Festival of Sheppey - Classical musicians at the Criterion Blue Town
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The Arts Council might have dismissed the Isle of Sheppey as a “cultural desert” but great grandmother Jenny Hurkett is determined to ring the changes.
As part of the month-long Festival of Sheppey she has hired not one but two classical acts to add a touch of culture to what she describes as “Kent’s own Treasure Island”.
On Sunday (June 21), flautist Mark Underwood and pianist Carol Anne Wells take the stage at the revamped Criterion Music Hall in Blue Town, Sheerness, to perform a selection of “audience friendly” classical favourites.
This will include Rimsky-Korsakov’s frantic Flight of the Bumblebee (famously turned into a humorous song by veteran music hall star Arthur Askey), Greensleeves, a medley from My Fair Lady, Irish dances and topical songs such as Those Lazy, Hazy Crazy Days of Summer, Never on a Sunday, I Do Like To Be Beside The Seaside and What Shall We Do With The Drunken Sailor?
Australian-born Mark, who now lives in Gravesend, said: “We thought it would be nice to perform some seaside songs while on the Island.”
He will also be performing his own jazzy variation on the Oz classic Waltzing Matilda.
Carol Anne, who comes from Bexleyheath, is no stranger to the Criterion, having accompanied many variety acts on the theatre’s rare 1870 Bechstein grand piano over the years.
Warming up the audience for the pair will be the Preston Ensemble.
The five-piece group of London-trained musicians, now all based in Kent, will perform Schubert’s String Quintet in C major Op 163.
They comprise Antony Dennant and Jo Saul on violins, Sara Thorpe on viola and Rachel Waltham and Sophie Shackleton on cellos.
Leader Antony, who lives in Sheerness, said: “Beyond our work in London, we are known locally for our regular recitals in Faversham’s Assembly Rooms and, more broadly, around the rest of Kent.”
Tickets are £15 from the Criterion on 01795 662981 or visit www.thecriterionbluetown.co.uk. Price includes interval tea. The show starts at 3pm.
Other highlights coming up:
Friday, June 19. Noon. Some Mothers Do ‘Ave ‘Em. Criterion Blue Town
Not many people know that Phantom of the Opera star Michael Crawford was brought up on the Isle of Sheppey by his Nan and used the location for the BBC’s 1975 Christmas special of his comedy show Some Mothers Do ‘Ave ‘Em. The show starred Michael as the hapless Frank Spencer. In this episode he ends up marooned on the top of the Kingsferry Bridge and then drives a Hillman Imp off the jetty and into the sea at Sheerness. John Nurden introduced scenes from a documentary about the actor’s early life and then shows the entire Christmas episode, which now carries warnings in case it upsets modern audiences. John also promises to introduce at least two special guests who remember Michael. Tickets £5 on the door.
Saturday, June 20. Dawn. Start of the 200-mile Follow the Sun cycle ride from The Leas, Minster, to Weston super Mare.
Saturday, June 20. All day. Queenborough celebrates its Independence Day. In June 1667 the dastardly Dutch dared to invade Queenborough on their way to maraud Medway. Queenborough townsfolk didn’t fancy a fight so they hauled up the white flag giving them the dubious honour of becoming the first part of England to surrender to foreigners since the Battle of Hastings in 1066. Fast forward to June 17, 1967, and the Dutch finally remembered to give the town back to Britain. Cue much celebration in the town’s pubs with live music.
Saturday, June 27. Sacred and Profane, Holy Trinity Church, Queenborough.
Island-based international baritone Colin Morris will perform a selection of classical songs from operas and musicals called Sacred and Profane at Holy Trinity Church, Queenborough on Saturday June 27 as part of the Festival of Sheppey. He will be accompanied by pianist Timothy Barratt. Tickets are £12 on the door. Music starts at 7.30pm. Proceeds go to the church’s vestry rebuilding fund.
Sunday, June 28. Spice Chavs at the Criterion Blue Town. 2pm
"Dahn to Sheppey" What better way to bring the festival to a close than with a Cockney knees-up! Sheppey has always been a favourite haunt of EastEnders. So why not go out with a bang with Chas ‘n’ Dave tribute duo the Spice Chavs?
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