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December 2013

Image: Inspector Norse

TrulyORIGINALFestivities15

While “he’s behind you” echoes through venues nationwide, we’re taking our own quirky approach to the festive season.

Enjoy top class vintage cabaret, a showcase of fantastic new writing by the Scriptwriters Doo Dah, a self-assembly Swedish crime thriller, a world of music, a Winter Wonderland and a New Year’s Eve party with Ska Punk stars Whitmore.

We like to think of our festive season as that unusually shaped parcel under the Christmas tree. It’s different, it’s exciting, it took a bit of imagination to put it together and hopefully you can’t wait to see what’s inside!

Happy Snow Season!

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BIG NEWS

Live Music for Horatio’s Garden

Our Outreach team has been busy working with Horatio’s Garden to bring live music to patients at the Duke of Cornwall Spinal Treatment Centre.

Opened in September 2012, Horatio’s Garden was designed as a sanctuary for patients of the Centre, who are often long term residents adjusting to being far from their homes and loved ones.

It was built for creative and therapeutic activities and includes a summer house which doubles up as a stage area.

We’re very excited to be filling that stage with music on a regular basis, drawing artists from our longstanding Live Lunch series to play in the summer house.

We hope the little festive treat we’ve arranged for Sunday 22 December with soulful singer-songwriter Hannah Robinson will bring a little taste of our festive season to the garden.

Image: Hannah Robinson

BIG NEWS

Image: Hannah Robinson

Image: Bethany Jameson

Following a sold out show in Spring 2013, we’re welcoming back the glitzy and glamorous Cabaret Vérité to bring some sparkle to our festive season. We chatted to leading lady Bethany Jameson:

What first interested you in cabaret?I was inspired by the old style cabaret where you have no fourth wall and you interact with the audience in a way which is quite personal and intimate. I went to lots of fascinating modern cabaret shows such as Fascinating Aida. I’d also seen some of the more ‘hard core cabaret acts’ around at the moment where the audience interaction is actually bordering on the aggressive but those weren’t for me. I want the audience to feel like they’ve been involved and have enjoyed themselves.

How did your band take to cabaret?It was really important that we had musicians that could also interact with the audience. Two of the band were classically trained and the double bassist won jazz musician of the year in 2003. To begin with the classical musicians felt exposed interacting with the audience but now they love it and have started to play in a way that’s quite wonderful.

Ooh La LaCabaret Vérité returns

For those who saw your sold out show here, what will be different this time?Rendez-vous à Paris is a new show with new comedy songs. We’ve selected some old favourites among the French songs and some that people haven’t heard. There will still be plenty of glitz and glamour and some seasonal surprises.

And for those who missed it, what can they expect?A unique cocktail of different music styles. There are songs from lots of different areas that are given the Cabaret Vérité treatment. We’re very lucky to be working with Romano Viazzani, who is one of the country’s leading accordionists, and he has arranged songs and composed new music for us. I should also say the show is a little bit racy and in the music hall style but nothing inappropriate!

What’s on your Christmas list?I never say no to a new corset in lovely textures and fabric... and maybe some studio time. Rendez-vous à ParisSunday 1 December 8pmTickets: £12 / £10 concessions (Members £11 / £9)

Image: Bethany Jameson

Ooh La LaCabaret Vérité returns

FilmRenoir (12A): Tuesday 3 December 7.30pm

What the press say:

“Thanks to ace Taiwanese cameraman Mark Ping Bing Lee, it conveys the inspirational qualities of sun-dappled light and rosy flesh.” TIme Out

Tickets: £7 (Members £6)

Renoir is a beautiful drama telling the story of the celebrated French impressionist, his son and his muse.

The film is set amidst the warm light of the French Riviera. It’s 1915 and Jean Renoir arrives at the summer home of his father, impressionist painter Pierre-Auguste Renoir. Both in ill health, the Renoirs are enlivened by the arrival of a beautiful model and performer.

Visually striking, Renoir is a gentle and intelligent portrayal of the Renoirs and the key woman in their lives.

What the press say:

“Director Haifaa Al-Mansour makes forceful points about her country’s gender politics within a story that’s light and unassuming. In fact, her film is so accessible it could play to audiences the same age as its heroine, Wadjda (Waad Mohammed), a ten-year-old girl in a world dominated by men, who wonders if life could be different.” Time Out

Tickets: £7 (Members £6)

Wadjda marks an important milestone in history as the first film ever shot entirely in Saudi Arabia and directed by a woman.

Wadjda is a streetwise 10-year-old who, against cultural traditions, yearns to own a bicycle. Ignoring her parents’ wishes, she sets about earning the money for her first bike.

