Dorchester ARTS is a pioneering social enterprise serving Dorset's county town and surrounding area.
We provide opportunities for people of all ages to experience, participate and work within the arts
More about us Our partners
We provide opportunities for people of all ages to experience, participate and work within the arts
More about us Our partners
Welcome to Dorchester ARTS Summer 2012 programme
In June, for example, the Fitzrovia Radio Hour bring their unique take on vintage radio drama to the Arts Centre, fresh from a season in the West End.
July sees a welcome return for Miracle Theatre to Maumbury Rings and this year’s production, the Importance of Being Earnest, looks tremendous - bring your handbags and picnics!
A visit from the hugely talented Rory McLeod and the usual mixture of quality blues and comedy makes this a programme well worth checking out. Meanwhile look out for the 2012 Festival brochure and check the festival web pages full details of this biennial feast of music, performance, parades and parties.
Enjoy the summer – we’ll be back soon with our autumn programme…
Mark Tattersall, Artistic Director, Dorchester Arts
26 MAY - 10 JUNE • LUCAS WESCHKE • VISUAL ART
An exhibition of block prints by Lucas Weschke winner of the solo exhibition prize at Dorchester Arts Open 2011 competition.
Originally from Cornwall, he moved to Dorset 16 years ago.
His work is figurative and contemporary, characterised by clear line and form, yet each image holds enduring echoes from our emotional landscape
Friday June 15th • Contractions • Theatre
Dorchester Arts Centre £7 / £5 concessions
BareBulb Theatre presents Contractions by Mike Bartlett Emma thinks she'd in love with Darren.
Her boss thinks she's in breach of contract.
Mike Bartlett's Orwellina black comedy 'Contractions' considers the boundaries between work and play.
Originally performed at the Royal Court Theatre in London, this latest production by BareBulb Theatre provides an unsettling but enjoyable insight into corporate power.
BareBulb Theatre presents Contractions by Mike Bartlett Emma thinks she'd in love with Darren.
Her boss thinks she's in breach of contract.
Mike Bartlett's Orwellina black comedy 'Contractions' considers the boundaries between work and play.
Originally performed at the Royal Court Theatre in London, this latest production by BareBulb Theatre provides an unsettling but enjoyable insight into corporate power.
Saturday June 16th • Cherry Lee Mewis • Bluesnights
In just a few years Cherry Lee Mewis has gone from playing local gigs in her Welsh home town of Mochdre to performing at the Howlin' Wolf Memorial Festival in West Point, Mississippi; being special guest of Blind Mississippi Morris in BB King's Memphis club; and opening for 'Mud' Morganfield (Muddy Waters' son) on his UK tour. This Bluesnight features her with veteran guitarist Max Milligan and bassist Robbie Matthews. Just wait 'til you meet her. You'll be so glad you did!
www.cherryleemewis.com
www.bluesnights.co.uk
Friday June 22nd • The Fitzrovia Radio Hour • Comedy Theatre
Following sell-out seasons at the Edinburgh Fringe, their first national tour and a West End season, the Fitzrovia Radio Hour arrives in Dorchester with a brand new show.
Celebrating an age when radio was brand new and radio drama was stuffed with more stereotypes and cut-glass accents than afternoon tea at Lords, the show’s writer/performers use new material to recreate the spirit of vintage radio plays for a modern audience.
‘Dramatic entertainment redolent of a bygone era… recreates its chosen era with just the right mixture of fondness and irreverence… jolly good show, chaps!’ The Guardian
www.fitzroviaradio.co.uk
Thursday 28 June, Friday 29 June • ‘Bully’ • Musical Theatre
Corn Exchange 7pm £5 adults £3 concessions
Dorchester Youth Theatre Juniors perform excerpts from "Bully"- a musical by Jo Sands and Ruth Kenward - that tackles the problems of bullying, as seen through the eyes of Kim the leader of a girl gang. Directed by Jo Simons.
