Round-up of events and shows in the area

Ostrich Feathers by Suzi Hopkins is an outdoor production, which lasts approximately an hour and a quarter.

Be prepared for a gentle walk and our great British weather, says director Stephen Israel who will appear in the piece alongside Roxanne Stutchberry and Kieran Garland.

“Who is the mysterious dancing lady? What is the secret Albert wants to tell his father? And why does he have a funny accent?

“The Company are back with their tale of Phillip Saillard, the millionaire who once lived at Buchan Hill”, Stephen said.

Tickets £5 per person, available from the Countryside Centre on 01293 542088.

MID Sussex-based Ariel Drama Academy is branching out to provide opportunities for young performers in Crawley.

The Crawley launch, following on from success in drama, dance and singing in Burgess Hill and East Grinstead, will be on September 18.

Principal Neil Hopson promised a creative, inspired group of tutors who realise the importance of a progressive environment where everyone can fulfil their true potential.

Nigel Harman, the theatre company’s patron, will be opening the school on September 18.

It will be based at St Wilfrid’s School, Crawley. To join in, see www.arielct.co.uk or call 01444 250407.

THE Askew Sisters are the guests at Horsham Folk Club on Sunday, September 19 at 8pm at the Normandy Centre, Denne Road, Horsham.

Club spokeswoman Caroline Thomas explains: “Emily and Hazel Askew are a young duo making waves on the folk scene with their energetic brand of English folk music. Using fiddle and melodeon, they play and sing with an infectious enjoyment and love for the music, winning them fans wherever they go. Their robust musicianship allows them to switch around at will, colluding and colliding during the course of a performance, thus keeping the audience on its toes and its toes tapping.

“From rhythmic foot stomping tunes to powerful interpretations of songs and ballads, their playing always guarantees to engage and inspire their audiences.

2010 sees the release of Though Lonesome Woods - a long-awaited follow-up to their critically-acclaimed debut All In A Garden Green’in 2007.

Tickets: £6 (members £4), under 18s and students free; available on the door from 7.45pm. Information: 01403 276273.

ARUNDEL’S Willows Folk Club welcomes back Australian folk duo Cloudstreet on Wednesday, September 22.

A duo brimming with musical vitality and dazzling vocal harmonies, Cloudstreet are Nicole Murray and John Thompson, two individuals with a wealth of musical experience behind them, as club spokesman Chris Davis explains.

“Between them they play guitar, fiddle, whistle and flute, and have quickly risen to great acclaim in their native Australia for their diverse and highly-entertaining live performances.

“Performing an eclectic mix of British, Celtic and Australian folk songs along with original compositions and some driving instrumentals, Cloudstreet pride themselves on their awe-inspiring vocal harmonies and are much loved for their great humour and entertaining presentation.

“Exciting, invigorating and entertaining, everyone who loves good music is encouraged to come and see Cloudstreet in action.”

Entrance for Cloudstreet’s gig on Wednesday, September 22 is £5. The Willows Folk Club meets every Wednesday at 8pm in the function room of Arundel Football Club, Mill Road, Arundel, situated to the rear of the large public car park opposite Arundel Castle.

For more information about the club, you telephone 07790 511054 or log on to either www.willowsfolkclub.org or www.myspace.com/willowsfolkclub.

WORLD-renowned composer and conductor John Rutter will be running a workshop for local singers in Chichester on Saturday, October 2.

Famous for his many choral and orchestral pieces, he will be at Westbourne House School.

Richard Allum, assistant director of music at the school, said: “This will be an excellent opportunity for those who have admired or performed his music to sing with the man himself.

“The day will comprise of two sessions. During the morning session, from 10.30-12noon, he will be working with the Westbourne House Chapel Choir, who will be touring Paris later in the month.

“The afternoon session, running from 1.30-5.30pm, will be open to local singers, and will involve looking at a number of his works.

“For singers and music lovers alike, this will be a day not to be missed. Tickets for participants are priced at £12 for adults and £5 for children and students. These also allow entry into the morning session as an observer. Observer tickets, which allow entry into both sessions, are priced at £5.

“For further details and to purchase tickets, please telephone the school Music Department on 01243 770756, or email [email protected].”

ACT Too’s production of the Disney classic Beauty And The Beast plays The Hawth in Crawley from September 14-18.

The first two dates will be performed by children and young adults from the Act Too Academy and the remaining four performances by adult members of the company.

A spokesman said: “This has been a wonderful opportunity for Academy students to rehearse alongside an adult cast and as a result the students have gained enormous experience and confidence.

“The Act Too Academy which specialises in drama, dance and singing for children from the age of five through to 18 is celebrating its fifth anniversary this year and has branches in Haywards Heath and Horsham as well as Crawley.

“With its magical characters and a delightful score including timeless Disney hits Be Our Guest, Belle and the award-winning title song Beauty And The Beast, this show is guaranteed to appeal to an audience of all ages, young and old, so come along and treat the family.”

Tickets for Academy performances on September 14 and 15 are available from acttoo.co.uk and for September 16-18 from The Hawth on 01293 553636 or online at thehawth.co.uk.