Reading Prison: Audience allowed inside jail for theatre event
Mr Bi said previously his plans did not include building flats on any part of the site and a portrait by celebrated street artist Banksy, that appeared on the prison wall in 2021, would "of course" stay.In January, an augmented-reality exhibition allowed members of the public to view artwork hung on the walls via a smartphone app, without entering the building.During the Rabble event on 28 June, the audience inside the prison will be treated to a "rare deep dive" into the creative process behind Rabble's new play, William the Conqueror, said the theatre company.It will take place inside the Victorian prison's Old Chapel.Associate writer Beth Flintoff, Mr Davies, actors, a composer and movement director will talk the audience through the project, demonstrate some scenes and the creation of the soundtrack, Mr Davies told the BBC.The play is being developed with investment from Arts Council England.Mr Davies said: "What happened to Oscar Wilde was wrong and sad but if we can produce thought-provoking, life-affirming theatre in the space, then perhaps that's a little green carnation of justice. "We hope that our work paves the way for other artistic ventures to take place inside this extraordinary historical site."Oscar Wilde spent two years at the prison after being convicted in 1895 of gross indecency - effectively for being gay.He spent the last three years of his life in exile in France, where he composed his last work, The Ballad of Reading Gaol, describing an execution at the prison.
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Telegraph
5 hours ago
- Telegraph
The corner of London where ‘street art' is pushing up house prices
A 30ft near-naked neighbour is never going to be everyone's cup of tea, and the lady with the shopping trolley scurrying to her flat next door clearly prefers coffee (and, I hazard to guess, not of the £4.50-a-cup variety). 'It's graffiti, it's not art,' she mutters, before sighing almost mournfully: 'That was a beautiful wall.' The wall in question, either now more or less beautiful dependent on the eye of the beholder, is the side of a redbrick Victorian semi upon which a looming goddess resplendent in fluffy towels now lounges, fresh from the shower and reading her magazine against a backdrop of jaunty geometric shapes. A stunning work of street art? Surely. In fact, it's a world-first – an exclusive collaboration between acclaimed street artists Sophi Odling and Ansley Randall. One you would expect to find spanning three storeys-worth of domestic brickwork including both chimneys on the fringe of suburbia? Probably not. And indeed nor did the owners of the two flats inside behind an elegant latticed timber porch and smart shutters. They did not know what they were going to get, or who was going to paint it. Yet they asked for it all the same. If this sounds a rather risky patronage it has nevertheless become such a regular occurrence in this little-known corner of south London as to barely garner a double take. In Penge – which is still necessary to place within context by naming its more famous neighbour, Crystal Palace, there are now some 298 works of legal street art across the town's buildings, walls, business shutters and gates, over a quarter on private homes (around one corner a beaming local postman with a robin greets you; around the next, a Japanese geisha). There is another 211 in a disused multi-storey car park off the High Street which has recently revealed its largest work yet, 35m in length, on its roof: two vast eyes created by Salvadoran artist Abraham.O over seven days, soaking up 350 litres of paint. When you stand on them the grey and white daubs look a little like frost; the seer can only be fully seen when viewed 87m up. This striking takeover, the brainchild of London Calling Blog sparked by recruitment consultant and street art photographer Steve Smith almost 10 years ago, has been created completely free of charge, and works to the rule the artists – some 400 so far, increasingly world-renowned – decide what they paint with no need to forewarn (although must be inoffensive and non-political, an ethos which wobbled when a decorative cow in a burger bun painted by Louis Michel appeared opposite Penge's McDonald's with the wording 'I'm not lovin' it'. The wording has now been removed). The resulting art is now so prolific it has transformed the character of the area, developing in tandem with the arrival of artisan coffee shops, bakeries and an independent record shop, which thrive symbiotically. It is a shift which has, say estate agents and business developers, contributed to a new desirability within this once unfashionable spot, even helping to boost house prices. The neighbour with the trolley seems to be in the minority around here. One woman's graffiti is many others' gold – both in terms of art appreciation, and cash. 'Penge has been on an upward curve for probably 10 years,' says estate agent Dan Crowley, joint owner of Propertyworld, whose large signage blinks like a beacon here. 'Since it's become popular there has been a steep rise in the prices... You have this momentum and it probably outstrips the market generally.' He explains the 'entry point' was low, and great transport links including the London Overground's arrival are key, but the street art has helped to position Penge next to trendier London neighbours in the east. 