeling. If I haven’t done stand-up for a while, I just have to get back on stage. I need it like oxygen!” On stage, the comedian communicates her love of stand-up in the most contagious way. Shappi is an immensely entertaining performer. The critics agree. Edinburgh Festivals Magazine declares that, “Mistress and Misfit is all-round entertainment that is both hilarious and enlightening”. Meanwhile, The List asserts that, “Mistress and Misfit is a history class you shouldn’t skip … She has the crowd in the palm of her hand’”. The Guardian comments that, “She has plenty to say, and says it with pointedness and potency”, while the London Evening Standard observes that Shappi, “Makes live comedy thrilling”.

CELEBRITY

you about on stage or when very drunk. I will be sharing some of those stories in ‘Mistress and Misfit’.” The comedian, who since 2015 has held the role of President of Humanists UK, also sees many parallels between the attitudes towards women then and now. “Any woman who does anything seen as salacious is still demonised today. That’s a very modern theme. It’s not exclusive to Georgian times. “In the show, I talk about Emma being married to a man 30 years older than her. If they were from a lower class, women had no financial independence and no options. That happened 200 years ago, but much more recently, my grandmother was married when

It’s like skydiving. The adrenaline rush is incredible. It’s probably the only time in my day when I’m utterly focused and have no responsibility to anyone else apart from the audience draws people in to my stand-up, which I hope is why they bought a ticket in the first place!” In “Mistress and Misfit”, Shappi recounts the largely untold story of England’s unsung heroine, Emma, Lady Hamilton. For too long, she has been reductively tagged as Nelson’s mistress. She has been regarded as a bit of a harlot (you work in a brothel for one night and there goes your reputation). Women’s lib wasn’t uppermost in people’s minds in Georgian times. Emma moved heaven and earth to drag herself from scullery maid to Lady Hamilton. So maybe she occasionally danced naked on tables to get a jump on her rivals, but who hasn’t done that? As a fellow naked dancer on tables, Shappi is eager to celebrate the woman England betrayed. The comedian explains the genesis of “Mistress and Misfit”. “I was fascinated by Emma. She was really clever and compassionate and very hard done by. She was also a master of re-invention and a fantastically creative person. “I initially tried to write a novel about Emma, but it was too hard, so I thought I’d do a show about it instead. That was easier and funnier. I relate Emma’s life to modern women and, like all stand ups, I draw people into the world as I see it so it’s still a very personal show.” Shappi, who has notched up numerous high-profile television appearances including Live At The Apollo (BBC ONE), Channel 4’s Comedy Gala At The O2 (Channel 4, 2010 – 2016), Michael McIntyre’s Comedy Roadshow (BBC ONE), The Graham Norton Show (BBC ONE), Have I Got News For You (BBC ONE) and her own Comedy Store Special for Comedy Central, goes on to outline some of the similarities between Emma and herself. She says that, “We were both artist’s models. She modelled for great artists, I modelled for GCSE students in Tower Hamlets. I have never worked in a brothel, but I have had moments that I would only tell

she was 13 to a man in his 30s. So perhaps my gran was the Emma of her time!” Shappi, who is also currently working on a stage adaptation of her acclaimed novel Nina Is Not OK, carries on that, “The term ‘gold-digger’ is still banded about willy-nilly, when we don’t know anything about that woman. Women who are viewed as marrying above their station are still derided. There are massive parallels with today.” In addition, the show reveals that the Establishment closed ranks against Emma after Nelson’s death. Shappi discloses that, “Just before the Battle of Trafalgar, Nelson wrote an add-on to his will asking that Emma and his daughter be looked after in the event of his death: ‘that is the only favour I ask of my King and country as I go to fight their battle’. They didn’t. “Emma ended her days derelict, penniless and alcoholic in Calais. There was no monument to her. We have not been told what a massive impact Emma had on Nelson’s life. Historians have wanted to make Trafalgar about Nelson and not about ‘this harlot’.” “Mistress and Misfit” is also full to the brim with wonderfully offbeat facts about Emma, which make for hilarious routines. Shappi, who is also developing a new novel about adultery, says that, “I did a lot of research to find quirky things that would work in stand-up. “For instance, I discovered that there was something called the Harris List, which reviewed all the prostitutes in London. It was like a Trip Adviser of its time for prostitutes. At the time, one in six women in Covent Garden worked as a prostitute. So if you were visiting Covent Garden, you would take along your Harris List to see who tickled your fancy. Crazy.” For all that, Shappi emphasises that the show is not meant to be a lecture. “‘Mistress and Misfit’ is not a history lesson. It’s about now. “It’s not my intention to make anyone learn anything. It’s up to people if they want

to take notes. But if they bring a notebook, that might put me off because I would think they were critics and pick on them!” Shappi’s profile was already considerable, but it has only been increased by her appearance on I’m a Celebrity. She laughs that one of the effects of the programme is that, “It has made me a better driver. “I’m not very good parallel parking. But jumping out of an aeroplane on I’m a Celebrity made me put things into perspective. Now I think, ‘What was I worried about? If someone is beeping their horn as I try to park, they can just wait’.” She says that one of the other benefits of being on I’m a Celebrity is that, “It made you really look at life from a different angle. You are too hungry to think of anything apart from what do with your life. You have time to figure that out. It made me think I really, really want to write that play.” Shappi adds that I’m a Celebrity will help her achieve that goal. “Financially, it has meant that I can now afford to lose money putting on my play! As a creative person, I am happy to do certain well paid jobs that fund my labours of love.” The comedian closes by underscoring one last time her love of stand-up. “It’s a compulsion. It’s a sort of madness. Stand-ups are all mad. We are bright, and if we weren’t mad, we’d be doing something else.” So what would Shappi be doing if she weren’t a stand-up? “I’d have my own cleaning company. I once was a cleaner. That’s another thing I have in common with Emma because she worked as a cleaner, too!”

Photo: MATT CROCKETT

One of the many reasons why she is such a popular comedian is that so much of her material relates to herself, and audiences can instantly identify with that. Shappi, who is also a best-selling author, having released A Beginners Guide to Acting English in 2009, followed by her fantastic, critically lauded 2016 debut novel Nina Is Not OK, reflects that, “I relate Emma’s life to modern women and, like all stand ups, I draw people into the world as I see it so it’s still a very personal show’ “When you’re a stand-up, people have come to see you and share the experience with you. They can read a book about Emma, Lady Hamilton, but the way I tell her story

Shappi Khorsandi performs ‘Mistress and Misfit’ at The Apex in Bury St Edmunds on Monday 14 May at 8pm For more details www.theapex.co.uk

| APRIL 2018

Pete Goodrum talks with JACK LOWE of m u l t i -a w a r d w i n n i n g British theatre company CURIOUS DIRECTIVE

PREPARE TO MEET The

n a M G O r F 46

THEATRE

Let me be clear. Jack Lowe is not The Frogman. It’s Jack, and his company, Curious Directive, who are bringing the innovative and seriously exciting show ‘The Frogman’ to the Theatre Royal’s Stage Two in Norwich. It’s at Stage Two that we meet. It’s a cold, grey, day outside, but in here it’s busy and vibrant. And the feeling of excitement only grows as I talk with Jack Lowe about the new production. Frankly, it’s not easy to write this piece because the more I learn about the show the more I want to share it - but the ‘spoiler alert’ button needs to be firmly pressed and held down. I really don’t want to let you know what happens. What I can do is tell you how it happens. The Frogman is almost certainly like no other stage production you will have ever seen. You will be part of an audience, sharing an experience. You will be part of a community that includes the people on stage, who are in the present. The now. And you will be part of an experience as, through the use of Virtual Reality head sets, you engage with characters in the past. The then. This is a mystery story in which you will take part. You will make your own deductions. Stripped down to basic definitions The Frogman is a crime drama. It’s also a coming of age narrative featuring two girls. You will meet them as they are now, but you will also travel back in time to meet them at the time of a tragic accident in a small Australian town, in 1995. This extraordinary piece of theatre is the brainchild of Jack Lowe. When I learn that he is the child of an actor and a science teacher I see straightaway that the forging together of theatre and science was, for him, almost inevitable. I comment on the fact that Jack is a linguist, having graduated with a BA (Hons) in French with International Relations from Warwick University. He went on to train at Ecole Jacques Lecoq and then completed the MFA in Theatre Directing at Birkbeck, London. “I think the linguist in me helped’ he tells me. ‘Around 2008 I was looking at companies to see who I thought would be exciting, and at the same time I started to realise that the best, most exciting, stories are in science. I became intrigued by the idea of

