Funniest play ever written ? - be a shame to miss it

Cornwall’s Miracle Theatre’s productions are one of the highlights of the summer! Their witty and inventive performances take place against the extraordinary backdrops of our unique landscape.

On Saturday July 14th Miracle make a welcome return to Dorchester’s Maumbury Rings with a wonderful new interpretation of Oscar Wilde’s classic comedy - The Importance of Being Earnest.

Set in the year 1912, with the Titanic sinking, mass production just beginning on the Morris Oxford and the Turkey Trot causing outrage across the dance floors of polite society, this tale of the strange contents of a handbag found at Victoria station has been subtly adapted to extract every drip of humour and contemporary relevance.

This ‘trivial comedy for serious people’ is a masterpiece of sharp wit and preposterous plotting. In this high energy production Miracle adds an extra dimension to ‘the funniest play ever written’.

Bring a picnic and enjoy great open-air theatre. Hot chocolate, teas and cakes from 6.30pm.

Dorchester Maumbury Rings 7.30pm £11/£9 members/£30 family/£6 under 18s and concessions

www.miracletheatre.co.uk

Fitzrovia Radio Hour - 'Rippingly good fun'

Recreating the unique spirit of 1940s radio plays and brilliantly evoking a dinner-jacketed age of casual imperialism and stiff upper lips, The Fitzrovia Radio Hour’s brand new show comes to Dorchester Arts Centre on Friday June 22 fresh from three critically-acclaimed London residencies, and two sell-out years at the Edinburgh Fringe.
 
Performed with cut-glass theatricality blending homage and satire, Fitzrovia mixes the attitudes of 1940s Britain with sharp contemporary humour to produce a heady comic cocktail. Throughout the plays, sound effects are created live: a Bakelite hairdryer imitates a heating torch, a desk fan becomes an aeroplane, and multiple types of cabbage help to stage a fight scene. Rippingly good fun!
 
“Absolutely spiffing show that recreates the innocent, clipped, Bulldog Drummond spirit of Forties live radio drama, with a skilled company stepping up to their retro mics to unfold ripping yarns. A Joy.”  **** Daily Telegraph
 
“Dramatic entertainment redolent of a bygone era. Jolly good show, chaps!” The Guardian
 
“Both evokes and satirises a long-gone era. Smart gags and smart clothes too.” Evening Standard – Critic’s Choice
 
Friday June 22nd 7.30pm (doors and bar 7pm)  £10/£9 members/£8 concessions
 
Tickets also available from Dorchester Arts Centre (01305 266926) and Dorchester Tourist Information Centre (01305 267992)
 
www.fitzroviaradio.com

Dinosaur leads Festival 2012's Jurassic procession

The Jaipur brass band and a huge processional dinosaur led Dorchester Festival 2012's extraordinary procession through the town to the Borough Gardens yesterday.
Dozens of children dressed as Jurassic sea creatures, seagulls and even ice creams, carried brightly coloured ammonite flags or played in an amazing drumming band of junk instruments.


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Cricket nets with a sporting legend

Owzat ! Sporting legend Henry Olonga ran an extended cricket workshop for students at Hardye’s school as part of his Dorchester Festival appearance.

The former Zimbabwean fast bowler, who once skittled out the heart of the Indian batting line up, ran a 90 minute net session, follow by an hour long indoor game.

“He gave detailed feedback and analysis of the bowling performance of a group of our players - they’ve absolutely loved the day,” said sport teacher Tom Adams.

Year 10 student James Caldwell, pictured with Olonga said: “It’s been an amazing experience for us - we’re really grateful to the Festival for making it possible.”

Olonga, who made a historic World Cup protest with fellow player Andy Flower by donning black armbands to mourn the death of democracy in Zimbabwe went on to give a talk at the Corn Exchange based on his book Blood, Sweat and Treason..