Arts & Entertainment

Double vision at the Mill as artists display street art and cast glass

THREE local artists, all members of ‘Plain Arts Salisbury’, will present an eclectic body of artwork at Fisherton Mill, Salisbury, from February 11 until March 11.

Double Vision will explore the relationship between the artist (the inspirations and viewpoints that support their individual work), and the viewer and what they see, feel and take away from the interaction, a response that is always highly personal and sometimes quite unexpected. Such is the beauty and joy of art.

David Walker’s photography focuses on the extraordinary development of street art and how it grows organically within existing environments.

His extensive globe-trotting has given him the opportunity to reflect sensitively on the social infrastructure of many cultures.

He can often be found walking around the streets of London or New York and stumbling on some of the most amazing images you could imagine.

Scarlet Leatham has always been drawn to colour, light and form, especially in relation to nature and architecture, the latter of which often draws on the natural world for inspiration.

Patterns in nature and seeing buildings or the landscape from unusual angles are themes that feature in her work.

She often uses a macro lens to highlight a particular aspect of what she sees in order to challenge the viewer to look more closely at something that might otherwise be passed by without a second thought.

Geraldine McLoughlin works with kiln-formed and cast glass, which provides an unmatched opportunity for innovation.

Pushing the boundaries through temperature control and experimentation, Geraldine enjoys the interplay between intellectual stimulation and the tactile manipulation of the material. Her work is influenced by water in all its forms, by conservation and by earth patterns. Her glass works can be placed indoors or out.

Double Vision can be viewed at Fisherton Mill in the Main Gallery on the first floor during normal opening hours: Monday to Friday, 10am to 5pm and Saturday from 9.30am to 5.30pm.

Each artist will spend time at the gallery should anyone wish to find out more about their work – Scarlet will be at the gallery on Saturday, 18th February, Geraldine on

Saturday, 25th February and David on Saturday, 4th March from 11am to 4pm.

Admission is free.

The artists explore the relationship between the artist and the viewer

Casting announced for Aykbourn’s How the Other Half Loves at the Playhouse

WILTSHIRE CREATIVE has released full casting details for its production of Alan Ayckbourn’s How the Other Half Loves.

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.

Gareth Machin, Wiltshire Creative’s artistic director, directs Sam Alexander (William Featherstone), Sherry Baines (Fiona Foster), Philip Bretherton (Frank Foster), and Rebecca Cooper (Mary Featherstone), Haydn Oakley (Bob Phillips), and Joanna van Kampen (Teresa Phillips).

The production opens on 14 February, with previews from 9 February. The play runs until 4 March.

Many of the actors are making a return to Salisbury Playhouse. Rebecca Cooper featured in Snow White and the Happy Ever After Beauty Salon, and Her Naked Skin. Haydn Oakley was in Betty Blue Eyes, Philip Bretheron and Sherry Baines were both in Before The Party, and Joanna van Kampen featured in The Magna Carta Plays. Sam Alexander (pictured above) will make his playhouse debut.

Gareth Machin said: “I am thrilled to announce the brilliant cast for How the Other Half Loves.

“I can’t wait to watch these six talented actors bring Ayckbourn’s comedy to life as they explore the complex narratives of matrimonial relationships.”

Arts & Entertainment

Cowboys and phantoms: Group talk on the rise of the modern musical

THE ARTS Society Salisbury closed its 2022 programme in December with a talk by Ian Gledhill on the development of the modern musical after the Second World War.

St Francis Church in Beatrice Road, Salisbury, rang out with music from post-war musicals ranging from Oklahoma to the Phantom of the Opera.

Oklahoma was the first collaboration between Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein and was produced in 1943. It was ground-breaking in that it was the first musical that used songs to move the story along.

The next major production was The Boyfriend in 1953 which was a British production by Sandy Milson. Stylistically, this was a throwback to the 1920s. The characters Sandy and Julian in the radio series, Round the Horne, were named after Sandy Milson and Julian Slade. The latter went on to write Salad Days, where a young Julie Andrews was first spotted, although she was to make her name in My Fair Lady.

Up until 1947, musicals had featured little dancing. However, Jerome Robbins, a renowned choreographer, had the idea for a musical based on the story of Romeo and Juliet. He spoke to Leonard Bernstein and 10 years later, West Side Story was staged, with lyrics by Stephen Sondheim.

From the 60s, Andrew Lloyd Webber brought about a revolution in modern musicals. Joseph and his Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat, Jesus Christ, Superstar and more.

In America, the 70s saw Stephen Sondheim become a very influential composer. Having written lyrics, he went on to write the music as well for 18 musicals including Gypsy, A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum, and Sweeney Todd.

Lloyd-Webber’s Cats was the first musical written with the tourist market in mind. It ran in the UK for 21 years. The current record is held by Les Miserables which, until the enforced Covid-19 interruption, had been running continuously for 40 years.

Phantom of the Opera, another Lloyd-Webber musical, holds the record if one combines the West End and Broadway and it was to one of the duets from this musical that the meeting closed.

The Arts Society has an exciting and varied new programme planned for 2023, ranging from Marc Allum’s talk on the 1951 Festival of Britain to Mark Ovenden’s look at design in the 1960s.

The first meeting of 2023 was held on January 10 at St Francis Church. Lecturer, Guy Rooker, discussed how Leonardo da Vinci made accurate drawings of the six layers of anatomy of the hand. As well as how the artist investigated its form and function.

