Complimentary Copy (£2.50 where sold) March 2011Issue 30

MusicGig listingsLive music for March

Thefuture’sBrightWOW looks at spring fashions

THEATRE • CINEMA • COMEDY • MUSIC • FASHION • SHOPPING • ART • EVENTS • MOTORING

The essential guide to what’s on in the Midlands

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The essential guide to what’s on in the Midlands

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WOW March 2011 1

alexander Gra-ham bell (March 3, 1847 – au-gust 2, 1922 would have been 164 this month) was credited with inventing the first practical tel-ephone. What is surprising is that both bell’s mother and wife were deaf, profoundly influencing bell’s life’s work.

His research on hearing and speech made him experi-ment with hearing devices which eventually led to bell being awarded the first U.S. Patent for the telephone in 1876. bell considered his most famous invention an intrusion on his real work as a scientist and refused to have a telephone in his study!

Scan this QR code to go to our website

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WOW TAKES A LOOK AT SOME OF THE LATEST THEATRICAL HIGHLIGHTS

Fri 4 tO Sat 19 MarchAs part of the Made in Northampton 2011 Subscription Season, Robert Daws – best

Diary of a Nobody

known as Dr Gordon Ormerod in ITV’s The Royal – stars in the world premiere of Diary of a Nobody. This frenetically funny

Diary from a Nobody can be seen at Royal & Derngate from 4 to 19 March, with tickets priced from £27 to £12. To book, call the Box Office on 01604 624811 or visit www.royalandderngate.co.uk.

re-telling of the farcical classic novel takes to the Royal stage from Friday 4 to Saturday 19 March.

The diarist of the piece, one Charles Pooter of Upper Holloway, a really very ordinary middle class clerk with lofty aspirations, has decided that the world deserves to hear his diary – whether they like it or not.

He has one night, three actors and an empty stage to impart dubious anecdotes of his humdrum existence to anyone who will listen. He may be overly uppity and terribly hoity toity, but Pooter’s relentless stream of unwitting, toe-curling social gaffes make it impossible not to warm to this hapless everyman.

Adapted by Hugh Osborne from the hilarious comedy of manners by George and Weedon Grossmith, this world premiere sees four men uproariously recreate the trials and tribulations of Pooter’s monotonous marriage and daily grind in Victorian London, resulting in a riotously energetic and physical tour de force.

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Tue 29 & Wed �0 MarCHAfter a sell-out performance last Summer, The Castle are pleased to welcome back Vamos Theatre’s with their unique and unforgettable full mask production of Nursing Lives.

Set in 1939 where Florence is a young trainee nurse thrown directly into the harsh realities of work on the ward. She encounters the wrath of Sister Martin; endures and enjoys the pranks of fellow nurses, falls in love with her soldier sweetheart, Johnny; and confronts the heart wrenching inequalities in the use of the new super drug penicillin. Will her dream of saving lives come true?

Vamos Theatre brings

Nursing Lives

together a number of ex-Trestle Theatre members to create Nursing Lives, a full-mask theatre production alive with visual inventiveness, evocative music and song, physical theatre and 1940s dance sequences. “The work originates from the true stories of nurses at the former Worcester Royal Infirmary” explains Vamos Theatre’s Artistic Director-Rachael Savage, “however, at its heart, Nursing Lives is a human story that celebrates nurses at work and play during the years of World War II.”

Nursing Lives is a show for all ages (8-80 years). It is funny, touching, at times harrowing, but always uplifting and unforgettable. “Not what I was expecting” commented

Tickets are priced £12 (£10) and can be purchased by calling the Box Office on 01933 270 007 or online at www.thecastle.org.uk.

one audience member, “but a million times better. Brilliant masks, brilliant actors, brilliant show!”

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Thursday 31 MarChHelene Alving is preparing for the opening of an orphanage, built in memory of her late husband. Her beloved artist son, Oswald, has returned from Paris to honour the occasion, but his long-awaited homecoming rapidly descends into tragedy as his presence triggers the exposure of a dark story of hypocrisy and betrayed love.

Ibsen’s study of hidden passions and family secrets remains as dramatically alive as ever in Frank McGuinness’ vital new version.

Henrik Ibsen was one of the truly great playwrights in the European tradition, often referred to as ‘the father of modern drama’. His plays were considered scandalous to many of his era! Frank McGuinness

Ghosts

is an award-winning Irish playwright and poet.

LCT launched as a touring company in April 2000 and produce challenging, accessible drama. They have presented a range of popular, modern classic drama with productions such as Look Back in Anger, Entertaining Mr Sloane and Abigail’s Party.

Tickets are priced £16 (£14) and can be purchased by calling the Box Office on 01933 270 007 or online at www.thecastle.org.uk

Friday � MarChOpera della Luna have earned themselves a matchless reputa-tion for their productions of Gil-bert & Sullivan. They now turn their hand to the writing duo’s first successful show. This smart new production moves the story from its quaint Victorian set-ting to sleepy rural Britain in the 1970s

John Wellington Wells, the

The sorcerer

celebrated dealer in “magic and spells”, spreads chaos and havoc in an unsuspecting country vil-lage, when he places a power-ful aphrodisiac in the village hall teapot. The resulting revelations are indeed “a marvellous illusion, a terrible surprise!”

Opera della Luna is the UK’s finest comic opera company, now celebrating 15 years of acclaimed productions of Gilbert and Sul-livan, Offenbach and Johann Strauss touring to theatres all over the UK. Their recent produc-tion of HMS Pinafore and Die Fled-ermaus played to sell-out houses and gained rave reviews.

