The Brook Theatre - Autumn 2009

The Brook Theatre Autumn 2009

Thursday, 10 to Wednesday, 30 December ■ Shappi Khorsandi - 2 Nov

■ Gong Myoung - 9 Oct

■ Cabaret of Curiosities 8 Oct, 5 Nov and 3 Dec

Box office: 01634 338338 www.thebrooktheatre.co.uk

Box office 01634 338338

Welcome to your Brook Theatre -

The Brook Theatre, Chatham, Autumn 09

a thriving arts centre in the heart of Medway

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Formerly Chatham Town Hall, The Brook Theatre is a hive of entertainment, activity and learning. Stunning Victorian architecture provides an unforgettable backdrop for professional theatre and community productions, jazz and folk evenings, dance performances, the irreverent and controversial Medway Comedy Club and Studio Showcase Evenings – intimate performances in our smaller studio theatre, next to the main auditorium.

We also offer: • an exciting range of dance and drama classes for all ages; • fun workshops for under 18s throughout the holidays; • many rooms for hire.

You can book tickets for this season’s events by phoning the box office on 01634 338338 or visiting www.thebrooktheatre.co.uk We are also home to a small number of professional performing arts companiesemerging orgainisations hand-picked to benefit from having a permanent base.

Medway audiences then get to be the first to experience exciting new work, before it’s toured regionally and nationally.

The Sandwich Cellar at The Central Theatre

Dramatically good food

The Sandwich Cellar is fully accessible for customers with disabilities.

The Sandwich Cellar is open to all. Alongside our selection of freshly made-to-order sandwiches, baguettes and jacket potatoes we have added an extended range of coffees, freshly baked treats and pasta salads. Teas and cold drinks are also available and there is a fully licensed bar.

Opening hours: Monday to Saturday, 11am - 2.30pm Take away available - please phone 01634 338301 to place your order.

Pre-show orders can be placed in advance. For evening performances please phone by 2pm.

Cajun Dance Night with Jumbo Gumbo Arguably Kent’s finest purveyors of Zydeco music, or as the band put it - Louisiana-get-up-and-dancegood-time-party-music. Featuring accordion king and vocalist Kevin Henty, the five-piece play the most modern form of Creole music with controlled abandon. Kicks off with a great free workshop at 8pm. Get down and learn from professionals, or watch on from the sidelines until the main event starts, around 8.20pm.

Tickets: £10, folk mailing list members £9

www.thebrooktheatre.co.uk

Thu, 24 Sep 8pm Folk at The Brook presents

Fri, 2 Oct, workshops: 6-7.30pm, performance: 7.30pm Medway’s Black History Month celebrations spring to life with a night of hands-on fun and great live performances. Begin the evening by limbering up those limbs with free, drop-in taster workshops, including gumboot dancing and African drumming. The celebrations continue at 7.30pm, as local and professional musicians and dancers take to the stage.

Whether you want to get active, sit back and enjoy the entertainment - or do both – this promises to be a cracking night of entertainment for the whole community.

Workshops: Free (subject to availability, first come, first served basis) Performance: £2 per ticket

Fri, 2 – Sat, 31 Oct 10am – 9pm (gallery closed on Sundays)

Black History Month – Great Black Achievers Exhibition The Brook Theatre Art Gallery A presentation created by young people from Medway African Caribbean Association charting important figures from throughout black history.

Entrance is free

The Brook Theatre, Chatham, Autumn 09

Black History Month Launch Night

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Box office 01634 338338

Mon, 5 Oct 8pm – strictly for over 18s

Terry Alderton

plus support

Described as “sensational and hilarious” by The Sun and with a celebrity fan club that includes Eddie Izzard and Joan Rivers, Terry Alderton is on the comedy fast train to success. He is an outstanding and unpredictable comic.

His improvisation, enormous stage presence, disregard for conventions, vocal dexterity and stunningly accurate impressions have resulted in a Perrier Award nomination and numerous TV appearances. Holds the record for the most encores at London’s The Comedy Store, where he recently headlined the 30th birthday show, ahead of Jack Dee and Jimmy Carr.

