Holders Season, Barbados: A Musical and Theatrical Festival

Barbados: Holders Season

Inkle and Yarico at Holders Season 1997 Founded in 1993, the Holders Season is established as the premier cultural event in the Caribbean. Acclaimed nationally and internationally, the season is a celebration of opera, music and theatre. The production always plays to capacity houses and it's high artistic standard draws audiences from around the world.

Holders House, St. James, again plays host to this musical and theatrical festival. This stately house has been in existence for over 300 years and is an interesting mixture of English and Barbadian vernacular. The grounds are extensive and lovely with mature tropical trees and shrubs, the perfect setting for the open-air theatre that comes alive every year during the Holders Season.

A boutique experience at one of the world’s most attractive ‘boutique’ festivals – seven exquisite and varied events in The Little Theatre, Holders .All of the variety associated with Wendy Kidd’s renowned Season of performances in the grounds of Holders House - jazz, blues and classical music, theatre and comedy to die for….

Holders Season 2010 : Thursday March 18th – Saturday March 27th
Thursday 18 March	The Great Hollywood Stars The silver screen comes to the Little Theatre. Clive Hischhorn was the theatre critic for the UK's Sunday Express from 1965 to 1996. The author of numerous books on the great Hollywood studios and on some of the movie greats, Hirschhorn tells the extraordinary stories of the global phenomenon that is Hollywood and of some of its iconic figures across the decades - Garbo, Garland, Gene Kelly and many others - complete with extensive film clips.
Friday 19th March	The Classical Piano with James Rhodes A young master of the classical piano who came to his instrument by the most unusual of routes with no formal academic musical education or dedicated mentoring. He plays Chopin, Bach and Beethoven and speaks of his passion for this music.
Saturday 20th March	Shakespeare – As you like him Actor Bruce Morrison conjures up the world of the bard – an evening in the company of some of William Shakespeare’s greatest speeches, most raucous humour, and highest tragedy. “Bruce Morrison’s command of the stage is in itself Shakespearean in scope… he mixes the pathos and beauty of Shakespeare’s poetry as well as its rougher and downright funny edges”
Monday 22nd March	A letter from Australia - with novelist Kathy Lette Linking in with the Lancaster Art Gallery’s show of Australian Aboriginal work, the Holders Season welcomes one of Australia’s wittiest and most successful authors, Kathy Lette. Kathy divides her time between full time writer, demented mother, and trying to find a shopping trolley that doesn't have a clubbed wheel. Bring your funny bones… Late in the Garden... Followed by the first of two opportunities to hear the extraordinary talents of Madagascan musician Modest Hugues - the annual Holders showcase of great African musical talents.
Tuesday 23rd March	The Memory of Water The Gale Theatre of London and Barbados in association with the Holders Season presents a staged reading of 'The Memory of Water', an Olivier award winning comedy by Shelagh Stephenson. A poignant, touching - and very funny - play about three sisters who convene for their mother's funeral. The production features Olivier award winning actress Suzan Sylvester amongst its cast and Calypsonian Anderson "Blood" Armstrong. Produced by Melissa Simmonds and directed by Thom Cross. 'Blessedly and mercurially funny...Stephenson, a mistress of comic anguish, is clearly a real find.' - The Guardian The Memory of Water will open in the Frank Collymore Hall on April 10th and 11th at 8pm. For further details please go to www.galetheatre.com
Wednesday 24th March	A Tribute to Bing Crosby Following the huge success of An Evening with Frank Sinatra in 2009, Holders welcomes another of the greatest of all superstars, Bing Crosby. Bing, of course, can't actually be with us, but top London West End artist Ian Casey can. Together with pianist and musical director Don Hunt - who worked with Crosby - play the music and tell the tales of an extraordinary phenomenon who sold over half a billion records. Late in the Garden... A second opportunity to hear the stunning music of Madagascan musician Modest Hugues.
Friday 26th March	Jazz Double Bill – Ian Shaw and Liane Carroll Two fine international jazz artists parade their skills: award winning Ian Shaw delivers his tributes to the likes of Joni Mitchell with bravura and panache, whilst fireball Lianne Carroll ‘swings like hell one minute and is brutally heart breaking and expressive the next’. A musical feast to savour.
Saturday 27th March	Little Theatre Gala Night with Mica Paris/Kit & the Widow A magnificent double bill to close the season. Picnic around the Holders pool either side of two fantastic performances variously by Holders favourites Kit and the Widow, and chart topping UK soul/R ‘n B star Mica Paris with her band http://www.micaparis.com/ . Kit and the Widow have caused more howls of delight and hilarity than any act in Holders’ history, whilst Mica Paris is guaranteed to wind up proceedings with her mighty voice and personality to match. http://www.kitandthewidow.com/
PROGRAM SUBJECT TO CHANGE

Find Barbados accommodation
during Holders Season

Contacts
Holders House,
St.James, Barbados, West Indies
E-mail: theseason@holders.net / info@holders.net
Tel: 246 432 6385 Fax: 246 432 6461

Note: This information is intended for use as a guide only. Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information published, however AXSES Systems Caribbean cannot be held responsible for any errors, omissions or changes. Always confirm your plans first with your travel agent or the event organiser.