Clacton Arts & Literary Society

The eighth presentation at the Arts and Literary Society  – the Christmas concert – brought back Caledon, the most exciting trio of Scottish tenors in “Christmas in Kilts”.   These three wonderful and exciting singers cavorted around the stage in kilts, singing such fun-filled numbers as The Tartan, Winter Wonderland and an Elvis Presley medley.   These items were interspersed with evocative Scottish airs, carols and lullabies, even one sung in Gaelic.   Audience participation was encouraged with White Christmas and Silent Night and to finish the concert everyone joined in singing Auld Lang Syne.   The audience clapped and cheered, so Caledon gave three encores.   This was a truly lovely and happy evening and a great start to the Christmas season.

The evening was attended by the Chairman of Tendring District Council and sponsored by the Princes Theatre.
                                                            Audrey Owens

                                                               Press Officer

The seventh presentation at the Arts and Literary Society was Winter in Majorca, the story of three months in the life of Chopin and his lover, George Sand. Michael Lunts gave a dramatic portrayal of the dying musical genius as he fought against the consumption which was to kill him and his terrible fears created by the atmosphere of the mountain monastery in Valldemosa. During this performance he played much of the music composed by Chopin during this time especially the many Preludes, which he wrote and rewrote seeking perfection. Among other magical musical moments were the two Polonaises so very famous for Chopin’s portrayal of the war being fought in his native Poland. This was a very unusual entertainment and very gripping. The evening was sponsored by Essex Theatre & Leisure Club, Clacton-on-Sea.

Audrey Owens   Press Officer

A packed house greeted the famous Eric Knowles as he made the fifth presentation at the Arts and Literary Society.   Eric, who was totally irreverent throughout the evening, gave us a potted history of his life from his childhood in Nelson, with a father who must be believed whatever his explanation, to his work at Bonhams and the varied antiques programmes on television.   The lecture was illustrated with pictures of his home town and, of course, the many antiques he had seen and handled throughout his life.   The non-stop talking, with many outlandish jokes, rocked the audience with incessant laughter together with some oohs when shown a slide of an exquisite sapphire and diamond pendant which sold for £385,000.   Eric had examined various antiques brought in by members and gave his valuations during the show.

This was a thoroughly fascinating evening given by a superb showman who received the rapturous applause he richly deserved.  

The evening was sponsored by Thompson, Smith and Puxon, Solicitors of Clacton–on-Sea.

                                                            Audrey Owens

                                                              Press Officer

The fourth presentation at the Arts and Literary Society was made by The Oxford Players in Kicking Leaves. This quartet of musicians gave us an interesting evening of diverse music. They started with 14th century Italian and proceeded through baroque, classical, romantic to modern jazz. The highlight of this section was Rhapsody in Blue played on the piano by Kirsten Johnson, a truly breathtaking performance. Chris Britton, who played various flutes, piccolo and recorder, accompanied Wendy Nieper, a jazz singer turned classical on various items as did Keith Fairbairn on his many percussion instruments.

The evening ended with modern music from around the world and included an item of music for pieces of wood – literally played on various thicknesses of sticks.

The evening was sponsored by Countywide Letting s & Property Management of Holland-on-Sea.

Audrey Owens

The second presentation at the Arts and Literary Society was an illustrated lecture by Hallam Murray entitled “Which Home is it Tonight”. Hallam has appeared at Society meetings in the past and was warmly welcomed back.   The subject of his lecture was the adventures with his wife and son, Quin, aged 3, when they cycled around the island of Mauritius.   He gave a potted history of the island which had been colonised by the Dutch, the French and eventually, the British, who ruled it for 150 years giving it independence in 1968.   Members were given an amazing soundtrack of life in Port Lewis at 4 am when the mullahs from the five nearby mosques began their calls, together with the clashing of pots and pans.  This resulted in Quin asking when were they going home?  Instead, the family climbed onto their bicycles and began their journey around the island after getting permission to take Quin on the bicycle with them.

The resultant show of slides and anecdotes made for a very interesting evening indeed.   Some slides were accompanied by a soundtrack of the noises of the birds and animals and at Christmas of the carol singing by village children, still interspersed with the mullahs calling!

The evening was sponsored by Fred Olsen Travel, Worldwide Holiday/Cruise Specialists of Colchester
                                                            Audrey Owens
                                                             Press Officer