A unique concert taking place on May 5, in St Mary’s Church, Thame, will see a collaboration between Thame Chamber Choir and the internationally-renowned Coull Quartet, one of whose members, cellist Nick Roberts, is a Thame resident.
The quartet, together with second cellist Rowena Calvert, will perform Schubert’s sublime C major string quintet – considered by many to be one of the greatest compositions in all chamber music – as well as his early G minor quartet. The choir’s contribution is a selection of Schubert’s finest part-songs, chosen from the hundreds that he wrote.
Tickets for the concert, which is sponsored by Blaser Mills, are available from The Book House, Thame, on-line from www.wegottickets.com, and at the door.
MONDAY, April 16, sees the return of Chinnor’s Forget-Me-Not Cafe’s very popular spring tea dance, hosted by popular Thame musician Ian English.
Organiser, Michele Pether said: “A wide range of music is played with something for everyone, and don’t worry if you have mobility problems or are in a wheelchair; we ensure that everyone joins in and has a great time.”
Light refreshments will be on offer as usual, and the event kicks off at the usual time of 10.30am at Chinnor Village Centre and finishes around 12.30. Everyone is welcome, particularly those suffering from memory problems, so go along with your carer for a great friendly and supportive morning.
The Forget-Me-Not Cafe meets every other week on a Monday morning, and has a varied and interesting programme on offer. They just ask for a small donation of £2.50 For more information, check out the Cafe’s facebook page: www.facebook.com/forgetmeknotcafe or call Michele on 07779732097 info@holisticmassageuk.co.uk
Happy End is the latest film to be screened by Thame Cinema 4 All, this coming Friday, April 13, at 8pm. The film was made in France 2017, and is a 15 certificate, It’s Directed by Michael Haneke and features Isabelle Huppert, Jean-Louis Trintignant, Mathieu Kassovitz, Fantine Harduin, Franz Rogowski, Loubna Abidar and Toby Jones.
We ought to start by saying that the title of this film is, to say the least, ironic. There’s not a lot of joy to be had here, and precious little redemption, but there is a great deal of the darkest social satire and occasional streaks of gallows humour. Celebrated Austrian auteur Michael Haneke returns to his perennial pre-ocuppations in this latest film: the moral corruption of the haute bourgeois European; families who live together but are estranged from each other; technological surveillance; the legacies of colonial histories.
Huppert is Anne Laurent, now the head of the family construction firm having taken over from her father Georges (Tritingnant) who is in the early stages of dementia. They share a vast mansion – more a familial compound – with Anne’s brother Thomas and his new wife and child, soon to be joined by the daughter of Thomas’ first marriage, Eve, whose mother is in a coma following an unexplained overdose of prescription medication. The clan also consists of Anne’s deadbeat son – whose ineptitude and neglect has caused a catastrophic accident on a family building site, and the threat of a massive civil suit – and Rachid and Jamila, the Moroccan servants, granted occupancy of a cramped domestic space, and subjected to casual racism. And of course, there are secrets galore, often secrets recorded in social media, or tracked by the slightly disturbing Eve, who navigates her world via the screen of her iPhone.
The action takes place in Calais: beyond the doors of the gilded Laurent mansion, desperate refugees gather and await an attempt on the tunnel. Haneke treats the Laurents and their ilk with his typical brutal clarity, his trademark long static shots that often feel uncomfortably long are well suited to this unsparing critical scrutiny. And he has much to say about the nature of looking, watching and surveillance, and the fact that in spite of our technological narcissism, we remain incapable of seeing ourselves. An uneasy and brilliant satire. View trailer here.
THE headline act for this year’s Thame Town Music Festival, officially announced at Thursday’s First Thursday Music Club, Open mic night, is to be Dr Feelgood.
The original band members, which included guitarist, Wilko Johnson, hailed from Canvey Island and were well-known for singles such as ‘She Does It Right’, ‘Roxette’, ‘Back in the Night’ and ‘Milk and Alcohol’.
The band’s current line-up, Phill Mitchell – Bass guitar, Robert Kane – vocals & Harmonica, Kevin Morris – Drums and Steve Walwyn – Guitar, hail from Canvey too and, despite tragedy and numerous personnel changes over 30 years, Dr Feelgood is still a rocking force to be reckoned with, and will no doubt stir the juices of an appreciative Thame Town Music Festival audience.
TTMF18 is expanding the scope of the festival to include a classical concert, a songwriters’ competition and a music industry convention aimed at supporting and educating musicians to help them understand how the music business works, make useful contacts, network with peers and gain advice on advancing their musical careers.
