Category: entertainment and leisure news

LOVE is a subject that has inspired poets and composers from time immemorial – and is also the subject of Thame Chamber Choir’s concert at 8pm on Saturday, October 20, at St Mary’s Church, Thame, as part of the 2018 Thame Arts & Literature Festival.

Together with international tenor Adrian Thompson, the choir will be presenting music and words on the theme of love, by composers as diverse as Monteverdi, Holst, Brahms, Eric Whitacre and Jerome Kern, interspersed with poetry and prose.

The evening will take us from love’s first bloom, through lust, including some rather risqué words (fortunately in Italian!), partnership, betrayal and on to love in old age…and beyond.

Tickets are available from the TAL Box Office, price £10, and at the door price £12. Tickets are free for under 18s.
For further information contact Peter Smith on 01844-212900, 07785-258156, or e-mail peter@pjs-marketing.co.uk.

www.thamechamberchoir.org

A photographic competition has been launched by the Chilterns Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) which aims to encourage people to get outside, get some fresh air, learn about and appreciate the beautiful landscape around them, and get their creative juices flowing.

The theme of the competition is ‘What do the Chilterns mean to you?’ and the photograph could be anything – wildlife, flowers, buildings, villages, communities – anything that celebrates the beauty of the area.

The competition is aimed at children and adults with a separate category for under 16s, and there are some fantastic prizes to be won, all donated by local businesses, including a framed copy of the winning image courtesy of Pretty Like Pictures Framing Studio in Thame. Other prizes include:

o An exclusive 50-minute ride with the driver on a diesel engine train offering a unique photo opportunity courtesy of Chiltern and Princes Risborough Railway
o 3 Course Sunday Lunch for two people at The Crown pub in Sydenham
o Tree Top experience for four people at Go Ape
o Family Ticket on the Chiltern & Princes Risborough Railway
o Family veg box from local online organic grocery supplier Ten Mile Menu
o Mama Dor’s Kitchen Spice Blend Gift Box worth £25

The short-listed photos will be displayed on an online poll where the public will be invited to vote for their favourite.

To enter, click on the link HERE

FOLLOWING the success of last year’s event, the Thame Arts and Literature Festival is once again increasing the spectrum of Arts on offer with the return of the Thame Art Crawl. Festival goers will have the chance to stroll around Thame between events, to explore 12 different venues hosting pop-up arts exhibitions around the town centre.

This year the event features the work of British sculptor and printmaker Jeremy James, who ranks as one of the foremost ceramic sculptors of his generation. Boasting a First class Honours Degree in Fine Art, and a Masters Degree in Ceramics, Jeremy works mainly with clay, exploring his subject matter – be they hares, crows, pigs or cockerels – with a freedom that gives his work an extra edge, straddling the great divide between crafts and fine art. Jeremy will be holding talks and demonstrations in the Augustus John Room at The Spread Eagle hotel at 11.30am & 3pm, on Saturday, October 20, with an open exhibition in between.

Over 23 other artists will be on show across 12 venues around the town centre. Between them these talented artists bring to Thame a remarkable collection including paintings, pottery, photography, fused glass, sculptures and more. Alongside this there are demonstrations and events throughout the weekend giving residents and visitors the opportunity to get the creative juices flowing and participate.

Pablo Picasso said ‘The purpose of art is washing the dust of daily life off our souls’, and who are we to argue? So pick up a Thame Art Crawl Map from participating venues or The Town Hall, and enjoy a weekend of soul-cleansing culture on your doorstep.

Event dates: October 18 – 21. More information at www.thameartcrawl.com or follow on Facebook or Instagram at thameartcrawl.

CHINNOR’S Forget Me Knot cafe’s bi-monthly meeting this coming Monday, October 1, promises to be a whole lot of fun when The Black Dog band visits the village centre, so there should be lots of singing, dancing, banging on drums and laughter!

