Centre Stage Leicestershire and Rutland AW16 What's On Brochure

AUTUMN 2016 • WHAT’S ON
LEICESTERSHIRE
& RUTLAND
THEATRE • MUSIC • DANCE • FAMILY SHOWS
The Dead Secrets
centrestagetouring.org.uk

‘TOP QUALITY
ENTERTAINMENT…
A GOOD NIGHT OUT…
THE BEST EVENTS COMING
TO A SPACE NEAR YOU.’
THE GUARDIAN
The Centre Stage Community Touring Network
Leicestershire and Rutland helps volunteer promoter
groups bring rural communities together to enjoy highquality,
entertaining and affordable professional live
theatre, music, dance and family shows at a wide
range of community venues, from village hall, to church,
to school.
Tickets are sold locally. For show information, ticket prices
and to book, please call the local promoter directly on the
telephone number below each show listing. Ticket prices
range from £5 – £12. Many of the shows featured are
suitable for family audiences and age recommendations
are provided for guidance.
Disability access. All venues have a commitment to
access for disabled people; many have full access and a
range of facilities, and others are working towards this goal.
For venue and access information, please visit:
liveandlocal.org.uk
All brochure details are correct at the time of going to press, but please
check the website for any changes. Please note that provision of
refreshments varies between venues and some may be unable to serve
alcohol. Please check when booking tickets.
CENTRE STAGE E-NEWS:
FIND OUT MORE, SIGN-UP TODAY at liveandlocal.org.uk
Centre Stage Community Touring Network Leicestershire and Rutland is
co-ordinated by Live & Local Ltd., is supported using public funding by
Arts Council England and Leicestershire and Rutland local authorities,
and is made possible by the support of local volunteer promoter groups.
Live & Local Ltd., Pageant House, 2 Jury Street, Warwick CV34 4EW
01926 402 173 / marketing@liveandlocal.org.uk

THE DEAD SECRETS
HICKORY DICKORY
MURDER
OPERA DUDES
LICENSED TO TRILL
Il Divo meets Morecambe and
Wise! Blending opera, swing,
show songs and good clean
'Carry On' fun, this unique
double act is outrageously
brilliant, a little bit silly and a
whole lot entertaining.
‘Perfect.’
The Times
Ages: 7+
Award-winning comedy
adventurers gently send up
the golden age of detective
novels with a delightful improv
murder mystery. Brimful with
untrustworthy characters,
implausible plot twists and
unbelievable conclusions -
all based on suggestions from
the audience - this is fast,
funny and completely unique
to the performance you see.
Ages: 10+
Thu 06 Oct 7.30pm
Melbourne Assembly Rooms
DE73 8GF
01332 863 522
Fri 30 Sep 7.30pm
Quorn Village Hall LE12 8BB
01509 414 287
Sat 01 Oct 7.30pm
Carlton Scroop & Normanton
Village Hall NG32 3AR
01400 251 537

SARAH MOULE
FEMMES FATALE: SONGS
FOR SCARLET WOMEN
With superb torch songs and
pithy 'bad girl' stories this is a
celebration of the 'fatal
woman' in all her feisty glory.
A classy set by a stylish voice
and piano duo brings life to
the 1950s New York late-night
club jazz of Cole Porter,
Stephen Sondheim, et al.
‘Cool, elegant,
immaculate.’
★★★★★ The Observer
‘Excellent… a fine voice
and a great talent.’
BBC Radio 2
Ages: 14+
Fri 07 Oct 8pm
Northwick Arms Hall, Ketton
PE9 3TA
01780 720 521
RAG MAMA RAG
IN CONCERT
Classic 1920s and 30s
acoustic down-home goodtime
blues, ragtime and jug
band music by one of
Europe's finest country-folk
blues duos. Timeless music, in
exceptionally full and hard
driving performances.
‘Outstanding.’
★★★★
Blues in Britain Magazine
Ages: 10+
Fri 07 Oct 7.30pm
Wymeswold Memorial Hall
LE12 6TY
07932 623 005
Sat 15 Oct 7.30pm
Flintham Village Hall NG23 5LF
01636 525 454