Unlike last year, this year’s event is to be held in the evening on Friday, July 13, and Saturday, July 14, in the town centre and at various venues in Thame. The inaugural TTMF in 2017, attracted an estimated 8,000 visitors to Thame over the course of the day. It was estimated that the audience numbers in the lower High Street car park (in front of the main stage) reached a maximum of 2,500 during the performance of Glen Matlock (Sex Pistols). This year even more visitors are expected.
THAME author, Catherine Jones, will be making an appearance at the Book House, Thame, on Friday, April 20, to sign copies of her latest book, ‘Little Woodford -The secrets of a small town’.
amended cover_JP
Catherine is a Thame Town Councillor, but, in answer to the question on everyone’s lips; Catherine insists that ‘Little Woodford’, the events and the characters in the book, are purely fictitious and bear no resemblance whatsoever to anything or anyone in Thame. But what’s the betting they’ll be a queue of curious locals, waiting to buy the book to discover for themselves whether that’s the case or not!
Synopsis
Trouble comes to the sleepy market town of Little Woodford – a world of allotments, pub quizzes, shopping and gossip – the heart of middle England.
Little Woodford has a sleepy high street, a weekly market, a weathered old stone church and lovingly tended allotments. A peaceful, unexciting place, the very heart of middle England.
In Little Woodford no one has fingers in more pies than Olivia Laithwaite, parish councillor, stalwart of the local WI, wife, mother and all round Queen Bee. So of course it’s Olivia who is first to spot that The Beeches has been sold at last.
Soon rumours begin to swirl around the young widow who has bought this lovely house. Why exactly did she leave London with her beautiful stepdaughter and young sons? Are they running from someone? Hiding something? Though if they are, they won’t be the only ones. Sometimes the arrival of newcomers in a community is all it takes to light a fuse…
About Catherine
Catherine Jones lives in Thame, where she is an Independent Town Councillor. She is the author of eighteen novels, including the Soldiers’ Wives series, which she wrote under the pseudonym Fiona Field.
LITTLE WOODFORD – The Secrets of A Small Town – by Catherine Jones, will be published on April 5, 2018, Price: £18.99.
CLICK on the video to the right there → →LAST summer, Van Susans featured in the evening on the Main Stage, at the Thame Town Music Festival in July.2017. On Thursday, next week, April 5, they return to Thame to play the Feature Spot at the First Thursday Music Club at The Stables at the James Figg.
They comprise a six piece Pop-Rock band from Bromley, London. Their debut single Bones, released under Beatnik Geek Records, was met with much applause. The gravel in singer Olly’s voice draws you in. Then there’s the catchy hooks and songwriting prowess combining to create an irresistible sound. Lead singer Olly’s edgy vocals propel the group away from today’s music scene and into a parallel genre of their own.
Chris Hawkins of the BBC said: “The Levellers achieved six gold selling albums, and the Van Susan’s are that band for a new generation, destined for equally great success.”
As well as the Van Susans playing the Feature Spot, Mia Wilson, Cammy and the Moondogs and Get Loose are already booked in too.
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 7.30. 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!
AS well as showing Filmstars Don’t Die In Liverpool this Satuday, March 24, Thame Cinema 4 All will be showing Murder On The Orient Express the following day,Sunday March 25, at both 4pm and 7 pm.
DETAILS: Murder on the Orient Express – UK 2017, 109 minutes, 12A certificate – Directed by Kenneth Branagh, starring Kenneth Branagh, Judi Dench, Penelope Cruz, Michelle Pfeiffer, Willem Defoe, Johnny Depp, Olivia Colman, Daisy Ridley, Josh Gadd.
A film that surely needs no introduction: a classic who-dunnit, with a beyond-fantasy cast having a riotous time hamming it up while trapped on a train in snowy, mountainous, 1930s mittel-Europe. It is cinema as high tea: nostalgic, satisfying, camp and reassuringly predictable – there are no fusion-cuisine twists or hipster affectations here, just exactly what you would expect of an old fashioned feast, and all the better for it.
Branagh is the luxuriantly mustachioed Hercule Poirot, hoping to enjoy a few days rest and relaxation on the titular railway. He finds himself on an inexplicably under-subscribed international rail service among 13 passengers representing a cross section of Anglo / Euro / American society. And – naturellment – one of them turns up dead, brutally slain, and the culprit must be one of Poirot’s fellow travellers. So much for his mini-break. But really, what did he expect?
As this year’s winter grinds on without end, what better way to spend a Sunday than tucked up at the Players with a star studded gem, seeing if you can figure it out before Hercule does (and raising money for the Mayor’s charities into the bargain). View trailer here. Tickets available for a £10 donation HERE
THIS is the latest film to be show by Thame Cinema 4 All, this coming Saturday, March 24, at The Players Theatre, Nelson Street, Thame.
UK 2017, 103 minutes, 15 certificate – Directed by Paul McGuigan, starring Annette Bening, Jamie Bell, Julie Walters, Stephen Graham, Kenneth Cranham
Synopsis
Gloria Grahame was a great star of the 1940s and 50s Hollywood cinema, with iconic roles as the blonde-bombshell film noir femme-fatale. Her life off screen was sensational, not least her notorious love life. But what you might not know is that in the 1970s, towards the end of her career, she spent years appearing on stage in regional English theatres, grafting away long after her cinema career had come to an end. And during this time she met and fell in love with Peter Turner, a young actor trying to get his break, who finds himself sharing Gloria’s shabby boarding house in north London.
During their time together, Gloria spends time with Peter’s family in Liverpool, and loves the warm familial embrace of the small, suburban brick terrace and the no-nonsense affection of Peter’s parents (Walters and Cranham) who manage to overcome their dismay at the fact that their son is dating a Hollywood legend.
Some time after a painful breakup, Gloria comes back into Peter’s life. She is taken gravely ill and, in need of someone to care for her, Peter and his family take her in, tucking her up under the chenille bed spread with a hot water bottle and some down to earth kindness. This is a beautifully tender love story, with Bening turning in perhaps a career best performance as the vulnerable, tough, sexy and hard working Grahame, reluctant to submit to the mysogyny of the industry, and determined to maintain her craft, long after the movie business has tossed her on the scrap heap.
A great, strange and true story, and one that deserves your attention. View trailer here.
8pm start – doors open 7.30pm – licensed bar – tickets are available on the door or online- Click here
THAME Players are holding auditions for their production of OH WHAT A LOVELY WAR, AUDITIONS. April 16 and 18, at 7.45PM
The play is ‘an end of pier seaside show about World War 1. Pierrot costumes for one and all, short scenes and songs. There are no named principal roles; no family story and no set either, just a few chairs, some sandbags, hats, laughs, tears, back projection and a live band on stage.
“Ignore the film,” says Pat Shepherd, of Thame Players; “The play is different and so will be the auditions! Everyone is welcome.”
Contact Steve Lambell on 07958 7 19397 or slambell59@gmail.com
IF you’re reading this right now, it means you’re curious. Then let us take you by the hand and lead you on a short journey through the festival, it will only take a minute.
Imagine a sunset! You’re thinking the Bahamas, Mauritius maybe? Well what if we told you that, that most beautiful sunset is much closer than you think, in fact right under your nose, here in Oxfordshire, near the longest day?
Believe us yet? Then allow us to set the scene……
Music is playing from the main stage; you have a huge smile on your face because you’re really enjoying this band (you never heard them before!). You have discovered some new, up and coming bands this weekend but this is your favourite. Your child is sat on your shoulders blowing bubbles and the soap keeps dripping on your forehead but you don’t mind; it’s making you laugh. Your partner is by your side having a little jig. Then a friend walks over with a beer for you and Mojito from the cocktail bar for your partner. You’ll probably get an ice cream for the littl’en in a bit when they’ve finished dripping soap on your forehead. Your stomach is full from sampling some fantastic food at the stalls; there’s probably still room for a bit of cheese later though?
Your thoughts wander for a moment and you laugh to yourself at the thought of trying to put that tent up yesterday (why can you never remember how it goes up?). Then, after relaxing in the camping chairs for a moment and congratulating yourselves for finally putting it up, you take the children to go and play in the ‘kids zone’, all laughter and giggles. Then you wander round the stalls and buy yourself a bowler hat, it suits you, (or so you think?). Your friends arrive, so you pull up a hay bale, sit and chat and listen to the many varied acts whilst washing it down with a local cider from the bar.
And then, there’s that sunset that we were talking about! It’s beautiful from this vantage point, just setting over the main stage and you can see for miles; you didn’t realise how far. Then they light the Beacon! And that smiles back again!!!
Still curious? Then why not follow us to one of the best family music festivals in the Chilterns? You won’t be disappointed, we promise!
