Arts & Entertainments

Arts & Entertainments The perfect place to party together this Christmas

The Norfolk Royale Hotel on Richmond Hill in central Bournemouth is the perfect place to get together with family, friends or colleagues for your Christmas Party this year. This AA four star-rated hotel combines traditional luxury with award winning customer service. They have a range of Christmas Party options from Festive Lunches to Christmas Party Nights and Festive Carvery Party Nights! Prices start from £24.95 per person and there are drinks packages available too. The hotel is an easy walk to Bournemouth town centre or you could stay over, leaving the car in their secure underground car park and treating yourself to a Full English the next day! Email events@ norfolkroyale-hotelbournemouth.com to get a copy of the Christmas Parties Brochure or call 01202 551521 to book. Learn about the working forest

by Faith Eckersall

New Forest Commoners Andrew and Sarah ParryNorton, of Storm’s Farm in Cadnam, will be giving a talk about the history of the New Forest as a working environment, on Friday, November 4, at St Peter’s Church, Plaitford. The event is free of charge but a retiring collection will be held in aid of the church redecoration fund. The evening starts at 7pm. More details from hilary@ harper.net.

Musical delight on your doorstep

‘BSO On Your Doorstep’ will see a selection of Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra musicians bring live music directly to rural communities across the South West through a variety of different touring ensembles. Artsreach, Dorset’s rural touring arts charity, is thrilled to partner with the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra once more to present two ensembles in the county this autumn. Enjoy a magical Sunday Serenade of music performed by a flute, harp and cello trio from the BSO. Serenading you with the music of Dvorak and Debussy, Bach and Brahms, Grieg and Grainger, this relaxed and friendly afternoon recital is the perfect chance to get up close to this beautiful and intimate music. With a programme featuring Dvorak’s Song To The Moon, Brahms’ Hungarian Dance and Debussy’s The Girl With The Flaxen Hair, plus works by Elgar, Ibert, Gossec and Macdowell and more, join this BSO Trio in St Christopher’s Church, Winfrith at 2:30pm on Sunday, November 13, (01305 853783). And herald in the festive season with the Principal Brass players from the BSO at Lytchett Matravers at 7:30pm on Friday, December 9, (07795 467666). Christmas Fanfare will feature an uplifting programme of much-loved music of celebration and Christmas, including carols and popular tunes, plus Handel, Bruckner and Gabrieli specially arranged for an outstanding eightpiece brass octet. Fire up the festivities with this warming programme for all the family, introduced by a BSO presenter. Artsreach is supported this season by Dorset Council and Arts Council England. For further information and to book tickets for these recitals and other Artsreach events taking place in Dorset, visitartsreach.co.uk.

BSO: Flute, Harp & Cello Trio and, above, Brass Octet

No need for magic wand to take part in this adventure

Archaeology this autumn

The adult education course Face the Past 1 looked at past people from around the world. Now, the six-week course Face the Past 2 will examine past people of the British Isles. It will allow you to be introduced to them as they would have looked, as well as how they lived and died. From the man who lived in the time before Stonehenge, to the tragic case of an 18th century ‘witch’; from an Anglo-Saxon warrior to the real face of Elizabeth I (and many periods in between). Hear their stories and look them in the eye, on a course that puts these people back into their cultures and the many artefacts they would have known, and been buried with. Starting: November 3, 2022, 2pm-3.45pm, fee: £96.00 Venue: East Dorset Heritage Trust, Allendale House, Hanham Road, Wimborne Minster, BH21 1AS.

by Lorraine Gibson

Once upon a time, a secret princess closed her eyes and wished that she could unleash her inner sparkle. Her wish came true in the shape a glittering stage show coming to Ferndown this half term that encourages princes and princesses to take part in its magical blend of music and enchantment. Once Upon A Princess, a family-friendly, allsinging, all-dancing fairy-tale favourite has been spellbinding UK audiences,since 2016, will be spreading its magic and glitter around the Barrington Centre. Little royals will love the toe-tapping, dance-in-theaisles sets, this time featuring songs from Cher, Meghan Trainor, Michael Buble, Whitney Houston, Jess Glynne, Olly Murs, Leona Lewis and S Club 7, plus West End and Broadway numbers from Hairspray, Annie, 9 to 5 and The Greatest Showman. OCD Productions UK, the local theatre company behind Once Upon A Princess, founded in Dorset in almost a decade ago by performer/ producer Andy Brennan, are experts at magical and entertainment for all ages. “We’re so excited to be starting our autumn tour here in Dorset,” says Andy. “Once Upon A Princess is a great introduction to theatre for younger children. “It has such a magical atmosphere - and we love to see families having fun together and joining in with the songs!” You don’t even need a Fairy Godmother - you can get your tickets in person by calling 0161 832111 / 0844 888 9991 or online at barringtoncentre.ticketline. co.uk.Tickets from £12, starts tomorrow, Saturday, October 22.

