Press Release
The Bermuda Festival of the Performing Arts announces extra shows
Category: Arts and EntertainmentTroncossi Public Relations
Hamilton, Bermuda: Thursday, January 04, 2007 -
(Hamilton, Bermuda – January 4th, 2007) – In response to audience demand, the Bermuda Festival of the Performing Arts is thrilled to announce that it has managed to arrange additional performances of three previously sold-out shows: Melba Moore: Sweet Songs of the Soul on January 29th; Max Maven: Thinking in Person on February 1st; and Vanguard Jazz Orchestra on February 14th.
“We are excited to be able to offer Festival goers additional opportunities to enjoy these wonderful performances,” says John Ellison, Chairman of the Bermuda Festival. “These events have universal appeal and will undoubtedly sell quickly so early ticket purchase is strongly recommended.”
Although the lack of availability of the Ruth Seaton James Centre has caused the cancellation of Mark Morris Dance Group (MMDG), the Bermuda Festival is delighted to announce that it has arranged for MMDG to appear in the line-up for 2008. The Royal Ballet, which was previously scheduled to appear at the Ruth Seaton James Centre, has adapted its programme to maximise on the intimacy of the City Hall theatre and will still be able to appear in 2007.Tickets to all events, including the Community Outreach masterclasses being given by Opera a la Carte and Aquila Theatre Company, are available online on www.bermudafestival.org and through the Bermuda Festival Box Office located next to the Ferry Terminal on Front Street in Hamilton. The Box Office re-opens January 8th, 2007 until March 3rd, 2007 from 12 noon to 2 p.m. Monday to Saturday. Tickets can also be purchased over the phone by calling 296-5774 during Box Office hours.This year’s line up of performances is now as follows:
ENNIO (11th, 12th, 13th January)
Stand-up comedian and star of a recent Royal Variety Performance, Ennio Marchetto, with the aid of caricature paper costumes and a keen sense of humour, makes musical fun of high profile figures in the world arena. This is a short, slick, high-energy show not to be missed.
EROICA TRIO (17th and18th January)
Hot on the heels of last year’s smash hit piano trio sensation comes another all-female ensemble, the Eroica Trio. Playing an upbeat programme this vibrant trio will demonstrate, with sensual elegance, its flawless technical virtuosity.
THE GRUFFALO AND FRIENDS (19th, 20th and 21st January)
Award-winning UK children’s author Julia Donaldson brings her well-loved stories to life, onstage at Daylesford. Songs and audience participation will be the order of the day, in this hour-long performance, as we meet not just the Gruffalo but a naughty princess, a stupid butterfly and a wicked emperor.
PRINCIPALS AND SOLOISTS OF THE ROYAL BALLET (23rd, 24th and 25th January)
Don’t miss this glittering Gala featuring current Principals and Soloists of London’s renowned Royal Ballet. As on the Company’s previous visit, Wayne Sleep, former Principal of the Company, will make a light-hearted guest appearance, and will compère the Gala in his inimitable style. Classical ballet at its finest!
A WOMAN IN WAITING (26th and 27th January)
In a unique and moving tribute to the human spirit, gifted storyteller and actress Thembi Mtshali tells her own story - powerfully evoking South Africa's torn past and hopeful future. Created by The Farber Foundry, director Yael Farber, A Woman In Waiting is a biographical tour de force.
MELBA MOORE: SWEET SONGS OF THE SOUL (29th, 30th and 31st January)
Renowned American songstress and Tony Award winner Melba Moore re-visits her highly successful career through an autobiographical play with music. Melba’s show, supported by her musical director on piano and a quartet of musicians on bass, drums, saxophone and guitar, will feature well-known titles including Ellington’s Don’t Mean a Thing .
MAX MAVEN THINKING IN PERSON (1st, 2nd and 3rd February)
An Evening of Knowing and Not KnowingMax Maven’s sophisticated one-man show blends mind-reading, magic, storytelling and droll humour in a charismatic delivery with a touch of sarcasm. His compelling style draws his audience in, holds them, then surprises them with an incomprehensible feat or an amusing witticism.
LA BOHÈME
Opera A La Carte (8th, 9th and 10th February) Masterclass (5th February)Based on Scènes de la Vie de Bohème by Henri Murger, Puccini's La Bohème is arguably the most popular of all operas; filled with gorgeous melodies it is guaranteed to melt all hearts. In this version, set in the 1960s, four students have made a deliberate choice to drop out and lead a Bohemian life.
VANGUARD JAZZ ORCHESTRA (12th, 13th and 14th February)S
witching its regular Monday night slot at New York’s Village Vanguard to Monday night in Bermuda, the famed Vanguard Jazz Orchestra brings its big band jazz to the City Hall Theatre. Snap up the unique opportunity to embrace this thrilling sound and find yourself transported to the vibrant New York jazz scene.
RED PRIEST (20th and 21st February)
Red Hot Baroque
In this wildly dramatic theatrical presentation Baroque music is brought bang up to date. With outlandish costumes and breathtaking technical and visual effects this programme, which includes Vivaldi’s The Four Seasons, is placed firmly in the 21st century, in a manner which would have delighted its flame-haired composer.
MOSCOW CHAMBER ORCHESTRA (22nd and 23rd February)
Wowing audiences on its first visit to the Island with its startling soloists and breathtaking ensemble playing, Moscow Chamber Orchestra firmly imprinted itself in the hearts of Bermudian audiences. In two different programmes, both featuring saxophonist Federico Mondelci, the musicians of this fine orchestra will once more impress and delight.
ANDREI GUGNIN (24th February)
PianoThis outstanding, nineteen year old Russian pianist is making his mark on the world having already toured Germany, Italy, Israel, Holland and the USA, as well as his native Russia. Presently studying at Moscow Conservatory, he has won numerous domestic and international awards.
AQUILA THEATRE COMPANY (28th February and March 1st)
Masterclass (27th February)
ROMEO AND JULIET by William ShakespeareShakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet, a tale of uncompromising true love, has stood the test of time as one of the greatest stories ever told. In a courageous and risk-taking move, the play of chance, guided by a complicit audience, will decide each night which actor will play which role, often against type, gender and age, creating newfound excitement and drama.
AQUILA THEATRE COMPANY (2nd and 3rd March)
THE CANTERBURY TALES by Geoffrey Chaucer
Geoffrey Chaucer’s renowned Tales are given a fast moving, deliciously saucy, slightly naughty treatment in this dynamic production, which promises to end this year’s Festival on an uplifting note. Aquila Theatre Company is renowned for its ability to bring a modern hip sensibility and freshness to classical texts, without diminishing them.
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