We experienced two incredible and quite unique pieces of Yorkshire Art this weekend. The first being in the form of a play at Harrogate Theatre on Friday night.
The Lighthouse on Shivering Sands.
Adapted from a short story, this tale of intrigue was told using just 4 very adaptive actors and an ingenious set and prop combo that could transform from a ship, to lighthouse exterior to lighthouse interior within seconds. Bold scene and backdrop lighting and ambient noise painted the rest of the scene with stark contrasts between a bright morning light and the spooky dead of night.
The plot, the ever thickening plot worked as a solid anchor for the play to revolve around. The set as well as the good guy, bad guy premise twisted and turned with the passing of the tides and the toll of the shift change bell. Some very clever manifestation of of memories were portrayed in present tense – a remarkable solution to define rhetoric. Tight knit work as a company with stacks of feeling in each individual performance.
I was asked the question – do you not think it may be a bit much for Sophie? (my 6 year old).. to which I replied “No, she loved it!” Even though she is quite theatre hardened – having seen Gloucester’s eyes being gouged out for instance, I’d still say it’s suitable for all ages – I’d happily of seen it without kids (ie it wasn’t obviously a ‘family friendly’) or, as I’m glad I did, with. Well worth a watch. They’re touring around Yorkshire over the next 3 months
- Check out the North County Theatre website for dates.
The second bunch of art..
Cold Stone Cut
We’d discuss the idea of going to the above, during a light after party from the show the night before. Looking for any excuse to drive my new car, I enthusiastically signed up to the ‘lets go there tomorrow’ movement. On Saturday morning, we firmed up the plan, and after being sent the the web address ( thecoldstonescut.org ) headed out, with my lot + two close friends who kindly stocked up my new car’s drinks fridge (a feature I’m most proud of).
Id’ tried to avoid most pre amble so I could give my self a unsullied first impression. I’m often like that with films. I’m often like that with theatre, I’m often like that with visual art. I like to make the ‘first impression factor’ as powerful as possible by reserving my one shot opportunity at a first impression to be first hand, as the artist intended . . I should almost say at this point, it’s ruddy good, well worth a look. Stop reading and go now!
But I won’t.
I’m not going to plot spoil it for you either – suffice to say there’s a few surprises waiting to be had up there. Even if I say, it’s a real oddity of a place. Urban street furniture, tarmac and yellow lines, bollards, flagstones, curbs -even a mini roundabou. As you walk up the main drag, you’ll notice a eerily illusionary built up city street feel but - akin to The Shambles in York.. but, it’s ‘in the middle of nowhere’. It’s right up on the top of The Dales.. in fact right up on the top of a lot of stuff, given that its England’s highest sculpture. Surrounded by nothing yet shares it’s personal space admirably with a huge open quarry which can be viewed in all it’s glory from one end of the sculpture. My take home thought is that this urban street scape defiantly disproves the All roads lead to Rome saying.
It’s open 24/7, it’s dog friendly, it’s accessible, it’s free. It’s in an ace part of the world. What’s stopping you? go go go!
