Tre Ventour looks at some of the stand out cultural events coming up…
Cinema – Errol Flynn (April – May)
There is no shortage of greatness to hit the Errol Flynn Filmhouse. I’m sure their motto is quality not quantity. Awards season has finished but that doesn’t mean they’re not continuing to show great films.
From The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society to Isle of Dogs to a rerelease of Ridley Scott’s Sci-Fi classic Alien – there is no inkling of letting up the gas, regardless if they are old(er) films or new releases.
http://www.errolflynnfilmhouse.com/april-may-2018-season-sale/
Theatre – Royal & Derngate (April – June)
From the producers of Gangsta Granny comes the world premiere of David Walliams’ Gangsta Granny – featuring: a humungous owl, a tiny ghost, and well… an awful auntie.
When Stella goes off to London with her mom and dad, she has no idea her life is at risk. Waking up three months later, only Aunt Alberta can tell her what has happened. Stella’s world has changed and now she must battle it out with her awful Auntie!
April 10 – April 14.
https://www.royalandderngate.co.uk/whats-on/awful-auntie/
Going to the press conference for The Last Ship some weeks ago, Sting with the cast gave us a sample of some of the musical numbers and I’m impressed. I know I am going to enjoy it.
Lead by a brilliant cast including Charlie Hardwick and Richard Fleeshman, this show features the themes of love, life and hope with a social commentary that involves class and the struggles of Merseyside.
The Last Ship (with songs by Sting) arrives in Northampton in the last week of April. Not to be missed.
April 24 – April 28.
https://www.royalandderngate.co.uk/whats-on/the-last-ship/
The Importance of Being Earnest written by Oscar Wilde is making a stop at Northampton. Starring Gwen Taylor (Coronation Street) and Thomas Howes (Downton Abbey), this is a comedy that is witty and decadent. If you liked The Selfish Giant, why not come for a second helping of Wilde?
May 8 – May 12
https://www.royalandderngate.co.uk/whats-on/the-importance-of-being-earnest/
It’s May 1997 and Tony Blair has won the general election. Created by The Wardrobe Ensemble, Education, Education, Education is an ode to the schooldays of the 1990s and the teachers that experienced them.
May 28 – June 2
https://www.royalandderngate.co.uk/whats-on/education-education-education/
Knock Knock – Soul Food Poetry (April – June)
In the last issue of the Nenequirer, you may have read about Soul Food Poetry in relation to Foodies Rocks on Derngate. That event on Easter Saturday followed the tradition of Soul Food Poetry’s record of sold-out shows. I performed along with local poet Justin Thyme. In addition, there was Gina Johnson from Jazzetry and Kezzabelle Ambler from Kettering’s Run Your Tongue and Weaving Words, to name a few.
Foodies Rocks will play host to numerous Northamptonshire poets once more on June 30.
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/knock-knock-northampton-june-tickets-44732322581
Our next ‘Knock Knock’ is at Esquires in Bedford. Luton poet MP Yamfam will host, as he always does. I will be performing along with a number of poets from around the country. We’ve got poetry and spoken word. We’ve got a DJ. We’ve got music. If you enjoyed ‘Knock Knock’ Northampton, I definitely recommend coming to Bedford for great evening out.
Saturday, April 28 at Esquires. Doors open at 19:15.
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/knock-knock-bedford-april-tickets-40181267252?aff=TreVentour
There’s theatre, there’s film, there’s poetry. It reeks of community spirit and artistic expression. Quite frankly, I love it.
