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theatre

Producing a Local Legend: Sir Bevis of Hampton

March 4, 2016 By Allison Symes 1 Comment

I love history. Always have done. Always will do. I suppose this is because history is another form of storytelling. It tells the story of where we come from.

I believe there is a great deal of truth in the saying that a nation which forgets its history is destined to relive it.

Stories can be told in many ways to reach differing audiences and this is true for history too.  I’ve recently heard of a new comic book (Blood and Valour) and play (The Legends of Sir Bevis) about local mythical medieval hero, Sir Bevis of Hampton. [Read more…] about Producing a Local Legend: Sir Bevis of Hampton

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Tags: arts and crafts, books, communication, culture, Eastleigh, Eastleigh Borough Council, education, entertainment, event, Hampshire, history, local businesses, storytelling, theatre, writing

National Theatre Live in Chandler’s Ford and Eastleigh Areas

February 26, 2016 By Allison Symes 4 Comments

In recent months it has been a great joy to watch three National Theatre Live productions at Thornden Hall – The Importance of Being Earnest with David Suchet as Lady Bracknell, Hamlet with Benedict Cumberbatch in the lead role, and Shakespeare’s glorious comedy As You Like It, which we just watched last night.

I’m glad to report there is not one but three nearby venues in Eastleigh borough which show National Theatre Live productions – Thornden Hall, The Point, Eastleigh and, a little further out at Hedge End, The Berry Theatre. [Read more…] about National Theatre Live in Chandler’s Ford and Eastleigh Areas

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Tags: arts and crafts, Chandler’s Ford community, community, culture, Eastleigh, entertainment, event, local interest, National Theatre Live, review, social, The Point, theatre, Thornden Hall, Winchester Road

Review: Thornden School: The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe

February 16, 2016 By chippy minton 2 Comments

This year’s Thornden School GCSE production was The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe, performed at Thornden Hall last week.

As expected from these talented pupils, it was a delight to watch and stretched the talents of the GCSE students – for both the Drama Acting and Drama Design and Technical courses. [Read more…] about Review: Thornden School: The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe

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Tags: arts and crafts, Chandler’s Ford community, community, education, entertainment, event, local interest, review, social, theatre, Thornden Hall, Thornden School, Winchester Road

The Magic of Words: David Bowie and Alan Rickman

January 22, 2016 By Allison Symes 7 Comments

I’ve found one side benefit of being a writer is that I appreciate words more than I did before I wrote seriously. Writing short stories, novels and blog posts such as this have all given me a greater appreciation of how other writers work.  But it also makes me aware there are several ways to work with words.

It is ironic then that two of my heroes, who worked with words albeit in different ways, should both recently have died of cancer at 69. [Read more…] about The Magic of Words: David Bowie and Alan Rickman

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Tags: arts and crafts, culture, entertainment, film, music, review, theatre, writing

Shakespeare Inspirations – Hamlet at Thornden Hall

January 8, 2016 By Allison Symes 1 Comment

I went to see the National Theatre’s production of Hamlet at Thornden Hall in October 2015 with Janet Williams and her son Ben.

Benedict Cumberbatch was superb in the title role.

I love the idea of being able to watch West End productions without having the hassle of going there. I’ve never been to a West End production and if I had the time to go there, possibly with an overnight stay, I should imagine that would be a wonderful experience. [Read more…] about Shakespeare Inspirations – Hamlet at Thornden Hall

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Tags: arts and crafts, Chandler’s Ford community, community, culture, entertainment, event, local interest, National Theatre Live, review, social, theatre, Thornden Hall, Winchester Road, writing

Review: Diamond in the Sky by MDG Players

December 6, 2015 By Ben Williams 6 Comments

My mum and I recently went to see a comedy based on Science Fiction, performed by MDG (Methodist Drama Group) Players from Chandler’s Ford.

The comedy is called Diamond in the Sky, written and directed by Chandler’s Ford playwright Mike Standing.

While my mum couldn’t quite understand the comedy, I understood it as I’m a sci-fi nerd. [Read more…] about Review: Diamond in the Sky by MDG Players

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Tags: arts and crafts, Chandler's Ford, community, entertainment, event, local interest, MDG Players, Methodist Church, review, social, theatre, Winchester Road

From Movies at the Hilt to Movies at the Hall

November 15, 2015 By Roger Clark 7 Comments

Dear Moviegoer,

I mentioned a few months ago that Nigel and I would be retiring from running Movies @ the Hilt from the end of this year. We had thoroughly enjoyed providing this service but we both had reasons for freeing-up our respective personal time. [Read more…] about From Movies at the Hilt to Movies at the Hall

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Tags: arts and crafts, Chandler's Ford, community, entertainment, event, Hiltingbury, local interest, music, social, The Hilt, theatre, Thornden Hall

