My Order

An Evening with John Suchet – The Flavel’s new Honorary Patron

Join us for an opportunity to meet The Flavel’s new Honorary Patron John Suchet and hear about his two extraordinary careers.

For over thirty years John was an ITN reporter and newscaster, covering world events like the Iran Revolution, the Soviet occupation of Afghanistan, the Philippines Revolution, then presenting News at Ten and all ITN news bulletins. In 2008 the Royal Television Society awarded John its highest accolade, a Lifetime Achievement Award.

John now indulges his lifelong passion for classical music, presenting regularly on Classic FM. His new book on Beethoven (number 8!) will be published in October. He has also published biographies of Mozart, Tchaikovsky, Verdi, and the Strauss dynasty.

John and his wife Nula have chosen to live in Dartmouth and we are delighted John has accepted our invitation to be Honorary Patron of The Flavel. Come and hear John talk on 2nd May and enjoy a glass of wine with him afterwards.

Thursday 2 May, 7.30pm

Tickets £18 (to include a complimentary glass of wine after the talk)

The extraordinary story of Amy Winehouse’s early rise to fame from her early days in Camden through the making of her groundbreaking album, Back to Black that catapulted Winehouse to global fame. Told through Amy’s eyes and inspired by her deeply personal lyrics, the film explores and embraces the many layers of the iconic artist and the tumultuous love story at the center of one of the most legendary albums of all time.

DRAMATICALLY DIFFERENT

A fun and exciting weekly drama group aimed at developing theatre performance skills, building confidence, and making new friends through the Dramatic Arts.

This is a creative opportunity for young people to develop and explore their own voice. We focus on giving young people creative choice, a safe space for self-expression and exploration, building a community of collaboration and inclusivity. We can cover performance skills such as improvisation and devising, physical theatre, voice and characterisation, writing and script work. Director and facilitator, Rachel Swain, is an award winning Youth Theatre Practitioner, with over 25 years teaching experience, Rachel writes original Youth Theatre productions to ensure all young people have their moment to shine. Her youth group ‘Dramatically Different Brixham’ has been the resident Youth Theatre in Brixham for over 10 years and ‘Dramatically Different Teignmouth’ has been a huge success since it was established in 2019. Rachel is very excited to be bringing this new project to The Flavel for the young people of Dartmouth and surrounding area.

If you would like more information or to ask questions about the Drama Workshops please email: info@theflavel.org.uk

The sessions cost £90 per term, which will normally include between 9 and 11 sessions depending on the actual term dates, but dates and term lengths can vary. The actual dates for summer term 2024 are shown below.

A number of subsidised places will be available to Dartmouth Residents through our Bursary Scheme. Please email Lindsay Ellwood for details of the bursary scheme on: flaveldrama.bursaries@gmail.com (Supported by Dartmouth United Charities and Dartmouth Mayflower).

Suitable for ages 7 to 18 years

From April 2024 we will be running two weekly sessions on a Wednesday: so please make sure you book into the correct session. The earlier group at 4pm will be for younger children and the later group at 5.15pm will be for the older age group, but we are very happy to vary this depending on what suits your individual child, so please contact us if you wish to discuss.

Session 1 – 4pm to 5pm - Younger age group (typically age 7 to 9)

Session 2 – 5.15pm to 6.15pm - Older age group (typically age 10 +)

Dates for Summer Term 2024

Wed 17 Apr

Wed 24 Apr

Wed 1 May

Wed 8 May

Wed 15 May

Wed 22 May

HALF TERM

Wed 5 Jun

Wed 12 Jun

Wed 19 Jun

Wed 26 Jun

Note: We may/may not be able to include one extra session in early July, but this will be confirmed later.

JOHN SINGER SARGENT

Directed by David Bickerstaff

John Singer Sargent is known as the greatest portrait artist of his era.  What made his ‘swagger’ portraits remarkable was his power over his sitters, what they wore and how they were presented to the audience. Through interviews with curators, contemporary fashionistas and style influencers, Exhibition on Screen’s film will examine how Sargent’s unique practice has influenced modern art, culture and fashion.

Filmed at the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston and the Tate Britain, London, the exhibition reveals Sargent’s power to express distinctive personalities, power dynamics and gender identities during this fascinating period of cultural reinvention. Alongside 50 paintings by Sargent sit stunning items of clothing and accessories worn by his subjects, drawing the audience into the artist’s studio.

Sargent’s sitters were often wealthy, their clothes costly, but what happens when you turn yourself over to the hands of a great artist? The manufacture of public identity is as controversial and contested today as it was at the turn of the 20th century, but somehow Sargent’s work transcends the social noise and captures an alluring truth with each brush stroke.

Step into the glittering world of fashion, scandal and shameless self-promotion that made John Singer Sargent the painter who defined an era.