presenting stories from science, on stage. You get so much from them’. It’s not that his work is so scientific it’s inaccessible. As he readily points out, ‘This show the Frogman - is narrative driven. It’s always about telling a good yarn’. As we explore the idea more, Jack acknowledges that he is ‘the fusion of the two disciplines’ represented by his parents! I ask him if he sees himself as evangelical about science. ‘I think I would have to say I am now’ he says. ‘Because the stories in science can’t be trashed - they are the truth, and we live in a world where stories are presented to us as the truth, when they’re not. And in another way, it’s about spreading the word and sharing the knowledge. Take Virtual Reality for example. A show like The Frogman gives more people the chance to use it. We’re democratising VR’. I see his point. How many of us have actually experienced a Virtual Reality head set? We know about them - but that’s as far as it goes. Now comes a chance to use one, as part of a theatre experience. And it performs an exciting, but useful purpose. Because it’s through the ‘VR’ that the audience can be in the present, but look into the past - vital to their role as, in effect, a jury. So, what of Jack himself? Who is the man behind the show? First off he’s a Norfolk man. He returned to Norfolk to take a Masters in water security at the UEA, and he’s put that knowledge to good use by working for Water Aid for part of each week. I can hear you forging the link in your minds between a fascination for water and creating The Frogman. It goes deeper still. Jack and the Water Aid team use technology, including VR, to link up with people ‘on the ground’ overseas. It facilitates the production of videos explaining the problems of water shortages, at a realistic cost. Meanwhile, locally, Jack now lives in Norwich, which he says he loves, and of course currently he’s not commuting far as he’s spending a lot of time at Stage Two. ‘I’m really excited about the notion of bringing new theatre to Norwich’ he says. ‘The city has a long

tradition of culture, and continuing that, for the future, is so important’. We return to the show itself, and talk some more about The Frogman. As he tells me how the plot develops, and how the audience can make up their own minds about what’s happened I tell him that this strikes a chord, for me, with Sarah Koenig’s extraordinary podcast ‘The Serial’. ‘Yes!’ he says, ‘I can see that’. Its a trigger point that will see us launch into a conversation covering a host of references from Miles Davis to Dennis Potter. In a fascinating and coincidental aside, it turns out that Jack was in a production of Potter’s ‘Blue Remembered Hills’. It leads our conversation to talking about young people in drama. Potter used adults to play children. The Frogman explores people who are adults now, but we meet them, much younger, twenty years ago. ‘We used real, Australian young people’ he says, ‘and did lots of research to make sure that the cultural references were right. And, they were given the basics of what they had to say, but used their own words and idioms for authenticity. Try to write that, and you always get it wrong!’. This is where the jazz, and Miles Davis link came in. I suggest that it is not dissimilar to jazz in the level of improvisation. And he readily agrees. But that’s how it is with Jack Lowe. He’s interesting, and he’s interested. He’s a great talker…as well as a good listener. It’s more of a conversation than an interview. It all adds up to make him a communicator. Constantly looking for and absorbing stories, techniques and ideas to create new, arresting drama. With The Frogman he’s done it... “Big Time”. The Frogman will be performing at The Theatre Royal Norwich, Stage Two, from April 24th to April 28th. For more information call the box office on 01603 630000 or visit the website at www.theatreroyalnorwich.co.uk 47

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THE LADY LORD MAYORS OF NORWICH 1923–2017

This book offers an entertaining and revealing insight into the diverse lives, both personal and civic, of seventeen remarkable women, who from 1923 to 2017, have each held the honour of being First Citizen of the City of

walk with me Celebrating the Norfolk Coast area of outstanding natural beauty

Walk with me 1

WALK WITH ME

Twenty three photographers and nine poets celebrate one area of outstanding natural beauty in a new book published by the Norfolk Coast Partnership. ‘Like many of us, I feel the Norfolk Coast more than I see it, and struggle to perceive it as outsiders might,’ says Patrick Barkham in his introduction to Walk with me – 50 years of the Norfolk Coast area of outstanding natural beauty. ‘This landscape of horizontals seeps into you, as relentlessly as the tide fills the capillaries of the its silver-lighted creeks. It is soothing, strangely uncompromising and deeply powerful. It works its magic whenever we spend time in it, whatever season.’ This book, published to mark

Norwich. Moreover, the pioneer Ethel Colman, daughter of the mustard giant Jeremiah James Colman, simultaneously became the first female Lord Mayor of both Norwich and of Great Britain. Amongst others, meet the war refugee from Czechoslovakia; the ‘Ten Pound Pom’; the Manageress of C&A; the keen amateur actress; the Trade Unionist; the Scot from the Glasgow shipyards; the hairdresser Lord Mayor; the prison governor’s wife and the first known official consort with Down’s syndrome. Discover the civic coach, priceless regalia, traditional robes, Whifflers, Snap the Dragon and the magnificent Art Deco Norwich City Hall, opened in 1938 by King George VI and allegedly coveted by Adolf Hitler as his regional HQ if the Nazis should win the Second World War. Using in-depth personal interviews with surviving female Lord Mayors, their colleagues, friends and family members, supported by research material from local archival sources, author Phyllida Scrivens has uncovered fascinating anecdotal stories, both joyous and tragic, many involving royalty and national figures. This book, including original photographs, delves behind the scenes of public office, discovering inspiring women determined to rise above the constraints of a hitherto patriarchal world. This book is published in the centenary year of the Representation of the People Act when women first received the vote.

the 50th anniversary of the Norfolk Coast Partnership, goes some way to sharing this feeling, thanks to a wonderful range of work by photographers and poets. From Flying Home – a gorgeous sunset at Norfolk Wildlife Trust, Cley, by Anne Cowper Johnson, to a glimpse through Wells woods in The Path by Susi Hancock, to a Happy Horsey Seal by Mary Groombridge, to the glorious expanse of Marram Hills at Waxham by Rhonda Pike, the high-quality 66-page book distils and encompasses the beauty of the coast. As well as the photographs and evocative poems, the book features a map of the area and information about its history. Generously supported by the coast’s neighbouring protected area, the Broads National Park, the book is on sale priced at £7 online and through stockists on the coast. All profits will go to fund sustainable projects on the coast.

Phyllida Scrivens lives with husband Victor in Norwich, Norfolk. In 2016, aged sixty, she achieved a life-long ambition when her debut biography of a Kindertransport boy, Escaping Hitler, was published both in the U.K and in America. Her research fostered a keen interest in the civic life of Norwich, resulting in her second book. Phyllida has an MA in Creative Non-Fiction with Biography from the University of East Anglia.

NORFOLK TABLE: ONE COUNTY, TWENTY CHEFS

Who knew that Richard Golding, chef-owner of Market Bistro in King’s Lynn would have loved to be a fighter pilot or that Nik Hare, head chef at the Victoria Inn, Holkham, is a motorbike fanatic? Delve further into the foodie and non-foodie lives of some of our favourite Norfolk chefs in a stunning new cookbook that champions Norfolk produce from field to fork. The book is packed with gorgeous photography, irresistible recipes, insightful chef interviews and a comprehensive food lovers’ guide to the county. It explores the vital relationship between chefs and their suppliers and is quite

simply a must-have cookbook for anyone who loves eating in this beautiful, bountiful region. Written by East Anglian food writers Tessa Allingham and Glyn Williams, and with a foreword by David Adlard, one of Norfolk’s most revered restaurateurs and the county’s first Michelin-starred chef, the book is a passionately enthusiastic celebration of our local food and farming heritage, as well as the extraordinary skills of some of its chefs. Norfolk Table: One County, Twenty Chefs is on sale at the 20 profiled restaurants and at good retailers across the county (including leading independent department store, Jarrold), priced £19.95.

