Artsbeat November 2019

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artsbeatblog.com

November 2019

Early winter highlights

City double bill: Ghosts & Film Nigel Slater on Toast Celebrating the arts in Derbyshire and the Peak District

A unique Christmas shopping destination Full details on our website including Christmas entertainment dates

A courtyard of British craftsmanship – Bespoke furniture and lighting, original artwork and picture framing, jewellery and ceramics, textiles and automata. Wood and metalwork.

Hair and beauty salons. Tearoom, deli and paint a pot.

Most of the workshops and shops are open 11-4pm Tuesday to Sunday. Closed Mondays.

Please check website for individual opening times. Telephone 01332 864863.

Staunton Harold, Ashby de la Zouch, Leicestershire. LE65 1RW

www.ferrerscentre.co.uk

www.facebook.com/ferrerscentre

CTP Pantomimes Ltd and Buxton Opera House present

Thursday 12 December 2019 – Wednesday 1 January 2020

Written & directed by

PHILIP DART Musical Director & Arrangements

ADAM GERBER Choreographer

TRACEY ILIFFE

n Shannon Flyn eet,

tion Str Corona Road and o o Waterl ani’s Castle D ’s C B B C erella as Cind

Call our friendly Box Office team on 01298 72190 or visit www.buxtonoperahouse.org.uk

James Holmes

‘Clive’ from BBC’s Miranda as Ugly Sister Ivana

Tickets fro m

£18.50

The Open Studio Event for Derbyshire

Opening for applications from artists and makers 22nd October 2019 – 15th January 2020 For more information www.derbyshireopenarts.co.uk

Or email: info@derbyshireopenarts.plus.com

contents 46

47 42 In conversation

Music

9 COVER STORY: Painter Peter Watson’s award-winning landscapes 42 Nigel Slater talks about seeing his childhood memoirs as a stage play 46 Yuka Jourdain is making a name for herself with her colourful jewellery

53-57 To catch the best of the music this month check out our listings

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Stage 47-51 Theatre, dance, comedy and storytelling on a stage near you artsbeat November 2019

editor’s letter

31 9

Gallery 25-30 The best exhibitions from across Derbyshire and beyond

Film & Photography 13 Ken Loach at city film festival 31 David Keep captures the action artsbeat November 2019

November is one of my favourite artsbeat months of the year, as there’s just so much going on.

The street festivals have all come and gone but now the galleries and studios come into their own with annual events to mark the festive season.

With the long, dark evenings to fill there is no excuse not to snuggle up in the cinema and watch a good movie. Drama groups are also lining up to stage their winter productions.

There is so much going on in Derbyshire this month I have struggled to Amanda Penman fit it all into the space I have in the magazine.

One of the highlights of the month must be the Q&A with legendary film director Ken Loach at Derby QUAD and there is also Dr John Cooper Clarke on stage at Buxton Opera House and the Banks Mill Open Studios. So many events to choose from!

If you have anything planned for December or January remember to let me know by November 10 if you want it in artsbeat.

Please note the editorial/advertising booking deadline for the combined December/January edition is November 10. advertising: advertising@arts-beat.co.uk editorial: editor@arts-beat.co.uk telephone: 07872 066719 post: 19 Nottingham Road, Belper DE56 1JG website: artsbeatblog.com While every effort is made to ensure listings are accurate and up-to-date, readers are advised to check with the venue before travelling, as no responsibility can be accepted for changes to programmes, errors or omissions. artsbeat2

@artsbeat

Putting Derbyshire first: artsbeat is published by Penman Publishing, 19 Nottingham Road, Belper and printed by Buxton Press

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Christmas Pop Up WITH CREATIVE COLOURS

SATURDAY 23RD NOVEMBER 1PM - 4PM

Perfect gifts for Christmas from 8 local businesses & our Christmas Shop.

Saturday 23rd November

GALLERY SHOP CREATIVE MEETING SPACE West Studios Christmas shop launches on Wednesday 23rd November.

Extended Opening hours: - 2nd November 10am - 3pm - 9th & 10th November 10am - 4pm - 16th November 10am - 3pm - 23rd & 24th November 10am - 4pm - 7th & 8th December 10am - 4pm Closed for Christmas: 21st December - 6th January

Sheffield Road, Chesterfield, S41 7LL 01246 500799 www.weststudios.ac.uk hello@weststudios.co.uk

Derby Arena Sat 7 Dec – Sat 4 Jan £32.75 – £14.75

8

Winter Pottery Workshops WITH MARTHA BRAMWELL

SUNDAY 8TH DEC 1PM - 4:15PM

Festive, family-friendly 1hr ceramics sessions. learn the art of slab-building your own mug.

Afternoon tea & ceramics for sale in support of social project, The Make Bank.

 00  8 5 5 2 332 uk | 01 . o c . e v i derbyl artsbeat November 2019

A SENSE OF ACHIEVEMENT Landscape artist Peter Watson chats to artsbeat’s Amanda Penman

W

ith a hard work ethic and a natural downto-earth charm Peter Watson is an artist who wholeheartedly deserves the plaudits he receives for his landscape paintings.

It’s been a long time coming for Peter as for more than 40 years he hid his light under a bushel while working as a sign writer for the Derby and Burton Co-operative Society and latterly sign making and installation for Central England Co-operative.

artsbeat November 2019

However five years ago, as retirement loomed, his wife Linda encouraged him to rekindle his art so that he had another outlet for his creative skills.

A spare bedroom in their cute cottage at Bradley, near Ashbourne, was turned into a studio and he hasn’t looked back since.

One of the first times his landscapes were revealed to the public was at the 2015 Melbourne Festival where

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FRI 22 - SUN 24 NOV 2019

BANKS MILL

OPEN STUDIOS BROWSE FIVE FLOORS OF CREATIVE STUDIOS

Visit Banks Mill during our Open Studios event to meet over 50 artists, designers, makers and creative service providers.

Fri 22nd Nov 5pm - 8pm Sat 23rd & Sun 24th Nov 10am - 5pm

For more info, visit: banksmill-openstudios.co.uk Banks Mill Studios 71 Bridge Street Derby DE1 3LB 01332 597 866 banksmill@derby.ac.uk FOLLOW US:

‘

I love going to festivals and talking to people about my work he was thrilled to sell eight paintings. Spurred on by such positive feedback and with more persuasion from Linda (who clearly is one of his biggest fans) he then entered the Derbyshire Life Landscape Painter of the Year in 2016.

“I didn’t think for one minute I would win it, but I did, and it is one of the proudest moments in my life,” said Peter.

“What is a little sad, I guess, is that my skills had been lying dormant for all those years. Part of me regrets not having started painting sooner but now my passion has been rekindled I am making up for lost time.”

Peter eventually retired from the Co-op in 2018 and since then he has been painting full time and attending more and more art festivals.

“I really love going to the festivals and talking to people about my work,” he explained.

“I like the idea of knowing who has bought a particular painting. I feel a certain sense of achievement when someone likes something I have painted enough to hang it on their wall and is even better to have met them.”

The artist says he was keen on painting and drawing as a teenager and loved his art lessons at school in Derby but didn’t really do so well in other subjects.

“I neglected my studies at school and at 16, not knowing what to do, I attended Derby School of Art, Green Lane, Derby, to study A-level art – that changed things for me. artsbeat November 2019

Clockwise from top: Crows in Cornfield, Ashbourne Festival and Blue Boat, Brancaster Previous page: Bradley in the Snow

“I eventually went on to take a Diploma in Art at the Derby College of Art specialising in graphic design.

“I thought that would give me better job prospects at the time and that’s how I ended up at the Co-op as a sign writer. I enjoyed my job and over the years saw many changes but I have to say I don’t miss it now.

I couldn’t be happier. What I am doing now is purely me and I love it.”

Peter uses mainly acrylics on either board or canvas and artsbeat November 2019

mainly takes his inspiration from the Derbyshire landscape on his doorstep – although he also paints coastal scenes when he is on holiday.

“Living here means I have plenty of opportunity to rush out and sketch if the weather conditions suddenly change.

“I am out in all weathers, but I particularly like the winter, not just because of snow but also because of the shapes created by the bare bones of trees. You don’t have to go anywhere fancy to find inspiration there

is more than enough to paint here.

“When painting en-plein-air I always work at speed. I like to capture the moment in one session, which is what I think gives my paintings the vibrancy and special atmosphere I like to create.” n To find out more about Peter’s work go to peterwatsonartist.co.uk. Some of his work is exhibited at Duffield Gallery in Belper as a resident artist and he regularly exhibits at Ingleby Gallery.

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E X H I B I T I O N F E ATU RI NG ART WO RK S AND SCULPTURE FRO M 9 AR T IST S AN D DESIGN ER S

Lyndsey Selley, Chris Clements, Jonathan Melling, Helen Parsley, Jenny Aitken, Paul Talbot-Greaves, Christine Cummings, David Meredith and Dave Coulter.

2 N D N O V E M B E R T H R O U G H TO C H R I S T M A S E V E Preview Evening Friday 1st November. Join us for a glass of bubbly from 7pm.

4 Market Street, Whaley Bridge, High Peak, Derbyshire, SK23 7LP. Tel:01663 732273. www.jar vagaller y.com

The Christmas Collection

10 November– 24 December 2019 Paintings Prints Sculpture Ceramics Glass Jewellery

WWW.GALLERYTOP.CO.UK

Gallerytop Chatsworth Road Rowsley Derbyshire DE4 2EH info@gallerytop.co.uk 01629 735580

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artsbeat November 2019

LEGENDARY DIRECTOR IN FESTIVAL HOT-SEAT

F

ilm director Ken Loach is to be the special guest at this year’s Derby Film

Festival.

A significant figure in the film industry over the past 50 years, Ken will open the festival with a Q&A and screening of his new film Sorry We Missed You on November 14 at 6pm.

Adam Marsh, Derby Film Festival Director and QUAD Cinema programmer, said: “We are really honoured to welcome Ken Loach as our special guest this year. ” Following on from Loach’s Palme D’Or winning, I, Daniel Blake, Sorry We Missed You is a topical look at the zero-hours contracts culture – shining a spotlight on the working class and those lost in the injustices of the system.

Rigorously researched via off-the-records interviews, the film depicts the ruinous cost of zero-hours contract with gut-wrenching honesty and integrity.

A furious and heart-breaking film, it offers a rigorous and damning critique of our artsbeat November 2019

unequal system; showing how it unscrupulously exploits people, especially those from lower socio-economic backgrounds, and robs them of dignity, agency and hope for change.

Now in its sixth edition, Derby Film Festival 2019, which runs from November 14-18, features other guests, one-off events and film previews.

It includes 26 new films from many genres and more than 50 short films – in total boasting

more than 80 films from 17 different countries.

On the Saturday and Sunday the festival’s sister event, Paracinema, will be presenting films that span the genres on the outskirts of cinema.

One of the other highlights of the festival is a oneoff screening of Alfred Hitchcock’s silent classic Blackmail with a live score composed and played by Neil Brand at Derby Cathedral on November 15 at 7pm.

Neil is the UK’s most acclaimed silent film accompanist, as well as BBC4 presenter with his programmes Sound Of Cinema, The Music That Made The Movies and Sound Of Song.

A highpoint of Alfred Hitchcock’s early films and Blackmail, his last silent film, is a rich evocation of London Life in 1920s.

Neil Brand will also be in QUAD to lead a workshop on Scoring Music to Silent Film on November 16 at 12 noon. n For a full line-up of events go to derbyquad.co.uk

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The Peacock at Rowsley

Professional framer for 21 years offering expert advice.

Artists’ range of moulding available.

Celebrate a wonderful festive season with friends, family and work colleagues at The Peacock at Rowsley this Christmas.

Throughout December, we’ll be serving a range of menus, from a private party lunch to a festive a la carte and tasting menu, as well as Christmas, Boxing Day and New Year’s Day menus and a special tasting menu on New Year’s Eve.

n Fine art prints & cards n Fine art photography n National Railway Museum posters

Enjoy a warm, festive atmosphere, with exceptional service and plenty of Christmas cheer!

Monday to Saturday 10am-5pm, closed Wednesday 22 Market Place, Wirksworth, DE4 4ET

Tel: 01629 824994

Call 01629 733518 Email reception@thepeacockatrowsley.com Artsbeat Turners Advert 2015_Artsbeat Turners Advert 13/01/2015 11:47 Page 1

wirksworthframing.co.uk

Proud to support local and British made products including pads, paint and portfolios Stockists of Daler-Rowney | Winsor & Newton Derwent | Koh-I-Noor | Royal Langnickel Reeves | Lyra | Wabbo | Montana and many more all at internet prices!

Young to Old, Amateur to Artist For all your art needs at discounts up to 50%

www.turnersart.co.uk

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Turners Ltd, Old Station Yard, Old Station Road, Rowsley, Matlock, Derbyshire DE4 2EL Tel: 01629 735 785

artsbeat November 2019

arena

All the latest news from the Derbyshire arts community Imran Qureshi’s monumental work comes to Derby

T

he winter exhibition in QUAD Gallery in Derby will feature an artwork made from over 30,000 pieces of paper.

The immense and astonishing paper mountain entitled They Still Seek the Traces of Blood is an installation by Imran Qureshi – arguably one of the most renowned artists to emerge from Pakistan in the past 20 years.

If you scan the QR code, below right, you can see and hear him talking about his work and the meaning behind the installation.

Qureshi’s exhibition will include not only the sitespecific installation, but also recent works on canvas; the UK premier of new video works and offer an insight into the world of contemporary

artsbeat November 2019

Imran Qureshi one of Pakistan’s most renowed artists who is to exhibit at Derby QUAD over the winter

miniature painting – the medium for which the artist is most celebrated.

The exhibition will be on display in QUAD Gallery One from November 30-February 9.

Qureshi will lead a gallery tour on November 30 from noon.

Attendance is free.

The exhibition will also showcase work by six young contemporary miniature painters currently studying under Quershi at the National College of Art in Lahore. They are Aliya Kazim, Altamash, Hamida, Hamna Khalid, Hira Asim and Natalia Ashraf.

Seven emerging miniature painting artists from Lahore: Shah Abdullah, Fizza Hussain,

Syed Hussain, Sajid Khan, Zarina Khan, Tahir Ali Sadiq and Eesha Suhail will also be present and working in QUAD Gallery, which will be transformed into a Maktab (school in Arabic) painting studio, from November 29-December 10.

The artists will be making new works together with a group of artists from the UK, which will then become part of the exhibition.

Exhibition previews take place on November 29 from 6.30pm.

For more details go to derbyquad. co.uk

15

n arena Fringe benefit BUXTON Fringe has revealed that this year’s event resulted in approximately 12,890 tickets being sold, a 43 per cent increase on 2018.

