THAME Town Hall was buzzing with the collective brain power of 80 plus of the town’s quizzing fraternity last night, and raised almost £950 for the Mayor’s two charities, The Players Theatre and Thame Safari.
The winning team, The Lost Keys
The questions ranged from naming films from snippets of theme music, to naming the Danish company that sells the greatest number of tyres in the World (if you don’t know the answer, Google it. The answer will surprise you!).
The winning team was The Lost Keys, who were presented with a special cup by the Mayor of Thame, Peter Lambert, who has himself given the cup to be engraved and challenged for each year.
THAME Youth Theatre will be performing at the North Wall, Oxford, on May 3, at 8pm, as part of National Theatre Connections, a nationwide celebration of new plays for young performers. This Sunday also saw TYT’s Dance Troupe perform at the Aylesbury Waterside Theatre as part of Activate Dance Festival.
Connections is produced by the National Theatre and supported by a number of individuals, trusts and foundations ,and Activate is produced by the Aylesbury Vale District Council.
Tom Mackriell, TYT’s Youth Arts development Manager, said: “Our dance troupe performed at such a high standard this weekend and we are incredibly proud of what they have achieved seeing as the troupe was only started last September. We are also very excited to be in our second stage of National Theatre Connections and cannot wait to perform on the North Wall Stage with our seniors. These two events have allowed our youth theatre to experience unique opportunities that will help them develop as performers and give them a taste of professional practices. It will also allows them to explore exciting new work that pushes the artistic standard of what we offer as a youth theatre.”
Thame Youth Theatre will be performing ‘Same’ by Deborah Bruce, this Saturday at 8pm at the North Wall Oxford.
Same is set in an old people’s home in the week that Josie dies. Her teenage grandchildren reminisce about their memories of her, and the residents in the home feel the effects of her death on their lives as her funeral takes place. Is the gulf between the young and old as wide as it feels, or are we fundamentally the same inside whatever age we are?
AFTER last month’s ‘best ever’ First Thursday Music Club in Thame, where a crowd of over 250 was brilliantly entertained by an eclectic range of music from show songs, to 1950’s American Country, and from contemporary singer-songwriter to good ol’ rock ‘n roll, FTMC’s next event will feature Luke Paulo and The Grapefruit.
Luke Paulo began writing songs and performing in 2011, eventually finding his way to his characteristic noirish style, combining a jazzy, European sound with melancholy and darkly playful lyrics. He began playing with Finnish pianist, Maija Tuomi-Nikula, in 2012. Now he is joined by Will Woodward, Helen Cuthberson-Reid and Mike Muggeridge to provide Luke with the full live band: The Grapefruit. His debut EP, Mirrors, is due for release later this year.
Without doubt, FTMC has become the biggest, monthly Open Mic night in the district (maybe even the country?) with huge crowds and a bill that regularly features between 12 and 15 artists each month. Anyone can play just by signing up at the venue next Thursday, May 1, from 7.45pm.
Check out the club on Facebook, The First Thursday Music Club, or at www.firstthursdaymusicclub.com where you can find more information, including the contact numbers and addresses of the organisers.
THAME’S Music In The Park is now less than three weeks away from transforming Elms Park into a throbbing, rocking melting pot of people, music, dance, picnicing, beer and fun!
Leading Madness and Two-tone tribute act, The Skasouls UK, will be headlining on Sunday, May 4, and guaranteed to get the crowd dancing along to songs from the likes of Madness and Bad Manners. In total more than 30 acts will be performing, covering all tastes including rock, folk, indie, rap, big band, choir and harp, as well as a spectrum of dance acts.
Skasouls UK
Tickets are on sale from: Vintage & Modern Guitars, Wally’s Toy Shop, Fore Golf, The Cross Keys, The Falcon and Thame Town Hall, or online at www.wegottickets.com/event/265557.
Advance tickets cost: Adults – £7; concessions (students, under 18s, senior citizens) – £4; family ticket (2 adults and up to 3 concessions) – £20. On-the-door prices are £10, £5 and £25 respectively. Under 5s go free.
With a wide variety of music and dance on offer, there’s sure to be something for everyone. Music In The Park features two main stages with live music and dance, and an acoustic stage. So, have fun dancing the day away or chill out with a leisurely picnic.
Of course, there’ll also be all the usual goodies you’d expect at a festival (except hopefully, wellies and brollies), including real ales, a wide variety of delicious foods, fun activities for children and adults, and a range of trade stalls.
NEXT month, May 2014, will see a couple of great shows coming to the Players Theatre, in Nelson Street, Thame. The first is the comedy, Wife After Death by Eric Chapell, from Tuesday, May 6 to Saturday, May 10, at 7.45pm.
SYNOPSIS – Dave Thursby’s friends are gathered at his funeral. Their memories of him are very different and often clash. When the mysterious Kay arrives to drop her bombshell, everyone endeavours to keep up appearances for the sake of the widow. Later, when the time comes to dispose of the ashes and Dave’s secret life is finally exposed, tempers and ashes fly.
Tickets: £9 and £8 (£1 off for concessions)
THE second date for your diary is Saturday, May 17, 7.30pm, when Towersey Festival presents…..
‘A night of great acoustic music to celebrate the launch of your local Festival in its 50th year’
BBC Award winner and Radio 2 play listed artist, Megan Henwood, from just down the road in Henley, has been heralded by The Guardian and Mojo Music Magazine as one of the brightest stars of the acoustic music world with her debut single being played regularly on BBC Radio 2. Stunning and heartbreaking song writing and a pure voice, coupled with brilliant and intricate guitar playing will have you transfixed from the first note.
With just over 100 seats this promises to be a beautifully intimate night of acoustic music, with support coming from another great local artist Evette Judge who delivers folksy acoustic rock through her own songwriting and covers. The evening will be introduced by Towersey Festival Director Joe Heap who will show a short film about the event and some of the best pictures from the last few years, to get us all in the festival mood.
Tickets £12 (concessions – Over 60’s and Under 16 years £10) Tickets online from www.thameplayers.co.uk (10% booking fee applies) or Tickets Anywhere, Greyhound Walk, Thame 01844 217228
CAPTURING the haunting beauty of the Yarmouth coast and bustling Victorian London, in this production of David Copperfield, Hotbuckle theatre company uses its distinctive style to tell the beloved story of Dickens’ favourite child, as only they know how.
FOLLOWING on from a successful, though somewhat damp 2013, this year’s Music in the Park is tuning up nicely and promises to be as loud, lively and jam-packed as before – whatever the weather!
For the first time ever this year, as day drifts into night, festival goers will be illuminated by the newly-installed park lighting that Music In The Park has helped fund. Tickets are priced at £7 Adults, £4 Concession and £20 for a Family ticket, and are available from the Town Hall, Fore Golf, The Falcon, Vintage & Modern Guitars and the Cross Keys pub.
They’ll be available from Monday (08/04). Music In The Park has become one of the highlights of Thame’s community calender, attracting visitors from far and wide too. So put May 4, the Bank Holiday in your diary and get those tickets booked to avoid disappointment. For more information visit http://www.musicinthepark.org.uk/
THAME’S First Thursday Music Club is back next week with the April edition, on Thursday, April 3. Thame’s biggest monthly music event will, once again, bring a whole range of bands, artists and musical genres to its FREE Open Mic night.
This month, the ‘Feature Spot’ has been awarded to the fabulous Hiway 51. Three ‘good ol’ boys’ will recreate a stripped down, Country Roots, 1950 era-flavoured brew. On authentic, upright bass is Ingmar Paul; on classic, vintage Gretsch guitar is Phil Carwardine (owner of Vintage and Modern Guitars store in Thame). Front man, Paul Barker on vocals and guitar completes the trio.
Think ‘classic era’ Johnny Cash, with a sprinkling of early Elvis, and maybe even some Stray Cats, vintage Merle Travis and Chet Atkins. But don’t be fooled, as their original compositions stand up proudly next to the classics.
The First Thursday Music Club is Thame’s biggest monthly music event and is held at The Stables behind the James Figg pub in Cornmarket. Anyone can play just by signing up at the venue from 7.45pm.
Check out the club on Facebook The First Thursday Music Club or at www.firstthursdaymusicclub.com where you can find more info’ including contact numbers and addresses for the organisers.
THE Rotary Club of Thame is planning a charity Movie Night, featuring the film ‘Oh! What a Lovely War’. The profits raised will go towards Thame’s Rotary Charities for 2013-2014, which are Thame Players, Thame & District Day Centre, SAFARI and Sharing Life Trust.
The Movie Night will be held at the Thame Players Theatre, in Nelson Street, on Friday, April 11, at 7 pm, and tickets will cost £10 per person. They are available to book at the website: www.thame.rotaryweb.org
About the film:
‘Oh! What a Lovely War’ is a 1969 musical film, directed by Richard Attenborough, has a cast including Dirk Bogarde, John Gielgud, John Mills, Kenneth More, Laurence Olivier, Jack Hawkins, Corin Redgrave, Michael Redgrave, Vanessa Redgrave, Ralph Richardson, Maggie Smith, Ian Holm, Paul Shelley, Malcolm McFee, Jean-Pierre Cassel, Nanette Newman, Edward Fox, Susannah York, John Clements, Phyllis Calvert and Maurice Roëves.
It is based on the stage musical of the same name, originated by Charles Chilton as a radio play. The title is derived from the music hall song, Oh! It’s a Lovely War, which is of course, one of the major songs featured in the film.
HOUSING association Soha, which has many tenants in the Thame area, is campaigning to get South Oxfordshire residents who are nervous or unsure about accessing the internet, ‘springing online!’
Soha’s Digital Inclusion Project Officer, Adela Miencilova
During the week of March 31, Soha’s Digital Inclusion Project Officer, Adela Miencilova, will be running free sessions to assist even the most timid beginners to have a go at using computers or accessing the internet. Those who are more confident can get tips on improving their skills. People who already own portable devices, like tablets or smartphones, are encouraged to bring them along for some expert advice.
Adela explained: “Computers can be fun and are great for hobbies. During Spring Online week we will also be looking at how to keep in touch with friends and family using Skype and Facebook.”
The free computer sessions take place across Oxfordshire and are bookable through Soha Housing’s Lynn Wignall on 01235 515 900. Anyone can join in, but priority will be given to Soha residents for the limited places. Adela is coming to Thame’s Windmill Place in Corbetts Way, on Tuesday, April 1, in the morning.
Spring Online is a national initiative to encourage take-up of the internet, by Digital Unite.commencing 31 March.
Soha Housing owns and manages over 5,600 properties in Oxfordshire and neighbouring counties. It is a member of PlaceShapers, a national alliance of more than 100 community-focused housing associations.
