THINGS TO COME – CHELMSFORD BALLET COMPANY’S SNOW QUEEN

THINGS TO COME – CHELMSFORD BALLET COMPANY’S SNOW QUEEN

Chelmsford City of Culture ?
One of the strongest recommendations, surely, would be that rare thing, an amateur ballet company performing regularly to the highest of standards.
Chelmsford Ballet Company has been established in the City for almost seventy years, and for 2018, they’ll be following up their successful Alice with a classical piece, Snow Queen, from 21^st to 24^th of March.
We’re promised glitter, sparkle, gorgeous costumes and music by Alexander Glazunov, who arranged Chopin’s piano works for Les Sylphides.
The story is based on Hans Anderson’s fairytale, a battle between good and evil as Gerda seeks to break the cruel spell cast by the evil Snow Queen; her adventures take her on a thrilling journey north through enchanted forests, encountering fantastical beasts and a colourful band of gypsies. She must find the Snow Queen’s Palace of Ice, rescue Kay, and break the curse of Eternal Winter. This production is choreographed by CBC’s Artistic Director Annette Potter.
Tickets for Snow Queen are now on sale – book at the Civic Theatre, by phone [ 01245 606505] or online - www.chelmsford.gov.uk/theatres/  

photograph by Andrew Potter: Samantha Ellis as the Snow Queen

THINGS TO COME SPRING 2018 AT THE QUEEN’S

THINGS TO COME -
SPRING 2018 AT THE QUEEN’S

The Queen’s Theatre Hornchurch enters its 65^th year, with the classic thriller, Rope. Running from 15 February – 3 March, Patrick Hamilton’s dark drama was filmed by Alfred Hitchcock in 1948 and is based on a 1920’s real life case. It will be directed by the theatre’s Artistic Director Douglas Rintoul and co-produced with New Wolsey Theatre, Ipswich.

And the Queen’s is partnering with Les Théâtres de la Ville de Luxembourg again to produce Diane Samuels’ heart-warming classic Kindertransport in association with Selladoor Productions. Running from 8 – 24 March, it marks the 80^th anniversary of the Kindertransport and 25 years since this moving modern classic was written.

Finally, disco royalty rolls into town with the glamorous regional professional premiere of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert the Musical from 27 April – 19 May. Based on the smash-hit movie, this popular cult musical is written by Stephan Elliott and Allan Scott and directed by Douglas Rintoul .

Season tickets are already on sale - call the Box Office on 01708 443333 or visit queens-theatre.co.uk

THINGS TO COME – The Dream of Gerontius

THINGS TO COME – The Dream of Gerontius

Elgar’s matchless orchestration, a big choir and deeply religious subject matter: The Dream of Gerontius is always a memorable musical experience; and it’s one we can share in Chelmsford Cathedral on Saturday 18 November, thanks to the Waltham Singers and Andrew Fardell.

They’re joined on this occasion by Ensemble OrQuesta, with soloists Rebecca Afonwy Jones as the Angel, Joshua Ellicot as Gerontius and, as the Priest and the Angel of the Agony, Jeremy White.

Cardinal Newman's poem tells of the journey of a man's soul after death - 'Gerontius' means something like ‘old man’. Elgar was given a copy of the poem in 1889 as a wedding present; he eventually set it to music for the 1900 Birmingham festival. His score powerfully suggests the journey from deathbed to Judgement Seat.

The performance begins at 7:30, and tickets can be bought at Dace’s, on the door or via the Waltham Singers’ website

http://www.walthamsingers.org.uk/buytickets.html

THINGS TO COME – CHELMSFORD CITY THEATRES

THINGS TO COME – CHELMSFORD CITY THEATRES

The autumn season at Chelmsford City Theatres launches this week, with a visit from the acclaimed BBC Big Band, celebrating the centenary of Ella Fitzgerald, and a new show from The Jimmy Hendrix Experience, the first in a long line of tribute bands coming to the Civic over the next few months: Burt Bacharach, Billy Fury, David Bowie, Karen Carpenter and The Police among those honoured.

Music lovers can also enjoy a couple of Tales of Offenbach on October 17, and the first of this year's M&G Classical Concert series, with the City of London Sinfonia on October 29.