And they claim combined audience and performer spending resulted in a nearly £350,000 contribution to the local economy.

The three managed venues had a particularly busy year, as did the 40 free events with the estimated total audience figure across the Fringe being 18,362, up six per cent on last year.

Next year’s Fringe, from July 1-19 is already being planned and the Fringe website www. buxtonfringe.org.uk is opening for entries on December 1.

A discounted entry fee will be available until the end of February.

Refugee project DERBYSHIRE Refugee Solidarity has started a music project to enable refugees to find expression through singing and playing instruments.

They are appealing for donations of any unwanted instruments particularly guitars and hand percussion.

They are also looking for laptops to be used for DJ-ing.

If you have time to spare and can teach skills with an instrument that too would be welcome too.

You can contact Sue on 07818405766.

Derbyhsire Refugee Solidarity was set up four years ago and has 45 volunteers who meet every Thursday and Saturday mornings at St Anne’s Church Hall, in Derby.

Visit the group’s website derbyshirerefugeesolidarity. org to find out more ways you can help.

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BUXTON International Festival has been nominated in this year’s UK Theatre Awards for its world premiere of Georgiana, the story of the life and scandalous times of the Duchess of Devonshire.

The critically-acclaimed production was especially commissioned for the Festival’s 40th anniversary programme this year, and was written and produced by a team led by festival chief executive Michael Williams.

History volume

Opera nominated The winner will be announced on October 27 at a glittering show business party in London’s Guildhall.

The other nominees are Welsh National Opera and Leeds-based Opera North.

“We are very proud to be competing against these companies,” said Michael.

“This confirms Buxton’s place in the top rankings of British opera.”

A NEW book about Matlock Bath has been published by the Derwent Valley Mills Heritage Educational Trust, and is available from Cromford Mills shop and the Visitor Gateway, Strutt’s North Mill, Belper and some local bookshops.

The book, complied by Christopher Charlton and Doreen Buxton, is the story of Matlock Bath from its origin in the late seventeenth century to the recent past.

The authors wrote a previous book about Cromford and the Arkwright family.

For more details go to derwentvalleymills.org artsbeat November 2019

n arena Wildlife in focus GORDON Buchanan, who presented Equator From The Air on BBC 2, will be on stage at Chesterfield’s Winding Wheel on November 3.

The television wildlife cameraman and presenter will share an insight into his 25-year career.

He will share personal recollections of his globetrotting travels accompanied by his own film footage and photography and offering the audience an opportunity to ask questions.

For tickets go to chesterfieldtheatres.co.uk

New Year Viva TICKETS are now on sale for award-winning Sinfonia Viva’s New Year’s Eve gala concert entitled Dance to the Music of Time at The Royal Concert Hall, Nottingham.

Led by principal guest conductor Nicholas Kok, they will be joined for showcase numbers by soprano Aoife Miskelly.

It is on from 6-8.15pm so there is plenty of time for the audience to continue their New Year celebrations Buy tickets at www.trch.co.uk

Dan’s the man DAN Whitehouse, right, has joined Derby Theatre in the new role of creative producer, a role that will specifically focus and lead on Producing Hubs, a project to support and strengthen the performing arts sector in the local area.

Dan has more than ten years creative production and project management experience, working across a range of art forms and artsbeat November 2019

engaging with a variety of audiences from different creative and cultural backgrounds.

Dan will work closely with the theatre’s chief executive and artistic director, Sarah Brigham.

The theatre will use funding from Arts Council England to create new work with audiences and communities at its heart, working closely with partners from the city and beyond.

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Cromford Studio and Gallery Featured artist for November

HADDON HALL Bakewell, Derbyshire, DE45 1LA

“Experience Christmas” at Haddon Hall 1st-23rd Dec

Mercatum, Haddon Hall’s Winter Artisan Market 13th – 17th Nov

Mark Beresford

Oil paintings of Sea, Land and City Open: 10am-5pm Wednesday to Sunday Market Place, Cromford, DE4 3QE 01629 826434

derwentgallery Fine Art Paintings of the Peak District Exhibition November 1st-January 27th Landscape Paintings of the Derbyshire Peaks and Dales

VIP Evening 12th Nov

Visit www.haddonhall.co.uk for more details info@haddonhall.co.uk | 01629 812 855

Open Wednesday to Saturday 11am-4pm, Sunday 1pm-4pm

Main Road, Grindleford, S32 2JN www.derwentgallery.com

John Connolly Art Commissions, workshops and one-to-one tuition

Award-winning traditional Peak District Pub SERVING CHRISTMAS LUNCH AND DINNER THROUGHOUT DECEMBER Telephone 01298 83288 see www.peakvenues.co.uk for details

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Ormscliffe Studio – Gallery

open by appointment 16 Langwith Road, Bolsover S44 6HQ 07967-316622 email: john@connollyart.com

www.connollyart.com artsbeat November 2019

n arena Award finalist ANNA-LOUISE Pickering has been named as a finalist in the prestigious national Animal Star Awards.

She has been selected from a field of over 50 entries for the shortlist in the Lifetime Achievement category.

Anna-Louise, daughter of the late wildlife artist Pollyanna, is an acclaimed writer, photographer and conservationist. She co-founded the Pollyanna Pickering Foundation, a non-profit organisation which campaigns to prevent the exploitation of wildlife.

New face at helm QUAD in Derby has a new chairman of its board of directors. Brian Walsh has replaced Professor Judith Lamie, from The University of Derby, who has stepped down.

Brian said: “I am delighted to taking over from Judith.

Supported by a progressive and forward-thinking board, we will continue to encourage all residents of Derby and beyond to visit QUAD and experience first-hand the inclusive and welcoming atmosphere as well as having a good time.”

Hidden histories AT MATLOCK’S Storytelling Cafe this month Saul Jaffe will be talking about the tales behind some of our favourite pantomimes.

Do these sound familiar – from out of the East Anglian woods two young children emerge, green-skinned, babbling a strange language; In Gloucestershire, a povertystricken boy heads to London with dreams of making his artsbeat November 2019

fortune; while out on the dust filled plains of New Mexico, a poor turkey girl disobeys her instruction to be back from the ball before midnight, with disastrous consequences.

Oh No It Isn’t! reveals the origins of some of the those stories and even a Christmas carol or two at the Imperial Rooms, Imperial Road, Matlock, on November 1, at 7.30pm. For more details visit the cafe’s Facebook page.

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You are Invited to an Exhibition in Celebration of the work of

Pollyanna Pickering Inspired by Nature

.

16th – 24th November 10am – 6pm (Admission Free) The Gallery Brookvale House Oker Matlock DE4 2JJ

(AA Signposted)

01629 55851

www.pollyannapickering.co.uk

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artsbeat November 2019

Searching for the supernatural or looking for a little fright relief?

Adam LG Nevill

Laura Purcell

DERBY IS DEAD CENTRE

A

weekend celebration of one of the most beloved forms of fiction – the ghost story is being staged in Derby – reputedly one of the UK’s most haunted cities, at the end of the month.

From the classics of Charles Dickens and MR James to modern favourites such as The Woman in Black, The Little Stranger and more, the ghost story has long fascinated audiences and the organiser of The UK Ghost Story Festival Alex Davis says he has always been a massive fan.

“Running something like this has always been on the ‘bucket list’ of ambitions for me. This also feels like the perfect time, because we’re seeing a growing interest in the field,” he said.

“I think you can put this down to the amount of exciting new writing talent emerging, as well as a fresh interest in supernatural tales on TV and film.

“For this festival we’ve endeavoured to take in both artsbeat November 2019

the page and the screen and we hope there’ll be something for everyone whether you’re a reader, viewer or aspiring writer of ghost stories.

“I’m incredibly happy with the line-up for our opening year, and can’t wait for the end of November to come around.”

There will be a host of readings, author interviews, talks, film screenings, workshops and much more, taking place from November 26 to December 1 in various venues in the city.

The authors signed up so far include Adam LG Nevill and Laura Purcell as well as Derbyshire’s own Sophie Draper.

Adam is one of the UK’s finest writers of supernatural and folk horror and burst onto the scene with the acclaimed ghost story Banquet for the Damned.

Since then he has published further popular titles such as Apartment 16, The Ritual (produced as a film for Netflix), Last Days and No One Gets Out Alive.

He is a three time winner of the August Derleth Award for Best Horror Novel. He will be reading from his latest novel, The Reddening, as well as taking audience questions and signing copies of his books after the session.

Laura is another of the most exciting new names in the ghost story field for many years. Her 2017 novel The Silent Companions was a huge hit with audiences, winning the WH Smith Thumping Good Read Award in 2018. Her second novel, The Corset, also achieved widespread acclaim.

She will be talking about her latest novel, Bone China, already drawing rave reviews and comparisons to the legendary Daphne Du Maurier. n For more details about the weekend’s events go to derbyquad.co.uk and click on events.

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Putting the ‘Fine’ back into Fine Art

Work by internationally acclaimed artists James Preston, Colin Halliday, James Brereton and more.

Bronze sculptures by Eddie Hallam.

Jewellery by Beth Sharliss.

Open Tuesday to Saturday 10am-4pm 7, Bridge Street, Belper, Derbyshire, DE56 1AY Telephone: 01773 827508 Follow us on Instagram

CREATIVITY

Above: Melanie Dawes of Lillie Rose Accessories, right: collage artist Kirstie Adamson Facing page, clockwise from top right: A seascape

by Patrick Prentice, jewellery by Jane Orton, upholstery in action, colourful work by Abbie Sunter and Clare Morgan’s Upsurge

www.duffieldartgallery.co.uk 22

artsbeat November 2019

THRIVING AT BANKS MILL Anniversary event sees celebration of artistic success at city’s creative hub

B

anks Mill Studios, the University of Derby’s incubation centre for creative industries is celebrating its 20th anniversary this month.

Over the past two decades, Banks Mill has supported more than 382 businesses, 135 of which were gradutes of the University of Derby.

The building, which now supports 72 creatives, was officially opened in October 1999 by Dr Michael Porter, a renowned UK and international artist who has won numerous major awards, including an Honorary Doctorate from the University of Derby.

As part of the celebrations for this milestone anniversary there will be an Open Studios event from November 22-24, where you can to see work from over 50 different artists, designers, makers and creative services providers.

Karen Holland, co-ordinator at Banks Mill, said: “At the event you can find out how our artists create their unique designs and products as well as buy original work, something that can’t be experienced on the high street.

“To keep our youngest visitors engaged we also have an arts trail for them to follow too.”

You can also meet creative artsbeat November 2019

service businesses to discuss how they can work with you.

One artist you can meet is Magdalena Aron who has recently moved into Banks Mill running Minoan Mosaic Studio. With a background in ceramics, a BA (Hons) degree and teaching experience Magdalena will be offering all-ability workshops and classes in mosaic art for adults and children from her new studio.

Melanie Dawes is also another new artist to the studios.

Melanie is in the early stages of her new business making bespoke headbands.

After having several requests from friends for her designs she decided to take the

plunge and now has her own studio running Lillie Rose Accessories.

Such is the diversity within the Mill, you can also meet Alexey Morozov, who came to the UK from Latvia in 2014 to study at the University of Derby. A young and vibrant fashion designer, Alexey combines creative talent with the development of a variety of materials to create his collections.

The studios, formerly a rope and tarpaulin factory owned by the Banks family, are open on November 22 from 5pm-8pm and November 23 and 24 from 10am-5pm. n To find out more go to banksmill-openstudios.co.uk

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ART BY LOR BIRD

Contemporary Artist

Paintings, commissions, workshops, tuition and jewellery Studio at Matlock open by appointment lorbird14@gmail.com 07914757134 http://lorbird.wixsite.com/artbylorbird Could you please include the following: Art by Lor Bird (title and logo) Paintings, commissions, workshops, tuition and jewellery Studio at Matlock open by appointment 07914757134 lorbird14@gmail.com http://lorbird.wixsite.com/artbylorbird

Wildlife Sculpture Exhibition

by Eddie Hallam

A breathtaking range of life-size sculptures in bronze, from mighty gannets to tiny wrens

November 9th-24th 10.30am-4pm

Featuring original work by 40 High Peak artists & makers Paintings, textiles, contemporary jewellery, ceramics, photography, etchings, linocuts, glass, wood & more

Daily talks and demonstrations

(Always a friendly welcome outside these times – just telephone to check Eddie is around) Riber Art Gallery, Greenways Farm, Riber, Matlock, DE4 5JU 01629 583108 / 07714 418174

www.wildlifesculptures.co.uk 24

Gallery in the Gardens

Open daily 9.30am – 5.00pm Tel: 07849 673058 Pavilion Gardens, Buxton, High Peak, Derbyshire SK17 6BE

High Peak Artists w w w. g a l l e r y i n t h e g a r d e n s . c o. u k artsbeat November 2019

gallery

artsbeat previews this month’s stand-out exhibitions St John Street Gallery, Ashbourne

L

ewis Noble has invited a group of highly talented local artists, using both painting and ceramics to create their highly individual artwork, to join him for Lewis Noble and Friends – Broadening Horizons and New Trails.

Lewis, a renowned contemporary landscape painter, now also includes ceramics in his portfolio.

Although his images are of the real, earthy landscapes, he attempts to find a path between representational and expressive painting to convey a landscape that is still evolving.

Joining him will be ceramicist Mark Smith who draws his inspiration from the sea.

Objects he discovers on the shoreline become part of the story he tells: ships, boats, and wrecks are the main fabric of his work, made from clay patched together with the textures of salvaged metal and wood objects.

Exhibitions and galleries

Banks Mill, Bridge Street, Derby n Open Studios, November 22-24.

See more details on page 22.

Baslow Pottery, Baslow n The ceramics gallery displays original work from more than 20 local artists. Wednesday to Saturday, 10.30am-5.30pm and 11am-5pm on artsbeat November 2019

Andrew Bird’s paintings convey his love for the hustle and bustle of harbours and coastal life, as well as the rugged nature of the landscapes of Derbyshire and Cornwall.

Like Lewis, Heather Duncan is also both painter and ceramicist. Painting is the way she communicates her feelings or passions freely. Her pottery is her therapy. She approaches each new painting without

preconceived ideas and starts with a spontaneous application of broad washes of colour randomly picked.

Although abstract, her paintings are of real experiences in real landscapes, representing her own feelings.

The exhibition is on from November 23-December 7 with a meet the artists event on the 23rd, from 11am-3pm.

Sundays and bank holidays. More details at baslowpottery.co.uk.

artists. Owner Norman Tomlinson, exhibits his own work, and others such as Caroline Appleyard, David Alderman, Mike Connley and Judy Tomlinson. Open ThursdaySaturday 10.30am-5pm. Go to churchfarmgallery.co.uk for details.

