Time and tides wait for no one

                                                       Times and Tides

Across Morecambe Bay, communities are linked not by solid road but by shifting sand.  Here is Michael Nunn’s contemplative review of a play which reflects that strange heritage.

                           REVIEW – QUICKSAND

                                 by Zosia Want

         The Round at The Dukes, Moor Lane, Lancaster

         Theatre  by the Lake, Keswick

Quicksand by Zosia Wand, who lives in Ulverston, is an evocative and eloquent portrait of the thoughts and actions of four people who have strong links with Poland.  It is placed in the dramatic setting of the shifting and dangerous sands and tides of Morecambe Bay.

It also vividly and intimately describes life in the Polish community in Ulverston, with all its ups and downs.  In particular, the antecedents and interactions of the four characters are closely explored and followed through Wand’s cleverly constructed narrative.

There’s some great dialogue, and the very different four characters – the older Ula (Eithne Browne) and Renata (Cristina Catalina), and the two youngsters Leo (Curtis Cole) and Elka (Sarah Parks) – gave strong and moving performances. 

The two other main, non-speaking presences are the Bay itself, and the stunning Hoad Monument which towers above Ulverston, and underpin the shifts and changes of the drama.

The Dukes’ Director Joe Sumsion, along with the Theatre by the Lakes Dramaturg Stefan Escreet, brought together some sensitive staging, lighting, music and choreography.  We were very moved and, somehow, exhilarated by this show when we saw it on the final day of its Lancaster run.

As I have learned some Polish, I can confirm that all the characters’ accents were spot on – despite some criticism from my co-reviewers (an appalling number of whom unforgivably give away too much plot – even in the national press).

As impressive as the production itself is the fact that the Lancaster run was the play’s world première.  Further, Quicksand will run for another week and a half at Keswick’s Theatre by the Lake from Wednesday 16 till Saturday 26 at 7.30pm with some Matinees.  Innovative collaborations such as these enhance the cultural life not just of Lancaster and district, but also large parts of Cumbria, to say nothing of the wider Polish community in the North West.

 If you missed it in Lancaster, treat yourself to a visit to Keswick.  You won’t be disappointed.

017687 74411 www.theatrebythelake.com

01524 598500 www.thedukes-lancaster.org

Copyright © 13 February 2011 Michael Nunn

Hard Times at The Robert Gillow delivered utterly enjoyable times last Thursday, Belfast brothers Johnston progressing from more than competent warm up to full flung, heartbreakingly evocative Celtic melody.    Banjo and mandolin from Gordon played achingly soulful on the heartstrings; Laurie’s flute and whistle, plaintively sublime and rioutously irreverent by turns, held the audience spellbound.  Ably backed by Geoff Wilkie (guitar, vocals) the trio are not to be missed.

On Saturday The Initiative battled to a man with a relentless row of backs, unfortunately rugby-player-sized backs or at the least a young farmers’ outing, bellowing their best, but not able to drown out sublime sax from Matt Robinson, intelligent trumpet interplay from Melvyn Dodd, solid bass from Dave Shooter and feisty fun from Andy Smith on drums.  Robin Mason, far too long absent from The Stonewell, let rip with king-size primal riffs (take that as you may) beating noisy opposition at the bar by a mile.  Long may they initiate.

I’m off to survey the minimal tides of southern Portugal next week, so no reviews till end Feb: but I shall think of you all as I scoff seafood on the aquamarine Algarve.

Cheering up the soggy gloom will be the following:

Spotlight erupt onto the scene again on Friday February 18^th at The Storey, 8pm, £4/2, Prize Open Mic Slam!

3 minute spots only, must book, Prizes: £50 - £25 - £10

Compered by the unpredictable Mr John Freeman

email: spotlightclub@btinternet.com

Cabaret Night at The Water Witch, Tuesday 1^st March, now thoroughly in its stride, is followed by its new offshoot at the John O’ Gaunt on the 8^th.  The Thursday girls are planning a come-back, a bit like Skerton’s answer to the Ride of The Valkyries, so watch this space.

Talking of feisty women…..I wondered where they’d gone! Welcome back SixPoets!  A year out of the limelight owing to illness, pregnancy and emigration – but now back in force with two new dates for your diary and two new poets involved: Mike Barlow and Ron Scowcroft. 

Our new names and dates -April Poets Thursday 14th April November Poets Thursday 10th November at The Storey Auditorium, 7.30.  More news later - but April's line-up is looking very good and there will still be an open mic.

Now from the sublime to the irreverent, The Lancaster Comedy Club at The Borough. Specialising in comedy for the connoisseur and avoiding predictably old hat humour like the plague, The Borough's night has certainly carved a niche for itself in Lancaster's competitive entertainment scene. The Valentine's Eve show saw stunning performances from all the acts to a sold-out room and the next show, Sun 27th Feb, has a certain air of mystery to it!

Mystery surrounds the identity of the closing act this month!  The staff at The Borough are staying tight lipped about the identity of the special guest and murmuring dark phrases such as 'contractual obligation' and 'If we did tell you, then we'd have to kill you.. .'  We can reveal only that he's appearing at The Borough for the first time and is fast climbing the rickety ladder to comedy success.

Opening is Northern Ireland's Martin Mor (formerly Martin Big Pig) who's high octane performances have delighted everyone from Radio 4's Woman's Hour to the inmates of an Italian prison!   Ex-circus performer Martin writes gags for some of the biggest names in UK comedy and regularly supports none other than fellow Celt Frankie Boyle.

Also with Chris Roche and incomparable compere Chris Brooker

8pm prompt, £8 on the door,

Show £6, Meal and show £10.75, pay in advance 01524 64170

The Borough, Dalton Square, Lancaster