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Barefoot and eager

10:58am Friday 22nd January 2010

BAREFOOT and Eager was 21-year-old Jenna Witts’ first album, chronicling the sea and surf life of her hometown Woolacombe. That was two years ago, and at the end of January, Jenna will launch her second album, Brother. To coincide with the release, Jenna is touring with Show of Hands’ Steve Knightley, who has been instrumental in bringing her talent to a wider audience, and will join him at the Prince Albert in Rodborough on Wednesday, January 27. "During the two years since Barefoot and Eager was released I have experienced more about life, love and loss than ever before and I think that is reflected in the new songs and given them more depth, layers and emotion. I also wanted to make an album that stayed true to the way the songs are performed live and I think we’ve achieved that," she said. Barefoot and Eager was named one of the Financial Times Top 10 world albums of 2007. Steve Knightley is at the Prince Albert, with support from Jenna, on Wednesday, January 27. Tickets £14 in advance from the pub, or Kanes Records, or £16 on the door.

On becoming Elizabeth

10:57am Friday 22nd January 2010

WHEN Stroud actress Penelope Wildgoose tried to decide who to dress up as for a masked ball, Elizabeth I popped into her mind, and has stayed there ever since. Penelope’s fascination with the monarch led her to carry out some original and unusual research, which forms the basis of her one person play, Preparing For Elizabeth, showing at Ruskin Mill on Friday. Penelope’s endeavours to become immersed in character included a trip to London, where she got changed into her Elizabeth I outfit in the loos at Paddington Station, and then had a day out in the capital, observing people’s reactions. "It was amazing. There was lots of doffing of hats, and one British Rail worker even put his coat down for me to walk on," she said. Penelope also hired a rehearsal studio where she played two roles, that of interviewer, and that of Elizabeth I, swapping between them, and recording the results. The play centres on actress Frances Briar, who is backstage in her dressing room, preparing to play the role of Elizabeth I. As make-up and costume are put on layer by layer, the Queen herself appears, and reveals, layer by layer, the woman behind the mask. Preparing For Elizabeth, written and performed by Penelope Wildgoose, is at Ruskin Mill on Friday at 7.30pm, £8/£6.

Whet your appetite with Hors D'Oeuvre

10:55am Friday 22nd January 2010

THE Horsley French connection continues this month with Hors D’Oeuvre - a French folk dance workshop and evening event in the village hall on Saturday. The afternoon workshop will be led by dance teacher Kerry Fletcher.

Clare Shepherd week's reviews

4:30pm Wednesday 23rd December 2009

SHERLOCK HOLMES (12A) England is under threat of an evil nemesis Lord Blackwood (Mark Strong), leaving Sherlock Holmes (Robert Downey Jr.) and his chum Dr.Watson (Jude Law) to save the day. 2hrs 20mins.

Emily Smith shares her knowledge of ceramics

11:43am Wednesday 23rd December 2009

STARTING in January, award winning artist Emily Smith will be teaching two courses at Lansdown Pottery in Stroud, an introduction to ceramic sculpture and a continuers ceramic sculpture course. The courses are aimed at people who have a basic understanding of either sculpture or ceramics, who perhaps are practising artists or who have studied at some point. Both courses aim to provide an environment in which ideas can be developed, new techniques learnt and art theory examined. Both courses aim to combine the practical skills of making ceramic sculpture (introducing and developing techniques such as mould making, working with paperclay, combining different materials such as wax, plaster and metal) with conceptual theory and ceramic history to contextualise ceramic sculpture today. The introductory course includes new methods and techniques, looking at the work of relevant artists and ceramicists, and the examination of theories in relation to ceramic sculpture. The continuers course is aimed at those who are developing their own practice or those who have completed the introductory course and wish to work to their own brief. The continuers course will culminate with a group exhibition in Stroud. For further information call 0796 378 1384.

What a cracker!

