Helen Stiles rounds up her pick of events happening around the county this month
EDITOR’S CHOICE
The Poole Passion - 15 – 19 March
This very special biennial community play, inspired by the Passion of the Christ, tells the story of Christ’s final days as viewed through the eyes of a contemporary child with the rest of the cast in traditional biblical costume. This year’s performance will feature on BBC One’s Songs of Praise on Easter Sunday. The performance, which starts at Parkstone United Reformed and concludes at St Peter’s Ashley Cross, features a participatory procession, holographic light works, wonderful music and a Son et Lumiere show. A cultural event not to be missed!
For more details visit poolepassion.com
EXHIBITIONS
Highcliffe Castle - Until 28 March
Landscape paintings by Paul Dolman in the Library Gallery and original prints by the Poole Printmakers in the Ante Library Gallery.
Tom Hammick Out of Opera - 27 February–26 March
Prints, monotypes and paintings inspired by Hammick’s residency at English National Opera feature at The Art Stable, Child Okeford.
Across Boundaries - 4-16 March
Julie Oldfield explores the concepts of boundaries influenced by her travels, including those to India, feature at this exhibition at The Courtyard Gallery, Town Mill, Lyme Regis.
Wildlife & Sporting Art - 5–23 March
The Jerram Gallery in Sherborne hosts this celebration of sporting art - be it Carry Akroyd’s wily fox sniffing the air by a church at sunset, a salmon on the fly by David Miller or a day out shooting by Bridget Lansley. Dorset-based artists featuring in this exhibition include James Meiklejohn, Simon Gudgeon and Mark Coreth.
Rena Gardiner: Artist & Printmaker - 8–22 March
The works of Tarrant Monkton artist and printmaker, Rena Gardiner (1929 – 1999) is at last being discovered and celebrated by a wider audience. We featured a wonderful book on her life and work in Dorset Magazine last year. This exhibition at the Fine Foundation Gallery, Durlston Park includes paintings, pastels and prints from some of her many books.
PERFORMANCE
Crazy Glue - 2 March
Inspired by the physical comedy of Buster Keaton, Single Shoe Productions reflect a rollercoaster marriage through silent film nostalgia and an evocative 1930’s soundtrack.
Lighthouse, Poole 0844 406 8666
Imbalance - 10 – 12 & 24 March
Fusing acrobatics, dance and circus, this thought-provoking performance by Joli Vyann explores our obsessive dependence on technology.
10 Mar: The Exchange, Sturminster Newton 01258 475137; 11 Mar: Wootton Fitzpaine Village Hall (VH) 01297 560948; 12 Mar: Martinstown VH 01305 889202; 24 Mar: Pavilion Dance South West, Bournemouth 01202 203630
Breaking the Code - 11 -13, 16 & 18 March
Local group, ImpAct Theatre, perform the award-winning West End play about Alan Turing’s code breaking days at Bletchley Park.
11 – 12 Mar: Regent Centre, Christchurch 01202 499199; 13 Mar: Tivoli Theatre, Wimborne 01202 885566; 16 Mar: The Hub, Verwood 01202 828740 18 Mar: The Exchange, Sturminster Newton 01258 475137
Farnham Maltings: The Iranian Feast - 16 & 19 March
Expect an evening of Persian food, song and Iranian dancing in this contemporary piece of British theatre set in modern day Tehran.
Wed 16 Mar: Winfrith VH 01305 852117; 19 Mar: Broadmayne VH 01305 854205
A Hardy Welcome - 19 March
Max Gate comes to life as Thomas Hardy entertains in the dining room, while the domestic staff gossip in the kitchen. The Hardy Players rehearse in the bedroom, and Emma reflects in her attic boudoir. A must for Hardy fans!
Early booking advised 01305 267992
Elvis McGonagall - 19 March
Dorset via Dundee stand-up poet, armchair revolutionary and recumbent rocker, brings his unique slam poetry and wit to the studio at Lighthouse Poole.