Tickets: £10, Medway Comedy Club members £9 Tue, 6 Oct 8pm Jazz at The Brook presents

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A singer-songwriter, inspired as much by Joni Mitchell, as by Billie Holiday or Nina Simone. Herbert is back in Medway with a new album, All The Ghosts, which The Telegraph described as ‘one of this year’s word-of-mouth hits, with Herbert poised as one of Britain’s brightest young talents.’ The album showcases a melodic immediacy and observational characterisation reminiscent of LennonMcCartney's Sergeant Pepper or Ray Davies' Lola, rather than any jazz stereotype.

Tickets: £11, jazz mailing list members £10

For email updates contact comedy@medway.gov.uk

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Every month we offer comedians who are on the cusp of going interstellar and setting the comedic standard for the next decade – comedy acts who, when they next visit the area, will be A-List goliaths selling out our sister venue, The Central Theatre. This could be your last chance to see these rising stars in intimate surroundings with support and MC.

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The Brook Theatre, Chatham, Autumn 09

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Cabaret of Curiosities Roll up, roll up for the first in an exciting new series of cabaret extravaganzas featuring circus, dancing, a monthly band, cheeky burlesque and much, much more. Cabaret of Curiosities will open its doors once a month, bringing to Medway fun and colourful nights of alternative entertainment. Highlights from the opening night include tightwire walking from Alana Jones, music from The Flowing and magic from the Stupendous Crapini.

Tickets: £8 Cabaret of Curiosities returns on Thursday, 5 November and Thursday, 3 December.

www.thebrooktheatre.co.uk

Thu, 8 Oct 7.30pm The Brook Theatre and Dizzy O’Dare Presents…

Fri, 9 Oct 8pm Roots Roundabout and Explore the World presents Based on ancient Korean rhythms, the music of Gong Myoung draws on Latin percussion styles, western film music, and even hints of rock. Traditional it most definitely is not. The quartet combine the youth and dynamism of a boy band. However, unlike most of their western peers, Gong Myoung are authors of their own musical destiny and definitely play all of their own instruments, often up to 30 different types per gig.

Tickets: £10, concessions available

First 100 tickets just £5 each If you like this, try Mor Karbasi on Friday, 6 November (see page 8 for details)

Explore the World Music from all corners of the globe As the popularity of music from around the world grows, The Brook Theatre will offer you, from time to time, a choice of the best and most interesting sounds from the five continents.

We invite you on a journey to explore music that reflects the culture and history of lands and peoples, some you may already know and some you may never have realised existed.

See the event above, Mor Karbasi on page 8 and Global Voices on page 10 and look out for the Explore the World logo, only at The Brook Theatre.

Supported by Arts Council England South East.

The Brook Theatre, Chatham, Autumn 09

Gong Myoung

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Box office 01634 338338

Tue, 13 – Wed, 14 Oct 7pm

Shakespeare Schools Festival The UK’s largest youth drama festival comes to Medway. Each night four local schools will stage four different half-hour versions of Shakespeare plays. Part of a national project involving over 60 theatres and 500 schools. The Shakespeare Schools Festival works in partnership with the National Theatre and National Youth Theatre to support 10,000 young people on their journey to become Shakespearean players in professional theatres.

Tickets £7.50, concessions available

Thu, 15 Oct 8pm Folk at The Brook presents

The Brook Theatre, Chatham, Autumn 09

D-n-K

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Blending folk, pop and rock the Rochester-based duo showcase their album, No XCUSES. With Keith Waterfield on lead vocals and guitar, and Dan Insley on piano, D-n-K’s debut long player features established stars including Outkast’s Jef Van Veen on drums and folk legend Mick Beer.

Both musicians have a great pedigree, with Keith having appeared with Gene Pitney and Dave, Dee, Dozy, Beaky, Mick and Titch, while Dan has worked with legendary composer Ron Geesin and acoustic guitar supreme Steve O’Donnell.

Tickets: £9, folk mailing list members £8 Fri, 23 Oct 7.30pm Kent Youth Jazz Orchestra presents

Community hire

Big Band International Kent Music’s premiere big band welcomes players from the School for Music and Dance in Buhl, Germany, as part of an ongoing collaboration. Tonight’s concert, whilst focusing on big band jazz, also features the visiting wind band. Enjoy chart hits including Black Magic Woman and Smooth Operator, plus the swing and funk of Kent Youth Jazz Orchestra.

