Fanged fun for Vampire fans at Bookmark Bloxwich Theatre

That legendary fanged fiend of Victorian Gothic literature and countless horror films, Count Dracula, is now making sinister plans to walk the boards at the popular Bookmark Bloxwich Theatre next Saturday afternoon.

And members of the public are cordially invited to witness the bloody return of Bram Stoker’s most famous creation, brought literally to life once again in a unique play by those noted purveyors of Victorian Mystery, Shadowy Suspense and Gothic horror – ‘Don’t Go Into The Cellar’.

Stuart Williams of Bloxwich Library Forum, which manages the Elmore Row, Bloxwich theatre in partnership with Bloxwich Library said:

“Dracula Walks The Night’ sees the Count of the Undead forsake his home in Transylvania to vent his wrath upon the British Empire.

“In true Hammer Horror fashion, this frighteningly effective, interactive show on Saturday 20th July pits the Vampire Count against Van Helsing and Sherlock Holmes in Victorian London. Eerie graveyard vigils, hansom cab chases, near-death misses and fiendish plots a-plenty guarantee audiences classic chills.

“But fear not – this particular production is a specially-arranged matinee only performance, and as we all know, vampires cannot attack in daylight – or can they?  Don’t miss this one-off show in Bloxwich!”

Doors open at 2pm and the play begins at 2.30pm.  Tickets cost just £8 or concessions £6, and are available now from Bloxwich Library in Elmore Row.

Telephone 01922 655900 to book, tickets will also be on sale on the day, subject to availability.

Live music night in Bloxwich to support autism charity

Music-lovers can look forward to a fantastic evening’s entertainment from multiple acts at Bloxwich’s top venue next month. 

And what’s more, the proceeds of the ‘Songwriters Night’ show on 6^th July at Bookmark Bloxwich Theatre in Elmore Row will go towards helping support young people’s autism charity ‘Kidzlikedanny’, which has raised more than £15000 since being founded over 15 years ago.

Chuck Micallef on stage at Bookmark Bloxwich Theatre.

The event offers an amazing line-up for just £5 per ticket, and will be co-compered by accomplished Canadian Country Singer/Songwriter Chuck Micallef, who will be performing his own original songs alongside covers by artists such as Hank Williams, Gordon Lightfoot and John Prine in a gather round back porch picking style of performance appreciated by audiences up and down the country.

Tony Barrett as ‘The Tat Man’

Joint compere for the evening is well known Folk Singer/Songwriter/Comedian/Raconteur Tony Barret. Tony’s cheeky stories interlaced with song parodies, well delivered covers and original compositions have helped make him a popular and well-respected performer on the UK’s music and festival circuit – and he has also recently starred as ‘The Tat Man’ in the acclaimed series of Bayard’s Colts street plays for Walsall.

Bloxwich Carnival royalty announced

Bloxwich Carnival Royalty 2013 (courtesy Rotary Club of Bloxwich Phoenix)

Hairdressing student Louise Richards has proved she’s a cut above the rest after winning the coveted title of Bloxwich Carnival Queen.

The 18-year-old, who is studying at Walsall College, was chosen at a competition held at Bookmark Bloxwich Theatre last month.

And she admits to being “overwhelmed” when her name was called as the winner.

“I saw the competition on Facebook and wanted to give it a go but I didn’t expect to win,” she said.

“I was overwhelmed and didn’t believe it when I heard my name. I’m really looking forward to the whole experience – although I haven’t sorted a dress out yet for the carnival!”

Louise, who also works in McDonald’s and has a son Jamie Francis, who turns one next week, said she regularly visited Bloxwich Carnival.

“It’s a great day out and I’m looking forward to it.”

Judges chose Courtney Andrews, aged 12, as Carnival Princess and eight-year-old Katie Wilkes as Carnival Rosebud.

All three are pictured above, together with 2012 Queen Alice Jones (left) and Carnival Committee Chairman Terry Bate (centre) on-stage at the theatre in Elmore Row.

Louise will be crowned on the big day itself which is Saturday 3 August 2013 at King George V Playing Fields, Bloxwich. The carnival begins at 12 noon and usually runs till around 4pm-5pm.

The carnival, which is organised by Bloxwich Carnival Committee, is supported by Walsall Council as well as various local groups, and senior park ranger John Millard joined in the congratulations for the three leading ladies:

“I’m sure Louise, Courtney and Katie will do Bloxwich proud and congratulate them on winning their titles,” he said.