On SATURDAY 2 JUNE - As part of Dorchester Festival, Dorchester Youth Theatre will perform excerpts from ‘Bully’ in the Borough Gardens at 2.45pm. www.dorchyouththeatre.co.uk
Dorchester Youth Theatre Juniors perform excerpts from "Bully"- a musical by Jo Sands and Ruth Kenward - that tackles the problems of bullying, as seen through the eyes of Kim the leader of a girl gang. Directed by Jo Simons.
On SATURDAY 2 JUNE - As part of Dorchester Festival, Dorchester Youth Theatre will perform excerpts from ‘Bully’ in the Borough Gardens at 2.45pm. www.dorchyouththeatre.co.uk
Friday June 29th • Rory McLeod+Frankie’s Dad • Music
Rory Mcleod - ex-circus clown and fire-eater.
A one-man soulband, poet and storyteller, singing his own unique upbeat dance stories.
A modern travelling troubadour using tap shoes, acappella, harmonica, guitar, trombone, spoons, finger cymbals, bandorea, djembe and various percussion instruments!
Rory has travelled the globe for different reasons at different times, from Asia to the Middle East from Gambia to Cuba, Central America, Australia, North America, Canada, Europe and other nooks and crannies of the earth. "You don't listen to McLeod you travel with him" City Hub, Sydney (Australia) www.rorymcleod.com
Thursday July 5th, Friday July 6th • The Producers • Music
Following their hugely successful pre-Christmas shows at the Arts Centre the Producers return with an all acoustic session on Thursday night and an electric set on Friday with tracks from the new album 'London Blues' and some tasteful blues covers.
The reformed version of The Producers includes original front man Harry Skinner and bass player Dave Saunders. Ray Drury joins them on organ/piano. Biff Smith on drums and percussion completes the line-up. With a reputation for playing some of the freshest live blues in Britain today, the Producers move effortlessly between their own well crafted material and seriously reinvigorated classics stamped with their own characteristic identity.
www.producersbluesband.co.uk
Friday July 6th • Stand Up Dorchester • Comedy
Dorchester Corn Exchange 8.15pm (doors and bar 7.15pm) £8/£6 concessions
Stand Up Dorchester presents another great line-up of comedians. Paddy Lennox: “comedy the way it should be: a laugh-a-minute which leaves the audience wishing the show was just a little bit longer ... gentle Irish lilt belies a mischievous sense of humour ****”Fest
Hannah Warman: “Exuberant with genuine comedy nuggets ****” Three Weeks
Colin Manford: "An up and coming comic with tales of student and family life… holding his own on stage he bridges the gaps between the generations" Mirth on Monday
Compere, Lloyd Griffith: A tremendous comedian in his own right, Lloyd is also a very strong and enthusiastic compere and as a result is resident MC at a number of comedy clubs. May contain adult content
A Stand Up Dorchester Production
Stand Up Dorchester presents another great line-up of comedians. Paddy Lennox: “comedy the way it should be: a laugh-a-minute which leaves the audience wishing the show was just a little bit longer ... gentle Irish lilt belies a mischievous sense of humour ****”Fest
Hannah Warman: “Exuberant with genuine comedy nuggets ****” Three Weeks
Colin Manford: "An up and coming comic with tales of student and family life… holding his own on stage he bridges the gaps between
Compere, Lloyd Griffith: A tremendous comedian in his own right, Lloyd is also a very strong and enthusiastic compere and as a result is resident MC at a number of comedy clubs. May contain adult content
Sat July 14th • Miracle Theatre • The Importance of Being Earnest
A welcome return for Cornwall’s Miracle Theatre with a wonderful new interpretation of Oscar Wilde’s classic comedy.
Set in the year 1912, with the Titanic sinking, mass production just beginning on the Morris Oxford and the Turkey Trot causing outrage across the dance floors of polite society, this tale of the strange contents of a handbag found at Victoria station has been subtly adapted to extract every drip of humour and contemporary relevance.
