What’s on in Dorchester - October 2016
PUBLISHED: 16:55 26 September 2016
Emma Hill of the New Hardy Players with Hardy's Cottage at Lower Bockhampton (Photo: National Trust Steven Haywood)
Archant
Take your time in this lovely county town as there is plenty going on in October, says Helen Stiles
MUSIC & PERFORMANCE
How to be a Middle Aged Woman - 5 October
Professional grumpy old woman and novice knitter Jenny Éclair puts middle age under the microscope at the Corn Exchange. Box office 01305 266926, dorchesterarts.org.uk.
Music Oft Hath Such a Charm - 7 October
Olivier-winning Opera Up Close mark the 400th anniversary of Shakespeare’s death with operatic arias and ensembles inspired by his plays and poetry at the Corn Exchange.
Why the Whales Came - 9 October
Danyah Miller brings to life this enchanting Michael Morpurgo tale at the Corn Exchange.
The Canterbury Tales - 14 October
Blast from the Past present six of Chaucer’s best-loved tales, in an amusing variety of styles at the Corn Exchange.
Piano Recital - 19 October
Daniel Lebhardt performs Bach, Schubert and Beethoven at this 7.30pm concert at Dorset County Museum.
Lunchtime Conert - 20 October
Richard Frewer and David Price perform West Country folksongs including settings of Hardy’s poems. 1pm: Dorset County Museum.
EXHIBITIONS
Speed to the West - Until 7 January
A bygone age of steam engines and bathing belles is conjured up at this exhibition of railway posters at Dorset County Museum. Curated by BBC Antiques Roadshow expert Paul Atterbury and Richard Furness, publisher of Poster to Poster, it features vivid works of art created by leading artists of the day, from 1916 through to the 1970s, all designed to entice holiday makers to the West Country. dorsetcountymuseum.org.
Semblance Exhibition - 19 October to 4 November
Duke’s Gallery on Weymouth Avenue showcases ‘portraiture’ including 2D and 3D work from tutors, resident artists or alumni of The Art Academy. dukes-auctions.com.
HARDY EVENTS IN OCTOBER
Casterbridge Times - 18 October
The New Hardy Players special promenade performance, at Dorset County Museum, dramatising the changing times of Hardy’s Casterbridge (Dorchester in his novels). Starts 7pm. dorchesterliteraryfestival.com.
Hardy’s Strong Women - 19 October
Bestselling novelists Rachel Joyce and Dinah Jefferies discuss Hardy’s legacy and strong women in modern fiction with Hardy expert Dr Tony Fincham at Duke’s Gallery. dorchesterliteraryfestival.com.
A guided walk around Thomas Hardy’s Dorchester & Fordington - 23 October
Dorchester Town Crier Alistair Chisholm and Dr Tony Fincham (author of Hardy’s Landscape Revisited), guide you on this local walk. dorchesterliteraryfestival.com.
BEST OF THE REST
Archaeology Unearthed - 7 October
David Hinton reveals how jewellery in the Middle Ages could show allegiances to families, political and ethnic groups in this talk at Dorset County Museum at 7.30pm.
Autumn Treats Food & Wine Evening - 12 October
A seasonally-inspired tasting event at Morrish & Banham Wine Merchant’s HQ in Brewery Square where Christine McFadden (The Dorset Foodie) creates some delicious autumnal dishes to match their wines. Booking 01305 261480; morrishandbanham.com.
Geology Revealed - 12 October
Talk about the chambered nautilus, one of the oldest living things on our planet, that has inspired artists, designers and architects. 7.30pm, Dorset County Museum.
Love Monster at the Library - 22 October
Join Rachel Bright, the creative genius behind the popular Love Monster picture book, for this free story and craft session at Dorchester. Library for the under 5s.