Tickets are priced £20 (£18), Friends £2 off, and can be purchased by calling the Box Office on 01933 270 007 or online at www.thecastle.org.uk

Thur 2� & Fri 25 MarChWelcome to a seedy spoken-word underworld where gang-sters, high-rollers and con-men compete in the ultimate high stakes Scrabble game, when A Night on the Tiles comes to The Core at Corby Cube, from Thursday 24 to Friday 25 March.

Manchester-based theatre collective Pen-ultimate present a bigger and bolder produc-tion of their critically acclaimed debut show. An electric, heady mix of tightly woven wordplay referencing heist, caper and kung fu movies, A Night on the Tiles is a Tarantino-esque tale of revenge, murder and Devon-shire cream teas.

Directed by Montserrat Gili (Dende Collective) and with

a Night on the Tiles

dramaturgy from US hip-hop theatre pioneer Will Power, A Night on the Tiles is dark com-edy with an infectious urban twist.

Pen-ultimate are a diverse collective of nationally and in-ternationally recognised poets, actors, MCs and playwrights

A Night on the Tiles can be seen at The Core at 7pm on Thursday 24 March and at 2pm and 7pm on Friday 25 March. Tickets are just £10, with concessions at £8 and schools tickets at £7. To book, call the Ticket Line on 01536 470 470 or visit www.thecoreborby.com. Free workshops are available for groups of 15 or more who book for the performance.www.penultimate.net

– Ben Mellor, Ali Gadema (AKA Frisko Dan), Niven Ganner, Samira Arhin-Acquaah (AKA Lucidity) and Martin Stannage (AKA Visceral). Ben Mellor is the current Slam Champion for BBC Radio 4 and Pen-ultimate were recently featured exten-sively on Radio 4’s long-run-

ning poetry series Bespoken Word. A section from A Night on the Tiles was featured on the most recent series to a great response.

Pen-ultimate made their de-but at the 2007 Edinburgh Fes-tival, and have since performed in theatres and festivals includ-ing Contact, The Albany, Bris-tol Old Vic and The Big Chill. A Night on the Tiles is their first full-scale production and major national tour.

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Tuesday 8 MarCHLady Constance Chatterley is trapped in a loveless marriage. Injured in battle, the baronet Clifford Chatterley is unable to satisfy the sexual desires of his wife and so she finds herself in the arms of another man. As the passionate love affair between Constance and Mellors the gamekeeper reaches it’s climax, the constraints of a class-led society are broken down and the two lovers find a fulfilment never experienced before.

Written in 1925, D.H. Lawrence’s controversial work was banned from sale until 1960 for its frank and explicit depiction of sex and its portrayal of a passionate and adulterous love affair. Years ahead of its time this work

Lady Chatterley’s Lover

deals with sexual taboos that are still present in society even today.

Since 1971, Hull Truck has been touring out of the back of a truck, performing in hundreds of theatres and venues throughout the UK each year. They aim to bring top quality, award-winning drama to new and established audiences across the UK every year, and Wellingborough drama fans can enjoy their latest production.

This production is suitable for people aged 14 and over. Tickets are priced £16 (£14), Friends £2 off and a schools price is available. Tickets can be purchased by calling the Box Office on 01933 270 007 or online at www.thecastle.org.uk.

saTurday 19 MarCHPeppa is a playful little piggy who lives with her little brother George, Mummy Pig and Daddy Pig. Through everyday adven-tures she plays games, makes new friends and enjoys her abso-lutely favourite activity – jumping up and down in muddy puddles!

Peppa Pig’s Party is a chance for all her young friends across the UK to join in the fun with Suzy Sheep, Danny Dog and Emily Elephant for her perfect party. This charming, original and imaginative show is full of brand new songs, muddy puddles, and oinks!

Peppa Pig’s Party

Peppa Pig’s Party - Royal & Derngate, Sat 19 March at 10am, 1pm and 4pm, and Sun 20 March at 10am and 1pm. To book call 01604 624811 or visit www.royalandderngate.co.uk.

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� WOW 2011

WOW FINDS OUT WHERE THE LAUGHS ARE THIS MONTH

If you only go to 30 comedy gigs this month… with DJ Fontana

Tue 1 MARK STEEL The Stables Milton Keynes

Thu 3 BOOTHBY GRAFFOE The Y Theatre Leicester FUNNY THURSDAYS: TOM DEACON Momo Northampton

Fri 4 ROY ‘CHUBBY’ BROWN Athena Leicester SCREAMING BLUE MURDER COMEDY CLUB: DAN ANTOPOLSKI, CHRIS LYNAM, MARTIN COYOTE, DAN EVANS Royal & Derngate Theatre Northampton

Sat 5 RAINER HERSCH’S CLASSIC COMEDY ORCHESTRA The Stables Milton Keynes

Sun � HAL CRUTTENDEN, PAT BURTSCHER The Cornerhouse Nottingham

Wed 9 THE BEST MEDICINE: STEPHEN K AMOS Royal & Derngate Theatre Northampton

Fri 11 SMOKESCREENS & CASTLES: RUSSELL KANE Royal & Derngate Theatre Northampton

Sat 12 OLD DOG NEW TRICKS: JENNY ECLAIR The Core Theatre Corby

Tue 15 THE GREAT ESCAPE (TOUR WARM UP): ROB ROUSE

WEDNESDAY 9 MARCHDirect from his own BBC2 series The Stephen K Amos Show, Stephen K Amos is back on the road for 2011, bringing his new stand-up show, The Best Medicine, to Northampton’s Royal & Derngate on Wednesday 9 March.

Following last year’s hugely successful UK tour – where he played to 60,000 people – Amos is back with his special of brand of melt-in-the-middle comedy, to cheer us up, make us forget the doom and gloom and show what has just been medically proven, that laughter really is the best medicine!

