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Word Paintings - The Keith James Songbook
A unique voice within the fabric of music in the UK.
A long awaited Concert tour.
Mature, insightful and intriguing - sensitive and honest.
Spanning the past 50 years, Keith has performed thousands of enthusiastically received shows in Arts Centres and Theatres throughout the UK. Thoughtful, interpretive concerts devoted to the writing of visionary Songwriters and Poets who he has always admired.
The success of these concerts has been such, that it has somewhat eclipsed Keith’s own material (which has mostly been heard on his 12 Album releases) so the writing and release of this new and significant body of work Word Paintings has given Keith, and those alongside him the confidence to open a door and let this treasure chest of original songs be heard.
The songs from Word Paintings, a stand-alone, much championed, new collection, are at the heart of this concert, set amongst the characterful and fearless songs from Can You Imagine? (2020), the vital commentary of Paradise Lost (2019) and the poetic imagery of Message from the Gods (2017), even some songs that date way back through his music year career.
The best collection of Keith’s original material in one concert – which is by no means just music. There is a ‘chatting late into the night at a Taverna’ feel about the backstories and the embryonic seed of inspiration to each of the songs.
‘Anyone who remembers and longs for great songwriting, please listen to this’
How the light gets in
‘Devotion, integrity, experience. All spinning as one’ Guardian Weekly
‘I really enjoyed the Album! It has a haunting quality’ Ian Rankin
‘Brave enough to write the music he truly believes in’ Bob Harris OBE
‘This album more than earns its place in the gallery of old masters’ Mike Davies, Birmingham Radio
‘This album finds a creative and imaginative artist at the peak of his powers’ Trevor Dann. Nick Drake Biographer
‘Word Paintings is a musical triumph’ Radio Caroline
‘There is a delicious soulfulness going on here’ Colin Hall
Studio
£20
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Schubert Quintet in A (Trout)
Schubert’s great Quintet is one of the happiest and enchanting chamber works ever composed. This delightful summery programme also includes an early Beethoven trio, and Mozart’s final chamber work, originally intended to include glass harmonica.
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£18 | Under 18s Free
National Theatre Live: Nye
160 mins
Michael Sheen plays Nye Bevan in a surreal and spectacular journey through the life and legacy of the man who transformed Britain’s welfare state and created the NHS.
Confronted with death, Aneurin ‘Nye’ Bevan’s deepest memories lead him on a mind-bending journey back through his life - from childhood to mining underground, Parliament and fights with Churchill.
'A taut and fluid triumph' ★★★★★ iNews
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Cinema
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Salsa
Led by SalsaStyle
Specialising for twenty years in providing individual attention to help you develop dance techniques and grow in confidence. SalsaStyle will ensure everyone feels welcome no matter what level.
Spring
22 Mar - 26 Apr, exc 29 Mar (5 weeks)
Summer
Fri 3 May - 7 Jun, exc 17 May (5 weeks)
Fri 14 Jun - 19 Jul (6 weeks)
Fri 26 Jul - 16 Aug (4 weeks)
8.15pm - 9.15pm
£12 per session | £50 for 5 weeks | £60 for 6 weeks | £40 for 4 weeks
Don't forget to stay for the Salsa Social from 9.15pm - 10pm: stay after the class for a dance and drink!
Box Office closes at 8pm but online booking is still available.
Click here for more information about SalsaStyle.
Please note that the class on Friday 8 March will be led by Darren and Tara.
The Art Themen Quartet
Art Themen played tenor saxophone with a university jazz band while studying medicine at Cambridge.
After qualifying as a doctor, he moved to London and in the early 60s played in several blues and R&B bands. During this period he worked with Alexis Korner, Phil Seamen, Dick Heckstall-Smith, Rod Stewart, Joe Cocker and Long John Baldry. In the late 60s and early 70s his musical direction shifted towards jazz and he played with Barbara Thompson, Michael Garrick, Henry Lowther and Graham Collier.
In 1974 he began a long and particularly fruitful association with Stan Tracey, which continued into the 90s. He has also accompanied numerous visiting US jazzmen, including Al Haig, Red Rodney, George Coleman and Nat Adderley. A highly individual playing style marks Themen’s performances.
Art Themen (Tenor/Soprano sax)
Alex Hutton (Piano)
Simon Thorpe (Bass)
Dave Barry (Drums)
Studio
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Avalon Edinburgh Preview: Garrett Millerick and Sara Barron
Two comedians preview their material ahead of the Edinburgh Festival.
Garrett Millerick
A phenomenal stand-up comic, Garrett’s breakout television performance was on the hit US late night talk show Conan (TBS). His live show Sunflower became one of the best reviewed and most talked about shows of 2018, both at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival and subsequently at London’s Soho Theatre. The show saw packed houses for both runs and regularly added shows to cope with demand.
The show was Time Out London’s No.1 Comedy Pick for February 2019, and saw Garrett receive a nomination for Breakthrough Act at the 2019 Chortle Awards. Garrett has since followed up the show with Smile and Just Trying to Help. The Times called Smile one of the stand out shows of the year and The British Comedy Guide named it one of the best reviewed shows of the year. All three shows transferred to London before touring the UK and have been recorded by 800 Pound Gorilla Records to stream and purchase internationally.
