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