"Together we can make a difference!" email: haveyoursay@ourheritage.org.uk
Tuesday 4 September 2012
Trafford Heritage Society
Heritage Open Day in Sale.
Don’t miss the opportunity to enjoy a day of heritage in
Sale this weekend ! On Sunday (9th Sept), Sale Town
Hall will be open from 11am to 4pm, in celebration of
national Heritage Open Day. The organisers are Sale
Civic Society, the registrars, Waterside Arts Centre,
Local Studies, local councilors, and Cofely. The history
of many local government facilities and services will be
illustrated in a number of events and displays. There will
be a children’s trail quiz, and refreshments will be
available in the Gallery Bar and the Lauriston Gallery.
Walkden Gardens 3rd August 2012
Will Shakespeare celebrated his 454th birthday this year, and one of many
fitting tributes to the great man was presented by Folksy Theatre in
Walkden Gardens. The touring company, which is engaged in a
punishing schedule of appearances, gave an excellent, one night only,
performance of ‘Much
Ado About Nothing’ in
the gardens on Friday
evening 3rd August. The
principal players were
outstanding, particularly
Beatrice and Benedick,
whose verbal sparring
raised a constant stream
of laughter from the
audience. It’s not only
that this talented company gave a performance of a four hundred years
old play with a freshness as if it was written yesterday, but also that they
conjured a delightful entertainment with a few props and some music, in
what is essentially a garden. This kind of performance has of course
some advantages over the more formal stage. Benedick, struggling to
find a new voice as a lover, a role into which he was unexpectedly
pushed, began one scene at the very back of the audience and made his
way quite slowly towards the front, picking his way between the
deckchairs and picnics, seeking sympathy and inspiration from any
playgoer who might offer help. Don John, the ‘baddy,’ was denied the
same sympathy and booed for his pains; and quite properly too. A bit of
pantomime is never out-of-place in a performance of Shakespeare.
Dogberry the Constable was creatively portrayed with the help of a glove
puppet which looked suspiciously like Basil Brush. And when Claudio
was finally reconciled with Hero, the ‘aaaw!’ factor was palpable. The
rain kept away and the evening was warm. What fortunate times we live
in, and how lucky are we to be able to enjoy a great piece of theatre in
such a lovely setting. Thank you, Friends of Walkden Gardens and
Happy Birthday Will !
Wilfred Darlington
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