Arts & Entertainment

Arts & Entertainment Wiltshire Creative announces its spring/summer 2023 programme

Wiltshire Creative artistic director, Gareth Machin and executive director Sebastian Warrack have announced the programme for spring/summer 2023.

Machin said: “I am thrilled to announce Wiltshire Creative’s upcoming 2023 season. We are really looking forward to these superb productions at the Playhouse and co-producing with New Wolsey Theatre for Brief Encounter.

“Our programme at the Art Centre is a varied array of one-to-two-night special events from improv to cabaret to Kate Bush. Finally, I am so excited to announce our outdoor production of The Tempest and would encourage all residents to get involved.”

Salisbury Playhouse

The season kicks off with Alan Ayckbourn’s How the Other Half Loves at Salisbury Playhouse. Directed by Machin, the story of dysfunctional marriages, domestic drama and infidelity is one of Ayckbourn’s best loved plays.

Set in the 1970s, it was his follow up to Relatively Speaking, which was staged at the Playhouse in 2019.

Three couples. Two dining rooms. One big mess. The lives of three couples frantically intertwine in this classic Ayckbourn comedy of confusion and chaos.

When one of the women arrives home suspiciously late one night, a chain of events unfolds drawing each of the couples ever deeper into hilarious misunderstanding. The play runs from February 9 to March 4.

In March, Kenny Wax Ltd and Stage Presence will present the Mischief production of Mind Mangler.

This is the team that brought Good Luck, Studio to the Playhouse in 2022. The Mind Mangler’s solo spectacular is predicted to spiral into chaos as he attempts to read minds.

From the original cast of the multi award-winning sold-out smash hit The Play That Goes Wrong, Henry Lewis and Jonathan Sayer star in this hilarious new comedy by Mischief.

Join the Mind Mangler as he returns to the stage following a reasonably good two-night run at the Luton Holiday Inn conference centre, suite 2b. Runs from March 13-14.

At the end of March, the same company will co-produce Noel Coward’s Brief Encounter, with New Wolsey Theatre in association with Yvonne Arnaud Theatre. Directed by Douglas Rintoul, this promises to be a dazzling adaptation of the renowned love story by Emma Rice.

When a chance encounter in a train station tearoom kindles a timid, yet passionate, love affair between a married doctor and a suburban housewife, the two are forced to question if it’s worth risking everything for the sake of love.

Tender and joyous, this show has all the drama of the original masterpiece with added live music, comedy and spectacle, taking you on a rollercoaster ride through all of love’s beautiful complications.

Salisbury Arts Centre

The Arts Centre has a varied line up featuring music, cabaret, and comedy.

In January, Moscow Drug Club will bring together elements of Berlin Cabaret, Latin Tinge, French musette and storytelling for one night only.

Combining their original material with songs by the likes of Jaques Brel, Tom Waits, Leonard Cohen and Eartha Kitt, Moscow Drug Club delivers an intoxicating and intimate musical experience. You can catch the band on January 28 only.

On March 18, Sarah Louise Young and co-creator Russell Lucas pay glorious homage to the music, fans and mythology of one of the most influential voices in British music in An Evening Without Kate Bush.

Howl with the Hounds of Love and dance on the moors with Wuthering Heights. Whether a fan for decades or recently joined the shoal via the Stranger Things phenomenon, there has never been a better time to celebrate Bush with this joyful, unique and mind-blowing show.

An Evening Without Kate Bush is an award-winning show that has sold-out, critically acclaimed Edinburgh Fringe runs and enjoyed two Soho Theatre seasons.

Britain’s Got Talent’s The Noise Next Door will invite the audience to an evening of music and improv on March 23.

The quickest wits in comedy offer a side-splitting evening of hilarious off-thecuff songs, scenes and characters. The stars of Tonight at the Palladium (ITV1) will spin comedy gold out of all the things that the live audience, think are the best, worst and down-right weirdest things about Salisbury.

Churchill Gardens

Wiltshire Creative will present The Tempest in Churchill Gardens from May 24 to June 4. Residents are invited to take part in this outdoor theatrical event – in either a backstage capacity or, for those interested, there is a chance to perform alongside the professional cast.

