From Hong Kong to Bath

The Museum of East Asian Art in Bath is delighted to celebrate its 30th anniversary with the exhibition From Hong Kong to Bath: A Lifelong Journey of Collecting from 28 June 2023 until June next year. Through a series of rare historical photographs and a display of 30 treasures from its collection, this exhibition uncovers hidden stories of the museum, looks at the fascinating life of the late museum founder, and acknowledges the contribution of communities in Hong Kong and Bath which have shaped the museum.

The Museum was founded by Brian Shane McElney OBE (1932–2023), who passed away on 26 April. McElney enjoyed a successful career as a prominent lawyer in Hong Kong, and devoted himself to collecting and studying East and Southeast Asian art. He had a specific focus on Chinese art, collecting all types of objects ranging from Neolithic (circa. 7000-1700 BC) painted pottery and Ming dynasty (1368-1644) blue and white porcelain, to Qing dynasty (1644-1912) bamboo carvings and 20th-century watercolour paintings. The majority of his collection was sourced from antique shops and auctions between the 1950s and 1990s, a time when the Hong Kong art market flourished and new art museums and collecting societies were established.

McElney surrounded himself with knowledgeable Chinese art connoisseurs, learning from collectors, dealers and scholars in the field. He in turn contributed to the Hong Kong art scene by acting as an advisor to public museums and cofounding the prestigious Oriental Ceramic Society of Hong Kong in 1974. After his retirement to the UK, McElney founded the Museum in Bath in a restored Georgian townhouse, enabling the wider public to enjoy his collection.

This anniversary exhibition pays tribute to McElney’s lifelong dedication to the study and promotion of East and Southeast Asian Art, and considers the wider legacy of the Museum as it looks forward to the next 30 years ahead.

Museum of East Asian Art, 12 Bennett Street, Bath; meaa.org.uk

ABOVE: Founder Brian McElney at the Museum of East Asian Art in the 1990s;

FAR LEFT: Cloisonné enamel tripod censer, Qing dynasty, Qianlong mark and period (1736–95);

LEFT: Jade carving of a boy holding a cat, Early Ming dynasty (1368-1550) or earlier.

Both images © Museum of East Asian Art

Former Prior Park College student Benedict Hastings is returning to Bath in the summer, starring in the Olivier Awardwinning production Hey Duggee The Live Theatre Show (Best Family Show 2023).

Ben stars in the production in the dual role of Duggee (awoof) and the Narrator, the latter of which is voiced by Alexander Armstrong. Benedict has previously starred in Zog, We’re Going on a Bear Hunt, Wolf Hall and Bring Up the Bodies

Duggee, the Squirrels and some of their friends star in the musical play that is coming to the Theatre Royal from 9–12 August, which is packed with non-stop fun, laughs, music, singing and dancing. This is the first-ever stage adaptation of the hugely popular CBeebies series, which brings Duggee and friends to life through extraordinary puppetry and storytelling, which is touring to theatres across the UK until August this year.

Hey Duggee The Live Theatre Show is presented by awardwinning theatre producer Kenny Wax and theatre and live entertainment promoters Cuffe and Taylor in association with Live Nation.

Tickets are available at heyduggeelive.com and theatreroyal.org.uk

Stardom Films is an entertainment company with an exciting new production model, which fully embraces and encourages new talent, giving people a real chance to get a start in the film industry, regardless of age or experience, offering a range of supporting roles both in front of and behind the camera.

The first film is to be made in August right here in Bath, where the producer Jonathan Willis has lived for years. One Night In Bath is a romantic comedy (Notting Hill meets Love Actually) which evokes heartfelt emotions while telling a romantic story via laughs (and a few tears) along the way. Beyond this, Stardom Films will be making movies all over the world, and is already planning a second, family-oriented movie in Bath. Sir Alfred Hitchcock said what makes a great movie is: “A great script. A great script. A great script”. And to that point, Stardom also gives aspiring writers a real shot to have their scripts made into a movie.

Stardom Films’ CEO Jeff Vanderpol says: “We recognise there is a mass of talented people here in the UK who would love to act in exciting new films; we want to put those people on the screen and put their skills and dreams to the test.”

For more information about ‘One Night In Bath’, opportunities to get involved and to register your interest visit stardom-uk.com or email support@stardom-uk.com