Christmas Busking

Our musicians entertained shoppers at West Swindon Centre last night with a variety of delightful festive tunes. Performances alternated between our choirs and concert band, with a few brave soloists thrown in for good measure! They raised almost £200 for Prospect Hospice in the 3 hours they were there. If you'd like to be entertained by this talented bunch of young performers, then don't miss the Christmas Concert tomorrow night. Tickets are just £2 and it starts at 7pm. The PTA will be hosting a 'mulled wine and mince pie bar', so bring some change!

I Heart Florence and the Machine

I don't think I've been to Brixton Academy since the Dodgy Christmas Party back in the 90's. Yes, it's been a while I know! Last night I made the trip back and it was well worth the wait. Florence and the Machine absolutely blew my mind. When I first heard Rabbit Heart I instantly thought her voice would be worth selling your soul for.

They opened with the beautiful My Boy Builds Coffins which, after a great warm up by The Temper Trap, had everyone singing along. She then brought on the choir to join the band and orchestra! Highlights for me were Cosmic Love which was performed in front of a glittering star cloth, always a crowd pleaser, and Drumming Song. The finale was Dog Days Are Over (a personal favourite) followed by You've Got The Love... with the whole crowd being rained on by a shower of confetti hearts.

The encore was a bit of a marmite effort with a cover of Beyonce's Halo. She instantly won over any non-believers with the last song of the night, Rabbit Heart. I'd worn the wrong shoes for trailing through London, but even I was dancing at the end! My throat hurts from singing and I'm just holding out for the Singstar Florence edition. Maybe that's one I'll have to sing along to on my own.

I heart Florence. A lot. She sings so beautifully I could cry. If you can catch her live then do it.

Weekend festivities start here!

This evening the Bradon Forest Choirs and soloists will be performing classic Christmas carols in a special concert at St Mary's Church, Purton. The annual performance is always a delight. Who doesn't love the chance to sing along? The concert starts at 7pm, but be sure to arrive early as parking is limited. It is of course a free event, but the church will be taking a collection for it's supported charities.

If a bit of Scrooge at this time of year is more your thing, then don't miss A Christmas Carol at the Sundial Theatre at Cirencester College, starring ex-Bradon Forest Theatre students! The show opened yesterday with a matinee, but the first evening performance is tonight. See their website for more details.

If you liked what you saw here on 20th November, Jo Stroud has two gigs coming up before Christmas... Thursday 10th at 12bar starting at around 8pm and supporting the Sweet Plums and the HUB. You can also catch her at a charity gig on Sunday 13th at 12bar. See the website for more details.

'Tis the season to be jolly...'

... fa la la la la, la la la laaaa! Well, it's official. My tree is up as is my collection of tacky Santa's, I've already taken down three Christmas movies, an episode of Robbie the Reindeer and the first installment of the Hogfather, and my sequin dress is pressed and ready for the weekend. Well, not pressed. That would be silly. The iron would probably melt the sequins. But it's hanging up ready to go! It's Christmas!!

Our Bradon Forest Theatre production of Mary Teresa's Cupboard went superbly well last week and a review will be up shortly, but in the mean time... if you enjoyed that and are eager to be entertained by something other than Robbie the Reindeer this Christmas, then read on...

* Make sure you head down to Riffs Bar on Wednesday 16th December after our Christmas Concert here at the theatre for the Ragdoll Magazine awesome Christmas party. They have Disco Pie Rats, The Shuffle and Polly and the Kettles as well as karaoke and fancy dress!

* The Shudders are having a festive ho-down at 12 Bar on Friday 18th December to launch their new album. Not to be missed!

* The Empire Theatre Company will be entertaining audiences with the classic The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe at Swindon Arts Centre from 18th - 27th December.

* The Wyvern Theatre will be hosting their annual pantomime and this year it's Sleeping Beauty starring Lorraine Chase, or you can choose a slightly more cultured evening and catch the Russian State Ballet in January. Keep an eye on their calendar though as The Woman in Black is my 'one to watch'.

* Get the 29th January in your diary now as PangGotic Circus Theatre Company will be opening the 2010 season at the Bradon Forest Theatre with their amazing Full Twist. Stay tuned for more details.

If you are hosting a festive event then let me know and I'll mention it before the hols... fa la la la la, la la la laaaa!

Last chance!

Tonight is your last chance to see Mary Theresa's Cupboard! Read what the audience are saying about it...

"It was really funny. It was spooky. And it was actually quite moving.
I don't quite know how to feel about it!"

"That was brilliant! I've been to see it Wednesday and Thursday
and I'll be back again tonight!"

"Tremendous show. The cast performed superbly. Well done."

There are a few tickets left so don't miss your chance to see this imaginative piece of theatre. Call the hotline on 01793 773981 to reserve your ticket!

Endorsement from Mr Bond...

So you don't have to take only my word for it, here's some feedback from the opening show...

"It definitely wasn't the sickly sweet seasonal fayre I was expecting, so a massive thumbs up from this Scrooge! I loved the dark undertones of this piece and its central theme, which were wrapped around some great ensemble acting. Highlights for me included the visit to the estate agents and that song, the poisoned dwarf (sorry, disenchanted elf) and a genuinely frightening bank manager. I was disappointed not to be offered a mug of builder’s tea, but then again, I daren’t ask…"

There are still a few tickets left for tonight and tomorrow... don't miss Mary Theresa's Cupboard!

Opening Night!

Oh my word, I'm so excited! Opening night tonight for Mary Theresa's Cupboard. There are a few tickets left so give me a call to make sure you get yours!

01793 773981

Weds 2 - Fri 4 December
7.30pm
Tickets: £3 students, £4 adults
Run time: Approx 1. hr 15

Circomedia Annual Christmas Cabaret

Message from Circomedia: There are still a few tickets left for the Birdacge Circomedia Annual Christmas cabaret on Thursday of this week. The show is a real treat this year with exciting doubles trapeze, an amazing hand balancing act, some troublesome magicians and your comedy compere Rod Laver. As usual the show is accompanied by a delightful seasonal meal. Tickets, including the 3 course meal are £49.50. For more information look here: http://www.circomedia.com/events-at-st-pauls-church/#birdcage


For tickets contact the Colston Hall Box Office on 0117 922 3686

Tantrums

I couldn't help but put these clips of 'Polly's' tantrums up... just as a teaser :o) Wednesday is selling out fast, but at the moment there are still tickets left for all three shows. Reserve yours today so you're not disappointed!

Mary Theresa's Cupboard

Written and performed by Bradon Forest Theatre students

Wednesday 2 - Friday 4 December

7.30pm

Tickets: £3 students, £4 adults.

'Worth seeing for the Estate Agent scene alone!'

I've just sat through the first dress rehearsal for Mary Theresa's Cupboard, and I have to tell you... it looks fantastic! They are still ironing out a few creases but it will be ready to rumble for Wednesday night.

I urge you all to come and spend the evening with us. If you've never been to the Bradon Forest Theatre before, make this your first experience and get yourself in the Christmas spirit at the same time! It is December 1st tomorrow after all!

If you like Alice in Wonderland or A Christmas Carol, then you will LOVE this show. The students have worked so hard on it and you won't believe that they've created it themselves. We have a talented bunch here! Bring your friends and family with you... they'll only feel bad if you go home raving about this amazing show, and you wouldn't want that so close to Christmas now, would you?

Mary Theresa's Cupboard
Wednesday 2 - Friday 4 December
7.30pm
Tickets: £4 adults, £3 students