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eyond cottages and ivy-clad farmhouses in one part of Edgefield near Holt in North Norfolk, is an old tower with memories of the Black Death. Reputedly brought into Britain by black rats from Europe in 1348/9, the subsequent Plague killed thousands, its effects partly transforming Norfolk into a woolgrowing county. Both locally and nationally it wiped out large numbers, including most of Edgefield’s population. Many years later and with the original village decimated by the plague, the survivors moved to higher ground nearly a mile distant. They left behind not only their homes, but also their church, whose beauty gradually decayed as its walls became ruinous. They continued to use the church for a while, but a small chapel was built in the new village while the church continued to be used for burials until the mid 1800s. When locally born Canon Walter Hubert Marcon (1851-1937) succeeded his father as parish Rector in 1875, the church was ailing. By the late 1870’s its chancel arch was sagging, walls were crumbling, pews were collapsing, and the font had lost its pedestal. In his diary, the rector wrote “it’s broken and moss covered walls, its miserable seating, its chancel arch with a threatening bend in it, its wretched altar old and stained, its font with only its early English basin and no pedestal nor foot piece, are enough to try the stoutest heart”. But also in the late 19th century and as yet unknown to most villagers, ideas to “dew different” were already brewing. Their result is still evident today, because just over 130 years ago, the Rector of St. Peter & St. Paul, realised his church was somewhat isolated. So in 1877, he obtained a faculty from the Bishop of Norwich and also persuaded the Marchioness of Lothian to give him land in the village, while considering a parish savings scheme to fund his likely project. In 1882, the ‘new’ Rector decided to demolish the old church, which although in poor condition, was not unusable. He would rebuild it nearer the village centre as church rebuilding was then, a common practice, as also happened at nearby Hindolveston. To achieve this, Marcon enlisted John Dando Sedding, a well-respected architect, to design the new building and incorporate much material from the old church, some dating back to the 13th century. Once work had begun, the main body of the old church was dismantled and re-erected, leaving just the tower and chancel behind. The medieval screens and wall monuments were moved and the font bowl given a new pedestal. The new church would also have a vestry, tower at the north-eastern end of a newly-built chancel and outside, a new burial area. As work continued, talk of restless spirits in the graveyard being disturbed by removal of the old church arose, but the project still pressed on, eventually transferring the name as well. So all but the south porch and the tower of the old building were removed and carried stone by stone (often by the Rector’s own hands) to the new site, between The Green and The Street. It took ten years to raise the required funds and another two to complete the building, largely resembling the old one except for the tower, now square instead of octagonal. Canon Marcon died in 1937, but still continued to be remembered as a colourful character. Parishes then had individual clergy rather than sharing their Incumbent in grouped operations. And when clergy leave their parish, it often involves moving to a larger one, promotion to a higher rank or retirement, hence they rarely return - or do they? In 1984, Edgefield’s centennial of consecration was marked and a new south aisle stained glass window unveiled. Commemorating the Dagless family’s long parochial association, the window also has a special lower roundel, showing Walter Marcon riding his bicycle. During his 60-year rectorship, he was known as the ‘cycling parson’, once claiming

“I have cycled every lane, high and low, on tyres wooden, solid and pneumatic”. So he’s back again but this time, only observes church affairs from his saddle up in the window! Other past links also live on. Today’s west window is the former east window from the old church, while the current Rector and P.C.C. still have responsibility for the former church tower (restored in 1981) and its churchyard. Since services relocated to the village chapel, the church has remained abandoned and alone, apart from nearby farm buildings. Many round-towered churches have octagonal tops, but only six completely octagonal structures exist in Norfolk. Apart from Edgefield, they are at Billingford (North Elmham), Buckenham, Old Buckenham, Kettlestone and Toft Monks. At Edgefield, only the former south porch and tower remain and on 4th October 1960, they gained a Grade II Listed Building status. In neighbouring Suffolk, churches have also been knocked down and rebuilt while some have not been so lucky. Dunwich lost at least eight plus other ecclesiastical establishments and Covehithe’s Parish church appears as a ruin which deliberately became such with today’s smaller church built inside. This resulted from permission granted to remove the roof after the original building (now just a shell) became too expensive to maintain. Other Sufffolk locations have also lost churches where their villages have been lost to the sea. These include Goseford, Slaughden,and Easton Bavents, though small parts of some villages still remain and around ten have similarly been lost in Norfolk.

Terence McKenna adds finishing touches to portrait of Zoe Wannamaker with oil painting of Roger Lloyd Pack in the background

t s i t r A t i a r t r Po

BEHIND THE EYES OF A

PATRICK PREKOPP TALKS TO

TERENCE MCKENNA

It took more than 30 years “knee-deep in bits of paper with pencil roughs and discarded sketches” for Terence McKenna to finally emerge as an oil painter and acknowledged portrait artist. And he is now ready to mount an exhibition of his work at a prestigious gallery in one of London’s most affluent streets – Pall Mall. The exhibition will feature portraits of leading actors like Zoe Wanamaker, film and TV hard man Ray Winstone, and the late Roger Lloyd Pack, best known as Trigger in Only Fools and Horses. And many eminent people connected with the arts in Norfolk will also be included like writer and literary critic Elspeth Barker, from Itteringham, and Jehane Markham, poet and dramatist and wife of Roger Lloyd Pack. It’s only since 2011 that McKenna has concentrated on portraiture, but that time marks the culmination of an artistic career spanning nearly half a century. He left drama college in his twenties to work as an illustrator of stories by acclaimed authors including Anne Fine, Martin Waddell, and Alexander McCall Smith, published two children’s books himself while gigging with local bands. From his woodland studio in Banningham in north Norfolk, he explains how the transition to oils had been a liberating experience.

“Portraiture really wasn’t a practical option with a young family and living in wildest Norfolk so I turned to commercial illustration,” he says. “As an illustrator I always worked without models apart from myself and a mirror but built up a good knowledge of the human body. Having had 30-plus years of being knee-deep in bits of paper with pencil roughs and discarded sketches I much prefer to work with brush and paint. “I can’t paint as a pastime. It has to be 100 per cent all day, nearly every day. I tend to feel my way through a painting even though I know what I’m aiming at from the outset. “For me, oil paint is almost magical in its capacity for rendering flesh, still life, etc. So, for me, the transition was a very natural one.”

Photography by TERENCE AND MANDY MCKENNA

| APRIL 2018

ART McKenna works to commission and travels widely to meet clients. Each work starts with an informal photo shoot as painting from life is logistically extremely difficult because of the remoteness of his studio and the fact that “very few people have the time to devote to the lengthy sittings that are needed.” So how did he convince Zoe Wanamaker, Ray Winstone, and Roger Lloyd Pack to “sit” for him? He and his wife Mandy have strong connections with the theatre. McKenna met Mandy at Central School of Speech and Drama. She taught at Paston 6th Form College, in Norfolk for 25 years becoming head of Expressive Arts. She also ran the Far East Theatre Company and co-founded fEAST Theatre. Her brother is a director and her father was an actor. “We have many friends in the business. I tell them I’m putting together an exhibition and what do they think? Actors are warm, generous people and they value the arts so it’s not a problem,” he says. “Working from photos is actually more organic than it sounds because I’ve already spent an intimate time with my subject while we’re doing the photo session. We simply sit down and chat and I take several hundred shots while we are talking. “It means I can get hundreds of fleeting expressions and changing emotions in a relaxed and unguarded manner which is not necessarily the case when working from life,” he says. Portraiture is a high stakes business. “You don’t want to disappoint the man who is paying thousands for a portrait of his wife, and, at the same time, you want to do something that you are happy with and represents some kind of truthful portrait.” He describes his art as an intense study of character and personality. “I devote a great deal of time ensuring that the portrait does actually look like him or her, physically. After all, what would be the point in coming up with something that didn’t? But, hopefully, it is also like him or her in an internal sense, or behind the eyes, as it were.”

When not painting, he enjoys renovating their home and preserving their 15 acres of woodland as a conservation project. The exhibition is at the Royal Opera Arcade Gallery, Pall Mall, London, from 30 April to 5 May. Terence McKenna can be contacted about commissions via his website - terencemckennaportraits.com

TOP ROW: Willow Major (student); Kenneth Cranham (actor); Indian woman with gold earring; Judge Peter Rook QC. BOTTOM ROW: Cesc Gelabert (choreographer); Lydia Azzopardi (dancer, costume designer); Andy Smith (friend); Melissa Booton (student).

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ONE KNIT

r e d n o W

01.

Not cold enogh for a jacket? A cosy jumper may be all you need this time of the year, Choose from this stylish range selected by Donna Titcombe

02.

Prices correct at the time of going to press. Items may be available from various retailers and prices may vary so please check online for a full list of local stockists

03.

01.

