The West Dorset Magazine, February 11, 2022
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Culture By Karen Bate newsdesk@westdorsetmag.co.uk
A rich mixture of music and theatre is coming to rural communities in village halls across West Dorset courtesy of charity Artsreach, which has launched its exciting spring programme. n Company Gavin Robertson - Done to Death, By Jove! Thursday, February 17 at 7.30pm in Wootton Fitzpaine Village Hall For more details ring 01297 560948 Holmes and Watson meet Poirot and Miss Marple (alongside the usual suspects) in a spoof homage – who murdered Lady Fanshawe? A cast of six set about bringing a group of suspects and sleuths together to discover whodunnit, and how… except four of the actors are stuck in the van by the side of the motorway, and only those two knights of the Theatre, Sir Gavin and Sir Nicholas, have managed to get to the venue; but ‘the show must go on’! n The Devil’s Violin - The Beast in Me Friday, February 18 at 7.30pm in West Stafford Village Hall For details ring 07968 633834 Sunday, February 20 at 7.30pm in Drimpton Village Hall For details ring 01308 867617 Imagine a world where the lines separating humanity and animals
HEART-WARMING: Oskar’s Amazing Adventure and, inset below, Pinnochio from the Norwich Puppet Theatre
Oskar winner in supporting role for a new season
have blurred, in which dark forests contain refuge as well as danger, and where blood is not always thicker than water. The Beast in Me is a
masterfully woven tapestry of stories from long ago about our perception of beauty and the value of kindness. Epic narratives are evocatively brought to life by master storyteller, Daniel Morden, and with sublime stringed accompaniment from virtuoso musicians Sarah Moody (cello) and Oliver Wilson-Dickson (violin). n Theatre Fideri Fidera - Oskar’s Amazing Adventure Monday, February 21 at
3pm in Burton Bradstock Village Hall For details ring 01308 897421 An original, heartwarming and entertaining play for young children and their families, full of good humour, adventure, music and song. Funloving puppy Oskar leaves the snowbound little house on top of the mountain to try to find a friendly animal to play with. But where are all the animals? This original play performed by Theatre Fidera Fidera, an Anglo Swiss children’s theatre touring company, uses a rich mix of storytelling, physical theatre, clowning, puppetry and music to tell the tale of a puppy’s search for friendship in the wilderness of the Alps. n Norwich Puppet Theatre - Pinocchio Sunday, February 27 at 3pm in Wootton Fitzpaine Village Hall For details ring 01297 560948 Join Pinocchio on a journey packed with hints of danger, slapstick humour and a playful exploration of identity, suitable for young audiences. This fast-paced adventure is full of selfdiscovery as they try, fail and try again to find their heart and become a real person. A highly visual production featuring puppetry, illusion, and object theatre plus a lively soundtrack... and a very big fish!
