Clacton & North East Essex

Arts & Literary Society

‘MONDAY NIGHTS AT THE PRINCES THEATRE’ 

Programme 2008 2009

2008 

October 13^th – ELEANOR KEENAN leads her new All Girl Swing Orchestra, THE BROADBAND in “SING SING SING”.  The performance will feature timeless musical classics made famous by Glenn Miller, Tommy Dorsey, Woody Herman and Quincy Jones, together with vocal tributes to Ella Fitzgerald, Lena Horn, Doris Day, Judy Garland and Peggy Lee. 

The Sqn. Ldr Hartley Evening. 

October 20^th – Enjoy “AN EVENING WITH PAM AYRES”, who makes a welcome return to Clacton with her current show, which includes material from her bestselling books ‘Surgically Enhanced’ and ‘With These Hands’, together with some new poems and stories.  It is thirty years since Pam appeared on ‘Opportunity Knocks’ but her distinctive voice can still be regularly heard on radio. 

Evening sponsored by THOMPSON, SMITH & PUXON (Solicitors), Clacton-on-Sea . 

October 27^th – MAGGIE COTTON presents “ORCHESTRAL NOTES”, a talk based on 40 years experience of playing in the Birmingham Symphony Orchestra, 18 of which were with Sir Simon Rattle.  We will enjoy a fascinating and humorous insight into her exceptionally full and exciting life as the first female percussionist in male-dominated professional symphony orchestras. 

Evening sponsored by PRINCES THEATRE, Clacton-on-Sea . 

November 3^rd – “STRINGFEVER” features three brothers and a cousin, GILES, RALPH, NEAL and GRAHAM BROADBENT with their electric instruments and unique sound.  The world’s first genetically modified string quartet combine exceptional musical skill with a real talent for involving and engaging audiences to provide an unforgettable evening.  

Evening sponsored by GCS ALARMS LTD, Clacton-on-Sea . 

November 10^th – ALASTAIR SAWDAY’S remarkable and varied career has enabled him to travel worldwide.  He will happily bring us stories of his ups and downs and the peaks and troughs of his journeys, and his experiences of B & B’s across the globe. Tonight he invites us to share “A SPECIAL NIGHT WITH ALASTAIR SAWDAY”, with his musings and ruminations on travel and ecological living. 

Evening sponsored by NORMAN  & NEIL, (Optometrists), Clacton-on-Sea

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November 17^th – REBECCA CAINE and pianist GERALD MARTIN MOORE present “LEADING LADIES”.   This stylish partnership features Rebecca’s beautiful soprano voice and sparkling personality coupled with Gerald’s harmonies and witty dialogue.  They bring us a wonderful range of songs interlaced with anecdotes from the lives and careers of leading ladies of Musical Comedy who graced the stages of the West End between 1900 and 1960. 

Evening sponsored by LESLEY BARLOW, Clacton-on-Sea . 

November 24^th – “A CHRISTMAS CAROL” is inspired by author Charles Dickens’ own energetic readings of the 1860s.  GERALD DICKENS the great, great grandson of the author plays 26 different characters and transports his audience into the story of Ebenezer Scrooge.  This is so much more than a reading – it is theatre in its purest form.  Pianist ELIZABETH HAYES intersperses the play with music relevant to the period. 

Evening sponsored by THE TENDRING RE-USE AND EMPLOYMENT ENTERPRISE , Little Clacton . 

December 1^st – TONY JACOBS’ passion for music came from finding his father’s collection of 78 RPM records, particularly those of his firm favourite the Bob Crosby Orchestra and the Bobcats.  Our final presentation of 2008 will see Tony and his band encouraging us all to “SWING INTO CHRISTMAS” while he entertains us with a vast repertoire of top class music, anecdotes and humour.

Evening sponsored by WEST CLIFF THEATRE , Clacton-on-Sea . 

2009 

January 12^th – Opera is a magical entertainment and always creates a sense of occasion.  It is passionate and often dramatic, never more so than in this Highlight Performance of Puccini’s ‘MADAM BUTTERFLY’ presented, in full costume, by “OPERA INTERLUDES”.  The programme will also include a selection of well known ‘encores’ from other popular operas and musicals. 

Evening sponsored by HEALTH PLAN CONSULTANCY SERVICES, Colchester . 

January 19^th – The man who led the BBC weather team for 17 years, BILL GILES, OBE, presents a humorous outlook in his one-man illustrated talk “WEATHER SHOW”.  Nearly 20 years ago Bill was one of the first people to warn about global warming with many of his theories now accepted fully by scientists and politicians alike. 

Evening sponsored by REGENT FURNISHERS, Holland–on-Sea . 

January 26^th – “WILDLIFE CONSERVATION” concerns us all.  Tonight we are joined by ‘Urbanbirder’ and TV presenter DAVID LINDO, together with author STEPHEN MOSS (another birder), perhaps best known as the producer of wildlife series, many presented by Bill Oddie.  David gives all ‘Townies’ one piece of advice – look up – it’s amazing what you can see, even in an urban area!  Evening sponsored by MARK MOBILITY CENTRE, Holland-on-Sea . 

February 2^nd – Every music lover will be delighted with “SOME ENCHANTED EVENING”, and enjoy many favourite arias and songs from the shows.   Artistes, TARA OVEREND – soprano, RUTH MASSEY – mezzo-soprano, JONATHAN BUNGARD – tenor and MATTHEW SPRANGE- bass-baritone come together for this presentation accompanied by MARK WILLIAMS – piano. 

Evening sponsored by COUNTYWIDE LETTINGS & PROPERTY MANAGEMENT, Holland-on-Sea . 

February 9^th – Father and son, PETER and DAN SNOW, present in an illustrated talk highlights from “BATTLEFIELD BRITAIN  & 20^TH  CENTURY BATTLES” following the success of their books and populartelevision series. Peter is probably best known for his Swingometer during elections and for his sand pit during the Gulf War, while Dan is proving to be a rising star of television, fronting a large number of history programmes for the BBC. 

Evening sponsored by CORONATION TOYOTA , Kirby Cross, Frinton-on-Sea. 

February 16^th – “FROM BACH TO BROADWAY” allows us to enjoy the versatile TIM DICKINSON whose voice extends from opera through to the hottest Broadway hits via the more intimate world of folk music.  Tim accompanies himself on the guitar with award winning pianist JAMES SHERLOX in this varied and engaging programme.  

Evening sponsored by Wingham Wyatt Financial Services

February 23^rd – BENEDICT ALLEN is a real life adventurer.  To equip himself for his explorations he learned from local tribesmen, spurning such necessities as maps and compasses!  In his illustrated talk “THE HAZARDOUS LIFE OF BENEDICT ALLEN” he will regale us with tales of constant jeopardy while travelling alone and his experiences are told with wit, humour and a dollop of charm!  

Evening sponsored by FRED OLSEN TRAVEL LTD, Colchester . (Tel: 01206 760664/769005). 

March 2nd – JOHN SUCHET is being replace with a good music night

Evening sponsored by BOYDENS, (Estate Agent), Frinton-on-Sea and Colchester . 

March 16^th  – ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING