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ISSUE 37 : 8TH DECEMBER 2020 | LATEST NEWS FROM HAFREN /////////////////// www.thehafren.co.uk

Hi All,
As I sit at my desk debating what to write in the editorial, I'm looking out of the window watching all the birds on our bird feeders flying back and forth busy going from the seeds, to the nuts to the fat balls all vying for the chance of a meal. With this cold weather and the start of winter we have been topping up the feeders constantly this last couple of weeks to make sure all the small birds are given a helping hand at this time of year. My family and I are extremely lucky to live in the countryside and have such a wide variety of bird species in our garden and they are a real joy to watch.  So please give our feathered friends a helping hand by putting a feeder and some water out if you can.

Take care and stay safe everyone.
Lorna Davies - Editor

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Enigma

‘It is a riddle wrapped in a mystery inside an enigma; but perhaps there is a key’: the words of Winston Churchill in 1939, describing the thought processes behind the actions of Stalin’s Soviet Union.

That is certainly a good description of the last week in politics, as we watch the government continue to grapple with both Covid and Brexit. Perhaps the key for us is to step away and watch or listen to something for a just a moment or two’s distraction.

The Royal Opera House at Covent Garden announced that they would be streaming Enigma Variations (My Friends Pictured Within) which is a one-act ballet by Frederick Ashton, to the music of the Variations on an Original Theme (Enigma Variations), Op. 36, by Edward Elgar. From 7pm on Friday 4th December until 3rd January available at a cost of just £3.00!

Friday; I sat myself down, G&T in hand, and counted down to 7pm (I’d already paid!), we’d hooked the laptop up to the TV for better picture and sound; we were off!
What a delight, the music of course is well known and easy to listen to in bite size pieces; the simple but sumptuous Royal Opera House set, combined with the time appropriate costumes were perfect. The characterisations of each imagined friend fitted the music so well. The costumes in some sense detracted from the athleticism of the performance but accentuated the drama and fluidity of movement, creating an atmosphere, almost, of silent opera. Highly recommended.
https://stream.roh.org.uk/packages/enigma-variations-2019

I last watched ballet at The Royal Opera House, in the early 1980s, with friends we’d met on honeymoon. A real treat - all dressed up in those days - long dresses for the ladies, black-tie for the gents. I remember parts of the programme even now; we’d chosen this programme as Sue was a keen skater and one of the short elements was Les Patineurs, also choreographed by Frederick Ashton. It was originally performed by Margot Fonteyn and Robert Helpmann (the child-catcher in Chitty Chitty Bang Bang). We are used now to ice-dance being like ballet but here ballet reproduced ice-skating - magical.
Available to watch now is this Royal Opera House performance.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e15W-6FwEb4
 
The title ‘Enigma’ of course reminded me of the Oscar winning film based on the life of Alan Turing, The Imitation Game, set at Bletchley Park during the war. It contrasted his massive contribution to the war effort, breaking the coding of the German Enigma machine; against the way that society treated him personally. Shown at The Hafren in 2015. It is available paid for on YouTube and on Netflix.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZY8BBsy8z9U
Here is a clip to tempt you.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nuPZUUED5uk
Mark Michaels - Front of House

Sky Arts Update

Further to last week’s mention, Twelfth Night will be shown on Monday 21st Dec at 9:00pm and Jane Eyre on the 28th Dec also at 9:00pm. Also keep an eye out on their upcoming schedule as they have some great performances such as Les Misérables 25th Anniversary special concert performance plus many more concerts as well as series.

The Nutcracker
Birmingham Rep Theatre and Birmingham Royal Ballet will be live-streaming their production of The Nutcracker.  The show will be live-streamed from the Birmingham Rep on Friday 18th Dec, with on-demand purchasing available until the 21st Dec.
https://www.birmingham-rep.co.uk

Our Forthcoming Online Christmas Shows
HAFREN AT HOME
ONLINE CHRISTMAS EXTRAVAGANZA!

SANTA'S CHRISTMAS COUNTDOWN

For the first time ever, Santa is presenting his hugely popular, sell-out show online and it's coming to screens across the world via Zoom this December!

Enjoy our livestream of the show, meet Father Christmas and friends virtually afterwards and send your Christmas messages for Cosmos the Elf to share LIVE - it's the most Christmassy Christmas show ever
all from the comfort of your home!

Sunday 20th December, 2.00pm
Family Tickets available at just £11.29 per household!

(includes £1.29 Eventbrite booking fee)
Tickets are limited so book yours from Eventbrite now!

Tickets and info here....

Santa’s Christmas Countdown is a family show, suitable for all ages but particularly 2 to 7 year olds. Check out the trailer here!

HAFREN AT HOME
MARK THOMAS: OUCH CHRISTMAS STORIES

Mark is just about the last person you might associate with ho ho ho let’s throw a log on the fire and gather round for Christmas but…
Mark loves Christmas!


From the most unexpected story teller comes Christmas stories from his life, time and family. The one where his dad was Father Christmas for the school fete, the time his mum found his dad’s secret stash of presents that were not for her, the Christmas spent alone, the one where they found dead neighbours and why celebrating in the darkest time of year is a rebellious act.

With live music, comedy, pathos and more
Christmas cheer than a Laplander’s eggnog party!


Sunday 13th December, 7.30pm

Tickets available at just £5 per household!
Tickets and info here....

Home Is Where The Art Is!

Zoe is back with her live, relaxed paint-along tutorial every Thursday from 5.00pm via Zoom. Suitable for all abilities and ages.

Request the Zoom link in advance by messaging ‘Zoe Mach Community Artist’ on Facebook or emailing zoemach@gmail.com

Art with Zoe Mach, a Hafren Community Initiative with funding from Arts Council Wales.

To view the full 10-page Business Update, please click here.
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ACW COVID CULTURAL RECOVERY FUND UPDATE
Hafren would like to thank the Arts Council of Wales for it’s successful bid in revenue funding awarded from the COVID Cultural Recovery Fund to cover ongoing operational support and maintenance for the building.
Hafren wishes to thank the Arts Council of Wales for the
Sustainability Funding (Covid 19) Grant they have been awarded
to cover ongoing operational support and compliance for the building.
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