Arts & Entertainments

Arts & Entertainment

Stellar line-up for Literary Festival by Faith Eckersall

From lunch with Dorset novelist Minette Walters to afternoon tea with best-selling debut writer Sally Page, Sturminster Literary Festival has gathered a feast of fabulous authors for visitors to hear.

The popular event runs from 6-18 June, and aims to showcase leading and emerging fiction authors with Dorset connections, as well as celebrate the town’s literary associations with Thomas Hardy, William Barnes and Robert Young.

The first week features writing by contemporary Dorset authors including bestseller Natasha Solomons, who will be at the Exchange discussing her innovative and beautifully written new novel, I, Mona Lisa. At a literary lunch, guest Minette Walters will talk about The Swift and the Harrier, her historical novel on the horrors of the Civil War in Dorset. Gillingham-based Sally Page leads the literary tea, where she will talk about the writing of her best-selling debut novel, The Keeper of Stories. Award-winning crime author Rachel McLean will be discussing her popular Dorset crime series, the first of which is The Corfe Castle Murders. Meanwhile, historical romance author Karen Dickson from Shaftesbury will discuss her recently published family saga, A Songbird in Wartime. And, via Zoom, Jim Case of Newfoundland, Canada, will talk about his genealogical connections with Dorset’s cod fishing and swan-skin industries and how he came to write his historical novel, Ananias, based on his family history. During the second week events will focus on the town’s literary heritage, with Professor Angelique Richardson and Dr Steph Alder speaking about Hardy’s Correspondents, a collaborative project between Dorset Museum and the University of Exeter. Former Yetties band member Bonny Sartin will discuss Hardy’s musical heritage – the music he played, his instruments and the references to traditional song, music and dance in his writing. At a literary lunch, writer Christopher Nicholson will be speaking about the strange story of Hardy’s association with one of the rarest of all British birds, the creamcoloured courser. And in his talk, Sturminster stalwart David Fox will share insights into the town’s past and Blackmore Vale life as depicted in the poetry and writings of William Barnes and Robert Young. On Saturday 18 June, a Victorian-themed family fun afternoon will be held in the Railway Gardens and Poet’s Corner area of the town. Two guided walks will highlight literary heritage in Bagber and Marnhull and there will also be reading discussion groups and two weekend events for children. More details at www.sturlitfest. com. Bookings can be made at www.eventbrite.co.uk/o/ sturminster-newton-literaryfestival-33209608299.

THE EXCHANGE

STURMINSTER NEWTON

STAYIN' ALIVE FRI 13TH MAY, 7:30PM Stayin Alive are recognised as the UK’s top Bee Gees Tribute.

£18/ £17 conc

VISIT OUR WEBSITE FOR MORE EVENTS

CUPID'S REVENGE SAT 14TH MAY, 7:30PM A dance theatre comedy show by New Art Club. In partnership with Artsreach.

£12/ £5 U18s

Living Spit's ELIZABETH I

TUES 24TH MAY, 7:30PM

Living Spit return with the second of their (un)Holy Trinity of hilarious heritage historiographies.

£15/ £14 conc

Local landscapes in mixed media

By Hilary Porter

Wincanton artist Camilla Redfern is staging an exhibition, celebrating local landscapes and still life.

The event (27 May to 2 June) will see her showcasing her mixed-media artwork at her studio/gallery at 7 Market Place, Wincanton, adjacent to the Post Office. She is joined in this exhibition by Runima Kakoty.

The two share “a vibrant palette and expression of so many things that are familiar to us: the local landscape, exotic contexts, everyday objects; the figurative and abstract.”

Camilla found that the recent lockdowns drew her back to her creative roots, culminating in a discovery of mixed-media expression. She goes under the name Kairosart to reflect how lockdown prompted her to seize the day.

She explains: “In ancient Greek Kairos means ‘time’, but not just any time. It is about timeliness: the special moment when it is the opportune time

to do a particular thing; taking advantage of changing circumstances – creating a perfect moment to deliver a particular message with overtones of symmetry and balance.”

Runima Kakoty is originally from Assam, India and has been painting and exhibiting for much of her adult life. She draws on images and colours from her own culture as well as from European landscapes.