Add to the mix the vocal combo Streetlife and the result is a jazz dish to remember.

Tickets £10, concessions available

Sweeny Todd, The Demon Barber of Fleet Street An absorbing tale of love, murder and obsession. Set in Victorian London, this musical thriller is dark and poignant and, although there are lighter comic moments, it does not shy away from the grisly reality of Sweeny Todd’s vengeful acts.

Warning – some scenes may not be suitable for small children, parental guidance recommended.

Tickets £11, concessions available Mon, 2 Nov 8pm – strictly for over 18s

Shappi Khorsandi

Community hire

www.thebrooktheatre.co.uk

Wed, 28 – Sat, 31 Oct 7.30pm Three Towns Theatre Company presents

support from

Following the sell-out run of her one-woman show, Asylum Speaker, Khorsandi has established herself as one of the most sought after comics on the circuit.

Appearances on Friday Night with Jonathan Ross, Mock the Week, Have I Got News For You and Live at The Apollo means she is fast becoming a household name, armed with a playfully wicked wit and sharp insight. A Medway Comedy Club coup, so book early.

“Britain’s best young female comic by any yardstick” The Guardian Tickets: £12, Medway Comedy Club members £11 Tue, 3 Nov 8pm Jazz at The Brook presents

The Derek Nash Acoustic Quartet Following the launch of Derek Nash's new album Snapshot at Ronnie Scotts in September, Derek introduces to Medway his acoustic quartet. Already well known for his playing with Jools Holland, Derek will feature jazz standards including Li'l Darlin, Polka Dots & Moonbeams and Falling in Love with Love.

An evening in true Blue Note style that combines freshness with a high level of musicality.

Tickets: £10, jazz mailing list members £9

The Brook Theatre, Chatham, Autumn 09

Christian Reilly

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Box office 01634 338338

Studio Showcase Evening Wed, 4 Nov 7.45pm Lance Pierson presents

Professional hire

The Best of John Betjeman John Betjeman was a conservationist, television personality and best-selling poet. Twenty five years after he passed away Betjeman remains an English icon and national treasure. Actor Lance Pierson tells the story of Betjeman’s life through the former Poet Laureate’s funny, moving and captivating poems. Journey with Pierson through Betjeman’s heartbreaks and triumphs and uncover a picture of a changing twentieth century England.

Tickets £10, concessions available Thu, 5 Nov 7.30pm The Brook Theatre and Dizzy O’Dare Presents…

The Brook Theatre, Chatham, Autumn 09

Cabaret of Curiosities

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Cabaret of Curiosities continues its monthly extravaganzas that will amaze and astonish. Featuring adventure from JP Lovecraft, the eye-popping Thumper Jones, circus, dancing, a monthly band, cheeky burlesque and much, much more.

Tickets: £8 The Cabaret of Curiosities also opens its doors on Thursday, 8 October and Thursday, 3 December.

Fri, 6 Nov 8pm Explore the World presents

Mor Karbasi Still a tender 22-years-old, Mor Karbasi burst on to the world music scene this year with the release of The Beauty and the Sea, which had The Guardian purring: “This album establishes the London-based Israeli singer as one of the great young divas of the global scene.” Karbasi draws from a middle-eastern melting pot of influences and embraces the rich musical colours of Flamenco. Alongside her own work, she revisits and refreshes long-missed Ladino songs from the time of the Spanish inquisition. Joining Karbasi on stage is acclaimed guitarist Joe Taylor.

Tickets: £10, concessions available

First 50 tickets just £5 each If you like this, try Gong Myoung on Friday, 9 October (see page 5 for details)

Medway Youth Dance Platform – part of U.Dance Workshops 11am – 1pm (for 11 to 19-year-olds) An opportunity to take part in professional dance workshops to develop your contemporary, capoeira and break dance skills. To book for workshops contact box office.

Tickets £6 per workshop (price includes complimentary ticket for 3pm performance) Photograph: Peter Fry

Youth Dance Performance 3pm Celebrating and raising the profile of youth dance in Medway. Local youth dance groups present their own choreographic work. A great chance for young people to perform in front of an audience. To get involved phone Luci Napleton on 338238 or email luci.napleton@medway.gov.uk Tickets £3, concessions available

www.thebrooktheatre.co.uk

Sun, 15 Nov

Thu, 19 Nov 8pm Folk at The Brook presents David Cousins, Dave Lambert and Chas Cronk return to The Brook Theatre to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the band’s debut album. The trio retains the integrity and musicianship that saw them conquer hearts and minds both sides of the Atlantic, in the 70s.

