News from producers around Derbyshire

Bob Fox is best known for being The Songman for the stage version of War Horse which is due to start touring nationally again in the autumn. He is one of the Pitman Poets and has worked with Fairport Convention, John Tams, Vin Garbutt and Lindisfarne to name but a few.

His “velvet voice” and great guitar playing have been heard around the world from the USA, the Netherlands, Australia and New Zealand but he always returns to his native North East England.

It’s a big year for a local choir as they celebrate 80 years of music-making in the town with two big concerts.

Derby Theatre Main House Friday 26 - Saturday 27 May  
 
A genuinely jaw-dropping circus extravaganza from the masters of chaos, humour and surprise…real edge of your seat stuff! 

Following the storming success of Super Sunday at London’s Roundhouse in 2016, Race Horse Company makes a triumphant return to the UK with this jaw-dropping show, and will play at Derby Theatre for two dates only on Friday 26 & Saturday 27 May. 

Twenty five Chesterfield College students from across the academic and creative studies courses have come together to form The Young Contemporaries 2017. The group are setting up their first professional exhibition and creative event at West Studios, as part of this year’s Derbyshire Open Arts.

The Wasteland is an independent film production from Nine Ladies Film, written and directed by Derbyshire filmmaker Stuart Wheeldon. Stuart is co-producing the work with Nick John Whittle, a screenwriter and film producer from Birmingham. The screenplay itself calls upon the experience and inimitable talents of British actors Paul Dewdney (Crossroads (2015), The Inquiry (2016)), Johanna Stanton (Dead Hungry (2009), Nightmare Box (2013)), and Irish actor Bern Deegan (Point of no Return (2016), The Telephone (2017)).

Buxton Festival Fringe is boasting its biggest Fringe ever and will be celebrating the launch of its newly-designed programme with an open-to-all party at Buxton's The Green Man Gallery on Friday June 3rd from 7-10pm.

The event will feature light refreshments and show extracts from Fringe performers plus a chance to sign up as a Fringe Friend for offers and invitations throughout the year as well as 10% off ticket prices.

Applications for the 2017 Harley Gallery Open Exhibition are now being accepted; the deadline for entry is Tuesday 21^st May. Successful entries will have the chance to win one of several prizes including The Harley Prize of £750 and a solo exhibition alongside the next Open. For more information and to apply, please visit: http://www.harleygallery.co.uk/event/the-harley-open/.

David and Rowena Hammond were strong supporters and have left money in their will for a new Yamaha grand. Their legacy has also provided a special robot carrier which can transport the piano safely to the nearby Pavilion Arts Centre and other venues.

''We're so grateful for this very generous gift from Mr and Mrs Hammond,' said Carol Prowse, Chairman of High Peak Theatre Trust. 

“Having such a high quality instrument will make a huge difference. It means we won't have to hire pianos in for many of our concerts in the future.”

This May, Buxton Drama League presents a play that could have been taken from today’s headlines.

Folk music lovers from across the country enjoyed another Big Session festival in Buxton, with a host of world class folk and roots talent heading for the hills over the early May Bank Holiday.

Curated by folk stalwarts Oysterband and Buxton Opera House, the event also featured Blackbeard’s Tea Party, Eliza Carthy, The Levellers, Honey Ryder and Nancy Kerr - with other highlights including a ceilidh, folk train, and walks, such as the Sunday Stroll up to Solomon’s Temple with the Commoners Choir.