GREENMATTHEWS
THE CANTERBURY TALES
Six of Chaucer's best-loved
tales, packed with colourful
characters and strange
situations, from the brooding
to the bawdy. Inspired by
travelling medieval mystery
plays this is a scintillating
laughs-a-plenty musicalstorytelling
show.
‘The finest body of
English writing before
Shakespeare.’
The Guardian
Ages: 12+
GreenMatthews formerly known as
Blast From The Past.
Sat 08 Oct 7.30pm
Colston Bassett Village Hall
NG12 3FD
01949 81 720
PROTEIN DANCE
MAY CONTAIN FOOD,
MAY CONTAIN YOU
Award-winning dance
company Protein explores
today's foodie culture in a
playful yet thought-provoking
dance-theatre show.
Immersive and imaginative,
this is a fast-moving feast for
the eyes, mind and ears, with
dancers, plates and food
weaving around the audience
tables.
‘Lip-smacking fusion of
song, dance, mime.’
★★★★ The Guardian
You are invited to bring with
you some food that you have
made, grown or bought -
something with sentiment that
you wish to offer and share.
Ages: 12+
Produced in association with the
Rural Touring Dance Initiative
(making the best dance happen
in small spaces), supported by
Arts Council England. May Contain
Food, May Contain You is an
adaptation of Protein Dance's
touring production May Contain
Food. Protein Dance is supported
using public funding by Arts Council
England.
Thu 13 Oct 8pm
Manton Village Hall LE15 8SU
01572 737 503

ASHLEY HUTCHINGS
FROM PSYCHEDELIA
TO SONNETS: A LIFE IN
WORDS AND MUSIC
'The Guv'nor of British folk-rock'
chronicles his extraordinary life
and illustrious career through
lyrics, poems, writings and
song, supported by the superb
violinist/singer Ruth Angell
(Rainbow Chasers).
‘An inspired work from
start to finish, full of
fascinating twists and
turns. Very English,
very essential.’
BBC Music
Ages: 12+
Fri 14 Oct 7.30pm
Century Theatre, Coalville
LE67 3LN
01530 278 444
BADAPPLE THEATRE
THE LAST STATION
KEEPER
A funny, heartfelt new
comedy recounting the
drama of a village railway
station house threatened
by the development of a
high-speed rail link. Will all the
memories locked within its
walls be lost? Original, brilliantly
executed and engaging, this
affecting play explores the
perils of modern life as the
21st Century 'need for speed'
hits the 'old ways' head on.
‘The writing is authentic
and economical… the
respect for the subject
is infectious.’
Hull Daily Mail
(on Amy Johnson)
Ages: 10+
Thu 20 Oct 7.30pm
Newton Village Hall CV23 0DU
01788 860 281

THE REMI HARRIS PROJECT
IN CONCERT
As seen on the BBC Late Night
Jamie Cullum Prom 2016.
This sensationally gifted guitarist
and his superb band perform
traditional gypsy jazz and swing,
infused with influences from
bebop, blues, rock and world
music. Seriously good.
‘An incredible guitarist...
I'm absolutely blown away
by his talent… amazing.’
Jamie Cullum
‘Astonishing... Remi Harris
is probably Britain's
greatest jazz guitarist
to emerge since
Martin Taylor.’
BBC Radio 2
Ages: 10+
HOLY MOLY AND
THE CRACKERS
IN CONCERT
This wild and carnivalesque
seven-piece from the
Bohemian Quarter of
Newcastle blurs the
boundaries of folk, gypsy and
rock music with its truly terrific
sound. Mixing powerhouse
story-songs with foot-stomping
rhythms this band has more
than a touch of magic to it.
‘A rousing and captivating
sound… a raucous twenty
first century hoe-down.’
Yorkshire Times
Ages: 10+
Sat 22 Oct 7.30pm
Bulkington Community &
Conference CV12 9JB
02476 494 094
Sat 22 Oct 7.30pm
Wymondham Village Hall
LE14 2AB
01572 787 247

