Mabon Circle Cast Under the Stars

Sometimes the seasons pass and moments go uncelebrated, but that only helps to increase the intensity at those times when we gather to mark the wonders that we enjoy.  Something in everyone reaches out to see a bigger picture and to gain a greater understanding.  If we choose to form our quest into dramatic rites we can as a group explore the beauty of nature and the power of the elements. 

By the light of the Sun and the Moon

We all gathered to enchant our rune

In the shifting dunes on the sea shore

Our path twixt the dark and the light

The balance we sought to explore

The harmony of equal day and night

The ever changing seasons to adore

Under the stars in our Mabon circle rite

Together we all opened an astral door

For our spirits as one to enjoy the flight

These pictures record a gathering at Ainsdale-on-Sea near Liverpool.  The originals are RAW files which have been warmed up slightly to create some of the productions here whilst others have been greatly transformed.  The aim of this set of pictures is to record the evening and the purpose of the gathering with accurate renditions of the events and with artistic interpretations of the atmosphere generated.

Words and pictures PHH Sykes©2012

Mabon Rites on Ainsdale Beach

This whole beach event was brought into being when our venue booking was usurped.  With limited options we spread our horizons and went in search of the greatest canopy under which we could erect our temple.  Below are the texts of two internet posts that I made to those who had joined us on the beach.

What a great idea to get sand in our toes and starlight on our heads as the sun went down and the moon rose high in to the western aspect of our sky.  Out to sea and far away our ancients be waiting in a world beyond duality.

Last night from the ending of the land formed and featured by the overlapping surging seas we stood on shifting sands under an equally bright dark moon that seemed so well set for Mabon in that evening's darkening sky, it appeared as a seed of light holding promise of brighter days to come and warmth to return once winter has been and gone. The half bright moon was showing us a sign that we are not left behind when the summer passes away and night takes over day.

Words and pictures PHH Sykes©2012

An Evening in Edinburgh

A record of city lights shaping shadows.

When a friends were arriving from Scotland, Ireland and England to visit in Edinburgh in August we had to take a peek at the action on the cobbles.  The Fringe was unfurled before us like a living tapestry of the world of arts.  From Hunter Square to the Castle we ambled back and forth taking in the wonders of the Edinburgh Festival Fringe.  When they rushed into the The Jolly Judge it was time for me to power up a camera and to see what details I could tease from the shadows.

All photographs copyright 2012©PHH Sykes

Please be in contact if you wish to use them

phhsykes@googlemail.com

www.flickr.com/photos/phhsykes

www.phhsykes.blogspot.co.uk

www.phhsykes.co.uk

The Spinning Blowfish

Throughout August in Edinburgh there are surprises waiting at almost every turn and around each corner.  On our way from venue to venue we happened across a great sound at the foot of the Mound.  This band was a delight to dance to and to photograph.  Unfortunately the party after this musical surprise somewhat dulled my memory and I did not remember their name.  Fortunately I have been reminded that this band are The Spinning Blowfish.

https://www.facebook.com/thespinningblowfish

ThatLadyWithTheCamera  http://www.flickr.com/photos/47911363@N05/ was kind enough to make a comment on this set on Flickr which has given me a chance to link these pictures to the band.  If you have a chance to see the band and to buy their CD do not pass by if your feet are tip tapping and your hands are clapping join in the fray and enjoy a musical interlude to your day.

All photographs copyright 2012©PHH Sykes

Please be in contact if you wish to use them

phhsykes@googlemail.com

www.flickr.com/photos/phhsykes

www.phhsykes.blogspot.co.uk

www.phhsykes.co.uk

Mabel Lucie Attwell Boo Boo Mushroom Teapot

Mabel Lucie Attwell, Shelley Pottery, Earthenware Teapot, c1930

Photographs all hand held low light no flash

This teapot is fantastic.  The somewhat grumpy characterisation of the Boo Boo at the door is superb.  I wish that it was me that was disturbing the elf like creature to make a pot, or two of tea with a sandwich, a scone and a cake served from a three tiered stand.

