CULTURE EDITION
DALI PAINTING ACHIEVES £45,700 AT CHEFFINS An original work by Salvador Dalí that was discovered in a Cambridge-based house clearance sale for £150 has sold for £45,700 at the Cheffins Art and Design Sale in October. Titled Vecchio Sultano and measuring 38x29cm, the painting is a mixed-media piece made with watercolour paint and felt-tip, and is an illustration of a scene from The Arabian Nights , a series of 500 pieces of Middle Eastern folktales that Dalí intended to create, commissioned by wealthy Italian couple Giuseppe and Mara Albaretto. They planned to publish the pictures through Italian publishing house Rizzoli. However, Dalí is thought to have abandoned the project after completing only 100. Half of these remained with Rizzoli and were damaged or lost, while the other half stayed with the Albarettos and were inherited by Christina, their daughter, who was also Dalí’s goddaughter. The 50 illustrations retained by the Albaretto family were published in 2014 by the Folio Society, sparking new interest in the project and the whereabouts of the unpublished pieces. It’s believed the present work was part of the batch that were kept by Rizzoli.
EDITOR’S REVIEW: THURSFORD CHRISTMAS SPECTACULAR
It’s got to be almost 30 years since I last went to the Thursford Christmas Spectacular in north Norfolk, but it’s had an enduring place in my festive memories ever since. Now in its 48th year, I found it bigger and better than ever – which is some feat! Set amid the winter wonderland of twinkling lights that I so fondly remember, with a scent of pine needles in the air, it’s the perfect encapsulation – and celebration – of the magic and spirit of Christmas. Leave your cares at the door, take your seat and let yourself be transported by song, dance, colour, costume, light and laughter as a cast of 120 singers, dancers and musicians perform classic Christmas songs and carols alongside musical favourites, led as usual by devoted director and producer John Cushing OBE. You won’t find better on Broadway. The compère received plenty of laughs from the audience (although the content isn’t to everyone’s taste), but two speciality acts were the highlights of my experience: the beautiful acrobatic performance by Duo LéOlé, who move gracefully in and with spinning hoops to mesmerising effect, and jump rope troupe Centripetal Forces, taking skipping to the next
level with street-dancing style! And, of course, the nostalgic sound of Thursford’s magnificent Wurlitzer organ, expertly played by Phil Kelsall MBE, resident organist at the Blackpool Tower Ballroom. Plus, the site now hosts multiple other festive attractions, including the Enchanted Journey of Light, a lantern light experience with the wow factor! No matter your age, this is a show that kindles the childlike wonder in us all. Here’s to that. The Thursford Christmas Spectacular runs until 23 December. Find out more and book at thursford.com
The latest from the cultural scene in Cambridge
18 DECEMBER 2025 CAMBSEDITION.CO.UK
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