arts richmond Newsletter of Richmond upon Thames Arts Council

June 2009

Something worth celebrating This year the Richmond Shakespeare Society is celebrating its 75 th anniversary, and many of us will be planning to attend its open air Two great arts richmond production of Much Ado About Nothing on the lawns at York House summer events in between 5 and 11 July (see below ). But even with 75 years behind it, the RSS is only one of several of our long-living Our Joint President for 2009, Lady local dramatic and other societies: BROS celebrated its centenary in Panufnik, is hosting our summer garden party with her fellow President, Lee 2008, TOpS and Club were both 80 in 2007, and Langley, on Saturday 11 July in the Wild this year’s ShowCase by the Richmond upon Thames Performing th Garden on the banks of the river at Arts Festival was its 75 . Other societies have prominent Riverside House, on Twickenham Riverside. anniversaries in the offing – let us know and we’ll help celebrate! The gate to the garden on Riverside will It’s fascinating to think of the generations who have walked the open at 4.00pm, and there’ll be wine, teatime treats, and, yes, song, with Pat Starr boards with these societies. Often the links are familial: today’s and Martin Davison’s Jazz Group, always a actors talk of their fathers and mothers and uncles and aunts in favourite at this event. Bring your friends earlier productions, and this year’s production is compared with (and chairs to keep you comfortable). earlier productions of the same play or musical by the same society. Please let the office know you are coming; Some of today’s performers are tomorrow’s celebrities. But there’s donations of £10 towards our funds will be never a hint of any parochialism or elitism: the ethnic diversity of welcome. today’s performers reflects our society and the way minority groups Before that, on Thursday 11 June, we have a are welcomed into the best of our established organisations. Go to special event for arts richmond to celebrate ShowCase and be amazed at the talent of young – sometimes very the superb photograph exhibition by Camilla young – competitors, and, again, the diversity of the entrants. When Jessel FRPS (Lady Panufnik’s professional you hear that our society is broken, well, it’s not there. title) in the Stables Gallery at . The title of the exhibition is Water, The quality of our local drama is celebrated each year in Feathers and Fragmentation , and it arts richmond’s Swan Drama Awards. This year the volunteer (but showcases recent work by Camilla, well qualified) judges have been to over 40 productions. In figurative and abstract, inspired by the September there’ll be the nominations ceremony for short-listed Thames and the area around Orleans House, entrants at York House, and later that month the glamorous – and also drawing from her current professional always sold-out - Awards Gala in the Playhouse. work reflecting some of today’s human concerns. Jay Charnock FRPS, President of So if you ever hear of cuts to arts budgets, just think of how local the Richmond and Twickenham arts organisations can involve and develop our young people, how Photographic Society, will give an older people can put their skills and experience to continuing use appreciation of the exhibition. and find social enjoyment, and how those in the middle can round The private view at the Stables Gallery is out their lives with stimulating activity. from 5.30 to 7.00 pm. Again, please let the arts richmond gets its funding from four main sources. We get about office know you are coming, and a donation 20% of our rather meagre resources from a grant-in-aid from the of £5 will be welcome. Council; about the same amount from local charitable trusts. The Also at Orleans House rest is generated by the events and competitions we organise and subscriptions of our affiliated societies and the Friends of the Arts Jeffrey Spedding’s paintings and drawings and Libraries. involving photographic imagery. After Observation: Representation through With the state of the nation’s economy, all these sources are no Composition, will be continuing at The doubt under threat. But before cuts are made, do please think of Stables Gallery until 21 June. what the arts contribute to making our society work.