Buxton Museum and Art Gallery n Limestone – The Shrouded Aesthetic by Steve Gresty, is a fine art photography exhibition on until November 16. Go to derbyshire.gov. uk for more information.

Church Farm Art Gallery, Baslow n The gallery is a showcase for both professional and talented amateur

The Circle Gallery, Rockingham Lane, Sheffield n Material Connections – Lettering work by Elizabeth Forrest. An

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n gallery exhibition of visually dramatic work exploring words, colour, surface and texture. The exhibition continues throughout the months of November and December. Please go to thecircle.sheffield.org.uk for opening times.

John Connolly’s Ormscliffe Studio-Gallery, Bolsover n More than 300 original paintings are on show at this personal studio and gallery in Bolsover. Go to connollyart.com for more details.

Cromford Gallery and Studio, Market Place, Cromford n The featured artist for November is Mark Beresford, a Sheffieldbased artist painting the city itself, reflecting many childhood memories He draws further inspiration from the landscape and skies of the Peak District and the Isles of Scilly. The gallery is open Wednesday-Sunday 10am-5pm. Go to cromfordstudioandgallery.weebly. com for details.

Déda, Chapel Street, Derby n The Dark Peak, a series of photographs detailing photographer Alison Lloyd’s personal encounter with nature. Exhibition launch October 31, 6.30-8pm. Itt runs until December 23. n The Ocean Inside Us, an exhibition of work by Derby artist Paul Johnstone. He will be performing live with his band the Raindogs at the launch on November 2, from 7pm-11pm.The exhibition runs until December 23.

More details at deda.uk.com The Derwent Gallery, Grindleford n Derwent Gallery Christmas Exhibition – Landscape Paintings of the Derbyshire Peaks and Dales, November 1-January 12. Dark Peak gritstone edges contrast with the White Peak limestone fields and dales in paintings by Kristan Baggaley, Gareth Buxton and Tim Hulley. The gallery is open 11am4pm Wednesday-Saturday and 1pm-4pm on Sundays. Telephone 01433 630458.

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Brookvale House, Oaker, Matlock THE work of the late wildlife artist Pollyanna Pickering will be celebrated in an exhibition to be staged in her private gallery at Brookvale House, Oaker, Matlock from November 16-24.

The Inspired by Nature exhibition will celebrate her life and the work inspired by her love of the natural world.

Visitors can view more than 50 original paintings on display to the public for the first time. Pollyanna’s daughter and business partner Anna-Louise will be on hand throughout and will be pleased to chat about the artwork.

Earlier this year Pollyanna was honoured with a posthumous award in recognition of her Outstanding Contribution Derby Museum and Art Gallery Giant spiders, dancing skeletons, winged goblins and hordes of ghostly warriors are among the subjects depicted in a display of striking 19th century woodblock prints, drawn from the Ashmolean Museum’s rich collection of Japanese art.

The exhibition, entitled Japanese Ghosts and Demons, includes 24 colourful ukiyo-e prints, including a number of dramatic multiple sheet images that have rarely been on public display before. This touring exhibition has been organised by the Ashmolean Museum, University of Oxford.Alongside it Derby has put on an exhibition of Japanese watercolours and prints from its own collection which focus on the beauty of nature. Both exhibitions are on until January 26. For more information go to derbymuseums.org

to Arts and Culture. The spectacular trophy takes the form of an angel-like figure, and was created in Italy.

It will be on display in the gallery.

There will also be more than 150 Christmas card designs, including the latest charity cards featuring designs by Pollyanna, fine art calendars of her work, a range of eco-friendly wrapping paper and a series of Christmas decorations.

For more details go to pollyannapickering.co.uk Duffield Gallery, 7 Bridge Street, Belper n Work by James Preston, Colin Halliday, Phil Dyke, James Brereton, Nick Walker, Lynn Smith, Peter Watson, Frank Wright, Jenny Aitken, Robin Mason, Ruth Gray, Mark Fox, Lynne Wilkinson, Mark Beresford and Martin Davis.

The gallery is open TuesdaySaturday, 10am-4pm and closed Sunday and Monday. For details go to duffieldartgallery.co.uk Ferrers Gallery, Ferrers Centre for Arts and Crafts, Staunton Harold n Merry and Bright – a festive exhibition of work celebrating the season from November 8-December 24. Work celebrating British craftsmanship in a variety of mediums.

For details go to ferrersgallery.co.uk artsbeat November 2019

n gallery Jarva Gallery, Whaley Bridge THE gallery’s Christmas exhibition features the work of nine artists and designers including the owner Lyndsey Selley, who is showing her work for the first time in ten years.

The other artist are Chris Clements, Jonathan Melling, Helen Parsley, Jenny Aitken, Paul Talbot-Greaves, Christine Cummings, David Meredith and Dave Coulter.

Jenny and Paul, who both write for The Artist magazine, are landscape artists.

Foxlowe Arts Centre, Stockwell Street, Leek n Small Worlds a group exhibition of small work depicting small things.

The seven artists and makers taking part are Richard Wade, Marie McGowan-Griffin, Peter Fox, Michela Griffith, Frances Naggs, Philip Proudlove and Sue Fox. Etchings by Richard Wade give his unique view of everyday subjects.

There will be raku-fired pots by Marie McGowan-Griffin, hardwood items of home décor by master craftsman Peter Fox (of Fox Country Furniture), and the landscapes of photographer Michela Griffith.

Three painters complete the show, with works of very different character – Frances Naggs brings nature to life with her joyful vibrant canvases, while Philip Proudlove excels at painterly scenes alive with light and atmosphere.

Sue Fox is exhibiting from her award-winning series of jewellike birds in bright landscapes.

From November 9-January 5. All are welcome at the Preview on November 8,from 7pm-8.30pm. n Staffordshire Contemporary artsbeat November 2019

Christine creates ceramic animal sculptures, while David Meredith works with bronze to make his wildlife sculptures.

Chris Clements is a classically trained painter and David Coulter’s paints Artist and Designer Fair, November 30-December 1, 10am-4pm.

Showcasing contemporary art, craft and design work.

The Foxlowe Gallery is open Wednesday to Saturday 10am4pm and the first Sunday of the month (11am-4pm). Further details atfoxloweartscentre.org.uk

gritty street scenes of Manchester.

Helen’s realistic-looking detailed paintings are in acrylic and Jonathan, who is a new artist to the gallery, works with charcoal to create his figurative pieces.

Those of you familiar with Lyndsey’s former wildlife paintings will be interested to see that her new works are figurative and that she has been.working in oils, charcoal and gold leaf.

The gallery has also expanded its silver and gold jewellery range so it will be showcased at this exhibitionThere is a preview on Friday November 1 and the exhibition runs up to Christmas Eve. Gallerytop, Rowsley n The gallery’s Christmas Show features new paintings by Kristan Baggaley, Richard Barrett and the still life artist Jill Barthorpe. Glass

by Thomas Petit and a range of ceramics. Open Tuesday-Saturday 10am-5pm and Sunday 11am-4pm.

Go to gallerytop.co.uk for details.

Heritage Centre, Wirksworth DERBYSHIRE artist Pete Gill is exhibiting paintings and prints at the Wirksworth Heritage Centre during December.

A recurring feature in his award-winning work is an interest in surface and structure.

“Landscape and in particular, the Derbyshire grit stone edges, offer the opportunity for continued exploration and experiment,” he said.

“I just enjoy making things, playing with natural structures and contemplating the outcome.”

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n gallery Gallery In a Shed, behind High Peak Bookstore and Cafe, Brierlow Bar Original oil and watercolour paintings

by Carole Knight, and photographs

by Phil James. Go to galleryinashed. wixsite.com for details.

Gallery 23, Union Road, New Mills n The gallery, open 10am-5pm, Monday to Saturday, exhibits travel photography by Peter Aitchison and mixed media work by Christine Ormsby.

For more information about workshops and exhibitions go to gallery23.co.uk Gallery in the Gardens, Buxton n The gallery at the heart of the Pavilion Gardens is the home of the High Peak Artists group. It contains the work of 43 artists and craftspeople. Go to galleryinthegardens.co.uk for details.

The Gallery, High Street, New Mills n The gallery is run collectively by 30 artists and showcases a variety of work including paintings, jewellery, silk scarves, ceramics and feltwork. Open 10am-4pm. Closed Wednesday and Sunday.

Green Door Printmaking Studio, Banks Mill, Derby n The International Print Exchange – a unique opportunity to see work from printmakers all around the world. The prints will be exhibited until November 9. The studios are open 11am-3pm, closed Tuesdays and Sundays. More details at greendoor-printmaking.co.uk The Green Man Gallery, Buxton n Elixor, A Celebration of Water by Contemporary Mix, until November 20. Paintings, textiles, mixed media and photography by Ann T Mann, Mary Worwood, Sue Gledhill and Suzanne Pearson. n The Winter Emporium, November 22-December 23.

For further information contact hello@thegreenmangallery.com or 01298 937375.

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Richard Whittlestone THE Richard Whittlestone Winter Exhibition opens on November 16 at his gallery on the Chatsworth estate.

Many new paintings and limited edition prints will be on show for the first time and these, together with a Haddon Hall, near Bakewell n A permanent exhibition exploring Haddon’s restoration and revival in the 1920s by the 9th Duke of Rutland. More details at haddonhall. co.uk Hallam Art Group, Hallam Community Centre, Sheffield Exhibition and sale, November 2-3, 10am-5pm, refreshments available.

Go to hallamartgroup.wordpress.com for more details.

Hall of Frames, King Street, Belper n Original and limited edition artwork from a variety of artists.

More details at hallofframes.co.uk High Stone Gallery, 2D Via Gellia Mill, Bonsall n Featuring the work of photographer Ian Daisley, the gallery displays a range of beautiful fine art prints of images of Derbyshire and The Peak District, along with other areas across the UK. There are open weekends on November 23, 30 and December 1, and then December 20-22, 10am-4pm. For more details go to highstonegallery.co.uk

large collection of greetings cards and the 2020 calendar, make the gallery well worth a visit.

Working in acrylics and oil, Richard draws much of his inspiration from the Peak District and especially the beautiful surroundings of the Chatsworth estate and the wildlife to be found there.

For more details go to richardwhittlestone.co.uk Ingleby Gallery, Ingleby n The gallery is open on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, 10am-5pm and weekends from noon-5pm. Go to ingleby-gallery. co.uk for details.

Isla Fine Art Cards and Gifts, 4b The Colonnade, Buxton n A gallery and gift shop with a beautiful range of work. The gallery area regularly features work by local artists. Go to Isla–Fine Art on facebook for more details.

Jarva Gallery, Market Street, Whaley Bridge n The gallery’s festive show starts on November 1 and will run until Christmas Eve. See more details on page 27. The gallery exhibits about 90 per cent British designers’ and artists’ work. Open Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, 9.30am-5pm, Wednesdays 9,30am-3pm, and Saturdays, 9.30am-4pm. For more details go to jarvagallery.com.

Leabrooks Arts Complex, Somercotes n The Gillian Woolley Swift artsbeat November 2019

n gallery The Old Lock Up Galllery, Cromford THE Gallery brings together a group of ten accomplished artists for its Winter Show.

An eclectic exhibition of representational and abstract paintings, a range of ceramics and bronze sculptures.

The exhibition opens on November 2, from 3pm6pm, when everyone will be welcome to join them for a glass of mulled wine.

The show continues until December 22. Open Friday-Sunday, 11-5pm.

Work by Peter Clayton will be part of the Winter Show at The Old Lock For further information visit Up Gallery in Cromford theoldlockupgallery.org exhibition, Sea to Shore, runs from November 2-29. It is a range of mixed media paintings which record the moods of the sea and coast throughout the seasons. There will be an opportunity to meet the artist on November,2, from 1pm until 4pm.

The gallery is open MondaySaturday, 10am-5pm and 11am3.30pm on Sundays. Wednesdays by appointment only. For details go to leabrooksartscomplex.com The Messy Hare, Crossley House, Burton upon Trent n A vibrant and creative gallery and coffee shop with almost 30 local artists on show. The coffee shop and gallery is open from 8am-5pm Tuesday to Saturday and 10am-4pm on Sundays. Go to messyharegallery.co.uk for more details.

Pots & Pix, Canalside Studio, Chase Road, Ambergate n This annual pre-Christmas At Home Open Studio event is a selling exhibition of Liz Tatam’s stoneware ceramics. The pottery includes domestic and decorative ware, mostly hand-thrown.

In addition, Friends of Cromford artsbeat November 2019

Canal Archivist Hugh Potter will be putting on a display of historic photographs and slide shows featuring the Cromford Canal through the ages. November 23 and 24, 11am - 5pm.Further details and directions at canalsidepotters.co.uk

The Old Lock Up Gallery, Swift’s Hollow, Cromford n Winter Show from November 2-December 22. See more details above.

The gallery is open 11am-5pm, Friday through to Sunday.

Greenways Farm Riber, Matlock WILDLIFE sculptor Eddie Hallam is the archetypal country craftsman having lived and worked all his life in the countryside.

Working from his interesting workshop in Riber in the hills above Matlock, Eddie has built a big reputation nationally for his life-size sculptures of British wildlife, which are cast in bronze.

His winter exhibition from November 9-24 will include a breathtaking range of sculptures from mighty gannets to tiny wrens.

There will be talks and demonstrations daily at the

exhibition which is open from 10.30am-4pm.

Go to wildlifesculptures.co.uk or telephone 01629583108/ 07714418174 for directions and more details.

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n gallery QUAD, Derby n Imran Qureshi, November 29-January 19, with a launch night on the 29th from 7pm. See more details on page 25. n In QUAD Extra Gallery Spaces, from November 29-January 19, there will be an open call exhibition of small biographical art works by Derbyshire-based or born artists. For more details go to derbyquad.co.uk The Richard Whittlestone Wildlife Gallery, Pilsley, near Chatsworth n Winter Exhibition from November 16. See more details on page 28.

The gallery is open 10am-5pm Tuesday to Saturday. More details at richardwhittlestone.co.uk Rob Wilson Art, Lockside Mill, St. Martins Road, Marple n Winter Show, November 9/10.

See right. Otherwise the gallery is open to visitors every Friday, 10am4pm. Go to robwilsonart.co.uk for more details.

Strutt’s North Mill, Belper n Thread: Threading through time – a contemporary textile installation by Seiko Kinoshita.

Seiko’s installation combines hundreds of bobbins, cotton thread and a soundscape which will be installed in the historic basement of Strutt’s North Mill museum.The exhibition will be open to the public until November 3 and is part of the Derwent Valley Mills Discovery Days Festival and Japan Season of Culture.

St John Street Gallery, Ashbourne n Lewis Noble and Friends – Broadening Horizons and New Trails, November 23-December 7. Meet the artists on the 23rd from 11am-3pm. See more details on page 25. The gallery is open 9.30am-5pm, Monday-Saturday.