Echoing the feat achieved by Director Haifaa Al-Mansour by creating this film in a country where women are forbidden to drive let alone direct, Wadjda is a moving story of a young girl determined to fight for her dreams.

Wadjda (PG): Thursday 5 December 7.30pm

Family FilmEpic (U): Saturday 7 December 11am

What the press say:

“Eye-popping entertainment.” Washington Post

Tickets: £4 (Members £3)

Epic is an animated adventure comedy that reveals a fantastical world unlike any other.

It tells the story of an ongoing battle deep in the forest between the forces of good and the forces of evil. When a teenage girl finds herself magically transported into this secret universe, she must band together with a rag-tag team of fun and whimsical characters in order to save their world... and ours.

Family FilmEpic (U): Saturday 7 December 11am

What the press say:

“Good old-fashioned family fun.” Empire

Tickets: £4 (Members £3)

When Santa Fell to Earth is a festive treat based on the book by bestselling author Cornelia Funke.

When the last real Santa Claus falls out of the sky and lands on the street where Charlotte and Ben live, the two embark on a great adventure to help Santa find his reindeer and to find out what Christmas truly means beyond frantic shopping.

When Santa Fell to Earth (U): Sunday 22 December 11am

Image: Previous Scriptwriters Doo Dah Sharing photographed by Tim Kidner

It’s Scriptwriters Doo Dah sharing time again on Sunday 8 December. Actors will take to the stage with brand new scripts from Angie Street’s super talented Scriptwriters Doo Dah workshop participants. Here are just a few of the many reasons why we think you’ll love it:

1 The Scriptwriters Doo Dah writers are ridiculously talented. Their work is already winning competitions and being snapped up by touring companies and venues across the South of England.

2 The scripts will be performed by professional actors who will act their socks off to do justice to the work of the writers who’ll be watching!

3 You’ll get to watch 12 short plays inspired by the theme of ‘sisters’.

4 All the plays are written by Salisbury Arts Centre Scriptwriters Doo Dah participants.

5 You’ll even get to meet the writers after the show if you’re well behaved.

Scriptwriters Doo Dah Writes AgainSunday 8 December 7pmTickets: £5 concessions (Members £4)

Doo Dah

A Nordic knitted comedy thrillerNordic crime thrillers have become quite the hit in the UK of late but we’d be very surprised if you’ve seen one like this before! With a knitted set and an award-winning comedy duo, Inspector Norse is a truly unique experience. Here’s a little Q&A we made earlier from all the wonderful information they’ve sent us:

How would you describe the show?Inspector Norse, or The Girl With Two Screws Left Over as it’s otherwise called, is a self-assembly Swedish crime thriller.

What’s the story?The story takes place in the bitter mid-winter. Ex-pop-star recluse Freya looks out of her log cabin at a rural winter scene. She smiles and turns back to her meatballs. But who is the stranger Nordic walking across the frozen wastes? In a fur hat. With a chisel.

Days later a man is found dead in a barn nearby with a bizarre message carved on his forehead.

Enter Inspector Sandra Larsson in her authentic, rustic knitwear. With her own personal life unravelling before our eyes, it is up to her to follow the pattern of a mystery with many holes.

What have the audience made of it?

“The sight of two moose weeping while watching Bambi will stay with me for a very long time.”East Anglian Daily Times

“From the surreal and insanely excellent script to the way they have the audience joining in quite comfortably with the organised madness, this is Goons territory and slowly but surely these two women are making it their own.” Liverpool Sound and Vision

And here’s a lovely quote from Maggie and Sue from Lipservice:“Laughter is a life-affirming experience, it is a signal of acceptance and positive interaction. It is our primary aim to provide a positive night out at the theatre, which is cathartic and exhilarating.”

Inspector NorseWednesday 11 December 8pmTickets: £12 / £10 concessions (Members £11 / £9)

Live Lunches have long been a popular part of our programme, providing free music on regular weekend lunchtimes. Building on that success we’re trying our first ever Supper Session, which will unite the best musicians from the Live Lunch series for a special evening gig in the cafe. We talked to Box Office Co-ordinator Jessy Evans, who came up with the name, about Live Lunches and some of her favourite musicians:

On Box Office you get to hear a lot of Live Lunches from a distance and are always the first to hear audience comments. What is it that people love most about the Live Lunch series?The relaxed setting and high quality music that can be soothing after a hectic week at work. You know it’s going to be a chilled out place to come along and not have to think about anything. It’s a bit of a weekend sanctuary. Families really enjoy it because the parents get to enjoy the music and the cafe is a safe and fun place for kids to play.