A Batch of Cumbers: Review of Hamlet at Thornden Hall

October 18, 2015 By Ben Williams 3 Comments

Lats Thursday I saw Hamlet broadcast by National Theatre Live, starring Benedict Cumberbatch, at the Thornden Hall in Chandler’s Ford. It was the fifth acting role I have seen Cumberbatch in, and apart from writing my review about the play, Hamlet, I would also like to write about how actors are defined by the roles they play. [Read more…] about A Batch of Cumbers: Review of Hamlet at Thornden Hall

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Tags: arts and crafts, Chandler’s Ford community, community, culture, entertainment, event, local interest, National Theatre Live, review, social, theatre, Thornden Hall, Winchester Road

Review: The Importance of Being Earnest at Thornden Hall

October 15, 2015 By Allison Symes 12 Comments

Despite knowing Thornden well and visiting the Hall for numerous parents’ evenings, this was the first time I’d visited the Hall for a show.

The Importance of Being Earnest was being shown as a live broadcast of the performance taking place at the Vaudeville Theatre in the West End. There was a short interview with the production’s director, Adrian Noble, and a further short piece with David Suchet, playing the unforgettable Lady Bracknell, before the performance. [Read more…] about Review: The Importance of Being Earnest at Thornden Hall

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Tags: arts and crafts, Chandler’s Ford community, community, culture, entertainment, event, local interest, National Theatre Live, review, social, theatre, Thornden Hall, Winchester Road

High Jinks at the Hiltingbury Extravaganza 2015

October 9, 2015 By Allison Symes 9 Comments

Some of the great joys of writing for Chandler’s Ford Today are in meeting new people and going to events that are new to me.

The recent Hiltingbury Extrav was the first I’d visited despite living in Chandler’s Ford for over 25 years. So I thought I would look back at it as we leave the summer season with its shows and fetes behind.  (If anyone is in any doubt we are in autumn now, the recent wild weather should dispel that!). [Read more…] about High Jinks at the Hiltingbury Extravaganza 2015

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Tags: arts and crafts, Chandler’s Ford community, community, crafts, dog, entertainment, event, Hiltingbury, Hiltingbury Extravaganza, hobby, local interest, music, Ramalley Hall, scouting, social, The Hilt, theatre, Thornden Hall

The Hiltingbury Extrav 2015

September 21, 2015 By Janet Williams 3 Comments

I went to Hiltingbury Recreation Ground at 3pm yesterday with my son, and local writer Allison Symes.

The Hiltingbury Extrav 2015 was in full swing. The event took place from 12.00 noon till 5.00pm.

We were first attracted by some classic cars. We spotted Chandler’s Ford Today writer Mike Sedgwick there admiring the vehicles (and checking the engine stuff). [Read more…] about The Hiltingbury Extrav 2015

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Tags: arts and crafts, Chandler’s Ford community, community, crafts, dog, entertainment, event, Hiltingbury, hobby, local interest, music, Ramalley Hall, social, The Hilt, theatre

Thornden Hall: Alive with the Sound of Music

July 21, 2015 By chippy minton 3 Comments

Thornden sound of music review

It must be slightly daunting when planning to perform a well-known and loved musical. Everyone knows the story. Everyone knows what the songs are supposed to sound like. Can we do it justice? No such qualms need to have worried the cast and crew of who treated audiences to a feast of entertainment with Thornden School’s summer production of The Sound of Music last week.

The production required a large cast of over 100 performers – [Read more…] about Thornden Hall: Alive with the Sound of Music

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Tags: arts and crafts, Chandler's Ford, community, education, entertainment, event, local interest, review, social, theatre, Thornden Hall, Thornden School, Winchester Road

Review: Les Misérables by Barton Peveril College

July 1, 2015 By chippy minton 6 Comments

Last week (Thursday to Saturday) Barton Peveril College in Eastleigh performed Les Misérables School EditionTM at the Theatre Royal Winchester.

If you are a fan of Les Misérables and concerned that the “schools edition” might be a dumbed-down version, let me reassure you – it isn’t. The adaptation contains all the passion and power of the original. [Read more…] about Review: Les Misérables by Barton Peveril College

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Tags: arts and crafts, Barton Peveril College, books, Chandler's Ford, community, Eastleigh, education, entertainment, event, local interest, review, school, theatre, Winchester, writing

Theatre Review: Thornden School: The Secret Diary of Adrian Mole, Aged 13¾

May 12, 2015 By chippy minton 4 Comments

Thornden School Adrian Mole feature

The early 1980s.