For more information go to stjohngalleryandcafe.co.uk U Choose Smoothie Art Gallery, Ilkeston n Original work by more than 20

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Lockside Mill, Marple ROB Wilson’s studio/gallery is packed full of brand new work for his show on November 9 and 10.

Inspiration includes oriental scenes of China, following his most recent trip as well as a range of work from more familiar locations of Manchester and Lyme Park in his own unique style. local artists can always be seen at the gallery. For more details go to uchoosesmoothie.co.uk Two Birds Gallery, Borough Street, Castle Donington n The gallery is open MondayFriday, 9.30am-5pm and 9.30am4pm on Saturday.

Wirksworth Framing Company, 22 Market Place, Wirksworth n A family-run framing business that exhibits work by a mixture of local artists and prints by nationally renowned artists.

Including work by Iain Mackay, Scott Naismith, Jo Grundy, Richard Pett, Sam Tofts, Alex Clarke and Thomas Joseph. Go to wirksworthframing. co.uk for details.

Also on display are the finished pieces from his entry in the Sky Landscape artist of the Year competition in Plymouth.

November sees the launch of Rob’s latest book and calendar featuring his most recent works. As well as the show, which is from 10am-5pm each day he is also open every Friday up to Christmas. Go to robwilsonart.co.uk for more details.

West Studios, Chesterfield n David Robinson, woodcarver and furniture maker. Medieval to Modern: An Exhibition until November 8. n The Boys Are Back In School – Old Cestrefeldians’ Trust exhibition of artefacts from the Chesterfield Grammar School, November 11-December 13. n Christmas Pop Up with Creative Colours, November 23, eight businesses selling seasonal gifts 1pm-4pm. For more details go to chesterfield.ac.uk Wirksworth Heritge Centre, Wirksworth n Paintings and prints by Pete Gill, throughout December. See more details on page 27. artsbeat Novemberr 2019

MAKING A SPLASH

Prize-winning images develop from photographer’s full time ‘hobby’

D

avid Keep has a competitive streak.

You only have to look at the number of awards he has won for his amateur photography to realise that.

The only way to win is to enter, and to be as successful as David you need to have a passion not just for taking pictures but also for showing them off.

“I consider myself an image maker not a photographer as I enjoy the processing as much as I do taking the photo. I am totally passionate about all forms of photography and I often spend 40 to 50 hours a week working on my hobby,” he said.

My jaw drops as I compute just how long that actually is, as David, explains that when artsbeat November 2019

David Keep

he stepped back from running a family business full time five years ago he needed something to fill his time.

“My wife was still working and I was wandering around the house looking for something to do to keep myself intellectually challenged,” he said.

His daughter had lent him a camera and bored he decided to read the manual cover to cover and teach himself to use it.

Within months he had won his first competition and now he is considered to be one of the best amateur photographers in the UK and is a member of the Rolls Royce Photographic Society which is officially one of the best in the world having won a bronze medal in the International Federation of Photographic Art’s World Cup in 2018.

“When I was looking for a society that would stretch me and help me improve I needed to look no further that Rolls Royce at Derby.

“I was really lucky that one of the best photographers in

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‘

I am really proud that others want to know about my photography the UK Neil Humphries was a member. He became my mentor and has helped me so much. He knows how to squeeze every ounce out of a photograph and I have learnt from him,” said David, who lives in the hamlet of Hardstoft not far from Chesterfield.

David’s own prize-winning portfolio is a diverse collection of high quality images which definitely have a wow factor.

Powerful images that stand out from the crowd is what he aims to achieve and that’s exactly what they do as you will see from the pictures on these pages.

“My favourite genre is most definitely underwater photography but I have also taken a lot of sports pictures.

With all of the shots it is the planning, knowing the best equipment to use and working hard to get the image that counts,” he says, before adding that it does, sometimes, go completely wrong.

“You can sometimes use a lot of energy and effort on something that doesn’t work out but you have to give yourself permission to fail.

“I have the luxury of not having to take pictures to earn money and can choose to only photograph things that interest me so it really isn’t a problem if it fails. I just move on to my next project.”

Some of those 50 hours a week David gives up to his photography are taken up with lectures about his adventures to other camera clubs and societies and he is gaining a reputation of being one of the most interesting speakers on

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the circuit.

I have to admit his anecdotes are both amusing and fascinating, and he says that he really enjoys sharing his experiences (failures and successes) and explaining exactly how he achieves the images to other enthusiasts.

“My greatest payback is being

invited to these clubs to talk about what I do. I am really proud that others want to know about my photography – I consider it a great compliment,” he said.

If you would like to book David for a lecture you will find full details on his website davidkeepphotography.co.uk artsbeat November 2019

Clockwise from top left: Kingfisher Emerging; Ugen Leaps to Gold; Hero Worship – a photograph that won David his first regional gold medal award in 2017; Hammerhead Shark, Northern Bahamas and The Open Water Swimmer,was one of a portfolio of 16 photographs judged the best overall entry in an international competition

artsbeat November 2019

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LEABROOKS ARTS COMPLEX LEABROOKS GALLERY

Gillian Woolley Swift Sea to Shore

November 2nd-29th

Meet-the-Artist November 2nd, 1pm-4pm The moods of the sea and coast through the seasons Open: Monday to Saturday 10am-5pm Wednesday by appointment Sunday 11am-3.30pm Leabrooks House, Leabrooks Road, Somercotes 01773 602961

www.leabrooksartscomplex.com

Prints

Originals

Framing

Church CHURCH Farm Art Gallery STREET, BASLOW, NR BAKEWELL

A tiny gallery packed with work featuring flora, fauna, landscapes and seascapes We also offer a framing service with a wide choice of mounts and mouldings OPEN THURSDAY-SATURDAY 10.30AM-5PM WHEN CLOSED RING THE BELL TEL: 01246 582334

www.churchfarmgallery.co.uk

SCRIVENER’s SECONDHAND & ANTIQUARIAN BOOKS & BOOKBINDING 42 HIGH ST, BUXTON, SK17 6HB Tel: 01298 73100 Monday–Saturday 9.30am to 5pm Sundays 12pm to 4pm scrivbooks@hotmail.co.uk www.scrivenersbooks.co.uk

One of The Guardian’s 10 Best Bookshops

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artsbeat November 2019

have a go

Brush up on your skills – or try something entirely new Create your own Christmas tree decorations

I

f you would like to create your own personalised pottery Christmas tree decorations in an enjoyable and creative workshop then head for StraightCurves Studios in Chesterfield.

You won’t need to have any prior knowledge or experience of working with clay as your tutor Clare Gage will guide you on how to make your pottery decoration.

You will be using coloured slips to add a unique touch to your designs.

Thre are two sessions, on

November 22 at 2pm and November 24 at 11am.To book a place to to straightcurves .co. uk where you will also find

details of other seasonal craft courses such as mixed media Christmas frames and making a needle felted robin.

Workshops and Courses

https://theartssocietyderby.com/ membership/ or phone 01332 751574. Non-members may attend as guests for £5 per person.

Artcore, Derby n Many different creative living, health and well-being courses. n Every Monday Craft Club at 1pm. n Every Wednesday – Art For Life, 1pm.. For details go to artcoreuk. com, email info@artcoreuk.com or call 01332 384561.

Adele Kime Jewellery, Whaley Bridge n Day workshops at a canal-side studio. Small group – maximum four. Beginners/Improvers. Learn a variety of techniques to make your own unique jewellery. For more details and booking go to facebook. com/adelekimejewellery or email adelekimejewellery@gmail.com

to annamasseyartist.com or call 07947380078 Anne Alldread Textiles n Weekly Textile Groups, Monday pm and Wednesday am in Belper.

Small groups with an emphasis on having fun while creating.

A variety of techniques to include wet felting, dyeing, tapestry, printing and much more. Full day workshops also available. Please contact Anne for further information at annealldread. com or on 07817745705 Betty’s Sewing Box, Cokayne Avenue, Ashbourne n Craft workshops, crochet groups, quilting, beginners’ sewing, felting.

For details go to bettys-sewing-box. co.uk Elizabeth Blades, Art Tuition, Studio 4:2, Banks Mill Derby n One-to-one tuition with artist Elizabeth Blades. For further

Arts Society Derby, Landau Forte College, Derby n November 5, Sarah Dunant, with a talk entitled The Most Infamous Family in History: The Borgias.

The next meeting is on December 3 when the speaker will be Imogen Corrigan, with a talk entitled Glad Tidings: The Story of the Annunciation. New members are welcomed. For details go to artsbeat November 2019

Anna Massey, Weekly Painting and Drawing Classes n Various venues in and around the Peaks. Several courses in New Mills, Stockport and Sheffield, including painting and drawing classes: Wednesdays 9.30-11.30am, New Mills; and Wednesdays 1.15-3.45pm, Hazel Grove. For more details go

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Stitch&Frame Professional lacing and framing of needlework cross stitch and embroideries Main Road, Grindleford, S32 2JN Tel 01433 630458

www.stitchandframe.co.uk

Quality framing service including sports memorabilia, medals, posters, prints and photographs Needlework and canvas stretching

Original art l prints l art materials l gifts

www.outframed.co.uk

n Tel: 01773 747251 n Market Place, Ripley, DE5 3FJ

Festive

Open Day

Est. 2013

Adult Creative Courses

Sunday

18 November 12 - 4.30pm Drop in as Free cupp

All sessions bookable online Specialist 1:1 Tuition

Paint Splatter Parties

gCLAY Jumpin es £2+ ak mini m

one-day workshops and weekly evening classes 6 Friar Gate Studios, Ford Street, Derby Telephone 01332 742533 or visit the website for more details

www.louisewestlacedesign.co.uk

advertise here for just £45 celebrating the arts in Derbyshire Tel: 07872 066719 email: editor@arts-beat.co.uk

Betty’s Sewing Box & Vintage Tearoom Cokayne Avenue, Ashbourne, Derbyshire DE6 1EJ 01335 347241

• Designer and • Craft Workshops Vintage fabric • Crochet Groups • Liberty • Quilting Group Tana Lawn • Beginners Sewing • Stylecraft Wool • Machine Hire • Patterns • 1:1 sessions • Artisan Crafts • Private Hire • Variety of cards • Friendly happy for all occasions service

Free woolly Bauble Making

104 Saltergate, S40 1NE www.straightcurves.co.uk 01246 807575

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BOBBIN LACE MAKING

www.bettys-sewing-box.co.uk artsbeat November 2019

n have a go information and details of how to book a session email elizabethlouieblades@gmail.com.

Chesterfield Branch Embroiderers’ Guild n First Thursday of each month 7-9pm The Saints’ Parish Rooms. St Mary’s Gate, Chesterfield S41 7TH. November 7, The Loathy Loathy Lady, storyteller and writer.

December 5, The Dark Side or the Light, a member led evening.

Go to embroiderersguild.com for more details.

Cromford Studio and Gallery, Market Place, Cromford n Watercolour tuition is available for small groups or on a one-to-one basis, all abilities welcome. Call 01629 826434 for more details.

Derby Photographic Society n The society meets at 7.30pm on Mondays between September and April at Eborn House, Leylands Estate, Broadway, Derby. Visitors and new members very welcome.

Full details can be found at derbyphotographicsociety.co.uk Derbyshire Adult Education n Various courses available at different centres in the county. To book a place call 01629 533290, email swadlincote.ace@derbyshire. gov.uk or go to, derbyshire.gov.uk/ coursesearch.

Esther Tyson Screenprinting workshops, Via Gellia Mills, Bonsall n Gain a basic knowledge of screenprinting. All equipment and materials provided. For details email esther.tyson@network.rca.ac.uk Glossop Branch of the Embroiderers’ Guild, Glossop Cricket Club, SK13 7AS n Meetings are held on the last Wednesday of the month, 1-3pm.

Go to glostitchedup.blogspot.co.uk for details.

Green Door Printmaking Studio, Banks Mill, Derby n Screen Printing with Stencils, artsbeat November 2019

November 9, 11am-3pm. n Screen Printing with Monotype, November 16, 11am-3pm. n Woodcut, November 16, 11am4pm.

Concessions and student discounts available. For more details and to book online, go to greendoorprintmaking.co.uk or call 07919 823 097.

Green Man Gallery, Buxton n Every day – 6x4: Inspired by Landscape. Drop-in at any time and join this fundraising attempt. Entries can also be sent by post. Cost: £1 per entry. All funds raised help with gallery upkeep. n Every Tuesday – Life Drawing, 7pm-9pm. Over 16s only. n Every Wednesday – Creative Artspace. A session for anyone who needs creative space in their week,.

11am-1pm. Donations for materials.

No need to book. n Make It Buxton, Drop-In Workshops, November 1,Young people from Derbyshire Council Council’s Virtual School show you how to make your own themed bunting by up-cycling everyday materials. 11am-3.30pm. n Make It Buxton - Upcycled!, November 2-3,Beautiful bunting, garlands, lampshades and textiles to view and to buy. n Writers’ Retreat, November 9, A chance to write without distractions from 10am-4pm. Monthly event organised by Writers’ HQ. Booking essential. Details at writershq.co.uk/ writing-retreats For further information and booking for other courses contact hello@ thegreenmangallery.com or 01298 937375 unless otherwise stated.

Great Longstone Village Hall, Great Longstone n November 20, Mono printing with Angela Hall. Experiment with monoprinting using natural materials, papers masks and line. 10am-4pm. n November 21, Silkscreen Printing printing with Angela Hall. Learn silkscreen printing techniques,

including photo stencils and screen masking. Hall 10am-4pm, book for both via angela@artfarm.uk n December 5, Fused Glass lantern workshop with Jane Littlefield.

Learn fused glass techniques and make a beautiful coloured lantern, 10am-4pm. n December 8, Fused Glass Christmas decoration workshop with Jane Littlefield. A fun workshop learning fused glass techniques to make your own decorations. 10am4pm , book for both via Jane@ janelittlefieldglass.co.uk High Peak Stitchers, Glossop Cricket and Bowling Club, North Road, Glossop n Meetings first Wednesday of the month, from 2-4pm, visitors’ entry is £4.

The Pump Room, The Crescent, Buxton n Buxton Crescent Trust is staging a free presentation and networking event for artists and photographers as part of its Arts Council programme of events which celebrate Buxton’s water and the reopening of The Crescent. The event on Wednesday November 13, from 6pm-8pm will include two short presentations by photographer Dave Butcher and Buxton-based artist Rebecca Clitheroe. To book a free place at this event please email lmackenzie@buxtoncrescenttrust.org John Connolly, Ormscliffe Studio, 16 Langwith Road, Bolsover n Acrylics and mixed media tuition is available for very small groups or one-to-one. All abilities welcome.