After Shakespeare, in the main Sunday events at concert at the Parish Church of St gallery there’s The Art of Sport, an Richard, Ham, at 7.30 pm in aid of exhibition to celebrate the Cultural Garrick’s Temple Save the Children – Beethoven, Olympiad, opening on 13 June, and Chopin, Faure, Alwyn, in The Stables, Sidelines , the first Sunday afternoon events by the river Rachmaninov, Scriabin and exhibition of a collective of local so- at Garrick’s Temple at Hampton in Ginastera (020 8940 9807). Also on called ‘non-artists’ opening on 25 June – all free: 27 June, Teddington Choral Society June, while Stitchers continues at the 6 June: Vocality –The Esher has a summer soiree in the Church Riverside Gallery throughout the Acapella Choir . 2.00 pm Hall of , month (020 8831 6000). Teddington, at 2.00 and 7.00 pm 13 June: Rogues and Vagabonds - (020 8898 3245). Vote, Vote, Vote for the Verse, prose and song from the Teddington Drama Group. 2.00 pm Advance notice: on Saturday 4 July Coach House Twickenham Choral Society is 20 June; Hampton Junior School performing Bernstein’s Chichester Great news from Orleans House: the Swing Band (3.45 pm) Psalms and Hall Johnson’s Spirituals superb redevelopment of the old with two newly commissioned Coach House into a well-equipped Young Writers works, Burning Heavens based on education centre, the Stables Gallery The arrangements for the 2009 the War Poems of Siegfried Sassoon with its innovative exhibitions, and by Iain Farringdon and a piece based the North Stables Cafe, has now gone arts richmond competition for young writers, which attracted a record on words by Philip Ridley by Anne through to the shortlist in the Meredith; that’s at Kingston Parish prestigious National Arts Fund prize. number of entries in 2008, have been announced. The competition runs Church at 7.30 pm (020 8894 3231). Now is running an On the same day, 4 July, online public vote to help the judges over the summer, with workshops for hopeful participants, and culminates Sinfonia has its summer concert at St decide which of the four shortlisted Anne’s church, , at 8.00 museums should win. The winner in a highly enjoyable awards event in the . The top pm; Schoenberg, Copland, Faure will be announced on 18 June, so and Dvorak (020 8940 1892). please vote soon: you can register winners become the Young Laureate your vote at www.guardian. and Junior Laureate for the borough The Pretty Things are at the Eel Pie co.uk/artandesign/poll/2009/may/05/ for 2010. Club at The Patch, 67 Road, art-fund-britains-best-museums . There are four age groups for Twickenham on Wednesday 10 June (doors open 8.00 for 8.30 pm), and We wish the arts team at Orleans entrants, who can write a short story, poem, lyrics for a rap or whatever The Barcodes are there on House much deserved success in this Wednesday 24 June (doors open 8.30 important competition. takes their fancy, but not more than 500 words or 25 lines for a poem. for 9.15 pm (08700 600 100). Shakespeare: last chance Closing date is 30 September, and entries must include title for the ShowCoach While we’re at Orleans House, work, full name, address, email remember the last chance to see address and phone number, date of diary Shakespeare 1709-1790 is Sunday 7 birth, school or club, and school year. June. It can be combined with a visit Email or post to arts richmond. 10 June: War Horse at the to Garrick’s Temple at Hampton, New London Theatre built by the actor David Garrick on Music 24 June: Excursion to the banks of a fine stretch of the Chiddingstone Castle (fully Thames, with pictures The in Petersham’s booked) commemorating Shakespeare and June classical concert is on Sunday 7 Garrick and the fine life-sized copy June at 7.30 pm: Sasha Grynyuk 18 July: The Odd Couple at of the famous Roubiliac statue. (piano) playing Janacek, Brahms, The Mill at Sonning Ligeti and Chopin (07967 481 625). On Sunday 7 June the free shuttle The All Saints concert series at All 15 August: Excursion to bus will take visitors between the Saints Church, Avenue, Waddesdon Gallery and the Temple: they’ll leave continues on Saturday 13 June with the Gallery at 2.30, 3.30 and 4.30 and Emma Curtis (contralto) with The 14 September: Hairspray at come back at 3.00, 4.00 and 5.00 pm. Frolick in a concert of baroque music the Light snacks are available both at the at 7.30 pm (07835 131925). North Stables Café at Orleans House 21 September: Suffolk and and at the Temple, providing a fine Richmond Orchestra has its Constable Country. 