Page 29 - link magazine

Swindon Wide 29
Culture and Swindon Summer drama in the park

Do they go together? asks newcomer Clare Parnell The lawn in front of Lydiard House is the venue for two exciting open-
air theatre performances by acclaimed touring company, Heartbreak
The jokes have been written, told and performed. Swindon is said to be
a cultural desert. Productions and you could win tickets to the show.
Well, on a Friday evening in May ture website gives links to perform- ‘Cry Blue Murder’ on Friday 20
during this year’s Swindon Festi- ances, festivals, exhibitions, litera- July is a new piece written spe-
val of Literature two events sched- ture, learning and development, cially for Heartbreak. Set in the
uled simultaneously were sold out; and various arts organisations. 1920s, the play is a midsummer
philosophy at the Museum and Art Clearly, there is much to do in murder mystery spoof which prom-
Gallery and poetry at the Town Swindon, and much to see. ises raucous humour combined
Hall. But it helps, perhaps, to be look- with twists, turns and red herrings.
Not only is there the culture of ing from the eyes of a newcomer. The audience are invited to ar-
thought and creativity, but also Wise man Shunryu Suzuki said: ‘In rive in their 1920s glad rags and
Swindon has a unique, deep-rooted the beginner’s mind there are many enjoy a hilarious evening of super-
culture through its railway herit- possibilities. In the expert’s mind sleuthing with this romp Agatha
age. there are few.’ Christie-esque story.
The town’s motto is Salubritas et Here is what a newcomer can The play contains strong lan-
Industria, health and industry. find in Swindon: guage and is not considered suit-
Brunel’s choice of a valley below a • museums and cultural institu- able for under 12s. Lion and have to kill the Wicked
tiny hilltop settlement in 1840 to tions, which include the Museum But the whole family will enjoy Witch of the West as part of their
house the Great Western Railway of Computing, Railway museum, the second open air theatre show quest to get the Wizard of Oz to
engineering works belied his wider Richard Jeffries Museum, STEAM on Saturday 11 August, a brand grant their wishes.
interests. He once wrote: ‘Of all the Museum, The Arts Centre, Wyvern new adaptation of the classic story Heartbreak Productions are re-
wonderful feats I have performed, Theatre, and the Museum and Art ‘The Wizard of Oz.’ nowned for their passionate act-
just yesterday I performed the most Gallery, which houses one of the This won’t be Hollywood at ing, gripping storytelling, innova-
wonderful. I produced unanimity most important national and inter- Lydiard. The new production is set tive staging, atmospheric music
among 15 men who were all quar- national collections of modern Brit- in World War II, with Dorothy an and comic interaction. The two
relling about that most ticklish sub- ish art; evacuee living on a rural farm with performances promise to be great
ject – taste.’ • reading groups are in double her Aunt Em and Uncle Henry. evenings of both adult and family
Enjoy the fantastic story of how entertainment.
Dorothy and her dog Toto meet the Tickets are available from
Scarecrow, Tin Man and Cowardly Lydiard House and Swindon Infor-
mation Centre, Regent Street on
Win an evening 466454.
Bring a picnic and seats or rugs.
in the park
Lydiard Park has provided The Link
with two pairs of tickets for ‘Cry Line Dance
Blue Murder’ and a family ticket for with
four to see ‘The Wizard of Oz’. Midnight Cowboys
Who starred in the famous 1939
Tuesday: Even Swindon, 7.00
movie The Wizard of Oz: Judy Gar- Community Centre Jennings
land, Marilyn Monroe or Shirley Tem-
Street (off Rodbourne Road)
ple?
Wednesday: Highworth, 7.00
Debating culture at the Swindon Festival of Literature, from left, festival Send your answer with your name,
director Matt Holland, Libby Grundy, joint executive director of culture, address and telephone number to Thursday: Coleview 7.00
South West Arts, international culture guru Charles Landry, Jan Tierney The Link, 71 Basepoint, Swindon Community Centre, Nythe Road
of the New Swindon Company, former railway apprentice, now artist SN5 7EX or mail: Step by step instruction for
Gordon Dickinson of No Added Sugar [email protected] absolute beginners. Weekend
Make sure you mark your entry Cry socials in Highworth and Swindon
A work of art to one person could figures, and there are several thriv- or Wizard to indicate your choice For more details
be an abomination to another. In ing writing groups. Construction of of performance. The closing date Ring Lewis Watson on 764732
industry, as in art, taste plays its the new Central Library is well un- is Friday 13 July. Ten years of teaching!
vital role. There are many opinions der way;
as to how art and culture should be • an active Philosophical Society,
shaped here in Swindon in the established in 1963;
future, demonstrated in public de- • an award winning film society
bates on art and culture in the last that shows films from around the
six months. world and a yearly film festival;
At a recent discussion artists • Lower Shaw Farm, home of the
voiced that an exhibition space is Swindon Festival of Literature and For colours, cuts or the latest re-style
something that would greatly ben- many other events.
efit the town. Town centre regen- All this, and we have not even Specialists in creating the perfect
eration officials are working on pro- mentioned the great music scene, wedding or prom put up
viding this. or the abundance of dance.
If you Google ‘culture’ and ‘Swin- At one of the panel discussions, Free gift while stocks last
don’ the first hit you get is the a long-time resident enthusiasti- Call now to book an appointment
council’s website, followed by cally claimed that there was actu- with Jenna, Trina or Haley
1,749,999 others, including ally more to do in Swindon than he
SwindonLink, Swindon Cultural had time for. Why not take a look in our newly refurbished salon
Partnership, and the Swindon Fes- with a newcomer’s eyes and you’ll Tel: 490947
tival of Literature. be surprised to see what Swindon 13 Rodbourne Road, Swindon
Swindon Council’s Arts & Cul- has to offer.

21 July 07 29 15/6/07, 10:41 am