HIGH ST, CHRISTCHURCH (01202) 499199 www.theregent.co.uk

ROYAL OPERA HOUSE: LA BOHEME (12A)

Sun 23 Oct: 14:00

EXHIBITION ON SCREEN: HOPPER (12A)

Sun 23 Oct: 19:30 Hopper’s work is the most recognizable art in America – popular, praised, and mysterious.

SING 2 (U)

Wed 26, Sat 29 & Sun 30 Oct: 10:00 Regent Kid’s Club. Tickets just £3.50

ELVIS (12A)

Wed 26 Oct: 12:45 Back by popular demand!

ARTISAN THEATRE SCHOOL PRESENTS: SEUSSICAL THE MUSICAL (LIVE)

Wed 27 Oct: 19:00 | Thu 27 Oct: 14:00 & 19:00 Enter the world of Dr Seuss in this perfect musical for the whole family.

THE LOST KING (12A)

Fri 28 Oct: 11:00, 17:00 | Sat 29 Oct: 14:00, 17:00 | Sun 30 Oct: 13:00 | Mon 31 Oct: 14:00 (Subtitled), 17:00 | Tue 1 Nov: 17:00, 20:00 | Wed 2 Nov: 14:00, 17:00 | Thu 3 Nov: 10:30, 13:15

HALLELUJAH: LEONARD COHEN, A JOURNEY, A SONG (12A)

Fri 28 Oct: 14:00 | Sat 29 Oct: 19:45 | Sun 30 Oct: 16:00 | Mon 31 Oct: 11:00 | Tue 1 Nov: 14:00 | Wed 2 Nov: 19:45 | Thu 3 Nov: 16:00

PREDATOR (1987) [35mm] (18)

Fri 28 Oct: 20:00 Presented by Dirt in the Gate Movies, screening from an original 35mm print.

MET OPERA: MEDEA (RATING TBC)

Sun 30 Oct: 19:00

AMITYVILLE 3-D (1983) [35mm] (15)

Mon 31 Oct: 20:00 Presented by Dirt in the Gate Movies, screening from an original 35mm print.

NT LIVE: THE SEAGULL (RATING TBC)

Thu 3 Nov: 19:00 Emilia Clarke (Game of Thrones) makes her West End debut in this 21st century retelling of Anton Chekhov’s tale of love and loneliness.

Extraordinarily Delicate show about body frustration

As a creative group, Extraordinary Bodies has gained a reputation for performances that are both visually stunning and thought-provoking. Comprising performers both disabled and non-disabled, their work is pure theatre. Now they are bringing their latest performance, Delicate, to Poole’s Lighthouse Theatre. Written by Jamie Beddard, Delicate is: “A show about how things need to fall apart before they can fall into place.” It’s about four people with different lives who are united by their frustration at their body changing, ageing, breaking and no longer obeying. Outraged that they can’t override this, they climb, hang, balance, slide, collapse, hold and hug. They examine marks life has left on their bodies. In the background to this physical performance, fragments of film and audio mirror these marks in the wounds inflicted on the planet. Delicate is at The Lighthouse on November 2. For booking contact: lighthousepoole.co.uk/

Creepy gothic farce bolts into county

by Lorraine Gibson

Inspired by the classic gothic horror film of the 1930s and heading for Dorset soon is Gonzo Moose’s fast-paced Is That A Bolt in Your Neck? - a clever mix of spooky paranoia, surreal nightmare and frantic farce. The spooky mood is set with a castle that looms, dark and foreboding, over a small mountain village. Inside the foreboding pile, Dr Chekhov, a brilliant and reclusive scientist, is working in secrecy. Outside, as the villagers prepare for Christmas, they become increasingly alarmed. Strange shadows linger at the castle windows, and every night brings blood-curdling cries of pain. What is Chekhov doing? What hideous experiments is he perpetrating? What unimaginable horror might emerge from his laboratory? And will any of it spoil Christmas? All will be revealed in this gripping comedy horror. They promise you’ll gasp, laugh and be amazed at the horrific experimentations, the mindboggling love, and the sensational death-defying finale! Two dates are planned as part of the Artsreach autumn season of performances in rural communities. Miss them if you dare … Saturday, November 19, 7:30pm at Stalbridge Hall, 01963 362978 and Sunday, November 20, 7:30pm at the Allendale Centre, Wimborne, 01202 887247. Visit artsreach.co.uk for more.