Dramatic offerings include A Princess Undone, a new play by Richard Stirling on its way to a London run; opening at the Civic on October 5. It deals with an episode in the later life of Princess Margaret, the Queen's younger sister. And on October 26 London Classic Theatre bring their new production of Noel Coward's Private Lives.

In the Cramphorn Studio, White Feather Boxer [21 September], the story of a boxer who was also a Quaker, a one-man Christmas Carol on December 15, in the style of Charles Dickens' own acclaimed performances, and, on November 10, Mr Darcy Loses the Plot, in which Jane Austen's hunkiest hero rewrites his own story …

Our own non-professional companies bring us three very different musicals: All Shook Up from CAODS opening on 26 September, CYGAMS' Our House – the Madness musical – from November 7, and Soho Cinders, Stiles and Drew's edgy twist on the Cinderella story, presented by Springers in the Cramphorn Studio from November 14.

For the younger audience, the Gruffalo is back in the Civic from September 19, as well as Milkshake! Live on October 24.

Not forgetting the panto, already selling very well – this year it's Snow White, opening on November 29 and running till January 7 2018, with a relaxed performance on January 4.

To book tickets for any of these shows, go to www.chelmsford.gov.uk/theatres, or telephone 01245 606505.

THINGS TO COME – CHELMSFORD SINGERS

THINGS TO COME – CHELMSFORD SINGERS

The Chelmsford Singers celebrate their 90^th anniversary with a gala concert on July 1^st. Sung in Chelmsford Cathedral, traditionally their principal venue, it's an ambitious, but popular, programme, with Britten, Orff and Borodin in the mix.
The Singers were formed by William Bush back in 1927 – he was their conductor until 1945, when he was succeeded by Roland Middleton, the first in a distinguished line of Cathedral Masters of the Music to hold the post; James Davy, the present incumbent, will conduct this gala concert, when the Singers will be joined by voices from the Cathedral's choirs, as well as soloists and the Chelmsford Sinfonietta.

picture shows the Chelmsford Singers on their tour to Belgium earlier this year.

THINGS TO COME - BALLET CENTRAL

Things to come

Ballet Central 2017 comes to the Civic Theatre

Always eagerly awaited, Central School of Ballet's renowned graduate performing company Ballet Central will call at Chelmsford's Civic Theatre on Tuesday 16th May as part of its 2017 national tour. 


Ballet Central gives audiences across the country the chance to see the company’s young and dynamic dancers who are on the cusp of their professional careers, showcasing newly-commissioned works and celebrated masterpieces by the dance industry’s top choreographers.  

The repertoire for this year’s tour features Act 2 of Highland Fling by Matthew Bourne, Indigo Children by Royal Ballet artist-in-residence Liam Scarlett, and a new version of the ballroom scene from Romeo & Juliet by former English National Ballet’s Jenna Lee. It also includes specially created works by Christopher Bruce and Malgorzata Dzierzon, as well as excerpts from Petipa’s La Bayadere.  The tour will also feature a scene from Dracula, choreographed by Michael Pink from the original production directed by Christopher Gable in 1996.

Christopher Marney, the new Artistic Director of Ballet Central said "This year’s performance showcases the best dance theatre from current industry professionals and gives you the chance to see newly-commissioned work and refreshed classics from the world’s top choreographers. This is an opportunity to see the future stars of dance as they launch their professional careers”.

Ballet Central’s dancers not only perform but also help with technical aspects including lighting, sound, staging and wardrobe.  Another highlight of Ballet Central is the music, much of which has been created by Central’s Composer-in-Residence Philip Feeney, who also performs live on the tour.

Civic Theatre, Chelmsford on Tuesday 16th May at 7.45 pm  

www.chelmsford.gov.uk/theatres

THINGS TO COME – ALICE'S ADVENTURES

 THINGS TO COME 
– ALICE'S ADVENTURES

The Chelmsford Ballet Company's Civic show this year is Alice's Adventures - a fresh look at the story and characters of an age-old favourite, Lewis Carroll's Alice in Wonderland.

The music is by that master of the balletic score, Tchaikovsky, selected and arranged by Carl Davis for a 1995 commission by English National Ballet.