'If the market has been rising at 5-6 per cent, it would be rising [here] at 8-9 per cent. A couple points above. A house that was selling for £450,000 10 years ago is selling for £650,000 now.' A glance at Rightmove shows four-bed terraces regularly on the market at £850,000. He adds: 'Undoubtedly, there is a new constituency of people who come to look at the art, who perhaps weren't aware of Penge… and see it is a really nice, exciting, energetic place to live. Anything that makes an area more interesting, more fun, always will lead to more demand… I think there probably are some old-schoolers who aren't particularly enamoured with it. But I think it's undeniable the art scene has attracted new people. Without wishing to sound clichéd – trendier, younger, funkier people.' He believes having an art work on your home isn't 'a bad idea' either. Although it can 'split the market', he has witnessed it increase saleability, if not value. 'Subject to the artwork itself and the house, it undeniably could be more attractive to certain buyers,' he says. 'As human beings we often want something that reflects us, that perhaps we can show off…' At Carnival Coffee Roasters which opened 18 months ago, replacing a fish shop with its bare concrete interior, manager Chloe Franklin, 25, explains they're flat out on Saturdays, many customers coming to see the art – but also view homes. 'A lot of new people go to the estate agents and then they tend to send them over here,' she says. Local commercial property consultant Mark Painter explains Penge has a low void rate on the High Street. 'The national average was 10-15 per cent vacancies, and last year we had literally one or two,' he says. The art has a 'phenomenal effect'. Not all visitors are necessarily 'younger', though. Quiet but fiercely passionate under his bucket hat, Smith, 42, who leads large free art tours here of up to 100 people a few times a year – and raising near £10,000 for local charities using an actual bucket (they're glad a profit-making 'jogging' art tour has stopped) – exemplifies the growing reputation here by describing a chap who came on 'spraycation' to Europe specifically to view street art in 'Paris… and Penge'. And he was 83. 'People will come to Penge first, and Shoreditch on their half day off,' he boasts. Nik Berry, 35, a data scientist whose home sports the towel-clad lounger, along with his neighbour, graphic designer Nancy Pose, 56, admits 'there's always people here taking photos that start speaking to us' – but they are 'lovin' it'. 'I'm happy people get to appreciate the work.' Nik moved here three years ago and Nancy one, both drawn by the art. He says he hasn't had his flat valued but Nancy suspects hers has gone up in a year. However, they got the piece for the community, they say. They haven't alienated neighbours on the whole. Across the road in his five-bed Victorian property, Roy Reeve, 83, a retired diplomat who has lived here 50 years, looks at the lady all the time and loves her. 'I think it gives some life to the neighbourhood,' he says. 'It brings the place up. Penge has gone up very rapidly in the last couple of years.' Off the High Street a couple of neighbours seem unperturbed too by a vast new piece across a terrace depicting foxes scrapping over chips. Smith asked owners here a few times for the wall and was refused, but new ones were keen (it is more usual owners come to him). Lydia Hammond, 54, who sees it from her front windows, loves it. She's been here since 1998. 'It was a very different area then,' she says. 'I have spoken to a few neighbours who aren't keen but the vast majority really enjoy it. It makes Penge a more interesting place to live.' The foxes have replaced helium balloons – pieces get repainted regularly (in total 1,747 have been painted, most replaced numerous times). A neighbour opposite preferred them. 'I don't think this is as good,' she says. 'I don't really like foxes'. Emily Rising, 41, an infant-feeding specialist, is preparing for the fantastical bird she has dubbed a 'thunderchicken' painted across the side wall of her home in 2022 to be repainted in a couple of weeks. She of course has no idea what's coming. 'I wanted to be part of it, to have something different on my house,' she explains. She has been accused by one neighbour of 'destroying property prices' but believes actually they may have risen in the area by some £100,000 since she moved in eight years ago. Former painter/decorator Kevin Walsh, 59, welcomes them, too. He has his bulldog Molly, captured by artist Irony, on the gates secluding his quaint cottage in Penge's conservation area. He believes it's now worth £700,000 – his mum bought it in 1977 for £12,000. 'The art does push up the prices,' he says. 'You're seeing a different set of people that don't mind spending four to five pounds on a coffee and then a pastry with it.' But he, like Smith, is quick to point out gentrification is absolutely not the goal. He gestures at a greasy spoon, barbers and bookies still outnumbering independents and high-end sushi restaurants. 'We've got posh bakeries, but we've also got a Greggs that's busy. So at the moment, Penge is a bit of both,' he explains. Back in the car park 'gallery', Smith is also adamant the project has never been about commercialisation. He came up with it after chatting to a local chip owner about art accessibility. The chip shop then had the first piece on its shutters, prompting other businesses. But he quickly agrees '100 per cent' it has lifted Penge's desirability. He admits he'll never be able to afford to buy here. Prior to the art scene Penge's greatest claim to fame might have been an obscure David Bowie lyric: 'You can walk around in New York while you sleep in Penge…' (Aptly, Smith's favourite piece here is a replica of the side of a New York subway train by artists Only and Zomby). Now it hits hotspot lists. In fact, nowhere is Penge's desirability more starkly painted than this car park. Come September its artworks, including the eyes, will all go when it's demolished. Smith and his team have always known – they've repainted 29 times anyway and are set to one last time. Then a block of residential apartments will be built in its place.
