Auditions for performance of History Boys

Alan Bennett’s brilliantly funny play The History Boys is being staged at the Gorleston Pavilion Theatre  from the 4th – 6th March 2010.

Des Barrit, who took part in the National Tour and is playing the role of Hector,  will be taking a master class.

Sheilagh Pascall is directing this performance and is looking for a bunch of bright, funny and enthusiastic individuals to take on the roles of the History Boys.

Auditions are to be held on Saturday 16th January at 7.00pm. Anyone interested  can contact the theatre on 01493 662832 or turn up on the evening.  To go to the Gorleston Pavilion Theatre website click here.

Gorleston St. Andrew’s Competitive Festival

Now enjoying its 40th year, the Gorleston St. Andrew’s Competitive Festival has become renowned for its friendly atmosphere.  It is run by volunteers and is a registered charity, affiliated to the British and International Federation of Festivals for Music, Dance and Speech.

The festival, which takes place at St. Andrew’s Church Chapter House on Church Road in Gorleston, provides a platform for performance of the Arts for amateurs of all ages and abilities.  Classes include instrumentalists, singers, choirs, orchestras and ensembles, speech, drama and compostition.

The dates for this year’s festival are 8th-20th March 2010 and the closing date for entries is January 31st.  Syllabus and entry forms are provided on the website or by phone to 01493 601740, also available at libraries and Allen’s Music Shop.

This year the festival is also celebrating  the 10th anniversary of the Gorleston Millenium Manuscript Poetry Reading Classes with a reading of selected poems from the manuscript.  There will also be  a Folk Workshop and Ceilidh on 12th March 2010, guided by Laura Cannell.

To vew the Gorleston St. Andrew’s Competitive Festival website Click here

Botanical Drawing Workshop

In anticipation of Spring as the days slowly start to lengthen, The Ravenous Cafe at The Raveningham Centre is running an introduction to botanical drawing day, tutored by Ruth Wharrier BA PGCE, on Monday 25th January 2010, 10am – 4pm.

The day will cover an introduction to botany, recognising shape and form and creating light and shade. Ruth Wharrier has painted botanical and natural history subjects since childhood. She works in watercolour, gouache and pen and ink. Ruth is currently completing her studies in botanical illustration at the Chelsea Physic Garden in London.

Beginners are welcome and the workshop costs £40 in advance, lunch and refreshments included. Please bring drawing pencils and cartridge paper.

Ravenous Cafe, The Raveningham Centre, Beccles Road , Raveningham, South Norfolk, NR14 6NR, www.ravenouscafe.co.uk

For more info please call Ruth on 07722015847

New Upstairs Gallery at the Courtyard

Michelle Payne and the Upstairs Gallery in Beccles, are to expand their business to Norfolk, working with Joe Larter – business entrepreneur of Pleasurewood Hills, Marine life centres at Hunstanton and Yarmouth, Ripleys believe it or not, and now founder of The Courtyard, a £400,000 victorian artisans centre, opening Easter 2010. The Courtyard is to be found next to Blackfriars Brewery on Main Cross Road.

Michelle Payne, owner of the award-winning The Upstairs Gallery at Beccles, has announced she is taking over a large first floor space at The Courtyard to become The Upstairs Gallery Norfolk at The Courtyard.

The Upstairs Gallery has won the Sunshine Coast Tourist Award for Best Small Attraction, for the second year and the Eastern Daily Press ‘Extra Mile’ Award for businesses and shops. Michelle also won Business Brain of Britain, sponsored by Heart Radio and Aviva.

This new venture will bring the work of an eclectic mix of notable East Anglian artists to the artisans’ complex.

Michelle said: “I am very excited to be joining Joe Larter and Bruce Carter in their development and extending our gallery into Norfolk has been on the cards for sometime.”

“The permanent scheme they are developing and the way Great Yarmouth is now planned to develop for the future is a perfect match for our own business.”

“The new venture is close to the new Outer Harbour and next to the proposed site for a £40m super Casino and super Hotel. This will be a major economic boost for the town and will also fit in well with the town’s current regeneration scheme along Marine Parade and the town centre.”

Click  here to find out more about the Upstairs Gallery and here for the Courtyard website.