Callum’s sobering look at pub culture

A cautionary yet entertaining tale about our shared love for pubs, community and family is coming to Dorset this month.

Thirst by Callum Patrick Hughes is a “riotous, warm and musical” exploration of alcoholism that reminds us not everything we love is good for us, presented by Artsreach Dorset. A spokesperson for the show said: “Jimi Hendrix, Kurt Cobain, Amy Winehouse – all sadly members of the infamous 27 Club.

“In July 2018, two months shy of his 28th birthday, Callum Hughes was nearly added to that list. “Join acclaimed writer and performer Callum for a riotous, warm and musical journey from a small Oxfordshire town, through Beijing’s Hutongs and the Scottish Highlands, to the bright lights of the ‘Big Smoke’ as he attempts to discover who he is without looking through the bottom of the bottle.”

Intertwining storytelling and song, Thirst is described as “both a love letter to sobriety and a celebration of all things alcoholic”.

The spokesperson added: “It’s a joyous and uproarious look at life, family, religion and most importantly the positivity of the pub, and how creating a community under the roof of your nearest watering hole doesn’t have to involve alcohol.” n Further information and tickets are available online at artsreach.co.uk

Thirst is presented as part of Artsreach’s contribution to the Inn Crowd, a national project running since 2019 enabling spoken word artists to share their stories and entertain regulars at community pubs.

So pull up a barstool, order Callum a 0% lager and listen to his touching story at The Royal Oak in Drimpton (01308 867617) at 6.30pm on Sunday, June 11, and in Swanage Mowlem Theatre’s Showbar and Taproom (01929 422239) on Monday, June 12 at 8pm.

Strat’s entertainment: Marking guitar’s 50 years

A celebration of the iconic Fender Stratocaster guitar will take place at Dorchester’s Hardye Theatre on June 17.

Favoured by star musicians including Jimi Hendrix, Buddy Holly and Eric Clapton, Dorchester Arts is celebrating 50 years of the

Fender with a live gig starting at 8pm.

A Dorchester Arts spokesperson said: “The show takes us through the Stratocaster’s incredible story, told through the songs and the players that used and loved it.

“There will be live performances of songs like The Shadow’s Apache, Jimi Hendrix’s All Along The Watch Tower, David Bowie’s Let’s Dance, Elton John’s Pinball Wizard, Bon Jovi’s Livin’ On A Prayer, Dire Strait’s Sultans of Swing and many, many more.

“The show is also peppered with interesting guitar history. Did you know that Buddy Holly was the first

Stratocaster player to play on live TV? Or that Eric Clapton built his famous “Blackie” himself? Or that Mark Knopfler’s first Strat was a copy…

“A real treat for guitar lovers everywhere, the show will immerse you in some of the best songs in an evening of live music.” n See dorchesterarts.org. uk/2023/02/16/sat-17-june50-years-of-fender/

In the build-up to his 95th birthday this October, acclaimed Royal Academy of Art member Philip Sutton will be exhibiting his works at Sladers Yard Gallery in West Bay until July 8.

Exhibiting paintings from the family collection for the first time alongside works on canvas, paper and ceramics, Sutton RA has selected pieces from a lifetime of painting, including some of his most recent work.

Mr Sutton, who is exhibiting more than 100 artworks including original posters, will be in conversation with Maureen Murray at the gallery on Friday, June 9 from 6pm. Tickets are £6 from Sladers Yard.

Born in Poole in 1928, the youngest of four boys, Philip Sutton left school at 14 and worked for three years in a drawing office, eagerly waiting lunch breaks so he could borrow a drawing board and draw.

He did his National Service in the RAF during the Berlin Airlift, earning a grant which allowed him to study at the Slade School of Fine Art in London from 1948 to 1953.

Sutton found his own style after being struck by the playfulness and seriousness he found in the works of Matisse, an artist who was largely ignored at the time. His tutor, William Coldstream, recognised him