Paul Welch: Life Studies

Life drawings in charcoal, pastel, ink and gouche exploring the immediacy of making marks in response to short poses.

"There is a scarred intensity at work in these pictures, implicit in the eyes of the artist's self-portrait; they stare out at you, challenging, complicit yet curiously enticing. 
 
Here are bodies, they say, solidified into sculpted, preternatural granite forms; they bulge from the wall, tower in the eye. Here are bodies exploded in a fury of line-making; consuming the viewer in their ragged, frenzied beauty. Here are sleeker portraits whose eyes avoid yours, whose eyes look away to some unguessable place in the middle distance; if you strain hard enough, however, you too will begin to see what their eyes are seeking out. 
 
The ghost of Schiele haunts the fringes of these pictures, in the rough hues Welch employs, in the placing of nudes, in the texture of flesh and line - but this is very much Welch's show. Debts creep out from behind the lines of any artist's work, but the emotion in the line itself is his alone. 
 
Tread gently through the gallery - you are entering many private worlds." 
 
Adam Horovitz

George, George, George

by Bousfield & Kemp

Flies On The Wall Youth Theatre

A sparkling show with music set in England's Regency period.
Highwaymen, love, loyalty and royalty.
Performed by 28 young people.

Tickets:£6 adults, £4 children, £15 family ticket (2 adults, 4 children)
Available in advance from Star Anise Cafe or on the door

Castalia Eurythmy presents

Poetry of Ireland by Seamus Heaney

Eurythmy: Breeda Mannix Speech: John Nixon Lyre: John Billing
Rich in colour and texture, Heaney’s poetry springs forth from his
native Ireland. Seeking to capture the essence of Heaney through his words, Castalia Eurythmy weaves together movement, speech and music to create an artistic whole.
“Castalia simply brought the magic of Heaney’s poetry to life”
storyteller in County Down

Tickets £8 / £5 concs

from Stroud Tourist Information Centre 01453 760960 or on the door

Sunday Worship-a dancing prayer 'Fire'

with Dawn Morgan

Beginners Welcome.
This day offers all dancers great flexibility, come for half a day or the
whole day.

10am-12.30pm: Taught class. Cost: £20

12.30-2pm: Lunch to share

2.00-4.30pm: Untaught class ‘Sweat your Prayer’ Cost: £20

Whole Day cost: £35

For further info: Tel 01453 750 608 or e-mail dawn@shapeshift.co.uk

www.shapeshift.co.uk

Please note 'The Kite Runner' has been cancelled and replaced with:

La Vie En Rose (12A)
2hrs 20mins Dir: Olivier Dahan

Cinema Club @ The Space - Membership £2 (annual) Tickets £5 on the door.

Marion Cotillard’s feral portrait of the French singer Edith Piaf as a captive wild animal hurling herself at the bars of her cage is the most astonishing immersion of one performer into the body and soul of another ever encountered in a film. Her portrayal of Piaf, plucked from the streets of Paris and moulded into a music hall legend ignites Olivier Dahan’s screen biography.

Winner of four Baftas including Best Actress. Two Oscars including Best Actress and Winner of Golden Globe Best Actress.

Mon APR 14

Tue APR 15

Wed APR 16

8.30am-10.30pm

Spring School-'Awakening'

with Dawn Morgan & Friends

Beginners and experienced welcome at all sessions, an invitation to come and try something new.

Morning: Yoga-8.30-9.30am. 5 Rhythms-10.30-12.30
Afternoon workshops 2.00pm-4.00pm:Spring Songs with Sheila Macbeth. Shintaido with Master Instructor Masashi Minagawa.
Evening Sessions 8.00pm-10.30pm:Spring Shapeshift 5 Rhythms Dance with Dawn & Nick Twilley. ‘5 Rhythms meets Tango!’ (a session of 5 Rhythms followed by a Tango Class).

For more info on classes, teachers, prices and timetables see www.shapeshift.co.uk

or phone 01453 750 608

or e-mail dawn@shapeshift.co.uk

Sun APR 20
2.00-5.00pm

The Physical Clown

led by Craig Edwards

A drama workshop for adults of all levels of experience with Five Valleys Drama.