Woolovers Cashmere V Neck in Berry £85

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Hogo Boss Turquoise Egyptian Cotton V Neck £129

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06. 59

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Adam Vass

General Manager at Benedicts Restaurant in Norwich www.restaurantbenedicts.com info@restaurantbenedicts.com or call 01603 926080

COCKTAIL OF THE MONTH

ernative t l a g n i h s e fr A re ni c … to Gin & To INGREDIENTS: (MAKES ONE) • 50 ml Quality White Port

(I recommend Nieport, Dry White or Barros)

• 1 x Bottle Fever Tree Tonic

(Or your favourite Premium Tonic Water)

• Slice of Orange or Pink Grapefruit

The days are getting longer and Spring is in the air with the Sun making more and more of an appearance, Snowdrops popping their heads through the soil and the anticipation of Summer just around the corner. I’m looking for something invigorating to sip on in the slightly warmer, sunny afternoons and with the boom in popularity of Gin in the country over the last 5 years I’m ready to try something a little bit different so here I am offering a P&T! We have been sipping on red ports such as Late Bottled Vintage and Tawny in abundance for a number of years but white port has never really had it’s time to shine…until now! Sitting at around 20% ABV the P&T offers a milder alternative to a Gin & Tonic which can be a little too strong for some. White Port offers a creamy yet sweet taste and with the addition of tonic it is a crisp, refreshing and bubbly drink that can be enjoyed in the lengthening Spring afternoons and early evenings in the garden with the scent of freshly cut grass wafting through the air or as an aperitif before dinner.

t r o P e t i h W & T ON IC

Photography by KATJA BAINBRIDGE

Serve with either a slice of orange or pink grapefruit this will be your new go-to tipple (I can’t believe I have only just discovered it!).

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RECIPE

Photography by KATJA BAINBRIDGE

Richard Bainbridge

is the chef proprietor of Benedicts Restaurant in Norwich www.restaurantbenedicts.com info@restaurantbenedicts.com or call 01603 926080

ASPARAGUS

& SOFT BOILED EGG

INGREDIENTS • 4 Medium Sized Eggs

• 5 Asparagus Stalks

Per Person (Chopped 3/4 Down the Stalk, where the base starts to get Woody)

• Grated Parmesan (Optional)

• Pepper (To season) • A Knob of

Salted Butter

To me Asparagus is one of the ﬁrst signs of Spring alongside wild garlic, the green shoots popping their heads though the soil beds is always super exciting for any chef! With the dark days of Winter behind us, April is the month when nature comes back to life with daffodils, Easter and fresh crisp mornings clearing the head for the new ideas to start ﬂowing in. Asparagus is like so many vegetables the possibilities are endless from raw in salads to boiled, buttered and roasted. On a humorous note it turns your wee green :)

METHOD

For the Asparagus

Place a pan of heavily salted water on the stove and bring up to the boil on a high heat. Once boiling gently place the asparagus stalks into the water and blanch for 3-4 minutes until they feel slightly tender. Once cooked take out and drain the asparagus, ﬁnish with a knob of salted butter and a crack of pepper, add grated Parmesan if you desire.

For the Soft Boiled Eggs

Place your 4 eggs into a sauce pan ﬁlled with cold water and bring to the boil on a medium heat. As soon as the water is boiling count to 60 seconds and remove the eggs from the water for your perfect boiled egg with the egg whites being slightly set. Serve the eggs in your egg cups, cut off the top and dip in your asparagus!

| APRIL 2018

PISTACHIO CAKE POACHED PEAR VANILLA CREAM GRANNY SMITH APPLE & SORBET

Peter Clarke head chef of

Photography by MALCOLM HIRST

the Imperial Hotel cooks up a delicious dessert to impress your guests this April

polen white ititleg, ta, polenta, sant, white leg, Conf Breas sant,Conf phea lkphea Norfolk ofNorfo tof BreastPistachio Cake, Poached Pear, Vanilla Cream, jus berry black a nuts black berry jus and black nutsand hazleApple ,hazle es,Smith berries Granny and aSorbet blackberri SIX METHOD IENTS SIX SERVES INGRED IENTS Breast of SERVES Norfolk INGRED

ee ter Pe Clar arkke Peter Clark terCl Pe head chef

RECIPE RECIPE RECIPE RECIPE

pheasant, Confit leg, white polenta,

minutes. Apple Gel pepper and fat, salt duck • Thyme, pepper t legs and salt pheasan 4the duck t breasts •blackberries , hazlenuts and aThyme, blackberry jus t legs pheasan 4 and breasts tagar Test thefat, cake with a knife, it should come out Add toand half apple juice and stir in • pheasan •4 4pheasan • •Oil clean but may have grease marks due to the with a spoon, heat in a pan to a simmer for 1 Oil each ries • •3 blackber each ries 3 blackber INGREDIENTS high fat content. minute,SERVES stiringSIX continuously. the onon cut peeled and carrots heritage 3 • the cut and s roasted • •40g hazelnutsapple juice and transfer to•a3 heritage Turn carrots cake outpeeled on to a cooling rack and Stir inhazelnut remaining roasted 40g

. and pepper lozenges into • slant Thyme, duck fat, salt lozenges into slant remove lining. paper once cooled. with sieved and pureed ries Oil • 3 blackberries each blackber •• •12 with Criss cross the jelly with a knife to form small utive sieved and exec e head ries pureed executiv blackber head chef 12 utive exec nn parmesa grated ofpieces ozoz • •2.5 water of parmesa 1tbsp Poached pear grated and transfer to a food processor. of 2.5 ofofthe water of the • 3 1tbsp heritage carrots peeled and cut on the • 40g roasted hazelnuts Peel the pears and pop them in the sugar until smooth and store in a squeezy slant into ELEL water ofof pint RIAL aa pintsBlitz 1/2 toto lozenges. •• •1.5 HOTEL IMPE LHOT reduced IMPERIA stock HOT water quick cook) • •2 2pint pint RIAL 1/2 IMPE reduced stock beef pintbeef 6 1.5 oz pints polenta water and vanilla, bring to the boil and bottleflour( and reserve in fridge till required chef head outh e executiv Yarm t th Grea Yarmou inin Great Yarmouth milk in Great 12 blackberries pureed and sieved with ofof a pint •• •Half shoots pea milk simmer until tender. •• •25g Half shoots 2.5 oz a ofpint grated parmesan pea 25g of the 1tbsp of water Apple Sorbet erer butt oz •• •4 IMPERIAL HOTEL butt oz 1.54 pints of water Peel, core and roughly chop apples, freeze TO FINISH • 2 pint beef stock reduced to 1/2 a pint in Great Yarmouth untiloffirm. •METHOD Half a pint milk Take a generous slice of cake and cut the INGREDIENTS SERVES TEN • 25g pea shootsa trying pan on capable if taking 4 METHOD put In a food processor blitz applesinto a Next taking crusts offaof it, cutpan on the diagonalifand set4 a form on capable place and trying put thyme and Next fat duck a place in •Take 4 ozthe butt er and thyme and fat duck the Take upup heat oil, ofof add breasts paste and slowly add stock syrup and pheasan heat oil, to onetside. Pipeand aand rose of1 tbsp whipped cream the 1 tbsp Apple Gel Apple Sorbet saucepanrough add place and simmer t breasts rolling a pheasan to bring the place and simmer rolling a to bring n saucepalemon juice. and down side skin breast t pheasan the and place and down side skin across one side of the plate at cm intervals, Until heat lowest the onon it,cook and place the pheasant breast into • 500ml Apple • 10 Granny Smith t legs Until pheasan heat METHOD lowest the it,cook into t legs pheasan carrots the add sides, both brown golden Pass mixture through a fine sieve and pour until carrots fry the add fill in the gaps with apple gel, slice pieces 3 sides, about both take brown will Juice Apples this golden until through, fry cooked 3 and Next put a trying pan on capable if taking 4 Take the duck fat and thyme and place in a about tender through, this will take cooked tender and minutes 2-3 for 185.c toto heated oven abreasts into anto ice cream machine. Churn until inin place minutes 2-3 of poached pear, layadd the cake for for 185.c gas stove heated the onon oven a been place have pheasant and 1pistachio tbsp of oil, heat up saucepan bring ahave rolling simmer and place the they Once for • 5g Agar Agar • 1140ml of gas hours. stove the been they Once hours. 22 and breast t pheasan the in pink of almost set and transfer to an ice cream dash a and for up against the fruit and cream, take some breast t some pheasan and the lk in pink of water,mi the and place the pheasant breast skin side down and dash legs into it,cook on the lowest heat Until a (must be precise) stock Syrup pheasant take for hours half a some and 22 and lk water,mi the take hours half and acontainer and freeze overnight before using! rest toto Leave finish. juicy done well for linger rest minutes Leave crushed pistachios and place across the finish. juicyadd bring done (480ml water tender for well fryminutes until golden both sides, the carrots saucepa and cooked through, will taken,about 3toto aa inthis lingerbrown place and pepper and bring salt n, saucepa in place and pepper and salt Pistachio cake warm. re somewhe 400g sugar) hours. other side of the plate symmetrical with boil the to place in a oven heated to 185.c for 2-3 minutes Once they have been on the stove gas for bring warm. flour re polenta somewhe the add and boil boil the the polenta flour bring to the and add cake boilPistachio the • 500g Butter rest of the place a scoop of apple forthe a dash pinkdish, in the pheasant breast and 2 too 2whisking and a half hours take the gets it some if if asand careful • Juice of 4 Lemons bewater,milk and time the allall too gets it as careful be and time the whisking Cream together the butt er, sugar, vanilla sorbet on the pistachios enjoy. minutes linger for well doneand juicy finish. Leave to rest salt and pepper and place in a saucepan, bring to and FINISH cooked TO has • 500g Caster this once pan, the of out spit will FINISH it cooked TO hot has this once pan, the of out spit it will Poached pear thehot the and through lemon zest paleflour andbring light. heat toto somewhere warm. boil and add the until polenta to the boil oven the Sugar into leg the nn the and Place parmesa through the heat add point, oven the boiling into atat leg the minutes 22 Place for parmesa the add point, boiling minutes for hot boiling is is Mix together the flour, almonds it it soso • Vanilla Pod whisking all the time and be careful as if ititand gets too polenta the Reheat crisp. hot been to has skin boiling until in this • 8 Large Eggs polenta whisk the and er Reheat butt and skin to crisp. cheese in until it has been this whisk and er butt and cheese top, the hot it will spit out of thethis pan, oncesomewhe this has cooked pistachio. atat plate the toto TO FINISH onon quenelle aa place top, • 4 Pears re.re. and the plate the warm Reserve quenelle place and incorporated. • Zest of 1 Lemon somewhe warm this Reserve forincorpora 2 minutes at boiling point, add the add and Mixted. eggs one by one in to theparmesan butter mixture Place the sauce leg into the oven to heat point through and the boiling toto upup back and the add heat and reduced point been has boiling that out back • 200g Sugar stock sauce beef and the the heat Take reduced been has that out stock beef • 1 Vanilla Pod Take the cheese and butter whisk this in until ittohas been into adding a and pinch ofn,the flour mix prevent breast skin to crisp. Reheat the polenta so itthe isthe boiling hot Cut s. s. hazelnut and ries into ry blackber the breast blackber the Cut add hazelnut and saucepa ries clean a in ry blackber the place the blackber n, add • 400g Water incorporated. a clean place insplitt Reserve this warm somewhere. • 200g Ground and place a quenelle on to the plate at thethe top, leg ing. saucepa add polenta, the against upup place leg the the 3 3and with add happy are polenta, you the until against time aa atat bitbit place aa the and with puree happy are you until time puree Take the beef stock out that has been reduced and Almonds heat backthe up carrots to boiling andpile add next Stir in the remaining flour the mixture until the uniform apoint inin To serve then and itsauce next toto pile flavour nextthe beef uniform a taste the carrots became toadd then and should it you flavour taste beef the taste should place in amixture clean saucepan, the blackberry you taste thenext blackberries and hazelnuts. Cut the breast into and is became smooth. tory breast • 240G Pistachios the over sauce the Spoon breast. and !! !! it it the th to breast the undernea over • 2 Granny Smith sauce the BlackBer the Spoon and breast. stock the the th to of undernea ry BlackBer the puree a bit at aand time until you are happy with the stock and place up against polenta, add the legpea of the (roasted & ground) Grease and line a baking tray before pouring 3leg with garnish and meat thethe covers Apples that it it pea soso with garnish and later up meat to heat covers side one toto leg Place later up taste you should became to taste the beef flavour heat side one next to it that and then the the carrots in a uniform pile next Place mixture in, to tap the tray on a work surface to • 80g Plain Flour !! enjoy and and shoots water salted boiling • Whipped inBlackBerry enjoy !!the sauce over the breast and carrots and Spoon the and shoots Blanch water of the stock and the underneath it !! salted boiling in to the breast. carrots the Blanch remove any air pockets and bake at 1300c Sweetened Cream minutes. 66 around cooked, refresh Place to once one side to heat up later minutes. around cooked, once refresh for 45 minutes, then 1500c for a further 30-45 leg so that it covers the meat and garnish with pea

• 4 pheasant breasts and 4 pheasant legs

plastic container, set in fridge until firm. cook) quick flour( • •6 6ozozpolenta cook) quick flour( polenta

Peter Clarke

Blanch the carrots in boiling salted water and refresh once cooked, around 6 minutes.

shoots and enjoy !!

Afric South of Late Harvest Sauvignon Blanc Reserve Africaa South ards age Pinot Vineyards ofViney 2015 okslo Rhebokslo ageRheb Pinot 20152014 Concha Y Toro Chile

WINE WINE WINE

WINE

2015 Pinotage Rheboksloof Vineyards Southby Africa fermenting the

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• • •

The the by fermenti made ismade wine Thewine grapes areisleft out long after theng other skins steel ininStainless grapes skins steelonontheir Stainless grapes grapes have been harvested totheir reach toto ofofthe The wine is made byover fermenting the regular cap thecap pump regular and aand much higherpump level ofover sweetness in the wine The grapes incolour Stainless steel on their skins flavour. and extract wine The flavour. and colour extract Mediterranean climate of the valley. and regularaged pump over of the cap to and oak new 60% inin was and oak new 60% thenisaged wasthen The wine golden yellow with amber extract and flavour. The wine 1414 for barrels oak 2incolour 40% for barrels oak old yearold 2year 40% tones colour. The wine is sumptuous was then aged in 60% new oak and months. months. and characteristics on14the 40% 2displays year old oak barrels for it itshows wonderf A shows winespice ulwine A wonderf nose of ripeul peach, and honey months. with flavours fruit , dark complex with flavours fruit dark , wine complex aromas. The palate is light, fresh and A wonderful itry, shows prunes blackber ofof notes prunes ry, blackber fruity and the acidity in the wine notes complex, dark fruit flavours with spices. ofofsoft hints and spices. oak softoak hints works well with the flavours of the and notes of blackberry, prunes fillfillthe tannins The and palate thepalate tannins pear whilst ofand the wine The and hints ofthe softsweetness oak spices. fruit dried offill nuances flavours fruitflavours dried of matches the sweet flavour of the nuances The tannins the palate and work and ertaste aft the on linger and ertaste aft the cake. A great combination andwork a real ondried nuances of fruit flavours linger ofofthe the really the flavours theflavours linger onwell the aft ertaste and work with favourite of with mine. well really t dish. Pheasan really well with the flavours of the t dish. Pheasan Pheasant dish.

t tchefs ofofbrillian • •AAteam chefs brillian team A team of brilliant chefs list wine •Superb wine Superb •Superb wine list list here atmosp ck Laid-ba •Laid-back here atmosp ck • Laid-baatmosphere perfect restaurant for dinner or

for dinner restaurant The perfect TheThe perfect restaurant for dinner or or Hotel, AtAtthe lunch. Sunday Hotel, Imperial theImperial lunch. Sunday Sunday lunch. At the Imperial Hotel, 1EQ. , NR30 Drive, North , NR30 Yarmouth GtYarmouth Drive, North North Drive, Gt Gt Yarmouth, NR30 1EQ.1EQ. 842000 01493 call book 842000 01493 call To To book call 01493 842000 book To

www.cafecru.co.uk www.cafecru.co.uk

www.cafecru.co.uk

- 2pm 12.30 Sunday Sunday 12.30 - 2pm - 2pm 12.30 Sunday - 10pm 6.30 - Saturday Monday Monday - Saturday 6.30 - 10pm - 10pm 6.30 - Saturday Monday daily. is isopen TheThe Terrace is open daily. ForFor opening opening Foropening daily. open Terrace TheTerrace tel.co.uk totoimperialho gogo & &menu times & menu go to imperialhotel.co.uk times tel.co.uk imperialho menu times

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| APRIL 2018

The

W H IT E HHAingRT ham

The White Hart has an excellent reputation, Robert Fosbrook heads to Hingham to find out more...