Scottish Sun
7 hours ago
- Scottish Sun
Racehorse owned by TikTok star Big John that costs £60 a share branded ‘terrible' after beating one rival in three races
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) A RACEHORSE owned by TikTok star Big John has been branded 'terrible' after beating just one rival home in three races. Shares in two-year-old filly Bosh Soldier cost £60 each and give you 0.05 per cent of the horse. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 3 Viral TikTok star Big John is co-owner of a horse punters can buy a share in for £60 - but is yet to return a penny on the track 3 The social media sensation found fame with his massive Chinese orders 3 Bosh Soldier has beaten just one horse in three runs and lost by a combined 97 lengths - but could prove a totally different animal now she qualifies for handicaps Viral sensation Big John, who has found fame for his colossal Chinese orders and 'Bosh!' catchphrase, has been used in promotion of the runner. Wearing ill-fitting silks, a jockey cap and goggles, he appeared in one video championing the filly and said: "I'm Big John and I'm here to see the Bosh Soldier!" But after being bought by 14-time Champion Jumps Trainer Paul Nicholls' daughter Meg for a shade over £24,000, Bosh Soldier is yet to earn a penny on the track. Trained by the respected George Boughey, who won the 1,000 Guineas with Cachet in 2022, Bosh Soldier has raced three times. She finished last of seven on debut at Yarmouth in May when sent off 18-1 under former Champion Apprentice jockey Billy Loughnane. Her next outing came a month later at Chelmsford when she finished last again over six furlongs at odds of 66-1. Then, at Newmarket this month, Bosh Soldier was sent off 150-1 under jockey Grace McEntee for a seven furlong maiden for fillies. She was always behind and finished totally tailed off, beaten a massive 50 lengths with only one horse behind her. Bosh Soldier qualifies for an official rating now and she may well prove a totally different prospect thrown into handicaps. Especially as shrewd trainer Boughey has shown in the past he knows exactly how to place one to win. But Bosh Soldier's performances - and the cost of shares - have caught the attention of some punters. Especially given she has been beaten a combined 97 lengths on her three runs. One punter said she had looked 'terrible' on the track while another wrote on X: "This filly has been running like Big John has been riding her himself." What the owners say about Bosh Soldier Anyone can buy a share in Bosh Soldier, with prices starting at £60. Here's what Racing Club, who run the syndicate, have to say about the horse... Calling all Bosh Soldiers! Introducing our first horse to be based in Newmarket, Bosh Soldier, who is in training with Classic winning trainer George Boughey. This stunning chestnut filly is in collaboration with John Fisher, AKA Big John – hence the name Bosh Soldier! The two-year-old has a striking pedigree, having been sired by Sergei Prokofiev, who was a Group 3 winner and placed in Group 2 Coventry Stakes at Royal Ascot. Since being sent to stud, he has sired the likes of Arizona Blaze (Group 3 winner and Group 1 runner-up) and Enchanting Empress (Listed winner). Sergei Prokofiev's sire Scat Daddy was a two-time Grade 1 winner and has been a phenomenal source of producing horses with plenty of raw speed. With plenty of pace in her pedigree, we're confident that Bosh Soldier will have the speed to blitz her rivals! Bosh Soldier is our first horse in training in Newmarket, which is considered the 'headquarters' of horse racing, as well as being our first horse with trainer George Boughey. The Group 1-winning trainer has gone from strength to strength since saddling his first winner in 2019, and we cannot wait to see him train Bosh Soldier, who looks set for a productive two-year-old campaign in 2025. The syndicate consists of 2,000 shares, with each share purchased equating to a 0.05 per cent shareholding in Bosh Soldier. In fairness, Racing Club VIP, who run the syndicate, have made clear before each of Bosh Soldier's runs that they have been about her gaining experience. And prior to her most recent outing, Boughey said: "Bosh Soldier is yet to show on the track what she's been showing us at home. "She's still a work in progress, but she's got ability." Syndicates are a great way to get into racing and this year has shown how good the horses can be. Middleham Park