From 1926 Mabel Lucie Attwell was designing children’s tablewares.  Her elfin figures in brightly coloured romper suits were known as, “Boo Boos.”  This teapot is fashioned in the broad shape of a mushroom.  Her work was so popular that the illustration continued in calendar form and in pottery long after her death.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mabel_Lucie_Attwell

Eccentronic Presents We Won't Rock You

The venue was superbly subterranean and suitable subtly lit.  This hampered the production of photographs, but made for a superb setting.  The show was light and bright with pop and rock anthems featuring around the rules of comedy and the way to produce a show.  John Callaghan was a one man riot as he tore up the place with many raucous acts whilst Hypnotique kept the rhythm and beat to bounce us all the way to her finale as chosen by the audience.

Eccentronic present their first ‘mainstream musical’ featuring eccentric, electronic, enthralling songs about time-wasting, socks and visiting Llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwyrndrobwllllantysiliogogogoch.  A zesty melee of musical mash-ups and oddball humour, with influences from The Smiths to Nine Inch Nails and Black Lace. Eccentronic are John Callaghan (Warp Records) and Hypnotique (TV's glamorous Theremin player).

www.eccentronic.co.uk

http://www.edfringe.com/whats-on/cabaret/eccentronic-presents-we-won-t-rock-you-free

All photographs copyright 2012©PHH Sykes

Please be in contact if you wish to use them

phhsykes@googlemail.com

www.flickr.com/photos/phhsykes

www.phhsykes.blogspot.co.uk

www.phhsykes.co.uk

Bound

Bound but not gagged on the high street.  That is how I came across members of Noosfeer from Belgium advertising their roller-boxcar-coaster of a hobo play.  The cast of the play were so welcoming that they took one of my cameras and proceeded to take their own photos.  When you have been bound to railings on The Royal Mile a few moments of shutter release is more than a relief.

This new play is a true international collaboration, bringing together Christoffel Hendrick's Antwerpian New Wave direction and Dylan Dougherty’s unmistakably American script for a sensual and lyrical theatrical experience. The rhythm of the rails echo in the live musical accompaniment and an iambic pentameter frees the language by confining it.

http://www.edfringe.com/whats-on/theatre/bound

http://www.noosfeer.org/ - you may need to make use of a translation

All photographs copyright 2012©PHH Sykes

Please be in contact if you wish to use them

phhsykes@googlemail.com

www.flickr.com/photos/phhsykes

www.phhsykes.blogspot.co.uk

www.phhsykes.co.uk

Machinal Edinburgh Festival Fringe Fancies

Harlem, Jazz, speakeasies, and social revolution with a tale of love, gender imbalance and murder, what more could you ask for?  The performers of Machinal decided to advertise their show on The Royal Mile by making a stand.  They choose to hold poses and flyers to attract the attention of the passing crowd.  Their striking outfits and great detailed hair and makeup made them into superb living sculptures.  With the constant ebb and flow of tourist and performers it is good to see the ‘stand still’ approach.  Every now and then again a performer would burst into dialogue and from time to time there would be a change of poses.  There is always something eye-catching on the Royal Mile in August and that which catches the eye may well be worth following back to the theatre.

Oxford University Dramatic Society

www.ouds.org

All photographs copyright 2012©PHH Sykes

Please be in contact if you wish to use them

phhsykes@googlemail.com

www.flickr.com/photos/phhsykes

www.phhsykes.blogspot.co.uk

www.phhsykes.co.uk

Unicycling and Fire Juggling St. Giles Cathedral Edinburgh Festival

Aren't men supposed not to be able to multitask? Cycling, talking and juggling seems possible to some, but it is way beyond me.  I can talk and walk, but I have to put one of those on hold to take pictures.

On my way up the Royal Mile I caught just a couple of pictures of the start of this Fire Juggler’s act.  As if juggling with fire was not enough he was perched on what seemed like a very tall unicycle.  The wonders on the streets throughout August in Edinburgh are a marvellous spectacle.

All photographs copyright 2012©PHH Sykes

Please be in contact if you wish to use them

phhsykes@googlemail.com

www.flickr.com/photos/phhsykes

www.phhsykes.blogspot.co.uk

www.phhsykes.co.uk