Our Heritage of Song : Or the People’s Voice
An illustrated talk by Robin Burton
Before radio, TV and the Internet, we used to make our own entertainment. Usually this meant singing. This talk charts the history of our shared songs and how it is that we know about them today … the ultimate form of popular music. It also features examples of songs from around the country and from Gloucestershire in particular. Robin is a trustee of Gloucestershire Traditions that collects and rescues traditional songs and music (part of our ‘intangible heritage’) and makes them accessible to the public. Our project partner is Gloucestershire Archives.
Doors open 7pm to view galleries. Finger buffet at 7.30pm followed by talk.
The Seasons in Landscape Painting
An illustrated talk by Martin Bowden
Following a thirty-five year career as Head of Economics and Art History at Dean Close School, Martin is now a talented painter whose work is inspired by the likes of
JMW Turner, Edward Seago, Aubrey Phillips and John Palmer. This talk will take us on a journey exploring a wide variety of artistic styles encompassing the work of, for
example, the Limbourg Brothers, Pieter Breughel, Jean Francois Millet among others. Often there is personification of the seasons so spring is a time of rebirth, summer
a time of heat and ripeness, autumn a time of harvest and winter a time for snow and the hearth. An inspiring talk for all.
Doors open 7pm to view galleries. Finger buffet at 7.30pm followed by talk.
Christmas celebration with mulled wine and festive snacks
With the Ukranian Choir ‘Kozachky’
The Ukrainian vocal ensemble ‘Kozachky’ was created in October 2022 from a group of women who were forced to leave their homes and relocate to Bristol because of the war. The group hails from different parts of Ukraine: Kyiv, Odesa, Lviv, Melitopol, Kharkiv, Zhytomyr, Vinnytsia. Come and hear some wonderful Ukranian songs being sung from the heart with some more familiar songs performed too. Do come and support these singers!
Doors open 7pm to view galleries. Finger buffet at 7.30pm followed by concert.
The Journal of a Naturalist
An illustrated talk by Sir George White
This delightful evening will bring to life the extraordinary legacy of John Knapp of Alveston who was a pioneering naturalist, ecologist artist and poet. A recent book by Sir George White, entitled Gilbert White’s Disciple, combines the first full biography of the pioneer Gloucestershire naturalist and artist John Leonard Knapp (1767-1845) with a reconstruction from Knapp’s original notes, of the previously unpublished 5th edition of his best-selling Journal of a Naturalist. This talk introduces John Knapp, revealing that his extraordinarily advanced views on ecology and conservation, are as relevant today as they were in his lifetime. DOORS OPEN 7pm.
Books will be available on the night.
Programme:
- 7pm: Access to the Wildlife Photographer of the Year exhibition and museum galleries
- 7.30pm: Finger buffet
- 8.10pm: Talk
- 9.15pm: Finish
Tickets £13. Book here
Asian Adventures
An illustrated talk by Paul Carpenter
Paul has travelled the world visiting tropical forests to photograph and film the insects, spiders and other fascinating fauna. This talk takes us to Asia and includes some of his travels through India, Sri Lanka, Malaysia, Cambodia, and Sulawesi. He spent time in Sulawesi searching for Lampropelma carpenteri, a tarantula named after him. His field trip to Cambodia investigated why people eat tarantulas and the impact it is having on those creatures. Paul has just returned from a 3 week field trip to Sri Lanka so he will be sharing some of those fresh experiences with us too. Do join us for fascinating evening of travel, nature and culture. DOORS OPEN 7pm.
Programme:
- 7pm: Access to the Wildlife Photographer of the Year exhibition
- 7.30pm: Finger buffet
- 8.10pm: Talk
- 9.15pm: Finish
Tickets £13. Book here
A special event to coincide with Sacred Earth: Water, Tree, Stone, on show March 31st – May 10th.
This evening is a great opportunity to view the new exhibition ‘Sacred Earth’ in the company of the artist Fiona McIntyre, and to hear from two of the contributors. DOORS OPEN 6.30pm.
Programme:
- 6.30pm: Meet the artist Fiona McIntyre and view the exhibition
- 7.30pm light snacks
- 8.10pm: Short talks by Fiona McIntyre, Nicola Moorby, Curator of Historic British Art, 1790 – 1850 at Tate Britain and Christiana Payne, Professor Emerita of History of Art at Oxford Brookes University
DONATION ON THE NIGHT. Please book your place in advance here
An illustrated talk by Simon and Carol Trapnell
Renowned for its ancient wonders, rich history, and vibrant culture, Egypt, the land of the Pharaohs, evokes awe and has long held a universal fascination for people. Their great monuments, tombs, temples, and artwork all celebrate life (and often nature) and stand as reminders of what once was and what human beings are capable of achieving. Join us on an inspiring journey that also interweaves some of the places that inspired prints included in the Ancient Yesterdays II exhibition. An evening for all!
Balancing commercial illustration vs personal painting. Come and hear Darrell Warner talk about the differing mindset of an artist practising in two very different fields. As an international award-winning illustrator in the film industry, the pressure to deliver within a time frame calls for some extraordinary commitments for both self and family whilst donning the creative painting hat presents other more profound questions of personal quest and fulfilment. Both approaches in turn feed an artistic want whilst informing one another. An evening for everyone!
Doors open 7pm to view Darrell’s exhibition. Finger buffet 7:30pm, followed by talk. Finish 9.15pm
£13 + booking fee – click here to book
If you are a student, call us on 01452 731422 and we’ll book you in at 50% off.
Kaspar: Prince of Cats
Based on the book by Michael Morpurgo
Step into the heart of the Savoy Hotel with Kaspar: Prince of Cats, a magical family adventure brought to life through enchanting puppetry, original music and vivid storytelling.
Follow Johnny Trott, a young bellboy, and Lizziebeth, a spirited American girl, as they form an unlikely bond with the extraordinary cat Kaspar. Their journey takes them across oceans, in a story of friendship, courage and survival that will captivate audiences of all ages.
👨👩👧👦 Age Guidance: 3+
🕒 Running Time: 1 hour (no interval)
🚪’Doors open’ 45 minutes before the performance begins for picnics
Find out more at alfrescoactors.com
Reviews from our previous shows by the same team:
★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ‘Great fun’ ~ The View From the Stalls
★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ‘Absolutely outstanding. I was captivated throughout’ ~ What’s Good To Do
★ ★ ★ ★ ‘A magical sixty minutes of skilfull puppetry and acting’ ~ North West End
Around the World in 80 Days
Pack your bags and hold onto your hats – the race is on! 🌍⏱️
Join a fearless troupe of actor-musicians as they hurtle across continents in this riotously entertaining, globe-trotting show inspired by Jules Verne’s much-loved classic.
With the clock ticking, Phileas Fogg and his quick-thinking companions attempt the impossible: travelling around the world in just 80 days.
Expect dazzling live music, outrageous characters and inventive storytelling as London, Bombay and beyond burst into life. Featuring trains, boats and plenty of theatrical mayhem, this joyful open-air adventure is packed with fun, flair and surprise at every turn.
Based on the novel by Jules Verne, Adapted by Chris Fung, Directed by Tara Noonan.
👨👩👧👦 Age Guidance: 10+ (perfect for families and explorers of all ages!)
🕒 Running Time: 2 hours (including a 20 minute interval)
🚪’Doors open’ 45 minutes before the performance begins for picnics