Arts

On stage with Darwin

To mark Darwin’s bicentennial year, the Lakeside Theatre will show a fascinating and entertaining dramatisation of thirty years of correspondence between Charles Darwin in Kent, England and Asa Gray in Boston, United States, adapted exclusively from their own writing.

 

Menagerie present Re:Design at 7.30pm on 29 May 2009, allowing audiences to enter the minds and worlds of two groundbreaking nineteenth-century naturalists as they struggle to reconcile orthodox Christian beliefs with Darwin’s new theory of evolution by natural selection. Their intellectual debate surrounding science and religion is interwoven with gossip, opinion and anecdotes ranging from war and slavery, to family incidents, postal inefficiencies and unfortunate gardening accidents!

Menagerie is the East of England’s leading producer of new writing for the stage and producers of the nationally renowned Hotbed Festival of new writing. The Lakeside Theatre shows their latest offering as a developed work in progress, offering a chance to see it before it heads out on a national tour.

Tickets are £7 (concessions £5 and Essex students £3) and available from Arts on 5 or via an online booking service with the Mercury Theatre at: www.mercurytheatre.co.uk/artson5.

Picture (Menagerie 3.jpg) caption: Re:Design dramatizes thirty years of correspondence across the Atlantic between Charles Darwin and Asa Gray

Theatre showcases students and professionals

Forthcoming performances at the Lakeside Theatre offer audiences the chance to experience a touring professional show as well as a student-produced performing arts festival.

On 21 May, the Lost Spectacles theatre company presents Lost in the Wind which blends clowning, puppetry and physical performance.

The story follows a man as he steps out of his front door for the first time, takes a wrong turn and stumbles into another world inhabited by a group of strange lonely beings. It was described by the British Theatre Guide as ‘an utterly enchanting journey into the realms of pure magic.’

Between 4 and 7 June the Theatre will showcase the talents of current Essex students in the Theatre Arts Society Roar Talent 3.

Roar will feature students from a range of disciplines and societies and will include original theatre, stand-up comedy, poetry and music. The full line-up is yet to be confirmed but further details are available by telephoning: 01206 873261.

Further details are available online at: www.essex.ac.uk/artson5/. Tickets are available on: 01206 87573948 or at: www.mercurytheatre.co.uk/artson5.

Classical music success

Last month saw the University’s Classical Music Society’s annual concert at the Lakeside Theatre.

Francis Yongblah, President of the Society, explains: ‘After a lot of hard work by all, a great concert was had with many in the audience commenting on what a brilliant night it was.

‘Four years ago the Classical Music Society was non-existent but, after a lot of hard work and dedication by members and fellow musicians in the community, the Society is back.’

The Classical Music Society runs several ensemble groups which include string group, flute choir, woodwind trio, close harmony and jazz band. Members participate in the weekly orchestra at Colchester Institute.

Francis added: ‘The Classical Music Society is not just about playing an instrument. We provide different activities which include trips, socials, fundraising and volunteering. Last term we raised money for UNICEF and this term we raised £250 for the Music Therapy Charity. Members have performed in Top Bar and at the Law Ball, at a fairtrade wine tasting event at Colchester Town Hall and for Amnesty International events.

‘The Classical Music Society has provided more than just opportunities for musicians to play but a chance for those interested in music to be active within the University and the community.’

For more information about the Classical Music Society, please see: privatewww.essex.ac.uk/~cms/