Category: entertainment and leisure news

A THAME singer, hailed by the national press as one of the most promising tenors of today, this year sees his debut with the English National Opera as Count Almaviva in The Barber of Seville.

There is now a great opportunity to hear Tenor Ben Hulett locally, when he sings with Henley Choral Society and their charismatic GRAMMY-nominated young Musical Director, Will Dawes, for a performance of The Creation by Haydn on Saturday, March 17, at 7.30pm at the Concert Hall, Reading.

Performing with Ben will be Soprano, Sophie Bevan and Bass, Giles Underwood. Sophie Bevan, recipient of the 2010 Critic?s Circle award for Exceptional Young Talent, is one of the most sought-after young sopranos in the UK. Most recently, whatsonstage.com commented on her performance in Der Rosenkavalier at ENO ?The extraordinary young soprano Sophie Bevan… can smile like an angel and sing to melt the soul …the high point of the evening.?

Giles Underwood has earned first-rate reviews for his performances with major British orchestras and opera companies. He is a regular soloist with The Academy of Ancient Music and has sung recently at Wigmore Hall, the Royal Albert Hall and the Oxford Lieder Festival.
With such an assembly of talent performing Haydn?s dazzling and life-enhancing masterpiece, this is an evening not to be missed!

Tickets

THIS week’s film to be shown at Thame Cinema 4 All, has proved so popular that the club has laid on an extra showing earlier in the evening!

First come, first served (no need to book for the early showing) Tinker, Taylor, Soldier, Spy – 5pm (doors 4.30)

THAME’S First Thursday Music Club is celebrating its second birthday this week (02/02)with the appearance of a very special guest, international song writer and musician, Martin Sutton.

John Littler, one of the club’s founders, has this message:

“It was 8:30 pm on February 4, 2010, when we started our Thame based open mic at the James Figg. Our first night saw nine performers and 60 people coming to watch. It’s two years on, our birthday, and we haven’t missed a month yet. We now regularly have over 100 people come to enjoy free live music at the Stables behind the James Figg on the first thursday of every month.

We have had mandolins, cellos, saxophones, pianos, flute and of cource a whole lotta guitars! We have had folk, rap, country, flamenco, rock, blues and pop and some stuff I can’t really classify. It’s great fun and a privilege to run a club which allows all sorts of people, young or old, beginner or virtuoso to perform in front of a supportive audience. I also believe it is good for Thame to have a regular, community based live music event.

Generally we have a really high standard of performers – who knew Thame had such a wealth of talent? I urge you to come on down and enjoy the FTMC with us again this month – Thursday 2nd February.

Spotlight Spot

Emma Davidmann was brilliant last month in our spotlight spot at 10:00 laying down the gauntlet for this months hero: Martin Sutton

This is what he says about himself:

“I’m Martin Sutton and I’ve been in the music business for nearly twenty years as a songwriter, producer, session musician and mixer. I’ve sold over seven million records worldwide for artists including Celine Dion, The Backstreet Boys, LeAnn Rimes, Olivia Newton John, Mike & The Mechanics and a quite a few pop idol winners around the world. I’ve written with Gary Barlow, Pixie Lott, Duncan James, Mike Rutherford and many of the world’s best songwriters.”

Now you can’t miss that can you – Come down to the Stables behind the James Figg at 8:00ish to enjoy a fine nigh of eclectic musical fun!

OUTSIDE LOOKING IN? The UK?s position in the Eurozone – An evening with Dr Miguel Mesquita da Cunha at Lord Williams?s School, Thame.

This is a community event to which all who are interested are invited to learn more about the UK?s position in Europe and the financial crisis. Dr Miguel Mesquita da Cunha has been invited again from Brussels by Lord Williams?s School to give the key-note speech and act as consultant for the Model United Nations General Assembly at the School.

He has kindly agreed to lead a discussion organised by the school around the European financial crisis. In his role as consultant to European and international organisations, and with a background in the European Union, Miguel is uniquely positioned to give a European perspective on the future of the EU, the Eurozone and the political and financial role of the UK.

Miguel Mesquita has been policy adviser to the EC President and the NATO Secretary General; he has a particular interest in climate change issues although his most recent work has been around EU strategy issues and the Europe/North America axis, strengths and weaknesses of the EU, security, defence, terrorism, etc. As last year, we can expect a fascinating and challenging evening.

Date: Monday, January 30th. Venue: The Conference Room, Lord Williams?s Upper School; Refreshments will be available from 7 30pm. Please come to the main Visitor Reception to book in. The Conference Room is up the stairs on the first floor. Enquiries to Nicky Stallwood: 01844 210524, n.stallwood@lordwilliams.oxon.sch.uk; Owen Davies: 214466 or davies2399@yahoo.co.uk

IT’S All systems go! for Thame?s Music in the Park 2012. It may only be the end of January, but preparations for this year’s event, which will take place on Sunday, May 13, are in full swing.