he White Hart Hotel in Hingham is a perfect place

to stay for a weekend break. ‘ Escape from the city’ is the bold statement that can be found on the homepage of their website and you really couldn’t find a better location to do this than this lovely hotel. It feels like the sort of place you’d happily escape to most weekends if you had the chance. The hotel has 5 luxury en-suite bedrooms and they have all been designed to display and enhance the wonderful natural features of the building which dates back to 1473. The bedrooms all have espresso coffee machines, smart TV and stunning bathrooms featuring natural stone sinks and surrounds and cast iron roll top baths Hingham is a small (but perfectly formed) Georgian market town in mid Norfolk with great character and charm and steeped in history. It’s very quintessentially English with a green, a church and some lovely Georgian houses which surround the old market place. Right in the middle of the town is The White Hart Hotel. We arrived on a cold late winter evening and were warmly greeted and welcomed by owners and partners Katie and Matthew. There are a number of different areas to eat at the White Hart. Upstairs is a slightly more formal dining area, downstairs there is ‘The Old Court Room’ which indeed used to house local hearings and trials and which now is ideal for private parties or as an alternative to the upstairs dining room. There is also the option to eat in the main bar area and we

THE WHITE HART

were delighted to see that our table had been reserved to eat there. We were shown to our table by Matthew and given the menus to make our choices. The bar area itself has oak flooring with rustic tables and a stunning wood burner at one end of the room. Katie and Matthew have managed to do that difficult thing of maintaining a balance between running a busy restaurant as well as keeping the Hingham locals happy with a well stocked and popular bar. There are a number of cask ales, world beers, cocktails and an extensive wine list with nearly 60 to choose from. We had a pint of Panther pale ale and a glass of chardonnay and also a bottle of sparking water for the table. There is a lot of choice on the menu with starters, mains, pub classics, daily specials, smaller tasty bites called Norfolk Nosh (order a couple of these for a starter) or the recently introduced ‘The Whole Hart’ This is actually a selection of venison dishes including ribs, meatballs, burger patties, carpaccio, sausage rolls to 20the years and which will not crack A or‘Hart’ flake. We have chosen and intriguing venison popcorn. is the one madeword especially for old buildings which allowstakes for natural medieval for a Stag and chef Martin Hewitt the whole Hart and uses theitwhole animal so therethat is noyou get movement and moves with to avoid the cracking wastage. Thispaint. is proper to tail with normal The nose company is eating. called Clean & Coat – it’s a On the menu mycoating eyes were drawnrun to abysalmon terrine specialist exterior company Matthew Hales.” so IKatie ordered that as“We my starter and some fowl to continues: are aiming to be aguinea destination venue, follow. My partner is a that big fan Italian food with luxury bedrooms areof appealing and so thatordered people really the homemade want to stay in.”gnocchi and a halloumi and mushroom burger main. We satset back and waitedwith for our Thisfor aimher certainly looks to be a reality, thefood five new while enjoying the ambience and convivial chatter from also rooms (all doubles, with some that can be split into twins), the bar. boasting beautiful bathrooms. After a short while the starters arrived. My salmon The stunning new bathrooms will feature natural stone sinks terrine was ample chunks of poached salmon with a hint and surrounds; cast iron; roll-top, deep, old-fashioned baths; of grapefruit and held in place by some thinly sliced leeks Wi-Fi; acted and plenty of natural light. which as a casing for the terrine. This was served

with some sour dough toast and chive oil and was soft and flaky and perfect on the toast. My favourite however was the salmon crackling - essentially seasoned salmon skin that had been grilled till it had the texture of a crisp tuille This worked so well with the flaky salmon, I think I’ll need to try that myself at home! My partner reported that the gnocchi was excellent. It was served with a small jar of clear tomato consommé and a beetroot crisp and basil gel. Once again chef Ricardo demonstrated his understanding of the importance of flavour and texture in a good dish. My guinea fowl was served both [poached and roasted and was accompanied by some inspired

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the white hart Located 14 miles from Norwich and just a few miles from the charming market town of Wymondham, Hingham is steeped in history, boasting ancestral links with the town of the same name in Massachusetts, USA, and even with President Abraham Lincoln. With the upmarket weddings and events venue Kimberley Hall also nearby and plenty of visitors passing through, no doubt the new bedrooms will be in demand, especially once the finishing touches, such as espresso coffee machines and smart TVs, are in place. In the meantime, this very pleasant pub is very popular for its drinks and food menus and, since Katie and Matthew took it on in 2015, has become a true local hub. A number of well thoughtout changes have been introduced, with the main restaurant now located upstairs in The Old Court Room, famous for its stag antler chandelier. This spacious yet homely room also has an elegant private dining area that seats a dozen. Customers can eat downstairs, too, in both bars as well as in thecauliflower attractive raised dining tempura. area, and,The when the better weather and sesame guinea fowl had returns, there is a lovely just off one of the bars, a subtle gamey flavourlittle thatcourtyard worked brilliantly well with with to build a roof garden the future.it all there theplans beetroot puree on the side.inTo balance Plus a large behindpotato the building alfresco werethere’s discs of char garden grilled sweet sitting for under eating drinking, together withburger a “secret garden”, a fabulous the and guinea fowl. The halloumi was a substantial construction held together byKatie a cocktail stick andplan served additional outdoor space where and Matthew to install with proper chips. And byequipment proper chips mean thealong with some attractive wooden play forIchildren, hand cut, deep fried, skin on kind. The combination a herb garden. of halloumiduring and chunky field mushroom madedays, a great Meanwhile, these cold, wintry January the indoor alternative to afor meat burger. My partner me a cosy areas are perfect relaxing thanks to their offered real fires and taste of the burger. I am a dedicated carnivore but even seating areas, while the old-fashioned bar billiards table provides I had to admit that I would be a happy man if I had a bit of fun. ordered Attentionthis. to detail is evident throughout, with free WiFi, firstAfter we hadtables finished Matthew then came over andmenu, an come-first-served in the first bar area, a children’s asked if we could find room for dessert. Could we? Of array of freshly-prepared sandwiches and lunchtime snacks, and course we could. I choose the rhubarb trifle cappuccino a speedy meal service. while my partner went for the classic crème brulee. Both The Hart is aknown for itsshortbread extensive cocktail wereWhite served with homemade biscuit list, on the comprehensive wine list, and host cup of craft side. The rhubarb triflewide wasrange servedofinspirits a cappuccino beers. with a creamy top with crumbled honeycomb sprinkled There is a large selection ofcustard Adnamsand ales, plus many over. There were layers of rhubarb andbeers from other localunderneath. microbreweries, with two hand pumps and capacity sponge It was delightful. The crème brulee forwas six more keeping interesting. sweetreal andales, creamy withthings a crispfresh layerand of burnt sugar Katie and Matthew also own the successful Norwich venture, on top. The Earlham which they have been for the past MatthewArms, also explained that they arerunning now holding quarterly events, the next which is an evening four years and they have usedof their experience thereof to improve tutored wine tasting with food inspired by chef Ricardo’s things at The White Hart. travels through and England of .Full Thanks to a dropSpain, in barSouth prices,America the re-establishment a fresh, detailsmenu can be found on their website. seasonal and a fabulous Sunday lunch, the central Hingham watering hole now appeals to locals and visitors alike. Prices are very reasonable, with roasts at £9.95 each (£10.95 forTHE beefWHITE ) and allHART the food is home-made on site. Mike Smith, who HOTEL oversees ThePlace, WhiteHingham, Hart’s kitchen, said:NR9 “We’re 3 Market Norfolk 4AFoffering a twist on T: traditional pub food. food is modern British – we use fresh 01953 850473 • Our E: bar@whitehartnorfolk.co.uk produce and we don’t muck around with it too much.” www.whitehartnorfolk.co.uk With a five-star food hygiene rating, plenty of parking and an informative new website, this attractive, hospitable place has plenty to offer. 69 Kate and Matthew are hands-on owners and enjoy overseeing lunch and dinner, while they are also very grateful for the sterling

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g n i n n a l P T H E PE R F E CT DAY Choosing the perfect venue is almost certainly at the top of any newly engaged couple’s list and the decision as to where to hold your wedding can be quite a daunting one. Choosing the right venue is vital to the success of your big day so it’s a decision that you really need to get right.

