The members of the Arts and Literary Society were treated to an incredible evening on Monday when Gerald Dickens, the great great grandson of Charles Dickens, performed his one-man show ‘A Christmas Carol’. This was a masterful re-creation of such a very famous work as Gerald played every part, changing his voice and person to depict each character as he or she appeared. The effect was heightened by the beautiful playing of Elizabeth Hayes of music from the era. The arrival of the Spirit of the Future was accompanied by smoke and mist, making it even more believable.

This was indeed a wonderful evening and very much enjoyed by the large audience and the sponsors The Tendring Re-Use and Employment Enterprise of Little Clacton.

Audrey Owens

Press Officer

Rebecca Caine, the Toronto born, lyric soprano, enchanted and entertained the members of the Arts and Literary Society on Monday evening when she performed her ‘Practically Perfect’ show, which was a journey through the modern musicals. We were told the stories of some of these modern musicals, most of which have not been seen in England and Rebecca sang the most important songs from these shows.

Rebecca had been the original Cosette in Les Miserables but chose to sing Bring Him Home from that show, she also starred in Phantom of the Opera opposite Michael Crawford and concluded her show with several memorable numbers from this best loved musical to rapturous applause from the audience.

Throughout her performance she was very ably accompanied by James Church, an up and coming musician, with several musical scores to his credit.

The evening was sponsored by Leslie Barlow, Clacton on Sea..

Audrey Owens

Press Officer

Alastair Sawday was certainly a very different speaker when he entertained the Arts and Lits Society. He started by playing a calypso on his guitar, which he had composed in the dressing room, about his visit to Clacton. For the next fifty minutes we were given a lecture on his various books about the best places to stay throughout the world and the reasons for them. After the interval, he gave us a very fascinating look at his life as he travelled the world as a member of the VSO and as a teacher etc. He is a passionate environmentalist and works very hard to improve the lot of people, especially in the Pacific region. He has received the Queen’s Award for Sustainable Development.

Throughout his talk he showed some interesting slides about places in his Bed and Breakfast books where chickens were predominant. During the talk about his adventures in remote places he played the guitar and sang and also showed slides of some of these areas. Altogether, he was a very interesting and unusual speaker

The evening was sponsored by Norman and Neil, Optometrists of Clacton on Sea..

Audrey Owens
Press Officer

www.Stringfever.co.uk a quartet with a difference. Skeletal electric strings played by world class musicians. The industrys favorite melodies and guitar riff’s played by the best

Clacton & North East Essex Arts and Literary Society

A damp miserable November night was totally forgotten on Monday when the audience in the Princes Theatre was treated to a tour de force of musical expertise produced by four members of the same family. ‘Stringfever’, comprising three brothers and their cousin, produced a programme of world class eclectic entertainment that left the audience clamouring for more. This talented quartet is an exponent of the violin and cello but not in its traditional form – their instruments are electric. The innovative five and six stringed ‘Violectra’ produces a wider range of sound than a conventional violin, which Giles, Ralph & Graham used to superb effect accompanied by Neal on electric cello.

Several compilation pieces were played including a medley of twenty film scores. The audience was encouraged to identify each score and the group provided clues as to their names. Their underlying humour came to the fore almost masking their adeptness at linking so many different styles of music. The highlight of the first half was their performance of Ravel’s Bolero: a very unusual spectacle of all four family members playing the electric cello. The group was not averse to performing vocals (mainly by Neal), and older brother Giles’ rendition of the Charlie Daniel’s Band 70’s classic The Devil went Down to Georgia was a brilliant amalgam of voice and instrument.

The second half included a mesmerizing arrangement of Albinoni’s Adagio, which ably demonstrated their classical training. The programme seamlessly moved from classical to popular music genres and their production of Queen’s Bohemian Rhapsody evoked the plaintive vocalisation of Freddie Mercury mixed with the raucous chords of a rock guitar.

‘Stringfever’ was brilliant, breathless entertainment, with classically honed musicianship wrapped in style and humour that left the audience ready to face the November weather.

The programme was sponsored by GCS Alarms of Clacton-On-Sea.

Robert Pearce

Locum Press Officer