Chandler's Ford Today

entertainment

Review: Jack and the Beanstalk by Chameleon Theatre Chandler’s Ford – January 2018

By 2 Comments

By Geoff Dodsworth

I should begin by explaining that the regular contributors who normally write these articles were unavailable on this occasion and consequently we were asked if we would write the review ourselves. I volunteered as I had had no involvement in this Pantomime, apart from watching it as a member of the Front of House Staff for the last three performances so hopefully my review will be objective. I have also attempted to follow the style of the previous articles which has been to describe rather than criticise. [Read more…] about Review: Jack and the Beanstalk by Chameleon Theatre Chandler’s Ford – January 2018

Tags: , , , , , , , , , ,

Monty’s Acting Debut in Celebrity Showmance

By 1 Comment

Earlier this Summer we were invited by a ITV company to bring one of our Newfoundlands to appear in a programme which required a large dog, with sound temperament, who  would  work with strangers and  be totally relaxed with people, crew and dogs. We chose our brown dog, Monty, who was then just over a year old and extremely friendly towards other dogs and people.

Although Monty’s father, Berkeley, has appeared in several TV shows this was Monty’s first appearance. [Read more…] about Monty’s Acting Debut in Celebrity Showmance

Tags: , , , , , ,

Murdered To Death – The Chameleon Theatre Company – Review Part 2

By 6 Comments

I had the great joy of going to see Murdered to Death by Peter Gordon as performed by The Chameleon Theatre Group on Saturday 28th October. What with the Book Fair in the morning, it was a busy day but a hugely enjoyable one and the show rounded things off beautifully.

How can you tell if something is a spoof? I always look for tautology in the title! It is done for exaggeration (a great comic technique). I can’t think of any other genre where the “To Death” bit would be added. It certainly wouldn’t be in crime fiction, where murder generally is taken very seriously! [Read more…] about Murdered To Death – The Chameleon Theatre Company – Review Part 2

Tags: , , , , , , , , , , ,

Review: Murdered to Death by Chameleon Theatre Company

By 2 Comments

This play Murdered to Death performed by Chameleon Theatre Company in October was an obvious parody of an Agatha Christie murder mystery, right down to one of the characters being called Miss Maple, after the Miss Marple character. Poirot was also referenced, from Miss Maple knowing a Belgian chap, to Pierre Marceau resembling Poirot physically.

The funniest character was Inspector Pratt, who is the most incompetent detective ever. [Read more…] about Review: Murdered to Death by Chameleon Theatre Company

Tags: , , , , , , , , , , ,

Hiltingbury Extravaganza 2017

By 6 Comments

Yesterday afternoon I had a rather good time at Hiltingbury Extravaganza. There were quite many people and lovely animals (pigs, horses, dogs, owls…). Musicians, dancers, writers, volunteers, and many businesses all helped to make this special event remarkable.

Credit to The HCA (Hiltingbury Community Association) at The Hilt for its organisation for another fantastic Extravaganza community event on the Hiltingbury Recreation Ground.

The Hiltingbury Extravaganza was officially opened by Steve Brine, MP for Winchester and Chandler’s Ford. [Read more…] about Hiltingbury Extravaganza 2017

Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Humorous Writing (and why it is a serious business)

By 10 Comments

I think the hardest form of writing is humorous writing because humour is (a) subjective and (b) changes over time. Good humorous writing is a joy to read but it is so difficult to do well.

Two of my favourite authors, P.G. Wodehouse and Terry Pratchett, have sold millions of books each and have been translated into many languages. That aspect is another reason why humour is difficult to write: not all aspects of “English” humour translate well. For it to work the humour in the stories has to be universal. Still there is plenty about the human condition to send up so the material is out there, ready to be used! [Read more…] about Humorous Writing (and why it is a serious business)

Tags: , ,

Festivals

By Leave a Comment

This is the time of year for festivals. After the self-imposed misery of Lent, it starts with Easter. When is Easter? Bishop’s secretaries throughout the land are kept busy answering that question.

Easter Sunday is the first Sunday after the full moon that occurs on or soonest after March 21st, the Spring Equinox. So now you know for all time. The earliest Easter Sunday will be on March 22nd but that will not happen until 2285 so you need not worry about it. The latest possible is April 25th and that will be in 2038. [Read more…] about Festivals

Tags: , , , ,

Review – A Comedy Trio: Chameleon Theatre Company – Allison Symes

By 4 Comments

I saw A Comedy Trio by The Chameleon Theatre Group on 27th April 2017. Despite feeling miserable due to a heavy cold, (I am not the world’s best patient!), I am glad to say the production made me laugh and I went home feeling considerably better in spirit, at least, than when I arrived! Now there’s a review for you…

Many thanks, as ever, to Lionel Elliott for supplying CFT with the pictures. [Read more…] about Review – A Comedy Trio: Chameleon Theatre Company – Allison Symes

Tags: , , , , , , , , , , ,

Review: The House of Fog by Chameleon Theatre Company

By 2 Comments

I thoroughly enjoyed the comedies I watched last Thursday, performed by Chameleon Theatre Company at Ritchie Memorial Hall in Chandler’s Ford. In this post, I will focus on one of the comedies, The House of Fog, by Peter Brammer.

The play The House of Fog was a really funny mockery of a horror movie, with an extra layer of comedy added due to the fourth wall aspect.
[Read more…] about Review: The House of Fog by Chameleon Theatre Company

Tags: , , , , , , , , , , ,

Chandler’s Ford Scout District St. George’s Day Parade and Service 2017

By 4 Comments

What a glorious day today.