Amos has charmed and entertained audiences all over the world with his easy, relaxed style, intelligent wit and honest warmhearted joie de vivre. The last few years have seen Stephen steadily become a household name – recently starring in BBC One’s dance-off Let’s Dance for Sport Relief, appearing regularly on The One Show and The Wright Stuff (Channel 5) and guesting on Have I Got News For You (BBC One) and Mock the Week (BBC Two).

He shot to fame following his hilarious set at The Royal Variety Performance (ITV) and triumphed on Live At The Apollo (BBC One). He has also developed a keen interest in

Laughter is the best medicine…

food and cookery following his hilarious contribution to Celebrity Masterchef (BBC2) and BBC One’s Saturday Kitchen and is now much in demand on the foodie circuit.

A gifted actor, Amos has impressed audiences and critics with his performances on stage, and screen, and has proved not only a gift for comedy but also for more serious roles. He was Sir Benjamin Backbite in RB Sheridan’s farce The School For Scandal at the Edinburgh Festival 2009, alongside Lionel

Stephen K Amos takes to the Derngate stage on Wednesday 9 March at 7.30pm. Tickets – priced £18.50 – can be booked by calling the Box Office on 01604 624811 or online at www.royalandderngate.co.uk. The show is recommended for ages 16 and above.

Blair, Marcus Brigstocke and Phil Nichol. He also appeared in the West End and Edinburgh run of One Flew Over The Cuckoo’s Nest, alongside Christian Slater.

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The Crumblin’ Cookie Leicester

Wed 16 SCREAMING BLUE MURDER: MIKE GUNN, MARIAN PASHLEY, ANDREW BIRD The Stables Milton Keynes

Wed 16 ED BYRNE: CROWD PLEASER Birmingham Symphony Hall

Thu 1� THE SUNSHINE TOUR: JOHN BISHOP De Montfort Hall Leicester

Fri 18 JONGLEURS ON THE ROAD: GUEST COMEDIANS The Castle Wellingborough SCREAMING BLUE MURDER COMEDY CLUB: TONY LAW, QUINCY, JAMES DOWDESWELL, DAN EVANS Royal & Derngate Theatre Northampton

Sun 20 LAUGHING BOY COMEDY CLUB: GUEST COMEDIANS The Core Theatre Corby STEPHEN K AMOS Milton Keynes Theatre

Tue 22 FIRING CHEESEBALLS AT A DOG: GREG DAVIES Royal & Derngate Theatre Northampton CHATTERBOX: SARAH MILLICAN The Stables Milton Keynes

Wed 23 THE COMEDY CLUB NORTHAMPTON: RUDI LICKWOOD, GARY DELANEY, KEVIN MCCARTHY Northampton Saints Rugby Club

Thu 24 EMERGENCY! The Y Theatre Leicester MEK MI LAUGH: FELIX DEXTER, GUEST COMEDIANS Royal & Derngate Theatre Northampton

Fri 25 SCOTT CAPURRO OPENS UP The Fishmarket

Paradise Found

For anyone who missed last month’s hilarious WOW interview with Milton Jones – ‘the weird bloke with the shirts from Mock the Week’, as he refers to himself – here’s yet more notice that the nation’s official funniest punsmith is is back treading the boards on the Midland Plain.

He’s proven his calibre as a tricky wordsmith and surreal ponderer time and time again on Radio 4 with ‘The Very World of Milton Jones’ and ‘Another Case of Milton Jones’, as well as on the goggle box and picking up numerous comedy awards – but it’s live that the electric-haired nutcase really makes sense.

He really is Britain’s funniest Milton.

Fri 11 THE LION WHISPERER: MILTON JONES The Castle Wellingborough Wed 23 Loughborough Town HallWed 6 Apr De Montfort Hall Leicester

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� WOW March 2011

The gigs, The groups, The goss...

MOn 7th - Sat 12th March The legendary ‘Original’ Tribute to The Blues Brothers is back!

Yes folks, the show that started it all has been playing sell out tours all over Europe these past few years, but Jake and Elwood Blues know that home is where the heart is and they’re back on a serious mission to entertain you!

Last time around they

the Blues Brothers

smashed box office records; crashed, crooned and rocked their way into the lives of anyone with a heartbeat! Featuring cast members from the original hit West End run, this ‘all-new’ show brings you

For tickets call the box office on 0116 233 3111 or visit www.demontforthall.co.uk

all those amazing, favourite and classic moments and more; including a brand new set, new twists, new moves, new songs - and freshly laundered suits!!

On their mission to bring ‘Soul and Blues’ back into your heart, the boys are joined by one of Europe’s finest seven piece bands and the sassy Bluettes; three amazing ladies with voices to knock you clean

off your perch! Expect all your favourite songs, including Everybody, Shake Ya Tail Feather, Sweet Home Chicago, Think, Respect, Gimme Some Loving, and loads, loads more!

So dust off your pork pie hat, dig out your shades and don those dancing shoes and prepare to party like never before! Join the Blues Brothers for a night of the best music, moves, thrills and spills you’re likely to see this side of Chicago! Just don’t tell the Police, OK...?!