The Café provides information, peer support and fun activities which are aimed to help with co-ordination, brain stimulation, and general health and wellbeing, for people suffering with dementia, mental health issues, old age or isolation. It meets twice monthly 10.30 – 12.30pm at Chinnor Village Centre.

Michele Pether who helps run the Forget Me Knot Café, said: “Everyone is welcome! Come with your Care; you’ll be welcomed with a cup of tea and biscuit. We start with fun seated exercises, followed by our visiting expert. At the end of the session, we play parachute games, juggling, throwing balls, flat football, floor netball, finishing the session with a poem, lyrical or a reading.”

The coming programme:

16 April    Spring Tea Dance Ian Engish and Co
30 April    Music & Comedy Adrian Broadway
14 May      Music & Entertainment Jinglers Band
11 June      Folk Dancing & Singing Black Dog Band
25 June     Singing and Guitars Julia Hollander and Roddie
9 July        Singing and Dance Village Voices
23 July     Music and Singing Banjovi Revival
06 Aug     Music and Song Dorothy Howlett – Music for Health
20 Aug     Singing & Guitar Andrea Yates
03 Sept    Music and Singing Chiltern Songbirds
17 Sept     Music Therapy Ellie Ruddock ChilternMusicTherapy
01 Oct     Music Singing Black Dog Band
15 Oct     Drumming Fun African Marimbas
29 Oct    Autumn Tea Dance Ian English & Co
12 Nov   Music Therapy Frances Vovillo ChilternMusicTherapy
26 Nov   Warm up to Xmas Heddi – Kiddledivy
10 Dec    Christmas Carols Mill Lane School Choir

Forget Me Knot Café
Chinnor Village Centre
www.facebook.com/forgetmeknotcafe

YES, it’s time to book your seats for a great season at the Thame Players Theatre, Nelson Street, Thame! Beginning with COMEDY GIG – this Friday, September 28, at 7.45pm – Tickets £10 – SIMON BRODKIN IS NOT LEE NELSON (Work in Progress) An unmissable chance to see irrepressible prankster and acclaimed character comedian, Simon Brodkin, as he steps out from behind his Lee Nelson persona to perform an hour of fantastic stand-up as himself.

As a special treat for Thame he’s agreed to an exclusive after show audience Q&A about his crazy exploits including last year’s infamous P45 to Theresa May! Just a few tickets left so hurry and book now.

• ANDANTE LIVE presents BLOWIN’ IN THE WIND
  Friday October 5, at 7.45pm – Tickets £12Andante Live presents ‘Blowin’ in the Wind’. Combining the vocal harmonies of Vee Sweeney and Mark Rowson, 16 instruments between them and outstanding musicianship, they perform an uplifting and inspiring show to give you a fabulous evening of unforgettable music.
• PATRICK COLLINS for AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL – Minds’ Wings
  A further evening of words and music from Bruce Alexander with Adrian Thompson and Judith Thompson on piano.Sunday, October 7, at 8pm – Tickets £10 with £8 concessions.
• BOODLUM BAND – 2018 ‘Share The Misery’ Tour!
  Friday October 12, at 7.45pm –  Tickets £10 and £9 concessions
  Art-rockers, The Boodlum Band return to The Players Theatre with their unique mix of comedy and musical chaos, featuring a playlist that includes rock anthems, old-time songs and pop parodies. Only 10 seats left so hurry!
• ONLY FOOLS AND BOYCIE – AN EVENING WITH JOHN CHALLIS
  Sunday,  14thOctober at 7.45pmEnjoy a very special evening with John Challis, one of the nation’s greatest comedy actors, best known as Boycie in BBC1’s Only Fools and Horses. In this one-off show the national treasure will reveal secrets from the set with stories and anecdotes from his dazzling career and sign books afterwards.

  All shows at The Players Theatre, Nelson St, Thame OX9 2DP
  All tickets from Spear Travels on 01844 217228 or online at www.thameplayers.co.uk

• WHITE COBRA presents DUETS Sunday 21^stOctober at 7.45pmDuetsby Peter Quilter is a gloriously funny examination of the chaotic world of love, relationships and why the grass is never greener.

