Crawley Happy Times were invited by The Hawth to watch the show, and what a great one it is this year!
With Craig Revel Horwood playing the part of Queen Lucretia, Ben James-Ellis playing Prince Harry, Zoe Doano as Snow White and local man Jon Clegg as Muddles, we believe it was one of the best we have seen.
We were privileged enough to attend the after party on the first day and got to speak to and meet the cast of the show. Craig was a true gentleman and happy to chat to the people attending.
Last night, after a meeting at the Hawth, we bumped into Craig and his lovely Mum and gave them a lift as they were about to walk to the hotel. It was very cold and we were not about to watch them walk. Once again Craig was nothing less than polite, friendly and very appreciative.
We would like to congratulate the cast, creative team, production team and the musicians for an excellent team effort. If you have not seen this show yet, what are you waiting for?
You can book tickets by calling The Hawth Box Office on 01293 553636 or goto www.hawth.co.uk
The pictures below include some taken by the Hawth on our behalf with the cast on stage and their visit to the library in Crawley, and of course some of our meeting with the cast.
For another year, The Black History Month came and went with a burst of colour, entertainment, talent and intergration of various cultures, bigger and better than last year.
Full editorial to follow.
Interview with Terence
Pictures of the Launch in the Town Centre
Rehearsals at The Hawth
Lucy Beard
Andromeda Edmunds School of Irish Dancing
Various Artists
Did you attend any of the events for The Black History Month? If you have any feedback please feel free to fill in the form at the bottom of this page
On Sunday 29th August the 15th annual Irish Festival kicked off in style.
Attended by many including the Mayor Lee Burke and Mayoress Ali Burke, the event was well organised and continued without a hitch…..oh except the downpour! Ok, so it rained for about an hour, but let us tell you, this did not stop the party. In fact, the ‘after rain’ show was probably more eventful than the morning when the skies were dark. The sun shone and blue skies covered us like a warm blanket. The wet dried up and the air filled with the smell of a summers day. We had our tent (until the wind blew it away of course) where the CHT cam was well received. You can view all the videos on CHT.TV
Crawley Happy Times was privileged to be a part of this great event including the launch night at the Emerald Club. We took some pictures which we hope will tell the story on our behalf, and of course video of some of the performers.
We would like to say a big well done to all involved and to all who performed and danced, and of course to those who attended.
On Saturday 31st July and Sunday 1st August the annual Mela was held at the Hawth.
Consisting of information stands, such as the ‘Stop West Sussex going to waste’ campaign and the ‘Give Blood’ stand there was food galore of all types, a fun fair and music and dance from varying cultures.
Attended by the Mayor Lee Burke and Mayoress Ali Burke, the day was full of colour and sounds. We took alot of pictures and video which we hope will tell the story of this great event on their own. We would like to congratulate the Hawth and their staff for once again making it a safe and enjoyable event for all to enjoy.
Perfomers included the Diego Garcian/Reggae/Seggae Band, Filipino Dancers, Tanvee and Tiyana, Tariq and Reis, Monica Patel, Grizzly South feat. If-E, Maxwell, KK, Amy Othieno, Billy Delaney and friends and many more!
Did you attend the Mela? If you have any feedback, please feel free to comment below
Crawley is in for a treat this autumn, The Hawth is just about to reveal its new season and it has lots to offer those who love great music, hilarious comedy, stunning dance and powerful theatre.
Theatrical highlights for the coming months include the return of Love & Madness. The highly-acclaimed company wowed audiences with their performances of Oliver Twist, La Ronde and Romeo and Juliet at The Hawth in the last year and now they are back in The Studio with Accidental Death of an Anarchist and Richard III. Tara Arts are also back by public demand, this time bringing Shakespeare’s tragic romance to life using Bangladeshi theatre styles to breathe new life into the bard’s work in People’s Romeo. The Studio will also be offering a brand new show from Toby Wilsher, co-founder of Trestle Theatre with his new company MetaMorpho. Devil In The Detail is mask theatre at its best, dark comedy not to be missed!