Telephones were attached to the wall by lines; an international call meant going through the operator – and was very, very expensive; a television remote control meant getting your child to walk over to the set to change the channel; the Intercity-125 was the epitome of modern train travel; Torville and Dean ice skated to victory; Sheffield was famous for its cutlery; children sat O-levels and CSEs – and organised protests to complain about school rules that they didn’t like; people who were out of work were “on the dole” and claimed “social security”; [Read more…] about Theatre Review: Thornden School: The Secret Diary of Adrian Mole, Aged 13¾

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Tags: arts and crafts, Chandler's Ford, community, education, entertainment, event, local interest, review, social, theatre, Thornden Hall, Thornden School, Winchester Road

Comedy Review: Worth a Fortune by MDG Players

March 28, 2015 By Janet Williams 5 Comments

Worth a Fortune by MDG Players, spring 2015.

Chandler’s Ford MDG Players successfully performed yet another comedy, Worth a Fortune, to a packed audience at the Methodist Church, from 26 – 28 March 2015. My son and I watched it last night and we were hugely impressed.

Hiltingbury resident Tom Whyte sent me his review of the comedy Worth a Fortune:

“With my wife and a couple of friends went to see the production of Worth a Fortune performed, to a packed house, by the MDG Players at the Methodist church in Chandler’s Ford. [Read more…] about Comedy Review: Worth a Fortune by MDG Players

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Tags: arts and crafts, Chandler's Ford, community, entertainment, event, local interest, MDG Players, memory, Methodist Church, social, theatre, Winchester Road

March 2015 Highlight: Comedy Worth a Fortune by Chandler’s Ford MDG Players

February 27, 2015 By Janet Williams 2 Comments

Chandler's Ford MDG Players 26-28 March 2015

You may not believe this but March is approaching.

In Chandler’s Ford, the highlight for March will be Worth a Fortune, a farcical comedy by Frances A Lewis, performed by Chandler’s Ford MDG Players.

Chandler’s Ford MDG Players will perform Worth a Fortune from Thursday to Saturday, 26th – 28th March 2015 at 7.30pm, [Read more…] about March 2015 Highlight: Comedy Worth a Fortune by Chandler’s Ford MDG Players

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Tags: arts and crafts, Chandler's Ford, community, entertainment, event, local interest, MDG Players, memory, Methodist Church, social, theatre, Winchester Road

Comedy Review: Ladies Of Iniquity By MDG Players

December 1, 2014 By Janet Williams 10 Comments

MDG comedy Ladies of Iniquity.

Chandler’s Ford MDG Players put on a brilliant comedy, Ladies of Iniquity, last week.

The scene was set in the 70s, when power cut and strike were common, when telephone sitting in a dominant place in the lounge was still attached to a wire, and when neighbours could pop in through the backdoor unannounced. [Read more…] about Comedy Review: Ladies Of Iniquity By MDG Players

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Tags: arts and crafts, Chandler's Ford, community, entertainment, event, MDG Players, Methodist Church, review, social, theatre, Winchester Road

Review: Jeeves And Wooster In Perfect Nonsense At The Mayflower Theatre

November 22, 2014 By Allison Symes 8 Comments

I saw Jeeves and Wooster in Perfect Nonsense at The Mayflower Theatre on Tuesday 18th November 2014, its opening night.

Sadly the run is only on in Southampton for a few days but I would urge anyone who loves comedy and/or the works of P.G. Wodehouse to try to see this wonderful show. It is currently touring the UK. [Read more…] about Review: Jeeves And Wooster In Perfect Nonsense At The Mayflower Theatre

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Tags: arts and crafts, community, entertainment, event, local interest, review, social, Southampton, theatre

Theatre Review: The Ladykillers By Chameleon Theatre Company

October 27, 2014 By Ben Williams 25 Comments

The Ladykillers by Chameleon Theatre Company, Chandler's Ford, Eastleigh.

On Saturday my parents and I forfeited Doctor Who (BLASPHEMY!!) to watch a local theatre performance by the Chameleon Theatre Company in Chandler’s Ford of Eastleigh.

It was a performance of The Ladykillers and, as a favour for my mum (not that I’d usually do favours for her), I’ll review it.

The story revolves around five bank robbers [Read more…] about Theatre Review: The Ladykillers By Chameleon Theatre Company

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Tags: arts and crafts, Chameleon Theatre, Chandler's Ford, community, entertainment, event, Hursley Road, local interest, review, social, theatre

Hiltingbury Extravaganza 2014 Chandler’s Ford

September 14, 2014 By Janet Williams 16 Comments

Mike and Fin

I went to Hiltingbury Extravaganza this afternoon with my teenage son. It was a beautiful day. Hiltingbury was buzzing with excitement.

I took some photos to show you some interesting people and stalls that I saw today.

[Read more…] about Hiltingbury Extravaganza 2014 Chandler’s Ford

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Tags: arts and crafts, Chameleon Theatre, Chandler's Ford, community, crafts, dog, entertainment, event, Hiltingbury, Hiltingbury Extravaganza, hobby, music, One Community, social, Streetlife, The Hilt, theatre
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