This promises to be a stunning reimagining of Shakespeare’s fabulous tale and a journey deep into one of Salisbury’s most beloved parks.

A mighty storm shipwrecks a King and his entourage on an island of magic and mystery. It is a place of music and visions, surprising encounters and unlikely friendships. But what secrets does this island hold? Who or what is really in charge? And will the world ever be the same again?

This unique new show is an outdoor walkabout production, meaning our actors and community contributors will take you from scene to scene to different locations around the park.

Before booking please be confident that you can move around the park during the performance (approximately 1km).

Carsick band are the big winners at this year’s Salisbury Music Awards

Salisbury’s annual music awards took place at Brown Street recently with local band Carsick winning five awards including best band and best live act.

The group has enjoyed a breakthrough year with a number of live shows and national radio plays, including appearance on the BBC Introducing Live show.

As well as big wins for the band, brothers Joe and Jack Richardson enjoyed a memorable night. Joe won the award for best lead singer, while Jack won the coveted award for best guitarist. The band’s drummer winner, Tom Armstrong, was also voted best in class for his craft.

The band looks set to have an exciting 2023 and will kicksart the year with its first headline tour of the UK, including a return to Brown Street for two nights in February (4th and 5th, tickets cost £8)..

The capacity crowd was treated to a host of live performances, beginning with Signature Vision, winners of best young band and ending with a triumphant set from the night’s big winners, Carsick.

Along the way there was catchy ska from The Intercepteurs, local poetry group Poetika and an impressive set from winners of the best new band award, Love is Enough. Pyeshoppe and Pugwall played crowd-pleasing sets, while Effie performed a striped back set with Angela Collins.

Salisbury music legend, Tich Amey, was presented with an award by Mayor Tom Corbin to celebrate his lifetime contribution to Salisbury’s music scene.

As part of Dave Dee, Dozy, Beaky, Mick & Tich, Amey scored a huge hit in 1968 with The Legend of Xanadu and has been a regular supporter of the city’s music scene ever since.

Brown Street gig guide

On Monday, 12th December, Salisbury Live presents: Remember The Future.

A celebration of young musical talent from Salisbury. Enjoy the future of live music. Free entry, 7.30pm.

Friday, 16th December, the borts Family Christmas Party, plus Vatican Romp, and Scab.

The band is celebrating the release of its debut album by hosting a classic end-of-year blowout with family and friends. Free poster prints (limited quantities). 7pm.

On Saturday, 17 December, The Zucchinis will be performing tunes by the Ramones, The Kaiser Chiefs, Levellers, The Clash and many other massive tunes. 5pm. https://www.brownstreet.biz

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

BARRY STEELE & FRIENDS CHRISTMAS SPECIAL

Celebrate Christmas the Roy Orbison way with special guests. Packed with Christmas hits!

Friday 9th December 7.30pm Tickets £25

(Box Office bookings incur £1 booking fee per transaction) NINE BELOW ZERO

Saturday 10th December 7.30pm Tickets £21.50

(Box Office bookings over £20 incur £1 booking fee) Made to Measure Productions present The Pantomime Adventure You’ve Been Wishing For! ALADDIN

Friday 16th December to Monday 2nd January Tickets: £18 adults £14.50 under 16s

1 in 10 free available via Box Office Plus ADULTS ONLY performances suitable for ages 16+ on 29th December & 2nd January 7.30pm. Tickets £18

(Box Office bookings incur £1 booking fee per transaction) THE MENU (15)

3rd - 5th Jan 7.30pm, Matinee 5th Jan, 2pm Tickets Adults £8 eves, £7 matinee, U16s £6

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

THE DAZZLING DIAMONDS

Variety Drag Show

Sat 7th Jan 7.30pm Tickets £20 SHE SAID (15)

9th & 10th Jan 7.30pm, Matinee 12th Jan, 2pm Tickets Adult: £8.00 evening, £7 matinee U16s £6 THE SERIAL KILLER NEXT DOOR

Wednesday 11th Jan 7.30pm Tickets £22 THE GARY FLETCHER BAND

Thursday 12th Jan 7.30pm, Tickets £19.50 ELO EXPERIENCE

Friday 13th Jan 7.30pm Tickets £27

Arts & Entertainment

David Batchelor exhibition mirrors the colour and light of advent

The advent theme of colour and light bringing joy and hope to the world is echoed in a solo exhibition by the artist David Batchelor, currently on display in Salisbury Cathedral.