Busting Out
Comedy fans have plenty to laugh about too with Busting Out! The hit musical comedy from Down Under. The show combines stand up comedy, musical, theatre and cabaret to leaving you feeling so good you’ll be busting to tell all your friends. If it’s Laughter Therapy you’re after then look no further as that’s the title of Jimmy Carr’s new show and you know what they say, laughter is the best medicine. Later in the season The Naked Truth will combine the funny and the poignant in a story of real women and real lives. The all-star cast including Maureen Nolan and Claire King (Emmerdale, Bad Girls) tell the story of five very different women and their struggle to master the art of pole dancing for a charity event sharing laughter and tears along the way.
Devil In The Detail
Music is always a key part of any Hawth season and the autumn is no exception. Blues-singing, guitar-picking, songwriting raconteur Roy Book Binder is a guaranteed crowd pleaser. As is Britain’s best-loved diva Jane McDonald. The singer and TV star will be leaving behind her Loose Women to perform a sensational concert with her fabulous musicians and singers. Jon Anderson and Rick Wakeman of Rock band Yes have joined forces once again for a one off UK tour, The Anderson/Wakeman Project 360, features classic Yes and exclusive first performances of new songs, plus hilarious anecdotes from the two rock legends. Back For Good will be recreating the magic of Take That featuring a feast of feel-good hits from Relight My Fire to Patience, while One Night of Queen and Think Floyd will be paying tribute to two more greats. For those wanting to try something new, Mala Mamane Barka and his tribal songs are a chance to experience the mesmerising and unique music of a nomadic Niger tribe.
Jane McDonald
Dance, dance, dance with three very different dance performances that will each leave audiences breathless. Tango Pasión’s energy, zest and fervour for the Argentinean tango will captivate and amaze, experience the beauty and elegance of Tavaziva’s Wild Dog and explore The Shiver through movement and spoken word with Sadhana Dance.
Tango Pasion
October is Black History Month and as always The Hawth is celebrating in style. In fact this year we are starting early with a search for local performers at the Black History Month Talent Show in August. In honour of the World Cup the contest has a South African theme and winners will have the opportunity to perform at some of the main Black History Month events in the town this year. The Hawth’s Black History Month Celebrations include Island Life – An Evening of Diego Garcian Culture, Theatre Centre’s The Day The Waters Came, a play about the effects of Hurricane Katrina and of course the hugely popular Black History Month Celebration featuring a wealth of local talent as well as a performance from Baraka, who combine sounds from across Africa and the Caribbean to get audiences up and dancing!
All this plus much, much more including films, visual art exhibitions and fairs¬¬ are included in the brand new-look brochure, get a free copy by calling the Box Office on 01293 553636 or browse online at www.hawth.co.uk
Crawley Community Arts is celebrating this week as they smashed through their target for the last quarter of 2009, encouraging more than 10,000 people to get involved in activities in Crawley for that period alone.
The team based at The Hawth Theatre is responsible for presenting many of the community events and exhibitions at The Hawth and running workshops and groups across Crawley.
In 2009 projects included highly polished performances by Pitchy Breath Theatre Company such as the new pieces Scratch and We All Stood Together, the Urban Sensations gigs which draw young people from across the area to see the top artists on the urban scene. The chart-topping, MOBO Award-winner Chipmunk made a notable appearance last year and this year Wretch 32, Scorcher and Saint will be performing in February.
Scorcher
Community Arts also enjoyed huge success with their regular club nights for people with learning disabilities and their friends, The Bluebird Club and record-breaking audiences attended the Black History Month Celebration last October as local performers and professionals took to the stage along with special guest Kezia Obama.
Female Transport Final
Crawley Community Arts also run weekly workshops, Crawley Youth Theatre, Hot Taps (tap dancing), Footloose Dance Group (dance for learning disabled people), Kids ‘n’ Co and Splash (drama groups for young people), Circus Skills Workshop Circuswurx and the Theatre Company Course for adults which presents its first show Female Transport in February.
