Published: December 14, 2022 | Updated: 15th December 2022
The chill of winter has truly arrived across our area but our wonderful arts and culture community is certainly not hibernating.
In this month’s column we look forward to Christmas shows at the Lighthouse and The Regent Centre, creativity celebrated at The Mowlem Theatre in Swanage and we get ready for the New Year with Ceilidh in Dorchester.
In Six Degrees of Inspiration we meet Christchurch-based dance teacher, choreographer and young person’s mental health advocate, Julie Laming, who tells us what inspires her.
We also have the first review of Haunted Remains, the exciting new album from Shaftesbury-based electronic music artist Bite The Boxer.
There is so much art and culture in our area to celebrate over the festive season and I wish everyone happy holidays, Merry Christmas and a New Year full of love, happiness and creativity!
Happening now or coming up soon.
Cinderella, Lighthouse, Poole – until December 31.
Check out my review, below, of the Lighthouse’s Christmas feel-good spectacular. With a stellar cast and a whole load of daytime performances this is perfect for the whole family! Tickets at lighthousepoole.co.uk
On Stage, Mowlem Theatre, Swanage – December 15
Join artist Tony Kerins in the theatre with his friends Julie Gadenne and David George for an illustrated discussion about drawing in the dark, performing in a place where everybody knows you and the purpose of all this fooling about. Chaired by Tim Edgar. themowlem.com
Christmas Spectacular, The Regent Centre, Christchurch – From December 17.
The Glad Rag Production Company are back in the Regent with this year’s spectacular set in the North Pole at Santa’s Workshop. Featuring an incredible cast, stunning choreography and big helping of your festive fun served up with your favourite Christmas tunes this is a perfect way to get the season started! Read more about the company, and sister business Carry on Costumes, here. theregent.co.uk
The Big Dorset Midwinter Ceilidh, Dorchester Arts Centre – January 6, 2023.
What better way to get back out again after the festive excess than a midwinter celebration with Tatterdemalion. Folk tunes from Dorset and beyond and a special early evening event for younger folk fans too! dorchesterarts.org.uk
Review: Cinderella – Lighthouse, Poole
If you want to see how the magic of theatre casts its spell then go and watch Cinderella at Lighthouse, Poole in an auditorium full of children.
Expertly crafted by Director and writer Chris Jarvis, this show hits all the right panto buttons with upbeat music, outrageous gags and huge gulps of popular culture including a very on trend nod to the Meghan Traitor TikTok dance.
Jarvis leads the cast as Buttons, with great support from the hilarious Ugly Sisters (Nadine and Doris!) played by Andrew Pollard and Ali Jadavji, a superb Lauren Azania as the Fairy Godmother while Charlotte Wood as Cinderella glitters and shines.
Tyger Drew-Honey, as Prince Charming, gave off a Harry Styles vibe and it was great to hear Dandini talk about the fact that not all Princes are looking for Princesses.
They said it was going to be the most feel good-show ever and it will definitely make your Christmas season a whole lot more festive!
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New music: Haunted Remains – Bite The Boxer
Shaftesbury-based composer and song writer Matt Park is back with Bite The Boxer’s latest album.
There is a chilled out Belle and Sebastian vibe mixed with 80s synth duo electronica, and Portishead vocals delicately spinning wistful melodies that evoke chilly winters walking across frozen meadows.
Haunted Remains is an excellent album of sophisticated, emotional, electronic music that owes as much to some dark 80s John Peel sessions as it does to the XX.
It is the perfect accompaniment to your winter and will keep fresh well after spring days return.
Julie Laming
Julie Laming is the inspirational Founder of Mad4Dance in Christchurch and its sister brand ADP. Combining a rigorous theatre training with holistic preparation for professional life from including focusing on mental health, creativity and self knowledge. The school continues to attract talented students and successful professional mentors.
What inspires your creative ideas?
For me I get a lot of inspiration from life experiences and people. I’m fascinated by people’s stories and their beliefs, views and emotions. My inspiration comes from my passion to impact those around me, especially the younger generation who I work with on a daily basis. Creating pieces of work that they can identify with, but also learn from, is so exciting for me and getting that balance is really important. They need to express who they are but it’s also important we are provoking their thoughts and feelings in a positive way and enabling them to grow and learn more about themselves and life.
Why are arts and culture important to everyone?
Arts and culture is vital to our lives and our community for so many reasons but one of the most important being ‘identity’. Understanding, developing and celebrating our identity both individually AND as a community is profoundly important for our mental wellbeing and developing healthy, meaningful relationships with those around us. Art and culture is everywhere and part of the makeup of EVERY human being whether they recognise or admit it or not. Because being creative isn’t necessarily a dance routine or a piece of art, it’s the way we express an aspect of our uniqueness. It’s the way we show or express who we are.
What advice would you give to a business to help them become more creative?
Be true to yourself and don’t copy or try and do what other businesses have done. Your USP is so important. Business IS personal so make sure you don’t just try and become a carbon copy of others – be true to who you are. Be the best version of yourself and take that into your business model. You will find more success that way. Your customers want authenticity!
Who is your creative hero?
I loved Christopher Bruce who is a contemporary choreographer because he used dance to voice his beliefs despite the risk that might bring to his popularity. I admire anyone who is brave, passionate and uses their art to express who they are and what they believe.
What piece of creative work are you most proud of?
A dance piece I created called Agape. This was about the hatred and violence in the world and told the story of how someone gave themselves as a sacrifice of love for another. This act of love brought reconciliation to those around who were once at war. It showed that the ultimate act of love is to give your life to save another. A kind of love we need more of in this world. I also wanted to show what Jesus did on the cross for us but within a modern story. It was a way of showing how much God loves us and was willing to do anything so we could be reconciled to him. Agape is the Greek word for the fatherly love of God for humans.
What are you working on now?
As a school we’ve just finished working on the Christchurch Yuletide Festival which was an amazing creative and professional experience. I also have a wonderfully creative Co-Principal, Chloe, who does most of the choreography now. Right now I’m focusing my creative energy on managing the school and growing as a charity called Helping Young Minds which works to support children’s mental health.
Use this link to discover more about Julie’s work with Mad4Dance and Helping Young minds: mad4dance.com
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Instagram: @jasonwardcreative