Sense and Sensibility

Wednesday 18 – Friday 20 April 7.45pm

Sense and Sensibility

Civic Theatre

Based on Jane Austen’s classic novel of two sisters and their search for love in a society bound by financial fortune, Sense and Sensibility is brought to the stage in a stunning adaptation with beautiful imagery, original music, humour and heartbreak at Chelmsford Civic theatre from Wednesday 18 – Friday 20 April.

The very essence of Sense & Sensibility has been encapsulated in this pared, but by no means dumbed down, version of Jane Austen's much loved novel.   Playwrights Andy Graham and Roger Parsley have dispensed with several minor characters and centred their play on the fates and fortunes of the Dashwood sisters. 

Elinor, the elder, is ruled by her head despite the attentions of the "amiable"  Edward Ferrers, and Marianne, the headstrong wild child, is swept off her feet by the dashing Mr. Willoughby, who later, (surprise, surprise), turns out to be deeply flawed.   Fear not, dear reader, for despite the sub plot of "bitch in a bonnet"  Lucy Steel, the deliciously OTT Aunt Jennings and the nice- but -possibly- dull Colonel Brandon, ensure that everything turns out all right in the end. 

Director Helen Tennison was initially very attracted to the sisterly relationship and portrayal of female friendship, "it is very strong but in no way sentimental."  Another theme is money,  “the Dashwood sisters lose their money at the beginning and have to get used to very different circumstances - economic downsizing is just as relevant today,  you can almost hear the audiences sympathising."

This terrific cast of six young professionals play a number of different roles including coachmen and servants. They make full use of the frames which make up parts of the set, using them to present us with pictures and silhouettes to illuminate the action and story telling.

Linbury Prize finalist Ellan Parry has done such a good job on set and costumes, likewise composer Benedict Davies and sound designer Matt Eaton’s work on this production has made sure that this play has already been nominated for three 2012 "Offies" awards from offwestend.com. Best Production, Best Design and Best Sound. 

Having collected a dozen glowing reviews from its first run at the tiny Rosemary Branch Theatre in Islington, the cast are most proud of the accolade from a teenage boy at Hackney Community College.  "I've been to see Wicked in the West End, and I tell you, this is better!"

Salt of the Earth at the Greville

The Greville Theatre Club – Spring Production










The Greville Theatre Club is proud to present, for its spring production at the Barn Theatre, Little Easton:


SALT OF THE EARTH a Comedy Drama by John Godber.


John Godber’s play spans three generations of decent honest working class folk from a West Yorkshire mining town, making the best of what they have and the most of every
opportunity they are given.


A story of love and loss, dreams and disappointment, community, culture, humour and heartache.


Friday 25th May with two-course supper at 7.30 pm before the play at 8.30 pm – in aid of Friends of Great Dunmow Maltings – £17.50.


Saturday 26th May with Greville two-course supper at 7.30 pm before the play at 8.30 pm – £17.50.


Thursday 31st May at 8.00 pm – no supper – £10.00.


Friday 1st June with ploughman’s supper at 7.30 pm before the play at 8.30 pm – £15.00.


Saturday 2nd June with two-course supper at 7.30 pm before the play at 8.30 pm – in aid of Pebmarsh Church – £17.50.


The box office opens on Monday, 23rd April. On or after this date, please phone 01371 872640, after 9am, for further information, prices and tickets.

The King's Speech

After its out-of-town royal progress, Seidler's stage version of this inspiring true story is settled at Wyndham's - more edge, less whimsy than the film, I hear, boasting a brilliant performance by Charles Edwards as Bertie, with Jonathan Hyde as a luvvie Logue, Emma Fielding as his future queen, and, what a treat, Joss Ackland as George V. Adrian Noble directs.


www.kingsspeechonstage.com

HONK!

HONK! A witty musical comedy by Drewe and Stiles, the British partnership that also brought Betty Blue Eyes and the re-worked Mary Poppins to the West End, HONK! is based on one of the world’s favourite fairy-tales, Hans Christian Andersen’s The Ugly Duckling. Popular the world over this show has been seen by over 5 million people and beat the Lion King and Mamma Mia to the 2000 Olivier Award for Best Musical. Ugly, doesn’t quite fit in around the farmyard and is an easy target for the crafty cat. He ends up lost and during his long search for home meets many colourful characters including a rather military goose, some tap dancing bullfrogs and a beautiful swan called Penny, but can Ugly make it back before the winter sets in? Family fun for all ages, HONK! shows us that being different is the new cool! 

BOOK YOUR SEAT BY THE DUCKPOND NOW ! 
BY TELEPHONE: 01245 606505 or Online

Unforgettable

A Night to Remember!
The music of some of the biggest artists from the 1950’s and 1960’s will come to life with a brand new show, Unforgettable at Chelmsford Civic Theatre on Sunday 1 April, providing a night of world class
entertainment and nostalgia that you will never forget!
‘Unforgettable’ is a first class production that highlights the musical icons of this era – favourite musical legends such as Elvis Presley, Nat King Cole, Buddy Holly, The Everly Brothers, Frankie Valley, Aretha Franklin, Dionne Warwick, The Beach Boys, The Carpenters, The Beatles and many more .
With four superb leading artists delivering first class vocals and harmonies, the first set features the post war, early rock n roll music of the 1950’s providing an authentic feel to the glamour era of the period moving on in the second set to include the high energy and much loved pop sounds of the 60’s.
The international cast includes superb lead vocalists Diana Nash and Neil Couperthwaite from the UK, Patrick Maubert from Canada and Kellie Schreiber from the United States. The show is backed by world class musicians.
Diana Nash says: “I am really looking forward to being a part of this fantastic new production. I love the music of this era and the show features many of my favourite artists - people like Nat King Cole. We are in rehearsals at the moment and the whole cast are very excited about the launch of the show. This show is really upbeat with wall to wall music so it’s going to be a great show to be part of!”
The fast moving, high impact show is packed with back to back hits and medleys featuring popular tracks taking you right back on a journey of complete nostalgia - from high tempo favourites such as ‘Tutti Frutti’ and ‘Shake Rattle & Roll’ through to popular ballads such as ‘A House Is Not A Home’ and ‘Crazy’.
Other songs include ‘Downtown’, ‘Fever’ ‘My Guy, ‘Dream Dream’, ‘Bye Bye Love’, ‘Say A Little Prayer’, ‘Under the Moon of Love’, ‘Close To You’, ‘Move Over Darling’ and many, many more.

Book tickets by visiting www.chelmsford.gov.uk/theatres or call the Box Office on 01245 606505. 
Tickets are £18.00 and concessions £16.00.

Essex Chamber Orchestra

Sunday 1st April 2012, 7.30pm, The Lord Riche Hall, Felsted School, Felsted, Essex

Conductor: Andy Morley, Leader: Suzanne Loze

Verdi: Force of Destiny Overture

Korngold: Violin Concerto

(soloist: Julia Hwang)

Hindemith: Symphonic Metamorphosis

The Essex Chamber Orchestra, popularly known as ECHO, comes together three times a year for intensive weekend rehearsals followed by a series of concerts usually at venues in Essex. Although originally conceived as a chamber orchestra, ECHO varies its forces to perform a wide variety of programmes ranging from Baroque and Classical works to the repertoire of the 20th Century.

When the orchestra was established in 1979, ECHO recruited its players from those members of the Essex Youth Orchestra who were obliged to 'retire' on reaching the age of 21. The orchestra now also recruits players who live or work in the County, those who attend Essex schools or colleges and other invited players for particular concerts.