We're promised a world of magic and mystery; the Mad Hatter, grins without cats, white rabbits, eat me drink me potions, cakes and a shrinking Alice.
The choreography is by CBC's Artistic Director Annette Potter, and the production runs from March 22 to March 25.


Tickets for Alice’s Adventures are now on sale; contact the Civic Theatre box office on 01245 606505 or visit chelmsford.gov.uk/alices-adventures or thechelmsfordballetcompany.co.uk

THINGS TO COME – THE CRUCIBLE

THINGS TO COME – THE CRUCIBLE

Big names head the Queen's cast for Arthur Miller's classic The Crucible, now starting a month's run at Billet Lane.
This bold new production, produced in collaboration with Sellador Productions and Les T Théâtres de la Ville de Luxembourg, stars Charlie Condou and Victoria Yeates as the witch-finder Reverend Hale and Elizabeth Proctor.
The Crucible revolves around the true story of the infamous Salem witch-trials in 1692 – 1693. Douglas Rintoul, the Queen’s Theatre Hornchurch’s resident Artistic Director who thrilled audiences with his smash hit sell-out musical Made in Dagenham, has directed. The Crucible is about more than just a witch-hunt and promises to submerge audiences into a melting pot of lies, hysteria, greed and manipulation. Audiences will be engrossed right from the beginning as they witness the young Abigail Williams [Lucy Keirl] tear through the village like a whirlwind to inflict fear and death. No one is safe.

The production runs in Hornchurch until March 11, then begins a tour which will take them as far as Luxembourg.


For more information about The Crucible at the Queen’s Theatre Hornchurch and the Jump the Q Season Ticket, call the Box Office on 01708 443333 or visit queens-theatre.co.uk

THINGS TO COME – AS YOU LIKE IT

Coming soon to St Martin's Church – the setting last month for the Young Company's beautiful Romeo and Juliet – TWAS Theatre's new production of Shakespeare's sylvan comedy As You Like It.
It's set in the present day, in a travelling community, but still features a cross-dressing Rosalind, Charles the Wrestler, “All the World's a Stage” Jacques and the rest, plus live folk music.
It's playing in the Colchester church on September 29, 30 and 31, at 7:30.

Tickets just £10.

http://twastheatre.co.uk/venues-as-you-like-it-2016/

THINGS TO COME – ESSEX SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA

THINGS TO COME – ESSEX SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA

From the Baroque to McCabe, in a very varied programme.

Vivaldi's Concerto for Two Trumpets features players from the ranks, as does Mozart's Sublime Sinfonia Concertante.

John McCabe who died last year after a long illness, was one of Britain’s most accomplished composers whose music was performed and loved by audiences here, in the USA and in Europe.  His Six-Minute Symphony will be given as a prelude to Schumann's much-loved, summery Second Symphony.

Saturday 2nd July 2016 at 7.30 pm.

Christ Church, New London Road, Chelmsford

There will be a free pre-concert talk given by conductor Tom Hammond, at 6.30 p.m.

www.essexsymphony.org.uk

THINGS TO COME - COMPLEAT FEMALE STAGE BEAUTY

THINGS TO COME - COMPLEAT FEMALE STAGE BEAUTY

Another interesting rarity from CTW – The Compleat Female Stage Beauty [filmed in 2004 as Stage Beauty] – by American dramatist Jeffrey Hatcher. It's a witty, bawdy look at the London of Samuel Pepys and Nell Gwynn, and the radical changes that swept through the acting profession during the Restoration.

The central character, Edward Kynaston, played at the Old Court by Philip John Hart, was one of the last of the Restoration “boy actors” - young men who specialised in playing women on stage. By 1661 actors like Kynaston were playing both male and female roles (sometimes in different productions of the same play) with equal success. Kynaston was, according to Pepys, a beautiful man who made convincing women on the stage and was thus blessed with the opportunity to play many of the plum dramatic female roles of the day. He was, in essence, the compleat actor! Jeffrey Hatcher's play explores both gender and social issues with his customary frankness: not a suitable play for children.
It plays at the Old Court in Springfield Road from 28th June to 2nd July, and you can also catch it in the uniquely atmospheric setting of Ingatestone Hall on the 20th, 21st and 22nd July.
Tickets for both from www.chelmsford.gov.uk/theatres or call the Civic Box Office on 01245 606505.