Supper SessionThursday 12 December 8pm

How will the Supper Session be different to Live Lunches?It will still have the intimate cosy feel and we’re selling platters in advance so people will be able to enjoy food as part of the experience. There will be more music with performances by Josienne Clarke and Ben Walker, Omer Makessa and Mashasha. All of those acts went down really well in their Live Lunch sessions so it should be a really great night of music from around the world.

Is there an act you’re particularly looking forward to in the Supper Session? I’m definitely going to watch Josienne Clarke and Ben Walker. I’ve seen them before and I like that she’s very real and open on stage. Their songs really feel like they’re coming straight from the heart. Ben adds beautifully intricate guitar. I’d love to be able to sing like Josienne. She’s very effortlessly natural.

And on an unrelated note, what’s top of your Christmas list?I’d like to see Billy Elliot the Musical.

Supper SessionTickets: £5 (Members £4)

Image: Omer Makessa

It’s our last Acoustic Cafe of the year and the Larmer Tree Festival team have come up with quite a Christmas treat in the shape of the quirky and wonderful Bookshop Band:

The Bookshop Band writes and performs unique and beautiful songs inspired by books.

Formed of three talented British musician/songwriters Ben Please, Poppy Pitt and Beth Porter, the band first collaborated to add a new dimension to author events at Mr B’s Emporium of Reading Delights in Bath. Now the band has written over 70 songs inspired by 39 books, from historical novels such as Hilary Mantel’s “Bringing up the Bodies” to classics like Lewis Carroll’s “Alice in Wonderland”.

Since its first event in September 2012, The Bookshop Band has toured across the country, playing at independent bookshops and literature festivals, and has received significant radio coverage.

The Bookshop Band brings a literary taste to

Acoustic CafeSaturday 14 December 8.30pm

What people say about the Bookshop Band

“Charming, clever and quite unfairly talented, The Bookshop Band shine fresh light on books you thought you knew.” Patrick Gale

“Really fabulous new music... I think this is the most wonderful project”Bob Harris, BBC Radio 2

Acoustic Cafe featuring The Bookshop BandTickets: £10

Image: The Bookshop Band by Owen Benson

Verdi’s Falstaff screened in HD

MET OperaMonday 16 December 5.55pm • £16 / £14 concessions

In the next of the Metropolitan Opera Live in HD series, Met Music Director James Levine conducts Verdi’s final masterpiece, with Ambrogio Maestri as Shakespeare’s blustery Sir John Falstaff.

Click the image below for a preview of the new production:

Verdi’s Falstaff screened in HD

MET OperaMonday 16 December 5.55pm • £16 / £14 concessions

Hoodwink’s Winter WonderlandSaturday 21 December 6pm • £6.50/£5.50 concessions

Hoodwink’s annual Winter Wonderland celebration is nearly upon us and Hoodwink needs your help to make the snow blanket. Follow the instructions on the opposite page to make a white pompom to add to the beautiful winter snow scene. In the meantime here’s a bit more about what to expect from our most popular festive event:

Winter Wonderland is a longstanding winter treasure led by our very own resident theatre company Hoodwink.

It’s an evening of dancing, snow, fun, surprises and more snow. It’s a perfect family treat suitable for all the family from pre-school to grandparents.

This year’s celebration falls on Winter Solstice so Hoodwink encourages you to bring a torch or wear a glowstick and help create lots of light on this magical night.

WorkshopsSaturday 14 December • £1510am - 12pm: ages 5 - 8 years2 - 4pm: ages 9+

Take part in an exciting workshop with Hoodwink to create your own costume for the Winter Wonderland procession.

The Procession will take place on Saturday 21 December at 6pm and you’ll be asked to arrive at 5.30pm to prepare for your grand entrance.

Snow, snow and even more snow!

Join us on Saturday 21 December for Hoodwink’s Winter Wonderland, an evening of dancing, snow, fun, surprises and more snow.

With Hoodwink’s Winter Wonderland coming to you just before Christmas, we wanted to get people of all ages crafting for a magical evening of festivities.

Hoodwink is asking people to create snowballs galore for its blanket of snow.

All you need to make your snowball is:• White wool• Scissors• Two pieces of cardboard

Instructions

1. Ask a parent/guardian to cut out two circular pieces of cardboard the width of the desired pompom, then cut a hole in the centre (see image top right).

2. Hold the two circles together and wrap the yarn tightly around the cardboard. Once covered, carefully cut between the two circles of cardboard.

