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VALLEYENTERTAINMENT :v - A - -in/ M .5i- .i ii'-i'o-


r . T > ■ " . V comes to Downham


byDuncan Smith duncan.smithl@jpress.co.uk Twitter ©clithadvertiser®


“Barefoot in the Park" merits a place alongside “The Odd Couple” and “The Goodbye Girl" as one of Neil Simon'sfunniestand most successful comedies.


Now local drama group Stage Two Downham is presenting the play, which was also a 1967 film star­ ring Jane Fonda and Robert Redford, from next Wednes­ day, March 25th, through to Saturday, the 28th., Paul and Corrie Bratter, a


newly-married couple move into a “cosy” New York top floor apartment and discov­ er that the early days of liv­ ing together do not always, run smoothly. C o r r ie ’s mother is a


frequent visitor and the e c c en tr ic neighbours, especially Victor Velasco from the “attic”, all add to the


colourful tapestry of their early days. Will true love see them


through?■ Simon’s sharply ob­


served characters combined with witty dialogue should make for a very entertaining evening. Stage Two’s talented team


combine an excellent set and lighting and fine comic act­ ing to maintain their usual high standards.


, Tickets are going fast and are available for £6 each on the hotline number 07833203495. They can also be bought


from the Tourist Informa­ tion Office at the Platform Gallery in Clitheroe (Tel. 01200425566). The Assheton Arms in


Downham is also offering a meal deal. For £20 you will receive a


two-coursemealwithadrink and a ticket for the show. For this deal please ring


the Assheton Arms direct on 01200441227.


ThecastofStageTwoDownham'sproductionof'BarefootinthePark'.


Amazing musical story o f Dorothy’s War heads this way


A rousing musical theatre show, set in the First World War, is coming to Bolton-by- Bowland at the end of the month. “Dorothy’s War”, from The


Harmonettes, will visit Bol- ton-by-Bowland Village Hall on Saturday March 28th. The show is an amazing


journey into the heart of a man’s war, and is based on the extraordinary, true story of Dorothy Lawrence. The story is told through songs of the pe­ riod ranging from much-loved favourites to forgotten gems all sung live in close-harmony. It’s Spring 1919: the war


is over, and it’s an important day for the village, a day of cel­ ebration - a bright, hopeful day. But for Annie and Eliza­ beth this is also the day when a woman arrives who will change their lives forever. “Dorothy’s War” is a new


show from The Harmonettes, the UK’s leading female vo­ cal harmony trio, comprising Georgina Locke, Jessica Sam­ uel and Charlotte Jones. The


. group will be touring the show for the very first time and the Bolton by Bowland show is one


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Review: “The Marriage of Figaro", performed by Opera North at The Lowry.


Mozart’s “The Marriage of Fi­ garo” is like a Whitehall farce (if you are old enough to re­ member them) but with sub­ lime music. Indeed when this production by Opera North begins “backstage” with sev­ eral doors, I was reminded of Michael Frayn’s wonderful “Noises Off”. •But then the scenery


swings round to reveal the cramped room of SusannaR, waiting woman to the Coun­ tess Almaviva, and her soon- to-be husband Figaro, the


manservantoftheCount.and


the complicatedplot of sexual : shenanigans begins. Silvia Moi, makes a de­


lightful Susannah, witty and resourceful as she fends off the advances of the Count. Richard Burkhard as Figaro


, develops in strength during ■ the course of the action. I en­


joyed the portrayal ofthe cad­ dish count by Quiijin de Lang,


The Marriage of Figaro, performed by Opera NorthatThe Lowry.


in jodhpurs and boots with a bristling moustache. . His wronged countess, Ana


MariaLabin,sings withfeeling and the adolescent Cherubino (Helen Sherman) is lively and. amusing. The supporting cast


are very good, particularly Don Basilio (Joseph Shovel-


ton). The English translation


by Jeremy Sands is fullof com­ ic wit and easy to follow. The


audienceappreciated Jeremy Peaker’s rough tongued York­


shire Antonio the gardener/ The production isdirected


by Jo Davies, who directed the I popularproductionsofRuddi- 1


gore and Carousel. She seems I to have set it in a non-specific I time, and the home pf the Al- 1 ■ maviva’s is a bit on the tatty I


side. Initially I thought Italy, I butSusannah’sbridalveilwith I hat, and later Nicholas Watts’ I priest Don Curzio, is clearly I Russian orthodox.


As always the orchestra of I .1


Opera North, conducted by I Alexander Shelley, interprets I


Mozart’s music well. I PippaMunroHebdeni ns


of four Lancashire dates that form part of Spot On Lanca­


shire’s Spring season of rural touring.


“Dorothy’s War” is also • playing at Arkholme Village


Hall on Thursday March 26th, Bleasdale Parish Hall on the i 27th March and Samlesbury


War Memorial Hall on Sunday April 19th. Speaking ahead ofthe Spot


On shows, Charlotte said: “As our shows are designed with rural touring in mind we al­ ways love how accommodat­ ing, enthusiastic and engaged


’ the audience is. We can’t wait to perform to the new venues and return to old friends!” Next weekend’s Bolton-


by-Bowland show starts at 8 pm (doors 7-15) and tickets are available directly from the venue by calling the box office on either 01200 447263,01200 447417 or 01200 447048. For more information


about this show or to see | the full Spot On season pro­ gramme, visit www.spoton-1 lancashire.co.uk, call Sue Robinson on 01254 660360 or email hello@spotonlanca- shire.co.uk


VALLEY ENTERTAINMENT are still a


byTonyDewhurst www.thegrandvenue.co.uk Box office: 01200 421599


Ian Telfer, one of folk music’s most distinctive and revered artists, is considering his mu­ sical motivation.