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WOW March 2011 �

If you only go to 30 gigs this month… with DJ Fontana

Tue 1 THE BLACK SPIDERS Lock 42 Leicester

Wed 2 THE GREAT AMERICAN SOUL BOOK: GARY U.S. BONDS + BEN E KING De Montfort Hall Leicester

Thu 3 EXHALE ON MAIN STREET: THE COUNTERFEIT STONES The Core Theatre Corby

Fri 4 ALEXANDER FOG De Montfort Hall Leicester

Sat 5 THE DOORS ALIVE + THE MARRAKESH EXPRESS Market Harborough Leisure Centre

Sun 6 MOUTHTRONICA: SHLOMO The Stables Milton Keynes

Mon 7 EXAMPLE The Assembly Leamington Spa

Tue 8 WHERE ARE YOU TAKING ME? TOUR: BEARDYMAN Warwick University SU Coventry

Wed � BLACK & BLUE: THE STRANGLERS + WILKO JOHNSON + MIKE MARLIN Rock City Nottingham

Thu 10 JACKIE OATES Octagonal Theatre Market Harborough

Fri 11 THE SEARCHERS The Stables Milton Keynes

Sat 12 DODGY The Musician Leicester

Sun 13 BLACK & BLUE: THE STRANGLERS O2 Academy Leicester

Mon 14 THE DUBLINERS De Montfort Hall Leicester

Tue 15 JACK BRUCE + RONNIE SCOTT’S BLUES EXPERIENCE

SATURDAY 12 MARCHThe first lady of Motown, Mary Wilson, is heading back to the UK for a tour that comes to Royal & Derngate, Northampton on Saturday 12 March. The former singer and founding member of The Supremes will be performing all their hits and more in this stunning, soulful concert.

The Supremes many hits include Where Did Our Love Go, which reached No 3, and the No 1’s Baby Love, Come See About Me, Stop In the Name of Love and Back in My Arms Again. Having uniquely attained five consecutive No 1 hits in America, in the UK they continued with a string of hits including You Can’t Hurry Love and You Keep Me Hanging On.

Mary Wilson

Interest in the Supremes’ legacy was renewed after the release of the award-winning

Tickets are £28.50 and can be booked by calling the Box Office on 01604 624811 or online at www.royalandderngate.co.uk.

film Dreamgirls in 2006, and a collection of more than 50 gowns from their earliest performances of their star-studded career was recently on exhibit at the Victoria and Albert Museum in London.

Mary’s special guests The Chi–Lites, from Chicago, perform in the UK for the first time since 1984. Their many hits include (For God’s Sake) Give More Power To The People, Have You Seen Her, Oh Girl, I Found Sunshine and Too Good To Be Forgotten. In 2000 the Chi-Lites were inducted into Rhythm & Blues Hall of Fame.

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The Stables Milton Keynes

Wed 16 STEELEYE SPAN Royal & Derngate Theatre Northampton

Thu 17 THE MANFREDS The Castle Wellingborough

Fri 18 TOM HINGLEY Firebug Leicester SUPEREVOLVER The Soundhouse Leicester THE PIRANHA BROTHERS The Criterion Leicester

Sat 19 DAVID ROTHERAY + BELLA HARDY + JIM CAUSLEY The Stables Milton Keynes HARRY THE PIANO The Stables Milton Keynes

Sun 20 ABBA FOREVER Loughborough Town Hall

Mon 21 THE AUSTRALIAN PINK FLOYD Birmingham Symphony Hall

Tue 22 ELBOW Birmingham NIA

Wed 23 CARA DILLON The Stables Milton Keynes

Thu 24 SCREAMADELICA LIVE!: PRIMAL SCREAM O2 Academy Leicester

Fri 25 KINGS OF QUEEN Wicksteed Park Kettering

Sat 26 ENRIQUE IGLESIAS Birmingham LG Arena

Sun 27 A NIGHT AT THE OPERA: ROYAL PHILHARMONIC ORCHESTRA (RPO) Royal & Derngate Theatre Northampton

Mon 28 STIFF LITTLE FINGERS The Assembly Leamington Spa

Wed 30 McFLY Birmingham LG Arena

THURSDAY 10 MARCHOne of the country’s longest established jazz musicians Kenny Ball comes to The Core at Corby Cube, with his Jazzmen, on Thursday 10 March bringing a fantastic evening of musical entertainment.

Probably the greatest test of an artist’s success is his durability. For nearly 50 years Kenny Ball has flown the flag for his particular brand of traditional jazz all over the world. It is a tribute to his stamina and musical integrity that Kenny Ball and his Jazzmen are as popular today as they were back in 1960 when they had their first chart hit with Samantha.

From that time on, hit after hit came pouring out until the final tally was fourteen top 30 records, eclipsing even Kenny’s idol the great Louis Armstrong’s total - an achievement which has never been equalled by

Kenny Ball and his Jazzmen

any other jazz artist. Midnight in Moscow was a top two hit in both the UK and the USA. The band’s popularity was further enhanced by their four-year spells on The Morecambe and Wise Show and Saturday Night at the Mill, both of which were viewed by millions.

Kenny is identified with great jazz but also wonderful entertainment. Kenny, like Armstrong, believes in making jazz attractive to everyone. His

Don’t miss Kenny Ball and his Jazzmen when they take to the stage at The Core on Thursday 10 March at 7.30pm. Tickets are £16.50, with concessions at £14.50, and can be booked by calling the Ticket Line on 01536 470 470 or visiting the website www.thecorecorby.com.

records continue to sell in the hundreds of thousands.

FRIDAY 25 MARCHBlackheart are Chrissy Mostyn and Rick Pilkington. They have been performing for just three years, but are widely regarded as the fastest rising stars of the new folk generation. They have become established for their live concerts, their outstanding debut album Indigo and now their brand new CD Invisible.

Their songwriting blends folk, country and even rock influences to create a unique style of beautifully crafted, instantly memorable songs that has been christened by the media ‘urban folk’.

Their highly personal songs

Blackheart

paint pictures of their lives with subjects such as hometowns, marriage, faith, redundancy, bereavement and even suicide all being treated with the sensitive, intellectual lyrical observation

Calling the Box Office on 01933 270 007 or online at www.thecastle.org.uk

that is becoming the trademark of their work.

