On March 24th Littleport Library played host to its first Arts Alive in Libraries event, a performance of two M R James ghost stories by local actor, Robert Lloyd Parry.
I am delighted to say that the feedback from the forty seven strong audience was also extremely positive;
“Excellent, atmospheric, very entertaining and spine chilling!”; “So nice to come to something local and affordable.”; “Really enjoyable performance. Extremely good value!”; “Hope there are more events like this.”
Our thanks go to the wonderful Arts Alive in Littleport Library Advisory Group who not only helped plan and publicise the event, but supplied props and helped us set up for the performance. We are especially grateful to the Rev. Robson for the loan of St George’s Church’s staging and Young People Littleport for supplying the 50 chairs needed on the night. Our second event, which took place on Friday 24th April, couldn’t have been more different – a 1950s-inspired evening centred round a screening of the sing-a- long version of the film Grease. Several members of the audience dressed up and, judging from the takings, everyone enjoyed the bar with its 1950’s-inspired bottled drinks and popcorn. Our special thanks go to Nathan Jones who, amongst his many other talents, is a great barman and to Susan Leonard (Cambridgeshire Libraries) who was the lynch-pin for both events.
The majority of the audience not only gave the event 5 out of 5, but said that they wanted to see more. This has inspired us to book with ADeC for another sing-a-long film show on Friday 3rd July. As I write, it looks as though this could be Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dream Coat, but this has not been confirmed so please look out for further details. Tickets (£3) will be available from Littleport Library. Before that we have a Spray-Can Art Workshop that will run over three dates –Saturday 27th June (1:30-4:30pm), Tuesday 11th and 18th August (11:00am- 4:00pm). The first session will be an opportunity to meet the artist, Simon Mitchell, to learn more about this versatile art-form and to discuss how it can be used to create images that reflect how the Littleport residents see their town; both its heritage and the diversity of its present community. After the first session people will be able to choose which workshop they would like to attend in August. The panels they help to create will hopefully be displayed in a variety of venues around the town including the St George’s Church.
A selection of them will eventually find a permanent home in Littleport Library. Tickets for the June session are free, then £3 (including refreshments, but not lunch) for the August workshop. They are available, along with further details, from Littleport Library.