48 COMPASSMAGAZINE.CO.UK

C U L T U R E V U L T U R EMarianka Swain finds September’s best shows, exhibitions and events

SHOP ’TIL YOU DROPPortsmouth’s first Shopping Festival takes place on 12-28 September, with retailers, bars, restaurants and cultural venues running special offers and dedicated events. Don’t miss the tasty street markets, live music and dance, Making Waves Film Festival and Sherlock Holmes trail, celebrating the life and work of Arthur Conan Doyle through a sleuthing tour of historic literary locations and trip to Portsmouth City Museum.02392 826722; www.visitportsmouth.co.uk

PICK OFTHE MONTHOPEN SESAMEDiscover the hidden architectural and cultural treasures near you on 11-14 September with Heritage Open Days, when hundreds of venues open their doors to the public for free.

Explore the historic rare books library at Elizabethan Chawton House, once owned by Jane Austen’s brother; visit the faithfully

re-created Regency-era Crescent Gardens, which contains more than 100 types of plants; have a moment of contemplation in

Fawley’s 12th-century All Saints Church; unearth the Cold War observation post concealed beneath Lepe Country Park; view a display of uniforms covering female occupations from 1900 onwards at Blandford Fashion Museum; experience a World War II bunker at Talbot Heath School; tour Dorchester’s Old Crown Court and cells, where the Tolpuddle Martyrs were tried; and follow in Baden-Powell and the Famous Five’s footsteps by enjoying the wildlife haven at Brownsea Island.0844 335 1884www.heritageopendays.org.uk

Secret wonder: explore Talbot Heath School’s World War II bunker

49 ART & CULTURE

TOP TICKETS 11-14 SEPTEMBER

NOT ABOUT HEROESTHEATRE ROYAL WINCHESTERStephen MacDonald and Blackeyed Theatre create a moving new work that explores the lives, friendship and unforgettable First World War poetry of Wilfred Owen and Siegfried Sassoon.01962 840440; www.theatreroyalwinchester.co.uk

14-16 AUGUST

DRACULA: THE KISSESMINACK THEATRECornwall’s iconic open-air theatre hosts emerging company Scary Little Girls’ audacious version of the Dracula myth, which features an all-female cast, Gothic thrills and lavish steam-punk design.01736 810181; www.minack.com

9-13 SEPTEMBER

ROCK OF AGESMAYFLOWER THEATREThe ’80s-tastic mix-tape musical pairs a classic tale of boy-meets-girl and dreams of stardom with a storming soundtrack of rock hits. This new touring production stars Ben Richards and Noel Sullivan.02380 711811; www.mayflower.org.uk

ART ATTACK 27 SEPTEMBER - 8 NOVEMBER

NOCTURNAL ENCOUNTERSST BARBE MUSEUM & ART GALLERY, LYMINGTONRevered printmaker Colin See-Paynton captures the natural world through his meticulously observed woodcarving, from an adopted family of hares to the fleeting movements of birds and fish.01590 676969; www.stbarbe-museum.org.uk

TO 18 OCTOBER

PAINTER, PAINTER: DAN PERFECT, FIONA RAESOUTHAMPTON CITY ART GALLERYTwo talented British abstract artists – who also happen to be husband and wife – are showcased together for the first time in an exhibition exploring our contemporary experience refracted through technology and cultural media.02380 833007; www.southampton.gov.uk

6-21 SEPTEMBER

THE WOODLANDERSBURLEY VILLAGE HALL, NEW FORESTA diverse group of artists, craftspeople, woodcarvers and potters, all based in the New Forest, join forces to display their work and give daily demonstrations of their creative process. Proceeds go to Diabetes UK.01425 402584; www.thewoodlanders.co.ukImages courtesy of Talbot Heath School,

Tristram Kenton and Scary Little GirlsSend your art and culture news to: marianka@elginmedia.com

Wax poetic: Not About Heroes at Theatre Royal Winchester

Above: Nocturnal Encounters by Colin See-Paynton at the St Barbe Museum & Art GalleryBelow: Rock of Ages at Mayflower Theatre

Dracula: The Kisses at the Minack Theatre

The Woodlanders’ exhibition features New Forest artist Christine Coney