WHAT'S ON? Diary View
| Coffee Mornings | Chamber Music | Jazz | Drama | New This Season | Films |
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All chamber concerts are on Sunday afternoons at 2.45pm. Tickets on the door at each concert cost £9 (£8 for UGT members, £5 for students). * * * * * * * 2012 Sunday 5th February at 2.45pm Federica Mossone – Harp CANCELLED * * * * * * * Sunday 11th March at 2.45pm Aleksander Szram - Piano Aleks needs little introduction, being a long-term supporter of the UGT Chamber Recitals, and a frequent performer himself. Winner of the prestigious Vlado Perlemuter award in 2004, Aleks is also the holder of numerous prizes and awards for piano, chamber music, vocal accompaniment and composition.  Aleks teaches at Trinity School of Music and Cheethams International Summer School for pianists. He guest-lectures at many leading music colleges both in the UK and in the USA. He has performed a varied schedule of solo piano, concerto and chamber music in more than twenty five countries over four continents. Aleks will pay tribute to the Sussex composer John Ireland, who died fifty years ago, by playing the composer’s Sarnia. His recital includes two works by each of Alkan and Schumann, and a contemporary work by Daryl Runswick (born 1946) * * * * * * * Sunday 15th April at 2.45pm Duo - Eleanor Percy (violin) and Irina Lyakhovskaya (piano) Eleanor and Irina have performed together extensively in leading venues, including many Wigmore Hall recitals. They are frequent visitors to the UGT, which they describe as one of their favourite venues. They are equally firm favourites with UGT Chamber Concert audiences. In the past, Eleanor and Irina have performed all the Brahms, Schumann and Beethoven violin sonatas in the UGT. Their earlier recitals included works by Mozart, Schubert, Franck, Elgar, Respighi and Prokofiev.  This year they will play three major violin sonatas: Fauré: Sonata no.1 in A major, Op.13 Janáček’s wonderful violin sonata no.3 Beethoven: Sonata No.9 in A major ‘Kreutzer’ * * * * * * * |
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2012 Friday 24th February at 8pm Kelvin Christiane Quartet Multi-instrumentalist Kelvin Christiane returns to the Under Ground with a different line-up and a set consisting of standards plus some originals from his album ‘Parisian Summer’. Most often heard on tenor sax or flute, Kelvin also plays clarinet and alto sax and like his musical hero Roland Kirk, his ability to play two saxes at the same time is a show-stopper.  Photo by Brian O'ConnorKelvin is no stranger to Eastbourne – he ran a popular rehearsal big band in the town several years ago, based at a local music academy. At the UGT we’ve seen him with this band and other quartets/quintets of his own – and he is one of the musicians most often requested for a return visit. A graduate from the Leeds College of Music, Kelvin has played with artists such as Jim Mullen, Gilad Atzmon, Alan Barnes, Don Weller, Dave O'Higgins, Derek Nash, Steve Waterman, Peter King, Alex Garnett, John Etheridge, Dave Cliff…and the list goes on! Kelvin performs regularly at major festivals in the UK and Europe and runs his own jazz club in Twickenham. “Kelvin Christiane’s saxophone playing comes straight out of the Dexter Gordon, big-toned school, and his approach to flute has overtones of the great Roland Kirk. Inventive, relaxed yet intense.” Alan Barnes. Tickets: £10 (UGT members/students £9) * * * * * * * Friday 30th March at 8pm John Critchinson/Art Themen Quartet, with Jacqui Hicks Co-led by two of the UK’s foremost jazz musicians, this superb band performs regularly at jazz venues in and around London - but tonight they make a rare appearance south of the M25.  
