Classical Journey Tuesday 5 June 2012

An arresting performance
Katie Thomas is Anne Egerman
The audience enjoy a 'transverse' presentation
of Stephen Sondheim's 'A Little Night Music'
in the glorious setting of Reed Hall, University Campus
Find out for yourself
Tickets still available for Wednesday evening

Stone No More: Based on 'A Winter's Tale'
The final play in Programme B of  'Shakespeare: No Copyright'
Exeter Northcott Theatre, Thursday to Saturday this week

Following the success of Programme A of 'Shakespeare: No Copyright' at the Northcott Theatre last week, Programme B starts this Thursday. A set of three adaptations by Exeter University's Master of Fine Arts students, repeated each night - to watch all together - or separately.

Noelle Fair Ciccarelli and Laura Baggs
Two of the Directors of this week's
Shakespeare-based plays at Exeter Northcott
seen here in the Phonic FM Studio this Tuesday
(Photo: Cecil Hatfield)

Laura Baggs, who wrote and performed in 'Love's Fine Wit' (based on Shakespeare's Sonnets) for Programme A, is also Assistant Director (under Nora Williams) of 'Set Me Free' (Based on 'The Tempest') in Programme B. Laura will be in the Phonic FM studio at about 10.15 to give us some idea what to expect. (Music and dance, I understand.)

With Laura will be Noelle Fair Ciccarelli, who is directing 'Timon of Athens' (in a modern urban setting), the second play of Programme B. Between them they will also be able to give us some idea about what Director Evelyn O'Malley will be doing up at the Northcott in preparation for the the final production, 'Stone No More', which features Ben Johnson's Masque of Oberon and the characters from 'The Winter's Tale' performing music and dance to animate the statue of Hermione - that's going to be something!

Rosie Frecker  and
Charlotte Monk-Chipman
at Reed Hall on Monday

We will also find time for Exeter University Theatre Company's 'Footlights' committee to tell us about the sensational Stephen Sondheim Musical which is taking place in the sumptuous setting of Reed Hall this week - 'A Little Night Music' (1973). If they can get away from rehearsals, Director Rosie Frecker and Producer Charlotte Monk-Chipman, will be in the Phonic FM studio to explain what's involved.

This is a big musical event with a fifteen piece orchestra - including Oli Ritchie of the Scholars' Ensemble playing his harp. Not only that. The acting and singing of the cast is also augmented by the Liebeslieder Singers - it's all truly amazing.

The costumes, the setting, everything is very special - we'll let Rosie and Charlotte tell us the full story.

You can catch 'A Little Night Music' for the next three nights. There are still plenty of seats available for Wednesday's show. Thursday is fully booked, but their may be standby seats - email cam228@exeter.ac.uk for details.

Rosie and Charlotte
in the Phonic FM studio for Tuesday's Classical Journey
(Photo: Cecil Hatfield)

Someone else, who is also very keen to tell us about a University-related music event, is Katherine Miles.

Katherine Miles plays drums
with the Rotten Apple Orchestra
(Double Bass: Phil de Iongh, Sax: Katie Wakeman
Guitar: Will Hudson, Bandonéon: Oli Ritchie)

Katherine Miles plays snare-drum
 in Gustav's Holst's 'Mars - Bringer of War'
Exeter University Great Hall
(photo: Erinda Sula)

Katherine is a familiar figure on these pages as a percussionist. She played the ferocious snare drum in Gustav Holst's 'Mars, The Bringer of War' at Marion Wood's 'Sounds of the South West' concert earlier this year. (See Erinda Sula's photos from the rehearsal on Sunday 4 March.) She was also recently in the wonderful Rotten Apple Orchestra's production 'Rotten Apple Express' at the Roborough Studios - as a somewhat surreal stoker/drummer.

Katherine (and maybe some of the other musicians) would like to come along and tell us all about the Exeter University Symphony Orchestra concert which is taking place this week. There has already been a taster performance on Cathedral Green this Monday. On Friday there will be an informal performance in the marquee outside The Ram bar in Devonshire House from 5-7pm. (If you can find that, you'll have a grand time!) Then, on Saturday night, at the more usual 7.30pm, and as part of the EUSO's 'community outreach' effort, the full concert will be performed on stage at the Mint Methodist Church in Fore Street.

Listen out for full details of the concert  some time after 11am tomorrow.

Oboist Stephen Martin Mason conducts
Exeter University Chamber Orchestra
Bach's Fourth Brandenburg Concerto
 in the marquee at 'The Ram' Devonshire House'
at 5pm on Tuesday evening
(far left: Director of Music Paul McClure,
Recorder Soloist Sammie Buzzard
Orchestra Leader Jenny Rogers)

We'll also have to find time to mention the Exeter University Chamber Orchestra, who have their own concert lined up - At the Ram on Tuesday, 5-6pm, and in the Cathedral Chapter House on Saturday, 1pm. ExTunes are also having an 'End of Term Extravaganza' at the Old Firehouse on Sunday from 7-12pm, with a host of musicians providing the entertainment.

Sammie Buzzard
'Sensational'

Jenny Rogers
'stunning'

Two EUCO Presidents:
Milly Bowen
takes over from
Katharine Bardsley

We can hear the live recording of EUCO at 'The Ram' on next weeks 'Classical Journey'

Exeter Contemporary Sounds
Emma Welton, Julie Hill, Andrew Gillett, Jane Pirie

Exeter Contemporary Sounds will repeat their stunning programme of modern compositions, 'Back There on Earth', at Barnstaple on Thursday night. Essential listening for anyone who missed them at the Phoenix on Sunday. Meanwhile, in Taunton, the North Taunton Sinfonietta will be giving a special Jubilee perfromance of wonderful music from across Europe - with 'Young Musician of the Year' runner-up from Taunton, Weng Soon Tee, playing Haydn's Piano Concerto. (Did I mention that EUSO have their runner-up playing Damien Harron's 'Another Street Song' - on marimba - it's Molly Lopresti-Richards!)

James Bellamy conducts Viva Voce
Church of the Holy Cross, Crediton
Wednedsay's lunchtime concert
(Far right - Ann Draisey!)

Twelve fabulous singers from Falmouth

With the Viva Voces renaissance choir from Falmouth making a mini tour of Devon (Crediton and Exeter) on Wednesday and Thursday lunchtime, and the St Boniface Society bringing this year's star turn (the Coull Quartet) to Crediton on Thursday evening, not to mention the new leader of Devon Baroque, Jonathan Watts, who has prepared a feast of French romantic music with the Dartington Community Choir for Sunday evening (in the Great Hall!) - This is going to be a phenomenal week of music.

Start it right here on Phonic FM with the 'Classical Journey'.