Promoting Local Events

This is going to be a regular feature so if you are organising any local events, give me a shout and I'll promote them on here. Comps are always welcome too if you'd like a review ;o)

If you like Flight of the Conchords, you might like this: 
Mitch Benn and The Distractions
Thursday 19 November | 8pm | The Arts Centre 
Tickets £12

Mitch Benn brings his unique brand of musical satire to the Swindon Arts Centre this November with his ‘Where Next?’ tour... From BBC Radio 4’s Sony nominated ‘Now Show’, BBC1’s ‘One Show’ and BBC Radio 7’s ‘Mitch Benn Music Show’, multi-award winner Mitch Benn and his band take to the road in a two hour show packed with new songs and old favourites. Described by The Times as ‘the country’s leading musical satirist’, for music and comedy fans of all ages this is an evening not to be missed.

If you like Dizzy Rascal you might like this:
Bounce presents Insane in the Brain 
17, 18 November | 7.30pm | Wyvern Theatre
Tickets £10 - £17

The classic story of One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest is injected with a large dose of hip hop energy by Bounce. This exciting company is known for creating high energy, imaginative street-dance theatre, enjoying hit runs at both London’s Peacock Theatre and the Roundhouse. In the confines of a psychiatric hospital, breakdance becomes a way of expressing freedom and rebelling against the iron rule of Nurse Ratched – who happens to be a ballet fan. A fantastic soundtrack including hits from stars like Missy Elliot, Dizzie Rascal, Gotan Project, David Holmes and Cypress Hill creates this fastpaced show that is at times funny, moving and always packed to the rafters with high octane dance moves.

Contains adult themes and some violence. Parental discretion advised.

If you like loose limbed physical comedy, you might like this:
Terry Alderton
Saturday 21 November | 8pm | The Arts Centre
Tickets £12

Until now, ex-Southend goalkeeper and former holiday camp entertainer was comedy's best-kept secret. This amazing act is a riot of enthusiastic, loose-limbed physical comedy, extraordinary caricatures and stunningly acute impressions. Combining a fearless on-stage presence, unshakable confidence and streetwise hyperactive delivery, Terry leaves his audience exhilarated and exhausted with laughter.

Peek inside the Technicolor mind of one of Britain’s finest comic talents and, find him desperately doing battle with all the strange and hilariously unpredictable demons, that have decided to set up home there.

Terry is a popular choice in the world of comedy, and regularly treads the boards all over the globe. Leading him to perform along side some of comedies biggest international stars. Recently working with Joan Rivers and Eddie Izzard who proclaimed him to be a ‘very funny comic with a ‘fantastic comedy mind’, but someone who really ought to seek some sort of professional help.

A most unforgettable evening of laughter!

Marie-Lou Review

Yesterday's show was different to anything that I've seen in our theatre before, but not any less interesting because of it. We have a guest review coming in a couple of days, but in the mean time, I thought it only polite to leave you with a few of my thoughts.

Better Red Than Dead: the evening started with the tantilising tale of Little Red Riding Hood and her flirtacious relationship with a highly charged wolf. Although the opening scene with the mother left me a little bemused, once Red had entered the forest I was easily swallowed in to the well known fairytale. The performance used little or no props and the 'set' was created purely by lighting and music which was executed to perfection. I really liked the use of the soundtrack as the backdrop to the physical theatre, as the actors movements told the story - there was almost no need for any dialogue at all... except of course then you wouldn't have had the lines:

Red: I will not sleep with with him on the first date, or I will be left alone and very afraid.
Wolf: I will not eat her on the first date, or I will be left alone and very afraid.

You could almost smell the testosterone of the wolf once he pranced on stage. The 'courting' followed by the very dramatic flirting built up nicely with the choice of music, and the wolf's slow motion plunge for the neck sent a chill down my spine. Although, as I've said, the piece worked really well on our stage, you could imagine the whole story working on a larger scale with huge dramatic sets and costumes. I'm glad we got to see it as it was last night. It was a real treat to experience an unsual and high class performance.

[Update: review from audience member here.]

Free Theatre Tickets? Surely not!

Now here's something you don't see every day - a night out at the theatre for free!

If you’re under 26 and want to try something different, then you can get free tickets to some of the best shows around. Follow this link to search for participating theatre.

Marie-Lou presents...

Ever wondered what a contemporary dance drama interpretation of the sexual tension between Little Red Riding Hood & the wolf would be like? Then don't miss Better Red than Dead this Wednesday in the theatre!