“Carefully selecting their repertoire from less than obvious sources they invest the rarely performed material with considerable energy and thoughtful arrangements.” Record Collector Tickets: £12, folk mailing list members £11

Save money on folk and jazz Join our free folk or jazz mailing list and save £1 on each folk or jazz ticket at the Brook or Central theatres.

For more details, phone the box office on 01634 338338 or email folk@medway.gov.uk or jazz@medway.gov.uk Please note: Seating not guaranteed at busy folk shows at The Central Theatre’s Cellar Bar.

The Brook Theatre, Chatham, Autumn 09

The Acoustic Heartbeat of Strawbs

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Box office 01634 338338

Sat, 21 - Sun 22 Nov Explore the World presents

Global Voices A unique opportunity to sing your heart out with songs from southern Africa, the Balkans and India. No experience necessary, just a have-a-go attitude. Over two days Global Voices will take you on a magical vocal journey across the world in fun, A chance to sing easy-going workshops, with some of the world’s best vocal your heart out, on artists. On the evening of the second day you will perform a vocal journey with these artists; a chance to show off your talents to across the world family and friends but don’t worry…no solos. For more information: stephen.coole@medway.gov.uk Workshops to run all day, times to be announced.

Price: £25 adults and £15 for under-16s Sat, 28 Nov 7.30pm Alternate Shadows Theatre Group presents

Community hire

The Brook Theatre, Chatham, Autumn 09

Wyrd Sisters

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By Terry Pratchett, adapted by Stephen Briggs A stage adaptation. Peril abounds when a wicked duke and duchess murder the king. All that stands between the kingdom and its destruction are three witches: The opinionated and intolerant Granny Weatherwax; Nanny Ogg, who is down to earth and vulgar; and naïve Magrat Garlick. However, can such a strange bunch of cohorts succeed?

Tickets £7, concessions available Mon, 30 Nov 8pm – strictly for over 18s

Lee Nelson and Friends Meet Lee Nelson, the chav philosophiser and one of the stars of ITV1’s Al Murray’s Multiple Personality Disorder. Nelson is the creation of Simon Brodkin, who has taken a much-used comic formula and created a fast-paced, relentlessly funny character that leaves lazy chav stereotypes choking on their four packs and cheap ciggies. Brodkin has featured on BBC1’s Little Miss Jocelyn, sold out an Edinburgh Festival run and been described by The Times as “a prodigious talent.”

Tickets: £10, Medway Comedy Club members £9

The Jive Aces The UK’s number one jive and swing band returns to The Brook Theatre for a night of high-energy music and spectacular showmanship. The red-hot six piece have performed for royalty and played with John Travolta, Isaac Hayes and Van Morrison.

Tickets: £12, jazz mailing list members £11

www.thebrooktheatre.co.uk

Tue, 1 Dec 8pm Jazz at The Brook presents

Thu, 3 Dec 7.30pm The Brook Theatre and Dizzy O’Dare Presents…

For those who want to welcome the festive season with a bit more spark than chestnuts and open fires, Cabaret of Curiosities continues its monthly extravaganzas that will amaze and astonish.

Featuring an extra special festive line-up of circus, dancing, a monthly band, cheeky burlesque and much, much more.

Tickets: £8 The Cabaret of Curiosities also opens its doors on Thursday, 8 October and Thursday, 5 November.

Sat, 23 Jan 2010 9am - 4pm Takes place at The Central Theatre, Chatham

Technical Workshop In partnership with New Brompton College An invaluable opportunity, for anyone aged 16 and over, who wants to get to grips with what makes a theatre tick. From lighting and sound engineering to stage management, this one-day course will feed curiosity and give an insight to those choosing a career in live entertainment, or to those who are operating in non-professional venues. Run by staff from the Central and Brook Theatres.

