Arts in Hyndburn

Gayle · 02-09-2007, 15:48

In one of the other threads, the arts in Hyndburn have been described as abysmal, I can't help but agree.

So what would people like to see if things were to change?

Would you want more public art, more live theatre, more workshops and activities, more exhibitions, more places to buy art things, more music, different types of music/opera etc, more shakespeare, more what?

garinda · 02-09-2007, 17:03

I've mentioned this on more than one occasion, so appologies if I'm boring you.

In the seventies, and early eighties, we used to get a full and varied selection of professional arts groups performing in Hyndburn. I saw everything from Shakespeare to contemporary dance troupes. I saw punk rock concerts in the Civic Theatre, and alternative comics in Accy Town Hall. I'll refrain from remarking that the Town Hall is still full of comedians...except I didn't refrain from saying it, I suppose.

They were well attended, and much appreciated, and I don't think that in the intervening years the people have Hyndburn have turned into such Philistines that wouldn't pay to see similar things today.

There is no way on God's Earth that I would pay to see the dross we're currently served up. I just tried to check what delights are currently being offered, but as so often is the case HBC's website is down. From memory it's the usual fare of tribute acts, and as a treat maybe Orville.

We have one of the most beautiful art galleries in the country at the Haworth, but again most of the monthly exhibitions aren't a patch on what we used to get under the curatorship of Mr. Potter. I don't want to see what some pensioners have made out of felt in St. Helens. It may have been therapeutic for the them to do, but on artistic merit it scores a big fat zero from me.

As for public art, there isn't any. We must be the only borough in the country of a similar size, which doesn't have a statue.

Art isn't elitist. We have a strong tradition in this part of the world of producing artists of world reknown. From just over the border we have Kathleen Farrier, arguably the greatest contralto voive ever to be recorded, then there's Sir Harrison Birtwistle and John Tomlinson. Throw in our connection with Ossie Clarke, and Jeanette Winterson, and the many actors who have come from Hyndburn, and it shows we have a diverse and rich cultural heritage, but sadly that isn't represented in our borough today.

With the amount of money the council wastes on stupid schemes, their decision to stop paying Mid Penines Arts a relatively small amount, so that we would have at least some variety, is scandalous.

Gayle · 02-09-2007, 17:17

Well naturally I'm going to agree with you on that last one Garinda

I was in the Civic Theatre on Friday for the 'end of term' performance for Sparks, Oswaldtwistle Player's youth group, and the amount of talent on stage was amazing. There were some really spirited and intelligent performances and it would be great if there was more of this sort of stuff and more stuff in the area to inspire them.

Neil · 02-09-2007, 17:28

Quote:

Originally Posted by garinda

their decision to stop paying Mid Penines Arts a relatively small amount, so that we would have at least some variety, is scandalous.

I seem to remember HBC giving some money to Mid Penine recently to fund something

Gayle · 02-09-2007, 17:35

Quote:

Originally Posted by Neil

I seem to remember HBC giving some money to Mid Penine recently to fund something

That's slightly different - in that MPA were commissioned to manage a specific project for that money. The money that Garinda was talking about was the small amount of funding that was given to MPA as a grant for us to generally work in this area.

Anyway, like I said, I really didn't want to get into that, that's all in the past now. What I want to talk about is what people would really be interested in seeing happening in Hyndburn.

garinda · 02-09-2007, 17:46

I agree, some of the amateur groups we have are first class, and some of the things I've seen rate very favourably to professional groups.

It just seems a shame that we have to now travel further afield to see things of merit, when we used to have such a good arts scene on our doorstep here in Hyndburn.

Gayle · 02-09-2007, 18:01

I know that you, Garinda, would probably become more emersed in the arts if there were more things on at the theatre - but do you think it would be a viable business? Would it attract enough audiences?

garinda · 02-09-2007, 18:05

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gayle

I know that you, Garinda, would probably become more emersed in the arts if there were more things on at the theatre - but do you think it would be a viable business? Would it attract enough audiences?

I can't see why not. There was certainly an appreciative audience there twenty five years ago, and I don't think Boltonians are any more cultured than us, and the Octagon Theatre is always packed.

Much to my shame I was dragged to see one of the tribute/rehashed line-up bands at the Civic Theatre, and it was only a quarter full, so whatever they're doing now is hardly filling them in to the rafters.

Gayle · 02-09-2007, 18:09

Quote:

Originally Posted by garinda

I can't see why not. There was certainly an appreciative audience there twenty five years ago, and I don't think Boltonians are any more cultured than us, and the Octagon Theatre is always packed.

Much to my shame I was dragged to see one of the tribute/rehashed line-up bands at the Civic Theatre, and it was only a quarter full, so whatever they're doing now is hardly filling them in to the rafters.

It's possibly because nobody expects there to be anything on at the theatre at the moment so nobody ever checks whether there's anything on - a bit of a vicious circle, I guess.

garinda · 02-09-2007, 18:12

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gayle

It's possibly because nobody expects there to be anything on at the theatre at the moment so nobody ever checks whether there's anything on - a bit of a vicious circle, I guess.

At the moment we can't check, as HBC's website is still down!

Gayle · 02-09-2007, 18:16

The entertainment site isn't down

Guide to Hyndburn entertainment

garinda · 02-09-2007, 18:21

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gayle

The entertainment site isn't down

Guide to Hyndburn entertainment

Thanks...I think.

Usual boring tribute bands, rehashed line-up bands, and amateur productions, no offence.

I'm not hoping for grand opera or the Bolshoi Ballet Company, but it's so disappointing compared to what we were offered twenty five years ago.

Gayle · 02-09-2007, 18:24

Quote:

Originally Posted by garinda

Thanks...I think.

Usual boring tribute bands, rehashed line-up bands, and amateur productions, no offence.

I'm not hoping for grand opera or the Bolshoi Ballet Company, but it's so disappointing compared to what we were offered twenty five years ago.

I think you're right. I think there was a spell about ten or fifteen years ago when theatre slumped in popularity and so that led to the decline of small theatres like the Civic. In recent years theatre has enjoyed a huge surge of popularity, so perhaps it's time to start demanding more events on there.

WillowTheWhisp · 02-09-2007, 19:29

It's a pity we haven't got somewhere centrally in Accrington with decent parking where people could see a variety of things from plays to opera to Shakespear to modern bands to some of the old 60s greats who are still alive and kicking.

A few weeks ago Emzie and I went to see Donnie Munroe in Morecambe at the Platform. It's central and there's a huge public car park just round the back behind the market. It was well attended and a great night was had by all.

They have tribute bands too and all sorts of stuff. Mind you even Morecambe isn't as good as it used to be but they are getting PJ Proby in October!! Guess who's going.

Maybe Accy residents just don't even think of going to Ossy Civic Theatre - which is a shame. We've been there, and the Thwaites Empire and King George's in Blackburn so it isn't necessarily size that matters although maybe some pros wouldn't perform at a small venue?

BERNADETTE · 02-09-2007, 21:32

We have got somewhere in the centre of Accrington that with a bit of work would be ideal for theatre productions IMO. What an ideal use for the Con Club, the car park on Paradise Street would make ideal parking in the evenings and at weekends and the club would be made use of instead of being left to rot.