Marie-Louise presents a double bill of high-class physical theatre & dance.

"A guaranteed ‘good night out’ that will appeal to a wide audience of theatre-goers, film-buffs, book-lovers and culture-vultures alike."

A macabre and hilarious piece of physical theatre ‘Limelight and Lunacy’ explores the attitudes and standards of late 19th century society, when desires were forced into hiding, beneath a facade of etiquette and decorum. This group piece centres around the relationships between four hapless vaudeville performers, who gradually lose the plot in a world of music hall madness

‘Better Red Than Dead’ uncovers the themes and metaphors within the fairy tale of Red Riding Hood. We reveal the sexual tension between Red and Wolf as both fall prey to animal instinct and we revel in the fear of both the unknown and the inevitable. Prepare those peepers for a feasting in this piece of highly inventive dance theatre.

Wednesday 11th November
7.30pm
Tickets: £5 students, £4 adults

Call 01793 773981 to reserve yours today!

28th Annual Purton Artists Exhibition

The Purton Arts Society have their annual exhibition in Purton Village Hall this weekend. The talented group have once again invited Bradon Forest students to submit artwork for this prestigious event and our GCSE artists haven't let us down with their amazing variety of pieces.

Tonight is the private viewing, but if you're passing through the village on Saturday or Sunday then make sure you pop in to take a look. As well as some amazing paintings, drawings and pastel work there are some lovely ceramics and wood work on display, most of which are for sale! (Christmas is coming up you know!)

Our students work is on the stage and looks amazing. You won't regret making the effort!

Council Office
Village Hall
Purton
SN5 4AJ
Tel. 01793 771066

If you've never heard any post modern pirate rock...

The Shudders are playing an album launch gig on Friday 18th December at 12 Bar... see you there.

Twitter this

I've succumbed to the whole Twitter thing... Check out the link on the left and follow us! I'll try not to tweet about what I had for lunch ;o)

RSS Feed Update

Just to let you all know you may want to update your RSS feed to this site. Google has taken over Feedburner so I've updated the link to the left. You can also click here to renew the link and choose how you receive the feed!

"A macabre and hilarious piece of physical theatre"

Phew! That was close... I almost didn't make it make after the half term break! I had a slight altercation with Jaws and well... I know it's just been Halloween, but I'll just assume you don't want to hear the gory details! Needless to say I just about survived and am back safe and sound... which is good news, otherwise I'd miss all of the great shows we have coming up!

Talking of which, the next show is only just over a week away!

Marie-Louise presents a double bill of high-class physical theatre & dance:

"A guaranteed 'good night out' that will appeal to a wide audience of theatre-goers, film-buffs, book lovers and culture-vultures alike."

A macabre and hilarious piece of physical theatre, 'Limelight & Lunacy' explores the attitudes and standards of late 19th century society, when desires were forced into hiding, beneath and façade of etiquette and decorum. This group piece centres around the relationships between four hapless vaudeville performers, who gradually lose the plot in a world of music hall madness.

'Better Red Than Dead' uncovers the themes and metaphors within the fairy tale of Red Riding Hood. We reveal the sexual tension between Red and Wolf as both fall prey to animal instinct and we revel in the fear of both the unknown and the inevitable. Prepare those peepers for a feasting in this piece of highly inventive dance theatre.

Showing Wednesday 11th November at 7.30pm. Tickets are just £5 for students and £6 for adults. Call me on 01793 773981 to reserve yours today!

Right, now I'm just going to have to go and re-dress these wounds...

Big Top Festival - photos

It's almost here! Just two more days until the half term break! Woohoo! Not that I haven't thoroughly enjoyed this term... it's been packed full of amazing shows and rehearsals, talking of which...

This years December production by the students will be Mary Theresa's Cupboards... a crazy show that has been devised and scripted by David Calder and the students. More info on this to follow after the break, but I can tell you you won't want to miss it!

The week after we get back we have Marie-Lou in with a double bill of physical theatre. Marie-Lou is one of the countries top choreographers so we're in for a real treat. Keep Wednesday 11th November free in your diary and don't forget to reserve your ticket!

But for now, just to keep you going, click the picture to go to the flickr collection for the Big Top Festival and reminisce about the summer... that should put a smile on your face during this rain spell. And as for me? I'll see you after the break. Florida here I come, woop, woop!