More details at connollyart.com or Call 07967 316622.

Leabrooks Artists Forum, Somercotes n Artists sharing information, ideas and enterprise. Meetings are on the first Saturday of every month from 10.30am-1pm. Beverages and cake cost £3.50, if required, everything else is free. Painters, sculptors and potters who have experience

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Scarthin Books

High Stone GALLERY Fine art photography

A homely refuge and social hub

New, secondhand and antiquarian bookshop with almost 100,000 titles We buy books and music by appointment

Vegetarian & Vegan Cafe Large choice of beautifully presented photographs of Derbyshire & The Peak District. Mounted or framed.

The gallery is open 10 am - 4 pm on 23rd November (Mill Makers Market) 30th November & 1st December Free parking. Refreshments. Toilets.

See website for all 2019 open dates.

with cosy outdoor seating area

Bookshop 9-6pm Monday-Saturday, 10-6pm Sunday Cafe 10-5.15pm Monday - Saturday, 10-6pm Sunday

Listed by the Guardian online as one of the ten ‘best bookshops in the world’ The Promenade, Scarthin, Cromford, DE4 3QF Tel: 01629 823272 email: nickscarthin@gmail.com

www.scarthinbooks.com

Follow us on

and watch our film on

2D, Via Gellia Mill, Bonsall, DE4 2AJ www.highstonegallery.co.uk 07918 687624

April 4th-5th 2020

Call To Applicants!

If you’re a Derbyshire-based artist, we welcome your application for this new curated arts trail.

Closing date January 31st 2020.

Places are limited.

To apply or find out more visit our website, find us on Facebook (@BonsallArtsTrail) or email bonsallartstrail@yahoo.com

www.bonsallartstrail.org

supported by TURNERS ART Supplies and Materials

38

artsbeat November 2019

n have a go of exhibiting are invited to join the group. Go to leabrooksartscomplex. com for more details.

Lesley Linley, watercolour classes n Watercolour workshops, classes and demonstrations see lesleylinley. co.uk, call 07919 465222 or email lesleylinley1@gmail.com.

Life Drawing with Lily Hammond Art, Ashover Village Hall, Ashover n The first Thursday of every month, complete beginners are more than welcome.

Classes are two hours and cost £15 with materials included. email info@lilyhammondart.com for booking and more information.

Louise West Lace Design 6 Friar Gate Studios, Derby n Evening classes in bobbin lace making, Tuesdays 6-8pm. n One-day bobbin lace workshops for a maximum of ten students, £30.

The next ones are November 6 and 23, and December 11 and 14. n Louise also holds Bedfordshire Lace weekend courses. Go to louisewestlacedesign.co.uk for booking details.

Matlock Artists’ Society, All Saints Church Hall, Smedley Street n November 16, Claire Botterill will create a local landmark (chosen by members) in mixed media. Demonstration open to all l0am-noon, followed by a members’ only Workshop until 4pm. Discover Claire’s unique technique of using ink, wax crayons and watercolour to enhance texture, colour and light. n The society’s Portrait Group meets on the first Wednesday of every month from 9.30am-noon.

For details contact Doreen Andrews 01629 824640.

The Old Lock Up Gallery, Swifts Hollow, Cromford n Life drawing, Tuesdays 6.308.30pm weekly £12. n Monthly djembe drumming group. n Sketch Group Mondays 7pm 8.30pm weekly £6.50.

Booking essential. Go to the gallery artsbeat November 2019

website for further information theoldlockupgallery.org Pauline Townsend Silk Painter n Workshops for beginners and improvers in Buxton. Workshop schedule available on the website: silkpainter.co.uk QUAD, Market Place, Derby n An Open Session with Paul Hill MBE, Thursday December 12, 6.308.30pm. An opportunity to share your photographs with fellow practitioners.

If you want to show your work (maximum 12 images – as files or prints – to give an opportunity for discussion), please contact Paul in advance at paul@hillonphotography. co.uk Sew Need A Drink, Via Gellia Mill, Bonsall, sewing classes with Louise James n All classes include a kit with all the materials cut out and ready to sew, instructions, tuition, homemade cake and refreshments. For more details go to sewneedadrink.co.uk Small Print Company, 2-3 Friary Street, Derby n Various courses including Creating a Letterpress Print, and Coptic and Japanese Bookbinding.

Details of all the courses and their prices can be found at smallprintcompany.co.uk StraightCurves, 104 Saltergate, Chesterfield n A range of arts and crafts workshops and courses from drawing and painting to mosaics and beading, for all ages and abilities from accessible studios in Chesterfield.

There are also regular events see details below. Book online at straightcurves.co.uk 01246 807575. n Woolly Wednesdays – every Wednesday, 10am-12.30pm and 6.30-9pm. All arts and crafts are welcome at this session. n Little Creatives – a workshop designed especially for pre-school children and their parent, every Friday and Monday 9.45-11am.

n Book Club – 7-8pm on the third Thursday of the month, refreshments included.

St John Street, Gallery, Ashbourne n Lewis Noble Painting the Derbyshire Landscape, November 4-6. n Maggie Robinson, Creative Landscape Painting, November 12. n Sue Prince, Egg Tempera Folk Art Painting, November 18 and 19. n Wendy Darker, Christmas Partridge, November 20 and 21.

To book, phone 01335 347425 or email enquiries@ stjohngalleryandcafe.co.uk.

Viveka Bowry, Life Drawing Classes, Strutts Centre, Belper n Life Drawing group (non-tutored) with yoga poses to draw, first Wednesday of month, 10am-noon.

Contact Viveka on 01629 258362.

The Weleda Gardens, The Field, Hassock Lane, Heanor Celebrate Autumn – Collage Workshop with Helen Hallows, November 16. For more details go to helenhallows.com West Studios, Sheffield Road, Chesterfield n For more information call West Studios on 01246 500 799, email hello@weststudios.co.uk or go to weststudios.co.uk for details.

Zantium Studios, Godfrey Hole House, Hopton n Go to zantium.co.uk or telephone 01629 824377 for details.

Free wellbeing workshops for those concerned about the climate crisis n Joanna Macy-inspired workshop at the Northern Lights Cinema, Wirksworth, November 19, 1pm4pm. n Wellbeing music/dance workshop at the Kirtley Dance Studio, University of Derby, November 27, 1pm-4pm.

Contact Lor Bird by email at lorbird14@gmail.com to book a place.

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ST JOHN STREET GALLERY Contemporary Fine Art

Lewis Noble & Friends: Broadening horizons and new trails November 23rd to december 7th meet the artists november 23rd, 11am-3pm

new work by Lewis, together with ceramics and paintings by mark smith, andrew bird and heather duncan

y paintings y prints y glass y sculpture y ceramics

50 St John Street, Ashbourne, DE6 1GH 01335 347425 Monday to Saturday 9.30am-5pm enquiries@stjohngalleryandcafĂŠ.co.uk www.stjohngalleryandcafĂŠ.co.uk

Sponsors of the Ashbourne Festival Art Prizes

Son of Man Writes in the Dust, Michael Cook

PROJECT SALUTES BLAKE

W

illiam Blake was one of the most extraordinary figures of his time, a visionary painter, engraver, illustrator, essayist and poet.

He made innovations in printmaking, and his radical political and religious writings artsbeat November 2019

God’s Patisserie, Rebecca Mercer

Dusk Settles Over The Fields, Michelle Holmes

‘

If the artists’ past exhibitions are anything to go by it is a must-see contain searing condemnations of the poverty, hardship and hypocrisy he saw around him.

From childhood he had visions of angels and prophets, later creating a complex illustrated mythology, he rubbed shoulders with artists and revolutionaries, but was too complex and restless to ever fit neatly into any establishment or group, and died forgotten and in poverty.

To coincide with the year Tate Britain is commemorating the life and work of William Blake, ten leading artists based in and around the Midlands have been invited to produce work inspired by Blake’s life, art, ideas or writings.

The result – The William Blake Project – includes original paintings, drawings, printartsbeat November 2019

Visitation, John Rattigan

making, sculpture, lettering and textiles and will be exhibited for the first time at the Manger Gallery near Melbourne during the winter.

The gallery at King’s Newton has been closed for the summer as its owner the artist Michael Cook has been the Artist in Residence at The Community of the Resurrection, Mirfield, Yorkshire, an Anglican Benedictine Monastery.

He is returning home to host this new project from November 30 and if past exhibitions by this diverse group of artists are anything to go by it is a must-see.

The group, which last year brought us The Angel Project and before that the Adam and Eve Project, are Maggie Cullen, paper and book sculpture; Elizabeth Forrest, lettering and handmade books; Michelle Holmes, stitched embroidery; Rebecca Mercer, oil paintings; Duncan Pass, hand-printed

books; John Rattigan, acrylic paintings and drawings; Sarah Sharpe, gouache and watercolour paintings; Anna Thomas oil paintings and charcoal drawings by Michael himself.

For updates on the exhibition go to hallowed-art.co.uk The group are also looking for other venues to exhibit the show from 2020 onwards so if anyone has any suggestions let them know. If you are interested in hosting this exhibition please contact exhibition coordinator: John Rattigan at johnrattiganartist@ gmail.com Tate Britain’s Blake exhibition runs until February 2. With more than 300 original works, including watercolours, and prints, this is the largest show of his work for almost 20 years.

The Tate claims it will rediscover him as a visual artist for the 21st century. For tickets go to tate.org.uk

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A SLICE OF LIFE

T

Food writer and journalist Nigel Slater tells Matthew Amer about seeing his childhood memoirs brought to life on stage in Toast

oast tells the story of Nigel Slater’s childhood through the tastes and smells he grew up with, vividly recreating suburban England in the 1960s – enveloping audiences with the evocative sights and sounds and smells of cookery that defined the significant moments of his youth.

From the perfect sherry trifle, waging war over cakes through to the playground politics of sweets and the rigid rules of restaurant dining, this is a tale of love, loss and... toast.

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Giles Cooper plays Nigel Slater and he is joined by Katy Federman as Mum, Blair Plant as Dad, Samantha Hopkins as Joan. Stefan Edwards completes the company as Josh.

The play, which is based on the best-selling book of the same name, has had a successful run in London and began a tour of the UK in the summer.

Served up at the Pomegranate Theatre,Chesterfield, from November 25-30 go to chesterfieldtheatres.co.uk for tickets

What’s Toast about?

Toast is the story of a little boy who feels abandoned because his mother dies when he’s very young and his father falls in love with another woman.

The boy’s life suddenly changes with the arrival of a woman who’s completely different from his mother.

It’s about learning to make your own way and gaining the strength to do something surprising at that young age, make big decisions about your life. artsbeat November 2019

‘

Emotions come flooding back. It isn’t that little boy anymore, it’s me It’s your story, but it sounds like you’ve managed to separate yourself from the character of Nigel.

I have, a little bit. There’s 50 years between us! He will always be another person until I sit in the theatre and watch either very tender scenes or very upsetting scenes. Then suddenly all those emotions come flooding back and it isn’t that little boy anymore, it’s me.

The words I spoke stayed with me. I put them in the book and now they’re on stage as well.

What moved you to write your memoirs?

I wasn’t the driving force, actually. I was asked to write an article about the food of my childhood.

When I started writing, I realised that everything I was tasting brought back a lot of memories. Every food item was associated very clearly with a particular part of my life or vignette from my childhood. The day after it was published, my editor said “I think it should be a book.”

How did you feel when playwright Henry FillouxBennett asked about adapting it for the theatre?

I said ‘No’. I just didn’t see how it would work on stage.

But when he sent part of the script I was completely blown away. I could feel the emotions; I could almost reach out and touch the people. I thought “This is going to work, let’s have a go.”

Jonnie Riordon, the director, artsbeat November 2019

Toast, the moving story of a boy devastated by the loss of his mother, is staged at The Pomegranate Theatre, Chesterfield, this month

has done this thing that directors do of making the show not a slightly sad story of a little boy losing his mum and being forced to live with a stepmum he didn’t like, but a really joyous performance.

Right from the start, he decided that the heart and soul of this show is food.

When I walked in on the very first night at the Lowry in Salford, I thought “Where’s the smell of toast coming from.”

It was Jonnie walking around waving bits of toast before the audience sat down.

How involved with the production have you been?

It is my story, so I do feel protective of it. But Henry got the spirit of the book straight away and Jonnie picked up the sense of fun, so I felt it was all in extremely good hands.

I’ve kept a close watch on it, but everyone understood it is more than just a story of a little boy and his mum. It’s a bigger than that.

It’s affected many people.

There are so many children that have felt abandoned after a bereavement. There are so many children that don’t understand why this new person’s come into Dad’s life or Mum’s life that they have to accept. It isn’t just my story. Lots of kids have that emotionally tough time.

Finally, what can audiences expect from a trip to see Toast?

They can expect a magic, the luxury of nostalgia and some fantastic surprises and treats that you don’t usually get at the theatre. It might be worth popping in a Kleenex as well, because there have been quite a few tears.

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HEART-FELT Beautiful & Unusual Gifts

For All Occasions

Find us at 4b The Colonnade, Buxton SK17 6AL

01298 938492 isla@isladirect.co.uk

www.isladirect.co.uk

44

artsbeat November 2019

DESIGN

I

t was a chance encounter on a shopping trip that led to Yuka Jourdain forging herself a career as an jewellery designer.

The owner of a boutique where she was browsing at the rails spotted her necklace and wanted to know where she could get some.

“She said she really liked it and would love some to sell in her shop. I had to explain I had made it myself but added that I could create some more if she wished,” explained Yuka.

“Her customers then complimented it so she asked me to make more and I started selling them in her shop.”

From those small beginnings she has gradually built up an artisan business selling her colourful contemporary-style jewellery at fairs and festivals.

artsbeat November 2019

Yuka, who is mum to two teenage boys and lives at Chapel-en-le-Frith, finds inspiration for each intricate piece from patterns she sees in her everyday life or recalls from memories of her life journey since childhood.

The artist was born and raised in Japan and moved to France and then to England with her husband so she has a wealth of multi-cultural experiences to call on.

Her original brand of jewellery was created using natural fibres – hand-felted wool stitched neatly to shaped wires, but more recently she has discovered how to print her designs on to aluminium and is now developing a new range of work through coursework at Leek School of Art. “I always wanted to go to

art school but didn’t get the opportunity. Everything I have done has been self-taught, apart from short night courses.

“I felt my work would develop if I learned more, so last year I decided to take an access to higher education art and design course at Leek. I am so glad I did it because it really made me think about what I produce and what skills I would like to learn for the future.

“I have just started a twoyear Masters of Fine Art in Jewellery and Metalwork at Sheffield Hallam University.

