Plastic Fiction gig

For those of you who are big fans of the band Plastic Fiction... and I know there will be many seeing as they are students at Bradon forest... they have a gig coming up at The Furnace.

With support from The Joe Public, I Am Bodhi and Star Light City, this is one night that won't disappoint. Don't miss out on Friday 26 March starting at 7.30pm. The gig is open to all ages but only over 18's are invited to stay after the bands. Tickets are £3.50 in advance and £5 on the door. Contact The Furnace for more information.

Ever wondered what the Russian Mail Order Bride story would look like on stage?

Well here's your chance to find out! We've provisionally booked Pin The Tail theatre company for the Autumn 2010 season, with their two play evening, Catch and Skolka.

Catch: Lonely hearts failed, Match.com exhausted. Spralsey and Alan are sitting by the pond, waiting for their perfect catch. When rusalkabrides.com assures that Russian beauties are excellent wife material the men are hooked. It soon becomes clear that emailing, phoning and chatting just aren’t enough and the men go on a mission to Moscow to be touched by the perfect one.  But can they meet the ultimate solution to end their profound loneliness?

Skolka: Two Russian women, two blossoming dreams, two plans for escape. For Mila and Svetlana our Western world is a fairy tale. They meet as strangers with one common goal - to get the hell out of Moscow. It soon becomes clear why they want to get out of Russia. The women embark on a venture to find an escape route to the West. But will they ever be rescued by their night in shining armour? Does the fairy tale life actually exist?

Sounds good, eh? Keep an eye on the website and I'll let you know when we confirm a date.

Half Term Fun

Looking for some family fun this half term? A half term treat awaits families at the Swindon Arts Centre this February.

A mysterious present appears in the playground at Jack, Dot and Polly’s school. Who can it possibly be for? What could be waiting inside?

Children will love this exciting new play, performed during on Thursday 18 February at 1.30pm. The Big ENORMOUS Present explores the pressures of fitting in, where we find happiness and how giving can sometimes feel as good as receiving.

Culture Swindon Marketing Manager Nicki Western said, “For over twenty years the Pied Piper Theatre Company has been producing exciting, innovative theatre for children, bringing new and well-loved stories to audiences throughout the UK. With its tours, school performances and seasons in regional theatres and London’s West End, Pied Piper touches the hearts and imaginations of hundreds of thousands of children. This show is no exception.”

Free activity sheets will be available, and if customers buy a Fruit Shoot they’ll get a free children’s magazine with a pen, puzzle and funny facts (first come, first served).

To book tickets – priced £6, Children £4, Family £15 – call the Arts Centre on 01793 614837.

Interested in the 'most terrifying theatre experience in the world'?

The Wyvern Theatre  are offering workshops in conjunction with their forthcoming performances of The Woman in Black.

The details are as follows. Please note they can only run them if they get enough interest.

• The workshop will focus on how Susan Hill's best-loved novel has been translated to the stage; exploring the creative vision, the rehearsal process and performance, design, use of sound, staging and visual elements of the production.

• Suitable for students studying English or Drama at GCSE or A / AS Level.

• Date: prior to the midweek matinee, Wednesday 25th March (finishing 90mins prior to the performance)

• Cost: £3 per student (plus the cost of a performance ticket).

• Length: 1 hour

• Capacity: min 30 students

• Location: at the theatre - in the auditorium

Contact Curtis Fulcher if you are interested and mention that you heard about it from me :O)

Group discounts are also available for the shows.

Guest Entry: The Dacoits!

"As 2009 rapidly disappears into the distance and we hurtle headlong into the second month of 2010, it seems like the perfect time for a Dacoits update.  After December saw us heading our separate ways to the exotic climes of India, Germany and Marlborough, the five Dacoits have finally recombined, Power Rangers style.  Admittedly it's looking a lot less like a giant robot duking it out with a big squid thing whilst casually bowling over polystyrene tower blocks, and more like five people in a multitude of jumpers trying to remember how to play their instruments in a rehearsal room with no heating.

