WOW MEDWAY 1
Sailing Charter· Static Venue· Winter Tea Room
‘The Edith May Tea Room’
Private Hire -
Music Nights Special Events
www.edithmay.com Tel: 01634 365343
Contributors Pascale Cumming–Benson grew up in Medway and is a Fine Art graduate, having studied at UCA and the University of Reading. She likes writing with and about art, and is particularly interested in art and its architecture, network culture and ideas of work and production in art. Her first love is ballet! Sam Froudist is a writer, blogger, and Bunting Enthusiast. Hailing from the Colonies (Australia), she’s a fresh Medway resident and has recently co-launched bunted!, a small bespoke bunting business in Rochester. Sam loves watching great theatre, getting overly passionate about things, and feeling so bourgeois that she has to throw red wine all over herself. Contact Sam at goodbyesamantha@gmail.com
Cover by Paul Baker Photograph of the Editor by Peter Still
Nick Walker is an events director, film critic and filmmaker. His flagship Medway project, The Other Cinema, is a weekly event held every Thursday at the Chatham Odeon. Nick also set up the Screen Classics programme at the Central Theatre, Chatham. He writes, directs and produces short films and is the editor of Film Essay, for cinéastes wanting to write about film culture. Nick has worked for The Guardian and the London Film Festival. Currently he is Events Director at Film Education and Director of National Schools Film Week. Find us on Facebook facebook.com/WOWMedway
@EmmaDewhurst7
ART BOX: Maidstone Visual Artists Network (see October’s WOW) was challenged to make new artwork based around the concept of a box. MVAN’s exhibition, demonstrating the flexibility of mixed media, is quirky and meaningful. 5 Nov-1 Dec, Allington Library, Maidstone ME16 OPR
ONE YEAR ON: WOW! I can hardly believe I am wishing myself Happy First Birthday. WOW is the only publication I have had the privilege to edit, and it has been a rollercoaster of a year - but I would not have wished this steepest of learning curves to be any other way. The magazine received a tremendous reception from the outset: I’d like to say a huge thank you to those contributors, advertisers and readers who have consistently supported me when I hadn’t a clue what I was doing other than trying to see through the vision I once had at three o’ clock in the morning. Above all I’d like to mention Paul Baker of A Stone’s Throw design, without whose sheer class of vision WOW would be a lesser publication indeed. At a bumper 24 pages, this month’s issue is packed with articles, reviews, listings and a special birthday competition. WOW: the very best of What’s On Where. Emma Dewhurst Please mention WOW if you use our advertisers’ services or attend an event found in our listings WOW MEDWAY 3
COMMUNITY ON TRIAL Friday 11 November 7.30pm til late Poco Loco, 58 High Street, Chatham ME4 4DS
GRAND BOOK SALE ALL WELCOME! Balfour Infant School Hall, Pattens Lane, Rochester ME1 2QT Wednesday 23 Nov 2.30-5pm Good quality second-hand books for sale: adult; children’s, fiction, non-fiction
The first event run by a new collective, Medway Mutiny, a network of activists who have come together with the allencompassing desire to change the world. Their ‘On Trial’ events are a real attempt to break away from the ‘fusty old formula of dry political meetings’ and make debate fun, encouraging discussion and participation amid a good night out. Expect comedy, poetry and music; invited speakers and contributions from the floor. For their launch night, performers and speakers booked so far include comedian CO Jones, poet Barry Fentiman, singer songwriter Didi Bergman, writer and community activist Philip Kane, and “community midwife” Carl Jeffrey. And the Medway debut of speed debating! Find out more about the Medway Mutineers at http://medwaymutiny.wordpress.com or email medwaymutiny@btinternet.com
DISCOVERYOURESTUARY.COM Lovely new site showcasing photographs, art and stories about the Medway Estuary. The site also provides information for walkers and canoeists in the area. You can submit your own stories/images too. ROCHESTERLITFEST.COM This new website aims to highlight all things literary, bringing together writers, performers, directors and film-makers: anyone in fact who is interested in making things happen through creative writing. You can also follow them on Twitter: @rochlitfest
MAIDSTONE’S AFFORDABLE VINTAGE FAIR SAT 5 NOV 11AM-4.30PM Exchange Studio & Fourth Wall, Hazlitt Arts Centre, Earl Street, Maidstone ME14 1PL
Call 01622 758611
Saturday 19th November
Vintage & retro clothing & accessories Vintage Style Tearoom & live entertainment
11am - 4pm Old Town Hall High Street, Gravesend DA11 0AZ
Admission a snip at only £2.00 includes prize draw entry
NOVEMBER 2nd 7-11pm
Swing Night
e gtim Swin hearts t Swee
Dates for your dairy March 24th & June 30th 2012
www.monicasvintagefair.com 07805477973
DANCE CLASSES FOR ADULTS Kings Theatre 338 High Street, Chatham ME4 4NR
Adult Zumba & Dancercise Thurs 10.45-11.45am A mixture of Latin, Jazz, Samba and Rumba. Beginners welcome. £4 (You can bring your children at £2 each) Adult Advanced Jazz Mon 6.15-7pm £4 Brunswick House School Leafy Lane, Maidstone ME16 0QQ
Adult Zumba & Dancercise Tues 7.45-8.45pm A mixture of Latin, Jazz, Samba and Rumba. Beginners welcome. £4 (You can bring your children at £2 each) Adult Beginners Tap (Adults 16+ yrs) 8.45 - 9.30pm Beginners very welcome. You don’t need the tap shoes to start this class. £4.00 (Adult Tap and Zumba together £7)
Tickets £15.00 per person Live Band, Buffet included DECEMBER 10th, 14th, 15th, 16th, 21st, 22nd, 23rd 7-11pm
Masquerade Ball Tickets Wed/Thurs £30.00 Fri/Sat £40.00 per person (min Tables of 10) Includes 3 Course Meal and Disco 31ST DECEMBER 7-1am
New Years Eve Masquerade Party Tickets £45.00 per person Includes; Buffet, Free Arrival Drink, Disco Tickets available from Barbutis 01474 550030 Old Town Hall 01474 550023
www.gravesendoldtownhall.co.uk In association with
WOW MEDWAY 5
THE BIRTHDAY COMPETITION DESIGN A COVER FOR WOW!
