Phil Beer and Friends in Concert - 27th May 2011

Phil Beer, half of the folk-singing duo 'Show of Hands' this time performed by himself accompanied by friends.  The first part of the concert starred his special guest Tom Palmer.  In the second part, Phil and a very talented young local musician performed.  They provided a very entertaining evening.

Helen

The Way Back Home - 28th May 2011

This was an enchanting dramatisation of the children's book/fantasy about a little boy flying his plane to the moon.  It starred two actors with a musical accompaniment in a stage set which was an intriguing mixture of drawers to open and doors to open and disappear in to.  At forty-five minutes it was a suitable length for the attention span of children of 3 upwards and a rather dreamlike experience for anyone older.

Helen

Exeter College Dream Band…Swing to Latin featuring Lizzie Parks - 17 April 2011

This was the 9^th annual performance of Exeter College Dream Band, a gathering of musicians associated with Exeter College.

This time 18 highly accomplished musicians played with tremendous verve a varied programme ranging from Gershwin to Count Basie and Buddy Rich.

The concert featured Exeter born singer, Lizzie Parks, who has become known internationally since she sang with the band in 2004. She was outstanding with an amazing vocal range for mood form the strident to the sultry and sophisticated.

 
Helen

The Rockin’ Berries - 14 May 2011

This was a 50^th anniversary concert starring two of the original Berries. Geoff Turton(vocals and guitar)and Chuck Botfield (lead guitar)  together with drummer, Simon Ryland, son of the original saxophonist of the group and Rich Price, a former member of the Move.

They performed with  great energy, melodiousness and a sense of fun, some of their hit records but also a varied programme including 50’s rock and roll and 60’s and 70’s music form Buddy Holly to the Beatles.

The evening was also packed with entertaining anecdotes as the group in their past had performed with the Beatles at Hamburg and toured with the artists such as Gene Pitney, Lulu and Roy Orbison. 

Helen

Stephanie Lambring & Cole Stacey - 7th April 2011

The concert featured two singer/songwriters, Cole Stacey from Devon and Stephanie Lambring from Nashville.  Cole Stacey sang recent and earlier songs with a gentle, lyrical approach.  By contrast, Stephanie Lambring, with a powerful voice, sang a variety of songs, mainly on sad themes,  but some with refreshingly unusual subject matter and interspersed this with a humorous and friendly manner, making a quirky mix.  They performed separately but went on to perform together for the encore which was greatly applauded.  It would have been good to have more of this combination.
Helen

The Tempest - 2nd April 2011

The Movement Company's "The Tempest" 

Having read some good reviews of this production, I was interested to see it for myself and I was not disappointed. 'The Tempest' written in the latter part of Shakespeare's life, is seen by many as his farewell to his art.  Benjamin Blyth, the director, and his company of young actors, brought their own innovations to the plays using music, dance, masks, and puppetry to bring the production alive.Their energy and enthusiasm was infectious although I was concerned that at times their energy almost concealed some of the dialogue.  I hope that this company retusn to the Barnfield and that they command a bigger audience, they deserve it.

Jenni

The Tempest - 2nd April 2011

'The Tempest', one of Shakespeare's last and most enigmatic plays, with its themes of magic and development from revenge to reunion and reconciliation, has been interpreted in many different ways, both on stage and in film.

 This production, by the youthful Movement Theatre Company, exudes energy and excitement.  Set in the 19th century it draws on the narrative styles of Commedia Dell'Arte with the use of masks, music and dance and minimal props and scenery.  It progresses at such a pace that occasionally not all the words can be heard.  However, in other ways it is outstanding for its interaction with the audience.  The actors excite them with Shakespeare's story, sometimes moving around the auditorium with an energy and involvement reminiscent of Elizabethan times.

 Helen