Rest assured though, plans are afoot.  We're hoping to welcome in the lighter nights with our first show of 2010 at one of my favourite places, The Victoria in Swindon on the 4th of Feb.  After spending a little too much time supping real ale and swearing extensively at the quiz machine of said pub over the Christmas period it will be nice to take to the stage again.  Not only that but we'll be joining the ever fantastic Matilda and Matthew Kilford in a line-up specially tailored to shake you out of those winter blues and throw you lovingly into the welcoming arms of Spring.

In other exciting news we're playing our first Bristol gig on the 26th of Feb, news which should have put an excitable glimpse of recognition on the faces of all you fans of calendars out there, as it's a Friday night.  Excited is right.

And to top it all off we'll be returning to Marlborough rock city on the 27th March when we play at The Bear.  Although we can't confirm that there will actually be any bears in attendance (unlikely, as most bears tend to party hardest on Friday), sharp eyed fans of The Dacoits will already know of our love and respect for these noble animals,  so playing at a venue named after one will be a definite highlight in this year’s gig diary.  Plus Marlborough is cool.

That's just three gigs and I feel like I've written too much already.  As, I should imagine, do you.  And I haven't even touched upon Pete’s plans to team up with Tinchy Stryder in controversial a bid to snatch up this year’s Christmas number one.

Maybe next time."

P.x

Oops! My Mistake!

So, the new issue of the ever delightful Ragdoll magazine is online now for your viewing pleasure. Amongst the ever growing music and fashion sections, Bozley has included an 'honest' review on Full Twist which may amuse you.

Now I have an admission to make myself! I've put the wrong ticket price on the advert... oops! Sorry! It's actually £5 for students and £6 for adults... which is actually still an amazing bargain for the entertainment that Publick Transport will provide!

Get in touch if you'd like to reserve your ticket before they sell out! Tuesday 2nd March, 7.30pm, £5 students and £6 adults.

Sweet Glee

I don't think I'm the only one loving Glee at the moment, am I? I admit that the first episode or two was a bit embarrassing to watch... very cringe worthy, but now I just love the campness of it all!

I'm hoping that a subtle nod to the musical show will encourage our students to audition for the summer musical, Sweet Charity. What do you think?

Pappy's World Record Attempt

"Need a laugh during these long winter nights?
Want a bit of fun to cheer away those February blues? Fancy a free night out?"

The Swindon Arts Centre presents Pappy's World Record Attempt: 200 Sketches In An Hour (plus bonus sketches and an interval) on Tuesday 9 February at 8pm.

"Fresh from Channel 4 and a critically acclaimed UK tour, Pappy's will take Swindon, and the record books, by storm."

In 2007 they were nominated for the if.comedy award. In 2008 they won Chortle Best Sketch Act, performed in Australia and had their own shows on Channel 4 and Radio 4. In 2010 they attempt the impossible.

Free tickets? If you're under 25 you could qualify for a free ticket under the scheme A Night Less Ordinary. To find out more and to book tickets (£12, with concessions) call 01793 614837.

If you have a local event that you'd like mentioned, give me a shout and if it sounds interesting I'll get it on here. If you'd like it reviewed, send us a ticket and I'll see what I can do! :O)

Review: Full Twist

We first met Matt Pang when he performed with Circomedia at the Big Top Festival last July, when staff and audience alike instantly fell in love with his infectious smile and irresistible charm. With his own company, PanGottic, Matt is perfectly matched with fellow 'Circomedian', Revital Gottshalk, whose animated expressions and exaggerated physicality ensured a rapid rapport with the audience.

Full Twist is a fast paced tale of an even faster paced romance between two young lovers, whose relationship blossoms over circus skills and some seriously comical physical theatre.

Many of you will know that I have a penchant for puppets and masks in performance, therefore I freely admit that the highlight of PanGottic's Full Twist for me, was the adorably awkward cleaning couple, who fall in love over broken glass and dropped boxes. The two loveable characters were actually a smaller a sub plot, whose slow and clumsy relationship is used to contrast with the speed at which the other couple seem to blossom.

Between juggling wine glasses and bottles, bunches of flowers... and babies, and the hilarious character expressions, PanGottic kept us entertained and laughing for the entire 50 minute show. The only downside is that it wasn't longer!

Thanks PanGottic... see you for the next one?