The Platform - Spring/Summer 2013 programme

platform

spring/summer 2013

the

music | comedy | dance | theatre | cabaret children’s shows | Community events

Central Promenade, Morecambe Ticket Line 01524 582803

www.lancaster.gov.uk/platform /MorecambePlatform

Horrible Histories books are published by Scholastic Ltd. Horrible Histories is a trademark of Scholastic Inc. and is used under authorisation. All rights reserved. Illustration Š Martin Brown.

KEY Cabaret seating

Theatre style seating

Standing concert (limited seating)

18+ (over 18 years only)

No age restrictions under 14s must be accompanied by an adult

Platform Booking Call Tickets can be purchased over the telephone with a credit or debit card on 01524 582803 via the Morecambe Visitor Information Centre (see below for opening hours). There is an administration charge of £1 per booking.

Click All tickets are on sale at www.lancaster.gov.uk/platformtickets or limited shows are on sale at www.seetickets.com (Booking fee may apply)

Call in Morecambe Visitor Information Centre The Platform, Marine Road Central, Morecambe LA4 4DB Open: May-Sept, Mon - Sat, 9:30am-5pm.

Sun, 10am-4pm.

Oct-April, Mon - Sat, 9.30am-5pm.

The box office is open one hour prior to an event. Doors open 30 minutes before show time. The venue operates a no refund policy.

Exchanges may be considered with a £1 administration charge.

Post The Platform Box Office, Station Buildings, Marine Road Central, Morecambe LA4 4DB. Cheques should be payable to Lancaster City Council.

Disabled facilities Facilities for people who have disabilities include full level access, toilet facilities for wheelchair users and hearing loops. Guide dogs and registered service dogs are welcome. We appreciate advance notice if customers will be arriving in wheelchairs so that arrangements can be made.

Customers with a disability are entitled to the concession price when available.

Party discounts If you purchase 20 or more tickets for a Platform show you will receive 1 free ticket. No other special offer can be used with this offer and discounts do not apply to workshops. School parties are entitled to the concessionary rate and one adult/teacher per 10 children will be admitted free.

Ask at the box office at the time of booking.

Accommodation The Visitor Information Centre can assist with enquiries for accommodation on 01524 582393.

Public transport Trains Morecambe’s railway station, situated on Central Drive, is only a few minutes walk away from the venue. Timetable and fare enquiries call: 08457 484 950.

Buses A regular service runs along the Promenade with a bus stop outside the venue. For bus timetable enquiries call: 08712 002 233.

Car parking There are public car parks adjacent to the venue. Parking is free after 6pm.

Bike The Platform is just at the end of the Lancaster and Morecambe Greenway – a shared use path that connects Morecambe to Lancaster. The venue is easily accessible from Morecambe Promenade – which you can now cycle the full length. Cycle parking is available outside.

Have your own event hosted at the Platform The Platform is available to hire at reasonable cost for all events including parties, weddings, receptions, conferences and meetings. Bar facilities are always available and catering can be organised if required.

For enquiries call: 01524 582815.

Disclaimer: Whilst every care has been taken to ensure total accuracy in this publication, Lancaster City Council can accept no responsibility for any errors or omissions. All details are believed to be correct at the time of going to press. Readers are advised to check times and prices in advance with the venue. The venue reserves the right to make changes to seating arrangements. Follow us on Facebook for Platform updates.

ALeX HORNE: SEVEN YEARS IN THE BATHROOM Award-winning comedian Alex Horne has established a reputation amongst critics, comics and audiences as a thoughtful and original stand up, writer and solo performer. He is the star and co-creator of BBC Four’s comedy quiz show ‘We Need Answers’.

‘Seven Years In The Bathroom’ is the ultimate statbased fun-packed thought-provoking experimentaland-sometimes-stupid comedy show in which Alex aims to recreate your entire life. That’s right, he’ll do everything you’ll ever do but in one evening. So in an average lifetime you’ll spend two years shopping, two weeks kissing and eighteen months looking for lost things. You’ll also spend quite a while eating, queuing, crying and googling yourself. Alex is going to squeeze all those things into one show and it’ll be tremendous and very funny. So come and laugh at your life.

“Beautifully structured, endearingly honest... joyous” The Scotsman.

“A beguiling blend of the smart and the stupid…a real delight” Sunday Times www.alexhorne.com Friday 15 February 8pm £12.

