And More... Reviews
ART FOR HEALTH AND WELLBEING - Claire Parker Artist and Art Psychotherapist
There was a full house in the Pump Room for Claire's talk on Art for Health and Wellbeing. She started off with a personal anecdote about being bullied as a child, but escaping the situation and building self-esteem through a love of painting and art. It was clear that she was deeply invested in the subject - she was a convincing and inspiring speaker, and I think we all came away with the intention to do and experience more art. I wrote my way out of a traumatic situation (and then used writing to recover), and I was very interested in the case studies Claire discussed, and her explanation of the mechanics of how art helps with trauma recovery. She explained to us how finding things the young people she worked with enjoyed doing helped them to build self-esteem and regulate behaviours. A particularly striking image was that of Gina, with whom Claire had been doing felting, and who at one point was only able to felt, silently, the darkest colours, enacting the dark headspace she was spiralling into; the story of her gradually being able to accept lighter colours from Claire to add to her artwork was surprisingly poignant.
Claire used slides to illustrate her talk, and had also brought along some artwork produced by her students: for example 100 pots thrown on a pottery kick wheel (and those of us who've ever tried throwing will know what an achievement that was!), origami cranes, and the painting she made when she was 11, which helped her through her difficult time (it's a great painting, Claire). Her commitment to helping the young people she worked with was clear, as was her pride and interest in their work.
There was some fascinating and unexpected information - research about a creativity test involving a paperclip which showed how creativity drops off a cliff as we grow up, for example, and research which shows that we demonstrate ten times as much neural activity when looking at an original picture as opposed to a print. In these days of AI this was a very real (and evidenced) assertion of the value of individual creativity, its social benefits, and why we should support it in schools. It wasn't just a talk about the effects of art on young people, though - we were assured that it's never too late to get the benefits from doing art, and exhorted to find something we could connect to. There was lots of scope for finding further information - Claire recommended a book by Daisy Fancourt (Art Cure) for example. In all, this was a talk which I left inspired to connect to my creativity more. Really enjoyable and informative, and we could tell Claire was passionate about what she was saying.
This talk was only on tonight, but you can find more about Claire on her website (claireparkerartist.com) and also see her paintings at Foxlowe Arts Centre.
Susie Halksworth
MASON KING: THE MIND SPY - MK Entertainment
Mason King is on his way to Edinburgh and, very luckily for us, stopped off in Buxton to share his one-man show 'The Mind Spy'. I cannot begin to explain what the audience experienced, this production is that rare thing - a real original.
Clever, minimalist staging evoked a lab from bygone years, complete with landline! An explanation that the show is based on 'Project Stargate' a genuine, secret US initiative which conducted psychic research from the 1970's onwards set the scene. The Cold War! US and Russian Intelligence! all deliciously sinister, the audience were completely hooked.
Mason went on to deliver a series of highly interactive demonstrations covering thought receiving, transmitting thought patterns and precognition amongst others. This is a really immersive experience and the results were simply extraordinary.
This is a very slick production, the audience were completely engaged and Mason is really likeable and humorous which added to the enjoyment.
As we spilled out into the late afternoon sunshine I could hear everyone trying to make sense of what they'd just been a part of - everybody was blown away!
Mason has one more gig in Buxton this afternoon (Sunday) at 4pm, I'd highly recommend that you get yourself there, be prepared to take part and be completely 'boggled'...
Janet Payne
HIGH PEAK PRIDE PICNIC - High Peak Pride
The Buxton Pride Picnic has become a much-loved fixture in the Buxton calendar, and this year, nestled alongside Fringe Saturday added to its profile.
The event is so inclusive and casual – everybody just turns up, finds a pitch and spreads out a rug in their own time. It meant a lot to Maria, Caroline and I that Gordon (Creeping Toad) made the effort to circulate, welcoming everyone personally, thanking them for coming. It’s this kind of personal touch that makes the Pride Picnic so special.
It’s also a truly family event, with games, crafts and face painting to keep the children entertained. The attendees were a very diverse group, not just from the LGBTQ community, enjoying the chance to catch up with like minded individuals and to make new friends. There were a number of information stands, with a commendable emphasis on mental health and wellbeing. As part of this it is notable that, unlike some Pride events, the Pride picnic doesn’t have over-amped, loud music, something which could be off-putting to some neurodiverse people, adding to the inclusivity of the afternoon.
It was a special treat to have one of Buxton’s favourite exports, Kate Butch, on hand to open the event. It was obvious Kate wasn’t there as a local celebrity, but as part of the Buxton Pride community. She didn’t make it about her, but spent her time chatting to everyone, which was very much appreciated. She’s a class act.
It was a mark of the warm nature of the event (as well as the good weather) that many people stayed for the whole time. Also a special shout-out to the person who removed the goose poo from the lawn before the Picnic. It is this kind of attention to the little details that makes the Pride Picnic such a lovely event.
