Arts & Entertainments

44 New Stour & Avon, December 31, 2021 Arts & Entertainment A feast of new shows for 2022 at the Playhouse

by Faith Eckersall

newsdesk@stourandavon.net

From the music of Rogers & Hammerstein, to a play first performed at the Royal Court, Salisbury Playhouse has a feast of new shows to tempt you into the theatre in 2022. February 3-19 sees A Grand Night For Singing, which weaves the timeless music of Rogers & Hammerstein into a new storyline. Expect to hear standards including I’m Gonna Wash That Man Right Out Of My Hair, Oh, What A Beautiful Morning, Something Wonderful and Maria, bringing all the glitz and glamour of the Golden Age of musical theatre to the stage like you’ve never seen before. With musical arrangement by Fred Wells, Michael Gibson and Jonathan Tunick, A Grand Night For Singing has played to audiences all over the world, most of whom have not been able to help themselves joining in! There’s a complete change of tempo on March 3, which sees the one-woman show, Florence, about the life and legacy of Florence Nightingale, performed by Louise Jordan. Through song and storytelling, Jordan disrupts the traditional narrative surrounding the ‘lady with the lamp’ and invites her audience to consider the relevance of Nightingale’s work today. Florence Nightingale spent less than two years as a nurse in the Crimea, yet she lived to the age of 90. She spent decades campaigning for social reform worldwide, advocating equal access to healthcare for all and become an expert in areas such as land irrigation, hospital design and postal services for soldiers in order to advance her causes. This dynamic performance celebrates Nightingale as a ground-breaking statistician, connecting her work in the 19th century with the issues we continue to face in 2022. Meanwhile, on April 8, Wiltshire Creative’s new production of Lucy Kirkwood’s The Children receives its regional premiere, having enjoyed its first run at the Royal Court in 2016, starring Francesca Annis. The Children follows the story of two ageing scientists in an isolated cottage on the coast, as the world around them crumbles. Then an old friend arrives with a frightening request which they have to consider. Described as a compelling and entertaining drama about ageing and responsibility, The Children will run until April 23, with previews from April 7. Visit: wiltshirecreative.co.uk

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Oh Vienna! Swirl your way into the New Year

Waltz, march, galop and polka with the BSO

SOPRANO: Elizabeth Watts

Picture: MARCO BORGGREVE

CONDUCTOR: Michael Seal

Picture: ERIC RICHMOND

Prepare to spin into the New Year with a flourish! The sound of Vienna comes to the South West as Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra’s New Year’s Day concerts return to Poole and Weymouth this winter. Suitable for all the family, the programme promises to herald in the New Year in style. Vienna’s famous New Year’s Day concerts have taken place in the Austrian capital since 1939, and remain one of the most coveted tickets in classical music. Featuring a host of waltzes, marches, galops and polkas, the event remains a highlight of the musical calendar. Under the baton of conductor Michael Seal, and featuring leading British soprano Elizabeth Watts, the full symphonic forces of Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra return with the annual celebration, which will include the Fledermaus Overture, Tritsch-Tratsch Polka, Emperor Waltz and, of course, the Blue Danube. Dougie Scarfe, chief executive of Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra said: “The Viennese really know how to start the musical year in style, and we know how much families throughout the South West enjoy marking their New Year together at these special concerts – we can’t wait to celebrate with you all!” The BSO continues to broadcast a number of its main season concerts from Poole throughout the year — and its symphonic touring continues in the New Year with further concerts in Basingstoke, Exeter, Portsmouth and Truro. Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra’s New Year’s Viennese concerts take place at Lighthouse, Poole, tomorrow, Saturday, January 1, and at Weymouth Pavilion next Saturday, January 8. For full details visit bsolive.com.

n Audience members are asked to adhere to current government safety guidelines in order to help keep everyone safe; there are also a range of seating options available at all BSO venues.