n Jesse McCabe, a laboratory

research scientist at the Francis Crick Institute, examines bone fragments

Museum aims to unlock past lives through ancient DNA

The Museum of East Dorset is collaborating with the Francis Crick Institute in a nationwide research project. Funded by the Wellcome Foundation, the project seeks to establish the whole-genome history and evolution in a thousand ancient people from Great Britain, for medical research. It will also give the museum information and fresh insight into people from the past. DNA will be analysed from the skeletal remains of people who lived thousands of years ago in and around Tarrant Hinton. Remains of these individuals were found during excavations conducted by Wimborne Archaeological Group between 1968 and 1984. The area was occupied from the Bronze Age, through the Iron Age and into RomanoBritish times, up to AD 388. Tiny samples have been taken from 17 burials for a DNA analysis. It is expected that the aDNA analysis may take up to 12 months to complete. Museum director Chezzie Hollow said that the museum will await the results with great interest and share any significant findings with the public.

Culture project to enhance community

by Faith Eckersall

Culture is often disparaged as something which is done to people but a group of five New Forest organisations are hoping to change that. They comprise Culture in Common, a £1m project which will run for three years in the New Forest area, beginning in Totton and the Waterside and arriving in New Milton and Avon Valley in years two and three. The programme’s name is inspired by the ancient tradition of commoning, along with the ambition to unite people through a shared vision of arts and culture driven by local people. Organisers want people to have their say via a survey at cultureincommon.co.uk. You can also book a speaker for the project by contacting coordinator Mai Brillet at mai.brillet@energiseme.org.uk.

November AT THE

Friday 21st October 7:30pm

Oh What a Night

takes you back in time on a musical journey through the incredible career of Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons

Friday 11 November at 7.30pm

Wrong Jovi are the the best Bon Jovi tribute band in the world and features some of the UKs finest musicians.

Saturday 19 November at 7.30pm

Arts & Entertainments

These two have got to be having a laugh

by Lorraine Gibson

They say that laughter’s the best medicine, so if you’re in need of a bit of a boost, get yourself to Christchurch. Aiming to put the town firmly on the comedy map, the Regent has a selection of top TV headliners ready to perform as part of its Regent Comedy Club 2022 programme. Among them are leading circuit comedians, John Robins and Suzi Ruffell who’ll be joined on stage by a supporting line-up of two other acts and a guest host. That’s a pretty decent dose of gags for £17 a ticket. Comedian, digital DJ, author, podcast host and all-round vibe-magnet, John Robins is up on November 10. The Edinburgh Comedy Award and Gold Aria Award winner has appeared on lots of telly shows, including Mock The Week, Live At The Apollo, Stand-Up Central, Russell Howard’s Good News and Drunk History. Robins has been described as ‘one of the most exciting and distinctive voices in comedy and on stage... in absolute command of what he’s doing, having a room hanging on his every word, and laughing at quite a lot of them.’ Next comes suited and booted comedian, Suzi Ruffell. She will take to the stage on December 7 with five sell-out runs at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival under her belt and having racked up critical acclaim from reviewers and audiences alike. She’s now touring with her show Dance Like Everyone’s Watching, which saw her nominated for Best Stand Up Show in the National Comedy Awards 2021. Ruffell’s a screen veteran with appearances on the likes of Live At The Apollo, Mock The Week, The Jonathan Ross Show, Alan Davies: As Yet Untitled, The Last Leg, and There’s Something About Movies. Tickets theregent.co.uk or 01202 499199

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

Wimborne Drama Productions present LOVE FROM A STRANGER

By Agatha Christie and Frank Vosper 20th to 22nd Oct 7.30pm, Mat 22nd Oct 2.30pm Tickets £16 eves £14 mat

1 in 10 tickets free (via Box Office only) (Box Office bookings incur £1 booking fee per transaction) Folk Rock Pioneers STEELEYE SPAN

Monday 24th October 7.30pm Tickets £28.50, concs £26.50

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

Tuesday 25th October 1pm Tickets £13 U16s £12

(Box Office bookings over £20 incur £1 booking fee) WE ARE ROBOT, SIRPICO & MISCHA & HIS MERRY MEN

Wednesday 26th October 7.30pm, Tickets £15

(Box Office bookings incur £1 booking fee per transaction) SYD LAWRENCE ORCHESTRA: IN THE MOOD FOR MILLER

Thursday 27th October 7.30pm Tickets £27

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

LEO SAYER: THE SHOW MUST GO ON!

