Drumbeat November 2009
‘We erupted in a storm of applause as Pip himelf came out to acknowledge our appreciation of what had been a truly magical journey through the life of a remarkable man.’
So wrote Margaret Spencer in her report of Pip Utton’s one-man show CHAPLIN early this year. She was not alone in demanding that we bring him back in one of his many other guises – his portrayals at recent Edinburgh Festivals of Adolf Hitler and painter Francis Bacon have, like his Chaplin, received rave reviews. But when he told us he was preparing a new show, based on the animated talks Charles Dickens famously gave at home and abroad, for his most popular novels we were immediately interested; and when we learned that A Christmas Carolwould be ready for performance in late November, we contacted Villages in Action to book him up for a return to Lympstone, in the Village Hall at 7.30pm on Friday 27th November. We shall be only the second audience to see the show, and so far know few of the details; but we are confidant that Pip, like Charles Dickens before him, will bring to life the book’s range of memorable characters, from Ebenezer Scrooge to Tiny Tim Cratchit, in re-telling this seasonal favourite.
“It’s an unmissable show,” said one of the many rave reviews for The Navvy’s Wife, the musical drama that is coming to Lympstone Village Hall at 2.30pm on the afternoon of Sunday, 29th November. Written by Mick Ryan and featuring Lympstone’s own Paul Downes, it tells the story of the navvies and their wives who built the canals, railways and roads of industrial Britain. It is full of memorable tunes, and the songs draw on a mix of musical styles, such as popular song, musical hall and traditional ballad, performed by a cast of six. Paul’s expert guitar (and banjo and mandolin) is enhanced by Roger Watson’s melodeon and Jackie Oates’s five-string fiddle. “The individual performances fit together to make a perfect jigsaw,” wrote Ashley Hutchings, who called it “an astoundingly good show.” Doors and licensed bar open at 2pm.
Thanks to Debbie and Peter Chisman, tickets for both A Christmas Carol and The Navvy’s Wife are now available at Lympstone Post Office. Don’miss them!
There’s much more background on these shows and news about future presentationson our website at www.lympstoneentertainments.co.uk - about which one satisfied customer wrote: ‘What a fantastic website, full of vital information, excellent... the presentation, so bright and cheerful.’ It’s well worth a regular look!
BRIDGE STRING QUARTET CONCERT ~ a report by Mai Targett
The Bridge Quartet made their second visit to Lympstone on Saturday 17th October. Their first appearance, last year, was well received and the positive comments so numerous that the low turnout this time was quite a surprise. Those who attended, on a very cold evening, were full of anticipation of an enjoyable experience, and very aware of our good fortune in being able to listen to a performance of top quality live music from such a highly rated group.
The Quartet seemed relaxed as they took their positions on the stage, perhaps anticipating performing in an acoustic “gem”, which was how they described the church last year. They told the audience that they always play better when they have been well looked after, on this occasion they had been provided with an excellent, leisurely meal (their words) in the vestry beforehand.
The concert opened with Schubert’s “Quartett-satz”(1820). This is a familiar and very beautiful piece giving the musicians an opportunity to display virtuosity and contrasting quartet textures, including controlled, quiet playing which is such a pleasure to hear. The audience was obviously completely engaged by the end of the music and looking forward to the rest of the programme.
The second offering of the evening was “Quartet No 1” by Benjamin Britten, a very different experience. This quartet was composed in America in 1941 when time and place liberated Britten’s belief in his originality. The score is challenging, requiring immaculate synchronization from the musicians, and active, intent listening from the audience. Two extreme moods alternate throughout the first movement. The violins and viola play atmospherically above the ‘cello pizzicato and are interrupted by the heavily syncopated allegro vivo.
The second movement is rhythmically driven, followed by the Andante Calmo with its steady 5/4 pulse. The finale is playful, reminiscent of Hayden’s last movements, beginning with descending fragments on solo violin and ending in full throttle in D major. The tension in the music held the listeners and carried them forward unrelentingly, wanting resolution. “The most painful, excruciating beauty” was how one listener described the experience. The audience seemed unable to move at the interval, unwilling to break the spell of the music.
The concert resumed with Dvorak Quartet in F op96, yet another musical style which, when composed must have sounded very new. By now, audiences familiar with the music of composers such as Copeland do not find it so startling but it is still full of freshness and clarity. This “American” quartet was written in 5 days when Dvorak was living in America and visited a Czech community in Iowa. The music reflects the rhythmic vigour of Czech/American music and includes motifs reminiscent of his visit - birdsong in the third movement and a thrilling train journey in the finale.
The audience response was so enthusiastic that we were rewarded by an encore by Frank Bridge, the Quartet’s namesake. This lyrical, tuneful composition concluded a wonderfully varied evening’s listening. An experience enhanced by seeing the members of the Quartet (Colin Twigg, Cathy and Michael Schofield and Lucy Wilding) listening and responding to one another, giving the audience an insight into the workings of a performance. A resounding success!
THANK YOU FLEAS
Our recent visitors were happy not only with the food and the venue, as Mai says, but also with the hospitality of the three hostesses, Mary Blair, Geraldine Farnell and Ann Hurley who gave them B & B treatment of a high order. Other Fleas (Friends of Lympstone Entertainments Ahoy! to the uninitiated) as usual did their bit at front of house, shifting and setting up the stage (rostra brought down from and taken back to the village hall!), displaying posters etc.
Fleas are, as you can see, a fine body of men and women; but we need more of them. With two shows vitually back to back this month, there’ll be lots to do. In particular we are in need of some young muscle power. But whatever your strengths, if you’d be willing to help behind the scenes setting up our varied events, just send me email to John Eaton-Terry
STOP PRESS:
We are very excited at having booked this season’s show for our young audience: the wonderful Cygnet Theatre will be here on 4th February with a special matinée performance of their latest production, JUST SO!, adapted from Kipling’s Just So Stories. More next time.