11:33am Wednesday 23rd December 2009

Review The Nutcracker, a Vienna Festival Ballet production Sub Rooms ONCE again artistic director Peter Mallek brought his young dancers to create a magical evening of ballet in Stroud. Cold and drear outside but warm and inviting inside as we were transported to another world, a world of colour, light, innocence and enchantment. Tchaikovsky's music for The Nutcracker continues to captivate people of all ages, even elderly reviewers. This ballet's mix of happiness, gracefulness, light-hearted duelling, dreams and magic all culminate in that journey to the Kingdom of Sweets. Touring for about seven months in every year the Vienna Festival Ballet company has to adapt to a variety of different stages many of which are far from ideal. With all due respects to the Sub Rooms, its stage is not ideal, with a single exit down some steps and a surface that seems to magnify the sound of those numerous feet in pointes. Never mind, much of this ballet's magic remained and as the simple story unfolded the large audience (which, of course, included many little girls) clearly enjoyed the skilful dancing and the visually splendid costumes. The standard of dancing was high and the dancers' radiant faces conveyed their joy to the audience. In the second half we watched the dancing turns of the Spaniards, the Chinese, Arabians, Harlequins, Merlitons,etc, and I must not forget those superb, long-tailed mice in Clara's dream. The show was thoroughly professional with cues spot on and clear evidence of strict discipline and adequate rehearsal time. Importantly, acknowledgement of applause was never too prolonged. Yoshiko Kabuta was an enchanting, diminutive Clara and danced beautifully. As the Doll and the Sugar Plum fairy Melanie Cox was poised, confident and stylish in her dancing as was Phil King who covered several parts admirably. But I must emphasise that all the company's dancing was a delight to watch and did them proud. Do bring them again soon, Mr Mallek. Donald Hollins

Mockers welcome 2010 at the Albert

11:36am Wednesday 23rd December 2009

ELVIS has left the building but Mockers will see in 2010 at The Prince Albert in Rodborough. After the sell-out success of their Elvis in the Fridge New Year’s spectacular last year, The Prince Albert is calling in Mockers DJs Pavinyl and Solidkick Nick to make the transition into 2010 a night to remember. Landlady Charlotte Lyster said: "We really enjoyed having something a bit different last year in the form of Elvis impersonator Joe Reeves. "This year, the Mockers lads are back. Their sets are absolutely fantastic and we’re looking forward to taking Stroud into 2010 in true style. "We are busy soundproofing the pub for the gig and the future so that we will cause a minimum of disturbance for our neighbours." Mockers New Year's Eve party is at The Prince Albert in Rodborough on Thursday, December 31 from 8pm until 4am, £10 - call 01453 755600.

PhotoStroud book to fund new projects

11:30am Wednesday 23rd December 2009

AFTER only a little more than six months in the shops, the entire print-run of the locally produced anthology, Another Way Home, has sold out. If you are one of the lucky owners of this book, you will know that it is a beautiful compilation of poetry and photography celebrating the Stroud Valleys. Poets Richard Austin and Jay Ramsey worked with photographers Carlos Ordonez and Fred Chance to make the book, launched in April. PhotoStroud received a generous Heritage Lottery Fund grant to make it possible. "It’s been a great privilege to be involved with the publishing of the anthology, and wonderful news that it has completely sold out and found a place in so many homes in the area," said Richard. Copies of the book have been donated to all local schools and public libraries, and the 78 local contributors have received a complementary copy. Total sales of the remainder have raised a healthy £5,000, which PhotoStroud formally handed over to the Museum in the Park last Thursday. The two organisations will now work together to develop an innovative programme of projects with local communities, to explore and engage with the landscape and cultural heritage of the Stroud area. "We are very excited to have the opportunity to work in partnership with PhotoStroud on a new project for local people, and are overwhelmed by this generous offer, which recognises the Museum’s role in the community to deliver learning," said Ann Taylor, learning programmes officer at the Museum. "Thanks too, to the Friends of the Museum, for supporting this venture."

Adam Horovitz records poems for Oxfam

11:26am Wednesday 23rd December 2009

ASKING a Shadow to Dance, Oxfam's first poetry DVD, is launched this month. Following the success of the Oxfam Life Lines audio CDs, 35 fine young poets, including Stroud's Adam Horovitz, have come together on one DVD to raise money for Oxfam. Adam recorded two poems for the collection, The Death of Icarus, and a poem about a hangover, called Dandylion Clock. Filmed at various locations on the South Bank, Norwich and the Oxfam bookshop in Marylebone High Street, the DVD features unique individual performances from the contributors, who include Joe Dunthorne, one of the new generation of Facebook poets, Luke Wright, who also runs the spoken word stage at Latitude Festival, and prize winning poet Daljit Nagra. Asking a Shadow to Dance is available from Oxfam in Stroud, price £11.99.

Clare Shepherd reviews AVATAR (3D) (12A)

5:30pm Tuesday 22nd December 2009

WHEN James Cameron clutched the 11th Oscar of the night awarded to Titanic in 1998 and announced he was "The King of the World", the world winced.

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