Watch out for more from the team in 2010. For more information on what Community Arts offer contact Carolyn Murphy on 01293 438152.
The cast of Cinderella are now busy in rehearsal getting ready to perform for record breaking crowds at The Hawth this Christmas but they will be taking time out from their schedule to spread a little bit of festive cheer around the town.
Cinderella - Vicky Longley. Dandini - Julian Clary. Prince - Danny Bayne
Crawley Library – Wednesday 16 December at 4.30pm
Nickelodeon’s Vicky Longley who plays Cinderella and Grease Is The Word winner Danny Bayne (the Prince) will be helping Crawley Library to celebrate its first birthday in style by getting their glad rags on and reading to local children at the library.
Waterstone, County Mall Crawley – Thursday 17 December at 1 – 2pm
Julian Clary who stars as Dandini in Cinderella will also be going out and about in the town as he heads to Waterstones in County Mall for a book signing. Fans of the star will have the chance to see the star and get him to autograph copies of his book from 1pm.
Manor Green Primary School – Thursday 17 December at 2pm
Cinderella and Prince Charming will be visiting pupils at Manor Green Primary School in Ifield to spread a little panto magic and get pupils and teachers in the Christmas mood.
All three of these occasions offer great photo opportunities – press photographers welcome.
Cinderella runs at Crawley’s Hawth Theatre from 12 December 2009 to 3 January 2010. Tickets are selling fast so call Box Office now to book on 01293 553636 or online at www.hawth.co.uk.
On Thursday 26th November, the community of Crawley came together to see some of the most remarkable youngsters within our community receive awards and medals.
Organised by Crawley Borough Council in partnership with West Sussex Council for Voluntary Youth Service, Sussex Police, West Sussex County Council and Crawley School Sports Partnership, more than 400 under 25′s were recognised for the difference they’ve made to Crawley and its community.
Twelve outstanding young people received awards under four categories; Community, Sport, Art and Personal Achievement, all sponsored by local organisations, voluntary groups and businesses.
We had the pleasure of talking to three of the judges and sponsors. Martin Stone of Topsy Turvy, sponsor of the Dance and Drama Award, Jim Hayton of Crawley Metals Supplies, sponsor of the Visual Arts Award and Michael Langley, Deputy District Commander for West Sussex Fire & Rescue, sponsors of the Music Award. This is what they told Shelley…
Compared competantly by Kirk Campbell and Sophie Campbell, the night was full of emotion and pride, both from the parents of the nominees and winners, also from the awardees.
With great performances by Young-B, The Divas, Thomas Bennett Community College and Euphoric Dance.
Euphoric Dancers perform at the Youth Awards 2009
As we sat listening to the reasons why these young individuals were being rewarded, we felt quite humble in their presence.
Last years winner of the Laser Hub Music Award was Billy Delaney who performed at this years ceremony.
Daniel Horwood, from Bewbush, won the Sussex Police Courage Award. Daniel was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia in October 2008, a few months before he was to sit his GCSE’s. Daniel, just seventeen, suffered countless blood transfusions, lumbar punctures, injections and various cocktails of drugs as his exams approached. Daniel even suffered a suspected stroke which left him paralysed for days. Through his pure determination and support from friends, family and school tutors, Daniel sat his exmas and passed with flying colours. He even got a standing ovasion at the school leaving party.
Other personal achievement awards were also given to Gilberto Silva and Charlotte Schillinger.
Gilberto’s autism and severe learning difficulties did not stop him achieving the highest possible exam marks for his age group at maths, winning the West Sussex Youth Service Education Award.
Charlotte is a dedicated member of the scouts who has been an inspiration to adults and children who have met her through the 2nd Ifield Scout Group. For this and many other achievements, she won the Apollo Group Inspiration Award.