THINGS TO COME - THALIANS HOTHOUSE

THINGS TO COME - THE HOTHOUSE



The Basildon-based Thalians are on tour in May with 'The Hothouse,'
or 'The challenge of Pinter in the basement or the upstairs room of a pub' 
or 'Anywhere we can perform that doesn't entail re-mortgaging our houses.' 
The play is set in a state-run sanatorium where the patients are possibly political dissidents although, as with most Pinter plays, times and places are vague and the usual menacing comedy lurks in the language like a dark stalker. What is clear is that the unchecked state power is corrupt and that a casual inhumanity makes for a searing comic indictment of institutional bureaucracy with all its power struggles or as Simon Russell Beale put it, "the madness of self-contained community." 
I saw Russell Beale in a similarly intimate production three years ago.
The Thalians hope to be presenting a highly entertaining and thought provoking play for a wider audience with an entrance fee as affordable and as darkly rich as a box of Black Magic - on special offer!

Dates in May are 
Thursday 5th and Friday 6th at The Swan, Horndon - on - the - Hill.
Thursday 12th and Friday 13th at Saks Bar, Southend.
Tuesday 17th and Wednesday 18th at The Ship, Old Leigh.

Starting at 8 pm

Tickets are £5 and you can book by phoning 01268 417854


http://thaliantheatregroup.wix.com/thalian

THINGS TO COME – MUCH ADO AT THE QUEEN'S

THINGS TO COME – MUCH ADO AT THE QUEEN'S

The Queen's, Hornchurch, has a new Artistic Director. And for his opening show, he's chosen Shakespeare's riotous battle of the sexes, Much Ado About Nothing.
Featuring a large cast and set amid the jubilant celebrations after the Second World War, this much-loved romantic comedy will also commemorate the 400th anniversary of Shakespeare’s death. Inventive staging and a sparkling jazz-filled soundtrack will add to the magic.
It’s the end of the war and Leonato throws a party for the victorious Duke and his troops. Claudio falls in love with Hero and Hero with Claudio, and nothing will keep them apart. Claudio’s friend Benedick loves Beatrice and Beatrice loves Benedick – but they won’t admit it – and nothing will bring them together. Only the devious scheming of a resentful prince forces the pair to eventually reveal their true feelings for one another.
Beatrice and Benedick are played at Billet Lane by Hattie Ladbury and Thomas Padden, whose hugely diverse credits range from the West End and Shakespeare’s Globe to innumerable roles on television and film.
Meanwhile, youthful Claudio and Hero are played by recent drama school graduates Amber James and James Siggens.
The cast’s breadth of experience includes credits at the Globe, National Theatre, Regent’s Park Theatre, Royal Shakespeare Company, Royal Court and in the West End. Screen work includes Dr Who, EastEnders, Downton Abbey and Four Weddings and a Funeral.
They are: Liam Bergin, Rosie Barden, Jamie Bradley,Pascale Burgess, Nigel Hastings, Eliza Hunt, Mark Jax,Amber James, Hattie Ladbury, Thomas Padden, Sam Pay, James Siggens, Noel Sullivan and Sam Walters. The cast is supported by a 12-strong community chorus: Graham Bennett, Martin Hart, Mandy Lyes, Lucy Mason, Alex Raynham, Leah Rowlands, Hayley Sanderson, David Savage, Pam Shrimpton, Marie Watson and Megan Withers.
Design is by Jean Chan, musical direction by Julian Littman, lighting design by Matt Haskins, sound design by Helen Atkinson and choreography by Tim Jackson.

Much Ado About Nothing will be performed at Queen’s Theatre Hornchurch from 4 – 26 March. Tickets are from £12.50 – £27. 
Call the Box Office on 01708 443333 or book online at  queens-theatre.co.uk

THINGS TO COME – SLEEPING BEAUTY BALLET

THINGS TO COME 

– SLEEPING BEAUTY BALLET

Chelmsford's very own ballet company – first formed in 1949 – is bringing this classic ballet back to the Civic in March.
Tchaikovsky's majestic music, Annette Potter's re-working of the original Petipa choreography, outstanding young soloists and the corps de ballet tell the familiar story of the spindle and the kiss, the struggle between good – the Lilac Fairy – and evil – the wicked Carabosse. 

