Artsreach continues to celebrate 25 years of bringing professional live performances to rural Dorset with the release of a brand new summer programme of events. Hot off the press, there are a whole variety of things on offer; with everything from thrilling new world music groups and award-winning Balkan bands, to a Restoration Comedy and hilarious Spaghetti Western, there’s something for everyone to enjoy:
Once again, the summer programme features a range of high calibre musical performances from a medley of different genres; following an outstanding debut tour last winter, rising Zambian-Scottish artist Namvula returns to Dorset, joined by a stellar cast of some of the UK’s most respected African and jazz musicians. Described by The Guardian as “one of the most original newcomers of the year” her performances as set to be a highlight of the summer season. Acclaimed klezmer band She’koyokh are back with their sumptuous mix of violin, accordion, clarinet double bass, guitar and percussion, and vocals from acclaimed Turkish singer Cigdem Aslan. Expect a night of soulful and exhilarating music for singing, listening and dancing to! Then, led by Tim Laycock and Phil Humphries, The Ridgeway Singers & Band will continue to expand their repertoire following the success of the Christmas West Gallery concerts, this time presenting a programme of local songs, stories, poetry and dance tunes. Finally, having recently exploded onto the traditional music scene with a highly acclaimed debut album, Edinburgh based Scots-Irish-Hungarian phenomenon Dallahan will take audiences on a breathtaking musical journey that is as much fun to listen to as it is to play.
Known for catching the imagination of audiences worldwide with the overall immersive feeling of their productions, the dynamic Norwegian dance company Panta Rei Danseteater explore the term ‘neighbours’ in every sense of the word in their brand new production ‘The House GranNabo’. This beautiful, energetic and playful dance-theatre performance features five strong dancers and a soundscore composed by Nathaniel Reid and Thomas Elfstadius. With just one performance in Dorset, don’t miss the chance to see this show up close.
As part of this 25thbirthday year, Artsreach are excited to be partnering several unique events across the County this summer; to celebrate the Landmark Trust’s 50th anniversary, five sculptures by Antony Gormley will be installed at five Landmark sites across the UK, including at Clavell Tower in Kimmeridge. In an afternoon of celebration coordinated by Artsreach, Sammy Hurden will lead the Freedance Choir in performing their interpretation of a new Landmark Anthem, and other works in response to the dramatic coastline of this area on the 16 May. The Ridgeway Singers & Band will also perform pieces of local significance, and the Kimmeridge Hall Committee will serve delicious cream teas; join us for what promises to be a memorable day of celebration. At the Dorset Food & Drink Festival in Poundbury, Artsreach and Dorset Forest Schools will give children the chance to try their hand at campfire building and cooking. Festival-goers should also keep their eyes peeled for something special elsewhere on site. Then at the Kingcombe Centre as part of a special Dorset Food & Drink and Screen Bites Event, the Ridgeway Singers & Band will perform a selection from their ever-growing repertoire. Look out for Artsreach popping up at these and other events throughout the year.
As we continue to reflect on 25 years of rural touring in Dorset, several Artsreach favourites will tread the boards in exciting programme of live theatre. Dorset’s own Tim Laycock opens the season with a dramatic and musical celebration of the life and writing of renowned local poet William Barnes in ‘The Year Clock’. With wonderful musical accompaniment from fiddle player Colin Thompson, this story will both delight enthusiasts and introduce a new audience to the life and poetry of Barnes. Then the masterful Kneehigh Theatre trio Giles King, Craig Johnson and Ian Ross unite as Blackfish Theatre to cleverly transport audiences into the desolate wasteland that is ‘Alaska’. Plummeting from a carefree, jouyous adventure to an extreme survival nightmare, expect a tragi-comic riot of Pythonesque dottiness guaranteed to leave you spellbound. This years’ much anticipated West Country tour by Bristol Old Vic Theatre School sees the stars of the future taking on George Farquhar’s carnal comedy ‘The Beaux’ Strategem’, one of the finest Restoration Comedies of the age. In August, for their annual open-air tour, Miracle Theatre takes a long-awaited journey to the Wild West in a brand new Spaghetti Western, ‘The Magnificent Three’. Accompanied by the strains of country music, gather up your posse and head out to the Wild Frontier for a rootin’-tooting’, side-splittin’, finger-clickin’, toe-tappin’, saloon-door-swingin’, double-cross-dressin’, hoe-down dancin’, quick-draw slinging adventure! Finally, family favourites Treehouse Theatre present ‘Timeliners’, a brand new, interactive and immersive show with live music. When Charlie gets zero in his History Test, his teacher hurls him back in time to learn the hard way! Help Charlie get his timeline in order and find his way back to 2015 – history just got dangerous!
Full details including dates, venues and individual box office numbers can be found at 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 and join in the rural touring conversation.