Community
Lena Finch, who cares for her disabled mum, was honoured at the awards. Lena has been helping care for her Mum for ten years, taking more and more responsibility over this period. Lena is her Mum’s main carer.
Other community awards were won by Reniece Robinson and Luke May.
Reniece collected the Let’s FACE It Environment Award for her conservation work, which included helping launch a paper recycling scheme at her school.
Luke deservadly won the Crawley Young Persons Council Volunteer Award for his dedicated work at Dormans Youth Arts Centre.
Arts
Footloose were presented with the Topsy Turvy Dance and Drama Award
Footloose, a dance group for young people with learning disabilities won an arts award. Footloose creates high-quality contemporary dance which members then perform at venues around the south east. The group meets every week at Manor Green Primary School.
Awards organisers said Footloose members treat each other with respect and compassion and new members are always welcome.
Jamie Friday was awarded The West Sussex Fire and Rescue Service Music Award for his tireless support and help running music events whic then gave other performers the chance to perform. Jamie used to visit Dormans Youth Club as just another member but soon made his presence known as a helpful and resourceful individual.
Bewbush Youth Centre was awarded the Crawley Metal Supplies Visual Arts Award for its graffiti art project in Dorsten Square. Youngsters took part in a six-week project to design art for the boards around the old community centre and Dorsten pub, which has helped brighten the area during the current regeneration project.
Sports
At the young age of just ten, Jack has won more than 150 trophies. Jack, from Furnace Green, trains four times a week with the Crawley Black Belt Academy, helping train the young members as well as his own training.
Jack collected the Eezehaul Sports Person Award on crutches, having broken his foot falling off his bike. Jack has won a host of competitions and has been doing martial arts since the age of four, achieving a second dan black belt. Jack is also a member of Team Fusion, a group of Britain’s best young martial artists and dance performers.
At the awards, Jack was described as a “confident and well grounded” person and a “role model for others”.
The Freedom Leisure Sports Team Award was won by a group of talented young gymnasts.
Hawth Gymnastics Teamgym (junior) members gave up shopping trips and time with friends to train for thirteen hours a week and are ranked third in the country.
Tessa Stokes won the Crawley School Sports Partnership Sports Volunteer Award for her work with the young sports ambassador project.
FULL LIST OF NOMINEES
ARTS AWARDS
Aidan Daniel
Adison Austin
James Newman
Callum Johnston
Callum Thompson
Ali Mehmood
Michael Bennett
Shakim Salim
Anthony Brikell
Tegan-Rose Newman
Louise Carpenter
Adrienne Hall
Jamie Friday
Ginah Wamulo
Lucy Muyanga
Charlotte Chorley
Liam Jenkinson
Josh Martin
Lucy Dorkings
HSM ‘Oaks Edition’ Dance and Drama Club
Awa Sarr
Charlotte Wadmore
Sabreen Ibrahim
Footloose Dance Group
Thomas Bennett Free 2 Dance Company
Stages Performing Arts
Kirsty Ayling
Usman Aslam
Sumera Hussain
Kyranne Barrett
Nikesh McHugh
Rikesh McHugh
Clayton Lear
Reece Hanslow
Ky Harper
COMMUNITY AWARDS
Reniece Robinson
Ryan Dawson
Jonathan Harrold
Keiran Joseph
Lena Finch
Becky King
Dani King
Jodie Hutchinson-Purcell