PENTABUS THEATRE
HERE I BELONG
A thoughtful, compelling and
charming portrayal of 60 years
of village life seen through the
eyes of one village resident,
from youth to the fight to
stay in her home in old age.
A thoroughly engaging
performance by an absolutely
fantastic 'new writing'
company.
‘One of British theatre's
unsung treasures…
superb touring shows.’
The Guardian
Ages: 14+
Pentabus Theatre is supported using
public funding by Arts Council
England.
Wed 26 Oct 7.30pm
West Deeping Village Hall
PE6 9HP
01778 380 197
A FISTFUL OF SPOOKIES
Glorious close harmony
singing and plenty of swagger
from this pint sized version of
the world-wide hit male choir
The Spooky Men's Chorale.
One of the funniest bands
ever; hugely entertaining.
‘Silly, thoughtful and in
perfect harmony…
(mixing) deadpan comedy
with sophisticated
a capella harmonies…
the results are
unexpected, charming
and very funny.’
The Guardian
‘Inspired. A fantastic night
out is guaranteed!’
BBC Radio 2
Ages: 12+
Fri 28 Oct 7.30pm
Countesthorpe Village Hall
LE8 5TB
07531 440 365

FARNHAM MALTINGS
THEATRE / BUCKET CLUB
LAUNCH PARTY
Attend a 'leaving do' with a
difference: for a sister who is
journeying into outer space.
A playful and lovable new
show - with live music and
buckets of charm - about
family and space exploration,
by a multi award-winning
young theatre company.
★★★★ The Scotsman
★★★★ The Stage
‘Wry, offbeat humour, live
music and a wonderfully
idiosyncratic, often
haunting soundscape.’
The Guardian
(on Bucket Club's Lorraine
& Alan)
Ages: 8+
Farnham Maltings is supported
using public funding by Arts Council
England.
Sun 30 Oct 7.30pm
Twyford Village Hall LE14 2HU
01664 840 774
TRAVELLING BY TUBA
FAREWELL TOUR
This multi-instrument
extravaganza by one of the
UK's most successful classical
music duos mixes wonderful
musicianship, sheer silliness
and cheeky audience rapport
in a set packed full of quirky
musical gems ranging from
classical to jazz. Exhilarating
and utterly irresistible.
‘Experts who really get
their enjoyment of
music across.’
The Times
Ages: 6+
Fri 11 Nov 7.30pm
Wymeswold Memorial Hall
LE12 6TY
07932 623 005
Fri 25 Nov 7.30pm
Humphrey Perkins Community
Centre LE12 8JU
07718 153 117

LEICESTERSHIRE & RUT
•
COLSTON
KEGWORTH • Kingston
•
•
MELBOURNE
• Belton
•
THRINGSTONE
COALVILLE
•
• Long Whatton
LOUGHBOROUGH
•
•
QUORN
LEICESTER
•
•
LEICESTER FOREST EAST
• Wymeswold
•
BARROW UPON SOAR
• Upper Broughton
• Queniborough
• Grim
•
TW
• Atherstone
• HINKLEY
•
COUNTESTHORPE
Barnacle•
•
BULKINGTON
• Shilton
MARKET H
•
• Newton
Centre Stage is supported by:

LAND
• Aslockton
BASSETT
ston
MELTON MOWBRAY
•
• Swayfield
• Braceborough
• Wymondham
• Cottesmore
YFORD
RUTLAND
• Uffington
• West Deeping
• Manton
• South Luffenham
ARBOUR