3. Tie a piece of yarn tightly between the two circles. Cut the cardboard off and trim the pompom and there you have it!

4. Make as many as you like in various sizes then bring them in to the box office to be a part of the beautiful blanket of snow.

Altar Club New Year’s EveFollowing the success of our first ever Altar Club New Year’s Eve last year, the party night is back with ska punk stars Whitmore in the headline slot. We chatted to team members and Altar Club regulars Sam Adams and Melanie Evans about why Altar Club is such a good night out:

What’s your favourite thing about Altar Club nights?M: The friendly atmosphere and energy about the evening. S: You can come along not knowing anyone and still have a brilliant time because everyone’s so sociable.

How was New Year’s Eve last year special?S: It was really nice to have an alternative New Year’s Eve bash. You often get one band in a New Year’s gig but having five throughout the night keeps the energy up and means that you get to hear lots of different music. Everyone was dancing and in a festive mood which made it extra special. M: There was a congo line at one point as well which was really fun.

Who are you most looking forward to in the line-up this year?S: It has to be Whitmore. Last time they played here I was working on Box Office so I’ve heard them but never actually seen the performance that goes with it and I’ve heard that’s pretty lively!

What will your New Year’s resolutions be?M: Trying to get out for early morning walks, but maybe not on New Year’s Day!S: Cooking more healthy food.

Altar Club New Year’s EveTuesday 31 December 9pmTickets: £15 until 30 November, £20 advance in December, £25 on the door(Members: £14 / £19 / £24)

Having already wowed audience members here with their new show, our talented resident artists Katherina Radeva and Alister Lownie (otherwise known as Two Destination Language) are out on the road with Near Gone. If you missed it here or loved it so much you’d like to see it again then they will be in Winchester on Wednesday 4 December. Here’s a reminder of what it’s all about:

Near Gone is a heartfelt story about survival.

Performing in English and Bulgarian, with fantastic gypsy-inspired music, Two Destination Language attempts to put into words the utterly unspeakable.

Filling an empty space with two performers and four hundred fresh flowers, Near Gone transforms your sense of what it is to be a mother, a father or a child. You’ll leave more fully alive than ever.

Resident Artists on the roadCatch Near Gone by Two Destination Language:Wednesday 4 December at Winchester Discovery Centre

Here’s what the audiences so far have thought:

“I found tonight’s show immensely powerful and life-enhancing. The way you interleaved humour with the trauma, and the way you used dance to express what words couldn’t was really wonderful.” Audience member, Colchester Arts Centre

“Beautiful, passionate, atmospheric journey. Peaks and troughs of joy and despair. Lovely balance between you. Thank you.” Audience member, Colchester Arts Centre

“Really the most moving performance I’ve seen!” Audience member, Salisbury Arts Centre

“Very touching. A universal expression of pain and joy.” Audience member,Salisbury Arts Centre

Near GoneWinchester Theatre Royal at Winchester Discovery Centre

Resident Artists on the roadCatch Near Gone by Two Destination Language:Wednesday 4 December at Winchester Discovery Centre

Main Image: Katherina Radeva, Near Gone, by Alma Haser

Spring previewOn sale 9 December at www.salisburyartscentre.co.uk

Images: Lucy Beaumont, Edinburgh Comedy Preview, Woyzeck, Tom Wrigglesworth and Tavaziva Ten

Spring previewOn sale 9 December at www.salisburyartscentre.co.uk

December DiarySunday 1 Big Band Brunch with GOJO music Sunday 1 Rendez-vous à Paris music Tuesday 3 Renoir film Thursday 5 Wadjda film Saturday 7 Live Lunch Special: Bhangra Project music/café Saturday 7 Epic family film Saturday 7 Stornoway independent Sunday 8 Live Lunch: Ninebarrow music/café Sunday 8 Scriptwriters Doo Dah theatre Wednesday 11 Café LUA café Wednesday 11 Inspector Norse theatre Thursday 12 Supper Session music Saturday 14 Acoustic Café music Sunday 15 Live Lunch: Paddy Benedict music/café Sunday 15 Eminor independent Monday 16 MET Opera: Verdi’s Falstaff opera Tuesday 17 Magic Lantern film/café Thursday 19 Hijack Open Mic music Saturday 21 Hoodwink’s Winter Wonderland family Sunday 22 When Santa Fell to Earth family film Sunday 22 Live Lunch: Six Days music/café Tuesday 31 Altar Club New Year featuring Whitmore music

PLUS One-off Workshops and Workshop CoursesFull programme details available at www.salisburyartscentre.co.uk or you can contact the Box Office on 01722 321744.