stalbanslife

PLAY IN THE PARKS,  ST ALBANS

This is free to all parents and children each summer. Running from 26^th July until 1^stSeptember, your 5-12 yr olds can go along to any of the 15 open spaces across the district. However, under 8’s need to be accompanied by a parent.

Activities include Drama Workshops, Creative Games and Sports Specific Sessions. For further details, maps etc, click on www.stalbans.gov.uk .

WILLOWS PARK FARM, LONDON COLNEY

Willows is just magical for children and whatever the weather, there is always plenty to do. The ever-popular ‘maize’ maze activity runs from 24^th July until 5^thSeptember. There is Woollys Jumper Play Barn, the Sheep Show (my kids favourite!), Daft Duck trails, Fun Fair Rides. You can hold the Guinea-Pigs, drink a smooth latte or play Frisbee Golf. Lots more information on events, times and prices on www.willowsfarmvillage.com .

THE SNOW CENTRE, HEMEL HEMPSTEAD

It might be summertime but why not get ready for the Ski Season? The Ski Centre is a 15 minute drive from St Albans and offers Holiday Courses from £60. The kids use up their energy on the slope while you unwind in the Edge Café Bar and look on! It’s a win/win situation! Click www.thesnowcentre.com .

Note; Our local newspapers, The Herts Advertiser www.hertsad.co.uk  and The St Albans Review www.stalbansreview.co.uk  have the latest info on theatres, arts and sports events.

The Winter’s Tale, July 2010

Rooftop Theatre Company are delighted to be performing their next production, The Winter’s Tale, in the stunningly restored 14^thC  Kingsbury Barn, St Albans.

Shakespeare’s compelling drama The Winter’s Tale is a moving story of the consequences of jealousy and tyranny and the power of remorse. Leontes, King of Sicilia is thrown into violent rage and jealousy at the perceived affair between his wife Hermione and best friend Polixenes. The results resonate through 16 years and across the seas to Bohemia. After this the redemptive effects of time, love and forgiveness bring a surprising and bittersweet conclusion.

Rooftop Theatre Company, based in St Albans, have a strong track record of entertaining and accessible productions of Shakespeare’s plays. Their most recent was Twelfth Night at the Old Town Hall which followed Taming of the Shrew and Love’s Labour’s Lost at Inn on the Park. They present plays in a visual and dramatic style with innovative interpretations which drive the energy and passion of the plot. They seek unconventional venues and their productions complement the surroundings. Kingsbury Barn provides a perfect setting for the contrasting locations in The Winter’s Tale: the corrupt Court of Sicilia and the bucolic earthiness of Bohemia.

“Innovative direction, good acting and an unusual (and magnificent) setting…a delight.”
Candy Whittome, St Albans Arts on Twelfth Night

“Extraordinarily compelling…Rooftop have lifted open-air Shakespeare in St Albans to a new dimension”
Herts Advertiser on Love’s Labour’s Lost

Performances:

Thursday 8^th July                    7.30

Friday 9^th July                         7.30

Saturday 10^th July                  7.30

Monday 12^th July                    7.30

Tuesday 13^th July                   7.30

Thursday 15^th July                  7.30

Friday 16^th July                       7.30

Saturday 17^th July matinee    1.30

Saturday 17^th July                  7.30

Tickets

Full price                                 £12.00

Concessions (students, unwaged) £10.00

Children under 14                   £8.00

For tickets and further details: www.rooftoptheatre.co.uk, 01727 846397

St Albans Festival 2010 has something very special to celebrate this year; the ‘The Magna Carta’!

Our city has played a central role in the drafting of this important document in 1215. This theme will be echoed in the Festival performances, museum activities and street events. The Rt. Hon.Lord Bingham and TV historian Dan Snow will be speaking and our own Mayor will lead the celebratory procession through the city centre.

Larks in the Parks, Buskers Week, Retailer of the Year Awards and entertainment in the Alban Arena are a few examples of the endless list of events planned for this festival. The Maltings Arts Theatre will feature the films of Stanley Kubrick, one of the most innovative film directors. Our local St Albans tour guides have organised the Sam Ryder Exhibition in the Comfort Hotel. I attended this exhibition last year and would highly recommend it. Get the diaries out and pencil in this years Festival!

Lots more information available on www.stalbansfestival.co.uk , BOX OFFICE 01727 844488 and www.stalbans.gov.uk.

Despite the allure of film and modern technology, nothing can beat the impact of a simple, live play!

Last week, I attended Playing Faustus, a play written and directed by local writer, Imogen de la Bere. Clever, funny and really well written, this ‘play within a play’ captivated me from start to finish.

It tells the story of a priest who looses faith in God, in himself and the careless life he lived. All sorts of moods and themes were carefully interwoven, with underlying morals to ponder on. The actors were incredibly talented and did the script great justice.

Best of all, we, the audience could enjoy a glass of wine while watching on!

Details ; OVO Theatre is relatively new to St Albans and based in Pudding Lane. Lots of information for you on www.ovo.org.uk.

James Hannaway, owner of the beautifully renovated Rex Cinema in Berkhamsted, is now in the final phase of purchasing The Alpha (previously the Odeon Cinema) in St Albans. It is hoped that the last £100 K will be pledged or donated in the coming week bringing it to a total of £1 million.

James states ‘ The best way to win the race to secure the site is through sponsored chairs. There are 500 seats ‘for sale’ at £1000 a seat! The best news is: we can buy the site with £1 million of real St Albans money, small and huge, and ALL extraordinary. This is a whole city putting its money where its heart is. So perhaps in return, I owe you the will and energy to make it work.’

James’s sensational, art-deco Rex Cinema in Berkhamsted is impressive in every aspect. The comfy red seating, table lamps, the bar, walls-of-great-glory; its elegance would truly suit the ambiance of  St Albans.

Local residents have been concerned that the needs of our teenagers are considered when renovating The Alpha. At present they have to travel to other cities to see movies. How wonderful it would be for the environment and for their finances, if they could stay in their own St Albans. For more information, email therexberkhamsted@googlemail.com or send your cheques to The Rex, High St, Berkhamsted HP4 2FG.