MINIMA: SILENT FILM
& LIVE MUSIC
THE PHANTOM OF
THE OPERA
Spellbinding live music
accompaniment turns this
fast-moving, 'ultra-fantastic
melodrama' (New York Times)
- one of the great classics of
American silent film - into an
atmospheric and gripping
emotional experience.
‘A superbly sinister live
score by the soundtrack
group Minima.’
Financial Times
‘One of the coolest
events… Minima sound
unmistakably modern,
but capture the film's
disturbing mood
perfectly.’
The Telegraph
Ages: 10+
Fri 11 Nov 7.30pm
Quorn Village Hall LE12 8BB
01509 414 287
AMADOU DIAGNE
& GROUP YAKAR
IN CONCERT
A colourful, energetic and
highly original musical mix
of the traditional and new,
Western and West African from
a charismatic Senegalese
singer-guitarist and some of
the UK's top world-musicians.
From joyous, up-tempo
numbers to soaring hearttugging
ballads, this is a
startlingly good show.
‘Sensational!’
fRoots Magazine
★★★★ Financial Times
★★★★ Songlines Magazine
Ages: 5+
Supported by Live & Local Friends.
Sat 12 Nov 7.30pm
Thringstone House, Thringstone
LE67 8NR
01530 222 337

NEW PERSPECTIVES
THEATRE
OH WHISTLE AND
I'LL COME TO YOU
ANONYMOUS
IS A WOMAN
THINK OF ENGLAND
A rousing, thought-provoking
immersive play of two young
ladies travelling the country
hosting tea dances for RAF
fighter pilots during WW2,
and of their real purpose;
sending the men off to fight
having experienced all of
life's pleasures.
‘Excavates women's stories
with spirit and invention.’
The Guardian
Ages: 12+
Produced in association with the
Live & Local DART programme
(developing artists for rural touring),
and with Community Touring Network
promoters in East and West Midlands.
Supported using public funding by
Arts Council England.
Sat 12 Nov 7.30pm
Leicester Forest East Parish Hall
LE3 3JD
01162 392 198
A gripping Christmas chiller
based on M R James's classic
Edwardian ghost story in which
the chance find of an ancient
whistle with a soul-stirring
inscription unleashes a
terrifying supernatural
encounter. Mesmerising from
start to finish.
‘Smart performances...
haunting music...
a chilling presence.’
The Stage
(on Watching The Living)
Ages: 10+
Thu 17 Nov 7.30pm
Century Theatre, Coalville
LE67 3LN
01530 278 444
Thu 01 Dec 7.30pm
Melbourne Assembly Rooms
DE73 8GF
01332 863 522
Tue 06 Dec 7.30pm
South Luffenham Village Hall
LE15 8NW
01780 720 687
Thu 08 Dec 7.30pm
Cottesmore Village Hall
LE15 7DH
01572 812 350
Fri 09 Dec 7.30pm
Thomas Cranmer Centre,
Aslockton NG13 9AL
01949 850 600

JEZ LOWE
SONGS FROM THE
RADIO BALLADS
Poignant, powerful and
evocative narrative folk songs
- real stories of real people -
by a 2015 BBC Folk Awards
double nominee (best singer,
best new song), as featured
on BBC Radio 2's landmark
Radio Ballads series.
'Jez Lowe is one of our
finest songwriters.’
BBC Radio 2
Ages: 10+
Thu 17 Nov 8pm
Braceborough Village Hall
PE9 4NT
01778 560 417
ARLETTY THEATRE
SWAN CANARIES
Award-winning, innovative
music theatre, at turns funny
and thought-provoking, telling
the fateful story of the 1918
Chilwell munitions factory
explosion. A masterful
snapshot of the extraordinary
lives of four ordinary women
during the Great War; of sisterly
love and family secrets, of
camaraderie and conflict.
Ages: 8+
Swan Canaries is supported using
public funding by Arts Council
England.
Fri 25 Nov 7.30pm
Countesthorpe Village Hall
LE8 5TB
07531 440 365
Sun 27 Nov 7.30pm
The Old School,
Cropwell Bishop NG12 3BU
01159 894 656