Box office 0844 406 8666
It’s All About You - 29 – 30 March
Pasha Kovalev of Strictly Coming Dancing brings his fantastic dancers to trip the light fantastic at the Regent, Christchurch 01202 499199.
MUSIC
Kruger Quartet - 5 March
Works by Mozart and Haydn played on 18th Century instruments feature at this Concerts in the West event at the Marine Theatre, Lyme Regis (2pm).
Box office 01297 442138
The Song of Angels - 6 March
Opus Anglicanum perform a Gregorian Chant Concert of works by Palestrina, Byrd, and Gibbons at Holy Trinity Church. Also opportunity to join an afternoon workshop, at Dorchester Town Hall, where you can sing with this talented ensemble.
Box office 01305 266926
Dorset County Orchestra - 12 March
Borodin, Bach and Tchaikovsky feature at this Dorset County Orchestra concert at St Nicholas Church, Corfe Mullen 7.30pm.
That’s Entertainment - 13 March
From the Jam, Bruce Foxton and Russell Hastings, are joined by pianist Tom Heel to perform songs from The Jam’s extensive back catalogue.
Dorchester Arts Centre 01305 266926
Heather Small - 13 - 14 March
Enjoy One Night in Heaven at the Regent Christchurch with the voice of M People.
Box office 01202 499199
Black Voices - 17 & 18 March
A cappella group perform music ranging from spirituals and gospel to jazz and blues.
17 Mar: The Exchange Sturminster Newton. 01258 475137; 18 Mar Corfe Castle VH 01929 480483
Sinatra, Sequins & Swing - 18 March
Vocalists Kevin Fitzsimmons and Kitty LaRoar join the Big Band Jazz Orchestra to perform classics from the golden era at Capitol Records at the Tivoli Theatre, Wimborne 01202 885566.
Don Giovanni - 18 March
English Touring Opera perform Mozart’s opera about a man who could be hero or villain.
Lighthouse, Poole 0844 406 8666
The Wurzels - 19 March
Listen to the legendary West Country band at the Tithe Barn, Symondsbury 01308 424116.
A Concert for Easter - 19 March
Weymouth Choral Society sing Handel’s Messiah and Schubert’s Mass in G Major at St Mary’s Church, Weymouth, 7.30pm.
Canzonetta Concert - 20 March
The ladies choir sing music by Bach, Byrd, Faure, Tavener for Holy Week under the medieval roof of St John the Baptist, Bere Regis. Starts 3pm.
Bach: St Johh Passion - 25 March
Bournemouth Symphony Chorus and Youth Chorus with Southern Sinfonia Baroque perform Bach’s iconic masterpiece on Good Friday.
Lighthouse, Poole 0844 406 8666
BEST OF THE REST
Amazing Grace - 7 March
Richard Tomlinson, author of Amazing Grace: The Man who was WG, gives an illustrated talk about legendary cricketer at this event hosted by The Friends of Bridport Literary Festival.
2.30pm, Tithe Barn, Symondsbury 01308 424901
Charity Fashion Show - 18 March
Penny Callaghan, owner of Colmers Hill Fashion, hosts this fundraising spring fashion show in aid of the Weldmar Hospice at the Tithe Barn, Symondsbury. Events starts 6.30pm.
For more details and tickets call 01308 424114
Wimborne Cider Festival - 18 – 19 March
Expect a full and varied selection of wonderful ciders from many local small producers at this inaugural independent cider festival at the Allendale Community Centre. Three sessions: Friday night, Saturday afternoon and Saturday night. Live music and food at all sessions.
More details fuelledbycider.comRidgeway Symposium - 20 March
An event celebrating the regional distinctiveness of the South Dorset Ridgeway from oral traditions to music and literature (2pm - 5pm).
St George’s Church Hall, Fordington, Tickets 01305 269512