Animals and Friends with very special guest - The legendary Steve Cropper The Animals were the second British band to top the American charts after The Beatles with the now multi-million selling and legendary anthem, ‘House of the Rising Sun’. Expect to hear Animals & Stax classics: ‘We Gotta Get Out of This Place’, ‘Don’t Let Me Be Misunderstood’, ‘Boom Boom’ (featured in the new Bond movie, ‘Skyfall’) and classic Stax hits ‘Green Onions’, ‘Dock of the Bay’, ‘Midnight Hour’ and ‘Knock on Wood’.

Sunday 17 February 7.30pm £19 / £18 concessions.

The owl who was afraid of the dark Join Plop the baby barn owl as he journeys into the night time world of camp fires, starry nights and moonlit adventures. Come join us, it’s going to be a hoot! Based on the classic children’s book by Jill Tomlinson, this funny, gentle and reassuring tale is written especially for small people aged 3 – 7 years (and grown ups who sleep with the light on!)

A wonderful story with live music, puppetry and storytelling.

Friday 22 February 11:30am & 2.30pm £6 adults / £5 children £20 family ticket (2+2).

Tipitina Tipitina deliver their own unique take on the blues, barrelhouse, boogie and gospel of New Orleans, in the footsteps of Professor Longhair, Dr. John, James Booker, Fats Domino and Allen Toussaint. Following on from their acclaimed debut album ‘I Wish I Was In New Orleans’, Tipitina are now on a roll with ‘Taking Care of Business’, recorded at 2011s Birmingham International Jazz & Blues Festival supported by Colmore BID. Already the House Full signs are going up at Ronnie Scott’s and elsewhere, encouraged by uniformly enthusiastic album reviews.

Saturday 23 February 8pm £14 / £12 concessions.

Limehouse lizzy Renowned for an action-packed pyrotechnic-fuelled explosion of a show, Limehouse Lizzy continue to keep the spirit of Celtic rock icon Philip Lynott and his band Thin Lizzy alive, well, and dominating stages worldwide. The band have also added a tribute in their set to the late Gary Moore.

Attention to detail, playful audience interaction and that all important X-factor that leaves you with the feeling of witnessing the real thing have led to their performance being described as “beyond tribute”, by both audience and critics alike.

Friday 1 March 8pm £12 advance £14 on the door.

Barry Cryer presents Twitter Titters with Colin Sell In yet another farewell tour, Baz returns, having been charged with persistent joking and asks for 20 other shows to be taken into consideration.

You are the Judge and Jury – Be merciful to the aged accused – He merely seeks to bring a ray of sunshine amid the dark clouds of life.

He’ll be enjoying himself – Do join him.

Saturday 2 March 7.30pm £16 / £15 concessions.

Swing Commanders Returning to the Platform, Europe’s number one Western Swing quintet guarantee a superb evening of Western and Forties Swing classics and so much more!

With a line-up of three guys, two gals and an amazing fifteen instruments, this multi-talented band really are the cats with the cream of music from a bygone era! Let’s party like it’s 1949! www.swingcommanders.com Friday 8 March 8pm £12.50 / £11.50 concessions.

University of Lancaster Music Society The University of Lancaster Music Society return to the Platform following the great success of previous years. The Big Band and Swing Group will again be performing a collection of popular tunes from various styles such as Jazz, Funk and Swing. So come along and hear some of the finest young musicians that Lancaster has to offer. A fantastic night awaits.

Saturday 9 March 7.30pm £7 adults / £5 concessions £3 ULMS members.

Promenade Concert Orchestra presents ‘Music from the Palm Court’ To celebrate the great days of music-making in the spa and seaside watering places of England, the PCO presents another of its favourite programmes of music from the last 100 years and more. Surrounded by palms and aspidistras, there will be great solos and orchestral pieces to set the nostalgia going as you step inside past-times!

Sunday 17 March 3pm £13 / £11 concessions / £6 child.

The Carousel of Horrors by Stage Struck Junior Theatre A musical comedy in which Stage Struck translate the story of a man-eating plant, setting it on an imaginary fairground in Morecambe. The action is helped along by lots of memorable songs of the 1960s. Roll Up! Roll Up! Enjoy all the fun of the fair as our brave hero, terrorised by a singing and bloodthirsty plant, wins his sweet girl from an egotistical showman! Our exciting and memorable new show is full of fun for all the family.

Wednesday 13 - Saturday 16 March 7.30pm £8.