John Critchinson worked extensively in Ronnie Scott’s bands and was for many years the pianist in the house band at Ronnie’s club. He currently works with the Ronnie Scott Legacy Quintet, the Simon Spillett Quartet and many of his own bands. His most recent visit to us was last season with TRIO, a band he co-leads with Alec Dankworth and Dave Cliff. Art Themen (saxes) fronted the Stan Tracey quartet for twenty years and has had a successful musical partnership with fellow saxophonists Don Weller and Mornington Lockett over many years performing as The Three Tenors. Art has played the UGT before with his own quartet, also co-leading a band with Alan Barnes. Simon Thorpe (bass) and Dave Barry (drums) expertly provide the rhythm section in the band. Singer Jacqui Hicks completes this stellar line-up. Vocalist with the Back to Basie orchestra and Shakatak (with whom she also plays sax), Jacqui’s ‘smokey voice’ is perfect for the mixture of standards and jazz originals this band perform. Tickets: £11 (UGT members/students £10) * * * * * * * Friday 27th April at 8pm Brass Jaw The most original and exciting band around at the moment, Brass Jaw have been taking the jazz world by storm, winning three prestigious awards in as many months. Most recently they scooped the coveted 2011 Parliamentary Jazz Award for ‘Ensemble of the Year’. Working without a traditional rhythm section, the four man line-up of baritone, tenor and alto saxes, plus trumpet, is bold and exhilarating. The brainchild of baritone player Allon Beauvoisin, Brass Jaw first toured the UK in 2005 as a saxophone quartet, subsequently releasing their debut album ‘Burn’ which launched the group on to the UK and European festival circuit. 2009 saw the band evolve one step further with the inclusion of multi-award winning trumpeter, Ryan Quigley. Since then, Brass Jaw’s notoriety for providing a unique and engaging live music experience has grown rapidly. They were show-stoppers at the 2011 Swanage Jazz Festival – now they’re right on your doorstep.  "Irresistible swaggering exuberance laced with grace and wit." Chris Parker, The Vortex “Teeming with ideas, imagination and superb playing. Top stuff.” Rob Adams, The Herald “I can't think of anything not to enjoy about this inventive & virile music.” Martin Bright, UK Jazz Radio Tickets: £11 (UGT members/students £10) * * * * * * * You can check out what our friends at Hastings Jazz are planning by clicking on this link: www.jazzhastings.co.uk |
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2012 Saturday 18th February at 7.30pm Seabright Productions presents 'An Instinct for Kindness', written and performed by Chris Larner directed by Hannah Eidinow Scotsman Fringe First Award (Edinburgh Fringe 2011) In November 2010, Chris Larner accompanied his chronically ill ex-wife to Switzerland’s Dignitas clinic. He came home with an empty wheelchair and a story to tell. This moving, bittersweet show reflects on the circumstances, morality and humanity surrounding the journey. In a candid, poignant and sometimes comic performance, Chris explores both the profound personal implications and the wider ethical considerations of the contentious issue of assisted dying. The show premiered at the Edinburgh Fringe 2011, where it won the coveted Scotsman Fringe First Award and was featured on BBC’s Newsnight Review as a highlight of the festival.  Photo by Steve UllathorneA wonderfully subtle and deceptively understated performance. This is story-telling of a very high order.' **** The Times 'The word extraordinary is misapplied... but there are few other words that do justice to Larner's show.' ***** Edinburgh Evening News 'Chris Larner tells his story simply… with scrupulous, unflinching honesty. This is a show that reminds us that how we die is as important as how we live.' **** The Guardian 'Intensely moving, at times overwhelming. Larner relates it all with a clear-eyed, occasionally funny, occasionally horrifying lack of sentimentality.' **** The Independent Tickets: £10.50 (UGT members/ students £9.50) Recommended Age: 14+ Duration: 70 minutes plus a post show discussion after a refreshment break. * * * * * * * Saturday 3rd March at 7.30pm Publick Transport present 'Discombobulated' Stop and search experts Malcolm McClosky and Esperanza Vallejo present their take on all matters of security, born out of a lifetime of patrolling airports and being shouted at. Using the mediums of dramatic reconstruction, interpretive dance, tragedy, rock'n'roll, magic and an incredible non-acrobatic number, they present a show so utterly stupid that it might just save your life. Directed by Aitor Basauri.  "laugh-out-loud funny." The Guardian "will have you in hysterics... pure genius... a brilliant bonkers show." Bristol Culture Developed and commissioned through Bristol Ferment at Bristol Old Vic. Tickets: £9 (UGT members/ students £8) To include a post show discussion with the company after a refreshment break. * * * * * * * Wednesday 4th to Saturday 7th April at 7.30pm Bootcamp Theatre presents... 'Our Country's Good', by Timberlake Wertenbaker  Australia. A young married lieutenant directing rehearsals for the first play ever to be staged in that country. But, with only two copies of the text, a cast of convicts, and a leading lady about to be hanged, conditions are hardly ideal. "Rarely has the redemptive power of the theatre been argued with such passion." The Independent. Tickets: £10 (UGT members/ students £9) * * * * * * * Saturday 14th April at 7.30pm 'In Conversation with an Acid Bath Murderer' Performed by Nigel Fairs & Suzanne Procter. Directed by Louise Jameson Winner of this year's coveted Argus Angel Festival Award - Brighton Fringe In 1949 John George Haigh was hanged for the murder of at least six people, whose blood he claimed to have drunk before disposing of their bodies in acid. His story, written in the hangman’s cell and serialised in the News of the World, caused a national sensation. Join Haigh in his Crawley workshop as he tells you how and why he did it and, like his victims, be seduced by the charm of the infamous 'vampire killer'. Nigel Fairs, whose great-grandfather put the shackles on Haigh in Lewes Prison, plays the murderer, with Suzanne Procter as three of his victims. 
