Hidden Henley

THIS new vibrant mural is on a wall of the passageway at the Kenton Theatre in Henley that leads to the HAODS studio. It can just be glimpsed from the pavement in New Street.

Artist Nicola Sutherland took four days to complete the painting, which depicts the town at night. It was commissioned by Julie Huntington, who chairs the theatre’s trustees.

Nicola says: “She wanted to brighten up this part of the theatre because it has been a bit neglected. Because it’s long and narrow, we thought, ‘Let’s try to imagine the landmarks of Henley that are on this side of the river, almost like this is the river.

“We have got the town hall and the bunting criss-crossing, then St Mary’s Church and the boathouses on one side and Henley Bridge, Henley Royal Regatta HQ and Temple Island on the other.

“We thought that if we did a night-time view the buildings would be silhouetted and you’d get all the pretty reflections in the water.”

The mural is sponsored, according to the incorporated text, by former chairman of trustees Alan Pontin, among others.