“It is very exciting and I am really looking forward to seeing how my jewellery develops in the next few years,” she said. n For more details about Yuka’s jewellery check out her website: yukajourdain.com

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Showcasing the best in local Art & Design It is with great sadness & regret that we announce the closure of The Two Birds Gallery in the New Year. We would like to thank our lovely artists & customers for your support & patronage over the past 4 years. We hope you will continue to support our amazingly talented artists, designers and makers and the wonderful galleries who showcase them.

We are open as usual until Christmas.

Thank you.

Mel & Helen 19 Borough Street Castle Donington Open: Tues - Fri 9:00 - 5:00 Derby Sat - 10:00 - 4:00 DE74 2LA Tel: 01332 987350 email: info@thetwobirdsgallery.com

Open Fridays to Sundays throughout November � Crisp, garden walks � Seasonal menu available at the Café at Renishaw Hall � Hall tours on Fridays � Museum & Plant Sales Christmas Hall Tours - 1pm & 2.30pm Book on a festive tour of Renishaw Hall, traditionally decorated for Christmas (booking recommended)

Gardens, Café, Museum & Plant Sales open throughout Christmas opening, 10.30am - 4pm

Christmas Opening 2019 Thursday to Sunday 28th Nov to 8th Dec

HANDEL’S MESSIAH Madeline Robinson - Soprano Charlotte Sleet - Mezzo-soprano Jack Dolan - Tenor Aaron Kendall - Baritone Adam Green - Conductor The Co-operative Chamber Orchestra Karen Bithel – Leader

Saturday 23rd November 2019 - 7.15pm St Thomas’ Church - Brampton - Chesterfield - S40 3AW

Tickets: £14, £12 concessions, £7 under 10s Online at chesterfieldchoir.com

chesterfieldchoir.com or on the door

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artsbeat November 2019

stage

Catch the best shows and performances in the county Christmas past returns to city for seasonal show

D

erby Theatre is staging a revival of Sarah Brigham’s hugely popular 2014 production of Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol.

This time the play, adapted from the classic by Neil Duffield, will be directed by Oliver O’Shea and will have a cast of eight talented actormusicians including Gareth Williams in the central role of Ebenezer Scrooge, and Oliver Ashworth and Charlotte Workman, who are both new to Derby Theatre, as Mr and Mrs Cratchit.

Liz Jadav and James McLean will play the jovial, generous Fezziwigs, while James will also play Scrooge’s old business partner, Marley.

Reminding Scrooge of his younger self, Benedict Salter and Aimee Kwan will appear as Young Scrooge and his onetime fiancée, Belle.

Theatre

Derby Theatre, and Derby Theatre Studio, Derby n The Good Companions’ Stage Society present The Wedding Singer – an upbeat and energetic stage show, based on the 90s hit movie starring Adam Sandler and Drew Barrymore.

The Wedding Singer takes us back to a time when hair was big, greed was good, collars were up, and a artsbeat November 2019

Sophia Hatfield completes the cast as the Ghost of Christmas Past.

Three teams of local young actors will alternate roles including Tiny Tim, Boy Scrooge and urchins.

They are: Scarlett Allitt, William Brown, Fintan Buckard, Primrose Cole,

Tianna Coper-Adjei, Leo Fox-White, Keisha Ghai, Chris Johnson, Kian Lucas, Eva Magee, Angelie Pantilano, Lily-May Poulton, Georgina Salwey, Thomas Slater, Lottie Stone and Freya Youngman.

The show is on from November 29-January 4. For tickets go to derbyheatre.co.uk

wedding singer might just have been the coolest guy in the room.

Featuring a score that pays loving homage to the pop songs of the 1980s. The production runs from November 5-9, at 7.30pm, with a matinee on November 9, at 2.30pm. n Jadek, based on a true story of when a working class woman from Yorkshire moved in with her blind, Polish grandfather, November 2. n 4.48 Psychosis, November 8-10. n Murder, Margaret and Me,

November 14-16. See more details on page 50. n I Wanna Be Yours, a tender lyrical play about finding love, November 15. n A Good Neet Aht. Phil Green is looking for the North that sits in his memory, November 22 and 23. n A Christmas Carol, November 29-January 4. See more details above.

For more information and tickets go to derbytheatre.co.uk

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n stage Dancing with a cultural twist YAATRA, a captivating evening of solo Kathak and contemporary dance by British Indian artist Jaivant Patel is coming to Déda in Derby on November 28.

Rooted in his own experience of being a homosexual man of different cultural heritages, Jaivant offers a fresh perspective on South Asian LGBTQ+ narratives, faith and spirituality.

The evening celebrates two cultures and the intersectionality of living in one, while paying tribute to traditions, heritage and often untold stories of another.

For more details and tickets go to deda.uk.com Belper Players, Strutts Centre, Belper n A new play takes a fresh look at Shakespeare’s Macbeth and turns the traditional story on its head.

Ross, written and directed by Jeff Moule, looks at the events of the original play through the eyes of a minor character, whose name gives the new work its title.

Lucy Worsley will be talking about Queen Victoria at Derby Theatre on November 20

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In Shakespeare’s version, Ross is a fellow soldier with Macbeth, and witnesses his comrade’s rise to power as a blood-thirsty, paranoid king. He watches much of the action, but says little.

Jeff Moule’s new play gives him a voice and puts him at the heart of the action in a way that challenges the audience’s traditional understanding of Shakespeare’s Macbeth.

Ross is performed in blank verse, echoing the spirit of the original without being a parody. It also draws on historical sources about the real Macbeth. And of course, it wouldn’t be complete without some witches.

November 13-16, at 7.30pm. Tickets are available from belperplayers.com or by calling 07544 374088.

Buxton Opera House, and Pavilion Arts Centre, Buxton n Fame The Musical, Selladoor Productions present the 30th anniversary tour, November 4-9, 7.30pm. n Buxton Drama League, The Box

of Delights, November 15 and 16.

In this new adaptation of the classic children’s story by John Masefield, Kay Harker begins his Christmas holidays by journeying to Seekings House, the home of his guardian Caroline Louisa. But when a Punch and Judy Man hands him for safekeeping something magical from ancient times, Kay has no idea of the adventures that lie ahead. n An Inspector Calls, the National Theatre award-winning production directed by Stephen Daldry, November 19-23, 7.30pm each evening and 2.30pm on the Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday. n Chapterhouse Theatre Company, A Christmas Carol, November 21-22, 7.30pm.Go to buxtonoperahouse. org.uk for tickets.

John Port Spencer Academy, Etwall n Etwall and Mickleover Players present Alice in Wonderland, by Tom Corrigan, a rip-roaring, riotous, raucous and entertaining family artsbeat November 2019

n stage Wilde play still chimes today HIGH Tor Players director Simon Brister travelled to Dublin in search of inspiration for the group’s November production and that moment came while he was walking in Merrion Square Park in Dublin When he saw the splendid Oscar Wilde Statue he decided upon one of his finest plays, An Ideal Husband, which is as topical today as it was when written in 1894.

Political sleaze is never out of the public spotlight and in this play politician Sir Robert Chiltern, with an impeccable reputation for honesty has a hidden secret. One which pantomime, December 6 and 13 at 7.15pm and December 7 and 14 at 2pm and 6.15pm.

Go to etwallandmickleoverplayers. co.uk for more details.

Live and Local, various locations n Pentabus Theatre Company, The tale of Little Bevan, a darkly comic modern fairytale, Spring Bank Arts Centre, New Mills, November 8, tickets 01663308202. November 9, Great Longstone village hall, tickets Janelittlefieldglass.co.uk 01629 640943. n The Beautiful Game, presented

by Next Door Dance, Heanor Baptist Church, November 14, 7.30pm, tickets 01773 718676. n Les Gloriables, presented by Spitz and Co, a riotously silly physical comedy show, Taddington Village Institute, November 21, 7.30pm, tickets 01298 85384 and Waingroves Community Centre, November 23, 7.30pm, tickets 01773 749809. n Desert Island Flicks, presented artsbeat November 2019

will, if disclosed, bring him down. (Sound familiar?).

The play is set in the opulent London society of the Victorian era.

You can catch An Ideal Husband at the Whitworth Centre Darley Dale on

November 15; Wirksworth Town Hall on November 16 or Tansley Village Hall on November 17, all at 7.30pm.

Tickets are available via hightorplayers.co.uk or the ticket secretary on 01629 733407.

by Spilkmilk Dance, Biggin Village Hall, November 24, 5.30pm, tickets 01298 84907.

More details about all shows from liveandlocal.org.uk No. 28, Market Place, Belper Oddbodies present King Lear, November 24, 7pm. For tickets go to eventbright.com. Booking is essential.

November 11, Should I Go or Should I Stay? Gong Show,12 acts compete in comedy’s answer to Britain’s Got Talent and the X-Factor. Compere Spiky Mike.

November 25, Sam Avery, Chelsea Birkby, Alex Farrow, Vittorio Angelone, Louise Bastock, Dylan Dodds. Compere Spiky Mike.

Book tickets at funhousecomedyclub. co.uk

Comedy

No. 28, Market Place Belper n Ship of Fools Comedy night. Bring your own drinks, November 16 and December 15, 7.30pm. Booking essential shipoffoolscomedy@ yahoo.co.uk 07804 563371

Buxton Opera House and Pavilion Arts Centre, Buxton n Buxton Buzz Comedy Club, November 1, 8pm. n Justin Moorhouse, Northern Joker, November 2, 7.30pm. n James Acaster, Cold Lasagne Hate Myself 1999, November 14, 7.30pm. Tickets: buxtonoperahouse. org.uk Derby Theatre, Derby n Count Arthur Strong: Is Anybody Out There? November 10, 8pm.

Funhouse Comedy Club n The Blessington Carriage, Derby:

Spoken word

Buxton Opera House and Pavilion Arts Centre, Buxton n Doug Allan: Wild Images, Wild Life, November 3, 7.30pm.

Alastair Lee and the Brit Rock Film Tour. n Dr John Cooper Clarke – The Luckiest Guy Alive, November 26,

49

n stage Author meets Miss Marple AGATHA Christie and Margaret Rutherford, two of our greatest and most celebrated national treasures, should never have been friends. But they were.

Their paths crossed when they found themselves at the heart of one of British cinema’s most successful franchises.

Murder, Margaret and Me,

by Philip Meeks, is a story of friendship, identity and the achievement of women in the long-lost world of the silver screen.

8pm. More details on page 50.

Tickets: buxtonoperathouse.org.uk Buxton Crescent Heritage Trust Buxton Pump Room, Buxton n A Crash Course in Buxton’s History, by Trevor Gilman, November

You can see the Tilted Wig Productions comedy at Derby Theatre from November 14-16.

Lin Blakley plays Agatha Christie and is most recently known to audiences as 20. Details at buxtoncrescenttrust. org, tickets from buxtonoperahouse. org.uk Crich Glebe Field Centre, Crich n Free Launch Event for Nothing Rhymes With Crich: Poems and

An appointment with the doctor DR JOHN Cooper Clarke shot to prominence in the 1970s as the original ‘people’s poet’.

Since then his career has spanned cultures, audiences, art forms and continents.

Apart from his trademark ‘look’ continuing to resonate with fashionistas young and old, and his poetry being included on the national curriculum syllabus, his effect on modern music is huge.

His latest show is a mix of classic verse, extraordinary new material, hilarious ponderings on modern life,

50

good honest gags, riffs and chat.

You have a chance to witness a living legend at the top of this game.at Buxton Opera House on November 26, at 8pm Tickets at buxtonoperahouse.org.uk

Pam Coker in EastEnders.

Sarah Parks plays Margaret Rutherford and Gilly Tompkins plays The Spinster.

For tickets to go derbytheatre.co.uk Songs about Crich and Beyond,

by Martyn Offord, Saturday, November 30, 7.30pm, readings, music, audience participation and refreshments. Tickets from 01773 853260.

Derby Theatre, Derby n An Audience with Lesley Garrett, October 27. An evening of song reminiscences and chat with Britain’s most popular soprano. n Doug Allan: Wild Images, Wild Life, October 31, 7.30pm. n Sir Ranulph Fiennes – Living Dangerously, November 18. n Lucy Worsley: Queen Victoria Daughter, Wife, Mother and Widow, November 20.

For tickets go to derbytheatre.co.uk Derby Poetry Society n Members evening Poems on Conflict, November 8. Monthly meetings on the second Friday of the month. Room 3, Friends’ Meeting House, Derby, 7.30pm. Contact Gina Clarke on 01773 825215 for details.

Matlock Storytelling Cafe, Imperial Rooms, Matlock n The cafe is always the first Friday artsbeat November 2019

n stage Lasting legacy of wartime pacifists THE celebrated play Conchies which gave sellout performances at the Edinburgh Fringe is coming to Chesterfield courtesy of Spital Arts.

Performed by theatre group A Certain Demographic, the play’s central theme tells the story of how those opposed to fighting in the Second World War faced persecution from both the public and the authorities. These Conscientious Objectors were mockingly known as ‘conchies’.

The ‘conchies’ of the play are a group of people who, with none of them having any farming experience, set about building and running a working farm on land in Lincolnshire.

The strength of the play is that it is based on five reallife people and actual events. of the month. Doors at 6.45pm. For more details of this month’s cafe on November 1 go to page 19.

For more details go to matlockstorytellingcafe.co.uk No. 28, Market Place, Belper n Talk by Adrian Farmer, North Mill Trust, November 10, 5pm. n Matt Black, The Snoopy Question.

Comedy, science and poetry collide with a former Derbyshire Poet Laureate. Booking essential. Go to twentyeighbelper on Facebook.

Scrivener’s Bookshop, High Street, Buxton n Book Club, first Wednesday of every month 7-8pm. Everyone welcome. Call 01298 73100. n Storytelling Sundays: the second Sunday of the month, from 2-3.30pm, telephone 01298 71622. artsbeat November 2019

The farm was in a small village, near Lincoln.

Local resident Ian Sharp spent four years researching the pacifist community in order to write the script for Conchies.

“We are really committed to telling the story,” he said.

The group left a legacy both in terms of descendants who remain in the area and have an influence on its character, including one who is a member of the cast and others who have made their name in the wider world Spoken Words, CODA vinyl cafe, 2 South Avenue, Buxton n An open mic without a mic where people can read out their own poems and/or short stories or just listen to the performers and be well entertained. First Tuesday of each month, 6.30pm to 8.30pm.

Free entry. For details call 07713 246391.

Ghost Talks at the Mill, Strutt’s North Mill, Belper n Join Alistair Massey and ghostly volunteers for a series of tales of the dark. Local hauntings and ghostly tales from around the Belper area.

Be prepared to be scared. Tickets available from wegottickets.com/ belpernorthmill. Recommended for over-14s. November 9, December 7, and January 18, all from 7.309.15pm.

such as Jim Broadbent, Damon Albarn and Michael Morpurgo.

