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18 Jun 2010 10:07:46
The revamped Queen Anne’s Summerhouse offered the perfect backdrop to a blend of music, dance and theatre on Saturday lunchtime.
Staff and students from the University of Bedfordshire were involved in two 30-minute outdoor performances as part of The Landmark Trust’s free open day event on the Shuttleworth Estate at Old Warden in Mid Beds.
Staff from the Division of Performing Arts and English created performance work with students, and costumes were designed by students from the Department of Art and Design. Professional musicians from the University-sponsored Symphonia Academica orchestra provided music from the early 18th century, when the summerhouse is believed to have been first built.
Six dance students - Robyn Austin, Pavel Azamotov, Kirsty Bewers, Luke Jessop, Megan Manley and Laura Williams - were joined by two theatre students, Christopher Hodgson and Catherine McFall.
Members of staff involved included organiser and Senior Lecturer in Dance, James Hewison, who choreographed the dance, while Senior Lecturer in Theatre, Mike Carter, supplied the text.
James said: “The weather was great and everyone had a good time. Our aim was to celebrate the history, architecture and physical setting of the house, and especially its role as a place for enjoying the great outdoors.”
The University was initially contacted by The Landmark Trust which is the charitable organisation responsible for the year-long restoration project of the building.
An early 18th century folly, it was left derelict after the Second World War before its renovation was completed in September 2009 when the house, which is surrounded by beautiful woodland, opened its doors to its first visitors.
The Landmark Trust is a building preservation charity, established 45 years ago, which rescues historic and architecturally interesting buildings and their surroundings from neglect.
When restored, it aims to give them new life by letting them as places to experience for holidays. The letting income generated from holiday bookings then pays for the future maintenance of the buildings.
For further details on the Landmark Trust, visit www.landmarktrust.org.uk
Latest news» 2010» June» Open house with music, dance and theatre