Camilla’s work is for sale and she also welcomes commissions. Prices range from £150 to £500. www.kairosart.uk

Although it is not currently a legal requirement, please consider wearing a face covering to protect yourself and others when visiting the Tivoli. PLEASE KEEP CHECKING OUR WEBSITE

PHANTOM OF THE OPEN (12A)

16th 18th & 19th April 7.30pm Matinee 20th April 2.30pm Tickets £8 Eve, Mat £7, U16s £6

(Box Office bookings over £20 incur £1 booking fee)

RUSSELL KANE THE ESSEX VARIANT! (SOLD OUT)

Wednesday 20th April 8pm Tickets £20

(Box Office bookings over £20 incur £1 booking fee)

AN EVENING WITH JOHN ILLSLEY

“The Life and Times of Dire Straits – Music & Memories”. Thursday 21st April Tickets £30

(Box Office bookings incur £1 booking fee per transaction) WILLE & THE BANDITS

Friday 22nd April 7.30pm Tickets £16

(Box Office bookings over £20 incur £1 booking fee) LIONEL:

THE MUSIC OF LIONEL RICHIE

Saturday 23rd April 8pm Tickets £23.50

(Box Office bookings over £20 incur £1 booking fee)

JIM DAVIDSON presents:

LEFT, RIGHT & CENTRE

OVER 18s ONLY A New TV panel show Filmed live!

25th April, 3rd & 4th May 7.30pm Matinees 3rd & 4th May 2.30pm Tickets £15 THE MATT MONRO STORY LIVE WIRE: THE AC/DC SHOW

Thursday 5th May 7.30pm Tickets £24 Saturday 7th May 7.30pm Tickets £20

(Box Office bookings incur £1 booking fee per transaction) SHOW OF HANDS

Wednesday 11th May 7.30pm Tickets £26 THE DAVE KELLY BAND

Thursday 12th May 7.30pm Tickets £20

Arts & Entertainment

Local singer/songwriter celebrates debut single release

by Hilary Porter

She sang at every school concert growing up in Somerset, wrote songs, danced, acted, played drums, piano – and dreamed of being a recording star.

Now aged 21, India Lillie Davies has released her first single and is tipped for great success.

The self-penned single Tissues was released on 11 March and is attracting thousands of listeners and fans. India calls it a “breakup song”, but it is upbeat and highly catchy.

From her days at Castle Cary Primary School and then Bruton School for Girls, India loved performing but admits, “It’s all been a bit of a whirlwind recently!”

She told NBVM: “At primary school I always wanted to do music, singing and acting as a career. I auditioned for a music and drama scholarship at Bruton School and was awarded both so was very lucky.

“Being at this school also gave me the opportunity to audition for the National Youth Choir of Great Britain, where I managed to secure a place!”

This experience was “invaluable” but eventually she decided to concentrate on being a solo vocalist:

“When you are in a choir you lose your own tone because you must blend with everyone else. So, I stopped that and decided to try and get my own sound back.”

Apart from her musical talent, India’s striking good looks led to her being scouted by a fashion photographer.

“I was 16 and ended up signed to First Model Management in London.

I wanted to do a performing arts course, which I did at The SPACE (The Somerset Performing Arts Centre of Education). I learnt a lot and did a lot of modelling at the same time.”

It was at the modelling agency that India met a talent scout who casually asked her to sing one day. From there was introduced to producer Lloyd Hinshelwood, who’s is responsible for all the production on India’s single.

India wrote all the lyrics with songwriter Tori Cross and now has lots of other songs recorded too, which she can’t wait to release.

India is grateful to everyone who has helped her – not least her mum and dad. “They took me everywhere when I was young. I did so many singing lessons and exams up to Grade 8, and I was coached to sing classically.”

Tissues has been released on Distrokid – a company that distributes your music everywhere, including on Amazon, Apple Music and Spotify. Her music style has been described as ‘agile’ and fluctuates between pop/RnB/ funk and dance while maintaining a lyrical and soulful feel. So, has India any goals for the future? “Yes, my big goal being from Somerset would be to sing at Glastonbury - that would be huge!” www.indiadavies.com