In the words of Prefab Sprout ‘Guess what? Summer’s arrived…’ and here in Dorset we invite visitors from all over the country and the world to enjoy our beautiful coast, countryside and cultural life.

The internationally renowned BEAF Arts Festival starts this weekend in Boscombe and we have an exclusive interview with Founder and Creative Director Carol Maund.

We bring you reviews of of two new shows including Hugh the Musical, which is written and performed by Dorset-based duo Susan Grant and Joni de Winter. Look out for the return of Southbourne’s Shake n Stir Festival, madrigals with Fair Oriana in Bridport and outdoor theatre company Sisata on tour with The Tempest.

Enjoy the summer and don’t forget your sunscreen!

Coming up soon.

June 16 – 25: BEAF 2023 Arts Festival, Boscombe.

BEAF 2023 is bringing unheard voices to Boscombe with 10 days of exhibitions, performances, workshops and events, including music from Harare, brand new art and a specially commissioned dance circus piece from locally based artist Joli Vyann. Highly recommended!

Full details at gotbeaf.co.uk/beaf/festival-2023

July 7: Fair Oriana, Bridport Arts Centre/Ilminster Arts Centre.

Concerts in the West presents the pure vocal beauty of Fair Oriana. Soprano duo Penelope Appleyard and Angela Hicks perform an intimate concert of vocal and instrumental work representing the Trials and Triumphs of Elizabeth 1st.

Book tickets at tickets.concertsinthewest.org

June 24 and 25: Shake and Stir Vintage Festival, Southbourne.

The  much loved vintage festival features live music, food, unique traders and two days of great family activities. The fun all takes place in Fisherman’s Walk, Southbourne.

For the full programme check out eventsbystir.co.uk

June 20: Swim, Lighthouse, Poole.

Liz Richardson’s highly acclaimed play about wild swimming has toured the UK receiving 5 star reviews for its insight and comedy. On June 21, Liz is also organising a solstice swim at Hamworthy Park Beach to welcome in the summer.

For show and swim details visit lighthousepoole.co.uk/event/swim

July 15: The Tempest, Museum of East Dorset. 

Dorset’s very own outdoor theatre company is out on tour across the region. This is a new production based on Shakespeare’s The Tempest that draws from experiences of climate change and the power of nature through work with coastal communities on the Isle of Portland.

For dates and tickets: sisata.co.uk

Review: The Curious Case of Benjamin Button – Southwark Playhouse, Elephant, London.

This incredible new musical is set in Cornwall and is a retelling of the F. Scott Fitzgerald story. With both rousing folk tunes and beautiful ballads by the amazing Darren Clark, a great book and direction by Jethro Compton this show will transport you to a different time and place.

It features an incredible cast of actor musicians led powerfully by Olivier Award winner Jamie Parker as Benjamin the man who is born old but grows younger. There are great performances by Molly Osborne as his wife Elowen and the incredible Philippa Hogg in a variety of roles. The show has a short run at the Southwark Playhouse which is only a 15 minute stroll from Waterloo Station and well worth making the trip up to town to see!

For a more in-depth review go to: bit.ly/BenjaminButtonREVIEW

To book tickets go to southwarkplayhouse.co.uk

Hugh The Musical – The Black Cherry Theatre, Boscombe.

Do you love a good 90s romcom? Then you will love this hilarious new musical written by Dorset-based duo Susan Grant and Joni de Winter. The women tell the story of much underbudgeted stage romcom produced by Our Soul Theatre company (yes!) Hugh the Musical features sharp writing, hilarious audience participation and some great original songs. Despite not yet featuring Hugh Grant this show is a great fun night out and and is on tour around our area. See it before it become HUGE!

For tour dates, see belle-street.com/hugh-the-musical

For the full review go to my Substack at bit.ly/HUGHTHEMUSICAL

Carol Maund, Founder and Creative Director, BEAF Arts Festival.

Carol is an inspiring and inspired voice for arts and culture in our region. She founded the Arts by the Sea Festival and currently leads the team at TOSH in Boscombe which offers co-working space to creative start ups and supports important creative work in the community. Carol is Creative Director of the upcoming BEAF festival which runs from June 16 to 25 in Boscombe.

What inspires your creative ideas?

My creative work is as a curator and arts producer, bringing together other creatives to make exciting things happen. I am constantly amazed by the originality and ingenuity of creatives, and this inspires me to develop ideas for a whole range of creative projects.

Why are arts and culture important to everyone?

Every day I see how the arts can transform people’s lives. It’s inspirational to see how the projects I have developed have had such a positive impact on the participants. For example, the incredible output of creative writing produced by those involved in the Outsiders Project, coming from people in recovery and struggling with complex health issues; or our Seeking Refuge project offering a lifeline for asylum seekers and refugees through our weekly creative workshops; and most recently working with students from SWRAC who provide a specialist education programme for young people. I have had the most amazing feedback on how the arts have really helped many of them deal with some of the difficult aspects of their daily lives as well as giving them such pleasure and enjoyment.

That’s why I really believe the arts are essential to everyone, a small intervention can have such a significant impact which may never been planned, but will have such a lasting effect on the people involved.

What advice would you give to a business to help them become more creative?

I suggest find your creative network, and be inspired by others. Great ideas often just appear when you least expect it. When you are feeling the ideas aren’t coming go see an exhibition or check out a podcast or website of artists you find interesting, and then take a walk on the beach. That’s the best thing to clear the head and get new ideas flowing.

Who is your creative hero? 

I have so many, it’s hard to select just one. I am inspired by musicians, artists, film makers, architects and designers, so the list is extensive. I am currently working with some amazing artists, so these are the ones in the forefront of my mind at the moment. Shirin Neshat, whose exile from Iran and her incredible work is so moving, and Harold Offeh who adds such a sense of joy while tackling some very complex subject matter, are absolute heroes and heroines to me. But I would add two of my all-time favourite musicians, Patty Smith and P J Harvey, I just can’t choose one!

What piece of creative work are you most proud of?

I am very proud to be heading up the BEAF Arts Festival, and working with such amazing creative people.

What are you working on now?

The arts festival is taking over my life right now but it’s all worth it to see such brilliant work happening in my favourite place, Boscombe, a place brimming with creativity and energy.

BEAF runs in Boscombe from June 16 to 25.

Check out the website for details of events and how to financially support the festival at gotbeaf.co.uk/beaf/festival-2023

What can you do when you are stuck for an idea? Many creatives suggest going to do something else! This week’s interview guest, Carol Maund, suggests seeing an exhibition, movie director Baz Luhrman suggests going for a walk and writer JK Rowling says ‘Go and fill up on life’. The point is our best ideas often come when we are least expecting them because we are allowing our creative brain to get on with its work without interruption. This is all part of the creative process and understanding how it works will help you create with more clarity and enable you to more effectively manage your team’s creativity.

To hear more about the Creative Process check out this podcast: JasonsCreativeProcessTips

jasonwardcreative.substack.com

Contact: jasonwardcreative@gmail.com

Instagram:  @jasonwardcreative