About the workshop: The Physical Clown is a gentle introduction into the clown's relationship with the world and an audience.
An exploration of failure that lies at the heart of comedy, using simple physical theatre techniques and comedy improvisation.

About Craig Edwards: Craig has worked as a professional actor and director for nearly fifteen years, creating new pieces of work with companies such as Travelling Light, Theatre Alibi and Bristol Old Vic. He has co-written and directed a new one-man clown piece called The Nothing Show which will tour this Autumn.

Cost: £10 (£8 conc)

For more information or to book a place contact Helen Wood:
Call: 07811 427462
Email: helenw@fresh88.freeserve.co.uk

SPECTIVES 2008

The eight local artists who mounted Spectives 2007 return with an exhibition of new work featuring a variety of art forms from sculpture to painting and photography.

Thu APR 248.00pm

Why do Moths matter?

Illustrated talk about some of our 2,500 UK moths
Speaker: Peter Hugo

Free admission, donation towards refreshments

For further info contact Peter Hugo, 01453  882134 or Sue Smith 01453 882127

Organised by The Gloucestershire Branch of Butterfly Conservation

The Radio Players present

The Algonquin suite

by Albert Lamb

Some of Stroud’s most talented actors are getting together for an evening of radio magic. Set in a pretend radio studio (with you as our live studio audience) we will perform The Algonquin Suite. The Algonquin Suite in question is a suite of rooms at the famous Algonquin Hotel in New York City. It is 1929 and the West End is moving to Broadway. But will Neal and Edwina Canard make the grade?
With lots of laughs and many great new songs you are promised a wonderful evening of live radio.

Tickets: £8.00 from Stroud Tourist Information Centre 01453 760960

Music Improvisation

with Mike Adcock

A free improvisation session led by musician and composer Mike Adcock.Technical proficiency is not a prerequisite, being open-minded and prepared to listen as well as play is!
Bring your own instrument(s).

Cost: £5.00
For further info contact Mike Adcock on 01453 766 749 or e-mail mikeadcock@yahoo.com

Sun APR 27
6.00pm

Sat MAY 3
7.00pm

Sun MAY 11
6.00pm

Sun MAY 18
6.00pm

Transition Films @ The Space

showing as part of the Ruskin Mill Festival exhibition 'Transition' for the Nailsworth Festival

Please note: Sunday screenings precede the Space Cinema Club 8'oclock screenings at the Space. There will be a discount for anyone wishing to attend both films.

Sun APR 27: Rob Newman's History of Oil In this stand-up tour-de-force Newman argues that only by putting oil centre-stage can we hope to understand the last 100 years of world history, and prepare for the future...

Sat MAY 3: Who Killed the Electric Car? Running solely on electricity, General Motors' EV-1 vehicles were so efficient they threatened to change the future of driving in America. So why were they all destroyed? Narrated by Martin Sheen, this film unravels the puzzling demise of a vehicle that challenged America's damaging addiction to foreign oil. (also showing in Nailsworth on Thursday 1st May at Ruskin Mill, 7:30pm)

Sun MAY 11: Who's Counting?Marilyn Waring on Sex, Lies and Global Economics. Directed with compelling beauty and humour by Oscar winner Terre Nash, this film contrasts the uncounted productivity of nature and women worldwide with conventional accounting systems rooted in military economics.(also showing in Nailsworth on Thursday 8th May at Ruskin Mill, 7:30pm)

Sun MAY 18: The Real Dirt on Farmer John An outcast from his community, Farmer John ploughs his unique furrow through a failing economy, vicious rumours and violence. By melding the traditions of family farming with the power of art, this story of transformation and renewal heralds a resurrection for agriculture. (also showing in Nailsworth on Tuesday 13th May at Ruskin Mill, 7:30pm)

Cost: £4.00

Special price of £7.00 for anyone wishing to attend both 'Transition' and 'Cinema Club' films

Lust, Caution (18)
2hrs 38mins Dir: Ang Lee

Cinema Club @ The Space - Membership £2 (annual) Tickets £5 on the door.

