Jersey Arts Centre is set to play host to The People’s Choice Festival for a second year. This year sees an array of comedy, theatre, film and music chosen by YOU, the people of Jersey.
The Oxford Imps kick off with their improvised comedy sketch, followed by The Bedlam Six on 3rd September. Since forming in late 2006, Louis Barabbas and The Bedlam Six, promoting their peculiar brand of Lyric-Driven Dirt-Swing™, have infiltrated almost every creative niche, being adapted into animated short films, burlesque routines, motion picture scores and even a comic strip. They have recently travelled to Europe, USA and Mexico, presenting their infamous live shows that incorporate rock, jazz, folk and theatre. The Mighty Boosh, Supergrass and BBC Radio are amongst their growing fan-base.
Next up is Seckon Keita on 4th September, one of the leaders of the newest generation of African traditional musicians, Seckou Keita, from Senegal, fuses traditional forms and instruments with those of other cultures. Seckou learned the kora in the bosom of his family but he also developed a remarkable flair for drumming and percussion early in life. He started to perform at the age of seven with his uncle, Solo Cissokho, and by 12 years old he had his own band.
Midweek laughter is set for Wednesday 5th September as Keith Farnan’s Money, Money, Money takes to the stage. Having appeared on BBC’s Michael McIntyre’s Comedy Roadshow, Keith Farnan has rapidly established himself as one of comedy’s most thought-provoking stand-ups and Money Money Money proves to be no exception. The show takes a long hard look at our obsession with money, especially Ireland’s brief love affair with vast amounts of money and fiscal meltdowns. He also has some of his own cunning ideas as to how the country plans to repay the €85,000,000,000 that Ireland owes Europe…
Thursday 6th September leads into a more solemn affair, the film, Dreams of a Life is the poignant story of Joyce Vincent, who died in her bedsit above a shopping mall in North London in 2003. Her body was discovered three years later, surrounded by Christmas presents she had been wrapping, and with the TV still on. Newspaper reports offered few details of her life – not even a photograph. It took writer/director Carol Morley five years to piece together what journalists, politicians and police could not – the circumstances that led this apparently vivacious, beautiful woman to die alone, unmourned.
The People’s Choice Festival culminates with a multi-sensory theatrical adaptation of Jean Giono’s environmental classic, The Man Who Planted Trees – the inspiring story of a shepherd who plants a forest, acorn by acorn, transforming a barren wasteland. It is as much a touching tale as it is a hilarious puppet show, showing us the difference one man (and his dog!) can make to the world. Suitable for 7 years+. There will be a post-show discussion with Puppet State Theatre after.
Ticket prices vary for each event, go to www.artscentre.je or call The Jersey Arts Centre box office on 700444.