It is very easy to get over excited and fall in love with a venue when you go there for the first time. It is important to be sure of your exact requirements and consider various options before committing. Here are some useful tips to consider before choosing your wedding venue. Estimate the number of guests and work out your budget. It is important to have an idea on the number of guests you are thinking of inviting to share your special day with. If you are planning on inviting evening guests then consideration needs to be given on how many people the venue can cater for both during the wedding event itself and also in the evening. You will need to know roughly how many people you plan to invite and how much you can spend before you start to draw up your list of potential venues. Picking a venue that is the right size for your guests is also important. You need to pay attention to the capacity of any venue you’re viewing before you even look at it. There is no point in falling in love with a venue only to discover that it doesn’t have the capacity you need. Find out if the layout fits your needs. If you’re having your reception and wedding ceremony at the same venue, is there enough space for both of the events? Check if the venue provides accommodation. Some of your guests might be travelling from afar and may like to have the option of staying overnight. Adequate parking for your guests is another important factor to consider.

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WEDDINGS

Talk to as many people as you can who are associated with the venue, try and meet everyone who will be working with you on your wedding. Hopefully you will have met the manager on your first visit, but be sure you speak to any on-site wedding coordinators or catering managers and ask them to answer all of your questions. If you know other people that have had a wedding at the venue then speak to them, they will be able to tell you firsthand how their wedding went, what was good and what was not so good.

Before you commit to the date make sure you check how much the deposit is, when it is due and also if it is refundable. It is also worth checking if there any discounts available or special packages on offer. Be sure to check out what extra costs there are, some venues offer the complete wedding package while others may charge extra for items like cutlery, table cloths, chair covers, decoration, plates and even the dance floor. If you are thinking an outdoor wedding might be right for you then it is also worth checking if there are any facilities provided in the quoted venue rate in case it gets too hot or starts raining. Another thing to consider is a cancellation fee in case of unpredicted illness. The last thing you need is a surprise bill after your wedding day! Always make sure you visit your potential venue more than once and, if possible at, various times of the day. Venues can look different at different time of the day so, it is worth going to see your preferred choice during the day and then again after dark.

A FEW POINTS WORTH CONSIDERING WHEN CHOOSING YOURWEDDING VENUE • How many guests can the venue hold? For the actual wedding ceremony and also additional evening guests. • Is it possible to hold both your ceremony and reception at the venue? • Will there be onsite accommodation for your guests - If not, how close are the nearest accommodation options? • Pricing: what’s the price per head? Is there a minimum spend? Are there any set packages or discounts on offer? • Is the catering in-house? You might want to sample a meal at the venue before making your commitment. • How easy is it to get to the venue for your guests? Is there sufficient parking. • Does the venue offer great photo opportunities? • What are your decor options? What extras are charged for? • What is the protocol for letting your outside suppliers in and out on the day of the wedding? • How flexible is the venue? For example, are there any restrictions in terms of what you can bring in and use (this is a good question if you have something specific in mind like candles)?

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ELDERLY

When taking care of an elderly parent or loved one, no one prepares you for the challenges that go with it There may come a time when you are faced with

choosing a care home for a loved one. You will naturally want to do everything possible to make sure their needs are met and that you feel comfortable that they will be happy living there. If that time comes and you take the decision to move a loved one into a care home then you need to be aware that there are several types of care homes that you can consider. All care homes offer accommodation and personal care, but there are also specialist care homes that are able to offer bespoke care and services for residents who have far greater needs. There are several types of care homes you could consider: Care Homes These help with general care, such as washing, dressing, taking medication and going to the toilet. Nursing Homes Generally these offer personal care as well as assistance from qualified nurses. Care Homes with Dementia Care These tend to be designed to make people with dementia feel comfortable and safe. Dual Registered Care Homes These accept residents who need both personal care and nursing care. This means that someone who initially just needs personal care but later might need nursing care won’t have to face the upheaval of changing homes. Deborah Stone from myageingparent.com said: “The move from one’s own home into a care or nursing home can be upsetting, even traumatic, for both the elderly relative and their family.” “Relatives can feel guilty about passing the day-to-day care of their loved one into the hands of others, and anxious about the level of care and support they will be receiving.”

Here is her list of the ten most important things to consider to make the transition as easy as possible. 1. TAKE AS MUCH TIME AS YOU CAN Choosing a home in a hurry is never a good idea but often there can be pressure to find somewhere quickly, especially if a hospital is keen to discharge a patient. Consider how much time you put into choosing your own home and that was without important care and support being needed in a care home where your parent might potentially end their days. Remember the first twelve weeks after discharge should be paid for, so there is the option to have temporary care while you make your final choice.

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ELDERLY CARE

2. DECIDE ON THE TYPE OF HOME YOUR PARENT REQUIRES. There are four basic types of care home and facilities and prices will vary for each. If there is a strong possibility that your loved one may need greater levels of care in the future, it can be wise to choose a home where this extended care is possible, rather than having to move. 3. TALK TO YOUR PARENT IF POSSIBLE. If your parent is not well enough for this conversation, or is unable to communicate, discuss it with all your close relatives who know your parent well. Find out what the most important things to them are about the care home and what they would like the staff to know about them to help them care for them in the best way. 4. DECIDE ON WHERE THE HOME SHOULD BE. Think about the distances you, other family members and friends may need to travel and how easy it is to get there, including for those who don’t have their own transport. 5. WHAT KIND OF ACCESS DO YOU NEED? Many homes are in adapted buildings and even if they say they can offer a ground floor room, there can be steps into the lounge or dining room. If your parent needs completely level access, make sure the home can provide this.

6. WHAT BATHROOM FACILITIES WILL YOUR LOVED ONE NEED? Bathroom arrangements can be very personal, especially access to one’s own toilet. If this is an issue, check if the home has ensuite facilities. 7. HOW BIG DOES THE HOME NEED TO BE? Some homes are very large and this can have its advantages, such as better entertainment facilities, including having a minibus and obviously, a wider social circle. If your parent is quiet and shy, however, they may be better off in a much smaller home. 8. ASK YOUR LOVED ONE WHAT’S IMPORTANT TO THEM. Do they want access to a garden? Do they have specific dietary requirements? Many older people are inseparable from their cats and dogs and want to take them with them. 9. RESEARCH COST. Importantly, if your loved one will be a “self funder”, how much can they afford? After determining what benefits and entitlements are available, the rest of the fees will need to come out of investments, savings or against the future sale of a home. Fees will vary considerably between homes, and this can mean that families may want (or feel they need) to top up the fees from their own resources to secure the quality of care and environment desired. 10. PLAN AHEAD. Many homes will not keep people on at social service rates so you will need to think about the long-term cost. There are care fee plans which might prove helpful if you want to ensure you can cover fees for the rest of your love one’s life. Moving a loved one or elderly relative into a residential facility is without doubt one of the most difficult decisions a family can go through and choosing the right care home can seem a daunting, even confusing task. Following this ten step guide will certainly set you on the right path to selecting the best care options for your elderly loved ones.

| APRIL 2018

Care home, sheltered housing, stair-lift… or CAREPOD? Whether we like to think about it or not, we’re all going to reach an age where extra thought has to be given to our choice of living space. For those who particularly value their independence and the familiarity of their surroundings, could a garden Carepod be the answer?

With all the scientific knowledge

and advice that’s around these days, we’ve never had a better chance to look after ourselves and enjoy our retirement years to the full – especially if we can adapt our living conditions to best suit our needs. Sometimes that might mean installing a stair-lift, down-sizing to a bungalow to avoid the stairs altogether, or widening doors and adding ramps to accommodate wheelchair access. Changing care needs and health issues may even mean that a residential care home becomes the most sensible option. But might you consider staying as close to home as you can get… like in the garden? A Carepod is a modular mini-home that’s typically located in the garden of a house belonging to either a member an elderly person’s family, friend or carer, depending on circumstances, personal preferences and the flexibility of finances. The resident’s close proximity to friends and family allows easy social access and day-to-day support, whilst giving mutual private space and a level of independence that many people just aren’t ready to give up. The concept is similar to that of the ‘grannyannexe’ but brings things right up to date with the use of steel-framed modular construction, innovative building materials and low-impact siting that allows Carepods to be easily

