Previews & Reviews feed - This is Croydon Today

Behind the music scenes at Croydon College

Thu, 11 Mar 2010 14:34:00 GMT

When being interviewed for the 123 Testing contest, students on a music course couldn't praise highly enough the tuition received at Croydon College. Their sheer enthusiasm for the department and its teaching moved Patsy Payne to find out more from lecturer Andy Ebsworth

WHILE a new annexe to the main Fairfield college goes ahead, the college's music department is housed in temporary accommodation in Davidson Road.

The tutor who greets me is professional musician Andy Ebsworth who up to a decade ago was still touring until he met up with live production and staging specialist, John Trehern, studio manager at the college.

Said Andy: "Without a doubt it is John Trehern who built this department to what it is from it's early beginnings.

"He directed it to where we are now and for the last five or six years we have been bearing the fruit."

Croydon Morris dancers call for more members to join their ranks

Thu, 11 Mar 2010 11:00:00 GMT

A band of Croydon Morris dancers are looking for men (and women!) to join them and be part of an old English tradition.

As the daylight begins to lengthen, Morris sides throughout England are stepping up their efforts to present a truly traditional spectacle at festivals, country fairs and outside pubs.

Croydon's Wild Hunt Bedlam Morris is no exception and at its practice sessions every Tuesday evening in the Scout Hall, St James's Road, West Croydon, the walls vibrate to the sound of robust Morris tunes and clashing sticks.

Whitgift School prepares to present Carmen to Croydon

Tue, 09 Mar 2010 10:00:00 GMT

With a cast of more than 100 in a fully-staged and costumed opera to produce – Whitgift School have risen to the challenge magnificently. Carmen has been almost a year in the planning and taken months of practice, stage set building, costume making and repeated refining. Patsy Payne caught up with Rosie Whitfield, the school's Director of Music Development

Looking back at the grand final of Croydon's hottest unsigned music competition

Mon, 08 Mar 2010 16:03:39 GMT

Camille Harding looks back at the grand final of the Testing 123 music competition

You would think that hearing Beyonce's Crazy in Love six times in the space of a couple of hours would be enough to drive you, well, crazy.

But not when each version is unique, sung in such diverse ways ranging from jazz to heavy rock, and not when it is performed by some of the most gifted youngsters in the South East.

Croydon to welcome the London Community Gospel Choir

Wed, 24 Feb 2010 11:00:00 GMT

Croydon is to play host to the London Community Gospel Choir - as they sing ITV's new FA Cup theme Abide With Me.

This features 13-year-old James Donaghey as part of the collective of some of the finest voices in the country.

The power and the beauty of the choir has already been witnessed at Glastonbury, on the soundtrack for the Disney smash hit The Lion King and live on the pitch at the Wembley FA Cup Final.

Croydon playwright returns to borough with new play at The Warehouse

Mon, 22 Feb 2010 11:00:00 GMT

A Croydon-born playwright, returns to the town which set him on his career path, with a brand new play at The Warehouse Theatre.

Robert Farrar has enjoyed a successful career as a screenwriter both in America and the UK and his return to Croydon is pivotal.

Strictly Come Dancing's Anton and Erin step out in Croydon

Fri, 19 Feb 2010 10:32:51 GMT

This fabulous duo invite fans to step out with them when they appear at The Fairfield Halls on Sunday (February 21).

Anton Du Beke and Erin Boag return with their exciting new show following last year's sold out UK tour of Cheek to Cheek. Dance icons and national treasures from the BBC's 'Strictly Come Dancing', Anton & Erin will dazzle and charm with their ballroom magic in a glamorous production that perfectly showcases their enchanting talent.

Meet the bands vying to be crowned best in borough

Wed, 17 Feb 2010 11:00:00 GMT

Judges looking for Croydon's hottest unsigned music act in Testing 1,2,3 competition have whittled down the entrants to just six in each of the three categories.This week Patsy Payne met up for a chat with some of the hopefuls in the Bands category going through to the final heats later this month at the Braithwaite Hall, Croydon.

Whitgift School to play host to world famous opera

Mon, 15 Feb 2010 09:00:00 GMT

Whitgift School in Croydon are playing host to one of the world's most loved operas next month.

The major fully-staged production of Bizet's opera, Carmen will see professional soloists appear alongside Whitgift's own musicians.

Often described as the perfect opera, Carmen is one of the most spectacular, tragic love stories ever written with numerous recognisable arias and a storyline , set to touch the hearts of many.

Set against the backdrop of 19th Century Seville, a beautiful gypsy woos the Corporal, Don Jose.

Restaurant review: Spice Empire, South Croydon

Fri, 12 Feb 2010 11:14:55 GMT

This lovely Indian restaurant on the South End strip has become a Mecca for people who know where to track down good food and like a choice of cuisine.

Spice Empire is one of the new breed which offers contemporary fusion-style dining in chic and modern surroundings.

Michelle Collins Stars in Never Forget

Fri, 18 Dec 2009 07:00:00 GMT

Never Forget an ex Eastender - Michelle Collins is back, treading the boards in a Take That-inspired musical. She talks to Katie Archer about life after soap land

Theatre Previews: December 11 - 17

Fri, 11 Dec 2009 07:00:00 GMT

Panto

Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs

Ashcroft Theatre, Croydon

Until Sunday, January 3

Croydon's Ashcroft Theatre...

Rolf Harris's Christmas Cracker

Fri, 11 Dec 2009 07:00:00 GMT

The legendary Rolf Harris is performing a special festive one-off show in Croydon. He told Katie Archer about his Christmas Cracker show

Theatre Review: Absurd Person Singular, The Churchill

Fri, 04 Dec 2009 07:00:00 GMT

As most fans of Alan Ayckbourn's work know, many of his later plays have very dark undercurrents running through them.

What we tend to...

Theatre Review: Seussical, Croydon Stagers

Fri, 04 Dec 2009 07:00:00 GMT

Bright, lively and very colourful - and that was just the opening number! This nonsense tale about the tiny people (The Whos) rescued by a...

Theatre Review: The Office Party, Wimbledon Theatre Studio

Fri, 04 Dec 2009 07:00:00 GMT

This comedy is full of John Godber's trademark earthy humour and makes perfect entertainment for this time of year.

The staff of an...

Theatre Review: David Essex, Fairfield

Fri, 04 Dec 2009 07:00:00 GMT

Surely no star gets a warmer welcome than David Essex each time he returns to Croydon.

Even before he has walked on stage the faithful have...

Theatre Review: Wallop The Musical, Wallington Operatic and Dramatic Society

Fri, 04 Dec 2009 07:00:00 GMT

Wallop's winter show always seems to provide something of a social occasion as audiences gather at their tables to indulge themselves in the...

Theatre Previews: December 4 - 10

Fri, 04 Dec 2009 07:00:00 GMT

Panto

Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs

Ashcroft Theatre, Croydon

Friday, December 4 until Sunday, January 3

Croydon's...

Art: New Movement Founded by Local Artist

Fri, 04 Dec 2009 07:00:00 GMT

Local artist Vittorio Pelosi has struck gold and founded a new art movement. He talks to Katie Archer about Intentism and his work