After being closed for almost eight months and being forced to implement extensive redundancies, The Plough Arts Centre in Great Torrington is about to reopen with a bang on Bonfire Night, with a busy but socially-distanced programme of live events, film screenings, exhibitions and workshops. Funding from Torridge District Council, the National Lottery and the Arts Council, as well as Torrington Town Council, Barnstaple Town Council and the Town Lands Charity, has enabled the much loved venue to bring some staff back after furlough, to reassemble its army of volunteers and to reopen its doors from Thurs 5 Nov for 3 days per week.
Director Richard Wolfenden-Brown said ‘after by far the most difficult time in the history of the venue, we were humbled to be chosen as worthy recipients of national arts and community funding. It is extremely encouraging for our future that the Arts Council and the National Lottery identified The Plough as an organisation deserving of financial support. They clearly want us to survive.’
A packed programme has been put together at short notice and artists from across the country have been queuing up to come and perform at The Plough. Richard explained ‘If ever we needed something to make us smile (though possibly not laugh out loud without a mask…) then this is the time, so we are delighted that comedians such as Rich Hall, Mark Watson, Shappi Khorsandi, Laura Lexx, Mark Steel, Daliso Chaponda and Paul Foot have agreed to visit us before Christmas. Plough Patrons Show of Hands will also perform on 20 Nov, plus blues with Paul Jones & Dave Kelly, local revolutionaries The Wild Strawberries, folk favourites Kathryn Roberts & Sean Lakeman, the music of Hendrix, Clapton & Cream from Voodoo Room, Bookends ‘Simon & Garfunkel’ and The Postman Poet – A celebration of the life and songs of Edward Capern, with Nick Wyke, Becki Driscoll and novelist, Liz Shakespeare. Jacob Houghton and Rosa Rebecka also have separate dates at [email protected]’s in Barnstaple which is also the base for a range of workshops and events. It all kicks off at The Plough on Bonfire Night with a screening of Matthew Bourne’s ‘The Red Shoes’ followed by a classical concert with Toby White (cello) and Maria Staneva (piano) playing pieces from Beethoven, Debussy and Schumann. After eight months of silence it seems fitting to bring the enforced silence to an end, with the sound of the cello.
The venue is being deep cleaned and audiences will be able to sit in cabaret style seating downstairs or well distanced rows on the balcony. There will be a one way system and short relaxed performances without intervals, to minimise contact and to keep everyone safe. Plough volunteers will take temperature checks on entry, and customers will be asked to wear masks unless seated and enjoying a drink. Customers will be welcome to bring their own drinks to the venue where glasses will be provided for a modest corkage charge. The café is unable to reopen at present, but the trustees of the charity hope to reinstate the café in some form as soon as practically possible.
Gallery Director Peter Stiles announced that ‘The exhibition programme begins with work from artists who have exhibited with The Plough before and work by artists who will be exhibiting next year. Artists include Merlyn Chesterman, Phil and Frannie Leach, Bill Stewart, Paul Seed and Petra Freeman. The show will be open Thurs – Sat each week and Covid - 19 precautions will be in place with 6 max people allowed in the gallery. Work by Mia Stewart-Wilson and Timothy Tennant will exhibited on the artist’s wall throughout November. Then on Dec 3rd - firmly established as one of North Devon’s most popular contemporary and traditional crafts events - The Original Gifts Exhibition kicks off the festive season in style with stalls by local artists and makers providing a fantastic selection of handmade gifts of the highest quality. The show will be open on Thurs - Sat until the week before Christmas when it will be open on Mon 21 - Wed 23 Dec.’
Those yearning to get involved as participants are also celebrating, as Plough Youth Theatre returns with live sessions for the Juniors and Seniors on Saturdays from 7 Nov plus additional groups that are being added to prevent young people from being on waiting lists. Plough Prism and Motion Dance for adults with learning disabilities will resume with online activities, whilst other regular workshops restarting at The Plough include printmaking, basketry, tai chi, and the ever-popular Friday Art Group. The venue's widely respected choir Ploughcappella is in the middle of an exciting online project with a new song and film about to be released. Film screenings include Tenet, Eternal Beauty, 23 Walks, Pinocchio, Hope Gap, The Roads Not Taken, The Lion King (Live Action), and Frida Kahlo.
Some live events will be simultaneously live streamed so those not able to visit The Plough can enjoy the live atmosphere from the comfort of their own home, and make a donation to support the artists and the venue. All the details are on the Plough’s website: wwwtheploughartscentre.org.uk and social media. The Plough is still appealing for new volunteers to express their interest in a range of tasks via [email protected].
Richard Wolfenden-Brown
Director
[email protected]
01805 622552
