JULY NEWSLETTER

BRACKNELL FOREST PRIDE 2024
Sat 20 July, 11-7pm, The Lexicon, Bracknell
Join us at Bracknell Forest Pride this July, where you could win 4 free tickets to South Hill Park’s upcoming production, Priscilla Queen of the Desert. Our very own dazzling cast will be performing songs from this year’s hit Easter show, Beauty and the Beast. There will also be free face painting and a BSL interpreter on stage during the event, making it accessible for all those with hearing difficulties in the LGBTQ+ community. For more information, please visit their website here.

WILDE THEATRE: A CELEBRATION OF 40 YEARS
It is with great joy and pride that we celebrated the 40th anniversary of the Wilde Theatre. We gathered with former director Gavin Henderson CBE and Iain MacKintosh to reminisce about the ups and downs of our incredible journey, from funding woes to the grand opening in 1984. We want to thank everyone who continues to support our beloved Wilde Theatre. Here’s to many more years of laughter, tears, and unforgettable performances. Fun Fact: The first performance to be held at the Wilde was an adaptation of The Importance of Being Earnest by Oscar Wilde, whom our theatre is named after.

ARTEMIS DANCERS: SILVER MEDALISTS
Artemis entered the Dance World Cup for the very first time this year and headed to Prague to compete in the Senior Song and Dance category. We are thrilled to announce that they have placed 2nd in the World, achieving the silver medal. What an achievement for our musical theatre performers. You will have seen many of the talented Artemis dancers in South Hill Park productions throughout the years.

STUDENT OPEN PREVIEW
Sat 27 July, 3pm, Tall Hall
We’re excited to invite you to the Student Open Preview. This free entry event is the perfect chance to check out the amazing artwork by our talented students.
From ceramics to oil painting, jewellery to embroidery, there’s something for everyone to enjoy and you can even purchase some of the pieces that are for sale.
You’ll see first-hand the passion and hard work that goes into every single piece of artwork. Come along and support our talented local artists. To book your free place, please visit our website here.

ELEVEN SEVENTEEN SUMMER SHOW
Did you know that we have a free outreach initiative, Eleven Seventeen? This performing arts youth group meet every Friday at South Hill Park and provide creative opportunities for children and young people. Over the past 10 weeks, the participants have been working tirelessly on devising an original piece of theatre. Their hard work and dedication came to fruition when they presented their final performance to parents, the mayor and brand-new MP, Peter Swallow, who all expressed their compliments. To sign up for September’s youth group sessions, please click here.

ART COMPETITION: LOCAL PRIMARY SCHOOLS
In celebration of 40 years of the Wilde Theatre, we held an art competition for local primary schools. The students were asked to draw or make something in relation to our wonderful theatre. Winners will be announced on Mon 22 July and will have their artwork displayed in our community gallery exhibition over the summer. Here are some of the brilliant pieces by the participants. We wish them the best of luck!

NATIONAL THEATRE LIVE: NYE
Thu 25 July, 7pm, Cinema
Michael Sheen plays Nye Bevan in a surreal and spectacular journey through the life and legacy of the man who transformed Britain’s welfare state and created the NHS. This epic new Welsh fantasia will be broadcast live from the National Theatre. Book tickets here.

COMEDY: EDINBURGH PREVIEWS
Fri 5, Fri 12 & Fri 19 July, 8pm, Cellar Bar
A hand-picked selection of The Comedy Cellar’s finest headline acts perform their full-length, work-in-progress shows in preparation for the world-famous Edinburgh Festival Fringe. You’ll be laughing your socks off. Book tickets here.

SUMMER WORKSHOP HIGHLIGHTS

Paint a Parrot, Tue 23 July, 6.30pm.

Stone Lithography, Sat 27 – Sun 28 July, 10am.

Etching Reversal, Sat 3 – Sun 4 Aug, 10.30am.

HERE COMES THE FUN, DO-DOO-DO-DOO
Fun, free and low cost outdoor activities for families of all ages to enjoy, in and around the Bracknell area. Organised and funded by the local parish and town councils of Bracknell Forest. Simply turn up on the day and take part in an arts activity with one of our tutors. We are also hosting some fantastic workshops at our beautiful Mansion House, where you can also enjoy our grounds. With special thanks to Abri Community Fund for their sponsorship, helping us make art accessible to all, this summer. Check out our summer of fun leaflet here.

SPECIAL THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS
New Homes Flooring & Floor Club are a valued sponsor of the outreach activities here at South Hill Park and were one of our generous sponsors at this year’s Festival of Food and Music. Not only do they help us, they also help people with all flooring solutions, whether a home, large new build development, commercial project, or wholesale. They also have named us as their Charity for 2024, donating any funds raised to us – amazing. Visit their showroom in Shinfield or use the free at home sample service. Find out more here.

JACK DEE: WORK IN PROGRESS
Sat 26 Oct, 8pm, Wilde Theatre
Turns grumpiness into an art form – THE EVENING STANDARD
Firmly established as one of Britain’s biggest and best loved comedy stars, Jack Dee has captured the imagination of audiences and critics with his dry humour and deadpan delivery. Jack has starred as Geoff in three series of the hit BBC sitcom, Josh and is an author of a compelling bestseller autobiography, Thanks for Nothing. Join Jack as he warms up ahead of his brand-new UK tour, Small World, right here at South Hill Park. Book tickets here.

PRISCILLA QUEEN OF THE DESERT
Wed 16 – Mon 21 April 2025, Wilde Theatre
Join us next Easter for South Hill Park’s community production, Priscilla Queen of the Desert. A heart-warming, uplifting and oh-so glamorous show about three friends who take their show on the road. Featuring a dazzling array of award-winning costumes and a hit parade of dance floor favourites, this wildly fresh and funny musical is available to book now. Keep an eye out in future newsletters for audition calls. Our community productions are a fantastic opportunity for performers to work alongside talented technicians and production teams.

SUPPORT US WHILST YOU SHOP
If you haven’t yet seized the opportunity to support your local Arts Centre for FREE, South Hill Park is registered with Easy Fundraising. Over 7,000 brands donate to us when you shop with them – at no extra cost to you. These donations really mount up and make a BIG difference to us. It’s completely FREE and takes less than two minutes to sign up. Simply set up your profile and shop away here. Did you know that the Bracknell Forest Lottery Scheme, donates 50p of each £1 ticket you purchase, to us? So why not sign up for a chance to win prizes whilst supporting a great cause.