“It’s a moving, inspiring and thought-provoking story which we try to tell with energy and humour. Much of the dialogue is taken verbatim from accounts the COs gave of their experiences.

“Our cast of five includes some with backgrounds in professional theatre and some with none but we are all united in our passion to tell our story.

“There is one sole survivor from the community, Don Sutherland. Don is a Quaker Elder at Lincoln and if he can possibly make it attends and even performs in our show and is very happy to answer questions from the audience.”

The show is on November 2, at St Leonard’s Church, Valley Road, Spital. Doors 7pm, starts 7.30pm Tickets from spitalarts@ gmail.com, Spital Arts Facebook page or by phoning 01246 220741.

Dance

Déda, Chapel Street, Derby n A New Beginning, Presented by Three Score Dance, November 7, 7.30pm. n Future Light, an exciting programme of youth dance from the Déda Academy, November 16, 3pm and 7pm. n Anima, produced by Turtle Key Arts and presented by Joli Vyann, November 21, 7.30pm. n YAATRA, presented by Jaivant Patel, see more details on page 48.

For tickets go to deda.uk.com Sensational Salsa, The Old Clubhouse, Buxton n Salsa dance classes, Tuesdays .

Beginners 7.30-8.30pm. Improvers 8.30-9.30pm. For details call 07811 100191.

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SPRINGING INTO ACTION

A

new community art trail is being launched in the spring in the picturesque village of Bonsall.

A six-strong team of women have set out to create a small, friendly event that will nurture Derbyshire artists and give them a step up as they seek to develop their work.

“We are different from existing art trails,” says chair of the organising group Amanda Graham. “We care about promoting and supporting local artists by giving them the chance to take part in a small, friendly and affordable trail, which we hope will have a lasting impact.

“We are all practising artists or art enthusiasts ourselves and we are all based in or around Bonsall, which is close to Cromford.

“We felt there is a gap in what is currently available. Most of the trails were set up between five and ten years ago and they have grown from the small events they were to begin with.

“We plan to go back to the roots of the idea of art trails and we have no interest in getting too big.

“We want it to stay a cosy event where artists are encouraged and supported,” she added.

The event will be utilising most of the community buildings in Bonsall as well as some village residents’ homes. There will be music and workshops and other venues such as the pubs will be getting involved.

The trail will be on April 4 and 5, from 10am-4pm, and

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Pictured left are four of the arts trail team: Claire Taylor, Amanda Graham, Julie Leggett and Marion Heasman.

The other two, not in the picture, are printmaker Esther Tyson and painter and ceramicist Susie Botting

the team are currently inviting applications from artists in any medium. It will be a curated trail so not everyone who applies will be accepted, but

they hope to eventually attract upwards of 50 artists to the event each year. n For more details go to bonsallartstrail.org or to their Facebook page.

If you want to speak to someone then contact Amanda on 07881 021742. And if you want to run a workshop, or you happen to live in Bonsall and you would like to host an artist then contact Claire Taylor on 07989 597811. artsbeat November 2019

music

artsbeat’s essential guide to Derbyshire’s best live tunes Matlock’s radio station launches fundraising album

A

s part of the fundraising to keep Radio Free Matlock running the team behind the independent station are launching their first album.

The compilation release titled Audio Transmissions: Vol. 1 is of a multi-instrumentalistgenre, that reflects the array of music on the station.

All of the artists featured have donated a track of their own to support the Radio Free Matlock cause.

The tracks include a variety of post-punk, rock, electronica and spoken word, with many of them hailing from the Derbyshire area including Altrock band Damn Cargo, former Derbyshire poet-laureate Helen Mort, Chesterfield based post-punk artist My

Pleasure and Chesterfield-born folk-electronica artist Jayne Dent. Every penny raised from the release will go towards supporting the station.

The album launch is on Friday, November 8, and it will be available as a digital release via Bandcamp. For more details go to radiofreematlock.co.uk

Rock and Pop

For details and dates of other gigs go to queensheadbelper.weebly.com

Buxton Opera House, Buxton n Crooners, comedy music show, November 2, 7.30pm. n Kenny Wayne Shepherd, November 13, 7.30pm. n Sounds of Springsteen, November 15, 7.30pm. n The Bowie Collective, November 17, 7.30pm.

For more details and tickets go to buxtonoperahouse.org.uk n Queen’s Head, Belper n Bob Cheevers USA, November 8. artsbeat November 2019

Derbyshire Alt-rock band Damn Cargo

Folk and Jazz

Alstonefield Village Hall n The Tom McConville Band, November 23. More details on page 56. For tickets go to alstonefield.org or wegottickets.com Bamford Institute, Bamford Lady Maisery, 16 November. Lady Maisery were the headline act at the main stage on the opening night of the prestigious Sidmouth

Folk Festival this year. They are becoming so sought-after that Bamford are extremely lucky to have them so don’t miss what will be a truly marvellous evening. Tickets from Bamford Post Office at The Anglers Rest and on wegottickets.

Check out our website for future events: www.bcac.org.uk or the Facebook page @Bamfordarts Buxton Opera House, Buxton n John Mayall, November 10, 7.30pm. n The Simon and Garfunkel Story, November 11, 7.30pm.

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n music Music from the frontier settlers MOUNTAIN Music is a theatrical journey from ancient Celtic folk, to modern American country music.

Award-winning theatre makers Little Bulb present an enchanting evening of storytelling and song at Crich Glebe Field Centre on November 16.

When pioneers from the British Isles settled in the Appalachian Mountains they brought with them, in their invisible baggage, songs from ‘the old country’.

Farnham Maltings Theatre and Little Bulb Theatre weave a gorgeous tapestry of culture, migration and history, exploring the roots of what we now call country music, and its impact on popular music today. n The Houghton Weavers Christmas Concert, November 23, 7.30pm. n Rhiannon Giddens with Francesco Turrisi, November 23, 7.30pm.etails at buxtonoperahouse. org.uk Coach House Studios , Wirksworth n Leftychris Album launch gig, with support from Trevor McMaster, December 8, 6pm. Featured guest musicians on the night are drums and percussion, Alex Ivanov; bass, Jon Wynn; violin, Annie Botham; piano, Chris Ellis; backing vocals, Rosana Coll. Recorded, mixed, produced and mastered by Paul Hopkinson at Foundry recording studio chesterfield. Tickets from the Feather Star, Wirksworth. n Monthly Chanting Sessions with Glennie Kindred on the second

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It is told in sumptuous three-part harmonies, and features fiddle, bass, guitar, banjo and mandolin.

Little Bulb is a muchcelebrated, award winning professional touring company of international acclaim, devising shows which explore and illuminate minute human details that, Friday of the month until March, 6.45-9.15pm.

Go to thecoachhousestudios.co.uk for more details.

Dubrek Studios, Derby n An evening of live music headlined by The Idolins and Dorothy Ella, alongside Leicester’s Paris Alexander, Nottingham’s Georgia McKiernan and local artist Mikey J, 7pm November 9. Free entry.

Old King’s Head, Belper n Belper Folk Club, every Tuesday at 8.30pm. For more details check out their facebook page or go to belperfolkclub.co.uk No 28, Market Place, Belper n A rare chance to see the comedic harmony trio,Red Ruff back in action.

With a three-course meal from Vegan Revelation and support from

in a world so big, are easily swallowed up.

This show combines innovative character work, beautiful imagery and exciting homemade music, it is filled with humour, sadness, and is a performance that will touch, startle and entertain. For tickets call 01773 853260.

The Ferretts. Check out what’s on and book via the No28 Facebook page.

Chesterfield Jazz, Club, Chester Street, Chesterfield n Gordon Vernick (USA), November 21, 8.30pm. For details go to chesterfieldjazz.wordpress.com.

Derby Jazz, Derby Theatre n Zoe Gilby’s Aurora, The Cube, Déda, Derby, November 1, 8pm. n True Think, Baby People, Derby, November 16, 8pm. n Fred Baker Trio, The Northern Light Cinema, Wirksworth, November 24, 7.30pm. Go to derbyjazz.co.uk for details.

Green Man Gallery, Buxton n Celebrating Women In Music – Ann Duggan and Rob Hines, November 2. See more on page 57. n Bayfield Booth, November 8, artsbeat November 2019

n music Four-piece with a folk pedigree GNOSS are a dynamic four-piece of fiddle, flute, guitar and percussion, that tackle energetic tune sets and driving folk song with a maturity of ability many of a greater age will envy.

As current and former students at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, Graham Rorie (fiddle and mandolin), Aidan Moodie (guitar and vocals), Connor Sinclair (flute, whistles and backing vocals) and Craig Baxter (bodhran and stomp) have been tipped as ‘ones to watch’ by Songlines magazine for their lively, engaging and honest performances.

Forming as a duo in 2015, a tribute to singer/songwriter Mat Bayfield who died in October.

Original contemporary folk/roots music from David Booth, Kelly Bayfield and Kev Walford. An exceptional night of music to remind you of the important things in life.

Book at the gallery or online at wegottickets.com/event/484843 n Sarah McQuaid, November 16.

Sarah, who has a voice like malt whisky and melted chocolate, will bring her poetic and innovative song writing and consummate musicianship to the gallery for the fourth time. Early booking is recommended. Book at the gallery or online at wegottickets.com/ event/466011.

More details from the gallery or at thegreenmangallery.com/whats-on Live & Local, various locations n Moscow Drug Club, Brackenfield Church, November 1, 8pm, tickets 07826741810. n Kiriki Club, Tansley Village Hall, November 8, 7.30pm. artsbeat November 2019

Gnoss (Graham and Aidan) picked up a prestigious Danny Kyle Award at Celtic Connections and reached the semi-finals of the BBC Radio 2 Young Folk Award in 2016. Since expanding n Crich Glebe Field Centre, Mountain Music, by Farnham Maltings Theatre, November 16.

See more details left. Tickets 01773 853260. n Roma Tales, presented by Faith i Branko: Melbourne Assembly Rooms, November 21, 7.30pm, tickets 01332 863522; The Burton Institute, Winster, November 22, 8pm, tickets 01629 650 523 and Dronfield Hall Barn, November 23, 7.30pm, tickets 01246 418122. n Fierce Flowers, The Florence Nightingale Memorial Hall, Holloway, November 28, 7.30pm, tickets 01773 856545 and The Verney Institute, Pleasley, November 30, 8pm, tickets, 01623 810035.

For more details go to liveandlocal. org.uk The Old Hall Hotel, Hope n Acoustic sessions with guests second and fourth Wednesdays of the month. November 13, Kate Green and Raymond Greenoaken.

to a four-piece they have continued to impress.

They are at the Old King’s Head, Belper, courtesy of Black Dog Radio Presents on November 9. Go to blackdog-radio.com for details.

November 27, Richard Watson. See folkandblues.wixsite.com for details.

Spring Bank Arts, Spring Bank Arts Centre, New Mills n Ian McMillan and Tony Husband: A Cartoon History of Here, November 15, 7.30pm. A fast-flowing, rapid-rafting adventure, in which two funny men reflect upon local stories and legends.

The performance will be created by suggestions from the audience, orchestrated by Yorkshire poet, broadcaster and comedian Ian McMillan and Cartoonist of the Year, Tony Husband. Tickets from springbankarts.org.uk

Classical Music

Abbotsholme Arts Society, Abbotsholme School Chapel n Soprano Jeni Bern with Tony Kraus, November 30, 7.30pm. For details go to abbotsholmeartssociety. co.uk

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n music Folk favourites in village hall date THE Tom McConville band is one of the most entertaining, exciting four-piece acts on the folk scene.

Fronted by the incendiary fiddle playing of Tom McConville, the band also features BBC Folk Award nominee Shona Kipling, one of the finest accordion players in the country.

Add to that David Newey’s ‘incredible, unique guitar playing’ (Radio 6 Music) and Phil Murray – the man Mike Harding called ‘the best acoustic bass player in Britain’ – and you have a force to be reckoned with.

While this band has a Ashbourne Methodist Church, Ashbourne n St Agnes Fountain Christmas Concert. Chris Leslie, Chris While, Julie Matthews and David Hughes.

Monday 2 December, 7.30pm.

Since their first get- together, to record the eponymous St Agnes Fountain album in 2001, the quartet; David Hughes, Fairport Convention’s Chris Leslie and multi-award winning duo Chris While and Julie Matthews, have brought musical invention and laughter to the star-dust atmosphere of the festive season. Tickets derbylive.co.uk

backbone in traditional music, you’ll hear country, jazz and blues when they perform at Alstonefield Thomas Church, Chesterfield on November 23 at 7.30pm.

After performing Karl Jenkin’s spectacular Symphonic Adiemus at the Winding Wheel in June, Chesterfield Cooperative Choral Society are continuing their Five Ways to Wellbeing project with a seasonal favourite, Handel’s

Buxton Opera House and Pavilion Arts Centre, Buxton n Larisa Piano Trio, Coffee Concert, November 1. Go to buxtonoperahouse.org.uk for tickets.

Chesterfield Co-operative Society Choral Society n A local choir’s project to promote good mental health through the Five Ways to Wellbeing brings Handel’s iconic masterpiece Messiah to St

56

Tenor Andrew Henley, will be performing with the Derbyshire Singers and the Derbyshire Sinfonia at Derby Cathedral on November 16

Village Hall on November 23, at 7.30pm.

For tickets, go to wegottickets.com.

Messiah, featuring the Cooperative Chamber Orchestra and professional soloists. They will finish the year with their Christmas concert in aid of local arts group, Spital Arts. Tickets from chesterfieldchoir.com If you’re interested in joining the choir, you can find out more about them by going along to a rehearsal – every Friday from 7.30-9.30pm at Chesterfield Studios.

Chesterfield Philharmonic Choir, Central Methodist Church, Saltergate, Chesterfield n A concert of sacred choruses entitled The Heavens are Telling to be held on November 9 at 2.30pm.

Steven Roberts will be conducting, with Liz Heath on the piano. This concert will include music by Bach, Brahms, Handel, Parry and Mozart.

Tickets can be obtained by email at ticketoffice@chestphilchoir.org. uk, from choir members and TIC, Chesterfield 01246 345777.

Derby A Cappella, n Free Concert for Prostate Cancer U.K with Derby A Cappella and Silver artsbeat November 2019

n music Sax, November 29, 8pm, The Royal British Legion, Mickleover. During the evening there will be collections for Prostate Cancer UK. Derby A Cappella invite men who want to try their style of singing to rehearsals on Tuesday evenings from 7.30pm, at Chester Green Community Centre, City Road, DE1 3SA. Derby Chamber Music, Multi-Faith Centre, University of Derby n Artesian String Quartet, November 8. For more details go to derbychambermusic.org Derby Cathedral, Derby n Derby Bach Choir present Mozart Requiem, November 2, 7.30pm.

