APRIL 23rd ST GEORGE'S DAY SO HERE WE HAVE THE MUMMERS' PLAY

There's nothing like a good old fight on St George's Day in a very traditional manner. The ancient Mummers' play performed yesterday in Billericay was, as usual, a huge success.  Here we have the good St George with some of our famous Mayflower Morris Men in the High Street. We are all so fond of this fabulous Morris side which has been dancing and performing in Essex since their formation in 1973. I am particularly grateful for their support and inclusion in one of my earlier books FOLKLORE OF ESSEX. During yesterday's performance, as the audience numbers built up, there was a magical, feel-good atmosphere, with some lively music and dancing and a little bellowing from the noisy audience -  especially when the nasty green dragon made his appearance. 

 

CATER MUSEUM GARDEN IN BILLERICAY ESSEX

A DOORWAY INTO THE PAST

Just one of the beautiful shrubs coming into bloom this Easter weekend. It is Spirea (bridal wreath) in the Cater Museum garden at present. And our lovely Maureen was on duty that day.  Our Curator is Katie and she is soon bringing our garden up to date with numerous Victorian herbaceous plants and shrubs. Our visitors to the Museum love walking around this pretty garden - many are surprised at the variety of plants already in situ.

Do pay a visit to this little gem in Billericay High Street (No.74), view the fascinating artefacts on several floors and then pop outside to see the garden.  Check out opening times at www.catermuseum.co.uk. We are-open on Tuesday after the Easter holiday. 

Opening Times

Mon-Fri: 2pm-5pm
Saturday: 1pm-4pm
Sunday: Closed
Other times by appointment
Free to enter

FAVOURITE PASTIME - MAKING WINE - HOME FARMER MAGAZINE COVERING MAYTIME

STUART WALLACE'S ARTWORK ARRIVES IN BROOKLYN

Congratulations to the Denver-based fine art specialist artist Stuart Wallace whose latest dynamic collection of artwork arrived in Brooklyn Galleries in New York a few days ago and is now on display.

Wallace was born in England in 1968 and emigrated with his family to the US ten years later.  They lived in Kansas City for twenty years and from here, he graduated from Shawnee Mission High School, attending the Kansas City Art Institute and becoming a citizen of the United States.

After leaving the Kansas City Art Institute, Wallace began his first successful design company but with the necessity of providing for a family, shaped his life for many years.  However, during this time, he never stopped painting, sketching and creating works of art using water colour, acrylic and oil.  Often, he was able to weave those ideas into his daily corporate life as an executive creative director.

Stuart Wallace’s work is original, intricate and exceptional. Do visit his website  http://stuartwallace.wixsite.com/artwork
 http://dumbo.is/hosting/stuart-wallace-raw/
Dumbo, an acronym for Down Under the Manhattan Bridge Overpass, is a neighborhood in the New York City borough of Brooklyn.

 

PRIDE AND PREJUDICE - JANE AUSTEN COMES TO BILLERICAY ON A SUNDAY AFTERNOON SIT BACK AND ENJOY THE SHOW!

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It is a truth universally acknowledged that Jane Austen’s witty and romantic masterpiece is one of the best-loved stories of all time. The novel was familiar, but as it was a such a long long since I'd read it, I wasn't sure what to expect when taking my seat for a performance of Pride and Prejudice at Billericay last night.  I need not have worried, I soon realised that this upcoming version was unlike any I had ever seen enacted, although the storyline was so familiar.

In this 200th year since Jane Austen's passing, there have been many performances of her work around Britain, and those who know some history of our Society of Women Writers and Journalists, will also know of our strong continuing connection with Jane's home, Chawton in Hampshire - population 300.

So, what a wonderful chance to  celebrate the memory of one of the world’s most famous writers by watching the critically-acclaimed Pantaloons Theatre Company as they exercised their Austen powers in their comic adaptation of this well known literary masterpiece Pride and Prejudice?

The Pantaloons are known for their anarchic retellings of classic works of literature having previously put a hilarious spin on Bleak House, Sherlock Holmes, The Canterbury Tales, Grimm Fairy Tales, A Christmas Carol and many of Shakespeare’s plays.

“We are known for being somewhat silly,” says writer and director Mark Hayward. “But with our Pride and Prejudice we stay respectful to the things that people love about the book in the first place. This production gives Austen fans what they are looking for in staging – the romance, the scandals – whilst at the same time providing a great introduction to those who are new to the story and also interweaving the elements that make a show intrinsically Pantaloony.”

So what are the elements that make a Pantaloons show unique? “Live music, audience interaction, physical performances, and a large dollop of humour,” says Hayward. “Austen’s original text is full of funny moments; we capitalise on those and add a few of our own.”

This fascinating group of actors began life over ten years ago as an open-air theatre company, busking plays for donations in parks and on the streets, where they developed an attention-grabbing, interactive and playful performance style.

Currently, the Pantaloons are touring the south east and if you can catch up with them, you will not be disappointed - we enjoyed a super evening.   Check their itinerary on www.thepantaloons.co.uk