David Simper, Author at Blackpool Social Club

10 Aug

Exhibition Review: Dave Naden paintings

David Simper0 CommentsVisual Arts & Exhibitionsacrylic painting, art exhibition, blackpool art scene, hand painted, oil painting

The HIVEArts gallery above the HIVE coffee shop in Church Street continues to deliver a steady stream of top notch exhibitions. Currently Dave Naden's excellent oils and acrylics occupy the first floor gallery, until 15th August 2026. Dave Simper bused down to join the weekly HIVE jive get together and took in Dave's work, finding time for a brief chat about it. I had viewed Dave's work on several previous occasions and was well aware of its quality. Without being twee, these are paintings that people will actively look to have on their lounge walls. Walking into the gallery the…

05 Aug

Exhibition Review: Linder – the return of Linderland

David Simper0 CommentsVisual Arts & Exhibitionsart exhibition, blackpool art scene, grundy art gallery

Internationally-recognised artist Linder has chosen The Grundy for her summer exhibition. David Simper hopped on a bus to the Queen Street gallery to see what it had in store The guard at the Grundy Art Gallery has recently changed, and there was a bit of a buzz about the place as I took my usual service 61 bus to the Talbot Street stop and strolled down to Queen Street. Linder: The Return of Linderland is a reconceived version of the artist's landmark show 'Danger Came Smiling', which premiered at the Hayward Gallery in 2025 and has been touring the UK…

22 Jul

Theatre Review: 9 to 5 The Musical

David Simper0 CommentsTheatre, Dance & Performance9to5, blackpool arts scene, dolly parton, musical theatre

A lifelong Dolly Parton fan and admirer of the 1980 film, David Simper heads to Blackpool Grand Theatre for 9 to 5: The Musical — and finds a witty, big-hearted stage adaptation that has the audience on their feet by the finale. As a keen Dolly Parton fan, and having been impressed by the 1980 film version of 9 to 5, I was delighted to be asked to review this show, which did not disappoint in any way. After dashing through the family meal after work, I caught the service 61 bus to Corporation Street and then on to Blackpool…

12 Jul

Exhibition Review: Darren Elwell at HIVEArts

David Simper0 CommentsVisual Arts & Exhibitionsart exhibition, blackpool art scene, Exhibition, graphic design

Having reviewed several of Darren Elwell's exhibitions previously, David Simper was keen to see how his work had developed. He headed to HIVEArts for the opening night to see the local artist's latest collection, and managed to grab him for a quick chat too. Having caught the service 61 into Blackpool in time for the 17:30 private view of Darren Elwell's new exhibition at HIVEArts, my first impression was that the artist had further consolidated his style since I last reviewed his work. His line is confident and assured, while the compositions are packed with detail that rewards careful viewing.…

25 May

Exhibition Review: Rachel Hey at HIVEArts

David Simper0 CommentsGuide, Visual Arts & Exhibitionsabstract art, art exhibition, blackpool art scene, drawing

Blackpool artist Rachel Hey has opened her first solo exhibition at HIVEArts. Pencil and Paper brings together colourful abstract collages, highly detailed pencil portraits and digitally inspired character work shaped by years of artistic experimentation. David Simper went along to the exhibition launch and caught up with the artist. I've followed Rachel's work for some time on social media and was keen to see it first hand at what is her first exhibition at the Church Street, HIVEArts gallery. On arrival the cafe area was buzzing with visitors – not just for this exhibition but with Blackpool Sixth Form's BTEC…

27 Apr

Exhibition Review: John Spencer at HIVE cafe

David Simper0 CommentsGuide, Visual Arts & Exhibitionsart exhibition, blackpool art scene, painting

Local artist John Spencer is exhibiting at Hive cafe. David Simper, who paints alongside John at Blackpool Art Society meetings, went along to see what he had done with the opportunity for a full-scale exhibition and to catch up with the artist. This collection of bold, vibrant pieces did not disappoint. I had had a little preview of some of these pieces, as they had been part done at the Blackpool Art Society's monthly general painting sessions, but there's nothing like seeing finished work, curated creatively. Of a large scale, the work fills the HIVE's walls easily. Using a deceptively…

23 Apr

Exhibition Review: Louise Giovanelli – From Here to Here to Here

David Simper0 CommentsVisual Arts & Exhibitionsart exhibition, blackpool art scene, monet

In the decade since she first exhibited at the Grundy, Louise Giovanelli has become one of the most celebrated artists of her generation. David Simper nipped into our local gallery to see how her work has developed. Blackpool and the Grundy can lay part claim to starting Louise Giovanelli's career as she first exhibited her From Here to Here show in our gallery in 2016. Ten years on, she is recognised as one of the most celebrated painters of her generation. This is a fine follow on show for 2026. The exhibition seeks to present an extensive overview of Louise's…

10 Mar

Exhibition review: Tea Amantes 2025 photowalks – A year on the Streets

David Simper0 CommentsGuide, Visual Arts & Exhibitionsart photography, blackpool arts scene, photographic exhibition

Having participated in another twelve months of the Tea Amantes photo walks and declaring his interest with three photographs in this exhibition, David Simper caught his usual service 61 bus to view his friends' work and generally catch the vibe. Big thanks go to Kenny McRae and team for coordinating the second Tea Amantes photo walks exhibition, showcasing 2025's work. It's no mean feat to gather work, select the pieces to be included, arrange the printing, sort the framing, do the hanging and put together the PR. Not to mention designing and printing the accompanying catalogue (on sale in the…

19 Feb

Theatre review: Single White Female

David Simper0 CommentsTheatre, Dance & Performanceblackpool arts scene, Blackpool Grand Theatre

With vague memories of the hit 90s film version of this psychological thriller, David Simper and his wife, hastened down to the Grand Theatre to catch the world premier stage production of this show. The performance didn't disappoint. This is a radical reworking of the original source material – a 1990 novel by American writer John Lutz and subsequent hit film. The audience finds recently divorced Allie, played by Lisa Faulkner (Holby City), moving into a new home, struggling with motherhood, running a business and worrying about money. She's faced with a new baby coming into former husband Sam's (Jonny…

11 Jan

Photography Exhibition: Steve Webberley at Tea Amantes

David Simper0 CommentsGuide, Visual Arts & Exhibitionsarchitectural photography, blackpool arts scene, photographic exhibition, tea amantes

Despite the cold weather, David Simper caught the Service 61 bus to take in the opening of Steve Webberley's exhibition at the excellent Tea Amantes tea room and gallery. This was a treat for the architectural photography fan and lover of saturated colour. This small collection of high quality prints is a sample of Steve's work over several years, reflecting the exotic places he has been, including Santorini in Greece, Bay of Naples in Italy and Malta. Home locations include England's South coast and the North West region. Steve has used his phone and a Digital Single Lens Reflex camera…