At the heart of the exhibition (and the cathedral itself) hangs a dazzling kaleidoscope of slowly turning spheres entitled Disco Mécanique, 2008.

This multicoloured galaxy of turning globes, created from thousands of plastic party sunglasses from Brazil, both absorbs and reflects the light and colour of the cathedral around it – and speaks to the joy and hope of the season.

David’s use of found and recycled materials compliments the cathedral’s commitment to the environment.

By contrast, Candela 2016, a work made of brilliantly lit recycled bottles with a swag of wires sweeping upward behind, illuminates a dark corner of the North Quire Aisle, transforming the sombre space with its brilliant colours.

Salisbury Cathedral’s visual arts curator Beth Hughes said: “David is concerned above all things with colour, often taking found objects and transforming them to celebrate the myriad of hues found in the urban environment.

“Each sculpture presented here is in dialogue with the space as it either draws light from the cathedral to cast a wash of colour over the architecture or brings its own source of light drenching a hidden corner in vibrant colour.”

Along the nave and also high up on a niche are some of the artist’s most recent works, Concretos 2012-2022.

Created from vibrantly coloured offcuts and found materials embedded into a concrete structure, David took his inspiration from walls in Sicily where shards of coloured glass had been fixed into the mortar on top to deter intruders.

Luminous in colour and material, the Concretos respond to the natural light that filters in from the nave windows, sometimes opaque and sometimes transparent.

Artist David Batchelor said: “Colour is often overlooked in favour of line and form and yet it surrounds us all the time, particularly in a building like the cathedral, where light and space have been orchestrated for around 800 years.

This is what I have been doing since the 1990s, if on a more modest scale and after years of working in white-wall galleries the chance to exhibit

Top: Artist David Batchelor in conversation with visual arts director, Beth Hughes; Inset: a close-up of the slowly turning spheres entitled Disco Mécanique, 2008

Credit: Max Willcock

an extraordinary space like this is hugely exciting, but also a little scary.”

For those wishing to hear the artist speak, on Sunday, 15th January David Batchelor will be in conversation with art historian, writer and museum curator, Dr Alexandra Loske at the cathedral, with Beth Hughes moderating.

Tickets: Adults £10, free for U18s. Guests are invited to stay on afterwards for Evensong, which starts at 4.30pm.

David Batchelor’s exhibition is free with cathedral admission and will be on display until February 2, 2023

Arts & Entertainment Young Gallery supporters create buzz with impressive exhibition

Words and photos by Katrina Ffiske

In the centre of Salisbury, the Young Gallery can be found on the first floor of the library in the Market Square.

Running until the end of December is an exhibition by many of the supporters of the gallery.

There was a buzz at the preview, held at the end of November, when artists, friends and art collectors gathered for the launch of this impressive exhibition.

The works include landscapes, portraits, sculptures, photographs and abstract works with many at affordable and reasonable prices.

Tim Chadsey, one of the gallery’s trustees was there to launch the exhibition: “Many of the supporters are volunteers from various walks of life and come together to contribute their expertise and time to ensure the gallery builds on recent successes,” said Tim.

“This exhibition is a way of thanking them for all their help, while the public gets to see a wide range of exciting, varied art from the local artists.

“The Supporters of the Young Group (SoYG) is a close-knit group without whose tireless support our gallery couldn’t function.”

The mayor of Salisbury, Tom Corbin was there and commented on how lively the Salisbury art community is.

His comment rang true, as throughout the evening there was a wonderful warm atmosphere, with all the artists being very supportive of each other’s work and all very keen to see The Young Gallery flourish.

The gallery was established in 1913, opening with the original bequest by Edwin Young. The collection comprises approximately 535 watercolours, drawings and unfinished works of art, all executed by Edwin Young (1831-1913) who was a competent and prolific Victorian watercolourist.

The exhibition runs until December 31 and has many affordable artworks, which would make perfect Christmas presents.

Artists include John Bruce, June Cluett, Tracy Dovey, Judi Glover, Steve Neville, Karen Welsh, Mylene O’Connor and Nick Phillips.