6 days and fascinating afternoon out. summer concert on Saturday 20 June (fully booked) at St John the Divine Church, www.artsrichmond.org.uk Richmond, at 7.30 pm, with Barber, 17 October: Excursion to Rachmaninov and Arvo Part (020 The arts richmond website lists all 8547 2695). Barnes Choir is singing society events notified to us, with a 23 October: Repeat visit to English and French Part Songs on page and hotlink for each affiliated Darwin’s House (fully booked) society. Contact Pam Frazer on Saturday 27 June, also at All Saints [email protected] Societies Church at 7.30 pm (020 8940 0949). Details from Vice President are asked to insert links to this The same day, international pianist Edie Purdue, 020 8891 4991 website on their own websites. Anthony Adkins gives his annual , Richmond June mailing Drama (0870 060 6651) Flyers for events in July and There are two very different 1-6 June; Spider’s Web by Agatha August should be delivered to opportunities to see A Midsummer Christie the arts richmond office on Eel Nights Dream this midsummer 8-13 June: Alphabetical Order, by month. Barnes Charity Players are Pie Island by Thursday 18 Michael Frayn with Imogen Stubbs June. Information for the performing it at Kitson Hall, Barnes, Newsletter should be sent by 1 from Tuesday 9 until Saturday 13 15-20 June: Aida (Monday, June. June, with a matinee on the Saturday Tuesday) , Turandot (Wednesday) at 2.30 pm (020 8748 9825). And and Carmen (Thursday to Saturday) Landmark Centre , Teddington, it’s at the Orange Tree Theatre in in Ellen Kent’s farewell tour. Tuesday 23 June, at 7.30, The Richmond as part of its Shakespeare 23-27 June: Horrible Histories by Landmark Sound and Landmark for Young People programme – the Birmingham Stage Company, Singers – Sing Out!, the first public that’s on Saturday 13 June: just four guaranteed to thrill you and your performance of one of two new actors in about an hour, as a way of children. community choirs established at the introducing the bard to young Landmark in summer 2008. The children in an exciting way (020 29 June to 4 July: Dreamboats and concert will feature a wide variety of 8940 3633). Petticoats The Musical, ‘the ultimate musical styles delivered with rock’n/roll musical. For a different take on our national tremendous enthusiasm and energy poet and playwright, you should see No charge, but booking essential Keith Wait’s Silver Age Adieu , one Richmond Shakespeare Society’s (020 8977 7558). of the entries in the artsrichmond Youth Theatre in I Hate New Writing Festival in March, is The Musical Museum at Brentford, Shakespeare at the Mary Wallace being performed in the Brighton with its fascinating collection of Theatre, Twickenham Embankment, Festival Fringe by The Stage automatic musical instruments and an from 11 to 14 June: a hilarious and Company from 4 to 10 May. It excellent new auditorium, where we fast-paced introduction to then moves to the Edinburgh had our Musical Soiree in February, Shakespeare. Fringe (01273 709 709) has At the Piano on Friday 17 July And you should get into your diaries and Friday 21 August at 2.30 pm in RSS’s annual alfresco treat: Much Gallery 1, Richard Cole at the piano; Art & Exhibitions Ado About Nothing in the York then a 1940s weekend over 29 to 31 House gardens, Twickenham on 5-7 Fountain Gallery , East Molesey August, in conjunction with the and 9-11 July. This year part of the (020 8941 5865) 26 May to 7 June neighbouring Steam Museum – the 75 th anniversary celebrations (020 London and the Thames. Further sounds, tastes and fashions of the 40s 8744 0547). Richmond Drama paintings by John Dobbs following (020 8560 8108) School at the Richmond Adult last year’s success. 9-21 June, Tides Ealing composer and pianist Keith Community College is also doing by Beverley Waller, and 23 June to 5 Ford is putting on a concert including Much Ado in the week starting 29 July, Jim Woodman and Lyn Rohde, some of his own and Attab Haddad’s June, in repertory with John an exhibition of recent work music for oud and piano, plus Godber’s Happy Families , always Environment Trust for Richmond mainstream composers, in Brentford lively academic-year-end productions upon Thames Art Picnic, Sunday 14 on Friday 5 June in St Faith’s (020 8439 8944). June, Syon Conservatory. Advance Church, Windmill Road, Brentford, Landmark Arts Centre, Teddington booking essential (020 8891 5455) at 7.30 pm (07792 863 867) Thursday 4 June, Comedy Works at Richmond Hill Gallery, Hill Rise, Whitton Choral Society: Ian the Landmark , new series of stand up Richmond to 7 June, Barbara Rae evenings in association with Comedy (020 8940 5152) McFarlane Works. Doors open 7.00 pm, first act Sad news from Whitton that the at 8.00 pm (020 8977 7558). Whittaker founder and musical director of Avenue, Richmond (020 8332 1141) Hounslow Light Opera’s Drama Exhibition From Henry VII to Henry Whitton Choral Society , Ian Section is doing Terry Pratchett’s McFarlane, died on 11 April, having VIII in Richmond , celebrating the Maskerade, a spoof on Phantom