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Thursday 17 MarchIn his first National tour of a major new work EUROPA, Courtney Pine creates a pow-erful statement that reflects the vibrancy, innovation and spirit of the continent of his birth.

In 1987 Courtney Pine ar-rived on the British music scene with one plan, to take jazz music to a wider audi-ence. His self-determination, drive and research took him beyond British shores and deep into the European conti-nent where the seeds of this project began to take root.

His latest recording and live show incorporates the life travelling experiences of this relentless road warrior drawing back in time to Gre-

courtney Pine

gorian Chant, Scandinavian, Celtic, Spanish, Hungarian, Mediterranean melodies and rhythms that show like a geographical map, the scope, width and growth of the Con-tinent

Celebrating 24 years of award winning music mak-ing, Courtney ventures still further with this new work, his first all Bass Clarinet set and presents the latest chap-ter in the fascinating evolu-tion of one of this country’s most original musicians.

The sTables.Stockwell Lane, WavendonMilton Keynes, MK17 8LUBox Office - 01908 280800www.stables.org

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12 WOW March 2011

WOW TAKES A LOOK AT THE DANCE, CLASSIC AND CONTEMPORARY

Wed 16th MarchA ballet like no other ever seen before in the UK, Amande Concerts presents The Big Ballet, an ensemble of 16 Corps de Ballet dancers, each weighing no less than 16-Stone and united in a common cause; not to lose a single pound.

From Russia’s Ural mountains, a region from where Tchaikovsky himself hails, The Big Ballet formed in 1994 and set out to deliberately and, above all, self-confidently challenge accepted social

the Big Ballet

standards in a world where the pursuit of slenderness and beauty seems obsessive. The dancers courageously and imposingly prove that grace, elegance, charisma and nimbleness is not the demesne of the “thin”, proudly presenting their voluptuous yet surprisingly sinuous and flexible figures.

For tickets call the box office on 0116 233 3111 or visit www.demontforthall.co.uk

12 WOW March 2011

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Saturday 12 March The Castle are delighted to welcome a legend of the dance world, Wayne Sleep OBE when he brings his celebratory new production, Precious Little Sleep, to Wellingborough on Sat 12 Mar, 7.30pm. Presented by Paul du Fer, the show celebrates Wayne’s life and career with beautiful dance routines specially choreographer by Wayne himself.

Wayne Sleep’s career have been hugely successful and very varied! He won a Leverhulme Scholarship to the Royal Ballet School in 1961 and joined the Royal Ballet Company in 1966. He later he became a Principal Dancer and had numerous roles created for him by, amongst others, de Valois, Layton and Nureyev.

He was a Guest Artist with several ballet companies including English National, London City, Scottish, Capab and London Contemporary Dance.

Precious Little Sleep

Recently he danced Ugly Sister in Ashton’s Cinderella with the Royal Ballet at Covent Garden, the Metropolitan Opera House in New York and in Tokyo.

Wayne has also had success performing in the West End, with theatre credits including High Society, Cats, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, Cabaret and many more!

Wayne has even broken into popular TV, having been a judge on the BBC Television prime time weekly show Strictly Dance Fever, the subject of This Is Your Life, Melvyn Bragg’s The South Bank Show and as a guest on numerous chat shows.

Join Wayne and friends for a night of dance! Tickets are priced £17.50 (£15.50), Friends £2 off, and can be purchased by calling the Box Office on 01933 270 007 or online at www.thecastle.org.uk

a Step in time

Sat 2nd & Sun 3rd aPriLNo other local business has benefited more from the spectacular success of TV shows such as ‘Strictly Come Dancing’, ‘Britain’s Got Talent’ and ‘The X Factor’ than the Harborough Academy of Performing Arts.

Having started out in 1995 with 75 dance pupils, ex-pro dancer and choreographer Linda Greene’s brainchild has swiftly become established as the area’s number one for dance and drama classes for all ages. At this month’s 15th Anniversary Annual Variety Show at Kettering’s Light-house Theatre, no less than 400 all-singing, all-dancing members will be taking part in at least one of four shows

a SteP in tiMe is at the The Lighthouse TheatreKettering Conference CentreThurston Drive, KetteringNN15 6PB. Saturday 2 and Sunday 3 April. For tickets, call the Box Office: 01536 414141 or Email: enquiries@lighthousetheatre.co.uk

over a weekend.Come along and see what

the HAPA crew can do – ballet, tap, gymnastic dance, singing, drama – and find out more about the classes, exams, competitions and summer schools which make the Acad-emy the highlight of so many school-age children’s lives (not forgetting the kiddies and adults!).

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NeW filMs this MONth...

friday 4th MarChthe tempestthe adjustment BureaurangoPatagoniaironcladdont Be afraid of the darkClient 9age of dragons

friday 11th MarChthe residentthe Company Menhall Passfair GameBattle: los angelesall american Orgy

friday 18th MarChyou Will Meet a tall dark strangerthe lincoln lawyersubmarineroute irishChalet Girlanuvahood

friday 25th MarChWake Woodthe eagleredemptionlimitlessfasterCountry strongCave of forgotten dreamsa turtle’s tale: sammy’s adventures

WOW’S JAZ COX LOOKS AT SOME OF THE NEWEST CINEMA RELEASES

fair Game

direCtOr: Doug LimanGeNre: Action adventureCast:Naomi Watts, Sean PennCertifiCate: TBCruNtiMe: 108 minutes

friday 11th MarChFair Game is a riveting action-thriller based on the autobiography of real-life undercover CIA operative Valerie Plame (Naomi Watts), whose career was destroyed and whose marriage strained to its limits when her covert identity was exposed by a politically motivated press leak. As a covert officer in the CIA’s Counter-Proliferation Division, Valerie leads an investigation into the existence of weapons of mass destruction in Iraq. Valerie’s husband, diplomat Joe Wilson (Sean Penn), is

drawn into the investigation to substantiate an alleged sale of enriched uranium from Niger. But when the administration ignores his findings and uses the issue to support the call to war, Joe writes a New York Times editorial outlining his conclusions and ignites a firestorm of controversy.

