From George VI to Peter Pan (From Daily Echo)

From George VI to Peter Pan

9:46am Friday 30th December 2011 in Entertainments By Lorelei Reddin, Entertainments Editor

JANUARY l Hollywood heartthrob Colin Firth, who grew up in Winchester, took on his biggest role to date with the release of The King’s Speech. His heart-rending portrayal of King George VI in Tom Hooper’s majestic comedy drama would win him a host of accolades in 2011, including his longawaited Oscar.

l Hampshire captain Dominic Cork aimed to bowl over the judges when he appeared on Dancing on Ice.

The former England all-rounder and partner Alexandra Schauman enjoyed several weeks of success before being stumped.

l The great and the good of the South’s amateur theatre world gathered at Southampton’s De Vere Grand Harbour Hotel for the Daily Echo’s annual curtain call awards. Joyous Showstoppers scooped the coveted production of the year award for their memorable production of Jekyll and Hyde.

Guest star Graham Cole, best known as The Bill’s PC Tony Stamp, handed out the prizes in each of 37 categories.

FEBRUARY l Three Hampshire celebrities attempted to cross one of the world’s harshest deserts in aid of Comic Relief. Eastleigh-born Radio 1 DJ Scott Mills, Southampton R&B star Craig David and Winchester musician and broadcaster Peter White braved sweltering 38C heat in Kenya’s Kaisut Desert as part of the BT Red Nose Desert Trek.

l Shoppers in Southampton’s WestQuay were given some theatrical treats this month. First the city’s Helena Blackman, from reality TV show How Do You Solve A Problem Like Maria, belted out the hits of Rodgers and Hammerstein to mark the release of her album. Then Strictly Come Dancing stars Vincent Simone and Flavia Cacace launched their brand new show Midnight Tango, which later opened its UK tour at The Mayflower.

l Tinie Tempah performed his number one singles Pass Out and Written in the Stars at Southampton Guildhall.

MARCH l Southampton had its own fifteen minutes of fame. The city’s art gallery and John Hansard Gallery staged a major exhibition of works by Andy Warhol.

l Saxophone solos, clarinet concertos and spectacular speeches were just some of the entertainment on offer as the Southampton Festival of Music and Drama took place at Thornden Hall.

l Peppa Pig World became an overnight success after being opened at Paultons Park, in Ower, near Romsey.

APRIL l The worldwide smash hit musical We Will Rock You, by Queen and Ben Elton, came to Southampton for the first time for a six-week run. With 24 of Queen’s biggest hits, this theatrical phenomenon has thrilled 11 million theatre-goers in 17 countries since its inception in 2002. The show starred Hear’say singer Noel Sullivan, X Factor finalist Rhydian Roberts, soap actor Ian Reddington and Leon Lopez, from Brookside.

l BAFTA and Olivier Award nominated actor and theatre director Samuel West declared Hampshire’s newest performing arts venue officially open. The Royal Shakespeare Company star, who most recently appeared in Enron in the West End, asked dignitaries and specially invited guests to ‘raise a cheer’ to The Berry Theatre in Hedge End.

l It was the biggest ever Chrstian event in Southampton and changed the face of street performance in the city. Up to 10,000 people packed Guildhall Square for the world premiere of Easter spectacular Southampton Passion 2011.

MAY l Southampton city centre was transformed into a riot of colour, song and dance when a touch of Bollywood came to town. A spectacular outdoor performance took place in Guildhall Square with live theatre and film blending to create the city’s very own Bollywood movie. Bollywood Baraat was part of the celebrations for Art Asia’s 30th year.

l Café Parfait exploded onto Southampton’s nightlife scene with corset-wearing barmaids, fiery DJs and drummers on the ceiling.

l Hundreds of dancers took to the stage to deliver their message about the work of the British Red Cross. The Daily Echo backed contest Dance For Life, continued with a variety of dancing styles including everything from ballet to contemporary to hip hop.

JUNE l IT may not have been the sundrenched weekend music fans were used to, but battering wind and rain failed to stop play at Isle of Wight Festival 2011. Indie rockers Kasabian tore up the stage as the curtains were drawn on another wild threeday party at Seaclose Park.

Tens of thousands of poncho-wearing, mud-splattered festival-goers partied through the relentless rain to celebrate a very special tenth birthday party, enjoying sets from Kings of Leon, Foo Fighters, Kaiser Chiefs, Pulp and Liam Gallagher’s Beady Eye.

l Southampton now has its very own slice of the Caribbean. New bar and restaurant Turtle Bay opened its doors in Guildhall Square in chilled out style with live music, jerk ribs, curried goat and rum cocktails.

l June was also a top month for live music across Hampshire. The short move to a new venue in Woodmancott near Winchester worked out well for a sunkissed weekend at Blissfields Festival.

