stalbanslife

 A fundraising event is taking place in St Albans to help support the Japanese Tsunami victims. It takes place in the Jubilee Centre (AL3 5NX) on Catherine Street tomorrow, Saturday 19th March between 11am – 3pm.

 This urgent event includes food and drink, flea market, origami crafts and entertainment.  Everyone is invited to come along or  donate bric-a-brac items/cakes before 11am tomorrow. Whatever support you give will be very much appreciated. All donations go to the Red Cross.

Please contact Marie on marieotchi@hotmail.com or me, Maria Larmer on marialarmer@gmail.com . Telephone 077 68411144.

A few years ago, I asked Imogen de la Bere what she would consider to be the essence of life. ‘Truth‘ was her reply. Interestingly, the OVO philosophy of theatre is that the ‘emotional truthfulness of the acting should supply everything.’

There is no doubt that this passion and philosophy for truth has shone through in Imogen’s latest play, Chekov’s Three Sisters at  OVO Theatre.  I don’t know a great deal about the Russia of early 1900 but it just took a few minutes of feeling the misery of the actors to know that things were pretty bleak and desperate.

 The cast were incredibly credible (especially Anna Franklin and Jo Emery) and I loved the mixture of despair, longing and fun with music interweaving throughout. Passion also  plays a large part in Three Sisters and this was simply heart-melting………By the end I had to remind myself that I was in St Albans not Russia!!  The upstairs bar (which just had to be inspected) served divine wine and as a bonus, I could sit by the window in this lovely bar-with-a-view!

Notes; Three Sisters  continues until 27th November (excl 22nd/23rd) at the OVO Theatre in Pudding Lane, St Albans. Prices range between £7.50 – £12.50 and online bookings on www.ovo.org.uk  / tel 07807 521436

You live in St Albans, you are wondering what’s on to entertain you in the evening…..Read on because  we have listed some interesting events for you to choose from!

1) ST ALBANS FIREWORK SPECTACULAR – Verulamium Park – Sat 11th November

This is always an amazing event  and for £10 per family ticket, it’s good value too!

Starts at 7.30 PROMPT, car parking is free and for tickets call 01727 844488

Website; www.alban-arena.co.uk

2) JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR (Andrew Lloyd Webber’s and Tim Rice’s Rock Opera) performed by the great St Albans Operatic Society (SAOS). It takes place in the St Albans Arena, Civic Square, St Albans

Runs from 9^th – 13^th November (7.45pm) with a Saturday Matinee 2.30pm

Phone 01727 844488 or visit www.alban-arena.co.uk  SEATS – £16.50 (£10 for restricted view – a bargain!)

To find out more about the St Albans Operatic Society visit www.saos.org.uk

3) ST ALBANS BACH CHOIR – St Albans Cathedral – Sat 13th November

‘A celebration of Peter Hurford’s Birthday’

This outstanding choir will perform J S Bach’s Magnificat, Cantata no.29 and Motet-Der Geist hilft; Handel’s Organ Concerto op.4 no.4

Andrew Lucas – conductor

Tickets range from $10 – £25. Concert begins at 7.30pm

Website www.stalbanschoir.org.uk or telephone 01582 769608

4) Chekhov’s THREE SISTERS at OVO Theatre, Pudding Lane, St Albans

Directed by St Albans own Imogen De La Bere, this is a new adaptation of an all-time classic set in Russia. It promises a top cast and a fantastic evening’s entertainment with beautiful music!

Runs from 17^th – 27^th November at 8pm. Tickets between £7.50 – £12.50

Book online at www.ovo.org.uk or phone 07807 521436

5) Comedy with HAL CRUTTENDEN at the Maltings Arts Theatre, St Albans

‘The Times’ describes this man as hugely talented, so a good evening is promised.

Friday 12^th November at 8pm. Tickets from £10.50 to £12.50. Phone 01727 844222 or email matlings.arts@stalbans.gov.uk

There is a special gold trophy which weighs 4 pounds, stands 17 inches tall and known to the whole world as The Ryder Cup. Some locals are unaware that its founder, Samuel Ryder, was one of the greatest citizens that St Albans has ever had; as a business man, politician and churchman.

Sam moved to St Albans in 1895 and started a seed business which became successful on a national level. He also set up Heath and Heather (later to become Holland and Barrett) with his brother.For 13 years Sam was a local councillor and was elected Mayor of St Albans in 1905.

Faith played a significant part in his life and the Ryder family were quite involved with the Independant Chapel. Later, when his health was in decline, Sam’s friend Revd. Wheeler (from Trinity Congregational Church) encouraged Sam to take up Golf. Well, we can guess the rest! Sam was club captain 3 times and in 1927 he founded the first official Ryders Cup match between the US and Britian/Ireland.

To commemorate this, St Albans is holding the Samuel Ryder 18 hole Trail for those who want to visit the places associated with his life. There is also a Sam Ryder Exhibition taking place on 26/27 June 2010 at the Comfort Hotel.

Further details about this are on; www.stalbans.gov.uk ; for background history www.stalbanshistory.org and for tour times www.stalbanstourguides.co.uk