Arts Reviews

Stylistics by name... and nature

Published 14 November 2008

The Stylistics, The Sands Centre, CarlisleI’ve waited more than 37 years to see The Stylistics in concert but Bet You By Golly, Wow it was certainly worth the wait.

Tears and laughs for Blood Brothers

Published 14 November 2008

Blood Brothers, The Sands CentreCarlisleIt’s been selling out West End theatres for 25 years and last night it came to Carlisle as part of a touring theatre circuit.

You were made for me – back then and today

Published 14 November 2008

The Sensational 60s Experience, The Sands Centre, CarlisleBilled as The Sensational 60s Experience, this concert certainly lives up to its name.

Danish ‘ambassadors’ bring colour, brilliance, fluency and skill

Published 24 October 2008

The Esbjerg Ensemble for Keswick Music Society, Theatre by the LakeEsbjerg is for me the gateway to the welcoming land of Denmark, and the ensemble that bears its name consists of musicians who make excellent ambassadors.

Massed choirs’ Messiah is a true celebration

Published 24 October 2008

Messiah – Cumbrian Rural Choirs, St John’s Church, KeswickAfter the organist John Green’s authoritative prelude, the drama began with the tenor’s optimistic advice from God: Comfort ye my people.

Fanfare for the men of Dalston

Published 24 October 2008

Dalston Male Voice Choir, Wigton Road Methodist Church, CarlisleAn appreciative audience shared the melody, rhythm and sheer exuberance of the sound of Dalston Male Voice Choir .

Outstanding contributions from opera company

Published 17 October 2008

Lakeland Opera, Theatre by the Lake, KeswickIn their ‘fallow’ year between full-scale productions, Lakeland Opera presented a gala programme of well-known operatic excerpts which fully confirmed their reputation for versatility and accomplishment.

Wodehouse’s play really is THE thing to see

Published 17 October 2008

The Play’s The Thing, West Walls Theatre, CarlislePG Wodehouse’s The Play’s The Thing is exactly the kind of farcical comedy that the Green Room Club does so well, so it’s amazing that the amateur theatre group haven’t performed one before (according to director John Metcalfe). nThe final performance of The Play’s The Thing is tomorrow at 7.30pm. Tickets £7/£6 from Carlisle TIC. Call 01228 625600.

Whitehaven is alive with the sound of The Music

Published 17 October 2008

The Music, Whitehaven Civic Hall, SaturdayThe pre-show music provided perfect clues to the uninitiated ahead of The Music’s return to Whitehaven.

Caught in Julie’s haunting cocoon

Published 10 October 2008

Julie Matthews, Monkey Tree House, WigtonJulie Matthews obviously had some dedicated fans present for her second visit to the Monkey Tree. Julie’s fine voice lends itself to the haunting melodies she composes and her meaningful lyrics and also to the anger she feels in such songs as Britannia.

Pam’s family life left us helpless

Published 10 October 2008

Pam Ayres, Buccleuch Centre, LangholmMirror, mirror on the wall, who is the funniest of them all? At the Buccleuch Centre last week ‘People’s Poet’ Pam Ayres had us laughing within seconds and the hilarity bounced around the hall all night.

Sinfonia set off a season

Published 3 October 2008

Northern Sinfonia for Keswick Music Society, Theatre by the Lake, KeswickKeswick Music Society’s 61st season got off to an auspicious start with a concert by the acclaimed and much-loved northern Sinfonia.

Four works, three triumphs

Published 3 October 2008

Academy of St Martin in the Field for Penrith Music Club, Penrith Methodist ChurchOnce again the club began its season in the best possible way with a performance by one of the UK’s leading chamber orchestras.

Youthful quartet sparkle

Published 3 October 2008

The Heath String Quartet for North Cumbria Recitals, St Cuthbert’s Church, CarlisleThe audience was rewarded with a kaleidoscope of musical form and style at the hands and minds of the inimitable Heath String Quartet.

Life (and laughter) after loss

Published 26 September 2008

My Brilliant Divorce – Carlisle Green Room THE audience loved it - especially the ladies.

Roll on the next show. Meanwhile...

Published 19 September 2008

Carlisle Musical Society, St Bede’s Church Hall, CarlisleYou can’t help but admire this bunch of Thespians. Its no secret that the Carlisle Musical Society is concentrating on fundraising just now in order to get back to the big stage with all singing/dancing musicals we have come to expect from them.