“Thousands of people enjoy Bloxwich Carnival which organisers say is the biggest in the Midlands and we look forward to this year’s event being another massive success.”

Carnival organisers are also appealing for volunteers to help them this year. Anyone interested is asked to contact John Millard on 07736 388409 or 01922 654893.

The carnival day will be covered by The Bloxwich Telegraph as usual!

Amazing evening entertainment at Bookmark Bloxwich Theatre

There’s an amazing range of entertainment coming up soon at Bookmark Bloxwich Theatre, part of the Bloxwich Library complex in Elmore Row, Bloxwich.

The little theatre with the big heart is such an incredibly versatile venue that just about anything can happen there – and frequently does!

Managed by Bloxwich Library Forum in partnership with Bloxwich Library, the theatre, opened in 1964 and rebuilt in 2009-10 together with Bloxwich Library, the complex being relaunched as Bookmark Bloxwich, is completely reconfigurable and also boasts a Library Cafe, shared with the library during the day and usable as a bar in the evenings when events are on.

Hot evening events on the horizon at Bookmark Bloxwich Theatre are listed below – click on each title to view full details on the What’s On Walsall website:

Fri 12 April 2013

Open Mic Night

Musicians For Life in conjunction with Bookmark Bloxwich Forum invite you to come and play….

Free Entry.  Time 7.30pm doors  8.00pm show.  Email Bruno On open.mic.bookmark@gmail.com  to Book a slot. Normally 15 min or 3 songs.

Sat 20 April 2013

Don’t Go Into The Cellar presents… Sexton Blake

The British League of Underhanded Scoundrels, Traitors, Extortionists and Rapscallions holds Edwardian London to ransom in this jolly fine play!

Time: 7.30pm Ticket price: £8.00, £6.00 concession. Tickets can be purchased from Bloxwich Library: 01922 655900.

26 April 2013

Youth Open Mic Night

A place for young singers, song writers, rappers and musicians to play, jam and try out songs and Rhymes….

Time 6.00pm doors  6.30pm show.  Free Entry.

Call Dan 01922 712069 for info and to book a slot.

Fri 10 May 2013

Open Mic Night

Musicians For Life in conjunction with Bookmark Bloxwich Forum invite you to come and play.

Time 7.30pm doors  8.00pm show.  Free Entry.  Email Bruno On open.mic.bookmark@gmail.com  to book a slot. Normally 15 min or 3 songs.

Sat 11 May 2013

Vera Van Heeringen

Debut album from Dutch bluegrass guitarist/singer Vera van Heeringen promises much and delivers in spades.

Tickets £5.00. Call 01922 655900.

See:  www.veravanheeringen.com/_/Welcome.html

Fri 24 May 2013

Youth Open Mic Night

Bookmark Bloxwich and IYPSS invite you to come and play…

Time 6.00pm doors  6.30pm show.  Free Entry.

Call Dan 01922 712069 for info and to book a slot

Sat 20 July 2013

Don’t Go Into The Cellar presents…  Dracula Walks the Night

Count Dracula, has returned to exact a dreadful vengeance on his nemesis, Van Helsing in this show with real bite!

Time: 7.30pm Ticket price: £8.00, £6.00 concession. Tickets can be purchased from Bloxwich Library: 01922 655900.

Sat 26 October 2013

Don’t Go Into The Cellar presents…  ‘Warnings to the Curious’

Have your spines tingled and your bumps goosed with this atmospheric adaptation of the creepiest Edwardian ghost stories…  Spooky!

Time: 7.30pm Ticket price: £8.00, £6.00 concession. Tickets can be purchased from Bloxwich Library: 01922 655900.

And there’s more…

More events will be added as they are booked – don’t forget to check at Bloxwich Library or on the Bookmark Bloxwich web page:

https://sites.google.com/site/bookmarkbloxwich/

Bloxwich theatre to host lively night of music

On Saturday 6^th April, Bookmark Bloxwich Live Music will once again be staging Across The Borderline as a follow up to the previous show’s sold out performance last October. The show features three great acts, offering an international line-up from Canada, U.K. and France.

