Costume Ball 22nd

Please note a change of venue - from Old Big School to Temple Speech Room
Only 200m from the car park in Little Church Street.

The school now wants to use OBS before and after half term in February 2009 as a temporary theatre, involving the construction of a stage along the length of the hall. This means that the hall is totally unsuitable for our ball. However, they have offered us an alternative venue - Temple Speech Room. This is situated nearer to the same car park which we were to use anyway. Follow the instructions printed on your ticket to get to the car park. Then come out of the car park, and turn left towards Hillmorton Road. Temple Speech Room is the rather impressive building immediately in front as you reach Hillmorton Road (on the corner of Barby Road). We shall be using the entrance to the left of the main portico. Changing facilities will be available in the adjacent Music Schools, connected by a very short covered way to TSR. It is a much more sumptuous venue and has comfortable seating for all!

The school was founded in 1567 but occupied premises a short distance away, moving to the present site in 1777. It was not until the beginning of the 20th. century that the Temple Speech Room was built, opening on July 3rd., 1909, so is celebrating its centenary in 2009. Originally designed so that the whole school and parents could be assembled in one building at the same time, the facilities have seen many uses. By the 1930's there were full cinema projection facilities which were in use until 1970 and are preserved in the projection room. Famous orchestras and conductors have performed on the stage - the CBSO with Adrian Boult, the BBC Concert Orchestra during WW2, the LSO, Myra Hess and others. It has also been a venue for Mastermind. There are stained glass windows, numerous oil paintings and busts around the building, all making it an exceptional venue for our dance - possibly the first of its kind on the floor of the auditorium.

The Queen's Gate and main school.


TSR from Barby Road TSR from near car park and from Hillmorton Road

The stage and organ from the floor.


Views from the stage of the floor, the tiered seating and gallery.


Views from the gallery, available to us on the day.

Tickets:
If you would like tickets (£11 each including light refreshments) please email me at the address below. I shall be unable to access my emails during May and first 2 weeks of June, also infrequent access July 1st - Sept.14th. If anyone wants a quicker response please try telephoning Jenny on 01788-543370. We shall also have a reserve list for anyone unlucky at the first attempt to get tickets. I am sure no-one will be disappointed.

If we sell a sufficient number of tickets the music of Kevin Downham will be augmented by others. I also doubt whether I can keep Kevin from trying out the superb 1890 Bryceson organ that was formerly housed across the road in New Big School!

The Programme:
The dances chosen will be a selection from the last 360 years and I will put a list on this page before the event. If anyone wants to make suggestions, please email me at ian.whitehead1@ntlworld.com

All the best for now,
Ian

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