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After his brother abdicates, George ‘Bertie’ VI (Colin Firth) reluctantly assumes the throne. Plagued by a nervous stammer and considered unfit to be King, he engages the help of an unorthodox speech therapist (Geoffrey Rush) to overcome his demons. Through a set of unexpected techniques, and as a result of an unlikely friendship, Bertie is able to find his voice and boldly lead the country into war. British director Tom Hooper elicits a regal performance from Firth that has ‘Oscar’ written all over it. Fresh from its Oscar and BAFTA success, don’t miss one of the most accomplished and polished films of the year.

The King’s Speech

CeRTIFICATe: 12AGenRe: DramaDIReCTOR: Tom HooperCAsT: Colin Firth, Helena Bonham-Carter, Geoffrey RushRunnInG TIme: 118minsThe King’s speech(12A) Fri 4 – Tue 8 marchForum Cinema, Weston Favell Centre, northamptonFor screening times, please call 01604 837 300

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16 WOW March 2011

The hottest new coloursfor spring are so brightyou’re going to needshades just to openyour wardrobe.

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pring 2011’s love of bold block colours has something of a 60s vibe to it. Although it’s less about

retro psychadelia and more about sleek modern lines and simple blocks of one or two colours worn together. In terms of colour scheme, there’s a real rainbow of options to choose from, the only rule being they have to be as bold and bright as possible.

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1. Hobbs. Trapeze top, £69, Howden bag, £179, flag tie skirt, £89.2. New Look. Pink lace sleeveless top £21.99, bright pink Capri pant, £17.99, orange skinny belt, £4.99, Striped peep-toe wedges, £24.99.3. House of Fraser. Very by Vero Moda coral ‘Goddess’ dress, £110.4. Monsoon. Forget Me Not yellow-striped sun dress, £75.5. Marks & Spencer. Limited Collection blue colour block jumpsuit, £79. 6. George at ASDA.Yellow dress.

7. House of Fraser. Blue shirt £45 Linea, Blue silk scarf £28 New & Lingwood, Navy double breasted jacket £99 Linea, Red chinos £45Selected Homme8. Debenhams. Red Herring orange peep toe, £35. 9. Debenhams. Principles by Ben de Lisi bag, £45.10. Office. Wind-up wedge, £60.11. Gorgeous. Converse Hero.

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18 WOW March 2011

MAKE SURE YOU’RE BEAUTY, NOT THE BEAST...

Having had our new Laser Machine since the end of last summer, we are well underway with treating our clients and seeing fantastic results.

Our machine treats sev-eral concerns that most people have-

- Unwanted Hair- Facial Thread Veins- Acne Scarring- Pigmentation- Sun Damage- Rosacea- Skin Rejuvenation

Beauty ManOr is above Browns Hairdressing, Manor House, High Street, Market Harborough, LE16 7NL. To book an appointment telephone 0844 999 4365www.thebeautymanor.co.uk

Hit me with that Laser Beam...

The laser itself is called In-tense Pulse Light and we have two hand pieces to treat the dif-ferent concerns.

Particularly Hair Removal is a huge concern on face and body. How the IPL works is that the light is absorbed by the melanin, the pigment in the hair follicle. When the light is absorbed it destroys the sur-rounding cells, making it more difficult for the hair to grow.

Skin Rejuvenation is be-coming increasingly popular. It

offers the solution for all vis-ible signs of ageing caused by sun damage (such as brown spots), redness and uneven skin texture (which improves and stimulated the production of collagen).

How Skin Rejuvenation works is that the filtered light stimulates the fibroblast cells within the skin that produce collagen and elastin. The skin becomes firmer, appears more radiant and enlarged pores are reduced.

One thing is for sure that any client undergoing any IPL treatments must wear a Sun Protection Factor 20 (mini-mum). I’m sorry its time to

stress the importance of pro-tecting your skin in the sun to prevent premature ageing and sun damage.

Consultations and Patch Tests are required for all as-pects of IPL treatments by our Laser Specialists.

Hope to see you soon

Kara x

If you have any beauty questions you would like to ask our expert, please write to: Kara @ Beauty Manor, C/O WOW, 50 St. Mary’s Road, Market Harborough, LE16 7DU.

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ART AND CULTURE NEAR YOU...

RELEASE DATE: OCTOBER 31 Artist Leigh Lambert visited Croft Wingates on Saturday 19th February to preview his new Spring Collection. Leigh’s work features a nostalgic view of his childhood growing up in the North East where he lived with his family until they relocated in 1996 to the beautiful town of Warwick.

Leigh was on hand in the gallery to chat to collectors of his work about the new collection and add a personal touch to pictures.

Leigh is a versatile artist and can produce work in both Watercolour and Oil paint. He has developed a unique style of his own and consequently his artwork has been displayed in galleries and Art shows around Central & Northern England. Croft Wingates introduced Leigh’s work to the gallery in November and the reaction has been fantastic.