Chandler’s Ford Scout District St. George’s Day Parade and Service took place this afternoon.

Many Beaver Scouts, Cub Scouts, Scouts, Explorer Scouts, leaders and adult supporters all attended and it was a happy occasion in the community.

Here are some photographs of the day. [Read more…] about Chandler’s Ford Scout District St. George’s Day Parade and Service 2017

Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Review: An Evening of Entertainment with Chandler’s Ford MDG Players and Friends from Romsey

By 3 Comments

Last Friday I watched three short comedy performances at the Chandler’s Ford Methodist Church performed by the MDG Players and their friends from Romsey. Unlike the previous performances I’ve seen, this was a variety of plays with different characters and plots, with different styles of comedy. [Read more…] about Review: An Evening of Entertainment with Chandler’s Ford MDG Players and Friends from Romsey

Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , ,

West End Theatre in our own Backyard

By 3 Comments

I went to see a West End theatre production recently.  But I didn’t have to travel to London or pay a small fortune for my ticket; it was at Thornden Hall and the ticket was only £15.

This was one of the National Theatre Live productions – live theatre beamed to cinemas around the country. [Read more…] about West End Theatre in our own Backyard

Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , ,

The Wonderful World of Radio by Allison Symes

By 6 Comments

I love radio. I rarely watch TV these days. It has to be something special to make me turn the box on and that’s usually a Doctor Who!

(And yes I am sorry Peter Capaldi is going – I’ve liked an older Doctor being in charge of the Tardis. That’s nothing against David Tennant, Matt Smith of Christopher Ecclestone, all of whom were great, but for a Time Lord meant to be over 900 years old, having an older actor playing the role fits). [Read more…] about The Wonderful World of Radio by Allison Symes

Tags: , , , ,

Review: Treasure Island by Thornden School

By 4 Comments

I’m not  total philistine; I have read some of the classic novels.  However, Treasure Island is on the list of the many that I haven’t.  So I was doubly excited to go to see Thornden’s Schools’ production of Treasure Island on Friday (10 February).  Partly to top up my “blagger’s guide to the classics”, but mainly for the chance to see another of the school’s productions. [Read more…] about Review: Treasure Island by Thornden School

Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Robin Hood and the Chameleons – Review by Allison Symes

By 5 Comments

I went to see the Chameleons’ production of the pantomime, Robin Hood, on Thursday January 26th. The production was excellent and the pantomime had all the key ingredients you’d expect.

Humour, topical jokes (at the expense of D.J. Trump Esq), songs (sung with gusto and great enjoyment) and a wonderful story. There was the “oh no we won’t” moment from the audience and the usual dressing up of women as men (though not the other way round as well here). Robin was actually a man in this production! (And played by the excellent Paul Jones who got into the traditional thigh slapping with considerable enthusiasm). [Read more…] about Robin Hood and the Chameleons – Review by Allison Symes

Tags: , , , , , , , , , , ,

Thornden Community Wind Band Christmas Concert

By 5 Comments

“It’s beginning  to feel a lot like Christmas” – well, it certainly is for the 380 people who went to “A Swing-Along Christmas” concert presented by the Thornden Community Wind Band with their special guests The Spitfire Sisters on Friday evening. This was a wonderful concert and a fine introduction to the week before Christmas.
[Read more…] about Thornden Community Wind Band Christmas Concert

Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Otterbourne Mummers: Traditional Mummers Play in Otterbourne, Christmas 2016

By 2 Comments

Yesterday, we went to see the Mummers street play in Otterbourne, Hampshire.

It is a very old and traditional folk play and depicts King George slaying the dragon, Turkish knights and other adversaries. It was good fun to watch and the costumes were very colourful. [Read more…] about Otterbourne Mummers: Traditional Mummers Play in Otterbourne, Christmas 2016

Tags: , , , , , , , , , ,

What’s Your Favourite Film Theme? My Top Ten

By 6 Comments

One of the highlight Chandler’s Ford Today posts for me this year was the Top Ten Classical Music Greats list and many thanks to all who added wonderful contributions to this. I’ve loved listening to them all.

The biggest problem I had was in working out which piece had to go into this list. It left me with a number of pieces I would have loved to have included but very conveniently these are film scores/extracts so a new post on Top Ten Film Themes would seem to be in order! [Read more…] about What’s Your Favourite Film Theme? My Top Ten

Tags: , , ,

Review: Extravaganza of Musical Shows by Eastleigh Operatic and Musical Society

By 1 Comment

Last week’s autumn production for the Eastleigh Operatic & Musical Society gave us an Extravaganza of Musical Shows – a selection of both some of the better-known and lesser-known numbers from musical theatre.

There is a huge canon of musical shows to choose from, and the company had selected an eclectic programme to showcase the skills of the performers.  [Read more…] about Review: Extravaganza of Musical Shows by Eastleigh Operatic and Musical Society

Tags: , , , , , , , , , ,

Review: All My Sons – Excellent Production by Chameleon Theatre Company

By 7 Comments

I went to see All My Sons by Arthur Miller at the Chameleon Theatre Company in Hursley Road recently.

Wonderful performances, a great story and I’m glad to have discovered this play. It is also, I think, apt that this review appears on 11th November given All My Sons is set in 1947. The impact of World War Two is still red raw on grieving families (as the play makes very clear).  [Read more…] about Review: All My Sons – Excellent Production by Chameleon Theatre Company

Tags: , , , , , , , , , , ,