Chris Packham ‘Wild Night Out’ Chris Packham goes wild with an entertaining and informative look at some of nature’s most popular and interesting species. Illustrated with his superb photographs from around the world and the UK, he explains the fascinating ecologies and behaviours of a range of creatures. His conversational style, irreverent humour and sometimes controversial opinions make for a hugely rewarding evening’s entertainment. He tells of close shaves, the often bizarre lengths he’ll go to get the picture and challenges people to think again about the conventions of conservation. Suitable for the 8 to 80s and there is always time for questions at the end.

Tuesday 19 March 7pm £15 adult / £10 child.

The Jimmy Buckley show The Jimmy Buckley show consists of old style traditional country music and also some original material together with some Irish Ballads (his rendition of Noreen Bawn is breathtaking to say the least). He also covers music from the 60s, 70s and 80s. Jimmy also performs tributes to some of the greats including Hank Williams, Charlie Pride and Merle Haggard. His UK tour last November sold out!

Thursday 21 March 8pm £17.50.

Moonlight Serenade Orchestra Returning to the Platform and promising a show full of great numbers from the Big Band era from Miller to Basie taking a side trip via Dorsey, James and Herman. The show is bandleader Kevin Cunningham’s tribute to the music he loves, showcased with the humour and passion that the band’s growing legion of followers have come to know well.

From selling out at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival three years running to playing in a marquee in the middle of a muddy field for the Battle of Britain show, the MSO never misses a beat. www.msouk.co.uk Saturday 23 March 7.30pm £13.

Morecambe Brass Band Association Easter Concert Enjoy this annual performance of old favourites mixed with exciting new arrangements.

Keep up to date with their performances at www.morecambeband.co.uk and be a friend at www.facebook.com/MorecambeBrassBand Saturday 30 March 7.30pm £10 / £8 concessions / £6 child.

Chantel McGregor Supported by Albany Down Imagine the tone of Robin Trower, the inspiration of Hendrix, the influence of Stevie Ray Vaughan, the energy of Bonamassa, the intensity of Walter Trout and the haunting vocal of Stevie Nicks all rolled into one... then let me introduce Chantel McGregor, one of the most exciting rock and blues musicians that the UK has ever produced! She was voted Female Vocalist of the Year, in the British Blues Awards 2012. www.chantelmcgregor.com Friday 5 April 8pm £11 in advance / £13 on the door.

Swinging at the Cotton Club Featuring: The Jiving Lindy Hoppers and Harry Strutters Hot Rhythm Orchestra Take a step back into 1920s New York City and through the doors of Harlem’s hottest nightclub, ‘The Cotton Club’!

‘Swinging at The Cotton Club’ is the action-packed show celebrating the music, dance, and songs of the Cotton Club. Featuring The Jiving Lindy Hoppers, the world’s premier jazz dance company and Harry Strutters Hot Rhythm Orchestra featuring vocalist Marlene Hill and compere/vocalist Megs Etherington.

Saturday 6 April 8pm £18.

Later with Jools Netherland The fantastic non-stop mini music festival is back with a one-off retro show that looks back on the golden age of Morecambe’s live music scene and tips its hat to the popular Sunday nights at The Carleton.

Headlining the show are The Devious Soul Machine, reforming for what will probably be their last ever gig and faithfully recreating their dance/soul repertoire.

The night will also feature White Line Fever who set the town alight in the 80s before becoming darlings

Stacey Kent and her Musicians Stacey Kent sings from the soul. She tells us her stories with her faultless phrasing and a lucid, enchanting voice. Stacey’s band features Jim Tomlinson (saxophone). Jim’s song-writing partnership with famed novelist, Kazuo Ishiguro, has formed a central plank in Stacey’s recent albums, which, alongside the Great American Songbook, gives Stacey’s repertoire a uniquely broad and fresh sound. Also with Stacey are Graham Harvey (piano), Jeremy Brown (bass) and Matt Skelton (drums).

For Stacey, whose international touring schedule keeps her on the road for most of the year, her rare appearance in Morecambe is a concert which is not to be missed.

Saturday 13 April 7.30pm £18.

of Nashville USA with their upbeat country sound, as well as old favourites Terry Canyon and the Oilslicks; full show line-up tbc. All in all a fantastic night with 6 bands across 3 stages featuring an eclectic mix of styles.

Friday 19 April 8pm £10. 18+ (over 16s with an adult)

Lunchtime

CONCERTS

FREE!

