Bringing cabaret and community to a forgotten part of Bournemouth.
The Cottonwood Hotel in Bournemouth was host to a very different kind of wedding this weekend.
A new event was hosted by local fringe theatre producers Pests Productions, local film festival Screams by the Sea and sponsored by The British Film Institute.
The evening began with a screening of 2019 Best Picture winner The Shape of Water, and from there things got very interesting indeed.
After the film the crowd retook their seats to watch The Monster and The Bride tie the knot, unfortunately The Bride was running late so guests were treated to a variety of Cabaret performances instead.
Bournemouth Hen Party Maid-of-Honour. Photograph: Jayne Jackson
The standout performance was Honey B Lovelace’s interpretation of Liz Truss singing Taylor Swifts “I did something bad.”.
There was also comedians, mind bending hoop artists, Ruby Adams spot on depiction of the classic Bournemouth Hen Party Maid-of-Honour, and something inexplicable on the subject of ducks.
‘Something inexplicable on the subject of ducks’. Photograph: Jayne Jackson
Between performances guests were encouraged to make use of the hotel’s facilities, which included a silent disco in the old Ballroom and felt monster making.
The evening was hosted by a Horned High-Priestess, who, when the bride finally arrived, had the honour of performing the ceremony.
The Horned High-Priestess and the Bride. Photograph: Jayne Jackson
Director of Pests Productions David Doust said: “I wanted to create the sense of different friendship groups having unique experiences depending on how they chose to explore the night. What we’re thinking about for the next show is how to expand build upon the narrative of the audience as participants.”
The Cottonwood has been closed to the public since 2012, and the event was a part of owners Meyrick Estate push to use the empty space for creative events.
Power restored to properties after five days due to Storm Amy