His new show Just Trying to Help was nominated for best show at the Leicester Comedy Festival and also received critical acclaim at the 2022 Edinburgh Festival Fringe, being described as 'a performance of rare force and intensity that overpowers his audience…It’s a travesty that he’s not much better known outside the comedy cognoscenti' ★★★★ Chortle. The show later transferred to the Soho Theatre and is currently touring across the UK. Garrett is currently working on a new sitcom which previously recorded a pilot for Audible produced by Hat Trick Productions and starring Jack Dee and Meera Syal. He previously created and co hosted hit podcast Laughable with Jayde Adams and Red Richardson which was picked by the Guardian as one of the funniest podcasts to listen to during the pandemic.
Sara Barron
Sara Barron is one of the fastest-rising comedians of her generation. Since her 2018 debut at the Edinburgh Fringe, she’s starred on shows including Live at the Apollo (BBC), Would I Lie to You? (BBC) and Frankie Boyle’s New World Order (BBC).
A powerhouse live act, Sara has taken 3 critically acclaimed stand-up hours, For Worse (2018), Enemies Closer (2019), and Hard Feelings (2022) to the Edinburgh Festival Fringe and had multiple runs in London’s Soho Theatre. Her shows have received rave reviews from publications including The Times, The Guardian, The Independent, The Evening Standard and The Scotsman, and she was nominated for Best Newcomer at the Edinburgh Comedy Awards.
Sara’s further television credits include 8 Out of 10 Cats (C4), Hypothetical (Dave), Richard Osman’s House of Games (BBC), Alan Davies’ As Yet Untitled (DAVE), Roast Battle (Comedy Central) and Hello, America (Quibi). On radio, her credits include appearances on The News Quiz, The Now Show, and Woman’s Hour on Radio 4.
Sara also co-created and co-hosts the hit Succession recap podcast Firecrotch and Normcore which has previously featured guests including Jesse Armstrong, elf Esteem, Chris Addison and Lorraine Kelly, as well as The Traitors recap podcast, Laters, Traitors!
As a writer, Sara has published two essay collections, People are Unappealing and The Harm in Asking. Her writing has also featured in Vanity Fair and on This American Life.
Studio
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Come and Sing - The Musicals
Led by Tabitha Beaven
Come and sing at Norden Farm this summer. Experience for yourself how good it feels to open your mouth, smile and sing in harmony with others.
Each two-hour session has a different theme and will include a fun, inhibition eliminating warm up, an element of vocal technique and learning at least one, two- or three-part, song from the chosen genre.
Whether your regular choir is taking a break over the summer, or you’ve always wanted to experience singing in a group, ALL are welcome. A totally inclusive singing session, come with friends, or come by yourself and make new friends!
Choose your favourite theme, or even better, come to all three.
Come and Sing the Musicals! – Tuesday 30 July
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Come and Sing Country – Tuesday 6 August
Country music has become increasing popular capturing hearts and minds through relatable songs and stories. Grab your cowboy hats (optional!) and learn how to add that powerful country twang to your vocal. Leave with a song in your heart and smile on your face.
Come and Sing ABBA – Tuesday 13 August
Whether you’re a Dancing Queen or a Super Trouper, there’s a lot to love in ABBA’s infectious melodies, catchy choruses and disco beats. By the end of the session I’m sure we’ll be saying ‘Thank you for the Music’ ABBA!
About Tabitha
Tabitha loves to sing and is passionate about the power of singing for all. Tabitha founded Maidenhead’s Tuneless Choir in 2016 and also leads ‘Virtually Tuneless’, an online singing option for people who can’t get to an in-person choir but want to reap the benefits of singing.
A multi-instrumentalist Tabitha has been a member of local Funk & Soul band, Funkin’ Souled Out, she delivers corporate business skills workshops through the medium of the ukulele and enjoys writing and arranging vocal arrangements. Her style has been described as warm and vibrant with intoxicating enthusiasm.
£15 per session
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Featuring brand new poems about death, postcodes and his favourite German wheat bear Schöfferhofer, The maths-loving, TED-talking, German-speaking, battle-rapping, happy-crying, self-bio-writing unashamed human brings his signature playfulness and poignancy that has made him a fan favourite and reached millions of people all over the world.
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Courtyard Theatre
£15
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- 1 Aug SOLD OUT
Summer Recital Series - Diana Cooper (piano)
Summer Recital Series (3/4)
In association with the Kirckman Concerts.
Mozart Sonata in C, K.330
Chopin 4 Mazurkas, Op.30; Bolero, Op.19;
6 Preludes; Scherzo No.1; Ballade No.2
Ravel Oiseaux tristes; Alborado del gracioso (Miroirs)
The French-born pianist Diana Cooper studied in Paris and in London at the Royal College of Music. She is a laureate of many international competitions, and is particularly noted for her Chopin playing. Chopin is the focus for this recital with a sequence of famous works, framed by a Mozart sonata and some dazzling Ravel.
Courtyard Theatre
£18 | Under 18s Free
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