CHARLES EDMONDSON Wed 8 May 12.45pm Val Baulard and the Boscats Wed 15 May 12.45pm HOTCHA Wed 22 May 12.45pm Sue Parish and Eileen Guppy Wed 29 May 12.45pm QUAY change Wed 5 June 12.45pm Marine Road Central, Morecambe, LA4 4DB www.lancaster.gov.uk/platform

The Promenade Concert Orchestra presents ‘Music for You’ ‘Popular Music from the Operas’ For the first time, the PCO proudly presents a programme of popular opera music with orchestral selections and a return of your favourite soloists, Soraya Mafi and Adam Smith to sing some wonderful popular arias from the operas. Not to be missed!

North lancs soul festival 2013 Bring the family along and enjoy this 5 hour classic Sunshine Soul event. Celebrating soul music in all its genres with over 30 of the country’s finest soul DJ’s. www.northlancssoulfestival.co.uk www.facebook.com/NorthLancsSoulFestival Saturday 18 May 12-5pm Free.

Sunday 19 May 3pm £13 / £11 concessions / £6 child.

T J higgs Described as “A Thoroughly Modern Medium”, TJ Higgs brings a uniqueness through Mediumship to her audience. Delivering messages from loved ones with the utmost accuracy, compassion and finer detail, TJ leaves her audience in no doubt that she connects with spirits.

Thursday 6 June 7.30pm £17.50 / £15.50 concessions.

www.barmybritain.com

Direct from London’s West End!

Horrible Histories Barmy Britain We all want to meet people from history. The trouble is everyone is dead!

So it’s time to prepare yourselves THE for HORRIBLE HISTORIES live on stage direct from London’s West End with PLATFORM, MORECAMBE the world premiere of BARMY BRITAIN! SATURDAY 15 JUNE 2013 Have you ever wondered if you would lose your heart or head to horrible Henry? Will Parliament escape 2PMSchool, & 4PMdare to dance the Tyburn jig and find out what a gunpowder Guy? Enrol yourself at Georgian Crime baby farmer did! Set in loathsome London, theCHILD BSC proudly world premiere of Barmy Britain. £15 ADULT £11 £48 present FAMILYthe(2+2) Don’t miss this horrible history of Britain with the nasty bits left in!

BOX OFFICE: 01524 582803 WWW.LANCASTER.GOV.UK/PLATFORM-TICKETS Saturday 15 June 2pm & 4pm

BOOKING FEE APPLIES

VISITOR INFORMATION CENTRE,£11 MARINE ROAD LA4 4DB £15 adults, child, £48CENTRAL, family MORECAMBE, (2+2). www.facebook.com/Morecambeplatform Horrible Histories books are published by Scholastic Ltd. Horrible Histories is a trademark of Scholastic Inc. and is used under authorisation.

Horrible Histories books arereserved. published by© Martin Scholastic Ltd. Horrible Histories is a trademark of Scholastic Inc. and is used under authorisation.

All rights Illustration Brown All rights reserved. Illustration © Martin Brown.

LIVE ON STAGE!

®

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“Horrible Histories brings the bloody story of Britain throbbingly alive in this hilarious show.

Bloody, marvellous stuff!”

The Daily Express

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“is tHis any way for cHildren to learn aBout History? too rigHt it is.

if lessons were always like this, kids would be queuing up at the school gates every morning. Be thrilled!”

The Times

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“as gleefully vulgar as a roman poo stick!”

Daily Mail

“Heartily enjoyaBle and loudly appreciated” “kids will love “Blood, guts its gore-fixated frivolity!” and gross gags” Time Out

The Daily Telegraph

Evening Standard

“in this one hour production i learned more about British history than i have in the eleven years i’ve lived in the uk” Kids In Museums

“genius!” “don’t miss it!”

LetsGoWithTheChildren.com

BackStagePass.biz

Horrible Histories books are published by Scholastic Ltd. Horrible Histories is a trademark of Scholastic Inc. and is used under authorisation. All rights reserved. Illustration copyright © Martin Brown 2008

Ginger Baker Jazz Confusion They once voted Ginger Baker as ‘the musician least likely to survive the 60s’. Now, four and a bit decades later, Ginger proved them all wrong, returned to the UK and formed a formidable quartet with funk and jazz giant Pee Wee Ellis on tenor sax, Alec Dankworth on bass and Abass Dodoo on percussion. Together they perform a perfect powerhouse of rhythms.

Morecambe Brass Band Summer Concert with special guests The Houghton Weavers Morecambe Band will be in the spotlight with their usual blend of traditional brass music. Tonight’s performance will feature one of the UK’s premier folk/comedy groups who will blend their unique folk music for a truly entertaining night.

Saturday 6 July 7.30pm £12 / £10 concessions.

Friday 28 June 8pm £17.50.