Explore the unique creative process of the late 19th century’s favourite portrait artist and the way in which his portraits captured the spirit of a vibrant and rapidly changing age.

EXERCISE TIGER 80TH ANNIVERSARY CONCERT

With the Celtic Male Ensemble, Donna Marie Broomfield (soprano), and soloists from BRNC volunteer band

This concert marks the 80th anniversary of Exercise Tiger, the ill-fated rehearsal at Slapton Sands by American forces practising for the D-Day landings on Utah Beach, Normandy, in June 1944.

The first half of the concert focuses on remembrance and gratitude and includes Ensemble songs such as ‘Tell My Father’, ‘For the Fallen’ and ‘Mansions of the Lord’, the ‘Last Post’ played on the balcony and soprano solos from the era, such as ‘Berkeley Square’ and ‘The White Cliffs of Dover’.

The second half focuses on the freedom which those who fought and died in D-Day, in WW2, WW1 and other conflicts have given us, along with hope for the future. Items in this half include ‘Stars’ from ‘Les Misérables’, ‘Fascinatin’ Rhythm’ and ‘The World in Union’ as a soprano solo with military drumming.

The Celtic Male Ensemble, a vocal group from Cornwall of around 16 singers, directed by Alastair Taylor, were formed in 2014. They have performed all over Cornwall from the Minack Theatre to Truro Cathedral and were named Best UK Choir at the 2019 International Male Choral Festival. Tonight they cross the Tamar to give their first concert in Devon.

Joining the Ensemble will be guest soprano Donna Marie Broomfield (a Friday Recitals’ favourite) and soloists from the ever popular BRNC Concert Band, playing flute, trumpet, clarinet and military drum.

Proceeds from the concert will go to The Royal British Legion Poppy Appeal and The Flavel.

The concert is being organized by Helen Deakin, a former Trustee of the Flavel and currently Classical Music Co-ordinator

EXERCISE TIGER 80th ANNIVERSARY FILMS CAN BE BOOKED HERE : ANNIVERSARY FILMS

Saturday 27 April 7.30pm

Tickets £20

EXERCISE TIGER 80TH ANNIVERSARY FILMS

To begin Dartmouth’s ‘Exercise Tiger 80th Anniversary Weekend’ The Flavel presents extracts from the films ‘Dartmouth at War’ (by kind permission of Dartmouth Museum) and 'Evacuation' (by kind permission of Ian Phillips).

Fascinating footage of archive film from the evacuation of the villages around Slapton Sands and the American preparation for the D-Day Landings.

The films last an hour and are followed by a glass of wine or soft drink (included in the ticket price) afterwards and a chance to speak to others about the films and their significance.

Friday 26 April 5.30pm

Tickets £14

TICKETS FOR THE EXERCISE TIGER CONCERT CAN BE PURCHASED SEPARATELY HERE: CONCERT TICKETS

Two-time Academy Award nominee and Shakespearian titan, Ian McKellen, stars in this thrilling and uniquely modern take on The Bard’s classic tragedy. The screening will include an exclusive recorded Q&A with Ian McKellen and Director Sean Mathias.

A tale of revenge that has stood the test of time, Shakespeare’s classic tragedy is reimagined for the modern day as a gripping psychological thriller! Transcending the confines of the stage in a uniquely modern take, the film utilises nearly every room of the Theatre Royal Windsor to transform it into the immortal Elsinore Castle, from basement dungeon to roof-top battlement.

Ian McKellen - reprising his lead role as Hamlet, a man who descends into madness as he seeks vengeance against his uncle for the apparent murder of his father - leads a stellar cast including stage and screen legend, Steven Berkoff, and stars of the critically acclaimed, recent stage cast of ‘Hamlet’:

Frances Barber (King Lear, Chekhov’s The Seagull), Jonathan Hyde (King Lear, Titanic, Crimson Peak),

Jenny Seagrove and BAFTA-winner Francesca Annis, bringing their iconic roles to life in this

compelling new film adaptation.

‘Ian McKellen’s new Hamlet shows the screen can outdo the stage’ The Guardian

Director: Sean Mathias

Producer: Bill Kenwright, David Gilbery, Naomi George

Cast: Ian McKellen, Jonathan Hyde, Jenny Seagrove, Steven Berkoff, Francesca Annis, Frances Barber

Runtime: 117 Minutes PLUS 15 minutes QA

Life drawing is the artistic tradition of drawing the human body from a live model – something that all the greats would have studied in order to train their eye. Life drawing is not just a way for artists to hone their skills though, it can also contribute to a mindful and relaxed state, reduce anxiety, improve problem-solving and encourage new perspectives, as well as being a lot of fun!

So why not join Helena Clews on this five-week life drawing workshop course happening on Wednesdays from 24 April 2024. You will receive her expert tuition, support and guidance, as well as enjoying the company of a community of artists all practicing together for the sake of their art.

