Arts

South African artist exhibits at Essex

One of South Africa’s most acclaimed contemporary artists is exhibiting on campus in the New Year in an exhibition entitled William Kentridge: 4 Films.

Kentridge’s drawing-based works, encompassing animated films, theatre and opera, present a uniquely evocative view of the state of South Africa today: from the Truth and Reconciliation Commission hearings to traces of apartheid’s violence in the landscape around his home town of Johannesburg.

 

A still from Kentridge's Weighing...and Wanting film, 1998

The University Gallery will be showing four of Kentridge’s films, all painstakingly created from a series of single drawings. Socio-political traumas such as apartheid are narrated through his haunting imagery. Like early twentieth century Expressionists such as Max Beckman, or early Soviet artists and filmmakers such as Sergei Eisenstein, Kentridge depicts political realities as they are expressed in terms of the individual human suffering they produce.

Arts and Gallery Director Jessica Kenny explained why she hopes this exhibition will enhance the Gallery's reputation: ‘Kentridge attracted international acclaim when his work was presented at the 1997 Johnannesburg and Havanna Biennals, and again at Venice Biennale in 2005. He really is a very exciting artist with a significant international reputation. This is a unique opportunity to see his work and we are particularly pleased to be showing the film Tide Turning for the first time in the UK.’

The exhibition of works by William Kentridge will run from 15 January to 17 February 2007. Admission is free and opening times are as follows: Monday to Friday 11am-5pm and Saturday 1pm-4.30pm.

Carry on Kenneth!

Review of Think No Evil of Us: My Life with Kenneth Williams
By Victoria Bartholomew

Anyone who has watched a Carry On film will know how hilarious Kenneth Williams could be, while anyone who has read his diaries will know about the private demons that haunted this star of stage, screen and radio. Both aspects were bought to life at the Lakeside Theatre by David Benson, in his uncanny portrayal of the actor in Think No Evil of Us: My Life with Kenneth Williams.

In this witty and poignant one-man show, Benson deftly imitated the voice and facial expressions of Kenneth Williams, showing his hilarious and cutting one-liners but also his inner torments.

Abruptly and halfway through his one and a half hour show, Benson switched to himself, doing an amusing and touching stand-up about his own troubled childhood in Birmingham. Benson’s amazing gift for impersonation was further strengthened with spookily accurate imitations of other comedy stars, including most of the cast of Dad’s Army!

Now in its tenth year, Think No Evil of Us has played in the West End and toured the UK, and its easy to see why it proves so popular. What really came across was both entertaining and moving, Benson concluded with Williams’ death in 1988 and admitted quite accurately that, although loved by the public this didn’t really matter to the star, as he ‘didn’t love himself.’

Choir return to Charter Hall

Following their highly acclaimed performance at Colchester’s Charter Hall in January, the University of Essex Choir will be returning to the venue in the New Year.

Firmly established as one of the region’s finest choir’s with an enviable reputation for its wide repertoire of performances, the Choir will be performing Anton Bruckner’s Mass in F minor.

They will be joined by the Essex Sinfonia and four guest soloists. Conducting them will be Richard Cooke who this year celebrated his 25th season with the Choir.

The University of Essex Choir will be at Charter Hall on Saturday 27 January. Tickets priced from £10 to £19, are available from Colchester Leisure World, telephone 01206 282020.