  Duets is an hilarious tribute to the strength and madness of the human heart. A very funny comedy by the author of Broadway smash End of the Rainbow, and the West End Glorious!.

  Four sets of characters in four crucial moments of their lives:
  Jonathan and Wendy are on a blind date
  Barrie is not really interested in women but Janet sees no reason to stop trying
  Shelley and Bobby have decided to holiday in Spain to finalise their divorce whilst drowning in cocktails
  Angela is marrying for the third time to the dismay of her brother Toby amidst a barrage of bad omens and a dress resembling a parachute

  Tickets £11 and £10 concessions available from Spear Travels on 01844 217228 or online from www.thameplayers.co.uk

• Comedy @ The Players presents: Pierre Novellie & Jacob Hawley – Friday, October 26, 7:45pm
  Pierre Novellie: ‘See Novellie, Hear Novellie, Speak Novellie’
  Back by popular demand Pierre returns to Thame with his latest sell-out Edinburgh show.
  ‘He will leave you smiling long after the show’s end and fighting the urge to buy another ticket’

★★★★★ Ed Fest Mag ★★★★★ One4Review
‘Very funny’ ★★★★ Scotsman
‘a big presence…He will go far’ ★★★★ The Times

‘A blistering hour of observational stand up’ ★★★★Skinny
‘Punchily assured and packed full of original thinking’ ★★★★1/2
Chortlehortle’s Best Club Comedian 2016 & 2017

• Jacob Hawley: Howl
  Jacob Hawley is one of the boldest new voices on the circuit and building a big following after reaching the finals of the BBC New Comedy Award 2017. Jacob comes to Thame with his acclaimed Edinburgh debut show: Howl.
  ‘A down-to-earth talent who’s got it in spades’ ★★★★ The List
  King Gong winner at London’s Comedy Store
  As heard on Radio 4 and seen on BBC iPlayer
  Tickets £12 (£10 if 4 or more booked)

IF you were unlucky enough not to see the winner of Thame Town Music Festival’s Song Writing Competition, Alex Hedley, perform at the Festival, then get yourselves down to The First Thursday Music Club on Thursday, October 4, at The Stables, behind the James Figg pub.

Alex will undoubtedly perform his winning song together with a set of tracks from his recently released EP entitled This Life. Currently based in Cornwall, Alex is hugely talented and his passion for melody and atmospheric textures is mesmerizing.

Also featuring in an extended spot will be club favourites, 2am Blue. Johnnie Littler, Jimmy Greenough and latest recruit Nick Dutton combine to produce a set of predominantly self-penned songs which features grown-up music that is lyrical, harmonic but with a definite electric edge.

The First Thursday Music Club still offers the opportunity for artists to play live in front of a warm and appreciative audience maintaining the ‘Open Mic’ section of the evening where slots will always be available in the first hour on a first-come, first-served basis with player sign-up by 7.30pm. The club has a full house PA system with keyboard, bass amp, guitar amp and jazz drum kit (bring breakables!) all set up on stage and ready to go.

Another eclectic evening is guaranteed and, don’t forget, it’s FREE entry!

Alex Hedley Links: www.alex-hedley.com www.facebook.com/AlexHedleymusic
2am Blue Links: www.facebook.com/2amBlue/

NEXT Saturda,y September 29, at 8pm Thame Cinema for All will be screening  On Chesil Beach. It’s a Certificate 15, UK 2018, 107 minutes-long film – Directed by Dominic Cooke, Starring Siaorse Ronan, Billy Howell, Anne Marie Duff, Samuel West and Emily Watson.