Starting off the show, Canadian Country Singer/Songwriter Chuck Micallef will step up to the microphone joined by multi-instrumentalist Dave Luke with their interpretations of great country songs written by Hank Williams, Gordon Lightfoot, John Prine and The Carter Family to mention only a few. These works stand comfortably along side Micallef’s self penned tunes in a “gather ‘round the back porch picking style of performance” that audiences have appreciated up and down the country.

Next up will be well known Folk Singer/Songwriter/Comedian/ Raconteur Tony Barrett, who brings a vast variety of material to the Bookmark stage. Barrett’s cheeky stories interlaced with song parodies, well delivered covers and original compositions have helped make him a well respected performer on the U.K.’s music and festival circuit.

As the French connection component of the show takes the stage, EnChante’s performance intersperses French Classics from the 1950s & 60s by Brel, Barbara, Trenet, and Piaf. Lead singer Jocelyne Thompson adds her unique song writing skills to round off the night in an authentic style that has been denoted as “Chansons a Texte.” Backed by Nick Thompson on double bass and Ron Thomas on classical guitar, the trio brings the atmosphere of a Parisian Café into the intimate theatre for a night to remember.

Tickets are £5 and can be reserved by calling 01922 655900 or visiting Bloxwich Library in Elmore Row.

Doors open at 7.30 pm for an 8:00 pm show.

A Celebration of Life – arts at Bookmark Bloxwich

This Saturday 9 March sees a unique charity arts event coming to Bloxwich’s popular Bookmark Bloxwich Theatre.

‘A Celebration of Life’, which features artwork, poetry and other readings, includes work from Pete Boot (former drummer with rock band ‘Budgie’), Willenhall Society of Artists, Ian Henery, Elizabeth Stoney and Stuart Williams.

The aim of the event, which opens at 2pm and runs until 5pm, is to raise awareness of Parkinson’s Disease and to raise funds for the Neurological Research Unit at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital and Cancer Rezearch UK.

Walsall Councillors Sean and Dianne Coughlan will be present.

ADMISSION IS FREE – but donations will be welcomed towards the good causes above.

Click on the poster image above to download a larger jpeg poster.

Bookmark Bloxwich Theatre is part of the Bookmark Bloxwich Complex which also includes Bloxwich Library, and is located in Elmore Row, Bloxwich, Walsall, WS3 2HR.

For more info on events at Bookmark Bloxwich Theatre, check out the What’s On Walsall website and the Bookmark Bloxwich Theatre website.

Telephone Bloxwich Library on 01922 655900.

Curtain up for third Walsall Mummer’s Play this weekend!

Click to download poster

The third in the remarkable series of new Walsall Mummer’s Plays written by local playwright David Calcutt, organised by Walsall Civic Society working with local groups, talented volunteers and Walsall Council and funded by a Heritage Lottery grant – ‘The Lovers and the Pirates’ – is all set for curtain up on its first open air performances this Saturday 16 February at noon, 1.30pm and 3pm in Walsall Marketplace, High Street, Walsall, just a short way down from the ASDA store – with FREE admission!

The successful series – commissioned specially as part of the historic  Walsall Bayard’s Colts Project – has brought a genuine revival of English street theatre to the town – not to mention much mirth, madness, music, mummery and mayhem!

And good weather or no, you’ll get a chance to see the play this weekend, for a special indoor performance is also taking place within the bounds of Bloxwich, at our very own Bookmark Bloxwich Theatre in Elmore Row, this Sunday 17 February at 2pm and 7pm.  Tickets for the Bloxwich performance cost just £5 – to book, call 01922 655900.

For more information, call Glen Buglass on 01922 653113, or check out the Bayard’s Colts Project website: http://www.bayardscolts.org.uk/

Bloxwich theatre marks anniversary with Christmas Open Mic Night

A popular little theatre in Bloxwich is marking the second year since its’ re-opening with a special Christmas Open Mic Night this Friday 14 December at 7.30pm for 8pm – and admission is free!

Bookmark Bloxwich Theatre, part of the Bloxwich Library/Bookmark Bloxwich complex in Elmore Row, was formally re-opened in December 2010 after being closed for more than a year for major refurbishment together with Bloxwich Library.

The library itself was first opened in 1960 as a state-of-the-art facility for Bloxwich and district, and it was always planned that a theatre would be added for drama, music, film shows and educational lectures.  That theatre – originally known as Bloxwich Library Theatre – was later added as an extension to the library building, opening in 1964, and the rest, as they say, is history.

