Brian, Helen and Ed

Graham Chapman - in The Life of Brian

Amongst the very many pleasures of the Buxton Festival Fringe is the sense of anticipation created as the programme unfolds and new shows are announced. As the March 31st deadline arrived two shows in particular took the eye of some of us.

Three's Company and George Telfer are working together on a new play written by Tom Crawshaw. Not the Messiah tells something of the life of Graham Chapman - whose early death accounts in part for the fact that his contribution to the Monty Python legend is often so overlooked. Anyway the combination of some of Buxton's favourite young sons (3s C) plus the much loved and equally talented George Telfer and the life of the enigmatic Chapman make this a mouth-watering prospect.

Radio 4 fans - and we suspect that there are at least several among you - have two special treats. Helen Keen - fresh from her It Is Rocket Science! triumph - brings (Robot) Woman of the Future to Buxton. The ever-complaining Ed Reardon (brought to perfect life by Christopher Douglas) is also in Buxton this summer. Chapman, Keen and Reardon will all be on at Underground Venues - actually three separate venues. Full details of these - and all UV events - will be confirmed after Easter. So keep an eye on the website.

Finally, for now, spare a thought for the cast of Butterfly's Macbeth. Apart from all the superstition attached to the Scottish play the actors risk frozen digits. They are putting on three shows a night in Poole's Cavern (temperature 8 degrees celsius). They have put together a brisk 60 minute version which shows some consideration for the audience but more than three hours in the caves, for 5 nights (11-15 July), will be an endurance test.

There are now 109 separate events entered for Fringe 2011 - more than ever before at this date. We're on course for around 170 shows all told. There are many, many delights and curiosities to be explored. Start looking before the diversion of Easter egg hunting arrives.

by Keith Savage - Published 04/04/2011

Counting down

Fringe 2011 is little over 100 days away - someone might give me an exact number but I'm not counting on it. Before we attend to Fringe matters though we should point out that the Buxton Opera festival programme is now available. Sporting an excited cover by local artist Rob Wilson the programme is impressively designed. Tickets go on general sale on April 4th - there is still a week left for Festival Friends' to make priority bookings. No doubt some celebrity recitals are sold-out already. For those that are not regular opera goers and are nervous at paying up to £57 for trying it out - well the £10 tickets are OK. The view can be a bit limited and the back support isn't great (you'll have to make your own judgement as to whether your body can stand this - don't sue us) but you're unlikely to come away feeling that you've wasted your money. In recent years the Festival has presented opera by Donizetti to critical acclaim. Last year's Luisa Miller was fab - though I don't think that was the word the Times critic used. This year's Donizetti is Maria di Rohan. Also on offer is Handel's Saul with TV star and early music heart-throb Harry Christophers conducting. Now Handel died in 1759 and even my limited history education tells me that he could not have set his opera after World War II.
 

No doubt Handel will survive the updating.

Absolutely free at the Festival are the Sunday morning masses at St John's. Haydn masses are sung on 10th and 17th July and on 24th is Victoria's O magnum mysterium.

Amongst the literary events this year is Betsy Tobin talking about her novel Crimson China which is set around the experiences of Chinese migrant workers of Morecambe Bay. Betsy is at the Lee Wood Hotel on July 14th at 3pm. One of the intriguing events at Fringe 2011 makes use of Betsy's novel. Titled BOOKS IN THE PARK members of Books in the Peak will run a free workshop on setting up a book club. Join them in their teepee for a sample meeting where they will discuss the first chapter of Crimson China. Find out more at www.booksinthepeak.wordpress.com and be at the Pavilion Gardens, on the Old Bowling Green on 23 July at 11.00 to 12:30pm or 1pm to 2:30pm.

Quite, quite different but exciting will be the shows by Mart Rodgers' trad jazz outfit. Their programmes will include classic jazz tunes and inspiration from Fats Waller, Louis Armstrong, The Ink Spots, evergreens, ballads and even some band originals. Catch them at The Railway on 8th and 22nd July 8pm to 10:30pm.

by Keith Savage - Published 26/03/2011

Blogrades and Blogradeship

Landscape by Alan Bailey

I thought the Buxton Advertiser had put a shiny new link to this Blog on its website the other day. That being the case I thought I should do some housework in case some new visitors turned up. However the link seems to have gone again - so it's back to dossing around on the sofa.
 