Mozart: Requiem (Druce edition); Mozart: Overture to The Marriage of Figaro; Michael Haydn: Te Deum; Weber: Clarinet Concertino in E flat.The conductor will be Richard Roddis and ​Derek Williams is Derby Bach Orchestra leader. For tickets go to derbybachchoir.com n The Derbyshire Singers, with The Derbyshire Sinfonia, Amanda and Eleanor Kornas (piano).

Britten: St Nicolas (Andrew Henley: tenor, Cantamus Training Choir, Choristers from the Cathedral Choir).

Gjeilo:Song of the Universa.

Finzi: Eclogue for Piano and String Orchestra (Eleanor Kornas: piano).

November 16, 7pm. More details at derbyshiresingers.org n Derby Choral Union Autumn Concert, November 23, 7.30pm.

More details at dcu.org.uk n London Concertante present Viennese Christmas by Candlelight, November 29, 7.30pm. n Derby Concert Orchestra, November 30, 7pm.For more details go to derbyconcertorchestra.co.uk Details of all concerts at derbycathedral.org The Derwent Valley Wind Band and V&A Ensemble Joint Concert, Holy Trinity Church, Matlock Bath n A concert of varied instrumental music and original songs by local composers, November 2, at artsbeat November 2019

A celebration of the female voice ANN Duggan will take you on a journey through several decades of song celebrating Patsy Cline, Mary Chapin Carpenter, Ella Fitzgerald, Doris Day, Gladys Knight, Eva Cassidy, Janis Joplin, Etta James, Billie Holiday and more at this gig in the Green Man Gallery, Buxton on November 2.

7:30pm.Further details from info@ dvwb.org.uk or on Facebook @ vandaensemble. Tickets: phone 01335 310 366 or 07786 441 771.

Derwent Singers, St Peters Church, Belper n The Derwent Singers present a programme of fine choral works

by Ralph Vaughan Williams.

Supported by the Helix Ensemble and narrator Marcus Bennison the choir will perform the rarely heard An Oxford Elegy, Serenade to Music and Mass in G Minor along with his Three Shakespeare Songs and Five English Folk Songs. The Helix Ensemble will also perform Fantasia on Greensleeves, November 23, 7.30pm. For more details go to derwent singers.co.uk

The inimitable Anne is joined by the brilliant Rob Hines on guitar for Celebrating Women in Music.

Ann loves everything to do with vintage and will be dressing in 1950s style herself so why not join her and make a night of it if you have something suitable in the wardrobe?

Book tickets for the event at the gallery or online at wegottickets.com/ event/483458.

Music at Duffield, St Alkmund’s Church, Duffield n Derbyshire-born cellist Richard Jenkinson, Bach Suites, November 2, doors open at 7pm. For details go to musicatduffield.com Peak Music Society, Cavendish Hall, Edensor n The Marmen Quartet; Tuesday, November 12, 7.30pm. The multiprize winning Marmen Quartet – Johannes Marmen (violin), Ricky Gore (violin), Bryony Gibson-Cornish (viola) and Steffan Morris (cello) – will play chamber music for string quartets by Haydn, Janacek and Beethoven. For tickets and more infofmation telephone 01629 640482 or go to tickets@peakmusicsociety. org.uk

57

n bookshelf

n Even When They Know You

By Sue Hepworth (Amazon, £8.99)

When Jane’s best friend dies of cancer, she is bereft. Can her other friends fill the void?

Could a lover? Or is the solace of nature and the changing seasons all she needs?

Even When They Know You – a novel about friends, lovers and trees – is set on and around the Monsal Trail.

Sue Hepworth lives in Derbyshire and regularly contributes to a blog suehepworth.com where you can find out more about the book.

works of literature, others brutal, coarse and frankly outrageous; many are erotic, others heartbreaking.

The writers vary from Elizabeth I, Rameses the Great and Leonard Cohen to Emmeline Pankhurst, Mandela, Stalin, Michelangelo, Suleiman the Magnificent and unknown people in extraordinary circumstances.

From love letters to calls for liberation, declarations of war to reflections on death.

In the colourful, accessible style of a master storyteller, Montefiore shows why these letters are essential reading: how they enlighten our past, enrich the way we live now and illuminate tomorrow.

n Glastonbury 50: The Official Story of Glastonbury Festival

By Emily and Michael Eavis (Orion Publishing, £30) n The Twelve Birds of Christmas

By Stephen Moss (Vintage Publishing, £12.99)

n Writen in History

By Simon Sebag Montefiore (Orion Publishing Co, £9.99)

Written in History celebrates the great letters of world history, creative culture and personal life.

Acclaimed historian Simon Sebag Montefiore selects over one hundred letters from ancient times to the twenty-first century: some are noble and inspiring, some despicable and unsettling; some are exquisite

drumming he delves into the woodpecker’s distinctive drumming tap. Woodpeckers, he explains, have special padded skulls to mitigate against using its head like hammer drills. They carefully select dead trees for the most hollow, sonorous sound.

With brilliant anecdotes and insights, Stephen Moss weaves history, culture, bird behaviour and folklore into a compelling narrative for each species.

Naturalist Stephen Moss digs beneath the surface of some of our most popular Christmas carols in an ornithological celebration of the Festive Season.

Using the structure of the carol as a jumping off point, he explores the place of 12 fascinating British birds in our history, culture and landscape.

Some of the birds are obvious, there’s the swan and, of course, the partridge. Other chapters are loose interpretations of a verse: for drummers

In their own words, Michael and Emily Eavis reveal the stories behind the headlines, and celebrate 50 years of history in the Vale of Avalon.

They’re joined by a host of big-name contributors from the world of music, among them Adele, JAY-Z, Dolly Parton, Chris Martin, Noel Gallagher, Lars Ulrich and Guy Garvey. They are also joined by artists Stanley Donwood, Kurt Jackson and many more; writers Caitlin Moran, Lauren Laverne, Billy Bragg and by a host of photographers, from 70s icon Brian Walker to rock and roll legends Jill Furmanovsky and Greg Williams.

Bookshelf is sponsored by Scarthin Books, of Cromford 58

artsbeat November 2019

attitude

Comment and opinion from reviewers and readers The British love nothing more than a thriller

I

t was a year ago that I watched Bill Kenwright’s The Case of the Frightened Lady.

If you read my review then you will know that I didn’t much like the drama, set in one room of a country home, and I questioned the production company’s strategy when choosing thrillers to adapt. I reckoned they worked on the principle of ‘keep it simple and get it out there’.

Clearly having forgotten that experience, I headed for Derby Theatre for potentially more of the same with The Lady Vanishes from Kenwright’s The Classic Thriller Theatre Company.

The play has been adapted by Antony Lampard from Alfred Hitchcock’s 1938 film.

There were a few déjà vu moments – Scarlet Archer was in both for starters – but otherwise this show was much more enjoyable than last year’s and it must have been a considerably tougher challenge for the set designers.

It can’t be often you are asked to try and convey a moving steam train complete with individual compartments on stage, but they did it quite successfully and the set was suitably impressive – especially the station scenes.

artsbeat November 2019

The plot follows young socialite Iris Henderson (Archer) as she travels through Nazi-controlled Europe on a journey back to Britain for her wedding day.

After getting thumped on the head at the train station, Iris is helped on to the train by the mild-mannered, retired governess Miss Froy, who was played by Derby’s own much-loved Gwen Taylor. I am sure the cheers she received from the audience at the end of the evening must have been in appreciation of her accomplishments during a lifetime on stage.

After falling asleep in her train compartment, Iris is shocked to find that Miss Froy has disappeared and everyone else on the train denies her existence.

With her suspicions heightened, earnest Iris turns detective and enlists the cynical Max (Nicholas Audsley) who helps uncover a dastardly plot

by Dr Hartz (Andrew Lancel) and the Nazis.

It’s the 21st century so it stands to reason that a play set in the 1930s will lack any real thrills.

Even if you have managed to miss out on the film all these years it is not too difficult to guess what’s going on pretty much from the start. But what the heck, Nazis are thwarted

by Brits abroad, love blossoms and the cheating husband gets his just desserts. Not only that there’s a gun battle and lots of jolly good fun courtesy of the two old school tie-types Charters and Caldicott (Denis Lill and Ben Nealon).

Bill Kenwright and his team obviously know what makes the British tick when it comes to drama. Give us a bit of nostalgia, a steam train, cricket references, a baddie or two, a pretty young woman and some plucky chaps to save the day and we seem to be more than happy.

AP

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n attitude Classical music reviews by Mike Wheeler Derby Chamber Music: Ning Kam & Katherine Jenkinson, Multi-Faith Centre, Derby University DCM patron cellist Katherine Jenkinson and violinist Ning Kam opened the new season with a programme full of piquant contrasts, starting with Mozart’s Duo in G, K423.

Transcribing the original viola part for cello inevitably darkens the piece, but the outer movements were still full of witty backchat to offset the characteristically expressive middle one.

The players then had a solo spot each. Jenkinson followed her poised reading of the Sarabande from JS Bach’s Cello Suite No 2 with the rip-roaring Julie-O by American composer Mark Summer. Kam used a baroque bow and minimal vibrato for her searching account of the Adagio and Fugue from his Sonata No 1 for solo violin.

They came back together for Martinu’s Duo No 1, touchingly withdrawn in the unsettled first movement’s ending, and pointing up the exuberant whirling energy of the second.

In Ravel’s Sonata for violin and cello they found a balancepoint in the first movement’s mix of detached and intense, and searched the demonic side of the phantasmagoric scherzo.

The fragile slow movement was vividly contrasted with the finale’s energetically skewed march.

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Ning Kam who performed for Derby Chamber Music

The set of variations on God Save the King, composed jointly by violinists Adrien François Servais and Joseph Ghys throws at the tune every trick in the 19th-century virtuoso book, and the two players projected its expressive gamut, from the Tom-andJerry chase of Variation 2 to the intensity of the ending, with relish.

Sitwell Singers, St John’s Church, Derby Tchaikovsky and Fauré don’t, perhaps, make an obvious pairing, but they were put together effectively by the Sitwell Singers and conductor Malcolm Goldring.

Tchaikovsky was represented by seven sacred motets from a group of nine published in 1885, which the choir sang in Slavonic.

Assistant conductor David Henshaw directed the first two, before handing over to Goldring for the rest of the evening.

Perhaps dynamic contrasts could have been heightened a little more, and just occasionally tuning felt a bit insecure, but these were

deeply-felt performances, making effective occasional use of solo voices. The singers were arranged in so-called ‘scrambled’ position, mixing the different voice-parts which, as so often, gave extra vibrancy to the sound.

The motets were divided into two groups. In between came a rare piece of Russian organ music, Glazunov’s Prelude and Fugue in D. Nothing about it sounds remotely Russian.

Instead, Tom Corfield captured the processional character of the Prelude, followed by a firm, lucid account of the Fugue.

The singers stood in the more conventional arrangement for Fauré’s Requiem in part two.

He described it as ‘gentle’, and it certainly was in this performance. The intimacy of his original conception was nicely realised, the opening slightly slower and more solemn than we sometimes hear, the big moments, such as the ‘Osanna’ in the Sanctus ringing out. The Agnus Dei was taken at a good forwardmoving tempo, there was no over-dramatisation of the Dies Irae, and there was a glowing serenity in the final In Paradisum. artsbeat November 2019

n attitude move to “feel” the rhythm, and reciting the poem repeatedly.

There are many lesser known poets here (some because they are younger), but others are classics.

Flicking backwards from John Magee’s Oh I Have Slipped the Surly Bonds of Earth” (written about his experience as a new Second World War fighter pilot), I found Gerard Manley Hopkins’ The Windhover (the priest had seen a kestrel diving on its prey above him), and found the comparison and contrast striking.

Penultimately, Brandreth has poems for funerals and memorials, and then the final chapter has 26 poems by poets from Auden to Zephaniah.

This is a book that the family should share: readers, reciters and listeners will all benefit.

Dancing by the Light of the Moon by Gyles Brandreth (£14.99, Michael Joseph)

A book for all the family to share “The exercise and discipline of learning a poem by heart is certainly going to help keep dementia at bay,” Giles Brandreth quotes a Cambridge University scientist saying, but there are more joys and uses to poetry than just your future mental health.

There’s the pleasure of today in hearing rolling words and feeling sympathy with the world outside. In fact, Dancing by the Light of the Moon gives you 16 chapters and 16 ways of enjoying the 250 poems in this 450 page book.

In an early chapter Brandreth looks at memory, and the pleasures of recollection. He discusses poems like Thomas Hood’s I Remember, I Remember The Place Where I Was Born” but he also includes Morecambe and Wise’s Bring

Review by Les Hurst of Scarthin Books, Cromford

Me Sunshine, and The Rhythm of Life, a recent poem for children by Michael Rosen.

In his next chapter he looks at how to memorise a poem, and takes as an example Wordsworth’s Daffodils, identifying the rhyme scheme, suggests sharing the poem with a friend, reciting it as you

FREE

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May 2019

June 2019

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Operatic l scanda l Festiva s preview

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Artists ope

up for Spring ys Bank Holida

Studios in full bloom Event previews: Belper, Buxton, Little Ed and Derby Book Festival

Celebrating the arts in Derbyshire and the Peak District

Pollyanna’s big cat legacy Celebrating the arts in

District Derbyshire and the Peak

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July & August 2019

A little bird tells me. . .

artsbeatblog.com

September 2019

Summer festivals special

Derby Festé Melbourne New Mills

. . . it’s the 40th anniversary of Buxton Festival Fringe

Celebrating the arts in

Derbyshire and the Peak

District

Ofton Wirksworth Woodland

Celebrating the arts in Derbyshire and the Peak District

Tell them you saw it in artsbeat – the little magazine with a big audience artsbeat November 2019

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OPENING TIMES Mon, Tues, Wed, Fri & Sat : 10.30am to 4.30pm Sunday : 11.30am to 4.30pm Closed on Thursday

RICHARD WHITTLESTONE Wildlife Gallery

WINTER EXHIBITION Sat 16th November – Sun 8th December (AA signposted) Featuring new original paintings, limited edition prints, cards and 2020 calendar Broomes Barns, Pilsley, Chatsworth DE45 1PF 01246 582720 www.richardwhittlestone.co.uk

A FESTIVE FAVOURITE FROM CHRISTMAS PAST

ORIGINAL STORY BY CHARLES DICKENS ADAPTED BY NEIL DUFFIELD

FRIDAY 29 NOVEMBER 2019 – SATURDAY 4 JANUARY 2020 Box Office: 01332 593939 Text Number: 07717 346 964 derbytheatre.co.uk

Derby Theatre is part of