WOW is renowned for its distinctive, eye-catching covers. Could you come up with an image strong enough to feature on the cover of WOW?
COMPETITION RULES: Anyone over the age of 16 can enter the Competition Cover images may be submitted on any theme and in any medium, although entrants should bear the publication’s ethos and style in mind Permission must be granted by the subject(s) for photographic images of people WOW will reject, unjudged, any artwork deemed offensive or pornographic Images must be submitted as hi res jpegs or tiffs (over 3mb) and be suitable for A5 portrait Entries will be judged on originality of image, visual impact, suitability to WOW and whether the image will work with the WOW logo and cover copy Entrants need only submit an image; the WOW logo and copy will be added by us Entrants grant WOW permission to use their image on the cover or inside the magazine as part of an article about the competition. Copyright will remain with the artist Entries must be sent by email to the Editor at editor@wowmedway.co.uk Entries will be judged by WOW’s Editor Emma Dewhurst; WOW’s designer Paul Baker of A Stone’s Throw Graphic Design and by a guest judge The winning entry will feature as the cover image in a future issue of WOW magazine All entries must be received by 5pm on Friday 17 February 2012
ARTISTS & MAKERS WOW has launched this brand new section to give local artists, makers, photographers and writers the opportunity to showcase their wares in a featured, reasonable space. Please support your local artists by buying local this Christmas!
£17.50 for one month £30 for two issues £42 for three issues Email: editor@wowmedway.co.uk
BILL LEWIS Drawings and prints available from £25 Email: medwaydeltapress @yahoo.co.uk Tel: 07941 568069 billlewis-art.co.uk
HAND-MADE FOR CHRISTMAS Hand crafted fabric items for home decoration by Alison Blackburn: Christmas decorations and stockings featuring hand-stitching and reclaimed materials. Tel: 07813 084051 etsy.com/people/ alisonblackburn
BUNTED! Rochester-based bespoke bunting by the metre. Your fabric or ours Email Sam or Sarah: buntedlifestyle@yahoo.com Tel: 07401 362621 bunted.wordpress.com
With Christmas around the corner let Nucleus Medway take the headache out of finding that perfect present. With over 400 artists on our books Nucleus Arts Rochester shop is a treasure trove of original gift ideas, created by artists, designers and craftspeople working in the Medway area.
If you’re in Chatham try Nucleus Arts Centre. Our Chatham Gallery hosts constantly changing art exhibitions while our café serves the best homemade cakes in town! All this plus 26 artist studios and a conference facility for hire.
Alongside the cards, jewellery, ceramics, paintings, prints and photography our monthly Featured Artist slot offers a wider selection of work from some of our rising stars. Forthcoming artists include: Heather Haythornthwaite (Nov), Marion Smith (Dec/Jan) and Marissa Mardon (Feb).
www.nucleus-arts.com
Nucleus Medway: 75 High St, Rochester ME1 1LX. Open Wed-Sat 11-5pm (8pm on last Wednesday of the month), Sundays 11-5pm. Nucleus Arts Chatham Gallery and Café: 272 High St, Chatham ME4 4BP (opposite Iceland). Open Mon-Sat 9-4.30.
If you’re feeling creative yourself try one of our new workshops. Upcoming events include puppet making, flower table decoration, Fimo beads and printing/book binding, which are suitable for all skill levels. And keep an eye on our website for details of affordable artist studio spaces shortly becoming available in Rochester. WOW MEDWAY 7
FILM MAIDSTONE FILM SOCIETY Hazlitt Theatre, Earl Street, Maidstone ME14 1PL 01622 753922
A diverse range of world cinema from classics to contemporary greats. Licensed bar. Special fixed rate parking in Fremlin Walk Shopping Centre after 7pm. Subscription rates for year: Adult £24; Couples Membership £42; Senior/Student £19; Guest per film £3.50. Concs available maidstone-film-society.org.uk OF GODS AND MEN (15) 2010 Mon 14 Nov, 8pm Dir: Xavier Beauvois Cast: Lambert Wilson, Michael Lonsdale Drama based on the true story of eight Cistercian monks whose way of life is threatened by violence. Surprise hit at Cannes. 122 mins
SUBMARINE (15) 2010 Mon 21 Nov, 8pm Dir: Richard Ayoade Cast: Sally Hawkins, Craig Roberts, Paddy Considine Coming-of-age comedy drama: Ayoade’s well-received directorial debut. 97 mins THE OTHER CINEMA Chatham Odeon Cinema, Maritime ME4 4LL 0871 22 44 007
A weekly showcase of quality films from around the world, with a post-show discussion led by Nick Walker over a free glass of wine. £8.25/£6.25. theothercinema.info JANE EYRE (15) 2011 Thu 17 Nov, 7.45pm Dir: Cary Kukunaga Cast: Michael Fassbender, Jamie Bell, Sally Hawkins, Mia Wasinowska
New screen adaptation of Charlotte Brontë’s endlessly fascinating novel. 95 mins
THE AFRICAN QUEEN (U) 1951 Mon 7 Nov, 7.30pm Dir: John Huston Cast: Humphrey Bogart, Katharine Hepburn Highly entertaining classic. See Nick Walker’s article. 105 mins
SARAH’S KEY (12A) 2011 Thu 3 Nov, 7.45pm Dir: Gilles Paquet-Brenner Cast: Kristin Scott Thomas Scott Thomas plays a modern-day journalist investigating the Vel d’Hiv round-up of 1942. 110 mins