Before we catch up with any Fringe news - supposing we do - here's a link to a Buxton-themed Blog I came across today. It won't appeal to everyone but we Bloggers need to stick together so in the spirit of Blogradeship (see if we can get this new word into the Oxford dictionary this lifetime) I offer it up:
http://europeanfootballweekends.blogspot.com/2011/03/buxton-v-fc-halifax-town.html

Anyway Buxton Fringe is temporarily resting with 73 entries for this July - the closing date is just 38 days away, which is considerably sooner than the start of the 2012 Olympics so you won't have to contain your excitement for too much longer.

Day One of the Fringe does feature a strong medal contestant though. And it's not in Buxton either. At The Packhorse Inn, Crowdecote - where they do very decent food - you can see and hear poetry legends Roy Fisher and Ian McMillan. So that's Wednesday, July 6th, 7.30-9.30. Crowdecote is south of Buxton on the A515. You'll probably need a car - and a driver who won't drink.

You've got no excuse for missing an exhibition of painting and photography in Buxton itself. Alan Bailey has been part of the Fringe since the very beginning - and chaired the Fringe Festival for many years. I first met hime about 20 years ago when he sang, accompanied by a pianist, as well as exhibited his watercolours. I don't think Alan would mind my saying that his professional singing days are probably behind him now - but he does have a special birthday this year and is marking it with a new exhibition. He is sharing the space with his photographer daughter Judith Kelly and the exhibition is at 134 Green Lane. Check the programme for dates, hours and contact details.

On the Visual Arts front there are at least two other interesting events going on in Buxton homes. Kate Aimson is leading a textile mosaics workshop. You are invited to be inspired by Kate's design and pattern library, and make your own textile mosaic picture to take home. All materials and equipment provided. Lunch, tea/coffee also included. There are limited places, so for further details and to book, phone Kate on 01298 24897. The workshop will be at 4 Wyatville Avenue on 15-16 July, 10am to 4pm and costs £25.

Not from from Alan Bailery and Judith Kelly you'll find Dawn Featherstone displaying her work. Dawn's work includes prints and paintings with a strong local landscape influence.
13 Ecclesbourne Dr, Buxton. 16-17 July 11am to 4pm.

by Keith Savage - Published 17/03/2011

Old Friends

From Bergman's Summer With Monika (1953) - http://avaxhome.ws/video/genre/art_house/monika_by_bergman.html

A quick review of the current state of play for Fringe 2011 makes encouraging reading. At the end of February we had over 70 separate entries (with 200 performances and events scheduled over 19 days). This is a new record for that date - surpassing the 62 entries received by that date last year. On this basis we might reasonably expect 160 different shows when we reach the closing date on April 24th (Easter Sunday).

It is always pleasing to see Fringe stalwarts returning - Buxton in July wouldn't be the same withouit the likes of Jennie Ainsworth, the Young REC, the High Peak Orchestra and Partita to name just a few.

Jennie Ainsworth leads a gentle stroll around the northern slopes of the town retracing some of the landmarks associated with Vera Brittain who lived here with her family. Jennie always successfully evokes something of what it was to be in Edwardian Buxton.

The High Peak Orchestra - under the expert guidance of Andrew Hodkinson - always present a big, big programme. This year they offer three pieces - Borodin's Polotsvian Dances, Walton's Viola Concerto and Sibelius' 1st Symphony. St John's will be packed for that.

On a smaller scale Manchester-based Partita bring three separate programmes of Baroque and Renaissance song and music - two lunchtime recitals and an evening concert. Roger Child and his friends have been delighting Buxton audiences for 10 years or more and have justifiably built a loyal audience for their warm and expert singing and playing.

Martin Beard has been at the heart of much that is good about the Fringe in Buxton for 15 years or so. Writer, actor, producer, director, entrepreneur (well 4 out of 5 is pretty good) Martin brings energy, enthusiasm and a striving for excellence every year. For the third year he is working out of a marquee in the grounds of Poole's Cavern and two shows will be presented. Martin and the Young REC Theatre Company open with a comedy by a promising playwright - the play is A Midsummer Night's Dream. Later in the Fringe there will be the premiere of a new piece by Martin. Lunar Tics concludes a trilogy about a Scottish clan, extra terrestrials and sundry nonsense. You know it will be fun for all the family.

