Hot off the press and available now, Artsreach’s new spring programme is packed with around 70 professional performances set to take place in village halls right across Dorset between now and Easter…
For music lovers, a real medley of styles and genres is on offer this spring. Featuring Mabon’s Jamie Smith and Oliver Wilson-Dickson, Welsh folk trio Alaw draw upon their wealth of experience for a true musical journey, while Tom ‘Spats’ Langham and Hot Fingers explore the origin of acoustic blues, joined by talented vocalist Emily Campbell, returning following their five-night sell out Dorset tour in 2013. The partnership between Artsreach and The Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra continues, with a serenade concert by The Resonate Strings and the contemporary ensemble Kokoro performing works inspired by Purcell, and Messiaen’s extraordinary ‘Quartet for the End of Time’. Folk duo Ninebarrow and gypsy-swing band Moscow Drug Club continue their tours following high demand in the autumn, whilst extraordinary clarinetist Susi Evans and the London Klezmer Quartet give one special concert in January. Multi-instrumentalist Vera Van Heeringen and her trio will deliver an evening of American country inspired tunes and sizzling London-based Latin jazz band Heads South make their Artsreach debut. We are excited also to be welcoming Zulu Tradition to the County, with a heady mix of African harmonies, athletic dance, drums and colourful costumes that’s sure to be a real highlight of the season.
We are sure there will be several onstage highlights this season too, with much-loved Artsreach performers returning to the circuit. Forest Forge give a final performance of their magical family show ‘Hansel & Gretel’, whilst Cornish star Dave Mynne dons his cape once more for a skillful one-man adaptation of Bram Stoker’s ‘Dracula’ – expect to be thrilled and seduced! Dorset’s Tim Laycock and Colin Thompson present a dramatic and musical celebration of the life of William Barnes in ‘The Year Clock’, while acclaimed company Farnham Maltings offer two theatrical treats this season; based on the hit film the company use their inimitable style to present the magic of ‘It’s a Wonderful Life’ then, later in the season, return with ‘The Iranian Feast’, their hugely popular play with food, song and dance from the heart of Persia.
As well as the fantastic family show by Forest Forge, Artsreach have three delightful shows for children aged 4+ touring during the February half-term. The UK’s top puppet company PuppetCraft are back with the mischievous super-hero ‘Monkey’, their show inspired by the great Chinese story. Then Angel Heart & Rattlebox continue their Nordic adventure with ‘Freya – A Viking Saga’; expect dunderheaded giants and boisterous gods. Both shows have associated workshops but with limited places so do enquire when booking. Lastly, in a show packed with beautiful puppets, illusion and amazing experiments, Light Theatre present the tale of Jack and ‘The Magic Beanstalk’.
The wonderfully agile and acrobatic string quartet Bowjangles bring ‘On the Box’ to four venues early in the season; expect the usual mix of exhilarating dance routines, rousing songs and exceptional musicianship! Storyteller Malcolm Green shares stories of his time on an uninhabited Icelandic island, accompanied by extraordinary musician and entertainer Tim Dalling in Shearwater. The duo of deception Morgan & West bring another brilliant show packed with jaw-dropping, brain bursting feats of magic in ‘Parlour Tricks’. Expect love, loss, drama, humour and twists in ‘The Forbidden Door’, a brand-new show by the musicians and storyteller of The Devil’s Violin.
Blurring the boundaries of dance, acrobatics, theatre and circus, Joli Vyann present an energetic and thought-provoking show exploring our dependence on technology. Expect a visually stunning and exciting performance from this emerging South West company.
This is just a taster of everything happening around Dorset with Artsreach this spring. Full details including individual box office numbers are on www.artsreach.co.uk and outlets where you can pick up a copy of the programme include libraries, arts centres and tourist information centres. You can also find Artsreach on Facebook and Twitter to keep up to date with the latest news.