Leigh Lambert

The new Spring Collection including Original oils and Signed Limited Editions on Paper and Canvas is available at Croft Wingates now. Or preview the collection on our website www.croftwingates.co.uk

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22 WOW March 2011

5 March tO 17 aprilA richly colourful exhibition of textiles is to go on display at Northampton Museum and Art Gallery next month (5 March).‘Talking Textiles’ brings together the latest work by 14 talented artists from East Anglia, giving visitors an opportunity to see an amazing array of textiles in very different styles.Each piece has been created for maximum visual impact.They range from the traditional to the contemporary and include stunning 3D forms, textured weavings, colourful hangings and vibrant machine embellished panels.Lucy Culverhouse, Northampton Borough Council museum’s officer who helped organise the exhibition, said: “The combination of works on display is an exciting mix that evokes aesthetic pleasure with often poignant meanings. It really is a lovely exhibition.”

5 March tO 17 aprilA richly colourful exhibition of textiles is to go on display at Northampton Museum and Art Gallery next month (5 March).‘Talking Textiles’ brings together the latest work by 14 talented artists from East Anglia, giving visitors an opportunity to see an amazing array of textiles in very different styles.Each piece has been created for maximum visual impact.They range from the traditional to the contemporary and include stunning 3D forms, textured weavings, colourful hangings and vibrant machine

talking textiles

Talking Textiles is at Northampton Museum and Art Gallery from 5 March to 17 April. Opening times are Tuesday to Saturday 10am to 5pm and Sunday 2pm to 5pm.Admission is free.

embellished panels.Lucy Culverhouse, Northampton Borough Council museum’s officer who helped organise the exhibition, said: “The combination of works on display is an exciting mix that evokes aesthetic pleasure with often poignant meanings. It really is a lovely exhibition.”

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oh, he’s a thorn in the side of evildoers, fascists, bullies and Bond villains the world over, is

that Mark Thomas. He’s in a minority of one on the

circuit in that he’s won the usual Time Out comedy award and the Sony Award for Radio Comedy just recently – plus a Kurdish National Congress Medal of Honour, and a place in the Guinness Book of Records as the man who held Most Number of Political Demonstrations in 24 Hours! He’s not just funny, he’s angry, and channels that intensity as a tool of comical outrage.

Never one to take the easy option, Mark decided to go rambling in the Middle East and walked the entire length of the Israeli Separation Barrier crossing between the Israeli and the Palestinian side. His latest show is the story of 300,000 settlers; a 750km wall; six arrests, one stoning; too much hummus and a simple question.. . can you ever get away from it all with a good walk?

Isn’t political comedy a bit 1980s? Or do you sense the time might be ripe for politics to make a long-overdue comeback

Like STDs and ignorance political comedy has been with us for a long time

Just what is it that makes evil corporations, ideas and individuals such good comedy material?

They are evil .

Tell us the story behind ‘Extreme Rambling’ - and did you have fun on your hike?

To use the Israeli separation barrier as a route map and to hike the length of it . To walk and talk to people I don’t know enough about. I had lots of

WOW quizzes international freedom-fighter/comedy troublemaker Mark Thomas

fun, the countryside is beautiful and walking with good company is always good.

What is the human characteristic that you find the least and the most attractive?

Laziness… and brevity.

Ben Elton: discuss

The argument has moved

on. Even “Frankie Boyle: discuss” is passé… oh fxxx.. . saying “Frankie Boyle is passé” is now passé..

What are you considering turning your attention to in 2011?

The show is touring throughout the year, the book comes out in Spring and there is a film of it to edit at some point in the year too.

Mon 28 EXTREME RAMBLING (WALKING THE WALL): MARK THOMAS The Stables Milton Keynes

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ast year the pub trade saw an average of over 30 pubs closing every week, that’s a really high

figure but it is actually down on 2009 record high of nearly 50 a week which is terrible for the trade, and we have seen our fair share close in Market Harborough.

In the last 4 years nearly 8000 pubs have closed their door for good, since amendments to the Licensing Act came into force, and in one of the worst recessions ever with the ever increase in red tape, more legislation and overheads are higher than they used to be its even harder for the classic, traditional community pub to survive.

The government haven’t helped prevent this decline with a 20% increase in beer tax over the past couple of years, there is a petition at the moment to raise concerns about the declining pub trade to your local MP, which is getting some strong support in Parliament. Research from ‘Camra’ the organisation for campaign for real ale, (which does so much for the pub trade)

To add a little cheer to our lives, a group of publicans in Market Harborough, with the support of CAMRA, have designated 14th-20th March as Local Pubs Week.

24 WOW March 2011

l Monday 14th March – Shoulder of Mutton, Great Bowden- Poker Night

l Tuesday 15th March – The Bell, Northampton Rd“Curry Night Eat as much as you can for £6.95

l Wednesday 16th March- The Oat Hill, Kettering Rd “Pie & Ale Night” selection of pies with best of British Ales

l Thursday 17th March- Enigma, Coventry Rd –“Steak Night” 2 8oz Rump steaks,

chips & peas with a bottle of house wine for £15.50

l Friday 18th March- Nags Head – Live Music from “Blue Control” starts 7.30pm free entry

l Saturday 19th March- 53 The Square- DJ till late

l Sunday 20th March – The Royalist, Western Ave- “The Royal Quiz Night” £1 entry/6 per team/cash & beer prizes to be won

estimate that 8 out of 10 pubs closed are demolished or converted into housing or offices with most of these being community pubs, Camra has now launched the ‘ Community Pubs Foundation’ in an attempt to protect more from closing. Camra’s research shows that 84% of people believe a pub is as essential to community life as a shop or post office. The loss of a community pub can have a negative impact on the local economy, community and tourism and as we all know the community pub is a safe environment for friends and family to get together away from home and a place for people to make friends and meet like minded people.

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With the support of CAMRA pubs in Markett Harborough will be running a “Support your Local Pubs Week” from March 14th - 20th. Individual pubs will be holding different themed/event nights to encourage people of all ages and backgrounds to use community pubs and visit the pub more often than they currently do.

