ABC Wednesday: W is for Wheelhouse

The Wheelhouse is a narrative show which unfolds inside and around a circular set as it rolls, with the audience walking alongside.

It is described as being "A gently comic dystopia, set in a different time where everything has a new value and survival relies on sharp eyes, quick hands, and, above all, friendship. Stunning design, theatrical acrobatics, and breathtaking moments of risk, all housed within an exquisite, hand-built structure."

It was commissioned as a walkabout by Without Walls in 2008 and funded for development into a full show (2011) by Applause. With Direction from Flick Ferdinando.

This flagship show by Acrojou has been seen in 13 countries and arrived in Llandudno in September 2015 as part of the Llandudno Arts Weekend LLAWN03.

More of my photos from LLAWN03 can be found on Geograph.

A contribution to ABC Wednesday.

Hamlet with pigeons: a caption competition

This statuette is found in a niche on the outside of the Partington Players Theatre in Glossop, Derbyshire.

Click on the photograph for a larger version.

Please provide your own caption by posting a comment on the blogpost.

A contribution to
I'd rather b birdin;
Whimsical Windows, Delirious Doors;
Our World Tuesday;
Outdoor Wednesday.

ABC Wednesday: G is forGrand Theatre, Blackpool

The Grand Theatre in Blackpool is a Grade II* listed building.

It was designed for Thomas Sergenson by Frank Matcham, and built for £20,000 in just seven months between December 1893 and July 1894.

The three storey decorated stone corner entrance block rises to a domed roof of copper fishscale tiles surmounted by a cupola. The auditorium, with three double-curved balconies, features plaster decoration in a very ornate Baroque style, painted white and gold. The semi-circular proscenium arch is flanked by curved and decorated boxes. The painted ceiling is surrounded by panels with painted portrait medallions and garlands, and two large chandeliers hang from heavily moulded circular bosses.

A blue plaque on the Matcham Close side of the theatre reads:

BLACKPOOL CIVIC TRUST HERITAGE TRAIL

THE GRAND THEATRE
(Grade II* Listed)

The leading Victorian theatre architect, Frank Matcham, was commissioned by Thomas Sergenson to build 'the best, prettiest and cosiest theatre possible' and the Grand was opened on July 23 1894.

In 1973 the theatre was saved from demolition at a public inquiry and, in 1977, was refurbished and opened as a bingo hall.

It was bought by the Grand Theatre Trust in 1980, reopened as a theatre on March 23 1981, and two months later was officially opened by the Prince of Wales at a Royal Variety Show.

This Listed Building is one of the finest examples of Matcham's work. The Grand Theatre Trust and the Friends of the Grand have endeavoured to ensure that 'the Glorious Grand' is preserved for posterity.

Kindly Donated by Friends of The Grand

A green plaque below the name sign Matcham Court above the Grand Theatre stage door celebrates theatre architect Frank Matcham (1854 - 1920) and was placed here by the Frank Matcham Society.

A contribution to ABC Wednesday and signs, signs.

Taking the Cure at Blackpool

(click on image to view full size)
Adelphi Street leads to the staff entrance to the Winter Gardens.

On the end wall underneath the poster advertising its attractions is a mural by street artist id-iom in collaboration with My Dog Sighs - see photos on the artist's blog

It was created as part of a free Urban Art Festival organised by Sand, Sea & Spray

The title and text of "Taking the cure" refers to the Victorian pastime of coming to Blackpool to bathe in the sea as it supposedly had healing qualities.

(click on image to view full size)
I took the first photo on our visit in June which would have been just a few days after its completion.

I took this closer view in September and it seems the title has been erased.

When I researched this earlier I discovered a post somewhere that said some people had associated the title with drugs but I can't seem to locate the reference now.

A contribution to Monday Murals.

Doorway (Hyde Theatre Royal)

Hyde Theatre Royal
the rescue plan is onward
to the last exit

text & photograph © 2008, gerald england

In response to the "doorway" prompt at One Single Impression.

For more information, view my photos from the Heritage Open Days at Hyde Theatre Royal or visit the Theatre Royal Onward website. Other relevant photographs can be found on Hyde Daily Photo

ABC Wednesday - L is for Lowry Centre

The Lowry Centre is situated in Salford Quays. It houses two theatres as well as various gallery spaces that display contemporary work as well as works by L.S. Lowry from the collection originally housed at Salford Art Gallery. In addition there are other studio spaces, a refreshment area, gift shop and information centre. It opened in April 2000.


Across the concourse is the Lowry Outlet Mill for those who love shopping.

A footbridge spans the Manchester Ship Canal and leads towards the Quay West Building and the Imperial War Museum North.