Friday 28th October 7.30pm Tickets £35

BLANCMANGE Private View Tour

Saturday 29th October 7.30pm Tickets £25 BETH NIELSEN CHAPMAN: CRAZYTOWN TOUR 2022

Sunday 30th October 8pm Tickets £32.50/£27.50 AMSTERDAM (15)

31st Oct 7.30pm Matinees 1st November 2pm & 3rd November 1pm Tickets £8 eve / £7 mat £6 U16s THE GREATEST LOVE OF ALL:

A Tribute to Whitney Houston starring Belinda Davids Wednesday 2nd November 7.30pm Tickets £25.50

A trio of fire, spirit and joy

by Lorraine Gibson

Yet again, Artsreach, Dorset’s touring arts charity, has come up trumps by bringing a uniquely uplifting show to Dorset’s communities. Featuring Serbia’s leading Roma violinist, Branko Ristic and UK accordionist, Faith Ristic who return to the county next month for a two-date tour, it will be a high-energy affair, combining tabor pipe, double bass and guitar with the accordion and violin. Faith i Branko take audiences from melancholic violin laments to storming Kolos and explorations into jazz improvisation, swing, Gypsy Rumba and Turkish and Indian-influenced songs. It’s all about the authentic experience, with music straight from the village of Gornja Grabovica, so you get a joyous, passionate, boisterous, fiery and spirited performance. And while the band’s in Dorset, you can join Faith for a lively Balkan circle dance workshop at Blandford Corn Exchange. You’ll learn basic steps of the Kolo, the 7/8 and other dances that would take place at traditional Balkan and Roma celebrations. The accompanying music and time signatures will also be demonstrated, and stories and traditions behind each dance explained, making it a real opportunity to learn more about Balkan and Serbian culture. Blandford Corn Exchange (01258 480698) at 8pm, Friday, November 18, and Chetnole Village Hall (07966 177789), 7:30pm on Saturday, November 19. More information and tickets at: artsreach.co.uk.

Godshill Village Hall is resurrecting its very popular murder mystery evening, entitled A Very Vintage Murder, on Friday, October 28, at 7.30pm. Attendees will be invited to watch the ‘play’ and decide ‘whodunnit’. The price of £15 will include a two-course home-cooked hot meal, and there will be a licenced bar. Loads of fun is guaranteed. Tickets can be obtained by calling 01425 657664 or 01425 650770, or email to hippotrain@BTInternet.com. Other news from Godshill Village Hall includes a seasonal fun evening on Friday, December 9, the regular table tennis group, on Monday evenings, (phone Alison on 01425 650770), country dancing on Thursday evenings (call Sue on 01425 654951), and the New Forest Jazz Workshop (for musicians of all levels), on Wednesday evenings. For further details, call Derek Ayling, on 01425 650770, or email DaddyDelboy44@BTInternet.com.

Autumn Jewels sparkle

On October 2 an ‘Autumn Jewels’ concert took place at St John’s Church, Broadstone to cover a selection of repertoire studied by young musicians in the highly-successful Summer Music Camp in July, writes Rex Bale. After the string ensemble warmed up Iris Hoyvag took centre stage with a harp solo. The Poulenc clarinet and piano sonata was then played by Oscar Brown. Brahms’ Rhapsody in G minor with Oscar Humbe-Davies (piano) was followed by Mozart’s bassoon concerto with Oskar Dudding. Kreisler’s Minuetto was played by Freya Jedberg (violin). Benny Goodman’s Flying Home, from a five-clarinet group, ended the first half. Joshua Paige’s violin and George Farrell’s trombone then had an airing, followed by Bach’s Partita in D minor played by Ariana Cossey. Madeline Dring’s Blue Air played by Sancha Haley on piano was a delight and Monti’s ‘Czarda’ on Emily Clifford’s tuba brought a huge burst of applause. The concert ended with a polished performance of Corelli’s Op 6 No 2 with the string ensemble led by Lukas Svedberg. Proceeds went to the Poole Society for Young Musicians charity and St John’s Church funds.