Don't miss The Lover / Better the Devil
North Bristol non-professionals The Kelvin Players reliably turn out excellent renditions of challenging modern drama, and their latest production is a tasty-looking double bill.
We kick off with The Lover, an enigmatic story of marital and sexual tension by the great Harold Pinter. It centres on a middle-class marriage in the early 1960s. "The story looks at the routines, rituals and dramas that develop within long-term relationships, and asks the audience why, in that more buttoned-up time, a married couple might choose to allow a third party into their marriage and their home," explains director Bob Havard.
Then, after the interval, it's the turn of Better the Devil, a black comedy written and directed by Kelvins member Alex Needham. It promises something a little different: a madcap scenario in which angels and demons are forced to meet up and co-operate after the Devil explodes and God goes missing. Will they manage to reach a compromise and save themselves and the universe? All will be revealed…
The Lover / Better the Devil Tuesday, February 12 to Saturday, February 16, Kelvin Studios, Gloucester Rd, Bristol, 7.30pm, £10/£8. 0117 959 3636 / www.kelvinplayers.co.uk.
Bridal hand tied bouquet (Roses)
2 Bridesmaids (Roses)
Groom & Best Man button holes (Roses)
Terms:
Discounted rates apply to larger Bridal party requests.
Not to be used with any other offer.
Contact: 0117 2448228
Valid until: Tuesday, December 31 2013
Bristol's burlesque/cabaret night gets a slice of Valentine's fever with this special edition, hosted by Corn Street's new venue Rehab.
Hoochie Coochie's one-night spectaculars are characterised by decadence, glamour and a tempting array of performers from across the circus, cabaret and burlesque spectrums: and this Valentines Ball should be no exception. The night's acts include a spectacular stage show hosted by Clayton Wright – a.k.a. Dave the Unicorn, a favoured main stage host at festivals including Bestival and Secret Garden Party. Other stars will include the spraycan-wielding performance artist The Art Tart, who'll perform a live drawing stage show, and Bristol's excellent "gentleman juggler" Matt Pang. Look out, too, for wandering fire artists and dancers.
As always, a little dressing up is positively encouraged. Tonight's theme is "glamour puss" – so big cats, wild cats and alley cats will all be very welcome. Otherwise, simply don as many sparkles and sequins as you wish...
Hoochie Coochie Valentine's Ball Thursday, February 14, Rehab, 31 Corn St, Bristol, 8pm, £15. hoochievalentines.eventbrite.com / www.hoochiecoochie kabaret.com
Next Thursday sees the return of this brilliantly left-field festival, programmed right here in Bristol, offering four days of experimental live art and performance at venues across town.
A few highlights may already have crossed your radar – such as Fake Moon, a spectacular piece of public art by international artist Simon Faithfull, in which an intense ball of light will rise across the evening sky.
Among the lesser-known events, you should make time for Early Days (Of A Better Nation) (Sunday, February 17, Arnolfini, 2-4pm), a mix of theatre, live soundtrack and video by hip London outfit Coney (pictured), which explores exactly what it might take to build a happier country.
Or why not try If You Decide to Stay by Bristol-based performance artist Sylvia Rimat? In keeping with Sylvia's thoughtful, intimate output to date, Stay (Saturday, February 16, Arnolfini, 1.30pm) is a playful mix of lecture, performance and live experiment which examines how we make decisions – and the difficulties of really knowing what we want. IBT director Helen Cole says. "Think thoughtful material and imaginative ideas, delivered with a pet barn owl on your shoulder and a chintz lampshade on your head." Quite so.
In Between Time Thursday, February 14 to Sunday, February 17, Arnolfini, Circomedia, Wickham Theatre and elsewhere, Bristol, various times and prices. 0117 316 9955 / www.inbetweentime.co.uk. See website for a full rundown of events.
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