My other L posts this week are Long Meadow Passage at Hyde Daily Photo ~~ Lovers Alley at Old Hyde ~~ Lights along the pier at Sithenah

To visit other ABC L posts go to Mrs. Nesbitt's Place.

and

I've had half a dozen comments online about the truth-meme I posted earlier, and a number of others have commented privately.

TOPIC: "Five Things You Don't Know About Me (of which, only FOUR are TRUE) ... Which one's NOT True?" ~ DISCUSS!

1. I went to school with Rita Haworth


2. I went skinny-dipping on a beach near Bridlington


3. I drove over the Atlantic


4. I did the twist on stage dressed in a monkey suite


5. My shortest published poem consists of one three-letter word

The time has come, as they say, to come clean and reveal all.

Well sorry to disappoint the ladies, but I never went skinny-dipping near Bridlington; the waters of the North Sea are far too cold!

I did go to school with Rita Haworth; Jane Mansfield and another whose name I forget who also had a Hollywood namesake, but they were all Yorkshire lasses.

Yes indeed, I drove across the Atlantic on the bridge that links Seil Island to the mainland of Scotland.

I had the part of a monkey in a play at school. I don't remember much about the play itself. I think it may have been based on the story of Noah's Ark. The script called for the monkey to dance the "hornpipe". I couldn't do it to save my life. But at the village youth club I was a champion at doing the twist. I told the producer that since the "hornpipe" was anachronistic anyway, why not bring the play up to date and twist to Chubby Checker instead. He agreed.

And, finally, I wrote the one-word poem and in 1973. It was first published in 1982 in the US magazine Interstate and in 2004 in the Canadian magazine Raw NerVZ.

It is an example of a "square", a syllabic verse form I pioneered in the 70s. A "square" is a stanza that consists of as many lines as the numbers of syllables per line; the poems are untitled and all squares begin with the word and.

Thus there can only be one uni-square.

I've written and had published quite a number of squares. In 1992, Krax published a selection of quadra-squares, Four Square Replay.

An eight-stanza octo-square sequence was published in Fire #17 in 2002 and can be viewed on the Poetry Library Archive.

Hyde Photo of the Year 2006: Runner-up

Today's theme on Hyde DP is Photo of the Year. I couldn't pick just one out of all the photos I'd published this year, so selected ten contenders, created a web page and asked all my readers to vote for their choice. I want to thank all the people who took the trouble to vote. The winning picture is shown on Hyde DP. The close runner-up is shown above.

Here are the results, together with links to the original postings and some comments from voters. All ten photographs can be viewed together at The Best of Hyde Daily 2006

1. April 28th: Jack Curvis (139)

He looks so jolly and so not an American.. is he a typical Brit? ** I just love how that picture looks like it belongs somewhere and isn't from where I'm from. ** I just love the smile on Jack's face and the warmth I see in the conversation he's probably having with you. ** I love the man's wonderful outfit and smile. ** for sheer colour and that welcoming smile ** I always prefer people shots and that portrait has lots of elements to make a good photo! ** A guy with a hat like that in a typically english shop. Great.

2. October 27th: Looking up Treacle Brow (114)

I love the way the road bends around the picture, such a lovely place. ** That's very English to me. ** The cobblestone street is so very beautiful. ** It is my image of Hyde, treacle is so English and only in England do you have Brows. ** for layout and pespective.

3. April 10th: Hyde Chapel (93)

Breathtaking. ** Wonderful. ** Scenery has good balance. Green color gives me relax feeling. Of course, Chapel itself is beautiful! Houses at the front is nice too, the view far away seems like an ocean. This kind of photo takes me to quick trip to another world!

4. November 18th: Salvation Army Buskers (64)

I love the Salvation Army buskers. ** It's a classic!

5. July 10th: Booth's Well (62)

It illustrates the past(Mad Hatter), present (the flowers), and the future (stained glass-time memorial)...also has a 2006 date which stamps its mark in time.

6. August 18th: Old Railway Cutting Wall (60)

Old railway lines are a passion. ** This wall full of ferns is just beautiful. ** I think the heritage of a location is most important.

7. July 30th: Stained Glass in Hyde Bus Station (58)

Lovely and evokes emotion. ** Wonderful.

8. June 2nd: It's a Dogs Life (56)

I have a golden retreiver ** Wonderful.

9. September 12th: Mayor Rings a Bell (30)

I really like 'Mayor rings a bell'. Clanging in a New Year, I guess. ** Lovely and evokes emotion.

10. September 9th: Inside the Theatre Royal (16)

I'm a firm beleiver in the preservation of the Theatre Royal.