BEST OF GENERAL RELEASES
THE SKIN I LIVE IN (15) 2011 Thursday 10 Nov, 7.45pm Dir: Pedro Almodovar Cast: Antonio Banderas, Elena Anaya Rolling Stone magazine dubs this ‘a scary, sexy and terrifically twisted horror film.’ 120 mins TINKER, TAILOR, SOLDIER, SPY (15) 2011 Thu 24 Nov, 7.45pm Dir: Tomas Alfredson Cast: Gary Oldman, Tom Hardy, Benedict Cumberbatch, Colin Firth Based on John Le Carré’s classic novel . Oldman plays espionage veteran George Smiley, forced from semi-retirement to uncover a Soviet agent within MI6. 127 mins SCREEN CLASSICS The Central Theatre, 170 High Street, Chatham ME4 4AS 01634 338 301
A big-screen celebration of cinema classics introduced by programmer Nick Walker. £6/£5 (booked online). Students £3.50. See four Screen Classics and get a fifth free. www.medwayticketslive.co.uk
THE RUM DIARY (15) Johnny Depp as Hunter S Thompson’s rum-soaked journalist. Rel 4 Nov JACK GOES BOATING (15) Quirky rom-com. Philip Seymour Hoffman directs and stars. Rel 4 Nov THE AWAKENING (15) Post World War I Brit Chiller. Rel 11 Nov THE TWILIGHT SAGA: BREAKING DAWN Part 1 (Cert tbc) The fantasy saga continues. Rel 18 Nov 50/50 (15) Critically praised comedy drama about a young man with cancer. Rel 25/11 Showing at the following: ODEON CHATHAM, Dickens World, Leviathan Way, Chatham Maritime, Chatham ME4 4LL. 0871 22 44 007. odeon.co.uk ODEON MAIDSTONE, Lockmeadow, Barker Road, Maidstone, ME16 8RG. 0871 22 44 007. odeon.co.uk ROCHESTER CINEWORLD MULTIPLEX Medway Valley Leisure Park, Chariot Way, Strood,ME2 2SS. 0871 200 2000. cineworld.co.uk THE ROYAL CINEMA, Faversham, Kent, ME13 7AG. 24hr info line: 01795 591211, Box Office: 01795 591211. From £4.50-£5. royalcinema.co.uk SHOWCASE BLUEWATER, Water Circus, Bluewater, Greenhithe, Kent, DA9 9SG. 0871 220 1000. showcasecinemas.co.uk/ bluewater
Nick Walker describes a classic case of screen chemistry
THE AFRICAN QUEEN The African Queen is the classic 1951 adventure drama film adapted from the 1935 novel of the same name by CS Forester, directed by John Huston. With a sharp screenplay by James Agee, who also wrote Charles Laughton’s sole directorial offering, ‘Night of The Hunter’, the characters play off each other delightfully and with great aplomb. It is essentially an uncomplicated tale of two companions with mismatched, “opposites attract” personalities who develop an implausible love affair as they travel together downriver in Africa around the start of World War I. The cinematography by the legendary Jack Cardiff is beautiful yet was performed in relatively unusual circumstances, as it was shot mostly on location in Uganda and the Congo - a rather novel fact for the time, especially for a Technicolor picture, which utilised large unwieldy cameras. About half the film was shot in England, including the scenes in which Bogart and Hepburn are seen in the water, which were all shot in studio tanks at Isleworth Studios, Middlesex, as the producers felt these scenes were considered too dangerous to shoot in Africa. Most of the action takes place aboard a boat – the African Queen of the title – and scenes on board the boat were filmed using a large raft with a mock-up of the boat on top. Sections of the boat set could be removed to make room for the large Technicolor camera: this proved hazardous on one occasion when the boat’s boiler - a heavy copper replica - almost fell over onto Hepburn. It was not bolted down since it also had to be moved to accommodate the camera! The small steamboat used in the film to depict the African Queen was built in 1912, in England, for service in Africa, and is now on display at Key Largo in Florida, USA.
The film stars Humphrey Bogart alongside Katharine Hepburn in their only pairing. Both endured a fairly torrid time on set as the cast and crew endured sickness and spartan living conditions during their time on location: in one scene, Hepburn was playing a piano but had a bucket nearby because she was often sick between takes. Bogart later bragged that he was the only one to escape illness, which he credited to not drinking any water on location, fortifying himself instead from the large supply of whiskey he had brought along with him! Bogart’s performance as the gin-swilling riverboat captain earned him his only Academy Award that year, for Best Actor. Hepburn shines as the straitlaced missionary and was nominated for Best Actress – the chemistry between these two actors is the central feature of the film. With Jon Huston at the helm, shooting his first colour film, this journey which trails the heart of darkness works best when the dialogue and emotions between the two actors really gel as the terrific performances and immense tension lift the picture to its classic status. The African Queen is screened as part of the Screen Classics programme at Central Theatre, Chatham on Monday 7 November at 7.30pm. Nick Walker will introduce the film. WOW MEDWAY 9
ACCLAIMED SINGER, SONGWRITER AND ARTIST LUPEN CROOK BRINGS HIS FIRST SOLO SHOW OF ARTWORKS TO MEDWAY
There is little doubt the style of my broken arts has been, in some ways, directly influenced by the stubborn and raw spirit forever present in Medway.