Bookmark Bloxwich Theatre, Elmore Row, Bloxwich

Since re-opening after the much-needed refurbishment, the life of the theatre has been rejuvenated not only by additional facilities such as the new café bar but by the efforts of local people, in the form of Bloxwich Library Forum, a volunteer group which manages,  raises funds for and supports the theatre in partnership with Bloxwich Library.  The Forum has worked closely with theatre technical manager Bruno Edwards and library staff over the past two years to book and present plays, live music, film shows and many other public events.

Stuart Williams, Vice Chairman of the Forum, said:

“We’ve had a lively couple of years with many great acts and events and after a busy and successful 2012 for the theatre it’s certainly time for a celebration!  This Friday night there’ll be music, poetry, costumes, Bayard’s Colts songs and with any luck – mince pies!  What’s more, admission is free!

“Our regular Open Mic Nights offer a place for singers, song writers, poets and musicians to play, jam and try out songs and poems on our full PA.  If you don’t play or perform then do come along and listen.  The venue and stage are fully accessible, as is the well stocked bar!

“Anyone interested in booking a slot to perform on the night should contact Bruno Edwards – email: open.mic.bookmark@gmail.com or telephone 07973 492387.  Christmas costumes optional!”

For more information on Bloxwich Library Forum and Bookmark Bloxwich Theatre, check out the Forum website:

http://bloxwichlibraryforum.wordpress.com/

Spine-chilling re-imagining of Jack the Ripper will stalk the Bloxwich stage!

It is 1888.  A long-dormant and ungodly terror is soon to be awakened in Victorian London.

Fear will spread like a contagion from the theatres of the West End, to the slums of Whitechapel.  And the cobblestones will soon be awash with what the Horror needs… BLOOD!

‘Jekyll – The Ripper’ is the latest production from talented theatre company ‘Don’t Go Into The Cellar’, who are returning to the Bookmark Bloxwich Theatre in Elmore Row, Bloxwich, Walsall on Saturday 13th October with their classic yet highly-original spine-tingling and spooky tale of Victorian horror to get you in the Hallowe’en mood!

Victorian chills and Steampunk collide in this macabre re-imagining of the legendary Robert Louis Stevenson tale and the infamous crimes of the Whitechapel Ripper!

Stuart Williams of Bloxwich Library Forum, which manages the theatre in partnership with Bloxwich Library, said:

“Our good friends ‘Don’t Go Into The Cellar’, who last wowed local audiences in Sherlockian style with ‘Holmes Alone’, are all set to give a classic blood-curdling performance as they stalk the Bloxwich stage, intent on combining fearful frights with hair-standing hilarity as they reveal the untold secret story behind the mystery of Jack the Ripper!

“This fun-and-fright-filled play is the ideal start to the Hallowe’en season, and surely not to be missed!”

7.00pm doors open for a 7.30pm performance start, and there will be a bar.

Tickets cost just £8.00 with £6.00 concessions and are available now.

Advance booking is highly recommended – contact Bloxwich Library on 01922 655900 or drop in to the library in Elmore Row, Bloxwich.

Downloadable poster image – click on the picture below:

Jekyll the Ripper poster

Bookmark Bloxwich Theatre season launches with Live Music!

A great range of live music acts and shows are coming soon to the Bookmark Bloxwich Theatre in Elmore Row, Bloxwich – starting this week!

Everything from folk and country music to heavy rock and horror theatre for Hallowe’en week, not to mention regular Open Mic Nights.

And the popular venue in Elmore Row, Boxwich, Walsall is launching its Autumn-Winter 2012 season this  Saturday 6th October with a very special live music show:

‘Across the Borderline’ offers an evening of entertainment jam-packed with an eclectic mix of folk, country and chanson in a relaxed lighthearted atmosphere showcasing the talents of Chuck Micallef, Tony Barrett and duo Enchanté.

In fact, a truly international music night with Canadian/American, English and French music – something for everyone!

Doors open at 7.30pm for an 8.00pm start to the show. Tickets cost just  £5 – excellent value.

Telephone Bloxwich Library to reserve your tickets now on 01922 655900.

Booking is strongly recommended to guarantee your seat at these popular shows.

Bookmark Bloxwich Theatre, formerly Bloxwich Library Theatre, is managed by Bloxwich Library Forum in partnership with Bloxwich Library.

The current programme for Autumn-Winter can be viewed on the Forum’s website:

BLOXWICH LIBRARY FORUM