Raoul Dufy Paints a Portrait

Music by Mike Westbrook OBE, lyrics Kate Westbrook

(commissioned by Bob Baker for Jane Mann.)

Featuring Tim Goodwin as the painter, Raoul Dufy

With Kate Westbrook, Martine Waltier, Billy Bottle voices

Marcus Vergette, double bass

Alan Wakeman, saxophones

And Mike Westbrook, piano

On the sea wall in Nice, Raoul Dufy paints a portrait of his muse Jane. A troupe of singers and instrumentalists celebrate the painter in Waltz, Jazz, Blues and Repartee until the sun goes down and envelopes the generous, sensual world of Monsieur Dufy.

Since winning the Edinburgh Festival Fringe Award in the late ‘70s with their Jazz Cabaret Mama Chicago, composer Mike and vocalist/librettist Kate have generated a succession of Music-Theatre pieces. They have written for the stage, for television and radio, and toured with Theatre, Dance and Opera companies as well as their own ensembles, throughout the UK, Europe and beyond. Much of their work has been released on CD.

Have a listen to an excerpt from Mike Westbrook’s Uncommon Orchestra - 'A Bigger Show':

“No one has succeeded in creating a more distinctive body of work than Mike and Kate Westbrook. Their mixture of jazz, music-theatre, poetry, street entertainment and visuals is rich and unique.” - Dave Gelly in The Observer

This is a 90 minute performance with a break.

Mike and Kate Westbrook

Mike Westbrook OBE is a key figure in the development of British jazz, producing several big-band records for the Deram label, with the newly formed Mike Westbrook Concert Band, between 1967 and 1969.

In 1968 his band made their international debut at the Montreux Festival with Malcolm Griffiths, Alan Jackson, Harry Miller, Mike Osborne and John Surman.

In 1972/73 he also worked in the context of his jazz-rock band Solid Gold Cadillac with Phil Minton. Phil's unmistakable voice would feature in many of Westbrook's later projects. A live performance of Solid Gold Cadillac (at the Paris Theatre in London) has been repeatedly broadcast by BBC Radio 6.

Big Band Rossini, which was featured in the 1992 BBC Proms, and Chanson Irresponsable (2002), commissioned by BBC Radio 3, bringing together jazz and classical musicians in the New Westbrook Orchestra. He also features in the 2003 BBC documentary Jazz Britannia.

Westbrook was awarded an OBE in 1988, and in 2004 the University of Plymouth awarded him an Honorary Doctorate of Music.

Our Director Paul Bickmore (better known as Bik) spends a lot of his time tracking down a varied, interesting range of performances for us to host here at The Art House.

A seasoned musician himself (as well as being the man who does the sound engineering on the night - something he does extremely well), Bik hand-selects the very best acts to showcase in our gallery space - his criteria?

<-- They have to make him feel like this - and they will have the same effect on you, we promise.

Travel information:-

We are a city centre venue and parking can be in short supply. If you are driving, please make sure you leave plenty of time to find a space click here for a map of where the nearest parking spaces can be found.

We recommend Kings Park Road car park:
We are about 10 minutes walk from Southampton City Centre train station (head up the hill toward the Guildhall clock tower) and on the route for most city centre buses (the Unilink U1 stops virtually outside.)

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Accessibility info:-

Events are generally suitable for adults, young people and older children - children must be accompanied by an adult at all times, however. Young children are also welcome to come along but be aware some poems and songs may contain adult content (although we try to keep these until after children have left!)

Most events are held on our first floor, accessible by a wide staircase with a sturdy banner. Comformatable seating is provided. We regret that, due to space and other constraints, we are generally unable to relocate our events to the ground floor for those who require ground level access - so sorry.

FAQs

Are there ID requirements or an age limit to enter the event?

Events are open to all ages unless otherwise stated, however please note that our mission is to provide creative activity primarily to adults, therefore most of our programme is aimed at 16 years and over. Performances may include stronger language.

Life drawing classes are open to over 18s only.

What are my transport/parking options getting to the event?

Please click here for details of how to find us.

What can/can't I bring to the event?
Please don't bring your own food or drink to The Art House.

Where can I contact the organiser with any questions?
The best way is by email to info@thearthousesouthampton.co.uk

Do I have to bring my printed ticket to the event?
If you have a smartphone, we prefer that you save paper and show us your ticket on a phone.

What is the refund policy?
Tickets are not refundable unless the event is cancelled.

The name on the registration/ticket doesn't match the attendee. Is that okay?
As long as the person making the booking is with you, that's fine.

All bookings for events are subject to our Terms and Conditions which can be viewed here.