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WOW HAS A LOOK AT REGIONAL BUSINESS EVENTS

The easiest way to increase profits...

Finding the best supplier for your firms’ widgets is your speciality, you know your product inside and out, for you it pays to be an expert in your chosen field and the right sourcing makes your product stand out from the crowd. But do you have the time to manage all of the other costs that go into running your business and take time for a holiday?

In a competitive world with suppliers falling over themselves to cut prices or, like a cartel raise them in unison (oil firms!), how do you get the best deal and change supplier seamlessly?

The biggest expense in-curred by most firms outside wages and raw materials are: Telecoms (Fixed line, Mobile & Internet), Energy, Insurance and Finance. A simple free review

For more advice contact Philip Shepherd - CertPFSIndependent Financial AdviserRutland Financial ServicesAuthorised and regulated by the FSA Ref.: 509978Church Cottage, Main Street, Slawston, Market Harborough LE16 7UFTel.: 01858 555 513 - Mobile: 07966 504 610www.RutlandIFA.co.uk

of these can help firms reduce their costs and increase their profits, maybe then you could afford that holiday and take it this year!.

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28 WOW March 2011

WOW TAKES A LOOK AT THE LATEST DEALS ON WHEELS

Czech this out!

Many people still turn their nos-es up at Škoda. But it is mad-ness to do that considering the brand is part of the respected VW family.

It is even crazier to ignore the high-octane Octavia vRS which has proved extremely popular since it was launched in 2000. More than 60,000 have been sold, 70 per cent of which were the estate version.

The sporty Škoda is available with a choice of two engines: the 200bhp 2.0 T FSI and the 170bhp 2.0 TDI CR. It was face-lifted back in April 2009 and still

looks the business today with a redesigned front grille featuring the vRS logo, bold headlamps, front fog lamps and funky LED lamps for daytime lighting. On top of that is a large air intake covered in black mesh, while at the rear are twin chrome exhaust pipes to highlight the

power under the bonnet of this Czech-made motor.

My demo car was the 2.0 T FSI estate model and came with fat 18” alloy wheels, metal-lic paint and a lowered (127mm) sports-tuned chassis. The vRS

interior features sports seats with aluminium trim, a three spoke, leather-wrapped sports steering wheel, and instrument dials with white LED illumina-tion.

POSITIVE• Speed • Space • Road holding

NEgaTIVE• Škoda badge puts some people off

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Behind the wheel the athletic Škoda feels firm and brilliantly balanced. Put the pedal to the metal and the car takes off rap-idly. Overtaking is a breeze, and the precise, well-weighted steer-ing of the Octavia vRS inspires confidence. The car will wheel-spin with too much right foot action, but it never feels twitchy, despite its lively 0-62mph time of 7.3 seconds and top speed of 149mph. Even with all its muscle the estate achieves an average

fuel economy of 37.7mpg with CO2 emissions of 175g/km. That’s not bad considering the performance at hand.

Of course having an estate car with clout is not the only sell-ing point. The Octavia’s gigantic 625-litre boot will swallow your day-to-day luggage and more. As a dad of two I got a push-chair, bags of kids’ toys, and the supermarket shopping in there. And with the rear seats folded flat the room is extended to a whopping 1655-litres of space - perfect for fitting in a couple of mountain bikes and some weekend camping gear.

Škoda genuinely flourished throughout 2010 and is now firmly cemented as a class manufacturer. Anyone who still tells jokes about the make is seriously out of touch with the times. Jump in an Octavia vRS and it’ll make any badge snob with a lust for speed and space wonder why they paid thou-sands more just to avoid the Škoda brand name. .

SkOda Octavia vRS EStatEMax SpEEd: 149 mph0-62 mph: 7.3 secsCOmBInEd mPg: 37.7EngInE lAyOuT: 1984cc 4 cylinder 16v petrolmAx. POwER (BhP): 197 at 5100 - 6000 rpmmAx. TORquE (lB.fT): 206 at 1700 - 5000CO2: 175 g/kmPRICE: £21,185 OTR

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30 WOW March 2011

WOW CLASSIFIEDS... BIG ONES AND SMALL ONES!

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WOW is expanding and looking for highly

motivatedAccount Managers.

If you feel you are the right person, please email

wowmag@live.co.ukand explain why!

To book your adCall: 01858 439 999

email: wowmag@live.co.uk

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32 WOW MARCH 2011

...AND READER OFFERS FROM WOW WHAT’S ON WHERE.

Please state clearly which competition you are entering and send your entries along with your name, address, phone number and email address to WOW What’s On Where, 50 St Mary’s Road, Market Harborough LE16 7DU.

For an amazing treat for Peppa Pig fans, look no further! What’s On Where and Royal & Derngate are offering a VIP family ticket to see the live stage show Peppa Pig’s Party at the Northampton theatre on Saturday 19 March at 4pm, plus the winning family will also receive a delightful

Peppa Pig Wendy House. A family ticket is for 4 people, minimum 1 adult. Tickets are non-transferrable.

For your chance to win, send your entries to Hungarian Dances Competition. Closing date for entries is Wdnesday 16 March.

The Northampton Philharmonic Choir will be performing A German Requi-em - Liebeslieder on Saturday 2nd April at Northamp-ton High School.

They have kind-ly given us a pair of tickets for a lucky WOW reader. For your chance to win, send your en-tries to Hungarian Dances Competi-tion. Closing date for entries is Fri-day 25 March.

A Night on the Tiles can be seen at The Core, 24th & 25th March. WOW has a pair of tickets to give away.

For your chance to

win apply to ‘ScrabbleCompetition’ to the address at the foot of the page. Closing date for entries is Monday 21 March.

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