Powerful drama focusing on sight loss and disability

uncovered in Rose –school, love, vulnerability, fragility – are echoed in the stories that have emerged from the group.”

The workshops run by Christine with Anna Takashima and Charmaine K Parkin (director of Rose) will result in Blind Date, a revue-style show of music, drama and spoken word performances on Tuesday, March 28 in the Sherling

Studio at Lighthouse. Christine added: “Another member of the group, Jackie Bacon, plays the piano and she’ll accompany a monologue that has been written about a special day out in which they met Russell Watson at a concert.

“Then there’s Justin Sellick, who plays mandolin and does a humorous impersonation of a philosopher, and there’s a lovely piece about the power of love – the idea that love helps them through this difficult change in their life.

“Despite the difficulties experienced by those in the group, there is a huge range of talent and creative ideas coming forward and it is so inspiring to work together.

“It wasn’t what we set out to do, but it seems we are creating a legacy for Rose.” Sam Baker, Dorset Blind Association’ Community Relations Officer, said: “Dorset Blind Association is thrilled to be working with Christine and Lighthouse on this project. “Our members enjoy the process immensely. Drama therapy is a valuable and unique way of processing problems and emotions, and has produced some marvellous work.” n If you would like to support Dorset Blind Association by volunteering or in support of their services, then please contact Sam Baker at sam@dorsetblind.org.uk or call 01202 712865. n dorsetblind.org.uk n Tickets and info: 01202 280000 lighthousepoole.co.uk

Rose, directed by Charmaine K Parkin with Anna Scutt as Rose and Jake Baker as Matt, will be on at the Sherling Studio at Lighthouse on March 30 at 8pm.

Blind Date, the Dorset Blind Association Showcase, will be on at the Sherling Studio on March 28.

Culture

Get on board for a voyage through traditional and contemporary music with the band Coracle this month.

After recording their debut album Murmuration last autumn, Coracle will give two concerts as part of the Artsreach spring performance programme. Coracle bring together the talents, imagination and creativity of three artists with vastly different backgrounds, who have come together through their love of traditional music cut through with experimentation, boldness, humour and risk.

Accordion player and teacher Paul Hutchinson is a BBC Folk Award Best Live Artist nominee with Belshazzar’s Feast. His previous collaborations with Hoover the Dog, Pagoda Project and The Maniacs produced albums and performances that drew five-star reviews.

Dorset’s Karen Wimhurst is a clarinet player influenced by traditional, jazz and

Coracle the oracle of folk

contemporary classical music. She’s a widely commissioned composer of chamber works; music theatre; theatre and largescale collaborative productions ranging from the Grimethorpe Brass Band to The Welsh National Opera and the Allegri Quartet.

Anna Tam was shortlisted as Fatea’s 2021 Instrumentalist of the

Year, blending nyckelharpa, viola da gamba, hurdy gurdy and cello with her crystal-clear vocal. From a background in classical music and a spell as a Mediaeval Baebe, her debut folk album Anchoress brought widespread acclaim. Expect ethereal to turn gutsy, passion to be tempered by humour and a tide of improvisation which means every Coracle concert is unique. Hear Coracle perform live at village halls in Milborne St Andrew (01258 839060) on Saturday, March 18 at 7.30pm and Burton Bradstock (01308 897421) on Sunday, March 19 at 7.30pm. Further information and tickets are also available online at artsreach.co.uk

Yabba Dabba Doo check out Neil’s Cartoon Jazz

Celebrating the launch of their fourth album Cartoon Jazz, The Neil Maya Quartet will return to Dorset for three performances next month. Described as one of the South West’s most exciting and talented groups, the band offer the best jazz from the cartoons, injecting a bit of Yabba Dabba Doo into your favourite looney tunes – performing music from Frozen to The Flintstones; Top Cat to Toy Story and The Simpsons to Sesame Street.

So, if you’ve ever wanted to hear the jazz version of the Spiderman theme tune, When You Wish Upon A Star, The Pink Panther, The Flintstones, Some Day My Prince Will Come, Alice In Wonderland, Sesame Street, You’ve Got A Friend in Me, Let It Go or Give A n artsreach.co.uk

Little Whistle why not give this show a go?

Join The Neil Maya Quartet at village halls in Studland (01929 450587) on Thursday, March 23 at 7.30pm: at Marnhull (01258 820458) on Friday, March 24 at 7.30pm: and at Winterborne Stickland (01258 880920) on Saturday, March 25 at 7.30pm.