of th been taken ill while conducting the 500 anniversary of Henry VIII’s the Opera , on 4-6 June at St Mary’s accession, continues until 29 August. Good Friday concert the previous Community Hall, Church Street, day. Ian was a saxophone pupil at The exhibition looks at the links of Hampton at 7.45 pm (020 8898 both the kings to Richmond, and and served with the 2597). Highland Light Infantry Band. We what the area was like in 1509, with send our condolences to Ian’s family Orange Tree Theatre Richmond is images from national and local and friends and to the Society. nearing the end of its season with the collections and artefacts of the annual Trainee Directors Showcase period. As a result, there will be no summer Double Bill: Andy Brunskill Also at the Museum: concert. Ian is succeeded by Neil directing Sing to Me through Open Hawes – more information from 020 Windows, by Arthur Kopit, and 3 June; Tudor Richmond Walk with 8894 9943. The Choir rehearses on David Siebert directing The Private the Richmond Society, meet at Wednesdays at 7.45 pm in Whitton Ear by Peter from 3 to 20 June. The Richmond Station, Upper Concourse, Baptist Church. garden party is on Sunday 7 June at at 7.30 pm Trumpeters House, Richmond (020 8940 3633). Then and Now, demonstrates the from www. richmond.gov.uk/ Become a Friend changing face of the old borough of libraries_aloud and 020 8912 0653. Twickenham. Open Tuesdays and 2 June, East Sheen Library, 7.30 pm of the Arts and Saturdays, 11.00 am to 3.00 pm; The Magus of by Tom Sundays 2.00 to 4.00 pm. Libraries Stanier 020 8876 8801 I would like to be a Friend of Talks and meetings 5 June, Kew Library, 6.30 pm Racker the Arts and Libraries by Donnelly 020 8876 8654 Barnes Literary Society Wednesday becoming an Individual 9 June, Reference Library, Old Town 24 June, Summer Event (020 8748 Member arts Hall, Richmond, at 7.00 pm Elvis of richmond. 2558). McGonagall: One Man and his Name: Richmond Association for the Doggerel 020 8940 5529 Thursday 25 June, 10 June Teddington Library at 6.30 Address: London visit to Chelsea Physic pm Ross Sutherland 020 8977 1284 Garden.Thursday 18 June; Tea on the Terrace at the House of Lords. 11 June Hampton Library at 7.00 pm Tuesday 9 June Outing to Danson Jane Hill 020 8979 5110 Telephone: House and Red House/ 13 June Castelnau Library at 3.00 (020 8894 9262). E-mail: pm Jude Simpson 020 8748 3837 Le Cercle Français de Richmond 16 June Library at  I enclose my cheque for Thursday 12 June from 7.30 to 9.30 7.00 pm Lorraine Bowen 020 8940 £15.00 pm, Vestry Hall, Paradise Road, 0981  I would like to pay by Richmond: Sylviane Atkinson on Les standing order Templiers, followed by l’Assemblee 17 June Teddington Library at 6.30 Generale (020 8892 6139). pm Julian Fox: You’ve got to love  Gift Aid: please reclaim dancing to stick to it 020 8977 1284 Friends of Bushy and Home Parks tax on my subscription Sunday 21 June, Summer Party; Poets from the Floor Send to arts richmond at Saturday 25 July, walk with Terry Gough – Hampton Court and the Poets Connie Bensley (described as 6 Phoenix Wharf, Eel Tudor Courtyard Garden (020 3166 ‘the wittiest woman in the UK’) and Pie Island, 6470). Ruth O’Callaghan are reading some Twickenham, TW1 3DY Richmond and Twickenham of their poetry on Friday 26 June at Photographic Society (07743 6.30 for 7.00 pm at St Mary the 11 June Tudor Lecture Programme 856113). has regular twice-weekly Virgin Church, Mortlake High Street, The Portraits of Elizabeth 1 Clare meetings: on Thursdays general as part of the Mortlake Weekend Gittings, National Portrait Gallery at meetings with talks, prints and/or festival (26-28 May) (020 8876 7.00 pm projected images, at St Luke's Kew 1630) Community Centre in The Avenue, 17 June: Exhibition Talk From Poets from the floor are more than Kew at 8.00 pm; and on Tuesdays Henry VII to Henry VIII in welcome to join in, and may be specialist group meetings at MWB Richmond, 2.00 pm eligible to be considered for the Business Exchange, 5 Kew Road. Cinnamon Press Anthology, which 24 June Tudor Film Season, David will consist of Poets from the Floor Starkey’s Six Wives of Henry VIII: Libraries aloud! and internationally famous poets. Catherine of Aragon. 6.00 pm. Ruth has been awarded an Arts 25 The The borough’s library service is hosting a mini-festival of poetry, Council grant to visit Mongolia to Embankment, Twickenham The promote poetry. History Centre for Twickenham, music, writing and culture from 2 to Whitton, Teddington and the 17 June. Brief details are given Hamptons. The current exhibition, below; more information and tickets

Richmond upon Thames Arts Council 6 Phoenix Wharf, Twickenham TW1 3DY Tel/fax: 020 8892 9446 e-mail: [email protected]: www.artsrichmond.org.uk Registered Charity No: 251359