Clowise from top: Mylene O’Connor, John Brice, Steve Neville, Tracey Dovey

Arts & Entertainment

Salisbury’ s folk scene is thriving

A monthly folk open mic evening at Brown Street has attracted a wide range of local performers since it began last August.

It is an opportunity for folk musicians to take to the stage and perform, no matter how experienced or inexperienced they may be.

Organiser Hadrian Cook, who also plays bass in local folk band Maerefolk, who regularly perform at the events, said: “Well done Brown Street! Salisbury was once quite a centre for folk music and it can be again.

“We’ve been delighted by the number and range of performers who have come forward over the last few months, and look forward to much more in the coming year.

“We are defining ‘folk’ very widely. It’s not only traditional songs and tunes, but also contemporary material. If you sing or play, come along and have a go.”

Future folk nights will be held on the following Wednesdays: January 11, February 8 and March 8.

Performers should arrive from 7pm to book their spot, with the event finishing at around 10pm.

For more information, follow Folk Open Mic at Brown Street on Facebook, or visit: www.brownstreet.biz

Brown Street folk regulars Maerefolk

Plain Arts holds exhibition at Salisbury Library

If you are interested in art and want to see examples of the very best you can find locally then head along to the Plain Arts Winter Exhibition in Gallery 4 at Salisbury Library.

The exhibition is open to the public from Saturday, 26th November running through to Saturday, 7th January.

Plain Arts is one of the leading arts organisations for local artists in and around Salisbury and this exciting opportunity to exhibit in Salisbury Library has attracted work ranging from painting, sculptures and illustration through to photography.

It provides a wonderful opportunity for local artists to exhibit in a terrific venue right in the centre of

Salisbury. It is also a fantastic opportunity for people to come down to the Library and pick up some unique and truly creative Christmas presents from an amazing range of the brilliant art that will be on display.

O come all ye festive poets

Have you ever burnt the turkey, wrestled a reindeer or received the gift from hell? Are you filled with festive fun and a desire to put your adventures to words?

Then you definitely have a story to tell and what better place to do it then at Poetika’s 2022 Christmas Event?

Whether you are on the naughty list for misbehaviour under the mistletoe or as innocent as freshly fallen snow, Poetika wants to hear your anecdotes of advent told large on its indoor stage on Tuesday, 20th December.

So, make sure you rehearse those lines, dig out your glittery glad rags and Christmas jumpers and join them for mince pies, Christmas crackers and a great deal of festive merriment.

On the night, open mic poetry will mix with nativity festivities and all in front of a welcoming and enthusiastic audience.

So head along to the snug at Winchester Gate on the 20th. Sign up is at 7pm for a 7.15pm start for those who want to share their tale of festive cheer or mistle-woe.

Poetika: Nicky Harris, Ria Rylatt -Chandaman and Jamie Lingham aka Caddie J,

The 32ft tree was delivered in the morning and by the afternoon was aglow with 1,000 LED lights thanks to the expertise of cathedral staff Pictures: Finnbarr Webster

Challenges of a 32ft cathedral tree!

WE’VE all struggled at times when putting up our Christmas decorations - but imagine if your problem was a whopping 32ft-high tree!

That was the challenge facing workers at Salisbury Cathedral this week, when the Norway spruce was delivered from Longleat Forest - by lorry.

Richard Pike, the cathedral’s ecclesiastical joiner, supervised a team from the Works Yard as they carefully hoisted the tree into place at the West End.

By the afternoon, it was glowing with more than 1,000 LED lights.

The tree was delivered at 8am by Gyatts of Salisbury and was craned into position inside.

“Raising it to a vertical position and securing it is a tricky business and requires a lot of experience and skill,” said a cathedral spokesperson.

“Fortunately, Richard Pike has plenty - this 32ft tree is the 32nd tree he has put in place here.”

The Cathedral’s massive 2022 tree was originally grown as a ‘nurse’ tree for small self-seeded oaks.

By letting the conifers grown tall, the Longleat forestry team protect the little oaks as they develop, using the taller trees to shield them from frost and bad weather, and creating a microclimate in which they can flourish.

The tree will remain in place until Candlemas (February 2), when the Church celebrates the presentation of Jesus in the temple.