The Arcade Youth Theatre hits the stage for the first time this week!
Arcade Youth Theatre is a new, local youth theatre, which has begun its journey into bringing drama and arts to young people and the community of Chandler’s Ford and the surrounding areas. [Read more…] about The Arcade Youth Theatre Hits the Stage for the First Time
It was back to the 1920s at Thornden School last week.
I don’t mean that slates and the 3 R’s were reintroduced, or that poor performance in class was admonished with a cane across the hand.
No, I mean that this was the decade in which the school’s summer performance of “Singing in the Rain” is set. [Read more…] about Review: Thornden School – Singing in the Rain
What’s the secret of comedy?
Timing.
Yes, but what else do you need for a play to be funny. A witty script – maybe with some running gags. Visual gags to complement the verbal ones; possibly a bit of intentional confusion caused by misunderstandings and/or mistaken identity – particularly when the audience are in on the joke and the characters aren’t; and slapstick, done well, will always amuse an audience. [Read more…] about Review: One Man, Two Guvnors by Thornden School
Last weekend I saw The Pirates of Penzance at The Point theatre. I really enjoyed it and it surprised me as I didn’t know much about the musical.
It is about a bunch of pirates who get involved in an insane plot to do with a Major-General. It’s a really nonsensical plot and it doesn’t make much sense, but in a musical like this it doesn’t matter. All the characters are really cartoony and over the top and they fit the tone perfectly. [Read more…] about Review: The Pirates of Penzance by Eastleigh Operatic and Musical Society
You may have noticed that Britain’s Got Talent is back on our screens.
I’ll admit to having an ambivalent attitude to the programme. It’s not something I go out of my way to watch but when I do I find it generally entertaining. [Read more…] about Not Britain’s Got Talent
I had the great joy last week of going to see An Inspector Calls by J.B. Priestley with a friend at the Mayflower Theatre, Southampton.
My friend had seen the film which was why she was keen to see the play version. I love detective fiction and thought seeing one in a play format would be interesting. I was right – it was!
[Read more…] about Watching the Detectives
Spring is finally here! Chandler’s Ford is full of great events this month to suit all tastes.
I’ll highlight a few events here. If you know of other events, please let me know so that I could add them to the Upcoming Events page. [Read more…] about April Events in Chandler’s Ford
I celebrated my 50th birthday this week so thought I would see if I could find 50 things to like about the Chandler’s Ford area.
Here goes… [Read more…] about 50 Things I Like about the Chandler’s Ford Area (Part 1)
Last Thursday, my mum and I watched an intriguing drama Sudden Death at Thornbury Manor, performed by Chandler’s Ford MDG Players, at the Methodist Church Hall.
The play is about a rich and unpleasant nobleman (played by Lester Parry) [Read more…] about Review: Sudden Death at Thornbury Manor by Chandler’s Ford MDG Players
I had the great joy of going to see As You Like It on Thursday, 25th February 2016 at Thornden Hall.
Having experienced the wonders of Shakespeare’s best known tragedy, Hamlet, late in 2015, I was curious to find out how I was going to get on with one of the Bard of Avon’s comedies. [Read more…] about As You Like It… and I Did!
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
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
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
Though it may be cold and wet these days, there are some interesting activities in and around Chandler’s Ford just for you.
If you are the kind of person who plan your social life months ahead, then you may want to sign up for The Chandler’s Ford Itchen Walk, which will take place on Sunday 12th June 2016.
Early birds get a bit of discount too. [Read more…] about What’s On in Chandler’s Ford – Spring 2016
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
Missed some good films last year?
Chandler’s Ford people are lucky as you can now watch great films at Thornden Hall. Each ticket is only £5.
Thornden Hall’s newest venture Movies at the Hall starts on Friday 15th January 2016. [Read more…] about Premiere of Movies at Thornden Hall – Friday 15th January 2016
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
Year 2015 has just flown by.
In the past year, we produced 320 posts, sharing local stories, news, and events with the community.
This ‘community’ is not restricted to Chandler’s Ford. We have readers and writers from Australia. [Read more…] about Ignite Your 2016 with the Best of Chandler’s Ford Today 2015
Thank you to all of those who came last night to see Far from the Madding Crowd at The Hilt. A good ol’ romantic to finish the season. Yes, I did notice the afterglow as you exited :-).
We have really had some good Movies this year with an average audience of about 80. The Imitation Game was the most highly attended with 124. [Read more…] about When a Curtain Closes Another One Opens
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