Care home inspiration is down to a fine art

Residents of two Dorset care homes made ‘exhibitions of themselves’ in the name of art. Watercolours, oil paintings, photos and tapestries were among the original works produced in-house and put on display at Colten Care’s Whitecliffe House in Blandford and Newstone House in Sturminster Newton. At both homes, team members were encouraged to stage celebrations of art after seeing individual residents producing work themselves during lockdown and inspiring others to do the same. At Newstone House, the catalyst was resident Rita Clay who told staff she was really enjoying doing art again after some time out. Companionship team leader Karlene Duffy said: “Rita inspired other residents to be creative. “So when we mentioned creating our own art gallery, a small group of residents gave themselves a month to create as many inspired art pieces as possible. “The result was tapestries, watercolours, button pictures, silhouettes and many more wonderful ideas. “We used our cinema room as a gallery space for a whole week so that residents, their relatives and our team members could all come in and see.” Rita said: “It was so nice to see the effort all residents made. “I was so happy to see many of my art pieces on display.” There were similar sentiments from fellow residents Doreen Webb and Linda Porter. Doreen said: “It was wonderful and put a smile on so many people’s faces, including mine.” Linda said: “It was nice to see something different and all the artwork created over the last month come to life.” At Whitecliffe House, an equivalent celebration was held in the home’s main lounge following artwork produced by resident Jean Pilgrim, a former art teacher. Pieces by both residents and staff were featured. Companionship team Member Caroline Pugh said: “Jean painted exquisite watercolours in the past and became motivated recently to

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INSPIRED: Clockwise, from left, in the gallery space in Newstone House’s cinema room. team leader Karlene Duffy with residents Linda Porter, Doreen Web and Rita Clay. Whitecliffe House resident and former art teacher Jean Pilgrim – Jean’s artwork inspired the Blandford home to stage an exhibition of residents’ works in the main lounge. Whitecliffe House resident Maureen Smith with a Bryanston woodland scene she painted. Karlene Duffy with resident Doreen Web and a beautiful button bird

go back to painting once more. She started with some fuchsia from our garden. As she described to another of our residents, having her pictures around her and in her mind, is like bringing her garden from earlier years into her room at Whitecliffe. “It’s a joy to see her discussing her love of colour and how certain natural pigments create the colours for the artist. “We are all so happy that she has found the desire to paint again. “It’s so lovely when people are enabled to explore their art. “We have residents who love to paint and draw and the lounge was quickly resplendent with original arts and crafts by our residents and staff members. It was amazing.” Both homes are continuing their focus on championing residents’ art, including through daily activities and setting aside dedicated space.

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Swing out for charity in the New Year

Following the successful return of Wimborne Rotary’s popular annual series of ‘Jazz at the Allendale’ charity concerts in September this year, the event reverts to its traditional prespring scheduling on Wednesday, February 9, 2022. As always, the venue will be the Allendale Community Centre, Hanham Road, Wimborne BH21 1AS. Entertaining the audience once again will be the South Coast’s foremost 17piece big band, Swing Unlimited Big Band, which will play a broad repertoire of swing, jazz, and contemporary music, from the golden age of swing through to the present day. Admission is free with tickets available at the doors, which open at 7.00pm, but with audience numbers dependent on Covid rules applying at the time. There will be a retiring collection in aid of Youth Music Wessex and Rotary charities which it is hoped will be generously supported. Organiser of the concert, Rotarian Darryl Reach, said, “Our latest charity jazz concert marks the 10th anniversary of these events. Thanks to the outstanding generosity of our audiences, we have been able to raise more than £15,000 for worthy causes”. For further information contact: John Gully, PR Officer, Wimborne Rotary 07876 334949

