Embracing Life & Love

Art – Culture – Entertainment (A.C.E) JAN 2014

Pollyanne Trapmore-Shaw

Self confessed culture-vulture and dog lover! @PresentDayPolly

Front of House, Promotions and Gallery Curator at the Embassy Theatre, Skegness.

“Embracing Life and Love in The Bigger Picture”

Regardless of the dreary, typical winter weather the Arts have never been brighter and fuller of life with enthusiasm, Inspiration and adventure for what the New Year has to hold.

Launching the Embassy’s spring season in a burst of variety and colour the art gallery opens a brand new “crowd funded” exhibition of works on February 14^th by local contemporary artist Malcolm Tait. The exhibition is titled “The Bigger Picture” referring to both the impressive size of the works and also that they will be sold to benefit Charity.

Malcolm is in the process of finishing 7 large mixed media colour sketches that depict areas of Skegness also reflecting aspects of live in the town. 6 of the 7 include the iconic Clock Tower, Skegness Lifeboats (the artists chosen charity) The Pier, Skegness Beach and her Donkeys, a Varity of Amusements, Skegness SO Festival and 3 Stained Glass Windows from St. Matthews Church – the 7^th piece will be the choice of one lucky participant (an individual or business) who signs up for the project.

To get involved register online via the embassy website embassytheatre.co.uk where each person who does so will receive an invitation to the launch night on February 14^th where a series of A4 prints of the works will be sold at £35 for 6, individual A3 Giclee prints at £32 each and also the opportunity to place sealed bids for the original large scale artworks.

70% of monies raised will go to the RNLI Skegness branch and 30% to The Embassy Evening Gallery to help support future exhibitions.

This is the perfect opportunity for businesses or art loving individuals to acquire an impressively sized, unique piece of local art faithfully depicting scenes and emotive fillings of Skegness whilst benefiting a national institution.

 And now…. As they say….. for something completely different! Also on February 14^th the world première spring tour of Dracula takes to the stage in all its gory glory. The ultimate Valentines Treat – this gothic love story by Bram Stoker has been adapted for stage by John Gilman; his brilliant theatrical treatment of the adventure blends Gothic Victoriana with the Contemporary, specially commissioned live music, powerful ensemble performances and innovative design from the Blackeyed Theatre company all contribute to a faithfully re-mastered and edgy classic novel.

“I can give you your forbidden, secret desire – the soft bitter touch of my kiss, the surrender, the chance to live and love forever.”

Not your traditional romantic Pollo-a-la-Crema a-Deus I grant you…. In fact it puts a whole new slant on the phrase “taking your loved one out for a bite” … I wonder if they taste like Chicken?

Festive Fillers

Art – Culture – Entertainment (A.C.E) NOV 2013

Pollyanne Trapmore-Shaw

Self confessed culture-vulture and dog lover! @PresentDayPolly

Front of House, Promotions and Gallery Curator at the Embassy Theatre, Skegness.

“What if Christmas, doesn't come from a store. 

What if Christmas...perhaps...means a little bit more!”

With Christmas fast approaching we are all now wading knee deep through of a blanket of thick fake snow which appeared with beautifully timed precision on our high streets, TV screens and inboxes on November 6^th – as predicted I find myself cooing over shelves and shelves of beautifully packaged gifts feverishly filling my basket overcome by the Christmas music and nostalgic imagery flooding my senses. I get to the counter and as it is all rung through I fight the realisation that almost all of it is quite unnecessary overpriced tat! Do I make a stand? Do I return said tempting, seductive trinkets stoically to their shelves waiting for the next poor sap to come and spend a hard-earned fortune on them....nope I supersize my haul by also buying a one-off-never-to-be-repeated HALF PRICE plush toy (how could I refuse such a deal!) then run home as fast as I can with my chattels- super smug and content that everyone will covet them as much as I.