TANGRAM THEATRE
THE ORIGIN OF
SPECIES…
CENTRIC THEATRE
GIANTS ON THE HILL
A quirky and engaging new
play set against the backdrop
of the energy crisis and
exploring its political and
personal impact on a rural
community. The clever use
of live sound effects and
soundscapes, and onstage
pedal power electricity
generation, underpin an
unusually inventive show.
Ages: 10+
Produced in association with the
Live & Local DART programme
(developing artists for rural touring),
and with Community Touring Network
promoters in the East Midlands.
Supported using public funding by
Arts Council England.
Sat 26 Nov 7.30pm
Long Whatton Community
Centre LE12 5DB
01509 646 413
Sun 27 Nov 7.30pm
Queniborough Village Hall
LE7 3DH
01162 698 256
This uproarious, critically
acclaimed one-man
musical comedy tells of
Charles Darwin's revolutionary
discovery of the secrets of
evolution. Packed with
fascinating scientific facts,
terrible puns, brilliant physical
comedy and witty original
songs, this is an absolutely
charming load of monkey
business.
‘Remarkably inventive,
thoroughly entertaining…
19th century science can
rarely have been so
fascinating and never
so much fun.’
The Stage: A Must See Show
Ages: 11+
Fri 02 Dec 7.30pm
Rutland County Museum,
Oakham LE15 6HW
01572 723 393

MAMBO JAMBO
IN CONCERT
Musical sunshine from
a multi-talented, multiinstrumental
acoustic roots
duo: an upbeat, feel-good
concert mixing sounds and
styles from around the world
with wonderful banter and a
great stage presence.
‘An extremely listenable
criss-crossing of world
music boundaries… nice!’
fRoots Magazine
Ages: 6+
Sat 03 Dec 7.30pm
Grimston Village Hall LE14 3BZ
01664 812 696
JEZ LOWE &
THE BAD PENNIES
SNOWED IN
Musical Christmas cheer from
Geordieland with double BBC
Folk Awards 2015 nominee
Jez Lowe and his terrific band.
Part folk concert, part musichall
revue, this is a warm,
rousing festive show of
great songs, excellent
performances, and
entertaining chat.
‘One of the hottest
acts around.’
The Telegraph
Ages: 10+
Wed 07 Dec 7.30pm
Belton Village Hall LE12 9TU
01530 222 897

TIM KLIPHUIS TRIO
GOES GRAPPELLI
This award-winning Dutch jazz
violinist is seen by many as the
inheritor of jazz violin legend
Stéphane Grappelli's crown.
Here, his trio, now in their 10th
year, bring their compelling
interplay to Grappelli's highenergy
gypsy swing and
jazzed-up classical tunes.
‘Playfully inventive and
technically brilliant.’
★★★★ The Scotsman
‘The music of Grappelli
is alive and well in the
hands of Tim Kliphuis and
his musicians.’
Nigel Kennedy
Ages: 10+
Supported by Live & Local Friends.
Thu 08 Dec 7.30pm
Barnacle Village Hall CV7 9LD
02476 619 126
Fri 09 Dec 7.30pm
Owen Street Community Arts
Centre, Atherstone CV9 1DG
01827 713 634
Sat 10 Dec 7.30pm
Quorn Village Hall LE12 8BB
01509 414 287
BADAPPLE THEATRE
THE ELVES AND
THE CARPENTER
Who will help Santa as crisis
hits Christmas toy making time.
Not the Elves, they've not been
seen since last year when
they packed their cases and
headed off. A whirlwind
journey ensues as Mrs. Claus
tries to wrestle victory from
defeat. A feel-good comedy
alternative to a classic panto,
making good use of the
magic of puppetry, physical
theatre and the songs of BBC
Folk Awards 2015 nominee
Jez Lowe to delight family
audiences.
Ages: 5+
Sat 10 Dec 4pm
Colston Bassett Village Hall
NG12 3FD
01949 81 720
Sun 11 Dec 2pm
Upper Broughton Village Hall
LE14 3BA
01664 823 165