Session Dates:

Wednesday 24 April

Wednesday 1 May

Wednesday 8 May

Wednesday 15 May

Wednesday 22 May

Price: £110 to include complimentary hot drinks and biscuits

Capacity is limited to 30, so do book your block of sessions soon to avoid disappointment.

Please note: an email with information and an offer regarding materials that can be purchased to use on the course will be sent out prior to the workshop start.

National Theatre Live

Nye

a new play by Tim Price

directed by Rufus Norris

Michael Sheen plays Nye Bevan in a surreal and spectacular journey through the life and legacy of the man who transformed Britain’s welfare state and created the NHS.

Confronted with death, Aneurin ‘Nye’ Bevan’s deepest memories lead him on a mind-bending journey back through his life; from childhood to mining underground, Parliament and fights with Churchill.

Written by Tim Price and directed by Rufus Norris (Small Island), this epic new Welsh fantasia will be broadcast live from the National Theatre.

The Royal Opera: CARMEN

Damiano Michieletto's sizzling new production evokes all the passion and heat of Bizet's score, which features Carmen’s sultry Habanera and the rousing Toreador song. Antonello Manacorda conducts an exciting international cast, with Aigul Akhmetshina performing the title role.

Live in cinemas: Wednesday 1 May 2024, 6.45pm

Running time 220 minutes (including one interval)

Sung in French with English subtitles
Co-production with Teatro Real, Madrid and La Scala, Milan

Music Georges Bizet

Conductor Antonello Manacorda

Director Damiano Michieletto

Set Designer Paolo Fantin

Costume Designer Carla Teti

Lighting Designer Alessandro Carletti

Carmen Aigul Akhmetshina

Don José Piotr Beczala

Micaëla Olga Kulchynska

Escamillo Kostas Smoriginas

Zuniga Blaise Malaba

Moralès Grisha Martirosyan

Frasquita Sarah Dufresne

Mercédès Gabrielė Kupšytė

Dancaïro Pierre Doyen

Remendado Vincent Ordonneau

Royal Opera Chorus

Orchestra of the Royal Opera House

THE ROYAL BALLET: SWAN LAKE

Choreography Marius Petipa and Lev Ivanov

Music Pyotr Il’yich Tchaikovsky

Cast Yasmine Naghdi and Matthew Ball

Out hunting, Prince Siegfried chances upon a flock of swans. One among them transforms into the beautiful human Odette and he is immediately enamoured. But Odette is bound by a spell which keeps her captive as a swan during the day. Can Siegfried free her?

Tchaikovsky’s sensational score combines with the evocative imagination of choreographer Liam Scarlett and designer John Macfarlane to heighten the dramatic pathos of Marius Petipa and Lev Ivanov’s quintessential ballet classic. Swan Lake remains to this day one of the best-loved works in the classical ballet canon.

Live in cinemas: Wednesday 24 April 2024, 7.15pm BST

Running time 210 minutes (including two intervals)

Folk at The Flavel: Reg Meuross

A true modern troubadour

‘The remarkable singer-songwriter that is Reg Meuross’ – BBC Radio 3

Award-winning Reg Meuross was introduced onto the stage of the Albert Hall by Mike Harding as ‘one of this country’s finest’ and is a true modern troubadour, representing contemporary English folk writing at its best. Captivating audiences with his beautiful tenor voice, and with breadth and depth of material that is unparalleled, Reg has toured extensively for decades across the UK, Europe, North America and the Antipodes.

Masterfully accompanying himself on his ‘44 Martin six-string guitar, harmonica, tenor guitar, banjo and dulcimer, witnessing a Reg Meuross performance is to experience a journey into the heart, soul and songs of one of England’s most celebrated writers. Stories that need to be told; struggles that need to be known; injustice that needs to be uncovered; social conscience that needs to be celebrated – his music has an unrivalled power to reach and move the listener. After 14 critically-acclaimed albums, Reg continues to prove how highly relevant his songs are, whilst reaching new audiences with consistently spellbinding performances.

Reg is currently touring with song cycle Stolen From God, focusing on the transatlantic slave trade – uncovering its’ hidden history from a South West England perspective.

Reg has also recorded Fire & Dust, due for release Autumn 2024, a song cycle that delves into the life story of Woody Guthrie. A  journey into the heart and soul of one of America’s finest folk musicians. Highlighting racism, bigotry, corruption and inequality.

An arrogant queen becomes a fugitive in her own land after being overthrown by a charismatic revolutionary and must face hardship and danger as she embarks on a voyage to win back her throne.

Linear B

Speaker : Peter Barker

Linear B is the oldest known script to write ancient Greek. The ability to read the script was lost and forgotton in ancient Greece. The script was rediscovered in the 1800's and finally deciphered in 1952.

Peter looks at the history of the script, how it was deciphered, and what the texts tell us of life before Classical Greek times.