This ‘trivial comedy for serious people’ is a masterpiece of sharp wit and preposterous plotting. In this high energy production Miracle adds an extra dimension to ‘the funniest play ever written’. Bring a picnic and enjoy great open-air theatre. Hot chocolate, teas and cakes from 6.30pm. www.miracletheatre.co.uk
Friday August 10th • Lazy Lester • Blues
This 78 year old blues legend from Baton Rouge, Louisiana has been described variously as a ‘National Treasure’ the ‘High Sheriff of Louisiana’ and ‘A nut!!’
One of the key creators of the South Louisiana swamp blues sound in the 1950’s Lester has often been imitated but never duplicated.
As a true living legend, his talents are as much in demand as ever, and this is probably your last chance to see a genuine blues legend in such intimate surroundings.
Aug 13th - 17th • The Compass Festival • Five days of events
Showing the way for new performers, the Compass Festival in Weymouth College's Bay Theatre aims to promote local small and medium sized touring theatre companies between the Olympics and Paralympics. Artistically, the festival programme seeks to bring diverse and innovative work to the local community. We hope that this will prove an inspiration for young people to engage with performing arts and encourage local audiences to celebrate culture along with sport, particularly as Dorset will be hosting the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic sailing events. " rel="external">
Monday 13 August:
Slightly Fat Features: Variety By the Sea. 7.30pm. Tickets £10, £8, Family £3 (Suitable for ages 3 and above)
Tuesday 14 August:
Multi Story: The Adventures of Perseus. 2pm and 5pm. Tickets £8, £5 , Family £20 (Suitable for ages 5 and above)
Thursday 16 August:
Leap Theatre: Cleansed 7.30pm. Tickets £8 and £6 (contains some violence and sexual references)
Friday 17 August:
The Paper Cinema: Triple Bill - Rock Charmer, Night flyer and King Pest 7.30pm. Tickets £10 and £8
Saturday 18 August:
Attention Seekers: Short Shrifts 7.30pm Tickets £10 and £8
Monday 13th August • Slightly Fat Features • Compass Festival
The smash-hit comedy ensemble, return with a new cabaret spectacular bringing a feast of features and wonderful surprises that everyone will enjoy.
Slightly Fat Features are taking a new generation of variety back to the theatres of the world including to The Roundhouse in London, on Radio 4 and to France where they were likened to Monty Python by French national radio.
A show for all ages, packed with unique circus tricksters, original live music, magical moments and spontaneous madness.
www.slightlyfatfeatures.com
Tuesday 14 August • The Adventures of Perseus • Multi Story Theatre
Multi Story's latest production takes a look at one of the most exciting stories from Ancient Greece as told by two professors who have very different ideas about where the story should begin.
Starting with Perseus as a boy, the story takes us through all the twists and turns of how Perseus sets out on his great quest to capture the head of Medusa, the snake haired Gorgon.
How he tricks the grumpy Graeae, meets the beautiful Hesperides, wins the head of Medusa, helps Atlas the Giant and finally defeats the cruel King Polydectes – rescuing a young maiden, Andromeda, from a sea dragon on the way…
Using projection, puppetry, lightning-quick character changes and some pretty impressive physical action, the professors manage to tell the whole story before finally agreeing a suitably happy ending. Children and adults alike enjoy both the bravura fun of the storytelling and the genuine drama and daring of this thrilling tale as it unfolds. The production is for children aged 5 - 11 and their families.
It will be of special interest to Key Stage 2 classes studying Greek Myths.
Thursday 16 August • Leap Theatre • Cleansed
7.30pm. Tickets £8 and £6 (contains some violence and sexual references)
Cleansed: 1996. The last Magdalene Laundry has closed.
Brigid, a lonely old lady sits in the lounge of St. George’s Retirement home. Ignored by others, except Mary, her brusque nurse, it soon becomes clear their relationship is not what it seems. Widely documented, the Magdalene Laundries were institutions for ‘fallen women’. Well, what else can you do with a pretty girl who is distracting for a poor young man, or a rape victim who falls pregnant! How did British society fail generations of women and children by allowing them to be wrongfully imprisoned and brutalised?
