What to see this coming week in and around Newbury
Three Men in a Boat
THREE Men in a Boat opens at The Mill at Sonning tonight (Thursday, June 6) and runs to July 13. Jerome K Jerome’s classic Victorian memoir has been gloriously adapted by star of stage and screen Clive Francis (The Crown, A Clockwork Orange, Entertaining Mr.Sloane) preserving the timeless humour and infusing it with a fresh and vibrant touch for contemporary audiences. Set on the banks of the River Thames, the 217-seat dinner theatre now celebrates more than 40 years of plays, concerts and comedy entertainment. Directors, designers, actors, musicians, of the highest quality help maintain its exceptional reputation. All productions are created on the premises and many new plays premiere, from established to young up-and-coming writers. Nothing is ‘brought in’. Sets are built in the workshop, costumes designed and made in the wardrobe and in the kitchens, fresh food is prepared daily. https://millatsonning.com
Interactive Tapestry Weaving exhibition
ARTIST Alastair Duncan’s Interactive Tapestry Weaving exhibition opens at The Base Greenham tomorrow (Friday 7) running through until Sunday, July 14. Duncan has integrated interactive audio within his tapestries. Working across fibre, photography and sound, he takes enjoyment from the textural and rhythmic aspects of weaving and explores themes that include landscape, architecture, conflict, communication and interconnection. Visitors are encouraged to interact with and explore the artwork, which can be activated physically through touch or proximity. This triggers sensors to play soundscapes, some of which evoke the Welsh countryside while others play manipulated dialogue that acts as ghost-like traces of interactions. Alastair Duncan will be discussing his work in a talk on Thursday, June 27 (6.30-8pm)where he will give fascinating insight into his creative process and will explain more about how he brings art, craft and technology together. The Base have programmed a range of workshops and courses for all ages to enjoy, inspired by this exhibition. They include Learn to Weave a Scarf (this Sunday, June 9) where participants will join Emma Baker and Gillian Siggers of TabbyandTweed to learn loom weaving technique and create their very own British wool scarf. Base resident artist Samantha Emmons will lead two Experimenting with Textiles and Textures workshops (Sunday, June 23, 10am: ages 10-16 and 1.30pm: 18+) where participants will get to experiment with shapes and patterns found in maps to explore a variety of mixed media techniques including textiles, paints, and dry materials. These workshops include entry to the main exhibition in order to gain inspiration. For booking information on the exhibition and related workshops and talk visit thebasegreenham.co.uk
The 39 Steps… but not as you know it!
MIX a classic spy novel with the genius of Alfred Hitchcock, add a dash of Monty Python and you have The 39 Steps. Hitchcock’s classic spy thriller, loosely based on the 1915 novel by John Buchan and hilariously recreated for the stage by Patrick Barlow as the smash hit Olivier and Tony Award-winning comedy, is back out on a UK tour after nearly 10 years in London’s West End, taking Broadway by storm, playing in 39 different countries across the globe, and delighting over three million people worldwide with its quintessentially plucky spirit and dashing sense of fun. Follow the incredible adventures of our handsome hero Richard Hannay, complete with stiff-upperlip, British gung-ho and pencil moustache as he encounters dastardly murders, double-crossing secret agents, and, of course, devastatingly beautiful women. This wonderfully inventive and gripping comedy thriller features four fearless actors, playing 139 roles in 100 minutes of fast-paced fun and thrilling action. Opens at Oxford Playhouse on Tuesday and runs to Saturday. https://www.oxfordplayhouse.com/events/the-39-steps
Harp and electronica duo
INTERNATIONALLY renowned harp and electronica duo FitkinWall follow threads of migration, loss and longing in their new show at The Haymarket, Basingstoke on Tuesday (7.30pm). Ruth Wall's explorations into Gaelic song, fiddle and pipe tunes, and the history of the Scottish Highlands where she grew up have a particular focus on migration and the Highland Clearances. Graham Fitkin has created enigmatic and mesmerising new versions of these for Ruth's three harps – the sitar-like Renaissance bray harp, the beautiful medieval Gaelic wire harp (clàrsach), and the Scottish lever harp. In this show, the duo combines ancient aural sources with modern technology, creating something beautiful and at times disturbing. Dark, fragmented folk moods transform into soaring, fast-paced music. The performance features a specially commissioned light installation by celebrated artist Peter Freeman. FitkinWall have performed around the world, from the Royal Albert Hall, BBC Proms, Aldeburgh and Glastonbury Festivals, to Spiral Hall Tokyo, Aula Magna Rome, and tours in Iceland, Sweden, and Italy. https://www.anvilarts.org.uk/
Fanny at the Watermill
FANNY currently running at The Watermill is ‘a fast paced, witty play, full of fun, farcical physical theatre and wonderful performances from this highly versatile cast’ says our @newburytoday reviewer. It tells the overdue story of ‘the other Mendelssohn’. You’ll probably know her younger brother, Felix Mendelssohn, from 19th century smash hits like The Wedding March. He was the Cliff Richard of his day and was asked to play at a personal concert for Queen Victoria. But only if he played her favourite piece of music ever, a song called Italien. However, we now know Felix was forced to admit to the queen that, in actuality, the piece had been composed by his sister, Fanny, and simply published under his name. FANNY imagines that Fanny intercepts a letter addressed to ‘F. Mendelssohn’ inviting Felix to play for Queen Victoria. As the true composer of Italien, she decides to hide the letter, don her brother’s clothes, and take his place at the palace…cueing a race across Europe and a furious Felix. This fun and irreverent new comedy celebrates classical music and - at last - the work of a composer overlooked because of her sex. The run ends on June 15. https://www.watermill.org.uk/fanny
Reviewed at:
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