7.30pm, Thornbury United Reformed Church
Chris Harris has had a long association with Thornbury and ACT (Arts and Community in Thornbury) is delighted that he has offered to come and share many amusing anecdotes and snippets of his illustrious career with an audience.
Chris will go right back to his roots, growing up in Bridgewater and then outline the paths he took, which saw him working as an international mime artist, starring in TV's successful programme: Into The Labyrinth, writing and starring in his many one-man shows and more recently, not only writing, but also starring in a plethora of pantomimes, both in Bristol and Bath and subsequently becoming known by a whole new generation!
The title of this fascinating talk is: Life On Stage, Up the A38 from Bridgwater to Bangkok via Thornbury!, which will ensure Chris will extract every ounce of humour from the many interesting situations he has found himself in and, of course, he'll be delighted to welcome questions from the audience.
So, whether you remember Chris coming to Thornbury, performing one of his one-man shows for Thornbury Arts Festival and then joining forces with the then Thornbury Amateur Operatic Society over 20 years ago, if you have enjoyed his acting skills, both on television and in the theatre, or if pantomime holds a fascination for you, why not join him for a very interesting evening? Tickets, price £10 and £9 for FACTs are available from Thornbury Garden Centre, in the High Street or ring 01454 416291.
For more information on ACT and its project to build a theatre and arts complex in Thornbury, or to volunteer your help or to become a FACT, please click below.
www.ACTthornbury.org.uk
3.30-5.30pm, Tudor Hall, Thornbury Castle
As promised, ACT (Arts and Community in Thornbury) is delighted to announce a repeat performance of Pictures of Perfection, which is an intimate costume drama, written and performed by Barbie Davies (as Cassandra), with Sarah Wiggins as Jane Austen.
Enjoy the banter between the two sisters, as they reminisce about their family life, friends, loves and losses, while this amusing yet poignant piece includes fascinating images, Jane's favourite music and extracts from her letters and novels. This is an opportunity to understand so much more about the real Jane Austen, the influences that so affected her writing and the world she inhabited.
The last time tickets went on sale for this event, they had all been sold within 24 hours, so demand is sure to be great! The performance is followed by a scrumptious tea. Tickets are £12 and £11 for FACTs, so to be sure of your seat, ring 01454 416291 to find out exactly when they are available from Thornbury Garden Centre.
To find out how to become a FACT (Friend of ACT) and to learn more about the charity's vision of a theatre-based arts facility for this area, click below.
www.ACTthornbury.org.uk
ACT: Arts and Community in Thornbury
Latest News!
We are still offering a special package of 2 DVDs ~ rehearsal highlights plus performance and a CD of the music, of The Wigan Girls, at a mere £15, obtainable from Jackie Jackson, Bay Tree Cottage, Crossways Lane, Thornbury, BS35 3UE or ring 01454 416421.
The other exciting offer is an A3 Calendar of The Wigan Girls, featuring rehearsal, location and performance photographs, for just £7.50 from Thornbury Town Hall from the middle of October, or by post from Jackie for an extra £1 to cover post and packing. Cheques to be made payable to ACT.
A Project to Build a New Performance and Arts Venue in Thornbury
Arts and Community in Thornbury has been set up as an independent (not for profit) organisation solely with the purpose of developing and building a new 'state of the art' performance venue in Thornbury.
It will serve the town and local area, bridging the large scale arts facilities vacuum between Bristol, Cheltenham, Cardiff and Bath.
What progress has been made so far?
Image by Pat Collins
Following a successful public meeting in November 2005, when support for ACT's project was positively and overwhelmingly expressed, a volunteer, 14 strong Steering Group was established in February 2006 and has been ably supported by a small group of volunteer consultants, offering expertise in the fields of arts, education, business acumen, town planning, architecture and legal procedures.
In 2006 ACT became a Limited Company, setting up its own financial systems, with a generous starting fund of over £4,000 received from the profits of The Thornbury Plays 2000, a community production.
In 2007, ACT became a Registered Charity. Since then ACT's profile has been raised in many ways, with several hundred FACTs [Friends of ACT] and a wealth of supporters from the Arts World, such as Barry Cryer, Samuel West, Willy Russell, Chris Harris, Kate Haste, Trevor Fry and Chris Vacher, all lending vital support.
