culture
Largest Knox Collection for Sale in the Island 16.11.13 - 10:30AM - 5PM The Basement - Pete Luis Building, Duke Street, Douglas Tel: 629530 / 353213
With almost 100 pieces, by the celebrated designer Archibald Knox for sale, Aylmer-Levine Fine Art and Michael Levine Decorative Arts are celebrating 25 years in business, trading from their premises in the Peter Luis Building. The Aylmer-Levine Gallery was set up by Sam and Lynn Levine in 1988 specialising in watercolour and oil paintings from the late 19th and early 20th Century. Five years later, in 1993, their son, Michael returned to the Island, after spending 3 years learning his trade standing antique fairs all around England to set up his studio along-side the gallery in the basement of Peter Luis Building, specialising in Art Nouveau and Art Deco. 20 years on and both are still going strong, with Michael taking over the reins from his parents on the painting side earlier this year. Their longevity is testament to their competitive prices and their eye for quality. Archibald Knox (1864-1933) was a Manxman whose designs were retailed through Liberty’s in London in the early 1900s and are now collected worldwide, especially in America where record prices have been made for his pieces ($210,000 for a silver and enamel cigar box, apparently purchased by Brad Pitt in 1999). Knox was also a highly regarded water colourist, and over the last 10 years or so, his paintings have become very sought after, highly collected, especially in the Isle of Man. The exhibition, having over 90 pieces of Knox design, will include pewter, silver and some paintings. Prices will range from £100 to £8,000. Amongst the exhibits will be clocks, tea sets, biscuit boxes, rose bowls, vases, trays, glass liner pieces, silver spoons and forks, a pair of rare enamelled ice buckets, several pairs of candlesticks; including a very rare and important pair of enamelled candlesticks. Also included in the exhibition will be works by other leading Manx artists including; John Miller Nicholson, William Hoggatt, John E Aitken, James Aitken, John H Nicholson, EC Quayle, Raymond Dearn, MW Leach, John Holden, amongst others. There will also be a selection of still life oil paintings by Nadine Lundahl. In Michael Levine’s studio, there is a fine display of Art Nouveau and Art Deco including Bronze figurines, Moorcroft, Clarice Cliff, Lalique, Cameo glass, WMF, Deco porcelain figures, Art Deco lamps and other mid 20th century glassware. The exhibition, starting on Saturday 16th November, will take place at their premises in the basement of Peter Luis Building, Duke Street, Douglas from 10.30 am to 5.00 pm.
because quality matters
The Manx Ballet Company Announces an Island First with Snow White, a Classical Ballet Performed by Children 1/2.11.13 - 2PM or 19:30PM Gaiety Theatre Tel: 600555
The Manx Ballet Company is presenting Snow White at The Gaiety in November, which will be the first classical production of a ballet in the Island performed by children aged 8 to 18 years old. Children learning classical ballet from dance schools all over the island auditioned to take part in this unique production towards the end of last year and 60 were chosen. The young dancers have been rehearsing since March and in the process have learned about the history and structure of a classical ballet production, as well as honing their acting skills alongside their classical dancing technique. Snow White will be a three act ballet with music by the 19th century French composer, Adolphe Adam, who is best known for writing the score for the ballet Giselle. The Manx Ballet Company was officially formed in 1999 to present classical ballet appealing to a broad audience. Its first production was La Boutique Fantasque (Debussy) and since then it has put on a production every other year. The Principals of The Academy of Dance were invited last year to produce Snow White, with Mari-Louise Britz as Choreographer and Pippa Salter as Head of Costume and Set Design. With children taking all the parts, they not only get the opportunity to perform in front of a large audience, but some have also been given the responsibility of taking on a lead role. Mari-Louise Britz explains: “We want to inspire young dancers, both boys and girls, to take part in future productions and enjoy performing in ballet. We hope that this production of Snow White will appeal to everyone, from children to adults, without diluting what classical ballet is about.” Commenting on the challenges which the young dancers have faced, she adds: “Using a score such as this one composed by Adam has proven to be a challenge as well as an inspiration to the students who are not necessarily used to listening and dancing to anything other than syllabus music. They have all risen to the challenge and we are very proud of what they have achieved.” Pippa Salter has overseen the production of a dazzling array of costumes, which together with the sets, will transport audiences into the magical world of Snow White. Pippa explains: “We want to convey the mystical side of the original story of Snow White rather than the modern interpretation of the ballet. To this end, we have created a historical and romantic thread with our costumes and set design.” Commenting on the latest production from the Manx Ballet Company, John Bethell, Chairman of the Manx Ballet Company, says: “In these three performances you will see the culmination of months of hard work in rehearsals and also the physical preparation by each of the dancers.” Tickets for Snow White are now on sale and there will be evening performances on Friday 1st November and Saturday 2nd November at 7.30pm and a matinee at 2pm on 2nd November. The Manx Ballet Company is supported by the Isle of Man Arts Council.
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