"A fascinating journey through the killer's mind." Eastern Daily Press "It's a testament to Nigel Fairs’ central performance and beautifully written script that for the first 20 minutes of this play it’s hard to believe John Haigh could be a murderer….Only when he pulls a gun on one of his victims - all played brilliantly by Suzanne Procter - is the audience introduced to the true monster.” The Argus May 2011 Tickets: £10 (UGT members/ students £9) Duration: 60 minutes approx plus a post show discussion after a refreshment break. * * * * * * * |
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2012 Friday 2nd March at 8pm Quicksilver After some overseas work, this vivacious and talented duo return to the Under Ground Theatre with their current show - Make ‘Em Laugh. Full of fun and laughter, comic songsmith/guitarist Grant Baynham (ex-That’s Life) and vocalist Hilary Spencer complement each other totally in a show of hilarious classics - mostly with a new twist - and new songs.  The material (roughly half self-penned) includes all the things you can imagine doing with two voices and an acoustic guitar, plus a good few that you probably can't. Both performers are well known for their on-stage repartee, so their gigs flow seamlessly and are by turns moving, funny, relaxed and occasionally jaw-dropping. If good old fashioned laughter is your want, look no further! Tickets £10.00 (UGT Members/Students £9.00) * * * * * * * Friday 20th April at 3pm & 7.30pm 'Shaken, not Stirred' - Henry Blofeld Definitely something different! For cricket junkies everywhere, Henry is one of the world’s best loved cricket commentators. Following a near fatal accident, the budding cricketer turned to journalism and has since become best known for his commentaries on BBC Radio 4’s Test Match Special.  The bubbly, boisterous world of Blowers knows no full stops. His idiosyncratic form of cricket commentary is unique. His one man show has played to packed theatres all around the country, with stories of Ian Fleming, Noel Coward, Clive Dunn and others that have brought the house down. Tickets £15.00 (UGT Members/Students £14.00) * * * * * * * |
FILMS2012It may be gloomy outside, but in the UGT we’re all set to escape for a couple of hours with our Sunday Matinee Film Shows. What could be better than a good old classic film followed by a cup of tea and homemade cake? Go on treat yourself, you know you deserve it! Doors open 2.10 pm, films start at 2.30 pm Tea and cakes served after film. Tickets £6.50 (no concessions) to include tea and cake. * * * * * * * Sunday 19th February at 2.30pm 'THE COURT JESTER' (1955)  “The pellet with the poison’s in the vessel with the pestle, the chalice from the palace has the brew that is true.” And so Hubert Hawkins (Danny Kaye), disguised as the king’s jester Giocomo, must play his part in deposing the evil King Roderick (Cecil Parker) to return the true infant King of England to the throne. This medieval adventure is full of witches, wenches and warfare – all of which cause problems for Hawkins as he tries to survive both the treacherous machinations of Ravenhurst (Basil Rathbone) and the amorous advances of Princess Gwendolyn (Angela Lansbury). * * * * * * * Sunday 18th March at 2.30pm 'SUMMER MADNESS' (1955)  Based on the play 'The Time of the Cuckoo' by Arthur Laurents, Summer Madness follows the adventures of a single, middle-aged American woman (Katharine Hepburn) as she finds love while on holiday in Venice. Nominated for a BAFTA award for best film, two Oscar nominations for best director and best actress, this film is considered to be an extremely accomplished adaptation. Also starring Rossano Brazzi. * * * * * * * Sunday 22nd April at 2.30pm 'THE CLOUDED YELLOW' (1950)  In this excellent, taut chase thriller, a secret service agent, dismissed from the service having failed on a mission, obtains work in a country house. A series of sinister events occur which culminate in a murder hunt over large areas of the north of England. 'The Clouded Yellow' is not merely a melodramatically efficient action piece, but it also resonates with that post-war malaise (especially in Trevor Howard's ex-SIS agent) which gives shading to so many British films of the time. Co-stars Jean Simmons. * * * * * * * Back to Top |