On Thursday 23 September Take Art launches its new season of high quality rural entertainment across Somerset, taking place in community halls and villages across all five districts.
This autumn the programme combines some truly inspiration live theatre, soul shaking music from around the world, exceptional spoken word comedy, innovative dance and dynamic children’s entertainment. All hugely entertaining and in many cases critically acclaimed.
Sarah Peterkin the Director of Take Art Live said, “We know how important rural touring is to community life, as it gives people the opportunity to gather socially and experience the unexpected in a comfortable local setting. We now have 70 promoters promoting over 100 shows across Somerset to create a countywide network of accessible and affordable high quality entertainment.
‘We also know that in these times of economic belt tightening it is more important than ever that we prove to our funders that rural touring is both socially and economically invaluable to people in Somerset. That means we need the support of those communities to vote with their feet and help us spread the word to the people who make the decisions.”
Despite the economic restrictions and changes in funding Take Art has still managed to bring together an incredible autumn programme. The season opens on 23 September in Milborne Port Village Hall with the London smash-hit theatre show ‘Two Gentlemen of Verona’, a Shakespearean retelling through the skills of two inspired and multi-talented actors.
October begins with some great music from local talents Reg Meuross and Bethany Porter, followed by Tim Hill with his joyful village band ‘Tongues of Fire’. Throughout October there will also be four performances by world music artists ‘Samay’ and a further seven shows by the hugely popular and delightfully mischievous Wimbledon poet in residence and Radio 4 regular Matt Harvey.
Innovative dance company ‘C-Scape’ will be performing ‘When the Shops Shut’ in Wootton Courtenay and Rimpton Village on 15 and 16 October, while the ‘irresistibly charming’ ‘Tall Stories’ have two performances of their new children’s show ‘Twinkle Twonkle on the 1 and 2 October in Wiveliscombe Primary School and High Ham Village Hall. There is more family entertainment from the spectacular imaginary puppet world of ‘Pickled Image’, who are bringing Wolf Tales to four Somerset Venues in October and November. ‘State of Emergency’ will be entertaining the 3-5 year olds in Batcombe with their delightful new show The Jingle Dress aimed at opening the imaginations of early years audiences.
Glastonbury: The Untold Story will be screened on Saturday 16 October in Westonzoyland Community Centre and the enchanting Jane Flood will be showcasing her magical mix of story, music and song in Luccombe Village Hall on 29 October and Ashbrittle Village Hall on 4 December.
The autumn season also features some exciting cutting edge theatrical shows from ‘O-Region’ with Superstition Mountain, ‘Eastern Angles’ with Palm Wine and Stout, ‘Teatre Che Y Moche’ with Oua Umplute (Stuffed Egg) and Susanna Hamnett with her tragic and tender comedy based on King Lear.
In November and December there will be an array of musical offerings from folk and world music four piece ‘Branga Tanga’ and four pre-Christmas concerts from the lively and diverse talents of vocalist and guitar player James Hickman and virtuosic fiddler Dan Cassidy.
To find out about all the shows and venues in the autumn season of Take Art Live please pick up a new brochure or visit www.takeart.org.
All tickets can be bought from individual promoters, with many shows now available for booking online at www.WeGotTickets.com/takeart
If you would like images, information about the season or to request press tickets to any of the events in the brochure please contact Louise Bennett at Take Art.
ENDS
Note for Editors:
Press contact: Louise Bennett 01460 249450, louise@takeart.org
To request a CD of images please contact Louise Bennett. www.takeart.org
Take Art is a pioneering arts charity, serving the towns, villages and rural communities of Somerset. We do this by providing accessible opportunities for people of all ages to participate, experience and work within the arts.
Take Art works in the following areas:
take art: live High quality entertainment in village halls
take art: create Long term participatory arts projects
take art: theatre Creating new opportunities for Somerset writers, performers and theatre makers
take art: start Bringing the arts to the early years, young people, their families and carers.
take art: dance Providing high quality experiences and opportunities for those interested in dance.