Hampshire Chronicle

4 7 Days May 31, 2012 hampshirromseyadvertiserechronicle.co.uk.co.uk Arts & Entertainment Bookshelf Visually comical production Bonehead’s Utopia l7D REVIEW By Andrew Jordan Murdered to Death, SOUTHAMPTON- Cheriton Players, based poet Andrew Cheriton Village Hall Jordan spent seven months as the writer- in-residence at what IN a spoof of an Agatha Christie has been described as 1930s murder-mystery, a widow Gosport’s Gulag — and her niece plan to entertain HMP Haslar. friends for the weekend. It was, and still is, Joined by local sleuth Joan although now with a Maple (whose hobby seems to be different name, a place discovering murders) it’s not where refugees, aka long before the shots start to ring illegal immigrants, are and the bodies start to fall. held whilst their status is being Inspector Pratt arrives to sorted. Many are deported. investigate, but more than lives Jordan is alive to the difficulty of up to his name... his seven-month creative role, later All kept their characterisations writing that the prisoners “did not well throughout, with some need a poet. They needed strong performances. David interpreters, advice, information, legal Cradduck was very entertaining representation and healthcare...” as the inept detective, with He fully sympathises with the excellent delivery of complex inmates trapped “in this land dialogue in a deadpan fashion, between nowheres” who have mostly physical and visual humour, and committed no offences and been enjoying an excellent partnership sent into custody by civil servants with Charlie Hellard as his long- after no trial. suffering subordinate. MURDEROUS: Tracey Anderson, David Cradduck and Helena Gomm in Murdered to Death. From his anger he has crafted a Pauline Cornter captured Picture: Craig Robertson powerful series of poems. Some are a Maple’s essence delightfully, bit too dense or oblique for my liking while Mike Cornter’s frisky most amusing. in an essentially quickly-paced, effects, impressive set and but taken as a whole it is a genuinely Colonel and Reg Large’s Despite a few opening night visually comical production, appropriate costumes. unsettling book about something impertinent butler were also nerves, good direction resulted enhanced with first-rate sound Anne Waggott happening on our doorstep. Throughout, the word ‘you’ recurs, a jabbing challenge to the reader. Be prepared for heavy doses of surreality, irony, satire and an Gallery stages first exhibition Orwellian attack on how language can be used dishonestly. l7D PREVIEW The first of a year-long Embodied Memories was But just for the record, in an article programme of exhibitions, the commissioned by the John for The Guardian included at the end Embodied Memories at exhibition showcases startling Hansard Gallery and developed of the book, Jordan writes of the the John Hansard new artworks by Jennifer Anyan, with City Eye through Art at the suicide in 2003 of Mikhail developed from verbal Heart, a partnership of key city- Bodnarchuk, a Ukrainian detainee: “I Gallery Central, recollections of garments and wide arts organisations led by don’t recall seeing it mentioned in the Southampton items purchased from Southampton City Council, local news media.” It was. Southampton’s old Tyrrell & working to bring the city’s The book, priced £7.95, is published Green department store. emerging cultural quarter to life. by Smokestack Books. NEW exhibition Embodied The exhibits, poised between The gallery is at 9 Civic Centre HHHH Andrew Napier Memories marks the opening of sculpture and couture, are made Road, Southampton. The John Hansard Gallery Central, a to be worn and reflect the artist’s exhibition lasts until June 30. It is new, temporary exhibitions practice as both fashion stylist open 11am-6pm, Tuesday- How England Made space in Southampton. and artist. Saturday. Admission is free. The English By Harry Mount WHY did the planners Revisiting the sound of the 1970s of our towns and cities swiftly forget the right angles of Roman order SOTONIANS will always It was on the eve of the UK’s won the Eurovision in 1974 with 7D and geometry? Why is a l REVIEW remember it as the year that latest bid for Eurovision glory Waterloo. pub invariably on the Brotherhood of Mann Saints pulled off the giant killing spearheaded in Azerbaijan by Brotherhood of Man had a string corner of a street? And feat of beating Manchester veteran crooner Engelbert of hits in the 1970s but overnight how did the Industrial and Abba Revival, The United in the FA Cup. Humperdinck. they became the nation’s Revolution do more Concorde Club, Eastleigh But in 1976 Brotherhood of Earlier millions of viewers had sweethearts when Save Your than anything else to Man, pictured, were also flying watched Brotherhood of Man on Kisses For Me became the save some of England’s the flag for the United Kingdom, TV’s Loose Women. Eurovision number one. The finest villages? conquering Europe with that still At The Concorde they shared a band is now in The Guinness Book Mount’s theory is that little of this very catchy Save Your Kisses for double bill of Eurovision of Records for the biggest selling happened because of chance. Me. nostalgia with Abba Rival, Eurovision single of all time with This is a beautifully detailed and And the original line up – launched in 1999 to coincide the biggest percentage of votes. charming book which explains Martin Lee, Sandra Stevens, with the opening of the West Judging from the reaction of exactly why England looks and feels Lee Sheriden and Nicky End musical Mamma Mia. And The Concorde’s arm swaying the way it does. Stevens – were in Eastleigh as that title track was the signal for audience there is still deep HHHH Jeremy Gates The Concorde Club staged its dancing queens and kings to hit affection for this iconic pop own Eurovision Song Contest the dance floor to pay homage to anthem. Party. the Swedish super group who Duncan Eaton.

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