38 - Scarborough Review, July - Issue 23
More artists needed at railway studios Exhibition at the SJT highlights 60 years of entertainment
The artists’ studios near the railway station (to order this photo, ring 353597).
Words and photo by Dave Barry
AN ambitious plan to convert an old railway building into artists’ studios needs a shot in the arm. The cavernous building, formerly used as a parcels office and waiting rooms, is alongside the railway line a few hundred yards from Scarborough station. A huge sum of money has been spent on making the building weather-proof by replacing its rotting rooves, repairing the windows, etc. Artists Sally Gatie and Jo Davis stumbled upon the building nine years ago and were blown away by its scale. “We’ve been working on the project, in a voluntary, unpaid capacity, all this time,” says Sally. “We’ve raised funds from the Arts Council, English Heritage, Network Rail and Railway Heritage to get it to the stage it’s at now. The plan is to convert it into artist studios and a teaching space. “We’re looking for artists who would like to work there for a nominal rent,” Sally
says, warning: “There are no facilities and the nearest public loos are at the railway station.” Sally and Jo are trying to create a drawing school, “with traditional art classes, excellent lecturers and professional studios. “We would like to attract artist residencies where artists will respond to the environment. “We’ve already had one or two events in the place, and we’re trying to bring it to people’s attention.” Sally and Jo are looking for artists with skills they don’t have, to help with things like a website, social media and marketing. “We’re looking for someone who could make a film for us to use to seek crowdfunding,” says Sally. “We’re not good at everything and don’t have the time to do everything.” n If you would like to help, ring Sally on 07985 603570.
West End star supports local performers
Ben James-Ellis on stage with the cast of Scarborough musicals’ hairspray at the YmCA Theatre
Words by Dave Barry
SCARBOROUGH-BORN West End star Ben James-Ellis has become a patron of local amateur society Scarborough Musicals. Ben agreed on the role after seeing the company’s recent production of Hairspray, the show in which he became a West End leading man in the role of teen heart-throb Link Larkin. Ben began his performing career at the yMCA Theatre before hitting the big time. He was home in Scarborough, visiting family, after completing a contract as lead singer on the Queen Mary 2 and decided to check out Hairspray at the yMCA. “It was a rather teary, nostalgic visit, seeing again a show that was part of my life for two years,” said Ben, “and of course it all started for me here at the yMCA Theatre in Scarborough. “But I didn’t expect such an effective production, playing to a packed house, with a stage full of amazing talent and so many
young people giving their all. I was very impressed.” Hairspray director Tim Tubbs said: “you can imagine how thrilled we all were, to learn that Hairspray’s original West End star was back in town and coming to see the final show. After the performance, Ben came up on stage, to meet the cast and have photos taken, and later on he joined us at the last-night party, singing and dancing into the early hours. We were just delighted!” Ben was so impressed with the show, and the company’s work, that he agreed to become a patron, joining West End actorsinger Janie Dee and opera star Richard Suart, who are already patrons. Company chairman Mike Wademan said: “It’s an honour and pleasure to have the support of a major talent like Ben JamesEllis; and it’s to his credit that he gives this encouragement to young performers in his home town, some of whom might follow in his footsteps to the West End and beyond.”
A PHOTOGRAPHIC exhibition at the Stephen Joseph Theatre celebrates the history of the Scarborough company, from 1955 to 2015. The First 60 years is a two-part exhibition at the Stephen Joseph Theatre Gallery on throughout the summer and until 3 October and which features a single photo from each year. The chosen images capture the theatre’s beginnings at the Library Theatre, as it was known from 1955 to 1976, 20 taken at its second home, the Stephen Joseph Theatre In The Round at Westwood, and 19 from productions at the current Odeon building where the company has been based since 1996. Among the photos can be seen a young Martin Freeman in the 1997 revival of The Woman In Black, David Harewood who many will now recognise from the American crime thriller series Homeland, and award-winning actress Janie Dee in the 2008 revival of Woman In Mind. Alan Ayckbourn’s world premieres include Way Upstream and The Norman Conquests and he is also pictured in his first play, The Square Cat. Laughton and The Importance of Being Earnest feature from some of the most recent plays under current Artistic Director Chris Monks. The Stephen Joseph Theatre has produced a total of 616 plays of which 327 were new plays. These have been captured over the
years by photographers Ken Boden, Alec Russell, Adrian Gatie, Tony Bartholomew, Robert Day and Karl Andre. The First 60 years has been curated by SJT Executive Director Stephen Wood, who has worked for the theatre for 25 years over a 40-year period beginning in 1976, and Archivist Simon Murgatroyd who first started working with the company in 1999. The First 60 years - Part One can be seen in The Gallery at the Stephen Joseph Theatre until Saturday 3 October. The Gallery is open Monday to Saturday from noon until 6pm, except when there is a matinee performance in The Round. Entry is free.
Vincent Franklin and Kacey Ainsworth in Laughton (2013), photo by Karl Andre
Success for venue’s first wedding fayre Words and photo by Dave Barry
THE first wedding fayre at Scarborough Fair Collection proved a runaway success. 15 exhibitors took part and were visited by 100 potential customers. The fayre was co-organised by Angie Mason of Angie’s Ice Cream Hire, who said: “As a wedding supplier, we have attended many wedding fayres over the years, exhibiting my celebration dessert hire, but I always wanted to hold my own. “So when I was approached by the amazing Scarborough Fair Collection to help organise their first wedding fayre, I was over the moon, as this wedding venue is my absolute favourite hidden gem,” Angie said. “Along with Jane Thomas, the venue’s events coordinator, we arranged to book only the best local wedding exhibitors. “With over 100 potential customers
through the door, it was the busiest and best I have ever attended and, as it was such a massive success, with so many brides-to-be giving fantastic feedback, hopefully it will become a yearly event,” Angie said. Scarborough Fair Collection is at the Flower of May holiday park near Lebberston, a few miles south of Scarborough.
The exhibitors who took part in the wedding fayre
Scarborough’s first ever drive-in cinema all set to shine Words by Pete Spence pete@thescarboroughreview.co.uk
SCARBOROUGH’S first drive-in cinema, Moonlight Drive-In Cinema, is set to open in Crossgates, Seamer with a showing of Grease on Friday 24 July followed by Dirty Dancing on the 25, and Jaws on the 26. Tickets are available at www. moonlightcinema.com for the attraction which is on a site between the main road between Seamer and Crossgates. Scarborough’s first drive-in cinema will provide a quality cinema experience that people can enjoy from the comfort of their
own cars, with sound provided through the vehicle’s FM radio and with drinks and popcorn delivered to the vehicle’s window. All three initial shows start at 9.30pm with the gate opening 45 minutes beforehand. Tickets are per car, £18 if pre-booked on the website, £20 on the gate. Directions will be available on the website and signage will be placed on the approach roads. To be among the first to hear news on developments and film screenings go to: www.moonlightcinema.com where you can join a mailing list and follow Moonlight Drive-in Cinema on social media.