Hot off the press, Artsreach’s new spring programme is packed with stunning professional performances that will tour right across the County.
Working in close partnership with a network of volunteer promoters, Artsreach brings a wide range of high quality performances at affordable prices direct to more than fifty rural communities. This season is no exception, with a huge variety of music concerts, theatre productions, comedy and cabaret shows to look forward to throughout the spring months.
As ever there will be a mix of performers new to Artsreach audiences along with some more familiar faces.
Music throughout the season comes from internationally acclaimed violinist Tim Kliphuis and his trio playing Grappelli to Vivaldi; guitarists Clive Carroll & John Etheridge with an evening of virtuoso soloing and dazzling interplay; Northern Harmony, all the way from Vermont with their thrilling harmony singing; ridiculous music hall songs and stunning instrumentals by The Lost Chord; Jonty Fisher’s Flyright Trio paying homage to Nat ‘King’ Cole; Cornish quartet Dalla, considered as the leading lights of traditional Cornish music, and Bristol based multi-instrumental acoustic trio Three Cane Whale with evocative, cinematic music inspired by Dorset landscapes. Finally The Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra’s Resonate Strings join forces once again with Sammy Hurden’s 30-strong Freedance Choir to present a range of original songs from ‘Jurassic Journey’ and music from the wider English string repertoire, as well as presenting a new composition by Sammy titled ‘The Hare and The Harp’. This unique performance at St George’s Church, Portland in March guarantees an unforgettable evening.
Theatre this season comes in all shapes and sizes with something for all ages. Forest Forge presents an alternative to panto with its magical winter family production ‘Midnight is a Place’ while Angel Heart Theatre return with a very popular children’s show ‘Mazymeg and the Honeybees’ for half-term. Also in half-term, Puppetcraft presents ‘Circle of Tales’, a fable told using African and English language, wire puppets and music. With visual flair and elegant charm, Miracle Theatre presents ‘Frankenstein’, a silly but tender show and panto alternative whilst Rouge 28 makes its debut Artsreach appearance with ‘Urashima Taro’, a tragic and dreamlike fairytale for adults inspired by Japanese mythology. Strangeface presents the thrilling, moving and comical story of ‘The Amazing Adventures of Pinocchio’ using trademark half masks while Shifting Sands give an emotional punch to ‘Boxed In’, a show that walks the tightrope between the comic and the tragic. Continuing to receive rave reviews wherever it goes, Kepow Theatre’s ‘Seven Ages of Man’ explores through comedy the idea that we go through seven formative stages in life. The master of solo performance, Pip Utton presents his unmissable new characterisation of ‘Churchill’ while the talented Rohan McCullough tells the remarkable story of Churchill’s wife in “My Darling Clemmie”. Finally Dave Mynne (founder member of Kneehigh) tackles the complex and multi-layered Dickens’ novel ‘Great Expectations’ in his new one-man show.
In terms of cabaret-style entertainment, Time Travelling Magicians Morgan & West continue to prove a huge hit with their trademark mixture of Victorian magic, wit and whimsy. Prepare to be baffled as they tour their award-winning show across the county once more.
Following this, we are pleased to welcome back The Devil’s Violin with ‘A Love Like Salt’. This powerful and evocative production is a unique blend of music and spoken word that unfolds the forgotten folk tales that lie behind the greatest works of two of our greatest writers: Shakespeare and Chaucer.
Finally for lovers of DANCE AND PHYSICAL THEATRE, The Kosh’s multi-talented performers present an evening of physical and verbal extravagance as comic confusion spills from the kitchen in ‘Café Chaos’.
Full details including individual box office numbers are on 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.