Known for the relentless semi-autobiographical honesty and dark, observational wit of his music, Medway born Lupen Crook’s visual art has much in common with his output as a singer-songwriter. Formally untrained, barring a short period at the Kent Institute of Art and Design in the late 1990s that convinced him that the process of being “taught” art would more likely undermine his creative instincts, nevertheless his work demonstrates a considerable technical accomplishment. Crook frequently combines traditional painting with collage, using everyday items which have experienced time in the real world - discarded newspapers, jigsaw puzzle pieces, copper coins, cigarette butts - preferring these to objects which have been made specifically for the purpose, to give his work a sense of the raw and living. Lupen Crook is a maverick artist touched with the ability to express the pain and puzzlement of life eloquently across any number of media. An increasing appetite for his artwork has recently seen many pieces sell for considerable sums to collectors both within the UK and Europe. Catch him at The Deaf Cat while you can. www.brokenarts.co.uk (Visual Art) www.lupencrook.com (Music) Lupen Crook performs at the Royal Function Rooms in Rochester on 27 November as part of Medway’s three-day Live Transmission event (see opposite).
CREATIVE WRITING Canterbury-based writer Danny Rhodes will be joining the Hazlitt Arts Centre in the New Year to run prose sessions and master classes, bringing a welcome boost to anyone who wishes to take their writing to the next level. Rhodes is the author of numerous published short stories and two novels, with a third in the pipeline. His debut novel, Asboville, published by Maia Press in 2006, was selected as a Waterstones Booksellers Paperback of the Year and long-listed for the Waverton Good Read Award. Soldier Boy, his second novel, was published in February 2009. As part of the Hazlitt Writers Group, Danny Rhodes will run an initial masterclass and then monthly workshops aimed at writers who are serious about getting their work published. MASTERCLASS: Topics covered include writing for the short story market; writing a novel; the submissions process and practical writing tips Saturday 10 December, 10am-12 noon at the Hazlitt Arts Centre NEW MONTHLY PROSE SESSIONS: First session - Monday 9 January 2012 7.30pm- 9.30pm at the Hazlitt Arts Centre. Subsequent meetings take place on the first Monday of the month. Session fee ÂŁ5, payable in advance. For further information contact: georgiegrassom@maidstone.gov.uk. www.dannyrhodes.net
WOW MEDWAY 11
Artist and sculptor CHRISTOPHER SACRE:
CASTING WITH
Christopher Sacre’s epiphany as an artist may have arrived in an unexpected form – but since discovering a happy marriage between condoms and plaster just over a year ago, he has never looked back. The resulting work, See what this man gave birth to after using 2000 condoms in 22 days, is an extraordinary installation of 2000 of his plaster ‘babies’, as he calls them, laid out on the floor differently in each venue in response to the features of the space. So far, Chatham’s Nucleus Arts Centre, Margate’s Harbour Arm Gallery and Trinity Buoy Wharf, London, have been graced with their forms.
The creations are made by pouring liquid plaster into a condom, which is knotted at one end and left for an hour. Sacre then peels away the latex and the emergent form is left to dry for up to two weeks, when he lops off the knotted end, giving it a flat base on which to stand. Each ‘baby’ is unique: Sacre lovingly details their birth date and thus they become part of a series. Having studied Fine Art Sculpture at Wolverhampton School of Art and Design, Sacre spent years making nature-related sculptures and had simply, as he puts it, “lost interest”. “Visually I like simple forms and shapes,” he says. Discovering the endless possibilities of his condom creations has clearly re-energised his practice, both visually and conceptually. His method for making the casts references the way in which a used condom is knotted and discarded: “The sperm is left inside and it all looks the same - you don’t know if they would be black, white, deaf, disabled.”
This last point is important: Sacre has been profoundly deaf since the age of two. I ask him to what extent his deafness informs his work. Sacre springs to his keyboard, brings up the Gallery page of his website and talks me through some close-up photographs of the installation. It is immediately clear that these are no casual groupings: in one, a smaller shape whispers something into the ‘ear’ of another, an isolated other looking on; in another, a whole group appear to converse, again with an on-looking outsider. I am surprised and moved to discover that these smooth white beings represent worlds of human experience, simply by how they are placed in relation to each other by the artist. However, for Sacre, the photographs are “too perfect - not enough drama!” This is why, for his first solo exhibition at The Deaf Cat Gallery
this month, he has decided to create five large canvases in acrylic and charcoal, based on five of the photographs. He wishes to explore his creations in a different medium: “The paintings will explore the forms, the shadows, and make a deeper emotional impact.” He believes that just how the photographs translate onto canvas will depend on his mood on the day they are painted. I sense a feeling of trepidation and excitement in Sacre for the forthcoming project. “It’s mad – brave in a way - but I’m not afraid! I’m exploring myself as an artist.”
