Moyse’s Hall, a slightly quirky medieval museum in the heart of Bury St Edmunds, houses eccentric permanent collections and hosts a rolling programme of special exhibitions. The flint-fronted landmark building has watched over the market place for nearly 900 years. In that time, it has served as the town jail (Bridewell), police station and workhouse. Nowadays, it gives us a peep into Suffolk’s past, as well as temporary shows of a more surprising nature.
Subversive
The current jewel in the crown at Moyse’s Hall is ‘Why Can’t You Draw Something Nice?’, an exhibition running until 12 May. It showcases 170 works spanning the five-decade career of David Hughes, an internationally-acclaimed ‘illustrator loved by illustrators’.
You may not be familiar with the name but you will have seen his art, which has earned him a place in popular culture. He has worked for Channel 4, Punch, The New Yorker, New Scientist, the BBC, The Telegraph, The Guardian, The Times, Radio Times, The Washington Post, Reader’s Digest, Granada and Rolling Stone. This short video will remind you of his work, and this one shows some reviews.
Extensive displays explore his newspaper and magazine illustrations, some never seen before, plus designs for TV show credits. On show are satirical illustrations of Margaret Thatcher, John Major, Jack Nicholson, Bill Clinton and many more you will recognise. Some of his most roguish caricatures are of the monarchy: the Queen and the princes.
He doesn’t hold back in his portrayals of Prime Ministers either, with wicked cartoons of Boris Johnson and Liz Truss. The hunger to puncture the aura of our political leaders in the 80s and 90s (think Spitting Image), perhaps exists again in today’s climate. From then to now, Hughes’ unflattering caricatures have shaped the cultural landscape.
His more recent pandemic journals are comprehensively featured. These were his response to Covid-19 – sketches drawn ‘live’ in front of the TV of the onscreen people who gave us daily dire warnings on the progress of the virus.
Gruesome
The museum’s permanent collections are worth seeing, too. There’s a Crime and Punishment gallery which recounts the tales of Suffolk’s most notorious murders. Terry Deary, Horrible Histories creator, has written some gruesome ‘first-hand’ accounts ‘by’ the perpetrators of the 1827 Red Barn and 1794 Nichols murders, and the 1645 Witchfinder killings, shown alongside grisly artefacts of torture and execution.
There are also displays of historic clocks and timepieces, and paintings by England’s first female professional artist, Mary Beale.
When and how much?
The museum is open daily. The David Hughes exhibition, on until 12 May, is well worth seeing. Admission tickets (including access to the full museum collections) are £5 for adults, £4.50 for 60+, £3 for children.
Moyse’s Hall is a Suffolk gem not to be missed. If you do plan to visit the David Hughes exhibition, be sure to give yourself extra time to explore the other rooms.
The museum is open daily. From 4 June to 6 October, there is an exhibition of art that Quentin Blake has produced to decorate hospitals, which sounds inspirational.
Also taking place this weekend (tickets available at time of writing):
Suffolk:
Children and young people up to the age of 14 can take part in Life Action Role Playing set in Saxon times, taking place in West Stow Country Park this Saturday and Sunday (6–7 April).
Norfolk:
If you’re around Fakenham or fancy travelling there, there’s an Artisan Fair, with food, drink, arts and crafts from producers around the region. Takes place on Fakenham Racecourse this Saturday and Sunday.
Cambridgeshire:
Raise a glass to the St Ives Great Beer Festival, taking place at the Corn Exchange 4–6 April, with free admission, live music, food and over 30 beers plus ciders and wines.
Essex:
Chelmsford Theatre is putting on some entertainment for children during the Easter holidays. If your child is interested in dinosaurs, Lego, Treasure Island, Mary Poppins or magical science, check out their website.