Keiran Pledger
Ashley Pledger
Lisa Cooper
Maddie Smith
Josie Fryers
Charlotte Goswell
Amy Davis-Dwan
Laila Hussain
Rhea Kneafsey
Katie Cleary
Ali Mehmood
Pravin Sanasy
Luke Taylor
Jamie Friday
Michael Hobbs
Sapna Shah
George Bick
Jamie White
Kara Mason
Michael Murphy
Eloisa Gordon
Sana Ghafoor
Leslie Edwards
Kennedy Mutongerwa
Vicki Elston
Billy Delaney
Lewis Fletcher
Tariq Khawaja
Ant Heron
Paige Sayers
Zahid Akram Khan
Sarim Qamar
Adil Hussain
Luke May
George O’ Keefe
Lauren Thynne
Adam Wanstall
Leanne Woods
Daria Czekajska
Stuart Bayliss
Ellis Payne
Emily Bartlett
Alexandra Armstrong
Frank Alfoldi
Owen Lumley
Lisa Brackpool
Michael Bond
Ben Freer
Kelly Halifax
Jasraj Nothay
Erin Witton
Chibs Ngona
Ramone Walkes
Reema Nawaz
1st Northgate Brownies
1st Ifield Brownie Pack
Cnetral Sussex Students
7th Crawley Beavers
Love in a Box Team
New Wybourne Youth Club
SPORTS AWARDS
Elizabeth Eves
George Penfold
Rebecca Potteton
Billy Hatcher
Chris Brownlee
Ross Mist
Gavin Brownlee
Charlotte Poole
Grant Goode
Poppy Weekes
Kirsty McAleney
Hayley Wise
Harry Phelps
Nathan Amin
Lee Tilbury
Isobel Sutherland -Basson
Leanne Penn
Jack Foyster
Sanjay Amin
Marcus Jones
Yasmin Mills
Keanu Kellett
Tessa Stokes
Tyler Whale
Thomas Bennett Free 2 Dance Company
The Oaks Girls Football Club
Hawth Gymnastics Team Gym (Junior)
St Margarets Multi-Sports Squad
Maidenbower Junior Y6 Footbal Team
PERSONAL ACHIEVEMENT AWARDS
Allunay Bossoni Da Silva
Shazad Ali
Rafiullah Sharafyar
Sandrine Permal
Jema Assonne
Iiona Bartocha
Anam Ahmed
Waqas Akthar
Hassan Butt
Mohammed Mnili
Mariam Ahmed
Tom Parsons
Abigail Mott
Callum Macleod
Charlotte Schillinger
Danielle James
Jamie Friday
Zartaashia Khan
Stuart Bayliss
Sherri Devlin
Harry Ford
Nicole Thomas
Jade Carter
Joshua Arnold-Crews
Claire Arnold
Goerge Pollard
Daniel Horwood
James Foster
Luke Foster
Sian-Marie Keeping
Aazaz Rehman
Gilberto Junior de Sousa Silva
Leila Draude
Charlotte Devalmency
Lois Cook
Claire Anscomb
Nona Buckley-Irvine
Billy Delaney
Ramone Walkes
Ben Freer
Ant Heron
Paige Sayer
Erin Wilton
Tang Khawaja
James Sturkey
Liam Harris
Satheesan Nagendran
Ali Mehmood
Pammas Njie
On Saturday 3rd October, ’09 Crawley Happy Times had the privilege of attending the Celebration evening for the start of Crawley Black History Month.
In the foyer we were greeted by a couple of stands depicting various causes. On the first, we were greeted by Steve Innes of Crawley Fair Trade Group who are encouraging Crawley to be a fair trade town. You can see more on this here…
Steve Innes at The Black History Month event
Secondly, we met a couple displaying Senegal pieces from West Africa which consisted of hand crafted wooden objects which are ethically traded. You can read more on this here…
With an array of colourful outfits and smiling excited faces, the performers patiently waited backstage practising their acts. We decided to spend most of our visit behind the scenes, getting a insight into the perfomers and relishing in the excited anticipation. All performers, whether individual or as a group, were very professional and always happy to speak to us.
Firstly we spoke to Kelly Etchells who invited Crawley Happy Times to follow her on this wonderful journey. Kelly was accompanied by two beautiful backing singers, Angelina Treva Riley and Becka Jae and a team of amazing dancers. Kelly has a voice that is strong and powerful, lending itself well to any performance or style of music.
