Artful Dodging H
6th October sees the Baroque music of Teleman
A Look @ What You Can See In & Around Dartmouth. by Max Brandt
(Opinions expressed are those of the writer – hibernation is NOT an option.)
aving had a relative dearth of ‘stuff ’ in the last few weeks – although those of you who came to Twelfth Night, I hope, would disagree (and a thousand thanks to all those who did make the journey to the castle!) – October and November seem to have pulled themselves up by the boot-straps, given each other a good talking-to and are now getting on with business. It’s another couple of months where you lucky punters are going to be spoilt for choice and there is, quite literally, something for everyone. Now then…to some it may seem that this little space in
By The Dart is naught but a sounding-bell and promotion- al tool for the Flavel and whilst this does appear to be the case - there is little I can say to deny that apparent breach of the impartiality clause in a non-existent contract! – it is just not so. The simple fact is that our august purveyor of the arts is the only place that puts itself forward, in any meaningful way, and tells the populace what’s actually going on. As skilful as I am, I’m afraid that I cannot count clairvoyance as part of my toolbox and if you don’t let me know what’s occurring, then very few people outside of your locale will even be aware of whatever it is you’re do- ing in the field of endeavour broadly called ‘the arts’. Put yourself about a bit!! We’ll follow a timeline this issue, so I shall be bouncing
merrily about between music and film and theatre and all the way back again. Oh yes, there’s comedy too. The Exhibition space in the aforementioned Flavel is occupied, until 8th October, by Roy Lang, who works in oils and specialises in seascapes. Never having been able to draw a straight line myself, I stare in awe at these represen- tations of the sea in all its moods. How on earth does he get that translucence to the waves and the apparent move- ment of the tides? Just wonderful. Then from the 8th onwards, Jane Faires takes over with her take on abstract expressionism…here’s a bit of the blurb: ‘She enjoys invention in composition, and exploring the fluidity and versatility of acrylics, and her work is constantly evolving and not formulaic. Some works are playful and lively with a vibrant palette and some are delicate, suggesting landscape and the natural beauty of the South West.’ All I would do is draw your atten- tion to the use of the words ‘invention’, ‘not formulaic’ and ‘suggesting’. Not my cup o’ poison, I’m afraid.
arrive at the Flavel, courtesy of Rachel Latham, Mary Pells and Martin Knizia. Teleman himself was a bit of an innovator and always had an ear for musical development and had a large influence on cross-over between the late Baroque and early classical styles. The concert will include pieces by Bach and Handel, who were well known to Teleman. Ah, baroque and roll, early experimental…no, not really…but the music is sublime. October 11th, 13th and 15th and I’m happy to say, live
West End theatre is up on the big screen. Another of what seems to be a regular feature at the Flavel, a live screen- ing of a production those of us in the sticks might never get to see. The presentation on 11th is a live transmission, whereas those of 13th and 15th are what they call ‘encore’ performances: recordings of that which has gone before. Local playwright Stephen Beresford’s debut in the West End is called ‘The Last of the Hausmanns’ and the lead is played by the inimitable Julie Walters. The play has garnered excellent reviews and even Quentin Letts in The Mail gave it a thumbs-up. This is another not-to-be-missed show, particularly when you get to see Ms. Walters leave Mrs. Overall behind and get in to some serious acting. The Christoph Stiefel Trio take to the stage on Octo- ber 12th and for jazz lovers, this is going to be a case of get your tickets early. Personally, I can listen to jazz and thoroughly enjoy it, but, from what I’ve heard, this has a tendency to lean toward ambient noodling…not the most inspiring sound I’ve come across but, if piano-based jazz, backed with double bass and drums, is your thing, it’s a shoe-in.
Comedy alert! Comedy alert! Ex-heavy metal musician, and sometime antipodean, Steve Hughes brings his own socio-political commentary to Dartmouth on October 19th. Getting the balance between comedy and commen- tary is probably the most difficult form of the stand-up’s art; too far into one arena and it becomes a rant of a definite colour, too far in the other direction and the satire becomes soggy and ill-defined. This guy made me laugh, which is the best I can come up with. If you browse the Flavel’s website and you’re looking for filmic delights, you may have noticed that, according to the site, they are showing ‘Deep Blue Sea’. No. No they’re not. ‘Deep Blue Sea’ is a 1999 film about intelligent sharks and Samuel L. Jackson getting snacked –on by said sharks. Fun, but not what the Flavel are showing. What they are offering, on October 21st, is ‘THE Deep Blue Sea’ an altogether different kettle of fish…or sharks. Based upon a play by Terrence Rattigan, who has been enjoying a much-de- served resurgence of late, it’s a new adaptation by Terence Davies and stars our homegrown Oscar-winner, Rachel Weisz with Tom Hiddleton and the ever-amazing Simon Russell Beale. The play was originally filmed back in the fifties with Vivian Leigh, Kenneth Moore and Eric Portman, although the modern adaptation has a tad more flesh on show. It’s very much of its time, a not-so Brief Encounter, yet it is gripping and entertaining in its own way. And Rachel Weisz is just fantastic…but I’m biased.
contd. over
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