It will be fascinating to see how Sacre’s approach adapts itself from installation to painting. Anyone hankering to see one of his condom creations up close will also not be disappointed: there will be a number of his ‘Adoption’ series on display. You could always do a good deed and take one home for Christmas. Emma Dewhurst
Christopher Sacre’s Solo Show runs from 28 November to 11 December at The Deaf Cat Gallery, 83 High Street, Rochester ME1 1LX. Open 9.30am-5pm. Private View/Meet the Artist: Sat 10 Dec 6.30-8.30pm christophersacre.com WOW MEDWAY 13
MUSIC “The Ronnie Scotts of Medway”
(M.Lake, Gig Guide)
Meals-Table Seating-Waitress Service & Bar, Famous Musicians
144Club at the Roffen 41 New Rd Rochester
Wednesday 9th November From USA Benn Clatworthy £12 or £22 with 2 Course Meal
Saturday 3rd December Xmas Special at Dickens World Tickets & Information
www.144club.co.uk Box Office 01634 365453
(Gig & Event Information Correct at time of Print)
THE AVENUE THEATRE Central Avenue, Avenue of Remembrance, Sittingbourne ME10 4DN 01795 471140
ANTONIS HATZINIKOLAOU Fri 18 Nov. Classical guitar from one of the world exponents. An evening of music from Spain and South America. £12 www.avenuetheatre.co.uk
KASAI MASAI Fri 18 Nov 7.30pm Equatorial African music with a contemporary twist. Free workshop at 6.30pm. £9, concs available CITY OF ROCHESTER SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA Sat 19 Nov 7.30pm The CRSO’s 42nd Season kicks off with a programme of musical gems by Prokoviev, Dvorak and Tchaikovsky. Soloiste: Frédérique Legrand. £9-£15, young people special ticket price of £1. Concs available BOB GELDOF Mon 21 Nov 7.30pm Songs from his newly released, surprisingly optimistic album How to Compose Popular Songs That Will Sell and hits from The Boomtown Rats. £23-£25 medwayticketslive.co.uk HORSEBRIDGE ARTS & COMMUNITY CENTRE 11 Horsebridge Road, Whitstable, CT5 1AF 01227 281174
SARAH JANE MORRIS Sat 26 Nov 8pm (doors/ bar 7pm) Famed for her association with The Communards in the mid-80s and infamous for a banned rendition of the classic Me and Mrs Jones. Jazz, blues, rock and soul. £15, concs £13 www.horsebridge-centre.org.uk THE ORCHARD Home Gardens, Dartford DA1 1ED 01322 220000
BEYOND THE BARRICADE Mon 14 Nov 7.30pm An evening of musical theatre in this successful touring show, including songs from Les Misérables, Miss Saigon, The Lion King and more. £21 THE ROYAL PHILHARMONIC ORCHESTRA Sat 26 Nov 7.30pm Classical masterpieces including Mendelssohn’s Hebrides Overture and Beethoven’s ‘Emperor’ concerto. £20-£30, concs available orchardtheatre.co.uk ROCHESTER CATHEDRAL ME1 1SX
THE BROOK THEATRE Old Town Hall, Chatham ME4 4SE 01634 338338
JAZZ AT THE BROOK: THE DAVID REES-WILLIAMS TRIO Tue 1 Nov 8pm Growing a reputation for uniting classical and jazz. £11 FOLK AT THE BROOK: GORDON GILTRAP Thu 24 Nov 8pm Acoustic guitarist supreme. £10 THE CENTRAL THEATRE 170 High Street, Chatham, ME4 4AS 01634 338338
CHARLIE LANDSBOROUGH plays with his five piece band Fri 11 Nov 7.30pm £17-£18
ROCHESTER CHORAL SOCIETY CONCERT Sat 5 Nov 7pm Haydn: The Creation, with the Rochester Sinfonietta, conducted by Roger Sayer. £7-18 rochesterchoral.co.uk ORGAN CONCERT Sun 14 Nov 4.30pm. Free MAKE A JOYFUL NOISE Fri 18 Nov 7.30pm An evening of inspirational Choral Music with Rochester Cathedral Choir. Tickets £10, includes drinks and canapes after the concert. For tickets phone Kay: 01634 810062 or email precentorsec@ rochestercathedral.org rochestercathedral.org
November 2011 Tuesday 1st Ukulele Jam Night Wednesday 2nd We Ghosts Sunday 6th Jam Night Thursday 3rd Nightshift Wednesday 9th Sarah McQuaide Thursday 10th Louis Turpin & Roger Hubbard Sunday 13th Jam Night Wednesday 16th Tattie Jam Thursday 17th Tener Duende Sunday 20th Jam Night Wednesday 23rd Andy Smythe Trio Thursday 24th The Mercurials Sunday 27th Jam Night Wednesday 30th Hot Rats Duo
The Man of Kent Ale-House 6-8 John Street. Rochester. ME1 1YN www.themanofkent.com 07772 214315
ORCHESTRA ONE – A MUSICAL OPPORTUNITY! Kent Music has received a grant from the Rochester Bridge Trust to create an innovative youth ‘orchestra’. ORCHESTRA ONE (the Orchestra of New Experiences) is an ensemble designed to give young people the experience of playing in an orchestra like no other. Young musicians from all backgrounds are invited to participate – DJs, self-taught, classical players, singers, laptop sound designers and MCs. ORCHESTRA ONE is FREE and open to participants between 12 and 19 years old (but applications will be considered from all young people).
