Working in close partnership with a network of volunteer promoters, Artsreach continues to bring a wide range of high quality, professional performances direct to more than fifty rural communities across the County. This season is no exception, with a huge variety of music concerts, theatre productions, comedy and cabaret to look forward to.
As ever there will be a mix of performers new to Artsreach audiences and more familiar faces…
Music
this season comes via a range of high calibre performers from the UK and overseas. Be transported by The London Klezmer Quartet, playing lively and soulful Jewish wedding music that crosses cultural boundaries and continents. Sensational Danish folk fiddler Harald Haugaard makes a welcome return to Dorset since his last Artsreach tour in 2010. His quartet, who are joined by exceptional vocalist Helene Blum, present a delicate blend of traditional Danish dance tunes and Haugaard’s beautiful compositions. Following an outstanding visit back in 2007, Artsreach are also welcoming back Etran Finatawa from Niger, West Africa. Combining the rich nomadic cultures of the Tuareg and Wodaabe peoples, spellbinding Wodaabe polyphonic vocals and familiar whirling Tuareg guitar parts and hypnotic percussive rhythms, their music is brilliantly evocative of the massive open skies of the Sahara and its nomadic culture. Hailed as ‘Britains best Balkan music band’ by Songlines Magazine, She’koyokh are in the county for one evening of soulful Gypsy melodies, toe-tapping Yiddish music, exhilarating Balkan dances, Turkish ballads, and virtuosic solos, performed with huge energy and passion. When jazz musicians Chris Garrick and Alec Dankworth teamed up with Andy Crowdy and Nigel Mckernaghan for the first time last June, the result was unforgettable. Now this summer The iFoxes are back exploring the traditional music of Ireland and Shetland. We strongly recommend booking early to avoid disappointment!
Theatre
this season comes from a whole host of Artsreach favourites. Pip Utton is back with the last in an acclaimed series of ‘Churchill’ performances. Using the great man’s famous lines and speeches, Utton provides an intimate and entertaining evening with one of the greatest men in British history. Based on Lucy Clifford’s ‘Wooden Tony’, Forest Forge Theatre use song, movement and puppetry in ‘The Boy at The Edge of the Room’. Described as ‘a captivating insight into autism, divergence and acceptance, beautifully and sensitively performed’ (British Theatre Guide) this fairytale for adults comes to a moving conclusion. Welsh company Hijinx Theatre are passionate advocates for the inclusion of people with learning disabilities in the arts. Their inclusive cast present a boisterous and contemporary adaptation of ‘Don Quixote’ through the eyes of his companion Sancho Panza. Bristol Old Vic Theatre School’s West County tour is a firm favourite on the Artsreach summer programme and this year they tackle a new, literary adaptation of J Meade Faulkner’s classic tale ‘Moonfleet’. Set on the Dorset coast this fast-moving and breathtaking drama features an original score by Tim Laycock. Don’t miss the opportunity to see the future stars of the stage in Dorset. Finally in August Miracle Theatre is back with three open-air performances that are always a highlight of our summer season. Once famously described as a play in which ‘nothing happens twice’, Miracle set out to prove that Beckett’s ‘Waiting for Godot’ is one of the most profound, moving and funny plays ever written. With a stellar cast of Miracle’s best known actors including Angus Brown, Ciaran Clarke, Ben Dyson and Steve Jacobs, Artsreach invites you to wrap up warm, grab a blanket and enjoy an open air performance that challenges all certainties!
Families
in Dorset are in for a treat during the May half term as Hand to Mouth Theatre return with their new show. ‘Jack at The Beanstalk Café’ contains a feast of stories presented using imaginatively designed shadows and puppets, original live music and songs. This visually witty, musical and comic confection will be a real treat for families this summer.
Full details including dates, venues and box office numbers can be found at www.artsreach.co.uk, where you can also sign up to the Artsreach mailing list. Outlets where you can pick up a copy of the programme include libraries, arts centres and tourist information centres across Dorset. You can also find Artsreach on Facebook and Twitter to keep up to date with the latest news.