Andrei Iliescu of West End stature will be joining the company as Prince Florimund, Sleeping Beauty's suitor. Andrei performed in McQueen the Play and is a graduate of the prestigious Central School of Ballet in London. Emily Starling of Benfleet is rejoining the company as the Golden Vine Fairy, having trained at Bird College and danced professionally both in the UK and abroad.
Booking now at the Civic Theatre, where the performances run from 16 to 19 March.

THINGS TO COME - CHELMSFORD THEATRES

THINGS TO COME - CHELMSFORD THEATRES

Civic and Cramphorn Theatres' Spring Season 2016

A busy season this spring for our Chelmsford theatres.
Drama highlights include Pinter's black comedy The Birthday Party (8-9 March), Andrew Lloyd Webber and Don Black’s West End and Broadway hit musical Tell Me On A Sunday (6 March), starring Jodie Prenger. Both classic pieces too rarely revived.
Smaller tours too, with the long-awaited return of Jubilant Productions with Romancing Miss Bliss (13 February), a wry look at the secret lives of those who write Romantic Fiction. Wilde Without The Boy (27 February) is a dramatisation of De Profundis, Oscar Wilde’s searing letter to his lover Bosie, John Godber is back with The Debt Collectors (19 April) and The Best Thing (29 April), is a swinging 60s story of unconditional love from the Vamos Theatre company – full mask and wordless.
Music of all kinds – Dillie Keane, Maddy Prior, Blake and the ever-popular D'Ukes. Not to mention those touring tributes, to, amongst other, Billy Fury, Elvis, ELO and Simon and Garfunkel. And the enterprising M&G Concert series continues with the Philarmonia Symphonic Brass, the Northern Chamber Orchestra and the Orchestra of the Swan, with guitarist Craig Ogden.

To find out about all the shows on at Chelmsford City Theatres and to book tickets visit www.chelmsford.gov.uk/theatres or call the Box Office on 01245 606505.

THINGS TO COME - AUTUMN SEASON AT CHELMSFORD'S CIVIC

Autumn at the Civic and Cramphorn Theatres

Drama, dance, music and brand new seating in the Cramphorn.

Two very different stage classics come to the Civic - Agatha Christie’s A Murder Is Announced (3 - 7 November) with Judy Cornwell as Miss Marple, and Samuel Beckett’s Waiting For Godot (19 – 20 November). Amongst the work on offer next door in the Cramphorn, Casting The Runes (28 October), two more thrilling ghost stories performed by Robert Lloyd Parry.

A chance to try out the new seating, which promises greater comfort, with new height and angles giving a better view of the performance area. And just like your local multiplex, you can have “luxurious and spacious” premium seating in the back row for just £2 extra.

The dance highlight has to be Ballet Cymru, bringing Prokofiev's Cinderella to the Civic on October 10

Music includes tributes to the Bee Gees - Nights On Broadway (12 September), as and Kate Bush - Dreaming Of Kate (19 September). And the much-loved M&G Orchestral Concerts return for another season, beginning with the BBC Concert Orchestra on November 15.

And booking is already heavy for this year's pantomime, Aladdin, opening its month-long run on December 2.

To find out about all the shows on at Chelmsford City Theatres and to book tickets visit www.chelmsford.gov.uk/theatres or call the Box Office on 01245 606505.

THINGS TO COME - NEW SEASON AT CHELMSFORD'S CIVIC THEATRES

The new season at Chelmsford City Theatres – summer shading into autumn – offers an appetising variety of theatre, music and comedy.

A welcome two-night run of Alan Ayckbourn’s classic Absent Friends (19-20 May), as well as Samuel Beckett’s 60-year-old masterpiece Waiting For Godot later in the year (19-20 November). November will also see a week-long run of Agatha Christie’s Miss Marple mystery A Murder Is Announced (3-7 November). Small-scale tours in the Cramphorn Studio include Pope Head (7 May), a fascinating solo show about the life, philosophy and innermost truth of the artist Francis Bacon, and Love For Sale (15 October), a comedy with music about friendship, writing and dentistry, from Jubilant Productions, whose Merry It Was made such an impression last summer.