Dancers bring back happy memories

A dazzling afternoon of ballroom and Latin dance performances has brought back happy memories for a former dancer living at a Dorset care home. Joan Whelan was even inspired to revisit a few moves herself under careful guidance from staff at Colten Care’s Brook View in West Moors. The show by Bournemouth dance duo Just the Two of Us – otherwise known as Tanya Hutton and Graham Cooper – was organised specially for Joan after she expressed a heartfelt wish to see a live performance and possibly dance again. Tanya and Graham describe themselves as ‘social dancers’ and have been performing seriously for around three yearsresidents. At Brook View, the first session focused on ballroom and featured waltz, quickstep, foxtrot and tango while the second was devoted to the Latin rhythms of rhumba, chachacha and jive. Their soundtrack, played over a smart speaker, featured well-known tunes such as Nat King Cole’s Let There Be Love and Brenda Lee’s Rockin’ Around The Christmas Tree. Asked what she thought of Tanya and Graham’s dancing, Joan said: “It was absolutely spot on. I give it a definite thumbs-up.” Joan, whose favourite dance is the foxtrot, had dance lessons when she was growing up and went on to perform in a troupe that went on national tours. After retirement and a move to Ferndown, Joan continued to perform at events such as community tea dances. After taking time to help Joan revisit some dance moves, Tanya and Graham said the visit had been hugely enjoyable. Tanya said: “It just goes to prove that dance really is for everybody, no matter your age. “Dance is a great way to maintain your physical and mental wellbeing as you get older while having fun at the same time.” Graham agreed, adding: “You’re never too old to try out a move or two. We loved meeting Joan and the other residents and hopefully brought back some happy memories for them.” Sarah Moule, Brook View’s companionship team leader, said: “Joan used to perform on stage in lots of different shows and had expressed a wish to dance again. We were only too pleased to make it happen for her.”

DANCE DELIGHT: Left, Tanya Hutton and Graham Cooper entertain residents and, above, with Joan Whelan and Sarah Moule

Magical evening of sound and light

After an absence of two years the Christmas Son et Lumiere returned for a magical evening of sound and light illuminating the church to the delight of local folk and visitors gathered on the towns pavements, Cook Row and the Minster Green. Since 2015, this free community event for all age groups has been devised

COLOUR AND CAROLS: Sound and music at the Son et Lumiere event in Wimborne Pictures: TOM SCRASE organised and produced by Radio Wimborne 94.6 volunteers for the people of the town and surrounding district. The event was sponsored by The Wimborne Bid, and Wimborne Minster Town Council. The event organisers said they were delighted that the wonderful Just Sing Choir had opened the evening with their Christmas songs and carols to set the mood before the light and sound show filled the town with Christmas cheer.

Disco dreaming: Besti festi is on its way!

by Lorraine Gibson

newsdesk@stourandavon.net Festival newsflash: Time to grab those sequined flares and platform thighhigh boots as Camp Bestival, everyone’s favourite family festival, has just announced that it will be shimmying back to Lulworth Castle in July with the aim of setting a new record for the World’s Largest Disco Dance. In the early shout-out, organisers say they’ll be looking for more than 300 festi-goers to join in the dance to ensure that the world record is broken and they reckon that this event, teamed with a Desert Island Disco theme, will skyrocket the festival to a new level. The weekend is being flagged up as glitter, giggles and good times with Lulworth Castle’s grounds being transformed into a palm-tree paradise. Early-birds can buy tickets now, although the line-up is yet to be announced, however, you can certainly expect shades, sparkle and Studio-54 vibes from a lineup of top disco acts who’ll be strutting their stuff under the World’s Largest Disco Ball. Speaking of the theme, Camp Besti’s Josie and Rob da Bank said: “We love dressing up in the da Bank house... in fact our dressing up box has almost turned into a dressing up room! “So our Desert Island Disco theme has got us thinking all glitz and glitterballs – lifesize cacti, John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John, platform shoes, formation dancing, thigh-high boots, Village People, outrageous sunglasses and satin flares!” Camp Bestival Dorset is at Lulworth Castle, July 28 to 31, 2022 – for tickets visit campbestival.net.