Project One consists of a series of four open rehearsal days and accompanying concert, led by Tim Steiner, to take place at New Line Learning Academy in Maidstone: 27TH NOVEMBER (9.15am - 4.30pm) 4TH DECEMBER (9.15am - 4.30pm) 10TH DECEMBER (9.15am - 4.30pm) 11TH DECEMBER (9.15 am start with evening concert) To apply email orchestraone@ kent-music.com or telephone 01622 358406 www.kent-music.com/ ORCHESTRA-ONE WOW MEDWAY 15
THEATRE THE BROOK THEATRE
Old Town Hall, Chatham ME4 4SE 01634 338338
ANDI OSHO: ALL THE SINGLE LADIES – PLUS SUPPORT Mon 7 Nov 8pm Her second stand-up show about the perils of dating, following smash-hit success at Edinburgh. £13.50
EQUUS Mon 14-Wed 16 Nov 7.30pm Peter Shaffer’s psychological thriller. Contains strong language, adult themes and nudity. £17, 15, 10 TalkBack meet the cast after the show Mon 14 Nov New online booking website: medwayticketslive.co.uk THE ORCHARD Home Gardens, Dartford DA1 1ED 01322 220000
SO UNIQUE Fri 11 Nov 6pm Devised, written and performed by adults with learning disabilities: songs, poetry and dance. £4.50 KIDS’ CABARET OF CURIOSITIES Sun 13 Nov 1pm and 3pm. A great way to spend Sunday afternoon with the kids. Cabaret acts and magnificent magicians. Children £5, adults £6 U.DANCE MEDWAY Sun 20 Nov Dance performance at 3pm, preceded by workshops: Contemporary Dance 11am-12 noon; Street Dance 12 noon-1pm £7 per workshop, includes ticket for performance, £4 performance only. Concs available CABARET OF CURIOSITIES Fri 25 Nov 8pm Indoor circus, cheeky burlesque, always a surprise or two. Over 16s only. £10 JARRED CHRISTMAS & GARY DELANEY Mon 28 Nov 8pm Two classy comedians deliver standup. £13.50 THE CENTRAL THEATRE
170 High Street, Chatham, ME4 4AS 01634 338338
ALL THE FUN OF THE FAIR Tue 8-12 November Tue-Thu 7.30pm, Fri & Sat 8pm, Fri 5pm, Wed & Sat 2.30pm Nominated for Best New West End Musical 2010 by What’s On Stage. Starring David Essex and his songs. £25.50-£32.50
CHARLEY BOORMAN LIVE 2011 Mon 21 Nov 7.45pm Actor, adventurer, author and Ewan McGregor’s friend Boorman tells his tales. £18.50 orchardtheatre.co.uk
EXCHANGE STUDIO, HAZLITT THEATRE Earl Street, Maidstone ME14 1PL 01622 758611
THEATRE TOURS INTERNATIONAL PRESENT SHYLOCK Highly successful oneman show about Shakespeare’s eponymous Jew. Guy Masterson performs Gareth Armstrong’s script. Fri 11 Nov 8pm hazlittartscentre.co.uk THE MARLOWE THEATRE,
The Friars, Canterbury CT1 2AS 01227 787787
LAUNCH SEASON: NORTHERN BALLET’S THE NUTCRACKER Tue 1-Sat 5 Nov Tue-Sat 7.30pm, Thu & Sat 2.30pm. Much-loved ballet suitable for all. £16-£38, concs available TOP HAT Tue 8-Sat 19 Nov: Evenings 7.30pm, Thu & Sat 2.30pm Prior to its West End run: lavish new version of the classic movie, starring Tom Chambers and Summer Strallen, with Irving Berlin’s score. £19-£45, concs available
THE MARLOWE STUDIO: JAMES CAMPBELL’S COMEDY 4 KIDS Sat 12 Nov, 2pm That rare thing, a stand-up comedian for children (6+). £8.50 marlowetheatre.com PICK OF THE MONTH: TURBULENT SURFACES Sat 12 Nov 2-6pm A one-off event produced by Kirsten Cooke, this is an experimental stage which ‘fuses works that look at street life, rap and pop music, journalism and presentational structures, in order to rethink these spaces as potential sites for cultural and political difference.’ This promises an afternoon of live performance from Quilla Constance and Patricia Lennox Boyd; a film screening of Bernadette Corporations Get Rid of Yourself; talks and a presentation by Dale Holmes. Intriguing. The event is free, advanced booking essential. Phone 01634 338319 or email arts@medway.gov.uk
EATING OUT A Nepalese restaurant in the heart of Chatham is earning a growing reputation for fine dining: Sam Froudist went to visit GURKHA CUISINE
Tucked away beside Chatham’s Brook Theatre, Gurkha Cuisine is simultaneously the restaurant you want to tell the world about, and the food equivalent of not talking about Fight Club: keeping it secret just so that it always stays unpretentious, simple and deliciously charming. It helps that it’s perfectly located for a pre-theatre feast, because if there are two things I feel passionate about, it’s theatre and eating. I’d never tried Nepalese food before, and was interested to see if it was markedly different to Indian cuisine. Our mains were a real rollercoaster of flavour and texture. With my dal kawati (lentils and kidney beans soaked overnight and finished with butter and cream) they succeeded in eliminating the hated crunchyundercooked-lentil texture. The overwhelming flavour, however, was cream, and its richness tired my palate out before my stomach was ready. The BF, a menu-selector extraordinaire, ordered
Khashi Ko Masu, which was a flavoursome tomato-based lamb curry, the tenderness of which I have never experienced before (of course I stole his food – what do you take me for?). If a little more of the oomph of this dish had been in the dal, they both would have been smash hits.
GURKHA CUISINE 1 Whiffens Avenue, Chatham ME4 4SF. Tel: 01634 817686. Opens Mon-Sat 12-2.30pm and 6-11pm. Sun: 12:303pm (Gurkha Buffet at £7.95) and 5-9pm www.gurkhacuisine.co.uk
We also ordered a traditional dish, chhoyala – barbecued chicken seasoned with garlic, cumin and soy sauce. The BF loved it, and I’d say 80% tasty, but it was covered in my arch nemesis, coriander, and so only venture for this one if you’re a Team Coriander kind of character. If you like Indian food, you’re going to like Gurkha Cuisine. They’re not the same, but there’s a strong family resemblance. Part of the pleasure for me was the novelty of not recognising the dishes on the menu, but feeling I could be confident that as a whole, everything is pretty damn tasty.
