Latest news with #MarkHamilton
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Blind veterans enjoy sports day during summer camp at HMS Sultan
Blind veterans from across the UK enjoyed a fun sports day at the HMS Sultan Summer Camp in Gosport. The day was part of a thrilling week-long programme of activities at the naval engineering training base. The enthusiastic participants, aided by their human guides, took part in a variety of challenges including hoopla, basketball, deck hockey, and skittles. They were supported by volunteers from HMS Sultan and the retired service community acting as 'dogs' to guide them. Blind veterans take aim during activities at HMS Sultan, supported by volunteer 'human guides' from the naval base and retired Service community (Image: Barry Swainsbury) The camp is not just about fun. It is aimed at encouraging those who suffer from sight loss to remain independent. The activities at the camp—sailing, archery, indoor climbing, crazy golf, and horse riding—are all designed to motivate and inspire the veterans. Blind Veterans UK member, Charlie Parkinson from the Wirral, participated in the event this year. READ MORE: Fun for all the family at HMS Sultan's action-packed Families Day Charlie, who lost his sight in 2010, said the charity had been life-changing for him, saving him from a dark period where he had contemplated suicide. He said: "This is life-changing. "When I first joined Blind Veterans UK, I was in a very bad place and very close to suicide, but the charity helped save my life and change my life. "It's all about companionship and enjoying yourself." Captain Mark Hamilton, commanding officer of HMS Sultan, expressed his delight at hosting the veterans. He said: "It is a huge honour to welcome the veterans into HMS Sultan for the Blind Veterans' Summer Camp. "The week is crammed full of fun activities that challenge not only those taking part, but also the stereotypes around disabilities." Adrian Bell, CEO of Blind Veterans UK, was full of praise for the event and the support from HMS Sultan. He said: "Each time I attend this camp, I'm reminded of why it's so special. "The camaraderie, the challenge of new activities, and the support from HMS Sultan create an environment where our members can truly flourish. "I'm so grateful to everyone at HMS Sultan for their wonderful support in making this exceptional week possible." The Blind Veterans UK Summer camp has been successfully hosted by HMS Sultan since 1996, following the closure of HMS Daedalus.
NZ Herald
29-07-2025
- Entertainment
- NZ Herald
Cats The Musical: Hamilton Operatic Society stages Andrew Lloyd Webber classic
Tickets: online via Ticketek Reviewed by Cate Prestidge If you're looking for an appropriate outing for your vintage fur jacket, then a ticket to Cats is the perfect opportunity. Opening night was positively purring with feline fashion as the Hamilton Operatic team welcomed the at capacity audience. Once seated, cats prowled up and down the aisles giving a close-up view of the incredible makeup and costumes. It's something Cats is famous for, and the design team of Rose Sidwell and Claire Field (costume) and Cat Dwyer (hair, makeup) deserve a huge accolade for. Gaby Jackson plays Electra, one of the Jellicle Cats. Photo / Mark Hamilton Supported by a massive team of 16 dressers and make-up artists, I can only imagine the excitement of the cast when they first saw their characters emerge. Many people know Cats, one of the world's most successful musicals. But if you're unfamiliar with the show (like my 'plus one'), it's helpful to know it doesn't follow a traditional narrative. Based on T.S Eliot's 'practical cats' poems, it's a character-driven spectacle full of diverse set pieces and choreography. Sonja McGirr-Garrett and Cassidy Garrett have done a phenomenal job as co-choreographers. The cast are more than simply well-honed, they are focused, energetic, full of character, and frankly, exhausting! Noelle Savill as Munkustrap. Photo / Mark Hamilton While cat-like gestures consistently reinforce their 'Jellicleness', individual characters are expressed and sustained emphatically by every single performer and every cast member deserves a jolly good scratch on the head and a bowl of cream. I particularly liked Noelle Savill's Munkustrap, a major role which links together many of the scenes and which showcased her movement and fine voice. Aroha Whaanga impressed as a captivating Bombalurina, while River Park and Lily Burgess-Munro were excellent as the naughty Mungojerrie and Rumpleteazer. Cassidy Garret in the role of Sillabub was outstanding in both movement and voice, particularly in Memory, where her fine soprano contrasts with the rich tones of Julia Booth's Grizabella. The performance of Memory in Cats is an emotional interplay, and Booth conveys this with strength. I was delighted by Mike Scanlon as Gus the theatre cat and his quieter scene with Christy Park (Jellylorum) was a favourite, while Felix Rowe was suitably outrageous as Rum Tum Tugger. I enjoyed hearing his voice more clearly in Mr Mistoffelees and Old Deuteronomy, the latter song was a highlight for the strength of the entire