The Friends of Elms Park and the Music in the Park team are planning on making this year?s event even bigger and better. The musical programme is not yet complete, but will include two bands who have played at Glastonbury: The Original Rabbit Foot Spasm Band, who will headline the programme, describe their music as ?sophisticated and energetic; drenched in mid-20th century Jazz and R&B,” and reggae/dub band, Dubwiser.

Other acts already booked include a Led Zeppelin tribute band, an Elton John tribute act, the Muttz Knuttz, As If and Village Voices.

There will also be something for dance fans as well. Street/hip hop dancer Sam Hemmings, a.k.a. Boogaloo, overall winner of the recent Thame?s Got Talent show, will be performing. Dance group Raw Diva, winners of the audience vote at Thame?s Got Talent are also on the bill.

The programme is being designed to feature something for everyone and will include acoustic and electronic music of all genres.

Performers wishing to take part and stallholders and food concessions wishing to have a pitch at Music in the Park can now register their interest on the Music in the Park website www.musicinelmspark.co.uk

Music in the Park will benefit the Friends of Elms Park, a community group that aims to improve and maintain the Park for the benefit of the community and visitors. More information on the history of Elms Park can be found at: http://www.musicinelmspark.co.uk/elm-park-thame-history.html

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A Separation – Iran 2011, 122 minutes, PG certificate, Directed by Asghar Farhadi, Starring Leila Hatami, Peyman Moaadi, Sareh Bayat; FARHADI’S complex and compelling story of a marital breakdown was one of the most universally praised films of the last 12 months.

It opens with the two protagonists ? Simin and Nader ? petitioning a magistrate for permission to undertake divorce proceedings in present day Tehran. But the magistrate is unseen and the couple appear to address the audience. We are thus invited to observe and arbitrate on the tensions and complexities inherent in the relationship breakdown, and its wider reverberations for innocent people close to the couple.

Simin wants to move out of Iran to another country offering greater freedom to women in order to enhance the prospects of their 11 year old daughter Termeh. Nader insists that their responsibility to his ageing and dependent father prohibits such a move. But what begins with this apparently isolated dispute escalates with a series of terrible and unforeseen consequences, in which flawed people behave badly with impossible consequences for others.

The events appear to take place in real time, but the structure of carefully concealing and revealing key events makes for an ethically teasing drama that captures the infinite shades of moral grey and the absence of clear rights or wrongs. The film joins a canon of global cinematic dramas examining marriage and its compromises that affect all cultures. But it is most particularly a powerful examination of class and, especially, gender politics in contemporary Iran ? the schisms between tradition, faith, law, aspiration and perceived entitlement.

A superb and satisfying contemporary tragedy and a journey into the emotional heart of a conflicted country ? this film is one that will stay with you.

THE Mayor of Thame, David Bretherton, is holding a quiz at the town hall on January 27, to raise funds for his chosen charities, The Scouts and Citizens Advice Bureau.

The quiz starts at 7.30pm and the quizmaster will be Sue Boyle. Tickets cost

A special gig is being planned in Thame to raise funds for an 18 month old baby with a chronic lung condition who needs a vital vaccination to help him fight the disease.

Billed as “Alfie?s Gig” the event will be held at The James Figg in Cornmarket, Thame, on Friday, January 27, from 8pm onwards.

Live Music will be provided by local band, Rodney Quakes and friends and the entrance fee will be

THIS SATURDAY – January 7, Showing at Thame Cinema 4 All, at the Players Theatre, Nelson Street, Thame, THE SKIN I LIVE IN – Spain 2011, 120 minutes, 15 certificate, Directed by Pedro Almodovar, Starring Antonio Banderas, Blanca Suarez, Elena Anaya, Marisa Paredes

Well. How to describe the latest from the Spanish maestro auteur?Macabre thriller / nightmare psycho-sexual melodrama / Hitchock meets Bu

THAME First Thursday Music Club continues to go from strength to strength and kicks off the new year tomorrow (January 5), at The Stables, behind The James Figg, in Cornmarket, Thame.

Raffle Winner

The club’s usual end of year FTMC raffle saw a beautiful Takamine Super Jumbo acoustic guitar, kindly donated by Phil and Maria from the excellent Vintage and Modern Guitars in Thame, as the very special prize. It was won by none other than club favourite, Andy Shaw! All proceeds are ploughed back in to the club.

Spotlight Spot

In a message on the club’s website, Founder member and website editor, John Littler, said: “In December, FTMC started a new 25 minute “Showcase Spotlight Spot” at 10pm, where a popular act from a previous month’s FTMC gets a little longer time to strut their stuff. The fabulous 2amBlue took the inauguaral SSS in a case of nepotism that would embarass North Korea.

“This month I am pleased to say that it is down to merit and I am delighted to say Emma Davidman gets the floor at 10pm for the FTMC Showcase Spotlight Spot – don’t miss it!

“Come down to the Stables behind the James Figg at 8pm -ish to enjoy a fine night of eclectic musical fun.”