Local boy done good Frank Turner appeared as headliner with stories of local Winchester jaunts, cheered on knowingly by the crowd. A JLS and Olly Murs concert at Matterley Bowl was marred by access and traffic problems but The Concorde Club had more luck with a brand new tribute bands festival PhoneyFest.

JULY l Southampton’s Ocean Village played host to a three-day free entertainment extravaganza celebrating the start of the epic 40,000 mile global circumnavigation the Clipper Round the World Yacht Race. Tens of thousands flocked to the waterfront to enjoy performances from Toploader, Parade and Delays.

l A host of weird and wonderful artists were at Britain’s largest street theatre festival, the Hat Fair in Winchester.

l More than 2,000 people gathered in Southampton’s Guildhall Square to witness a spectacular circus display.

The city’s cultural quarter was transformed into an aerial playground, as performers from the NoFit State circus wowed the crowd with their unique brand of theatrical chaos.

AUGUST l Rob da Bank took to the decks to draw Cowes Week to a musical close. The Radio 1 DJ and Bestival curator grew up in Warsash and spent much of his childhood saililng on the River Hamble. He hosted the Extreme Fireworks Party, ending the Extreme Sailing Series.

l Festival-goers tied their kangaroos down as veteran Aussie entertainer Rolf Harris’s appearance on stage became one of the highlights of this year’s Wickham Festival. Music fans also enjoyed all the fun of the fair with 10,000 revellers flocking to Matterley Bowl near Winchester for the four-day Boomtown Fair Festival including performances from Bad Manners, Gogol Bordello, Ms Dynamite and Goldie Lookin’ Chain.

l Soul songstress Beverley Knight got up close and personal with Wave 105. She performed an intimate gig in front of just a handful of fans at The Cellar in Southampton.

SEPTEMBER l The woman who is arguably the wackiest person in the music industry was a fitting end to one of the most off the wall festivals around. Icelandic queen of weird Björk closed the main stage at Bestival on the Isle of Wight in her own, unique style.

l One of the world’s foremost sopranos, Dame Kiri Te Kanawa, performed a special recital for one night only at The Mayflower in aid of Rose Road Children’s Appeal.

l Hundreds of people got their pulses racing at a music festival inspired by the life-saving work of Southampton’s heart unit. Eclectic acts from across the country took to the stage to entertain families who descended on Sunnyfields Farm, near Totton. Headlining the Pulse Festival this year were Kissmet, showcasing their unique blend of bhangra rock, while local acts like The Widowmaker and The Lost Souls Club kept the crowds dancing.

OCTOBER l Southampton burst into life with the sound of music when the annual free festival Music in the City featuring more than 100 acts launched. From urban beats to sounds of samba, the free music extravaganza showcased sensational live performances by top talents at some of the city’s most historic locations.

l Screenings, workshops, master-classes and competitions — whether your fascination is with filmmaking or film watching there was plenty to excite you. Southampton Film Week saw people, organisations and venues all over the city celebrating film together.

l Winchester was turned into a giant arts venue as the city celebrated its artistic talent.

10 Days Across the City brought together artists, performers, poets and actors.

NOVEMBER l Her stunning vocals have captured the hearts of some big fans including Radio 1’s Fearne Cotton. Now Birdy, aka Lymington schoolgirl Jasmine Van den Bogaerde, released her debut album. Entitled Birdy, the album features her unique interpretation of songs by Bon Iver, Cherry Ghost, Phoenix, The National, The Postal Service and The xx.

l One of the most eagerly awaited concerts of the year took place at The Concorde Club. Adam Ant, who 30 years ago was one of the biggest names in British music, performed the likes of Stand and Deliver and Prince Charming.

l Irving Berlin’s White Christmas made a triumphant return to The Mayflower.

The festive musical, which premiered in Southampton five years ago, was back for a box office busting two week run, starring Aled Jones and Adam Cooper.

DECEMBER l Its stage has been filled with famous musical talent over the past decade — and Southampton’s The Cellar celebrated its ten-year anniversary in style. It has played host to Beverley Knight, Ellie Goulding and Professor Green over the years. Amy Winehouse even visited after a gig across the road at Southampton Guildhall.

l Guests tucked into bubbly and hors d’oeuvres at the opening of Southampton’s newest nightspot.

The Treasury has opened its doors in Southampton’s High Street in the grand setting of the former National Provincial Bank of England, previously NV.

Chef David Cotton laid on a selection of small treats from the new menu served in the old banking room with its original Devonshire marble pilasters and moulded ceiling.

l He’s behind you! It was panto aplenty across the South as pantos and shows including The Borrowers, Cinderella, Jack and the Beanstalk and Peter Pan were just some of the festive feasts on offer.