LDN WRESTLING - Family entertainment Boo the bad guys and cheer on your favourites, as you get the opportunity to get up close and personal with the rip-roaring action.

Post show you will also get the chance to meet the stars and maybe even grab yourself a souvenir or two!

See the highest quality, fastest paced, non-stop wrestling action ever seen on these shores – You won’t want to miss this fantastic action packed wrestling family night out!

With top names including British Heavyweight Champion Hakan, Wrestling politician Richard Parliament, the masked man of mystery the Dark Lord and many more.

Saturday 13 July 7pm £15 adults, £12 child, £45 family ticket (2+2)

Twinkle Toes presents “For One Night Only” Twinkle toes dance academy will perform a selection of dances including ballet and cheerleading, based on music from the movies, performed by all ages and abilities of children from 2 years old. It will include all styles of dances and will also show off the students talents in drama and music. Also featuring a guest appearance by En Pointe dance school.

Twinkle Toes is run by Tricia Williams and her daughter, Gina and is based at St. Chads church hall Lancaster.

Saturday 20 July 7pm £5 adults / £4 children.

TUTTI FRUTTI Celebrate the 7th rock ‘n’ roll festival with great acts lined up to perform over the weekend including: The Revolutionaires, Kingcats and Black Cat Trio plus more. Visit www.tutti-frutti-festival.com for the latest information.

Friday 26 - Saturday 27 July 7.30pm £16 per night or £25 for a weekend ticket. + dance space

THE BEST OF BRITISH, variety show From the producers of “We’ll Meet Again” Duggie Chapman brings a star studded variety show to theatres in 2013.

The SeARCHERS Now celebrating their 50th Anniversary, The Searchers remarkable career continues. With such classic hits as Sweets For My Sweet; Needles and Pins; Don’t Throw Your Love Away; Sugar and Spice and When You Walk In The Room.

Their special ‘solo’ concert is a highly entertaining show and has been enthusiastically and warmly received throughout the world. Combined with anecdotes and reminiscences, this fully selfcontained concert includes all their famous hits, plus many album recordings, B-sides and a selection of other collector and well known favourites.

Don’t miss The Searchers live in concert!

Friday 2 August 7.30pm £13, £11 concessions.

Saturday 17 August 7.30pm £17.

community events

MORECAMBE STAMP FAIR Saturday 27 April 10am-2pm Postal history, post cards and accessories.

Refreshments available. Organised by the Morecambe and District Philatelic Society.

MORECAMBE BAY FLOWER CLUB First Wednesday of every month at 7pm £3.50

Natural Health and Beauty Show Sunday 14 July 10am-5pm Watch demonstrations by beauticians or take part yourself! A great day out for those young at heart.

Advice available from nutritionists and experts on personal health issues. Goody bags available. Entry by programme through the The Rotary Club of Carnforth or a minimum £1 donation on the door in aid of Kitale Orphan School Uganda supporting 320 orphans.

OLD TIME MODERN SEQUENCE DANCING Every Thursday 2-4pm £2.80 inc tea & biscuits

SAVE A LIFE GIVE BLOOD BLOOD BANK Tuesday 12 March & Wednesday 10 April 2pm-4pm and 5pm-7.30pm Please ring to make an appointment: 0300 123 2323.

MOReCAMBE AND HEysham CANINE SOCIETY DOG SHOW Closing date for entry 4 March.

Contact Sally Lines 01524 415479.

Doors open at 9.30am. Judging starts at 10am Sunday 24 March

COFFEE MORNINGS 10am-12noon 27 June Bare & District WI (Women’s Institute) 11 July Morecambe & Lancaster Townswomen’s Guild 8 August Royal Air Force Association

Morecambe Sandcastle Festival

Morecambe Seaside Festival

Sat 15 - Sun 16 June

Sat 31 August - Sun 1 September

Free family fun - entertainment music - sandcastle building

Air show family entertainment

Morecambe Promenade

Morecambe Promenade

01524 582808 • lancaster.gov.uk/sandcastle

01524 582808 • lancaster.gov.uk/seaside

Organised by

Morecambe

Town Council

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Relax and enjoy the very best of Brass Bands from around the North West Every Sunday in Happy Mount Park, Morecambe 12 May - 15 September at 2.30pm Further information from Morecambe Visitor Information Centre Tel: 01524 582808 • www.lancaster.gov.uk/happymountpark

EXCITING ACTS BOOKED FOR AUTUMN/WINTER 2013 mICHAEL PORTILLO • Houghton Weavers Whole lotta led • HOW TO CATCH A STAR

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