Arts Reviews

Another challenging but cracking production at Keswick

Silence, Theatre by the Lake, Keswick: If you want a quiet night then Silence at Keswick Theatre by the Lake isn’t for you.

Last updated 9 July 2010
Published by http://www.cumberlandnews.co.uk

Lanercost Festival: Pure Midsummer magic

Lanercost Festival – A Midsummer Night’s Dream: The beautiful ruins of Lanercost Priory near Brampton made a perfect setting for a balmy evening’s performance of Shakespeare’s most popular comedy.

Last updated 2 July 2010
Published by http://www.cumberlandnews.co.uk

Lanercost Festival: Five display their talent

Lanercost Festival – Chetham’s School of Music: This is the fourth year of such visits by Chetham’s, which have now become a very welcome part of the tradition.

Last updated 2 July 2010
Published by http://www.cumberlandnews.co.uk

Bassenthwaite Festival’s musical idyll

Bassenthwaite Festival, St.Bega’s Church: Under the inspired direction of David Gibbs, this year’s Bassenthwaite Festival concerts of Baroque music concentrated on the works of JS Bach and his family.

Last updated 2 July 2010
Published by http://www.cumberlandnews.co.uk

Suitable celebration for life of cathedral music master

The Abbey Singers – A Lakeland Celebration Concert, St Oswald’s Church, Grasmere: A perfect summer evening, with the sun streaming in through the windows of St Oswald’s Church, was the setting for a very special concert by the Abbey Singers.

Last updated 2 July 2010
Published by http://www.cumberlandnews.co.uk

Lanercost Festival: Buskers offer new insight

Lanercost Festival – Classic Buskers: A musical feast was served at Lanercost Priory on Saturday evening -from the amuse-bouche of Vivaldi’s Spring (including a dog barking) to the rich dessert of Tchaikovsky’s 1812 Overture – played on a variety of wind instruments, accordion, bells and balloons (yes, balloons – bursting them caused the cannon fire effect), the menu was varied, scintillating and satisfying.

Last updated 2 July 2010
Published by http://www.cumberlandnews.co.uk

Lanercost Festival: Judas Maccabaeus

Lanercost Festival: Judas Maccabaeus: The Lanercost Festival closed this year with the rousing Handel oratorio Judas Maccabaeus conducted by Anthony Peacock.

Last updated 2 July 2010
Published by http://www.cumberlandnews.co.uk

Lanercost Festival: Young musician’s competition

Lanercost Festival – Young Musician of the Year competition: The competition featured 11 talented young soloists who delighted us with a richly varied programme of vocal and instrumental solos. Eleven-year-old cellist Matthew Heard from Hampshire had travelled the furthest, and was the youngest competitor.

Last updated 2 July 2010
Published by http://www.cumberlandnews.co.uk

Perfect way to spend a summer evening

Romeo and Juliet, Hutton-in-the-Forest: It could have been a scene from A Midsummer Night’s Dream. As a glorious summer day turned to dusk, the moon rose above the gardens of Hutton-in-the-Forest stately home.

Last updated 25 June 2010
Published by http://www.cumberlandnews.co.uk

Wigton society’s fitting memorial tribute to choir member

Wigton Choral Society summer concert, St Mary’s Church, Wigton: Wigton Choral Society’s annual summer concert at Mary’s Church in Wigton was dedicated to the memory of choir member Patrick Short.

Last updated 25 June 2010
Published by http://www.cumberlandnews.co.uk

A Dalston choir performance for the ages

Dalston Male Voice Choir’s Silver Jubilee Concert, Victory Hall, Dalston: A fanfare flourish heralded the beginning of Dalston Male Voice Choir’s Silver Jubilee Concert.

Last updated 25 June 2010
Published by http://www.cumberlandnews.co.uk

Hairy Bikers’ tour de force

Hairy Bikers, The Sands Centre, Carlisle, June 20: Cumbria loves its big, funny beardy men. As with the cuddly Bill Bailey at the start of this month, there was a tangible sense of the audience being pleased to be even in the same room as Si King and Dave Myers, the Hairy Bikers.

Last updated 25 June 2010
Published by http://www.cumberlandnews.co.uk

Varied musical highs of city’s own society

Carlisle Musical Society – Any Dream Will Do, The Sands Centre, CarlisleCarlisle Musical Society and guests staged an evening of music, song and dance which delighted and entertained a packed Sands Centre last Saturday evening.

Last updated 18 June 2010
Published by http://www.cumberlandnews.co.uk

Sublime sounds take audience to warmer place

The Fibonacci Sequence – West Cumbria Festival, St Cuthbert’s Church, LortonAt a time when west Cumbria is much in need of cheer, it was fitting that the Fibonacci Sequence chamber ensemble should be giving a series of three concerts in Lorton, Whitehaven and Gosforth.

Last updated 18 June 2010
Published by http://www.cumberlandnews.co.uk

Youngsters prove very accomplished

Carlisle Youth Concert Band, St Barnabas Church, CarlisleCarlisle Youth Concert Band presented a wide range of music from Cimarosa to Andrew Lloyd Webber.

Last updated 18 June 2010
Published by http://www.cumberlandnews.co.uk

Strange goings on in the minds of men

What The Butler Saw, Theatre by the Lake, KeswickThis production descended into farce quicker than the Great Glass Elevator in Charlie’s chocolate factory.

Last updated 18 June 2010
Published by http://www.cumberlandnews.co.uk

Repression, desire, ambition and prejudice on show

Five Finger Exercise, West Walls Theatre, CarlisleThings are really looking up at Carlisle Green Room Club. A few weeks ago they did The Crucible by Arthur Miller, probably the greatest playwright of the 20th century.

Last updated 11 June 2010
Published by http://www.cumberlandnews.co.uk

Witty, friendly – and effortlessly professional

Lesley Garrett, The Sands Centre, CarlisleLesley Garrett is a finely-tuned artiste after 30 years in the business – and her Carlisle show certainly didn’t disappoint with her fans awarding her a well-deserved standing ovation.

Last updated 11 June 2010
Published by http://www.cumberlandnews.co.uk

Breadcrumb trail to a sleepless night

Derren Brown – Enigma, The Sands Centre, CarlisleI’m probably not going to sleep tonight. Or tomorrow night either, for that matter.

Last updated 11 June 2010
Published by http://www.cumberlandnews.co.uk

Legends back to bass-ics

Freebass, The Brickyard, CarlisleTWO legends on the same stage for a tenner! Can’t argue with that. The Brickyard was packed and sweaty at the weekend as the faithful came to pay homage. Someone texting at the bar sent the message ‘reliving my youth’.

Last updated 11 June 2010
Published by http://www.cumberlandnews.co.uk