Rrapscallion
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The Cartoon Museum in London has a number of collections permanently on display including the history of the seaside postcard
Saucy seaside postcards, Tudors and summer walks around the city of Bath It is the first season when the scourge of Covid has been vanquished - or has it? The wretched virus has returned with a vengeance and the jury is out as to whether it will once again affect events like theatre, comedy and music. Leaving that depressing thought aside this season sees some Rapscallion friendly events. In London the Cartoon Museum has an ongoing exhibition on the saucy seaside postcards - that very British institution from the Carry On Age inherited from the music hall and our Anglo Saxon sense of humour. Bamford and Company had been printing postcards since the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries with what would appear to us now as rather innocent portrayals of life at the seaside. It seems amazing that society in the 1950s was so conservative that these displays of humour were considered obscene. Incredibly the artist Donald McGill was prosecuted for his designs under the 1857 Obscene Publications Act. He was found guilty and fined £50 with costs of £25. It just goes to show that even then some people didn’t have a sense of humour. Meanwhile here is a listing of some 4
events of note coming up this spring:
Regular events in Bath
Tuesdays Mayor’s Pulteney Estate Walks. The walks are free and take in Great Pulteney Street and Sydney Gardens. Meet at 11am. Runs from May to September. No booking is required. Allow 2 hours. Meet at the Pump Room in Bath. Wednesdays Widcombe Wayfarers Walks. Meet on the 2nd Wednesday of every month, starting at 10am at the west end of Widcombe Parade. Walks last between 1-2 hours and are medium paced. Come dressed for the weather, with suitable footwear and be prepared for a few climbs. Walks are limited to 20 people and registration is now compulsory. The walks are free but if you would like to make a small donation to this event you can do so when you register. See the Widcombe Association website for details. Thursdays Mayor’s Pulteney Estate Walks. The walks are free and take in Great Pulteney Street and Sydney Gardens. Meet at 11am. Runs from May to September. No booking is required. Allow 2 hours. Meet at the Pump Room in Bath. Story Time at Bath Library. 12noon to 12.30pm. Let’s share stories and books at the library! Perfect for families with children aged 0-5. No booking required. Saturdays Bear Flat Community market and café. Third Saturday of every month, from 9:30am to 12:30 pm in the church hall on Bruton Avenue. To book a stall, email market@bearflat.org.uk
Theatre Picks in Bath
Fri 1 Jul-Sat 6 Aug. Ustinov Studio. The Tempest. Deborah Warne directs Shakespeare’s drama set on an island inhabited by Prospero, his daughter and slave Caliban. Sat 2 Jul. Rondo Theatre. Tosca. 7:30pm. By Giacomo Puccini. Bath Opera stages the tragic story of diva Tosca and her painter lover Cavaradossi under a cruel and despotic regime. In the title role is international soprano Ghiulnara Raileanu who is supported by leading members of Bath Opera with Robert Felstead as Cavaradossi and Niall Hoskin as the cruel Scarpia. Musical Director is Peter Blackwood, and Stage Director Jane Clark. Sat 2-Sat 23 Jul. Theatre Royal Bath. Bugsy Malone. A Lyric Hammersmith Theatre production of Alan Parker’s prohibition era comedy musical drama Wed 6 – Sat 9 Jul . Rondo Theatre. Macbeth. The Rondo Theatre Company stage Shakespeare’s tragedy of regicide in Scotland. All profits are in aid of Marie Curie. Wed 13 Jul. Rondo Theatre. Estella. A musical take on Estella who enchants Pip in Charles Dickens’ novel Great Expectations. This new play shows how devastating the truth can be in a world built on secrets and lies. Diving straight to the heart of literature’s mysterious heroine – Estella – three captivating actor-musicians lead a radical reimagining set against a backdrop of live music and song. 7.30pm. Thu 14 to Sat 16 Jul. Mission Theatre. tick, tick... Boom! by Jonathan Larson. 7.30pm. Valkyrie Theatre Company presents the story of a young playwrightcomposer and the sacrifices he made to achieve his Rapscallion Magazine