For full details of all these events go the Programme pages on the website: www.buxtonfringe.org.uk

While you are there take a bit of time to check out some of those others returning to the Fringe - the Amaretti Chamber Orchestra, the Manchester Recorder Orchestra, City of Manchester Opera, Margaret Ferguson and Jonathan Ellis are all returning with music and song. We'll be previewing their shows in the next few weeks.

by Keith Savage - 10/03/2011

Venue 74 - and 75 on the way?

Martin Beard of the REC Theatre and formerly of Nice Venue, Venue 21

Each Fringe venue has a name and a number. The numbers are a convenient shorthand and if people are aware of them then that will probably be because of the reference to venues by number on the Fringe town map. We now have over 70 numbered venues - though not all are 'live'. Venue 21 was Nice Venues at The Clubhouse but that hasn't been used for a couple of years - and is unlikley to be used in that way again. No 21 has been 'retired' though as a matter of respect . No 69 hasn't been used - it might seem more unlucky than 13 - who knows?

Anyway this small Fringe history lesson is a preamble to the exciting confirmation that there is a major new venue - number 74. The Arts Centre Studio isn't new to the people of Buxton - being part of recently opened Pavilion Arts Centre - the old Paxton Suite. Anyway the 93 seat studio space will provide Underground Venues - who are managing it in addition to the Pauper's Pit and the Barrel Room - room to accommodate more shows and will enable them to attract performers who want a slightly bigger working space. It will be a few weeks before bookings are confirmed but as soon as acts are booked the Fringe website will tell you.

Fringe venue 75 may not be far behind. Close reading of the Spring 2011 edition of the free glossy mag Pure Buxton tells us that the new managers - Judy Dyer and Alan Shanks - of the Charles Cotton Hotel, Hartington are looking to put on events if "suitable performers can be found". They have Sunday jazz brunches at the Charles Cotton, so if it something jazz-inflected that Judy and Alan are looking for then violinist Graham Clark would fit the bill. Graham is hot-hot-hot at the moment and playing on Monday nights at the Queen's Head just off Buxton Market Place.

The Fringe picks up some more plugs in Pure Buxton. Zoe Keeling from the shop Muzik is positive about all things Buxton and local ceramic artist Caroline Chouler Tissier name check the Fringe at least four times. We love you Caroline!

Finally - and this is huge - there will be a big show at the Pavilion Arts Centre on Friday, June 10th. Fringe First will showcase performers from the last couple of Fringes and will also see the official launch of the Fringe 2011 programme. Expect the line-up to be finalised shortly - you'll want tickets anyway, obviously.

by Keith Savage - Published 13/02/2011

Plugging the Underground

Almost half of the Fringe - measured in terms of entries - will take place at Underground Venues which is managed by Buxton Old Boys Tom, Yaz and Mike (also known as Three's Company when they are wearing their actor hats rather than wielding the swords of entrepreneurship). In the event most of the real work is done by a crew of young and talented people but T, Y and M didn't get where they are today by letting other people take the credit. Anyway in the next couple of days Underground Venues (UV) will be confirming the spaces they are using for Fringe 2011 and will be opening for entries.

If Buxton Fringe is new to you it might just be worth clarifying that most of UV's events take place underground in the cellars of the Old Hall Hotel . The Barrel Room is a redbrick vault with its own bar and is the hub of much discussion and a little drinking throughout the Fringe. The Pauper's Pit is a 40 seat theatre - almost by definition it is intimate and there is no where for performers to hide. Anyway keep your eyes on what is happening at Underground Venues through their website (and yes Facebook and twitter)   http://undergroundvenues.co.uk/

In the real world of Fringe 2011 the latest entry is another one for the Methodist Church - the Sheffield Chorale will be presenting a programme including Rutter, Delius, Shearing and Kern on Saturday July 9th - from 4.00 - 5.45pm. Even at this early stage with just 17 entries in (against 11 at the same time last year which turned out to be a record-breaking year) you could have a mini-festival of song and music at the Methodist Church at the beginning of the Fringe. So far the Diary for 6-9 July looks like this:

Wednesday 6 Jul
 3:00pm to 4:00pm ... Selfmade Music: THE POET'S WAY: Music ... Buxton Methodist Church

Thursday 7 Jul
 3:00pm to 4:00pm ... Selfmade Music: THE POET'S WAY: Music ... Buxton Methodist Church

Friday 8 Jul
 3:00pm to 4:00pm ... Selfmade Music: THE POET'S WAY: Music ... Buxton Methodist Church
  8:00pm to 9:00pm ... sovereign saxophone octet: PIECES FOR EIGHT: Music ... Buxton Methodist Church

Saturday 9 Jul
  2:00pm to 4:00pm ... ABF The Soldiers' Charity: BUXTON MILITARY TATTOO: Other Events ... University of Derby Buxton - Dome
2:30pm to 3:30pm ... Angela Rowley & James Pelham: MUSIC FOR A WHILE: Music ... United Reformed Church - Room 1
 4:00pm to 5:45pm ... Sheffield Chorale: MUSIC TO HEAR: Music ... Buxton Methodist Church
  6:00pm to 8:30pm ... ABF The Soldiers' Charity: BUXTON MILITARY TATTOO: Other Events ... University of Derby Buxton - Dome
 7:30pm to 9:30pm ... Ladybrook Singers with Ailsa Hoyle and Miriam Brown: SUMMER SERENADE: Music ... Buxton Methodist Church

by Keith Savage - Published 06/02/2011

Summer delights

Girl with orange balloon - by Michael Clement and published in the Guardian on January 22nd

Three new entries to report from the last week or so - all look to be totally delightful and all at the Buxton Methodist Church which is always a good venue.

Making a welcome return to the Fringe are Susie Self and Michael Christie. Susie was voted best vocal performer at last year's Fringe and she'll be accompanied by Michael on the cello in what looks like a multi-media event. With photographs; words by Hardy, Shaw and Joyce; music by Elgar and Ireland (and others) they will telling of John Drinkwater's travels in Georgian England. Performances on the first three days of the Fringe - 6-8 July.

On July 9th there is a one-off Summer Seranade by local musicians and singers. Alison Bletcher will be conducting the Ladybrook Singers and Ailsa Hoyle (violin) and Miriam Brown (cello) will be making music. Many of these splendid people were part of one of Fringe 2009's highlights. This is sure to be an evening of musical warmth.

On July 22nd there will be a lunchtime recital with tenor Timothy Kennedy accompanied by pianist Catherine Hall-Smith. Entitled Songs of Romance the centrepiece of the recital is Schumann's song cycle Liederkreis, op. 39. The Methodist Church is going to be hosting some happy musical hours this July.

Elsewhere Buxton people seem bidding to take over the various pages of the Saturday Guardian. Last week included the photograph by Michael Clement displayed above. This week has two letters. John McGrother succeeds in letting people know of the mixed emotions involved in watching Rotherham United.
Hollow laughter is one response to the dilemmas created by the London-based trough-snouting tendency (Dome, Wembley, Olympics), for whom the easy way is always to pour local concrete than to invest in what the country needs. However, as a Rotherham season-ticket holder, currently observing the beautiful game across eight lanes of an athletics stadium, I should advise West Ham supporters that they would regret losing the smell of the wintergreen and the roar of the crowd.
John McGrother

This week's other football story is discussed by a number of writers including Ian Jefferson who pleads for freedom to have illiberal prejudices.
Your coverage of the Graygate saga, as a disciple of Jill Tweedie and Mary Stott, appals me. Professional football is riddled with prejudices and always has been. But the nature of the game, for fans, is about tribal allegiance and passion; sadly, perhaps, such traits and attitudes can encourage the "dark forces" of humanity. Do we wish to have matches played out in a theatre to polite applause?
This country should permit the freedom to have illiberal prejudices. There is a world of difference between private remarks, however offensive, caught off-air and attempts to disseminate such opinions. And "banter" is a rather more sophisticated method of communication than first meets the ear. Views expressed in "private clubs" often represent long-established conventions of what is expected to be said, when many present, in different environments, would hold different views and, crucially, not act in ways that might be expected.
Ian Jefferson

by Keith Savage - Published 29/01/2011