For those who wish to join the Arts Society Salisbury, annual subscription is £45 for 10 lectures, pro rata through the year, or you can join a meeting as a guest for £7 for a taste of what the society offers. See theartssocietysalisbury.org. uk, or The Arts Society Salisbury on Facebook.

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

ELO EXPERIENCE

Single seats only – contact Box Office for returns

Friday 13th Jan 7.30pm Tickets £27

(Box Office bookings over £20 incur £1 booking fee) GERRY McAVOY’S BAND OF FRIENDS

Celebrating the music of Rory Gallagher

Saturday 14th Jan 7.30pm, Tickets £22

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

I WANNA DANCE WITH SOMEBODY (12A)

16th, 17th & 18th Jan 7.30pm Matinees 14th Jan 1pm & 19th Jan 11.30am Tickets Adult £8 eves, £7 matinees, U16s £6

(Box Office bookings over £20 incur £1 booking fee) ADULT PANTO: Cinderella & Her Naughty Buttons!

Suitable for age 16+ Thursday 19th January 7.30pm Tickets £18.50

(Box Office bookings incur £1 booking fee per transaction) THE BRITISH CARPENTERS

Friday 20th January 7.30pm Tickets £23.50

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

SHOWADDYWADDY

LAST SEATS REMAINING Saturday 21st January 7.30pm Tickets £27.50/£25 PINOCCHIO (PG)

23rd Jan 7.30pm, Matinee 24th Jan 2pm, Tickets Adult £8 Eve, £7.00 Matinee, U16s £6

JIM DAVIDSON: NOT YET CANCELLED 2023

A BRAND NEW SHOW OVER 18s ONLY

Wednesday 25th January 7.30pm Tickets £27 RAVE ON – THE ULTIMATE 50s & 60s EXPERIENCE

Thursday 26th Jan 7.30pm, Tickets £21 THE STORY OF GUITAR HEROES

Friday 27th Jan 7.30pm, Tickets £24.50

Arts & Entertainment

Beer lovers unite! Winterfest Beer Festival returns after three years

SALISBURY’S winter beer and cider festival will make a welcome return to the city at the end of the month.

After a three-year absence, the event will take place in a new home at Brown Street on January 27 and 28 with organisers promising the same focus on top quality cask ales, real ciders and the same relaxed conversationled atmosphere.

It will be the 24th Winterfest organised by the Salisbury and South Wilts branch of the Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA), which champions local pubs and breweries.

So it is no surprise that the 24 cask ales on sale will include beers from Downton Brewery, Stonehenge Ales at Netheravon, Small Paul from Gillingham and Sixpenny Brewery, near Cranborne. Five real ciders will also be available.

“It is wonderful that Winterfest is back after an enforced absence of three years to brighten the scene in Salisbury in late January,” said Ian Turner, chairman of the Salisbury & South Wilts branch of Camra.

“So many people have missed it – Camra volunteers who enjoy organising it and our loyal supporters who love this chance to sample a great range of beers and ciders.

“We are particularly grateful to Amanda and Jonty Newbery, owners of the Brown Street venue, for providing us with a new home.”

Winterfest also has a new logo, designed by wellknown local artist Fred Fieber.

The event runs from 6.30pm to 11.30pm and on Saturday, January 28 from 11am to 8pm.

Tickets cost £8 per person per day, which include a free glass and souvenir programme.

Drinks will be sold in half pint and one-third of a pint measures and card-carrying CAMRA members get half a pint free.

Food will also be available for visitors.

Tickets are available from www.tckty.camra.org. uk/e/99/salisbury-winterfestxxiv and www. salisburycamra.org.uk/ events.

Art trail success set to continue for care home and Phoenix Artists

LOCAL group Phoenix Artists has been invited to exhibit at Milford House Care Home for one month starting on 19 January. Both are members of Plain Arts Salisbury.

The exhibition builds on the success of Milford House being a venue as part of the Salisbury Art Trail in autumn 2022 and wanting to continue the initiative in 2023.

Gemma Hicks, general manager at Milford House, said: “We had such lovely comments as a result of the last exhibition from both the visitors, who enjoyed a spacious and relaxed venue in which to view the art, and the residents, family members and staff who thoroughly enjoyed meeting the artists and seeing their work during the exhibition.

We are really looking forward to seeing the work of the Phoenix Artists hanging in the home and it will be a special event to kick off the New Year.”

Mel Cane, Mary Gibson and Liz Hoppe of Phoenix Artists work out of a riverside studio in Laverstock.

Artist Mel Cane has been painting and drawing for more than 45 years and as part of Phoenix Artists exhibits her intricate pen work and paintings of woodlands, meadows and floral art regularly in the area.

Mary Gibson started to paint after taking early retirement from a teaching career and has recently joined Phoenix Artists. She works in a variety of media, including watercolour and detailed pen drawings of local scenes and sometimes undertakes acrylic work, mostly of astronomical subjects or animals.

She is also trained in calligraphy and enjoys producing unique art works and sheets of attractive paper for use in craft work.

Liz Hoppe’s style tends towards pure traditional watercolours and she loves painting rural scenes as well as vignettes of village characters in local settings.

The exhibition will be available to view on Tuesdays and Wednesdays between 11am and 4pm, or by appointment.