Next we met Amy. Amy is well known in Crawley for her brilliant renditions, mixing a strong singing voice with rap. This mixture of singing styles has catapulted Amy’s reputation as a well known artist, which we have no doubt will take her places in the future. Amy was accompanied by David on accoustics and a support rap artist Zeth.
Rishi was our next port of call. Rishi is a modest 13 year old local lad who has so much talent, I think it will take a few years for the full extent of Rishi’s talent to be seen in it’s glory. We first met Rishi at the Connect ’09 event in Langley Green. You can watch a video of Rishi on the Connect ’09 CHT write up, also on our Youtube account, The Crawley Happy Times. Rishi was sitting quietly waiting his turn to perform. We asked Rishi if he was nervous to which he replied “no”
Sharing a room with Amy, we met Aiesha who looked stunning in a beautiful white dress. Aiesha is a spoke word poet. Aiesha told us she teaches hairdressing at Crawley College but has been a spken word poet for a while but not in public or on stage. We wished Aiesha luck in her first performance, which she didn’t really need
Following the loud, atmospheric, ambient noise coming from one of the rooms, we popped our heads in to be greeted (in a very warm and inviting fashion) by the Diego Garcia Dancers. The colourful energy that exuded from this amazing group of individuals was electrofying. All beaming from ear to ear they told us they were very excited about performing. Later in the evening we snatched five minutes with Carolyn Murphy, Arts Development Officer, who along with her colleague Joanne Joseph form the Community Arts Team. Carolyn told us how much respect and admiration she had for this group of individuals after they had suffered such loss and how they had grown fruitfully in the face of diversity. Now that might be something worth looking into some more…
Finally we visited the last room which housed the local company, Stages Performing Arts led by Carol Black. All dressed up in some extremely gruesome outfits, the dance company were about to perform a rendition of Michael Jackson’s Thriller. We left quite rapidly as it really was quite scary to be amongst them. They looked amazingly real.
We were very honoured to be able to speak to the performers from behind the scenes and hope we have given you an insight into the evening which was not portrayed by other media’s. We will let the videos tell you the rest, enjoy :-)
Crawley Happy Times would like to extend a special thank you to Kelly for inviting us to come along for the ride, and to Craig Sanderson who worked very hard on putting the videos together, and what a great job Craig did Craig is available for photography and video shoots, so please contact us for further details.
On Sunday 27th September ’09 Crawley Happy Times popped down to Langley Green playing fields for a great day out with organisers Crawley Borough Council for Connect ’09.
Chris Marsden & Iris Adley from The British Red Cross
PCSO's Tony Cook, Matt Froud, Debbie Hewlitt, Michelle Jack & Matt Saville
The event was mainly for the youth of the community. Present were such advise organisations who were all ready and willing to discuss most subjects handing out handy leaflets for future reference.
The stage was set and the music was played. It becomes extremely apparent how much musical talent we have when you attend these local events. We took some footage for you to enjoy which you can watch below. Some interesting up and coming performers in our eyes.
Pat Nelson and his assistants of Jerk Chicken supplying great food
Rishi Sharma (aka KK) and manager Kennedy Mutongerwa
We also had the guys from Kung Fu Schools, Lindsey Murch and Alan Sawyer giving advise on self defense. Lindsey and Alan show the young ones how Kung Fu can build self asteem and confidence and help them if ever they needed to defend themselves. The participants, be it children or adults, also benefit from a great exercise regime, keeping them fit and health. Crawley Happy Times has been invited down to see what the school has to offer the community so watch this space…..
Alan and Lindsey from Kung Fu Schools
Here are a list of organisations present to give advise and support: -
Lloyd Aitken, Olwen Capper & Helen Brown - Family & Friends Network
The day, first of it’s kind at Langley Green, was a great success. Adam Welton, Youth and Community Outreach Officer for Crawley Borough Council told us 500 youngsters had attended the event, which is a great achievement for the first event. We are sure we will see Adam and his efforts again next year.
