Poet In Da Corner’ is a production inspired by Dizzee Rascal’s ground-breaking grime album, and the show is set to debut at Belfast’s MAC from 26 to 28 February.
Brought by The Royal Court Theatre in London, music, dance and spoken word collide in Debris Stevenson’s semi-autobiographical story about how grime gave her an entirely new lease of life.
Based in a strict Mormon household between East London and Essex, a young Debris is given Dizzee Rascal’s influential album ‘Boy In Da Corner’ by her best friend SS Vyper, played by MC Jammz.
After the first listen, her life changes in ways she’d never imagined. Now a renowned grime-poet, performer and playwright, Debris’ story taps into a number of issues including race, representation, identity and authenticity.
‘Poet In Da Corner’ the stage show premiered at the Royal Court Theatre in 2018 to a sell-out crowd, and is currently touring the UK. It will only be in Belfast for three shows, between Wednesday 26 to Friday 28 February. Tickets are available at www.themaclive.com.
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World Book Day is celebrated in March each year. Who doesn’t love a good book? Mount Stewart which is owned by the National Trust is one of many places which marks the event each year. Join in with crafting, listen to a story or venture out on a trail during the weekend of March 7 to 8. There will be lots to do. Don’t forget that all the WBD books will be available in the shop. Normal admission. Members free.
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Ormeau Community Cinema is screening Paddington on Saturday, March 14. As always this will be a donation only event, with free popcorn for the early birds.
Doors open at 2.30pm and the film starts at 3pm.
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Looking ahead to Easter and there is a fun event at Castle Espie on April 10. The Wetland Centre is inviting people to come along and have fun finding the giant yellow ducks hidden amongst their real life duck cousins. Pick up a trail card, see if you can beat your family and friends and find out where these ducks are hiding. Prizes can be won and this day also provides an opportunity to hear all about the wetland wildlife.
As well as the Duck Quest, there will be Giant LEGO® Brick Animal Trail and Giant LEGO® Brick Workshops which are also running over the Easter period. Check out the website for workshop availability.
Don’t forget to share your duck selfies – #easterducks
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There is plenty of half term fun at Exploris in Portaferry this mid-term. There are lots of fun filled activities for all the family on Saturday (February 22).
Exploris is hosting animal demonstrations, an ‘Eco brick’ craft activity and a face painter.
For full details including talk and feeding times please visit explorisni.com.
Book your tickets online (24hours in advance) to be fast tracked and discounted.
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This next event is hosted by The Secret Bookshelf in Carrickfergus. Irish Dancing – the festival story with Angeline King will take place on Saturday, March 28 at The Courtyard.
Join Larne-based author Angeline King who will be talking about the history of competitive Irish dancing in the East Antrim area. This is the first time it has been held in Carrickfergus.
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More information on Cinemagic this week, and Dreamcatchers is a collection of brand new short animations from around the world. These poetic, experimental and thought-provoking films examine a number of themes including loss, loneliness, oppression, anger and rebellion.
LISTEN PAPA – This is the depiction of a young boy’s love and hate for his father, revealing all things unspoken.
FEATHERWEIGHT – A dark, humoured and expressive character animation about a daughter and father-figure coping with the loss of a central family member.
HALF A-SLEEP – One room, two half bodies, a silent relationship.
HEATWAVE – In the midst of a searing heatwave, two little children find a way to cool everyone down!
AND THEN THE BEAR – A brilliant evocation of childhood rebellion. Through simple painted animation and clever editing, Agnès Patron uses sensations and snatches of memory, as houses burn and hordes of children come together and howl, dancing on the ashes like wild bears.
SAD HEART – An emotional journey of a woman along a sound wave.
DAD – Larger than life, dressed in suit and tie, dad appears at the window one evening, with a gift for his son.
STORY – In the age of omnipresent technology, where the virtual sinks into reality, a young girl observes the world via a social media platform.
WILD WOMAN – A slam-poetry letter to mankind which invokes current world issues such as drone-strikes and religious persecution.
THE CHERRY ON TOP – A shy young prince seeks solace in overeating rather than attempt courtship.
MY MOON – A study of Earth’s relationship with the Sun and Moon. The story revolves around the sad nature of the way they have to co-exist, as Earth needs emotional and practical values from both the Sun and Moon.
This is part of ‘On the Pulse’ short film festival.
Cinemagic ‘On The Pulse’ is funded by the Department for Communities through Northern Ireland Screen.
Duration: 1hr 35mins / Ages: 12+.
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The Big Telly Theatre Company presents two short pieces of theatre based on the poetry of Seamus Heaney at HomePlace in Bellaghy.
This event Across The Threshold will be held on February 20.
The two plays written by Nicola McCartney – Field of Vision and Threshold – were originally written for Bog People, which was produced by Big Telly in 2009.
Nicola McCartney’s writings weave intricate portrayals of the humanity and the landscape so beautifully captured by Heaney’s work. The performance style is sparse, intimate and evocative, paying homage to Heaney’s extraordinary depiction of landscape, belonging, the domestic and the epic.
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The Field, presented by Bardic Theatre, is set in rural Ireland during the mid-nineteen sixties. As a patriotic tenant farmer with a fearsome temper and an obsession with the field he has worked in for most of his life, The Bull McCabe epitomises the last stand in the protection of the old order, denying permission of entry to the impending industrial change which threatens the ‘status quo’.
This play is based on a true story, and is dark and at times, hilariously funny. It was written by J B Keane and is a work which went on to inspire one of Ireland’s most successful films.
The show takes place from March 2 to March 20 so there are ample opportunities to see it.
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Former BBC Strictly Come Dancing Judge Darcey Bussell, will be hosting a DDMIX Dance Fitness Class in Dungannon. In the words of Darcey ‘all you need is a pair of trainers, lots of enthusiasm and she will provide the rest.’
The class introduces DDMIX, as Dance Fitness programme launched by Darcy in 2015 aimed at getting you moving without being intimidated by the word ‘dance’ or the technicality of the steps.
The event takes place on March 4.
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Cinema
The Personal History of David Copperfield
The Grudge
1917
Emma
Bad Boys For Life
Dolittle
Birds of Prey
The Lost Boys
Underwater
Paw Patrol
Frozen 11
Spycies
Sonic The Hedgehog
Spies in Disguise
The Rugrats
The Call Of The Wild