SHOOSHOOBABY'S
CHRISTMAS PARTY
Cabaret Pick.
The Independent
With heaps of musical wit
and superb harmonies, this
effortlessly funny double act
(and their pianist) host an
unashamedly sparkly
Christmas party, with new
arrangements of well-known
songs and gorgeous unknown
vintage gems. Such fun.
‘Totally enjoyable.’
★★★★ The Scotsman
‘Clever, entertaining and
delicious! The audience
had a ball.’
The Stage
Ages: 9+
Sun 11 Dec 7.30pm
Thringstone House, Thringstone
LE67 8NR
01530 222 337
BOX TALE SOUP
ALICE'S ADVENTURES IN
WONDERLAND
Alice's remarkable journey to
a strange world as re-imaged
by fantastic performances,
masterful puppetry, a beautiful
set that unfolds from a vintage
trunk and magical original
music. An endlessly enjoyable
take on Lewis Carroll's wellloved
tale for children and
adults alike, as wonderful as
any wonderland could be.
‘Loaded with charm...
ingenious.’
The Stage
‘I was completely
mesmerised by this
enchanting production.’
Joanna Lumley
Ages: 4+
Fri 16 Dec 7.30pm
Kegworth Village Hall DE74 2FH
01509 673 138

BECOME A FRIEND TODAY
We have three levels of membership with varying
benefits to each level, as outlined below:
Membership Options
Silver (£20)
Thank-you on our website and in our e-newsletters; 1 x Buy One Get
One Free Ticket Voucher; regular Friends' Newsletters.
Gold (£45)
Thank-you on our website and in our e-newsletters; 2 x Buy One Get
One Free Ticket Vouchers; regular Friends' Newsletters; advance
season mailings; invitations to Showcase Events; membership of
our 'Go And See' (GAS) talent scouting scheme.
Platinum (£75)
Thank-you on our website and in our e-newsletters; 3 x Buy One Get
One Free Ticket Vouchers; regular Friends' Newsletters; advance
season mailings; invitations to Showcase Events; membership of
our 'Go And See' (GAS) talent scouting scheme; a free gift;
Curated Programming; other occasional special events,
invites and benefits.
All prices inclusive of VAT
For more information or to become a Friend visit
liveandlocal.org.uk or choose a membership option, complete the
form below and return to us with a cheque for the correct amount
made payable to Live & Local Ltd.
You will then receive a welcome pack in the post.
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Address
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Email
Postcode
Please return to Live & Local Ltd.,
Pageant House, 2 Jury Street, Warwick CV34 4EW

‘SEEING SHOWS IN MY LOCAL
CHURCH HALL HAS BECOME A HUGELY
IMPORTANT PART OF MY LIFE. I DONATE
TO LIVE & LOCAL AS A SMALL WAY OF
SAYING ‘THANK YOU’ FOR THE PLEASURE
I’VE RECEIVED OVER MANY YEARS OF
SHOWS TOURING TO MY COMMUNITY.’
DAVID HOWE, LIVE & LOCAL FRIEND
BECOME A LIVE & LOCAL FRIEND TODAY.
A little support makes a big difference. Our supporters are
a crucial part of Live & Local Community Touring Networks.
They enable us to continue doing what we love; helping
local people bring entertaining and original performances
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tour outstanding international performers and that shows
reach and enthuse the widest possible audiences.
Join us and get involved in our work by supporting the
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SUPPORT THE ARTS YOU LOVE AND HELP SECURE COMMUNITY
AND RURAL TOURING FOR GENERATIONS TO COME
Live & Local Ltd., Pageant House, 2 Jury Street, Warwick CV34 4EW
01926 402 173 / marketing@liveandlocal.org.uk