Published: April 12, 2023 | Updated: 13th April 2023
Arts and Culture can help keep you in shape by encouraging you to get up from the sofa and head out into the world.
And this month is no exception!
From Burlesque in Poole, to exquisite classical music in West Dorset, a classic murder mystery in Swanage and the worldwide smash Strictly Ballroom coming to Bournemouth Pavilion – you’ll probably need a month to recover!
In this month’s column I interview the incredible Lucy Ryan, creator of burlesque superstar Ivy Paige and Creative Director of An Evening of Burlesque coming to the Lighthouse in May.
There are also reviews of two contrasting and thought-provoking live shows plus an opportunity to develop your creative thinking.
Coming up soon.
Strictly Ballroom The Musical, April 17 – 22, Bournemouth Pavilion.
Featuring the incredible Kevin Clifton, who is developing into a great stage actor, and choreographed by the FAB-U-LOUS Craig Revel-Harwood, this show has played to full houses and critical acclaim in London and all over the country. With a big cast and some great tunes it is the perfect way to bring a bit of summer into your life!
Book here.
An Evening of Burlesque, May 20, Lighthouse, Poole.
Prior to playing the West End this show is selling out dates all over the UK. It cleverly mixes glamour, humour and burlesque in a beautiful show directed by Lucy Ryan who also hosts the evening as alter ego Ivy Paige. The show is for grown ups only and is highly recommended
Book here.
Dial M for Murder, May 6, Mowlem Theatre, Swanage.
If you love a good murder mystery then head over to Swanage where the Dorset-based Revive Theatre company is presenting the classic Dial M for Murder. Made famous by the Hitchcock movie, the play has been described as a masterclass in suspense!
Book here.
Concerts In The West – The Northern Chords Ensemble, May 5, Bridport Arts Centre, 11.30am, and Ilminster Arts Centre, 7.30pm. May, The Dance House, Crewkerne, 7.30pm.
Bringing together some of the most exciting young musicians from across Europe performing some of the best loved works from the chamber repertoire. These wonderful concerts usually sell out rapidly.
Book here.
Review: Diana The Untold and Untrue Story, Lighthouse Poole.
This hilarious, clever and celebratory show comes from the incredible minds of Linus Karp and Joseph Paterson who make up Awkward Productions. It takes us through the life of the iconic former Princess of Wales with sharp camp humour, drag, puppetry and a wicked mockery of the Royal Family (especially Cam-Cam) mixed with a whole load of audience participation. However, the show is never unnecessarily cruel but is always intelligent, incredibly well structured and totally fun. Check it out if you’re heading to the Edinburgh Fringe this summer and keep an eye out for their next show which is coming soon.
To hear my interview with Linus Karp from Awkward Productions click here.
Noughts And Crosses, Lighthouse Poole.
Noughts and Crosses is already a YA (Young Adult) literary phenomenon and it is easy to understand why. It is so positive that Lighthouse presents theatre work that tells a story and makes us think. This piece reverses the traditional race-based power roles in Western society so that people of colour have all the power and white people are subjugated. It is an interesting premise that does not quite deliver everything that it promises. However, this did not stop the audience giving this show a hugely positive response on the night I saw the play. I hope we continue to see high quality work like this presented in our area.
Lucy Ryan.
The creator of burlesque superstar Ivy Paige, Lucy Ryan is a writer, actress and singer as well as Creative Director of An Evening of Burlesque which comes to Lighthouse, Poole next month prior to a West End run later this year. You may have seen her on ITV’s The Voice but there is lots more to Lucy than that.
What inspires your creative ideas?
I have to listen to lots of music. I lie down with my eyes shut and my partner will say ‘you’re working aren’t you?’ If I get an idea in my head I let if float about and if I can’t stop thinking about it and if I obsess about it then I know its a good one!
Why are arts and culture important to everyone?
If you think about what we went through during the pandemic, we all sat there and watched Netflix or films and started reading books. Everybody should be able to express themselves and sometimes it feels like there is a hierarchy of arts which is not necessary. During Covid I qualified as an English and Drama teacher and I saw the healing power of the arts and I’m a big advocate of everybody having access to the arts at a grass roots level.
What advice would you give to a business to help them become more creative?
Understand and identify your product and be unashamedly proud of it. Look for opportunities and don’t be afraid to take risks.
Who is your creative hero?
I first heard Kate Bush when I was 14 and thought she was amazing. I always describe her work as ‘music for the soul’. Each song is like a work of art in itself. I also love the world that Angela Carter creates in her books.
What piece of creative work are you most proud of?
There’s a few! I’m really proud of An Evening of Burlesque because we have come back from the pandemic with such a strong format. I’m really proud of the acts in the show and the brilliant team but I’m also really proud of how people are receiving the show. It really is a combination of creative and commercial success. As the Creative Director I have worked with the acts to find moments that make the show more and help us tell the story better. And aside from that I’m also really proud of what I achieved on The Voice which generated all sorts of tabloid reports but was a really lovely experience and definitely helped my career.
What are you working on now?
I’m working on a brand new number for An Evening of Burlesque which you will see at Lighthouse, Poole! I’m also writing my new show Ivy Paige: Burlesque Bombshell for the Edinburgh Festival this year. I have just started to write a book and I’m not sure where its going to take me but it will be about the world of cabaret and burlesque. And I also have doing a TED Talk on my list.
You can catch Lucy as Ivy Paige in An Evening of Burlesque at Lighthouse, Poole on Saturday May 10. The show is grown up, glamorous, and stylish.
Book here:
To hear my full interview with Lucy Ryan on the Confidently Creative podcast click here.
Creative tips for business.
Over the last few years I have been helping individuals, businesses and groups develop their creative thinking. Whether in individual consultancy, in group live events or through my Confidently Creative podcast I have enjoyed helping others learn from my experience, insights and mistakes. Last month a friend of mine suggested that I look at how I could use my product – my creative vision and experience – in a new and different way. As a result I now have a series of sold out online creative workshops helping people from all over the world to develop their creativity.
I am sure that there are things I could have done better in setting up the project, in promoting it and even in structuring it. My point is that I had a view on what I could offer but I needed an outside creative point of view to show other possibilities. We often find ourselves too close to our own businesses to spot all the potential which is why it’s so important to take a step back or seek an impartial outside creative viewpoint.
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Business Contact: jasonwardcreative@gmail.com
Instagram: @jasonwardcreative
Twitter: @ConfCreative