Adapted by Ian McKewan from his novel of the same name, On Chesil Beach is the story of one innocent couple, their courtship, the wedding night and its consequences. It begins on the titular beach in the early 1960s. Full details and booking HERE

Future films: (All showing at The Players Theatre, Nelson Street, Thame)

Sun 30th Sept, 7.45 pm, Bad Moms, cert 15 (charity screening on behalf of Lord Williams’ Day School Nursery)
Sat 6th October, 8.00 pm, I, Tonya, cert 15
Sat 13th October, 8.00 pm, The Breadwinner, cert 12
Sat 20th Oct, 8.15 pm, The Happy Prince, cert 15 (in conjunction with Thame Arts & Literature Festival)
Sat 27th Oct, 8.00 pm, Apostasy, cert PG

WITH just over four weeks to go until TAL (Thame Arts and Literature festival) October 18-21, tickets are selling fast! This year’s festival is jam-packed, with over 35 events during four days offering the chance to ask authors questions or chip in with your thoughts and get your books signed. Other events include uplifting musical performances and workshops to inspire.

Already a sell-out are Mary Robinson, Lucy Worsley, Johnny Johnson and Jasper Winn. Oxus and Opera Anywhere with The Music of Morse has now also sold out. But there are plenty more events still with some availability and they’re all listed in the FREE TAL Souvenir Brochure available from Thame Town Hall, The Book House and from most of the pubs and cafés around town. It’s full of all the Festival details you need, including who’s on where and when. So it’s definitely handy to carry with you when TAL begins.

SPORT

If Sport is your thing, hows about a riveting sporting mystery, Grahame Lloyd’s Howzat? The Six Sixes Ball Mystery, will make even a reader who’s no great cricket fan keep eagerly turning the pages. He gives a fascinating insight into a bizarre cricket tale.

Its the 50th anniversary of Garry Sobers hitting Malcolm Nash for an historic 36 runs off six deliveries at Swansea in 1968. Cricket’s Everest was finally conquered.

In 2006, the ball supposedly used in the over fetched a record £26,400 at Christie’s – but was it the right one? When it was put up for sale again in 2012, the plot thickened.
Sunday 21st October 2pm Christchurch

Once upon a time, Instead of the gleaming, expensive sports cars driven by today’s top players, football stars travelled to matches on public transport! Based on the first-hand accounts of players from a fast-disappearing generation, When Footballers Were Skint: A Journey in Search of the Soul of Football relates the fascinating story of a truly great sporting era, written by Jon Henderson. He will be interviewed by Roger Alton, former editor of the Observer.
Sunday 21st October 3.30pm Barns Centre.

CRIME

For lovers of Crime fiction, you’ll be gripped by the talk, Location, Location, Location, from the Oxford Chapter of the Crime Writers’ Association, revealing why it’s so important to set the scene of your crime novel both geographically and historically.

Friday 19th October 12.30pm Christchurch

For full details of what’s on during TAL 2018, go grab the FREE brochure or visit the TAL website HERE

AN entertaining evening is guaranteed for anyone who accepts an open invitation to Thame Speakers Club’s annual Humorous Speech Contest, next Wednesday (26/09) at the Thame Town Hall.

A FREE welcome glass of wine awaits on arrival at the event that kicks off at 7:30 pm with an informal networking session – a great chance to meet new faces from the local area. The speaking start at 7:30 pm and run until 9:30 pm.

Thame Speakers Club’s President, Dom Stanway Williams, said: “With speakers of all levels competing, the event is a great chance to gain insight into how anyone can develop there own public speaking skills, no matter how competent they feel!”

Thame-based Well-being expert, George Anderson, who since joining Toastmasters in 2007 has developed a career in public speaking, added: “Toastmasters has helped me build my confidence in public speaking, as well as teaching me how to become a more effective communicator. At the open evening I’ll be sharing some of my experiences as a professional speaker, as well as some of my top tips for improving your presentation skills.”

If you’re keen to know more, make sure you come along to the Town Hall on Wednesday.

The club’s following meeting with be held at the new venue of the Thame Barns Centre (where the club have moved to from the Cross Keys Pub) from 19:45 – 21:30 on Wednesday, October 10. As always, guests will always be welcome for FREE, and not expected to speak! – Parking is available on site.

For more information about Thame Speakers Club, visit the group’s website HERE