performing arts

As you will be aware, the performing arts, along with many artists of all genres, have taken a direct hit due to the pandemic.

Theatres and venues have closed, then reopened with social distancing, only having to then close again. Gigs, concerts and tours have been rescheduled, then cancelled. There is no doubt about it, the situation is having a devastating effect on the arts in general.

Some have taken to showing performances and events online, a device that many festivals and arts organisers have taken on board, including artists who deliver classes and workshops.

When we have all emerged from this covid tunnel into the bright warm light of normal human interaction it is vital, I feel, to take ourselves off to the theatre and live music events and support those artists and venues who have been so severely impacted. Never has the phrase 'use it or lose it' been more relevant.

To find out what is happening at your local theatres and venues and how you can support them, please check their websites regularly. Here are links to some ingénu/e regulars: Worthing Theatres - https://wtam.uk; Chichester Festival Theatre - https://www.cft.org.uk; Eastbourne Theatres - https://www.eastbournetheatres.co.uk; The Capitol - https://www.thecapitolhorsham.com; The Old Market - https://www.theoldmarket.com; The Picture House Cinema & Restaurant, Uckfield - https://www.picturehouseuckfield.com/restaurant; London Philharmonic Orchestra - https://www.lpo.org.uk; The Hanover Band - https://thehanoverband.com; The Hawth - https://www.parkwoodtheatres.co.uk/The-Hawth; Coastal Events - https://www.coastalevents.co.uk; Russian State Ballet & Opera - https://amande-concerts.co.uk.

pictured at top: Chichester Festival Theatre auditorium. Curtain call at first preview of Amadeus. Photo by Philip Vile

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THE CAPITOL

Horsham theatre celebrates its 85th anniversary

The Capitol, like so many other theatres across the country, have had to 'go dark' while we are all in lockdown. Under normal circumstances, however, The Capitol is a vibrant venue that brings diverse live theatre, music and cinema to its local audience. There is even a mezzanine gallery for local artists to exhibit their work.

A potted history

Built in an astonishing six months, the Ritz opened in June 1936, owned and operated by Union Cinemas. This beat Horsham's Odeon which opened four months later. After Union Cinemas ran into financial crisis the venue fell under control of Associated British Cinemas (ABC) in Oct 1937. The Ritz was eventually renamed the ABC in February 1967 during a two week run of My Fair Lady.

The Ritz, circa 1936

Horsham District Council acquired the cinema in January 1982 who ran it until November 1983. The building then underwent an elaborate conversion to become a theatre and cinema. Still under the ownership of Horsham District Council, Horsham Arts Centre opened its doors in December 1984 and after twenty years, the building closed in January 2002 to undergo a £6 million refurbishment. Re-named as The Capitol (in homage to the old Capitol Theatre) it opened in September 2003 by HRH Queen Elizabeth II.

And currently

In March 2020 The Capitol had to close following the Government’s national lockdown in a bid to stop the spread of the Covid-19 pandemic. The venue reopened its cinemas four months later in July 2020, screening films on the 12m theatre screen as well as the two cinema screens. Several dedicated members of staff worked tirelessly to refresh the venue during the few weeks before re-opening, restoring some of the original art-deco features which now provide a visual treat for our visitors.

The Capitol - the refubished front entrance

Due to the lack of new film releases, the theatre had to diversify into screening classic films. The theatre also took the opportunity of screening a 35mm film on their classic projector – being one of a handful of cinemas in the UK to have a fully operational projector and staff knowledgeable to run a film. This proved to be a big success with customers and further screenings were planned. The theatre re-opened with live shows in October 2020 and there were several sold out socially distanced shows before the Government’s announcement of a second lockdown in November 2020.

A full programme of drama, live music, comedy, ballet, evening-with shows, contemporary dance and family entertainment as well as the return of a Christmas Pantomime are planned for 2021 alongside current film releases and live screen events, including National Theatre Live and Royal Shakespeare Company productions.

The Capitol auditorium

Digital screens in the front window of The Capitol, Horsham are currently displaying various images whilst the venue is temporarily closed during the third lockdown – there is one which simply says “The Show Must Go On”.

Visit www.thecapitolhorsham.com for further information about the re-opening of the theatre and upcoming shows.