ensemble, supported by the backstage singers. Dancer Laeticia Austin (Victoria) showed astounding control and flexibility, and Oliver Johnson (Mr Mistoffolees) was lithe and polished. Some lovely partner scenes were supported by Dean Watson (Plato). Laeticia Austin (Victoria) and Cassidy Garrett (Sillabub). Photo / Mark Hamilton Jack Turner (Skimblehsnaks), Sean Hapi (Macavity), Eva Orton (Demeter) showed great control and confidence, and Cam Strother was in fine voice as Old Deuteronomy. Comedic styling from K-M Adams (Jennanydots) and Simon Brew as the 'gentlemanly' Bustopher Jones rounded out the main characters. The 19-piece band under the direction of Nick Braae were excellent and the overture transported me immediately into the show. The music is complex, performed by three pianists led by Alex Wiltshire, three trumpets and other multiples of drums, brass and woodwind alongside guitar, oboe and percussion – do check out the programme for these musicians. Lighting goes hand in hand with atmosphere and the designs by Aaron Chesham didn't disappoint adding drama, mood and character. A glance at the programme photos also shows how effective this is when captured in still form. Director David Sidwell brings huge experience to the show, pulling all the cast and production elements together confidently, creating some magical set pieces (the train is wonderful) and working with a new set by John Harding. This represented the backstage of a theatre rather than the usual junkyard setting and had some fun props and found objects. Some minor quibbles were some scale issues on the coat rack garments, and a couple of flatter moments in transitions where the audience didn't know quite how to react. But overall, an entertaining, focused, comprehensive performance and a fun night out. Cate Prestidge is a principal academic and co-ordinator of journalism and communication programmes at Wintec. She has been writing theatre reviews for NZME since 2021.
Business Wire
05-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Business Wire
Pink Bows Foundation Expands Showstop® Procedure Training and Certification Across Europe
HOUSTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Pink Bows Foundation ('organization' or 'Pink Bows') announced today another milestone - its global expansion - growing its impact with the successful delivery of two additional accredited Showstop® Procedure courses hosted by Denmark's Roskilde Festival and attended by Paleo Festival and Engage Festival, among other event organizers and managers across Europe. Other sold-out training sessions took place in Dublin and Glasgow, with further courses to be announced for Fall 2025. 'Never stop learning and improving. I believe that we have a good system for stopping a show at Roskilde Festival and RFX. We still hosted a course on Showstop procedure today on behalf of Pink Bows Foundation,' said Morton Therkilsden, Director of Safety, Roskilde Festival. Since its launch in Houston, Texas in March 2025, Pink Bows has trained 200 event professionals across the US, UK, Ireland and Denmark. Developed in response to the 2021 Astroworld crowd crush, the Showstop® Procedure training and certification advances the organization's mission to improve emergency preparedness and safety protocols in the live events industry. The training is led by globally recognized crowd safety experts Steve Allen and Dr. Mark Hamilton, who serve as consultants to the Pink Bows Foundation. 'The first certified European Showstop Procedure course at Roskilde Festival was delivered with outstanding clarity and professionalism by Mark Hamilton and Steve Allen, on behalf of the Pink Bows Foundation,' added Pascal Viot, Security Coordinator at Paléo Arts & Spectacles and Yourope Event Safety Group, (Association of European Festivals). 'This course is part of a collaborative international initiative I am proud to co-develop, to promote a shared culture of responsibility and create global standards for stopping shows safely.' 'We've been humbled by the response,' said Pink Bows president Stephanie Stegall and Steve Allen, Global Crowd Safety Expert, in a joint statement. 'Feedback from respected safety leaders has been overwhelmingly positive. The demand confirms there's a real appetite for raising the standard of crowd safety worldwide.' Roskilde Festival, one of the oldest and most iconic festivals in Europe, marks 25 years since a tragic crowd crush during a Pearl Jam performance that took the lives of nine attendees. This year's festival will run from June 28 to July 5 and is expected to draw more than 100,000 attendees. This year's headliners include Charli XCX, Olivia Rodrigo, Doechii, and Stormzy. For more information or to register interest in upcoming Showstop® Procedure courses, click here. About Pink Bows Foundation The Pink Bows Foundation was founded by the Dubiski family in honor of Madison Alexis Dubiski, who died during the 2021 Astroworld Festival crowd crush. The foundation's mission is to collaborate with the event industry, raise awareness, and provide approved crowd safety solutions for both physical safety and mental health. For more information visit:
