This year’s Music at Malling festival features a symbolic fusion of traditional and brand new, with the premiere of six ‘companion’ pieces to J.S. Bach’s six Brandenburg Concertos.
Commissioned by festival director Thomas Kemp and played alongside the ‘original’ concertos, each new piece is a ‘response’ to one of Bach’s by a UK composer.
“It is fantastic that we can bring people together again in the iconic setting of Malling Abbey to hear the Brandenburg Concertos – some of the most celebrated and influential music ever written – alongside new companion pieces,” said Mr Kemp.
The project had been meant as a contribution to the 300th anniversary of the Brandenburg Concertos, in 2021, but was postponed due to the pandemic.
However, with the festival performances taking place in the 1960s chapel – built into the fabric of the 900-year-old abbey – the setting is a feature of the programme which does not depend on an anniversary.
“The combination of old and new in both the abbey buildings and between the Six Brandenburgs and Six Commissions makes for a really fascinating and thought-provoking programme,” he said.
“The new works are written by a fascinating cross-section of composers working in the UK.”
The new pieces are ‘Sequel’ by Brian Elias, ‘The Malling Diamond’ by Michael Price, ‘Illumination’ by Deborah Pritchard, ‘Concerto Grosso’ by Daniel Kidane, ‘Bach Shadows’ by Joseph Phibbs and ‘Gold and Precious Silver’ by Stevie Wishart.
Tickets from Eventbrite for the three concerts on Saturday, April 23, at midday, 2:30pm and 4:30pm.
On Stage & Screen
LOOKING at screens and stages big and small, The Times of Tunbridge Wells presents a selected guide to the week ahead.
Experience climate change, mass unemployment, ‘economic pandemics’ and ‘the rise of global fascism’ through comic Reginald D Hunter’s deceptively slow but inexorable pace of delivery… and shudder – or laugh. On at The Assembly Hall Theatre tonight [Wednesday, April 20], at 8pm. Ages 18 and over only.
The next ‘live screening’ from the National Theatre is Shakespeare’s ‘Henry V’, starring Kit Harington as the freshly-anointed king, taking England into a bloody war with France. Trinity Theatre on Thursday, April 21 at 7pm.
Trinity Theatre has ‘An Evening with Gill Sims’ this Friday [April 22] at 8pm. [See the Times interview with Gill, on page 28.]
At The E.M. Forster Theatre (Tonbridge School), Comedy Nights are on again, featuring UK Comedy Awards, Edinburgh Fringe and University of Kent alumna Laura Lexx, who has appeared ‘Live at the Apollo’ and on ‘Mock the Week’. Supporting her is Michael Odewale, who has appeared on ‘Mock the Week’. Friday, April 22 at 7:30pm. Ages 16 and older.
Riffing on the slogan ‘Take back control’ political comedian Nish Kumar brings his show ‘Your Power, Your Control’ to The Assembly Hall on Sunday [April 24]. Hopefully, no-one will throw any bread rolls, but if you want to hear what happened when someone did, you can read the Times’ interview with Nish on February 9.
Meanwhile, the character of Dr Watson takes to the stage at Trinity Theatre on Sunday night, telling of ancient intrigues – oh, a long game indeed – which still shadows London in 1894. Trinity Theatre on Sunday, April 24 at 7pm.
‘Cyrano’ de Bergerac lends his inner beauty and poetry to a more handsome man in the wooing of Roxanne, in this 2021 film starring Peter Dinklage of ‘Game of Thrones’. Trinity Theatre tonight [Wednesday, April 20] at 8pm.
Pine Grove Pictures present the feel-good musical film ‘Mamma Mia: Here We Go Again’ this Friday [April 22] at Crowborough Community Centre. Bar opens at 7pm, and film starts at 8pm.
Inspiration is life-changing for the boys of a fictional 1950s New England boarding school, and for their teacher John Keating – played by Robin Williams in tragic mode. ‘Dead Poets Society’ at Rusthall Community Cinema on Saturday [April 23]. Doors open at 7pm.
Going Live
With one of the best live music scenes in the South East, here is a round-up of some of the best bands and acts performing this week
You might Wish You Were Here (that is: at The Assembly Hall) tomorrow night [Thursday, April 21] at 7:30pm, for Pink-Floyd-endorsed tribute group ‘Think Floyd’, whose show will feature the rock band’s classic back catalogue, including ‘Dark Side of the Moon’, ‘Wish You Were Here’, ‘The Wall’, ‘Meddle’ and more.
After breakdown which led to experimentation and, finally, creation, Tunbridge Wells musician Isaac Holman’s new music arrives at The Forum, whose picture he had on his wall while composing. Solo act Baby Dave, on Friday, April 22 at 7:30pm. Age 16 and older unless accompanied by an adult.
If you’ve had a hard week and want to spend your Friday night Lost in Music, that’s exactly the show on at The Assembly Hall, music straight from the heart of 1970s disco, featuring Donna Summer, Gloria Gaynor, Earth, Wind & Fire, Sister Sledge, Chic and more. April 22 at 7:30pm.
On at The Grey Lady is the five-piece group Into the Blue, performing the gamut of genres, from disco and pop, to rock, reggae and ballads, with professional power and polish. Friday, April 22 at 7:30pm.
The Vestry Hall, Cranbrook, will thrum to the siren sounds of The People Versus, a singer-songwriter duo from Exeter, promising an ABC of anthems, ballads and charm. Friday, April 22. Doors open 7pm.
This Saturday [April 23] at 7:30pm comes the delayed appearance of Beardyman, a composer and multi-instrumentalist of the beatbox and of live looping. Originally scheduled to appear in October, festival season favourite Beardyman heralds the warmer weather at The Forum on the edge of the Common. Age 16 and older.
Grammy Award-winning American hiphop stars Arrested Development finally play their delayed gig at The Forum this Friday [April 22] at 7:30pm. New tickets released for this date. Supported by Lees. Age 16 and older unless accompanied by an adult.
Family Fun
Whether your family is young or old, big or small, there’s plenty to do both indoors and outdoors over the coming week, along with some active ideas.
Mindfulness and yoga coach Lisa Whitehouse is starting weekly parent/carer and baby guided mindful walks at Bedgbury Pinetum, starting next Tuesday, April 26. Not suitable for toddlers or older children. Tickets £10 from Eventbrite, which includes parking at Bedgbury.
Comedy Club 4 Kids is a child- and family-friendly afternoon out, enjoying circuit comedians pitching their work to the over-sixes. No line-up was available at the time of writing. At Trinity Theatre on Saturday, April 23 at 2pm.
The Spa Valley Railway is running this weekend, with departures from Tunbridge Wells West (April 23-24). Family and children’s all-day tickets from spavalleyrailway.co.uk. The Murder Mystery and Fish ‘n’ Chip Supper service departs at 6:15pm on Saturday.
Groombridge Place’s Enchanted Forest is now open for general admission Wednesday-Sunday (10am-5pm), featuring Crusoe’s World, the board walk, fort, tepees, canal walk and canal boat. The giant chess set is open, but gardens are being renovated. Birds of Prey displays at 12noon and 3:30pm. The treetop walkway and swings on swing walk have been removed following a winter safety check.
Hever Castle’s ‘tulip celebrations’ continue until this Sunday [April 24], with garden tours at 11:30am, and a special opening of the 25-acre Woodland Walk.
West Kent Social Circle meets at Hollywood Bowl this Sunday [April 24], to gather new members for seaside trips, escape room challenges, quizzes, eating out, walks, crazy golf and more. Meet-ups are at weekends and on the second and fourth Tuesday of the month. Schedule on Facebook.