HASTINGS PHILHARMONIC ORCHESTRA

Hastings Philharmonic Orchestra and Singers performing Messiah

photo by Peter Mould

Hastings Philharmonic Orchestra is still working hard to present the concerts of its fifth season. From socially distanced events in Covid-secure venues, to online broadcasts, the music plays on.

Hastings Philharmonic Orchestra – now in their fifth season – are proud to be one of the few professional orchestras in the South East outside the London cultural hub. In spite of the challenging circumstances of the current pandemic, HPO has continued to work hard to develop socially distanced events in Covid-secure venues whenever government guidelines have permitted, and they have also developed new initiatives.

From September to December HPO held five exciting sold-out concerts, including three chamber music concerts, one string orchestra concert in Winchelsea and a choral concert. The latter consisted of a performance of Handel’s Messiah, which brought together the twenty-eight-strong HPO Singers, seven professional soloists and an eight-piece Baroque ensemble and attracted an audience of over a hundred (pictured above).

To combat lockdown constraints and to enable outreach to those who are shielding or self-isolating, HPO has also developed a new initiative. They are not only broadcasting this season’s concerts but also concerts from previous seasons. For example, recent online streaming included a ‘New Music’ concert featuring the six finalist pieces of their 2019 composition competition. A forthcoming broadcast, on Friday 6th February at 7.30 p.m., will feature a 2016 performance – the first given by the orchestra with the Hastings Philharmonic Choir. Access to this broadcast can be found on the HPO Facebook Page and Youtube Channel.

There is much to look forward to in the rest of HPO’s season. The main orchestral concert, originally planned for 15th January, has now been re-scheduled for 27th February, with the possibility of further postponement if necessary. Artistic Director Marcio da Silva comments that: “Our audience is immensely supportive – they recognise that we need to be flexible. We are grateful for their understanding.” Marcio reports that plans and funding are already in place for other exciting new projects. For example, HPO Songbirds is HPO’s new children’s choir, for five to elevenyear-olds. Weekly rehearsals on Sundays will be free of charge, with children being taught vocal technique and how to read music. The choir will perform two to three concerts each year. Interested parents should write to info@hastingsphilorchestra.co.uk.

The highlights of the rest of the season include three orchestral concerts. The first of these will be held in St Mary in the Castle, the second in Etchingham, and the final, free of charge July concert, in Alexandra Park. Further information about the orchestra and all forthcoming concerts can be found on the HPO website: www.hastingsphilorchestra.co.uk. HPO are always grateful for any offers of financial support or sponsorship. HPO is a Registered Charity. All donations help HPO to share the joy of high quality classical music in Hastings and the surrounding area. –Dr Carolyn May

Worthing and Eastbourne Theatres in Spring

Kate Rusby

Let’s hope in the next few months theatres can reopen and live performance can once again grace the stages of our theatres. There is plenty on offer providing the pandemic allows it. Two examples...

The 20th May sees the amazing Kate Rusby bring her charming Yorkshire cheerfulness, her angelic voice and her wonderful songs to Worthing’s Pavilion Theatre. Inhabiting a lyric with unforced conviction – no matter how old or how modern – she has that rare ability to transport her audience, of touching them emotionally and making each tune live vividly within their experience and imagination.

As ever, she will be joined on stage by the cream of British folk musicians who form her band. These virtuoso artists are sure to delight you with their exceptional talents. The crossover appeal Kate enjoys is unprecedented for a folk singer and has been achieved without resort to compromise. Audiences will be treated to a truly remarkable and unforgettable concert experience.

Visit wtam.uk for further information of what’s on in Spring.

On 4th May 2021 at the Congress Theatre in Eastbourne the legendary 10cc will perform the hits which have singled them out as one of the most inventive and influential bands in the history of popular music.

They are led by co-founder Graham Gouldman, a legend in song writing since the sixties. He wrote hit songs for the Hollies, the Yardbirds and Herman’s Hermits and with 10cc he wrote or co-wrote some of their greatest hits. 10cc had eleven top 10 hits, and over 15 million albums sold in the UK alone. The group also have three

No.1 singles to their name – Rubber Bullets, Dreadlock Holiday and I’m Not In Love.

In 2021 (hopefully!!) the band take their inspirational live show back on the road, performing their timeless hits and more, and always with a surprise or two.

Visit www.eastbournetheatres. co.uk for full details of what’s on.

10cc