A founding member of the Oysterband, who return for a second appearance at The Grand, Clitheroe, on Satur­ day night (March 21st), Telfer has continued to explore ways of bridging England’s musical traditions for the past four decades. “The moment when it all


makes sense is when I stand up on stage and play, the rest is just window dressing,” said Telfer, the band’s violin and concertina player. “There was a time in my life


when I went somewhere in the world - Canada, America or Italy - and I didn’t want to come back. But eventually you get tired of airports and mo­ torway cafes, you value your own home and environment.


“Maybe music saved my


life, because it came along at amomentwhenldidn’tknow what I wanted to do whatso­ ever.” Telfer is equally strong as


a lyricist, sculpting tunes that reflect his love of the English language and poetry. “I love the lyric, it is such


a powerful medium. But we write jointly most of the time and I think that’s why a lot of our songs are so diverse.” Telfer met his future Oys­


terband mates, John Jones and Alan Prosser, during hec­ tic pub jam sessions. “I’d come down from Ab­


erdeenshire to Canterbury University, and I was unbe­ lievably naive for my age. It was an acute culture shock, but when I met Alan and John everything changed because they introduced me to a new world of sound." Telfer was even invited to


join their English country- dance group, Fiddler’s Dram, recording novelty hit “Day Trip toBangor (Didn’t we have


Water”, was their first new collection of original songs for seven years. “We’re no longer in the


flush of youth, so when you’ve done 14 studio albums, and played thousands of gigs then you are entitled to take your time over a few songs I sup­ pose. Wewere very happy with it though.” Their previous album,


“Ragged Kingdom”, was a re­ immersion in traditional song, and that has continued, admits singer John Jones. “It seemed so important


to us to get back to working on our song-writing skills,” said Jones. “The writing is a vital part


The Oysterband make awelcome return to The Grand this Saturday.


a lovely time)”. The Oysterband also col­


laborated with Burnley’s Chumbawamba, appearing on “Farewell to the Crown”, the flipside of the band’s smash


single Tubthumping. “Chumbawamba were re­


ally interesting people, and there was a streak of politi­ cal provocation in what they did, playing gigs in squats and


communes. It was not my type of politics, but I enjoyed work­ ing with them because Iloved their vitality and energy.” The Oysterband’s latest offering, “Diamonds on the


of our growth and continuity asaband.andifwecan give a little back to the folk tradition, so much the better.” • Oysterband return to


The Grand this Saturday, March 21st (Ticket hotline: 01200 421599 / £i7.5oadvance ticket/oravailable from web­ site www.thegrandvenue. co.uk).


1 www.clithoroeadvertisor.co.uk Thursday, March 19,2 0 1 5 1 + Thursday,March19,2015 www.clitherooadvertiser.co.uk CLITHER0EADVERTISER&T1MES I 23


Who needs an excuse for a rare afternoon of blissful relaxation?


Clitheroe Advertiser reporter and working mum Julie Magee samples a spot of pampering


by Julie Magee julie.magee@jpress.co.uk Twitter: ©clithadvertiser


Everyone needs a bit of TLC no w and again and in the run up to Mother’s Day I was lucky enough to sample an afternoon of blissful relaxation courtesy of Mellor’s Stanley House.


Set in 54 acres of Ribble


Valley countryside, the award­ winning hotel and spa, which started out as a Grade II list­ ed 17th century manor house, was converted in 2004. Nowattractingguests from


all over the country, family-, owned Stanley House has picked up a plethora of awards - many for its world class spa where I recently enjoyed the Spa and Patisseries package. Joined by one of my best


friends, who has a 16-month- old toddler and therefore


jumped at the chance of an af­ ternoon of well deserved “me time”, we were meet by the spa’s welcoming team of staff. Shown through to the -


changing rooms - no time was wasted on impressing us both - as these are no ordinary changing facilities, these are luxury personified. • We each had separate indi­


vidual changingroomswhich included a walk-in shower, dressing table with hair dry­ er, complimentary products, dressing gown and flip flops. On a scale of one to 10, these


, facilities are some of the best that I’ve ever seen and defi­ nitely rate a id. After changing into our


bathing attire, we were then shown through to a spacious relaxation room next door to the spa overlooking the glori­ ous Ribble Valley countryside. Here we enjoyed refresh­


ments before being taken through to the spa’s hydro­ pool designed by Howard Spa Consulting, who count London’s Dorchester, L’Oreal Luxe, Paris and Armani spas among their top clients. After two hours enjoying


the thermal bathing facilities - sensation showers, salt infu­ sion room, aroma steam room,'


herbal and Finnish saunas, ice fountain and rural hydro­ therapy pool - we were called through for our facials. The treatments started


with a very soothing Himalay­ an Salt Foot Ritual and a taster Ananda 30-minute facial us­ ing products by the luxury spa and skin care brand ila-spa. Stanley House is the only


spa in Lancashire to offer the organic skin care products and treatments. The 55-minute ila Ananda


Bliss Facial available at the spa, won best facial treat: ment in the prestigious Good Spa Guide Awards 2013. The spa was also awarded “best new spa” at the Spa Traveller awards. After changing we then en­


joyed afternoon tea back in the relaxation lounge which con­ sisted of an ample selection of tasty sandwiches and cakes. So what conclusion have I


drawn from my afternoon at Stanley House? Who needs Mother’s Day as an excuse to visit? We’ll certainly be ven­ turing backsoon.M., • • % Mu. k


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