Does that sound all too familiar or is it just me? Anyhow, this year I’m in the mind of taking my time to be satisfied that I have got each gift for the right reasons and if the inspiration doesn’t present itself then I shan’t be filling my basket in blind panic (see my annual trip to Harrods above) full of stuff I know you like but don’t really want .  This is by no means a slur or judgement on the thought process and warm-hearted generosity of buying or giving as the old saying goes – it is the thought that counts – the product itself is secondary.

Around the district there are numerous Christmas gift, craft, arts and charity fairs whereby-an-large all the goods are created, sold and presented with a very personal element or with specific sentiment in mind. There’s a lot to be said for supporting these local craft makers, artists and fundraisers; buying cards for charity, homemade jams, jellies, sweets and preserves, selecting something a bit special – a painting, a piece of pottery, glass sculpture knowing that you have selected direct from source and in doing so have unwittingly made a connection with its creator - after all most of us get our pleasure from buying for others so make it a just that rather than a chore. Not all homemade or shop bought goods suit everyone’s taste either so perhaps a charity sponsorship/donation in their name or even the effort to have a photo or piece of memorabilia that is dear to them thoughtfully restored or framed. 

Just to give you a taste; inset is a brief listing of Craft, Art & Christmas Fairs in and around the district that you might want to visit; I’m sure there are plenty of others in your community too check out local notice boards in your town/village.

If fresh ideas are not forthcoming in a material sense why not take inspiration from the poetry of Dr. Seuss.  Give someone an experience; a day out, a trip to the Theatre or Pantomime, a meal out with friends or simply spend time with them doing something you know they’ll enjoy in your company or that of friends.

“It came without ribbons. It came without tags. It came without packages, boxes or bags.”

Now I realise how idealistic and smug this may read but just like the “Grinch” perhaps it’s all that we need? 

Trust me this written very tongue-in-cheek – besides I did most of my shopping at Home Bargains last week!

Merry Christmas to you all; however you choose to spend it.

The Theatre of Photography

With the British Fashion Awards only a month away our latest exhibition in the embassy art gallery shows off some examples of commercial fashion photography by professional artist Adam Haywood - "The Theatre of Photography" opens for viewing on Thursday at 1pm. Here's a sneaky snapshot of one of the breathtaking images now in situ. #thebeautifulpeople #fashionawards #photography #haywoodphotographic

Embassytheatre.co.uk

Disney - Nemo on Ice!

"Delightful, skillful, magical Disney Spectacular" by Pollyanne Trapmore-Shaw on 05/10/08

Ok so I'm slightly biased to begin with - being an absolute Nemo Nut knowing the movie inside out and mouthing along to all the lib! SAD! Costumes - Fabulous - Scenery - Fabulous and innovative - Skating - due to costume restrictions - obviously highly skilled but not showcasing the skaters abilities (now to see olympic grade character skaters "Wild Rose" are your gang)Merchandise - RIPP OFF (well - it is Disney lest we should forget) I did succome and bought a programme + nemo hat which were great value and in fact only took it off today for a bath!

Oh did i mention tickets at £11 simply can't go wrong!

Cirque du Soleil - Varekai

What a way to spend to spend a birthday - Cirque Du Soleil at The Royal Albert Hall - it certainly distracted me from brooding over the milestone I reached and with great relief appeared also to have survived!

Varekai / Everything - pertaining to human emotion - the quest for love, truth and answers all by the means of hope, bravery, imagination whilst experiencing chaos, confusion and uncertainty - a true rite of passage - my understanding of The Cirque Du Soleil production concept as a whole…

The scene is set - Rainforest - scenery in bamboo form - the costumes, colours and fluid movements transforming performers into curious fantastical critters of the land, air and water. I'm glad to report that although conscientiously alluded to at the top of the show through a slickly executed piece of mime by Brazilian Rodrigo Roleno/The Skywatcher there were no environmentally themed "guilt trips" to mar what was delivered - pure entertainment.