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removed, re-purposed or re-sold when no longer required. Standards of construction and specification are high, with fully insulated wall, floor and ceiling panels, low-cost underfloor heating and aluminiumframed double-glazed windows and doors. Options include bi-folding doors, CCTV/online monitoring and alarms, voice-activated and automated control, and variable-height surfaces for wheelchair users. Carepods come in a choice of three standard layouts which can then be adapted to integrate personal care equipment and personalised with the residents’ choice of interior and exterior finish. All Carepods are single-level and specifically designed as comfortable, cosy living spaces with the elderly, infirm or vulnerable in mind. Being located within a garden, often in already-familiar surroundings, keeps residents in touch with nature and the changing seasons, comfortable in the knowledge that people are close by, whether to chat over a coffee or to sometimes lend a helping hand if it’s needed. Carepods differ from traditional brick buildings in that they can either be constructed on-site, if access is limited, or be factory-built and transported to site in sections, ready for assembly. This approach, and their innovative design, can avoid hold-ups caused by bad-weather, speeds up construction time and brings the move-in date forward – particularly useful if swift action is needed to re-locate a loved one. Lightweight modular building methods can also cause much less site disruption as foundations

and module siting are easier and materials more contained. All efforts are made to minimise disturbing the immediate garden environment so that the new dwelling will integrate into the surroundings as sympathetically as possible. Prior to hand-over, all utilities and amenities – electricity, water, drainage, sewerage, Wi-Fi etc – are connected and the surrounding area landscaped to the preferred specification – with decking, patio, flower beds, lawn, pathways, fences etc. Unlike with bricks-and-mortar construction, where you can effectively be left with a new building surrounded by a vacated building site, everything is finished to the pre-agreed state, ready to move belongings in and turn your Carepod into a home. Two of the big benefits of Carepods are their common-sense practicality and cost-effectiveness compared to the disruption of making extensive home modifications and the sacrifice of personal space, plus very high monthly charges, that can be incurred with care homes. Carepods can be purchased outright, enabling re-purposing or resale if no-longer needed, or financed (including options involving no initial outlay), making them a highly flexible option when it comes to conserving a person’s life-savings and assets. Carepods are designed and manufactured in Norfolk by North Burlingham-based Modular Works Ltd. Paul Green, Director, explained how they came about, saying: “With the Carepod, we wanted to bring together everything that we would want for our own parents – and ourselves – at this time of life. We already had in-depth knowledge of renewable materials, lightweight steel buildings and modular construction – so we focused on how it could all be brought together to work in the best way for people at this stage of their lives. If the circumstances are right for the individuals concerned, a Carepod can be a really common-sense option for looking after elderly, infirm and vulnerable relatives – one that offers financial flexibility whilst allowing them to still have a place to be themselves.” You can find more information about Carepods at

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| APRIL 2018

a-hand venue to running a cultural hub. We’re looking in the region of 140 seats as a performance space – retractable seats; a very, very flexible space.

SIMON DAYKIN

General Manager at

Wells Maltings Simon Daykin has been general manager of Wells Maltings since August last year. This new cultural development, located on Staithe Street in the heart of this popular seaside town, is set to open this summer, with programme details to be unveiled very soon. Places&Faces® took a trip to North Norfolk to find out more… Can you sum up the new site in a sentence? Wells Maltings is an Arts, Heritage and Community hub. Is the new development on track to open in the summer? Yes, Wells Maltings is no longer a project; it’s the real thing. It will happen and there will be a programme. I’m nervous about pinning down dates; the building programme is doing well, but the exact moment that we open to the public is still to be finalised. The Maltings’ ‘Preview Season’ will be from June, with the ‘Opening Season’ from September. What can visitors expect? What we’re creating here is very, very different: top-notch theatre, up-to-theminute film, celebrity… We’re making the transition from the small, everybody-lends-

So is there anything like this in this part of the world at the moment? There’s nothing like this in this part of the world. The nearest comparison is another Maltings, in Farnham near Guildford in Surrey. The building is just a shell; the pearl is inside, it’s what we do with it. Will you be working with the local community? We are not turning our back on our community roots. Drumming workshops might be your thing; good coffee might be your thing… we are also a hall for hire, but we want to work with you, and the local community will get special rates. And there will be a year-round, 12-month programme. The programme will be varied and the uses of the building will be varied. The product portfolio is very, very diverse and there will be something in The Maltings offer for everyone. There’s a diversity of markets: very local people using Wells Maltings as a community resource – for a nice coffee and a sandwich. Second-homers bringing family audiences, from Wells, Holt, Fakenham and the Burnhams. We’re working with young people; we’re working with older people with health issues, such as dementia, for example. We’re boosting the night-time economy of Wells. The important thing is that The Maltings is about the community; we want it to be all about the nurturing of creativity. There’ll definitely be a daytime offer, with a café/bar with 50/60 covers, birthday parties…our key aim is to establish and sustain The Maltings as a thriving, welcoming and vibrant space for everyone to enjoy and call their own. What about art? There will be a 12-month festival of wonderful Arts. The Wells Heritage Sculpture Trail [from May to September] will take place as part of the funding from

the Heritage Lottery Fund. And there will be two permanent exhibitions, in the two upper galleries – collections and displays. And there is a call out for artists for our opening exhibition, CONNECTION: OPEN 2018, showcasing the best of East Anglian art, where the work or the artists themselves have a connection with this part of the world. There’ll be workshops and masterclasses – there’s a very, very big and talented community out there. And we’ll have a gift shop with the emphasis on local – locally crafted, locally sourced. Can you tell us a little about yourself? I’m 48 and I’ve worked in the Arts for 25 years. I left the Theatre Royal in Bury St Edmunds [as CEO] at the end of 2013 and then worked in a consultancy, increasingly in the heritage sector. I’ve got a son who’s almost 17 and my wife, Nicola, used to work in Arts administration but is now a student paramedic, working in emergency medicine, and studying at the UEA. You clearly have a great affection for the county? I remember camping at Pinewoods at eight years old and we’re regular weekenders here, so the opportunity to work on this stage of the project was very exciting, very compelling. I’ve made Norfolk my home and I spend as much time as I can here; it’s important for me to be known in the town. How can the local community get involved? The need to do on-going fundraising is absolutely essential. We have a team, which is still building, with a low resource base – seven staff at the moment – and we need volunteers: ushers and stewards for the shows, the Box Office, the Tourist Information Centre and so on. I’ve got a job to do and that job is to make the building the best that it can be. For more on Wells Maltings, visit: www.wellsmaltings.org.uk

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Audi Q5 S line 2.0 TDI quattro from £399 per month*

• 19" alloy wheels • MMI Navigation

• Front Sport seats • LED headlights

Solutions Personal Contract Plan* representative example from Audi Financial Services based on 10,000 miles per annum for the Audi Q5 S line 2.0 TDI quattro 190PS S tronic Duration 47 monthly payments of

4 years £399.00

Customer deposit

£7,873.26

Centre deposit contribution

£1,000.00

Total cash price of optional extra – metallic paint

£645.00

Recommended On-The-Road price

£42,455.00

Amount of credit

£33,581.74

Optional final payment

£21,520.35

Total amount payable

£49,156.61

Total amount payable by customer

£48,156.61

Option to purchase fee (payable with optional final payment) Rate of Interest Representative APR Excess mileage

£10.00 6.2% Fixed 6.2% APR 9.6p per mile

Book a test drive Norwich Audi Meridian Way Norwich NR7 0TA 01603 709200 www.robinsonsaudi.co.uk Official fuel consumption figures for the Audi Q5 S line 2.0 TDI quattro 190PS S tronic in mpg (l/100km): Urban 52.3 (5.4), Extra Urban 57.6 (4.9), Combined 55.4 (5.1), CO2 emissions 133g/km. Fuel consumption and CO2 figures are obtained under standardised EU test conditions (Directive 93/116/

EEC). This allows a direct comparison between different manufacturer models but may not represent the actual fuel consumption achieved in ‘real world’ driving conditions. Optional wheels may affect emissions and fuel consumption figures. Image shown for illustration purposes only. More information is available on the Audi website at www.audi.co.uk and at www.dft.gov.uk/vca Robinsons Autoservices Limited trading as Norwich Audi is a broker and not a lender and can introduce you to a limited number of lenders, who may pay us for introducing you to them. *At the end of the agreement there are three options: I) own the vehicle: pay the optional final payment; ii) return the vehicle: subject to fair wear and tear, charges may apply; or iii) replace: part exchange the vehicle. With Solutions Personal Contract Plan. 18s+. Subject to availability and status. Terms and conditions apply. Offer available when ordered between 2nd January 2018 and 2nd April 2018, and registered by 30th June 2018. Indemnities may be required. Offers are not available in conjunction with the scrappage scheme or any other offer and may be varied or withdrawn at any time. Accurate at time of publication [March 2018].Freepost Audi Financial Services.