WOW MEDWAY 17
CULTURE:C STREET ART
Pascale Cumming-Benson reviews at No 1. Smithery: The Gallery at The Historic Dockyard and Emma Dewhurst takes a trip to Margate’s Turner Contemporary
Reinforcing its status as a first class touring venue, No.1 Smithery: The Gallery shows its second temporary exhibition from a national museum partner at The Historic Dockyard Chatham. Projects of cultural exchange seem of interest now, and are vital for conversation and movement of work. Curated by Alex Patterson, Street Art presents art drawn from the V&A’s collection of contemporary prints by street artists. It’s a shame the space itself, with accents of fauxbrick and spray paint, plays up to the received idea of ‘youth’ and the notion of street art that it wants to challenge. If you think showing work like this in a gallery is gentrified, it’s interesting to see it in a place that has undergone a transformation itself, moving from an industrial space to a cultural one. First thoughts then might be that exhibiting in a gallery is counteractive to the ideas that the works grew from. But this is visually-satisfying graphic design, what some of the veins of street art have become. The exhibition provokes thought on the questions of street art and design - its printing and dissemination, visibility and reception, collection and preservation. Here print is its opposite, not ephemeral but a means of preserving what might be painted over. Maybe accessibility is greater in a regional show - Patterson is confident that this is the case, that new people will see new things. And it isn’t an aesthetic or medium but an attitude: Your heart is the weapon the size of your fist. Keep fighting. Keep Loving (Pure Evil, letterpress on paper, 2009). School children and staff alike were infused! Street Art: Contemporary Prints from the V&A runs until 27 November. Price is included in admission to the Dockyard.
YOUTH ART, STREET CHATHAM/MARGATE NOTHING IN THE WORLD BUT YOUTH While Turner Contemporary’s inaugural exhibition was designed in its minimalism to reveal the gallery building, this second exhibition is so packed with art works (there are more than 200) that one barely notices the space. Curated by Lauren Wright, the show developed out of conversations TC staff had with local young people, who were demoralised by frequently negative press. Every wall and every piece of floor space is filled with paintings, photographs, posters, video installations and sculptures by over 90 artists, giving their take on what it means to be young - much of it created when they were young themselves. The exhibition includes works by Henry Moore, Peter Blake, David Hockney, Sarah Lucas, Andy Warhol and Turner himself. Particularly resonant are the pieces which address and challenge society’s nervousness about young people: Ron Lett’s silicon figure in miniature of a young black man who has just been shot and Marc Quinn’s painted bronze life-size figure of a young hooded man holding a skull, referencing Franciso de Zurbarán’s painting of St Francis of Assisi. This is an enjoyable, energetic romp of an exhibition with multiple ‘ways-in’ to the art: I’d take my teenager and my parents. The exhibition runs to 8 January. Admission is free.
WOW MEDWAY 19
VISUAL ART THE BLAKE GALLERY
CHATHAM WORKS - Nick Evans 22 Oct-3 Nov New paintings including famous Chatham landmarks and motifs from as REFLECTIONS – Kevin Clarkson far afield as Cornwall. Curated and Marion Smith 23-30 Nov, by Phil Chitty and Stuart opening night Tue 22 Nov 7-9pm Newman. Meet the Artist: Two artists exhibit works about Fri 4 Nov 6-8pm the very different ways we see water. www.gravesham.gov.uk NOTHING PERSONAL – Alex Welch 19-24 Nov Painting commemorating the forgotten THE DEAF CAT COFFEE women of the French Revolution. BAR & GALLERY Meet the Artist: 83 High Street, Rochester ME1 1LX Fri 18 Nov 6-8pm Open all week 9.30am-5pm ANDI BRISTO – Muertos Elegante To 13 Nov LUPEN CROOK 14-27 Nov See p10 CHRISTOPHER SACRE 28 Nov-11 Dec See feature p10 Free thedeafcat.com Civic Centre, Gravesend, Kent DA12 1AU Open 9am-5pm Mon-Fri
MEDWAY ARCHIVES AND LOCAL STUDIES CENTRE Civic Centre, Strood, ME2 4AU 01634 332714
STATUES, PLAQUES AND STREET FURNITURE IN MEDWAY 21 Nov- 10 Jan 2012. Free exhibition NO.1 SMITHERY: The Gallery The Historic Dockyard Chatham, ME4 4TZ 01634 823800
STREET ART – V & A Touring Exhibition To 27 Nov See review p18. Adults £15.50, Children £10.50, Conc £13.00, Family £42.50 Ticket gives unlimited returns to No.1 Smithery: The Gallery and all other Historic Dockyard attractions for one year. thedockyard.co.uk NUCLEUS GALLERY 272 High Street, Chatham ME4 4BP 01634 812108
Gallery opening hours 9-5pm, closed Sunday Free REFLECTION – Adam Piper, Mark Miller & John Carroll 22 Oct-3 Nov
2 WAY VISION – Martin & Marilyn Garwood 26 Nov-8 Dec Painting and photography. Meet the Artist: Fri 25 Nov 6-8pm nucleus-arts.com NUCLEUS MEDWAY 75 High Street, Rochester ME1 1LX 01634 780932
ROCHESTER ART GALLERY & CRAFT CASE Medway Visitor Information Centre, 95 High Street, Rochester ME1 1LX 01634 338319
Mon-Sat 10am-5pm, Sun 10.30am-5pm Free SEDIMENTAL To 11 Nov. A journey of (re)discovery for artist Stephen Turner. ROCHESTER CATHEDRAL CRYPT, ME1 1SX KJV 400 To 4 Nov. Stunning exhibition of work based on the King James Bible. ROSE YARD WINDOW GALLERY, Earl Street, Maidstone ME14 1PL
THROUGH THE LOOKING GLASS This month, Sonya Okubule, Hannah Hutchings and Ally Cowley . Free ST NICHOLAS CHURCH Lower Street, Leeds Village, Maidstone ME17 1RJ Open 10am-4pm
LOOKING FOR GRACE – Helen Morley 4-13 Nov Drug addicts, prostitutes and criminals are the subject of this unusual show.