Pacing have finished runner-up in the Derby and Irish Derby with Lazy Griff, winning more than £500,000 in the process. While social media star Basher Watts won the French 1,000 Guineas with Shes Perfect - before the result was overturned in the stewards' room. So while Bosh Soldier is yet to return a profit, there is hope for the future at least. And she has some eyecatching entries. Bosh Soldier has been put in the Somerville Auction Stakes at Newmarket on August 23, where victory is worth more than £50,000. And she could line up in October's Tattersalls October Auction Stakes, where a win would net owners £80,000. Either of those would certainly pay for a few takeaways. FREE BETS - GET THE BEST SIGN UP DEALS AND RACING OFFERS Commercial content notice: Taking one of the offers featured in this article may result in a payment to The Sun. You should be aware brands pay fees to appear in the highest placements on the page. 18+. T&Cs apply. Remember to gamble responsibly A responsible gambler is someone who: Establishes time and monetary limits before playing Only gambles with money they can afford to lose Never chases their losses Doesn't gamble if they're upset, angry or depressed Gamcare – Gamble Aware – Find our detailed guide on responsible gambling practices here.
Daily Mirror
2 days ago
- Daily Mirror
UK hidden gem beach is 'most beautiful yet underrated' and featured in Alan Partridge movie
Planning a summer getaway can be a daunting affair with sky-high flight prices, costly airport transfers, and steep accommodation costs, particularly in the likes of France. However, scores of Brits are choosing to forgo foreign jaunts this year, instead opting to uncover hidden gems right here on home turf. For a top-notch staycation spot that's stirring quite the buzz, take a trip eastward to the charms of Norfolk's coastline. Norfolk boasts an array of stunning coastal scenery, from Holkham's sprawling sands to Wells-next-the-Sea's extensive quay, yet it's the buzzing heart of north Norfolk drawing crowds: Cromer. Known far and wide for its exquisite crabs, Cromer is capturing attention as a prime destination in its own regard. The quintessential seaside town of Cromer sits proudly atop dramatic cliffs, enveloped by the region's lush woodland and countryside – providing visitors with epic vistas across the North Sea. Cromer's crown jewel is its celebrated Victorian pier in the town's centre, a hub of entertainment where guests can savour a show at the Pavillion Theatre, revel in arcade games, or simply meander along taking in the atmosphere; the very same pier also garnered fame in Alan Partridge: Alpha Papa, reports the Express. So captivating is Cromer Pier that it snagged the prestigious title of Pier of the Year last year from the National Piers Society, who cited its enormous appeal due to the impeccable upkeep of its traditional Victorian aesthetics and the incredible sea views it affords. For those with a passion for literature, the charming line from Jane Austen's Emma might ring a bell: "You should have gone to Cromer... the best of all the sea bathing places. A fine open sea... and very pure air." Arthur Conan Doyle, famed creator of Sherlock Holmes, drew inspiration from Cromer's local legends, particularly the tale of the spectral hound Black Shuck, which became the basis for his renowned novel The Hound of the Baskervilles. What's on offer in Cromer? Visitors have been left spellbound by the beach, with one enthusiast taking to Google Reviews to proclaim it "the most beautiful yet underrated beach". Praise continues to pour in from another reviewer who expressed: "Beautiful town and beach. The beach was almost empty despite it being the school holidays. Beautiful town with both local independent shops and larger chains." Another visitor shared their enchantment, commenting: "It's the loveliest town I've ever visited... great atmosphere and fantastic fish and chips." Cromer is a treasure trove of unique boutique shops, quaint cafes, and delightful bakeries, perfect for a leisurely afternoon stroll. For those keen on a more vigorous activity, the picturesque Norfolk Coastal Path offers a journey through sand dunes and lush countryside. Sampling the celebrated fresh Cromer Crab is an essential experience for any foodie visiting the area. And if you're craving some traditional fish and chips, No. 1 Cromer, owned by Michelin-starred chef Galton Blackiston, boasts stunning views of the coast and pier.
