Helen Melland MYTH AND MALARKY until December 3rd

THE ABYSS: Peter Oswald at The Studio Lounge Totnes Devon

not bored

The Studio Lounge tucked away in the Industrial estate in Totnes Devon is not the most unlikely place to experience interesting theatre. All over the country there are intriguing venues where acolytes can gather and feel they are still part of a thinking minority. It’s refreshing here in this Devon backwater, however. Totnes’ recent fight against Costa Coffee has been national news and it is often referred to as England’s “funkiest town,” nonetheless it’s reassuring, especially in the light of the demise of Dartington, to see that theatre is still thriving here, in a tiny community-run venue.

Last evening’s performance of THE ABYSS – a handful of short plays and poems by Peter and Alice Oswald, performed by the Oswalds, and actress Josephine Larsen, allowed an audience of about 35 to reflect and be amused. At times there were moments of brilliance, and at others a lack of coherence, but overall what nice people and good integrity.

Alice Oswald’s superb poem FOX, read by the poet and describing an encounter with the wild animal, resonated with a haunting and emotive brilliance, while her husband’s “He Keeps Dying” where a wife is at a loss to save her perpetually keeling-over husband even though she has a purpose built “zapper” , allowed us to laugh, although at what I was not quite sure – possibly Peter Oswald slowly turning into a sort of youthful John Le Mesurier.

Oswald’s writing is at best, I felt as a newcomer to his work, when poetic, as in the highly engaging “Helen of Troy” strongly performed by Larsen, and reminiscent, it should be said, of Dario Fo’s Medea. In fact I did feel that Peter Oswald’s work is derivative – at times of Beckett, maybe of Edward Bond’s Saved – in “Pram” for example, where an angry woman seems to be in an intense conversation with her infant child – but this did not detract from what I felt to be the true integrity of the writing. Like a piece of abstract art – we may not always know why we are engaged and might need to spend some time with the painting.

I was at times greatly moved, amused and when able to allow the poetry to wash over me – captivated.

 Annie Bowie

ROSIE SANDERS SOLO opening Oct 27 bowie gallery

Delighted to be hosting Rosie Sanders again with new work - a mixture of stunning watercolours, original artist prints and acrylics on board.

New Yvonne Coomber painting in the gallery

This artist has done fantastically well with her gorgeous explosions of colour that people totally love! I think must be inspirational during these days when we hear so much bad news. Latest we have in is this one- it called You Bring Summertime to my Heart and it's 160 x 120 cms and £3500 07956 412 278

Yana Trevail DOMUS DE JANUS opens at bowie gallery July 28 - Aug 10

the bowie gallery now

some great contemporary work in the gallery this week.
james Stewart deckchairs remind us Summer may still come! And Catherine Forshall gorgeous fish.

artspaces has a new client in Bristol City centre

Transforming a simple office space with just five paintings - huge difference! When the firniture's in this venue will be a pleasure to work in - and visit!

jubilee juicies

Queenie  oil and mm on aluminium panel, by Louise Dear in gallery now.

this weekend enjoy some lovely champers, good food and company and be happy

Check out the artspaces DVD!
 http://vimeo.com/41727732 enjoy and pass it on!

SARAH GILLESPIE - BUFF ERMINE - handmade original drypoint 1/4 £500 framed

JANUARY bowie gallery GALLERY NEWS

Getting busy on the street and new, beautiful original prints by Sarah Gilespie are getting a justified excellent response. We have three left including a beautiful little mezzotint.

Other goodies include Elisabeth Hadley bronzes. Minotaur £1695 (pictured)and Aquila £1750; plus Lucianne Lassalle Sue on the Edge ( pictued, £1100) and Rosie Sanders Black Parrot Tulip £16,000.