The acclaimed new film by Ang Lee the director of Brokeback Mountain.
Superbly written, beautifully shot. An emotionally powerful espionage thriller with a terrific central performance from newcomer Tang Wei.

Stroudwater International Textile Festival 2008

Clare Lane -'The Urban Fabric of the Everyday'

A unique mix of photography, pattern design, digital imaging and the expression of outline, texture and relief combined with stitch. The final compositions are akin to contemporary tapestry, in both technique and reference.
Colour, place and perception of space are Clare's principal themes.
Commissioned work includes an office development in Spitalfield, London designed by Sir Norman Foster.

Showing with Clare are Rebecca Gouldson's etched metal wall pieces.

www.stroudwatertextiles.org.uk
A free brochure on the festival from Stroud Tourist Information Centre
or contact the festival office on 01453 808076 for details

Stroudwater International Textile Festival 2008

Clare Lane -An Illustrated Talk

Clare Lane will give an illustrated talk on her work (see above)
Tickets: £8.00 include glass wine, soft drink & nibbles

Tickets and a free brochure on the festival from Stroud Tourist Information Centre 01453 760960 or contact the festival office on 01453 808076 for details

www.stroudwatertextiles.org.uk

Club Hope - The Door Project

Club HOPE makes the Christian Gospel both real and relevant to young people today.
Using a mix of live music, DJ’s and visuals, God’s message can be clearly heard.
For all 11 to 25 year olds

Entry on the door:£1.50 (inc. free drink)

Strictly no alcohol or drugs

www.hopeiscoming.co.uk

Arc Angel / The Dead Lay Waiting / Conformity

of the Maimed / Panic Switch

Tickets £5 on the door

Sun MAY 11
2.00-5.00pm

Humorous Text

led by Jo Bousfield

A drama workshop for adults of all levels of experience with Five Valleys Drama.

Using texts from famous comedies, Jo B will be exploring how , as actors, we can make funny plays funny.

Cost: £10 (£8 conc)

For more information or to book a place contact Helen Wood:
Call: 07811 427462
Email: helenw@fresh88.freeserve.co.uk

Elizabeth: The Golden Age (12)
1hr 50mins Dir: Shekhar Kapur

Cinema Club @ The Space - Membership £2 (annual) Tickets £5 on the door.

Reprising the roles they originated in seven-time Academy Award nominated ‘Elizabeth’, Cate Blanchett and Geoffrey Rush return for a gripping historical thriller laced with treachery and romance. The Golden Age tells the thrilling tale of an era...the story of one woman's crusade to control love, crush enemies and secure her position as a beloved icon of the western world.

Jazz Workshop with Pete Rosser

Is jazz dead? The spirit of freedom, improvisation and instant music-making lives on! All instruments and abilities welcome to explore classic and contemporary jazz creation.

Cost:£20 per session, booking essential on 01453 763275 peterosser@mac.com

Stroud Camera Club

Annual Exhibition 2008

A display of prints by members of The Stroud Camera Club.
This local club, which has been in existence for over 60 years, presents colour and monochrome prints from their present membership. There will be Gold, Silver and Bronze awards for the top three entries in the Colour and Monochrome sections chosen by an independent selector.

'The Strung Together Tour'

John Otway & Wild Willy Barrett

The pair first achieved notoriety with an eye-watering performance on Old
Grey Whistle Test and subsequent hit single 'Really Free' in 1977.

Otway's heady mix of blind ambition and rank incompetence kept this
microstar shining for almost two decades despite his ability to turn any
situation to his own disadvantage.

Barrett is one of the most accomplished multi-instrumentalists working today with an original style and virtuosity few could match.

Tickets: £12.00 from Stroud Tourist Information Centre 01453 760960
or on the door

www.musiczoo.co.uk
www.johnotway.com

No Country for Old Men (15)
Dir: The Coen Brothers

Cinema Club @ The Space - Membership £2 (annual) Tickets £5 on the door.

Multi award winning film based on the book by Cormac McCarthy