I must profess to being utterly spoilt having now seen two Cirque Du Soleil shows - Zaia currently in residence at The Venetian, Macau and this; on home turf.
It would be wrong not to acknowledge that productions in residence have the upper hand quite simply because their space is purpose built therefore nothing is beyond the realms of possibility. Touring productions are more difficult pieces to keep holistic and retain original features of the artistic vision by the challenge of logistics - however, this does not prevent an awesome amount of stage manipulation, perilously high scaffold flight towers and the overall atmosphere created through music/lighting/sound and staging all being successfully installed into a traditional and complex Victorian structure such as the Royal Albert Hall. This established I must also clarify that the same degree of performance and production technique is evident throughout all Cirque Du Soleil highly polished performances.

Every element you would expect was present from the most elaborate aerial work (special mention is due of the British twins Kevin and Andrew Atherton) to the polished simplicity of the narrating characters and their humorous interaction with the audience making the experience not only awe inspiring but remarkably accessible and real; at no point is the Romany language a hindrance - a stroke of genius in my opinion allowing the visual feast to be interpreted by the individual as intended.

The comedy duo of Australian Steven Bishop and Canadian Mooky Cornish was a curious yet appreciated addition to the whole experience - a little light relief - the hapless pair crow-barring their way in without any tangible connection to what preceded or what followed - they were hilarious and a clever inclusion if only to remind that other than spectacle and sparkle Cirque Du Soleil remains a Circus family and these: our clowns.

I choose not to report in detail on the many and varied acts for two reasons; firstly I don't think it would be fair to put readers through my impassioned reminiscing and secondly the only way to "get it" is to see it! I highly recommend that at least one Cirque Du Soleil performance is on your list of things to do before your 100th birthday - now there's a milestone!

Countryside Culture and Seaside Spectaculars

Art – Culture – Entertainment (A.C.E)

Pollyanne Trapmore-Shaw

Self confessed culture-vulture and dog lover! @PresentDayPolly

Front of House, Promotions and Gallery Curator at the Embassy Theatre, Skegness.

Countryside Culture and Seaside Spectaculars – Something for everyone in Autumn.

With the children now settled back to School its only matter of weeks until the next half term! Perfect opportunity to introduce the whole family to the delights that our district has to offer.

Whilst the weather looks set to produce a stunning extended summer (into October we can only hope) Skegness continues to welcome visitors here to lap-up the fresh yet mild climate and sample the post-season entertainment on offer in the town – the Embassy is at its busiest with a new packed programme for the Autumn and preparing to welcome in another West-End Spectacular from the team that brought us a sell-out: Dreamboats and Petticoats in 2012. Save The Last Dance For Me will take you back through the music and magic of the early 60’s, a time when each passing week brought another Rock @N’ Roll classic. This nostalgic; feel good journey follows two teenage sisters through the summer of ’63 as they embark on a holiday to the seaside. Full of freedom and high spirits the meet a handsome young American who invites them to a dance at the local US Air force base...But...young love and holiday romance is never as simple as it sounds and the sisters soon realise that while the world around them is still watching itself in black and white, life and love can be much more colourful. With a full West end cast and musicians bursting with sensational song and dance numbers we expect this Kenwright show stopper to be delivered in rip-roaring style! Running for eight performances only it opens on Monday 7^th October until Saturday 12th; tickets available in advance from www.embassytheatre.co.uk 

Travelling inland a little I urge you to consider the Route you may take – living in Burgh-Le-Marsh I pass through Gunby on a regular basis – what a delight the Trees are in particular at this time of year – visit the Estate and House too if you haven’t already; it’s the stuff poetry is made of!

16^th – 20^th October the Wolds Words Festival returns for its 12^th year with a varied and stimulating programme of events to enjoy in the beautiful setting of the Lincolnshire Wolds. Something for all ages - storytelling, art & crafts sessions, performance and digital experiences from the House of Mystery Roadshow to a Knit & Natter; Hip Hop Rapping workshops, Rural Reflections or enjoy Comedy & Curry presenting “Love Hurts Actually!”  If it’s a more “hands-on” activity for your older children or young adults then the highly acclaimed “Animation Nation” is back by demand. Working in groups participants make their own stop-motion animation; producing animated films complete with titles, credits music and sound effect. Held on Tuesday 22^nd Oct or Wed 23^rd 10am-4pm at the Trinity Centre in Louth. Visit www.woldswords.org.uk for the full fabulous festival line-up.