Ruby Wax (8 September) will be starring in a new show based on her critically acclaimed book, and we also haveJenny Éclair (2 October), Horrible Histories (20-24 October) Chas and Dave (2 June), Nights On Broadway (12 September)and Sex In Suburbia (6-7 May) to look forward to …

To find out about all the shows on at Chelmsford City Theatres and to book tickets visit www.chelmsford.gov.uk/theatres or call the Box Office on 01245 606505.

THINGS TO COME - BAROQUE TREASURES

Heinrich Ignaz Franz Biber died three centuries ago, in 1704. He was born in a town in Bohemia in 1644, and like Mozart much later, he became closely associated with musical life in Salzburg through appointments for that city's archbishop. His Requiem in F minor is one of the Baroque Treasures unearthed by the Waltham Singers, with King Edward VI School standing in for Salzburg Cathedral, and the Singers supported by the renowned Meridian Sinfonia.
There's Vivaldi, too, and a Mass by the lesser known Zelanka, an 18^th century Czech composer at the court of Dresden.

7.30 on March 14 – tickets from Dace's – more details on

http://www.walthamsingers.org.uk/

Heinrich Biber, from a study by Preman Sotomayor

THINGS TO COME - DANNY THE CHAMPION OF THE WORLD

Baby Austin is gala guest

The opening night of Brentwood Theatre’s Christmas Production of Danny The Champion Of The World will be marked by an appearance of a 1931 Austin 7 at the theatre, provided by Mr Graham Scutt of the Havering Classic Car Club.
A car of this type appears in the play which is based on the popular children’s story written by Roald Dahl. The Baby Austin arrives to be serviced at the filling station run by Danny and his father. Later it is taken by the 12 year old Danny as he goes to rescue his father after he fails to return home.
Bring a child or three to Brentwood Theatre this Christmas,  and meet Danny and his Dad, living together in an old caravan, running a small garage and filling station where they are blissfully happy. But will their happiness be spoilt by either Mr Hazell the local rich landowner who wants to see them evicted from their home, or the Council Inspector who claims that their caravan is uninhabitable?
Poachers and gamekeepers never mix, and Danny and his Dad get into many scrapes with man-traps, pheasants and raisins filled with sleeping powder.


8 December 2014 - 3 January 2015

Brentwood Theatre

THINGS TO COME - LEND ME A TENOR

Lend Me a Tenor
Ken Ludwig’s multi-award-winning farce

The Queen’s Theatre’s resident company cut to the chase… presents Ken Ludwig’s multi-award-winning slam-door comedy Lend Me a Tenor from 3 – 25 October.

This furiously-paced frivolous frenzy will entertain everyone for as long as they can keep up!

We’re in a hotel in Ohio in 1934 and Il Stupendo has come to save the day! It’s the biggest night in the history of the Grand Opera Company as they anxiously await the arrival of the world’s greatest tenor Signor Tito Merelli – or Il Stupendo – and his performance of Otello that will save the struggling company.

But then… doors start slamming when womanising Tito is incapacitated and his wife’s goodbye letter is mistaken for a suicide note! Max, the Opera Director’s meek assistant, is given the daunting task of finding a last-minute replacement. Chaos ensues – featuring a scheming soprano, a jealous wife and the Cleveland Police!

Lend Me a Tenor was Ludwig’s first commercially-produced play, which went on to enjoy enormous success in the West End and on Broadway. It has received numerous Tony and Drama Desk awards, been nominated for Laurence Olivier and Outer Critics Circle awards and been translated into 16 languages and produced in 25 countries!

The cast includes cut to the chase… company members Fred Broom, Georgina Field, Christine Holman, Greg Last, Sarah Mahony, Sean Needham, Sarah Scowen and Steve Simmonds.

This production is directed by the Queen’s Associate Director Matt Devitt, with set and costume design by Mark Walters and lighting by Daniel Crews.

Lend Me a Tenor runs from 3 – 25 October at the Queen’s Theatre, Billet Lane, Hornchurch. Tickets are from £12.50 - £26.50. For more details and to book, call the Box Office on
01708 443333 or book online at queens-theatre.co.uk