Tue-Sat 10am-5pm, Sun TURNER CONTEMPORARY 11am-5pm. Closed Mondays Support our community of artists Rendezvous, Margate CT9 1HG 01843 233000 and buy local this Christmas. OLD REED BED STUDIOS CHRISTMAS OPEN 2011 The Street, Lower Halstow, Sittingbourne ME9 7DY 01795 842481
Sat 3 and Sun 4 Dec, 11am-5pm Ceramics by Jean Lowe, Ming Wai Sun, Alison Swan, Jola Spytkowska, Dan Stafford, Pam Dodds and Louise Bassant. Textiles by Alison Blackburn. Jewellery by Olivia Schlevogt and Nicola Crawford www.oldreedbedstudios.co.uk
NOTHING IN THE WORLD BUT YOUTH To 8 Jan 2012. TuesSun 10am-6pm plus Late Night Live to 10pm one Friday every month. Closed Mon (except Bank Holidays) See review page 19. Plus Rodin’s THE KISS. Free turnercontemporary.org UCA POP-UP GALLERY Unit 67, Upstairs at Pentagon Centre, Chatham Mon
Wed and Sat 10am-6pm. An exciting, changing programmer of artworks.
Not all independent schools are the same. At Rochester
we have an average class size
an inspiring team of teachers,
of 8,
no uniform, no entrance exams,
a warm & friendly environment, an outstanding
ofsted
rating, 27 years’ experience preparing students for top universities, great food,
an award winning
wildlife garden, minibus
services and we focus on academic achievement while still encouraging independent thought
and creativity.
www.rochester-college.org STAR HILL ROCHESTER ME1 1XF 01634 828115
YEAR 7 TO SIXTH FORM ISC ACCREDITED
WOW MEDWAY 21
The ARTIST’S Space
Dog on the beach by Heather Haythornthwaite
Heather Haythornthwaite is November’s featured artist at Nucleus Medway, 75 High Street, Rochester ME1 1LX. Rich, detailed and obsessive intaglio prints feed the eyes with local views you thought you knew well. The etchings and lino cuts are produced in Rochester at the Hazelnut Press, and can also be seen this month in the Nucleus Arts Centre Cafe, Chatham.
Contact us EDITORIAL: editor@wowmedway.co.uk FREE LISTINGS: listings@wowmedway.co.uk ADVERTISING: sales@wowmedway.co.uk 0845 388 2243 (local rate from BT landlines) DESIGN: A Stone’s Throw www.astonesthrowdesign.co.uk WEBSITE: Sue Davis Web Design & Consultancy, www.sue-davis.net PRINTING: PB Group Sittingbourne, 01795 413880, www.pbgroup.co.uk
PUBLISHER: Emma Dewhurst Distributed locally to Medway households and public pick-up points throughout the Medway towns. Current print circulation: 5000 copies. Great introductory ad rates available to all first time advertisers. All advertisers also featured in e-edition of the magazine and in our online directory at www.wowmedway.co.uk Copy/listings deadline for December issue: 21 November ©WOW Medway magazine.
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Opening Times Mon – Sun 10am – 4.30pm (last admission 3pm)
Dickens World, our exciting indoor visitor complex based around the life, books and times of Charles Dickens. We take you on a fascinating journey to Dickens’ World as you step back into authentically themed Dickensian England.
Annual Passes now available from just £10
DICKENS WORLD EVENTS Christmas Launch - Saturday 12th November @ 4pm
Join us for the arrival of Father Christmas at Dickens World! We invite you to visit Dickens World for FREE and meet our Christmas Elves, Father Christmas, our Snow White Pantomime characters, & enjoy watching a performance of ‘A Christmas Carol’ complete with indoor snow fall & much more in the Dickens World Courtyard!
Sa nta’s Winter Wonderla nd Throughout November & December £20 Children & £13 Adult
Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs Adults £12.50 •Children £9.50 (School / Group Discount available)
(Aged 3-15)
Ticket prices include a Hot Dog & Soft Drink before the show!
BRITANNIA THEATRE EVENTS From the 1970s TV show, The Comedians and long time host of ITV’s Catchphrase.
Saturday 26th November Tickets only £14.75
One of the UK’s Top Comics. In conjunction with the Vintage Corporation
Christmas Jongleurs
Friday 2nd Dec
Doors open at 7.20pm•Comedians start 8.30pm DJ til late, food available • Tickets from £18.90
Sell Ou ing Bookt Fast, Now!
Christmas Party offer includes: 3 course Christmas banquet, Greatest Christmas Cabaret with movies & musicals theme, DJ til late playing ultimate Christmas party anthems. Wed 21st Dec & Thurs 22nd Dec • £44.50 per person.
Sell Ou ing Bookt Fast, Now!
Your night includes: Canapes & Bubbly in our themed Courtyard, 4 Course New Years Eve Banquet, Toast at Midnight including indoor snowfall, Casino Games, DJ until 2am. £75.00 per adult. Over 18’s only.
Sell Ou ing Bookt Fast, Now!
WOW MEDWAY 23
Mon, 7 Nov 8pm
Andi Osho
A brutally honest stand-up show, dissection of the perils and pitfalls of dating.
Sun, 13 Nov 1pm and 3pm
Kids’ Cabaret of Curiosities
A dazzling array of cabaret acts take to the stage to leave young faces eyes-wide with wonder.
Fri, 18 Nov 7.30pm
Kasai Masai
Powerful percussion and singing combined with the majestic Congolese guitar and jazz saxophone.
Fri, 25 Nov 8pm
Cabaret of Curiosities
Enthralling indoor circus, dancing, cheeky burlesque, music and much more.
Mon, 28 Nov 8pm
Jarred Christmas and Gary Delaney
Two great comics in one evening.
Wed, 7 - Sat, 24 Dec
The Brook Christmas Show
A tailor-made 50-minute magical Christmas adventure full of music, dance and delightful costumes for children aged 3-6yrs.
For tickets, more information and this season’s full line-up
www.medwayticketslive.co.uk 01634 338338