Back to the shore family fun continues into the half- term holidays when Hairy Maclary And Friends visit Skegness. “Out of the gate and off for a walk went Hairy Maclary from Donaldson’s Dairy.” A must for anyone with young children visit www.embassytheatre.co.uk to book or call 0845 674 0505.

So feast your senses on the seasonal delights of the district – seashore or inland - culture and countryside; my personal favourite time of year when the mornings are sharper, the sun is high and the light wind starts to knock slowing turning leaves from their twigs. I can’t think of a nicer place to live than at the foot of the Wolds in Autumn. Poetry in Motion.

Turn, Turn, Turn

Art – Culture – Entertainment (A.C.E)

Pollyanne Trapmore-Shaw

Self confessed culture-vulture and dog lover! @PresentDayPolly

Front of House, Promotions and Gallery Curator at the Embassy Theatre, Skegness.

To everything there is a season

As most UK Theatres start to brush off the cobwebs and prepare to “open” for the winter season ours is merely preparing to morph into Autumnal mode after delighting crowds with Summer season slap-stick fun and thrills.

The Last night Of The Proms Concert  on Sunday 22^nd  brings a Stellar line-up to a September tradition as the massed bands of Lincolnshire Brass once again bringing together some of the finest musicians from Lincolnshire and the surrounding area with special guests the Digby Military Wives Choir  and world renowned Saxophonist ‘Snake’ Davis .Widely known as a solo artist and for his guest appearances Snake has played and recorded with artists ranging from James Brown to Paul McCartney, The Eurythmics to Amy Winehouse – having recorded on more than 400 tracks in recent years for over 60 artists and played live with dozens more.

With in excess of 200 shows a year our season never ends at The Embassy and with a new brochure now on the presses we hope you’ll love the music, plays, comedy, West-end spectaculars, variety and classics on offer for September and into the New Year. Make sure you pop in and pick up a copy in the next couple of weeks.

This week will be your last chance to view art-works in the Summer Exhibition by 5 leading Lincolnshire Contemporary artists; The Gatekeeper exhibition has received approximately 30,000 visitors to the Gallery this summer - each piece has been admired, questioned, raised a few eyebrows and in general received great appreciation for adding extra cultural value to the experience of visiting our Theatre.

The Gatekeeper makes way for The Art of Peter Wood – a local artist from Addlethorpe. Peter’s works depict many scenes from his travels within the UK and Europe which show a clear love and affinity with nature and the great outdoors in bold colourful abstract form. The works will be exhibited from Sept 5^th to Nov 5^th with an evening preview by invitation.

With only 17 weeks until Christmas (yes I said it!) The Embassy Art Gallery are also pleased to open bookings for the first Christmas Art Fair to be held on Sunday 1^st December. This unique selling event is for artists working in all media, styles and methods to show and sell their pieces (without commission) direct to Christmas shoppers! 

Stalls are available at an introductory price of £20 visit embassytheatre.co.uk to download a booking form or call 01754 897681.

So with September upon us and the added promise of beautiful crisp mornings followed by low late afternoon Sunsets it’s time to shift gears; hurtling to a dramatic crescendo with the Bank Holiday weekend as finale to end 6 weeks of riotous family fun, mayhem, monster trucks, water pistols and caravan antics the resort is replaced with a different feel – a more grown-up, sophisticated expectation of hospitality and entertainment style is evident. The Bowling Green’s will politely heave on tournament weeks - resplendent along with their players in spanking whites, straight lines, perfect borders and crisp pleats but when the serious job is done competitors will loosen their ties, roll up their sleeves and still retain that summer-at-the-seaside swagger whilst scoffing 8-Do-Nuts-For-A-Pound on the promenade before retiring for their evening meal and a show. Who could resist!