Music, dance and art for every taste
Last updated at 14:44, Friday, 02 January 2009
THEATRE-goers have a programme packed with a variety of productions to look forward to when the new season launches at the Queen’s Hall in Hexham.
Everything from classical music to contemporary dance is covered, with some puppet theatre and stand up comedy slotted in between.
As well as theatre, the programme includes film specials, workshops, regular creative arts sessions and exhibitions in the gallery.
A mix of productions by professional touring companies and local groups are on offer and there is plenty of opportunity for those with create urges to get involved with the various workshops.
Highlights of this season’s theatrical programme include the politically inspired play Veil by Horse and Bamboo Theatre.
This piece tells the story of twin sisters separated at birth, one being raised in Iraq and one in England.
The play addresses the differences and common denominators shared by each society and the overriding similarities in each girl’s quest for the truth about her past.
This play is one of the increasingly thought-provoking choices added to the programme at the Queen’s Hall, which is making a name for itself locally as a provider of quality modern theatre.
Another such piece is Spoonface Steinberg presented by Beggars and Kings. This award-winning drama is written by Lee Hall, the creator of Billy Elliot and is an uplifting and moving piece.
Told from the perspective of one young girl, the monologue gives the audience an insight into the unique perception of life through the eyes of an autistic child.
For those who adore musical theatre Mad About The Musicals returns for a third time to delight audiences with the glitz and glamour of the West End and Broadway.
For one night only, these stars of musical theatre will wow the audience with a selection of songs and dances from over 25 of our best loved musicals.
Staying with the musical element, Trestle Theatre is presenting Lola: The Life of Lola Montez in collaboration with Increpacion Danza.
With all the drama and passion that Spanish flamenco is renowned for, this play tells the story of Lola Montez, the infamous 19th century Spanish dancer of Irish descent.
Using Lola’s own words and set to the live music from renowned flamenco guitarist Ricardo Garcia, the show celebrates the life of a passionate and witty woman, who spent a year as a child in Sunderland!
Other dance spectaculars include the more locally inspired production of Reels, Rants and Reivers by Newcastle upon Tyne and District Royal Scottish Country Dance Society.
It will be an evening of music, song and dance based in the traditions of both North-East music and that north of the Border.
In a show of contemporary dance, Garner Harris takes to the stage with his one-man production of Urban Horizons.
Looking at life in the city and human potential, Garner’s piece incorporates digital images, video projection and an ultra-modern soundtrack into his creative dance project.
On the music front Hexham and District Music Society has three evenings of classical music planned.
Among the visiting artists is virtuoso cellist Bartholomew LaFollette. A former pupil at the Yehudi Menuhin School, the 24-year-old has played extensively across Europe and the USA, winning numerous prizes along the way.
Now a pupil at the Guildhall School of Music & Drama he was selected for representation by the Young Concert Artists Trust in 2007. He will be accompanied by renowned pianist Alasdair Beatson, playing a selection of sonatas by Beethoven and Barber.
In February the society presents the Maggini String Quartet, who return to Hexham by popular demand with their speciality programme of English music.
While their March contribution presents soprano Dame Emma Kirkby accompanied by James Lisney on piano. Her passion for early music has led to a brilliant career and a recent BBC survey ranked her 10th in a list of the greatest sopranos.
If classical music isn’t your bag then the season has plenty of other styles on offer.
Dervish, a traditional Irish music band, features a five piece instrumental group with vocals sung by Cathy Jordan. The evening promises to be a high-energy show of compelling jigs and traditional tunes.
Turning back the clock, two throwback shows come to the theatre in February.
The Yeah Yeah 60s Show and Pop Goes the 80s will have the audience bopping in the aisles with favourites from across the decades.
Swinging Sixties fans can shimmy to the sounds of the Hammond organ while the brass section brings the jazz rhythms to life.
Meanwhile children of the 1980s can marvel at the cast of singers, dancers and musicians who will recreate the age of sweat bands and leg warmers with style.
One for the children: Clydebuilt Puppet Theatre returns with its production of The Three Bears. Using the traditional fairytale as a basis, this puppet show incorporates the vital skills of shopping and healthy eating too!
And for some family fun, prepare to be entertained by Paul Daniels, one of the world’s most accomplished magicians. Along with comedy gags and a troupe of glamorous dancers, the evening is sure to be a winner.
In the Galleries, five exhibitions are planned for the winter season.
Newcastle-based artist Paul Merrick kicks off on January 10 with a selection of paintings and sculptures in gallery one while gallery two hosts the Bridging exhibition.
A collaborative work between artists from Northumberland and Australia, the Bridging exhibition showed during the Network Artists Art Tour during 2008.
Stitch 12 will show a selection of its embroidery work during February and March, at the same time as Jake and Dinos Chapman exhibit their selection of unusual and thought provoking etchings in My Giant Colouring Book.
Meanwhile, later in the season Hexham Photographic Group marks its 25th anniversary with an exhibition entitled Water.
For those wanting to get involved with arts and crafts, a series of outreach workshops include lantern making in Prudhoe and leather craft and felt making at Burnlaw.
For more information on this season’s events contact the Queen’s Hall on (01434) 652477
First published at 13:39, Friday, 02 January 2009
Published by http://www.hexhamcourant.co.uk
