Summer 2009 Newsletter
Upcoming Events
Summer
We are now entering our extremely busy time of year. From the beginning of June to early August it is non-stop action here: preparing an event, holding it, striking it and at the same time setting up for the next one, goes on without a break for two months and then after a fortnight’s interlude for another two months. There’s precious little time for smelling the flowers.
Great Annual Re-Creation of Tudor Life
In the Year 1535
This year to mark the 50th anniversary of the accession of King Henry VIII we have returned to one of the most momentous years in the Tudor era. Henry’s break with Rome was then in its infancy and was being challenged on several fronts, represented most notably by Thomas More and Bishop Fisher (the Pope kindly, no doubt, sealed the latter’s fate by making him a cardinal - who needs friends in a time of stress). Both were to be executed in early July of that year.
The King’s need for funds had moved from inventive taxation (something called the ‘amicable grant’ of 1525 which fooled no-one and led to rebellion locally here in Suffolk) to grabbing the wealth of the monasteries. Wolsey had shown in a small way in 1529 that this could be done without public outcry and the King’s Chief Minister Thomas Cromwell in 1535 sent ‘visitors’ to every monastery in the land ostensibly to report upon alleged excesses but in reality to assess each monastery’s possessions.
The King had put aside his (very popular) wife Katherine, in favour of (the far from popular) Ann Boleyn and the latter was pregnant with a baby due in September, which many predicted would be the longed for boy heir but if not.....disaster loomed. History tells us that the King’s changes all held and out of it grew England and the British Empire but in 1535 it was no sure thing and the long term consequences were not foreseeable.
At Kentwell we shall, as usual, show everyday life of the time in a Tudor community (the like of which existed all over the country until about the 1960s but which has now all but disappeared) and how people of different degrees reacted to these momentous changes.
Open to the public Saturdays & Sundays June 21 to July 12 plus Friday 10th. Tickets available now at a discount, either online or by telephone. Tickets are full price on the Gate on the day.
See Great Annual Tudor Re-Creation to buy discounted tickets and for more details.
Open Air Entertainments
We are approaching our 30th anniversary of Open Air Entertainments. In the early days we were almost alone in these parts in doing it. In more recent years many have joined, some have not lasted long and others have backed off for this recession threatened year. We have decided upon a rich and varied programme again this year, where many venues have cut back in face of the gloomy economic situation. Opera Box who have performed here for several years have had to cancel their tour for want of venues so no Grand Opera this year. However, we decided that in times of difficulty people might welcome the chance to enjoy themselves at an Open Air Picnic Concert so we have gone full steam ahead.Under Milk Wood
Under Milk Wood
We start on Sunday 19 July with Under Milk Wood, Dylan Thomas’s wonderfully lyrical play. One of the best bits of story telling ever as the day in the life of an imaginary village is vividly brought to life. Originally written for and performed on Radio by just two voices, playing as it were all 69 characters, here as magically re-created by one man, Guy Masterson playing them all. Guy Masterson’s interpretation has received acclaim wherever it has been played in the world and is recognized as almost the definitive performance of the work. If you don’t know it, don’t miss it. It will be a â magical evening enhanced by the Kentwell setting. If you do know it, this is one performance of it which you really must to see. I may be a romantic but this is a play that really enthrals and I’m delighted to welcome its return. (Few of you will remember an earlier performance here over 20 years ago).
Sunday 19 July at 7.45pm, played on the Cedar Lawn with seats and groundlings - a picnic supper evening, bring your own picnic or book a Kentwell Buffet Supper. Again discounts for early booking and, yes, it is something to which you can bring your children.
See Under Milk Wood for more info and to book tickets.
Kentwell Shakespeare Festival
We put on a Shakespeare play every year for some 25 years but have taken a break for a year or two. We now return with a vengeance (and two plays). Also we welcome the British Shakespeare Company, possibly the best Open Air Shakespeare Company in the land, ranking alongside the very best theatre based companies. What really distinguishes
this company is the size of cast they bring to each play. Whereas many a company (including those we have hosted previously) have only 6 to 8 players, the British Shakespeare Company will have a cast of 16 front line players some familiar to audiences from TV. This promises to be Shakespeare of the highest standard in two of his most popular Comedies.
This is a delightful romp with deceptions involving two couples played to while away the idle day which leads to all sorts of complications. Its all good fun
Friday 24 July at 7.45pm, played on the Cedar Lawn with seats and groundlings - a picnic concert bring your own picnic or book a Kentwell Buffet Supper. Again discounts for early booking.
Probably the Shakespeare play everyone knows best with three equally entrancing elements: the magic, the mechanicals (with Bottom and the play within a play) and the star-crossed lovers. I used to like the mechanicals best but these days I enjoy most the star-crossed lovers’ spats - a lesson in invective to deploy against your nearest and dearest !
Three performances to savour (the tour is selling out rapidly at other venues so we expect to as well) played on the Cedar Lawn with seats and groundlings - Saturday 25 July, Matinee at 3.00pm (bring the children) and Evening at 7.45pm; and Sunday 26 July at 7.45pm.
For the evening performances, a picnic supper evening for you to bring your own picnic supper or book a Kentwell Buffet Supper. For the afternoon Matinee it is possible to have tea in the interval or after the show. Again discounts for early booking.
See Kentwell Shakespeare Festival for more info and to book tickets.
Glenn Miller 1940s Night
To celebrate the 10th anniversary of our very popular annual Glenn Miller show we have an excellent Double Bill: the Glenn Miller Tribute Orchestra and those most lively of performers the Jive Aces whom so many in our audience have pressed us to book. As usual, we shall have Jive Dancers to demonstrate and instruct. This means that we start much earlier than usual and will go on later - so be prepared.
Friday 31 July, Stage on the Courtyard, audience on the Front Lawns Gates Open at 6.00pm, Jive demo and instruction starts at 6.15pm. Concert starts at 7.00pm. There will be a beer and refreshment tent but you can bring your own picnic or book a Kentwell Supper in a basket. Again discounts for early booking.
See Glenn Miller 1940's Night for more info and to book tickets
Gilbert & Sullivan
This year the South Anglia Savoy Players bring us Iolanthe and what could be more topical than this satire on Government (and the Law). Also in the Nightmare Song it has one of the best patter songs of them all and Sullivan’s music is amongst his most delightful.
Saturday 1 August at 7.30pm - a picnic supper performance bring your own picnic or book a Kentwell Buffet Supper. Again discounts for early booking.
See Iolanthe for more info and to book tickets.
Last Night of The Proms
Another evening in nostalgia and harmless light-hearted patriotism which sour-faced critics sometimes deplore. All the usual Last Night pieces in a varied programme but as usual determined by pieces I like. We’ll publish the full programme on the website as soon as it is finalised. Come and join in the fun..
Saturday 8 August at 7.30pm, Stage in front of the House, audience on the Front Lawns. There will be a beer and refreshment tent but you can bring your own picnic or book a Kentwell Supper in a basket. Again discounts for early booking.
See Last Night of The Proms for more info and to book tickets.
Later Events
Don't think that completes our activities for the year. We have several more smaller Re-Creations. We have a boutique music festival, Festinho, in early September. We have what is becoming a very succesful Halloween event, Scaresville '09 in late October (not forgetting our Ghost Tours in early October). Finally we are creating a new Christmas Spectacular event for December.
More of all of this later. Meanwhile we hope to see you at Kentwell soon.