Oh, and did we say there was delicious cake …?
Robbie Carnegie
UGLY BUG BALL - Serpentine Community Garden
On a balmy sunny summer Sunday afternoon the Serpentine Community Garden welcomed new and existing friends to bask in their garden of delights. With children’s entertainer Hannah Banana in one shady corner, a face painter in another, and a fun discovery trail and quiz there was plenty for children of all ages to enjoy even before they discovered the home made cakes at this free to attend event. Then Sax & Slide jazz duo added to the laid back atmosphere with the sound of the saxophone drifting on the breeze over the abundant flowers and vegetables while tea flowed, children played, and grown ups chatted.
The Ugly Bug Ball was a pleasant sociable afternoon in the garden. The pollinators were busy buzzing round, maybe not in time to the music, but no one seemed to mind. The event represented the friendly open ethos of the Community Garden and provided a lovely oasis of calm amidst the frenzy of Buxton Fringe and a world that’s changing at pace.
Entirely run by volunteers the garden provides a refuge for many throughout the year through regular or occasional hands on sessions. The aim is 'to teach and learn about sustainable growing practices in the High Peak climate; share knowledge with our volunteers and visitors; introduce initiatives and practices that support long term food security; build and maintain an environment where all people are welcome, enjoy what they are doing and having social interaction with others.' Indeed their website says they grow plants and people, and this event reflected that well.
Jean Ball
PUMP ROOM CABARET - Drunk 'n' Whispers
Billed as a show where ‘anything can happen’, it certainly did at last night’s Pump Room Cabaret. It was the opening night of the Fringe, hot and steamy both outside as well as inside the elegant, grade 2-listed building.
Drunk n’ Whispers - aka Sir Dickie Benson and Scarlett Whispers - have run their riotous Midnight Mania Show for over a decade at the Edinburgh Fringe. Why not try something completely different they thought? Would a show designed for a midnight audience in Edinburgh work in a still light, and possibly still genteel, Buxton?
As the audience members poured sweatily into the venue they were greeted by Dean Martin singing Volare and offered a Ferrero Rocher by Sir Dickie, a larger than life character sporting a very dubious looking wig. Sir Dickie was all charm and chocolate, oozing over each audience member whilst building up the party atmosphere. Things could only go downhill from here.
We knew audience participation would be a feature of the show, we didn’t realise quite how much. Be warned. Definitely do not sit in the front row unless you are a completely uninhibited extrovert. Actually you’re not safe anywhere.
After Sir Dickie had warmed up the audience with some rather intimidating and shouty instructions ‘It’s the THEATRE, darlings!’ the first act, singer Kahli Morris, was introduced. For this reviewer the decibel level and general hamming up of the intro almost convinced me Kylie Minogue was about to appear. Billed as a vintage singer and performer, Kahli swung into her versions of some Marilyn Monroe classics, swinging her hips as she did so. Her tone was sultry and although she didn’t quite hit all the notes, she battled on gamely through some technical hiccoughs. Not a bad way to start the evening.
There were 4 acts before the much needed interval where a breath of fresh air could be grabbed outside, and 3 acts after. The acts were all pure variety, a mixture of song, magic, burlesque dancing, and oh yes, some stripping too. The magicians, Mason King and Simon Hughes were excellent entertainment and did (I warned you) involve the audience. It’s great to see sleight of hand and close up magic quite so close up. Simon Hughes was only a couple of feet in front of the audience but he fooled us every time. Mason King has his own show later on in the Fringe. I’d thoroughly recommend going to see him. The title of his show The Mind Spy was very cleverly revealed at the end of his slot. Brilliant work, Mason!
Tease on Taps, otherwise known as Charity and Ebony, appeared wearing Stetsons, waistcoats and various other bits of cowboy clobber which were all gradually shucked off during their carefully choreographed dance routine. Some in the audience really enjoyed this, others including the 81-year-old sitting next to me, clearly did not.
But hey ho, variety is the spice of life and this variety show definitely did not disappoint. Sir Dickie Benson was the glue holding the show together, keeping the audience (loudly) entertained in between acts. His best line during some fantasy about being on a red planet was ‘Ooh what’s that smell? Don’t worry, it’s Elon’s Musk escaping!’ The audience roared.
The other half of the duo, Scarlett Whispers performed once in each half. Firstly she taught audience members (again with the participation!) how to dance burlesque and awarded a prize of nipple tassels to the winner. Scarlett also closed the show with a hypnotic burlesque dance involving two very large ostrich feather fans which also did the job of elegantly hiding the parts gradually revealed by the slow and slinky, bit-by-bit removal of her costume. She is a very talented and mesmerising performer.
Sir Dickie Benson and Scarlett Whispers are the constant parts of this moving feast of a show whose line up changes with each performance. Even more variety!
There are two more shows on July 16th and 17th at the Pump Room. You have been warned.
Moira Kean