What has happened to the survivors, our present day victims who cope with the day to day living in the aftermath of their personal realities? Is faith enough? Will the victims find the answers they are searching for?Picture copyright: Joanne Leonard from Being in Pictures: An Intimate Photo Memoir LEAP Theatre, in association with Weymouth College, inspired by real life stories, debut with a poignant and thought provoking Drama. What does Mary do when faced with the opportunity for retribution for what was done to her?
Is this the opportunity to feel cleansed at last?
(contains some violence and sexual references) Brigid, a lonely old lady sits in the lounge of St. George’s Retirement home. Ignored by others, except Mary, her brusque nurse, it soon becomes clear their relationship is not what it seems. Widely documented, the Magdalene Laundries were institutions for ‘fallen women’. Well, what else can you do with a pretty girl who is distracting for a poor young man, or a rape victim who falls pregnant! How did British society fail generations of women and children by allowing them to be wrongfully imprisoned and brutalised?
What has happened to the survivors, our present day victims who cope with the day to day living in the aftermath of their personal realities? Is faith enough? Will the victims find the answers they are searching for?Picture copyright: Joanne Leonard from Being in Pictures: An Intimate Photo Memoir LEAP Theatre, in association with Weymouth College, inspired by real life stories, debut with a poignant and thought provoking Drama. What does Mary do when faced with the opportunity for retribution for what was done to her?
Is this the opportunity to feel cleansed at last?
Friday 17 August • Paper Cinema • Triple bill
An amazing triple bill by Dorchester ARTS' associate artist Nic Rawling and his company The Paper Cinema: Rock Charmer, Night Flyer and King Pest 7.30pm Tickets £10 and £8
Night Flyer (20 mins): Is a tale of crossing the night, of stolen freedoms, dreams. Flights of lost birds, the invisible worm hovers near by caught in this mysterious train strange chess people try and stop our hero finding the lost flying girl.
Rock Charmer is a mystery in stone: ‘Round pillars of the old quarry. an old man wanders scratching at the mysteries of the rocks…. calling … what have they seen , what are they, what makes them, what stories can be told by these weather blown sentinals ? Unwrap geological time, exploring layers of the the rock.’ An Original story – commissioned by the Inside Out Festival King Pest: A tale about two sailors come ashore in 14th century London to go drinking and run out of money, and have to do a runner
King Pest is a An Edgar Allen Poe story commissioned by Battersea Arts Centre for The Masque of the Red Death.
Saturday 18 August • Attention Seekers • Short Shrifts
Short Shrifts is a mix-and-match, hit-and-miss collection of short, punchy cabaret-style theatrical sketches by playwright Peter Oswald that in tone or subject matter can be satirical, sober or surreal, sometimes all at once.
When the writing and performances are on target – as in scenes between a ventriloquist and his belligerent female dummy, a clinical investigation of love, or a monologue for a mightily ticked-off Medusa – the evening sings.
Oswald’s protean fellow actor is Josephine Larsen, while Martin Holland provides both evocative live musical accompaniment and jolly character cameos. Interesting, too, are the occasional cryptic yet crystalline interventions of poet Alice Oswald.
Fri 24, Sat 25 August • Combined Arts Week • Musical Theatre
Come and see the exciting show written, created, produced and choreographed during a week long summer workshop.
A celebration of the creativity and talent of young people with a passion for acting, singing, dancing and making costumes and set design.
To take part in the week long workshop telephone: 01305 266926
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Our partners
The Maritime Mix London 2012 Cultural Olympiad by the Sea
Inside Out - Dorset’s Festival of Extraordinary Events in Extraordinary places
Activate theatre and dance development in Dorset, Poole and Bournemouth.
Artsreach is the arts development agency for rural Dorset
b-side Multimedia Arts Festival, Weymouth
Bridport Arts Centre theatre, gallery, performances and workshops.
Lighthouse is the largest English arts centre outside London.
Dorset County Council supports arts and culture for benefits they bring to Dorset.
DepARTure ARTS Dorset County Council’s Arts in education agency
Bournemouth Borough Council Supporting creativity, learning and enjoyment of the arts.