The Steering Group was thrilled to welcome Catherine Johnson, author and scriptwriter of Mamma Mia! ~ the musical and film, as ACT's Founder Patron at the beginning of 2009.
This was the year which also saw the culmination of a hugely successful arts events programme, with the staging of a mammoth community production: The Wigan Girls which was conceived and written by local girl: Janet Halfyard, orchestrated by Nigel Davies and directed by Barbie Davies.
The musical played to audiences of 500 nightly, in Thornbury Leisure Centre, the only local venue large enough to accommodate a cast of 300, plus technical and practical support given by another 200 people and this size of audience, but spacious as it is, the Centre's limitations did emphasize the need for proper theatrical facilities!
Both audience members and participants came from Thornbury and its surrounding areas, such as Almondsbury, Olveston, Alveston, Charfield, Wotton under Edge, Dursley and Chipping Sodbury, plus much further afield, like Bristol, Portishead and even Scotland to view! This is exactly what we hope our theatre will eventually do!
Having held meetings with key people from MPs, Leaders of South Glos Council, Planning Officers, representatives of the Peer Group, Thornbury Chamber of Commerce, Thornbury Town Council, to performance groups, Churches and schools, ACT is now in positive talks with Trustees of the Armstrong Hall Complex and it is hoped that by working together, the aspirations of both organisations can be achieved.
ACT has already made huge strides towards realising its vision, so why not join us for the next stage of this challenging, yet exciting journey?
Why do we want a new performance venue?
Thornbury, with its surrounding area, has a wealth of artistic talent that deserves a fine centre for performances and exhibitions. Thornbury has many groups in all branches of the arts, which perform to a high standard and attract enthusiastic support. Several of the groups have received awards for their performances.
On the professional side, Thornbury Arts Festival has produced a week-long celebration of the arts for over 35 years. Each year there are several performances which are sold out. There would be room for more professional groups and artistes to entertain local people throughout the year.
What we think is lacking is a contemporary venue for better display of local talent as well as performances by visiting professionals. Our vision is centred on a performance hall or theatre. It would be an energetic and exciting venue for all the community. At the heart would be the cafe and bar, available to local people at all times of the day.
ACT Principles
- The venue will be for all the community
- We have a special concern for the needs of young people and adults with special needs
- In our planning we will respect the various interests, concerns and wishes of different individuals and groups
- We will develop partnerships with statutory and voluntary organisations
- We intend for this project to encourage the spirit of imagination and creativity throughout the area
Anticipated facilities in the new performance venue
- 500 seat auditorium
- flexible and electronic raked seating
- large stage with wing space (available for other uses too)
- extra staging available
- flexible lighting and sound boxes with recording facilities
- scenery dock (available for other uses too, e.g. pottery, modelling and arts and crafts for all ages and kinds)
- flying tower
- security cage and props lock-up
- cinema screen and projection facilities
- sufficient dressing rooms (with toilets, showers, basins and lit mirrors)
- green room
- facilities for hanging costumes, laundering and ironing
- intercom system
- large access doors and drive-in space for vans
- studio space for small events (with similar facilities including barre and mirrors for dance classes)
- recording studio
- exhibitions space
- rehearsal and meeting rooms
- foyer space
- disabled access throughout the building
- bar, cafe and kitchen
- box office
- office space and staff facilities
- cloakroom
- public toilets
- storage spaces (numerous!)
- adequate car parking
How can you get involved?
- Become a FACT (Friend of ACT)
- Become a volunteer helper
- Join a working group
- Offer particular expertise
- Become a donor
- Support fund-raising events
- Give us your ideas and suggestions - we'd love to hear from you.
If you would like to be included on the ACT mailing list, please send your details to Philip Darley, using the details below.
Click here to download the latest ACT newsletter (July 2008, 900k PDF)
Contacts
Website: www.ACTthornbury.org.ukChairman: Philip Darley
50 High Street, Thornbury, BS35 2AN
Tel: 01454 416291
Email:
Company Secretary: Lyn Bedford
35 Sibland Road, Thornbury, BS35 2EP
Tel: 01454 884154
Email:
Finance Director: Dylan Griffiths
Applestone Barn, Chapel Road, Oldbury-on-Severn, BS35 1PL
Tel: 01454 281611
Email:
• Performing arts
• Music
• Film
