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

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.