Wear casual clothes and trainers. Refreshments and buffet lunch provided. £10, places limited and must be booked in advance

Receive regular updates by email Don’t be left in the dark – sign up to our email newsletter to be among the first to find out news, events, special offers and show information. Just ask box office or email your contact details to boxoffice@medway.gov.uk

The Brook Theatre, Chatham, Autumn 09

Cabaret of Curiosities

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Box office 01634 338338

Blunderbus Theatre Company and The Brook Theatre presents

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The Brook Theatre, Chatham, Autumn 09

The Brook Theatre 10 to 30 December

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The magic of live theatre comes to The Brook Theatre this Christmas.

An ideal treat for ages four and over.

01634 338338 www.brookchristmas.co.uk

lunderbus Theatre Company returns with a stunning new production of The Railway Children. Edith Nesbit’s classic children’s book has long been a family favourite. Who can forget the drama and excitement, as the children put their lives on the line to prevent an accident; or the mystery of Father’s disappearance from the family home.

The Blunderbus team has spent over a decade leaving young children wide-eyed with wonder. Combining music, stunning scenery, puppetry and a joyful helping of audience interaction a professional cast, supported by a talented ensemble of local young performers, will bring this heart-warming story to life.

www.thebrooktheatre.co.uk

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FA R E S Standard ticket prices £10.50 and £9.50 CONCESSIONS Children under 16 £1.50 off standard price tickets Senior citizens - £1 off standard price tickets Not available in conjunction with group discounts SIGNED PERFORMANCES Wed, 16 Dec 10.30am (schools) and Mon, 21 Dec 1pm

SPECIAL GROUP RATES Groups of 10 or more, 10% off standard price tickets Groups of 21 or more, 15% off standard price tickets Groups of 51 or more, 20% off standard price tickets Not available at schools performances, or in conjunction with other concessions *SCHOOLS ONLY PERFORMANCES Special school rates, all seats £7, with one teacher free per 10 tickets paid for

01634 338338

www.brookchristmas.co.uk

The Brook Theatre, Chatham, Autumn 09

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Box office 01634 338338

The Central Theatre, Chatham Make it yours this autumn Just five minutes up the road is our sister venue, The Central Theatre, home to big names, a cracking mix of live music, blockbuster comedy, scintillating drama and plenty to fire the kids’ imaginations.

Highlights include…

Sun, 18 Oct 7.30pm

An Evening with Derek Acorah Derek’s shows at the theatre are hugely popular, so early booking recommended.

Sun, 1 Nov 7.30pm

Vampires Rock Starring Toyah Willcox. A smash musical packed with classic rock anthems. A Halloween night to remember.

Wed, 4 Nov 7.30pm

The Central Theatre, Chatham, Autumn 09

The Nutcracker

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A spellbinding version of Tchaikovsky’s classic, performed by the Russian State Ballet Academy of Perm.

Sat, 14 Nov 7.30pm

Marty Wilde and The Wildcats One of the greatest rock ‘n’ rollers revisits a career spanning more than fifty years.

ACT now! for a great season of drama Some of the UK’s best production companies perform The Beauty Queen of Leenane, Romeo and Juliet, A Taste of Honey and Shirley Valentine. Book for three plays and each ticket will cost just £9, a saving of up to £28.

Screen Classics…must-see cinema at the Central A journey through the vaults of timeless cinema. Forthcoming titles include Taxi Driver, Singin’ in the Rain and White Christmas. Tickets just £5.

For more details and the full autumn listings visit www.thecentraltheatre.co.uk or phone 01634 338338 for a brochure

Sat, 7 Nov 7pm

Bonfire and fireworks Medway’s biggest free bonfire and fireworks display including entertainment from Heart 103.1 &102.8 FM and kids activities from 5pm.

Sat, 5 - Sun, 6 Dec

Dickensian Christmas 2009 Street entertainment, readings, parades, song and dance in Rochester High Street.

www.whatsonmedway.co.uk

Festivals in Medway

Sat, 1 – Mon, 3 May

Sweeps Festival 2010 Three days of folk music, Morris dancing and real ale. Fun for all the family in Rochester.

Fri, 4 – Sun, 6 Jun

Dickens Festival 2010 Rochester was the inspiration for many of Dickens’ greatest works. A celebration of the great author.

Sat, 12 – Sat, 26 Jun

Fuse Medway Festival 2010

Assisted Access Scheme for the Brook and Central theatres We operate a membership scheme for customers needing assistance in accessing the theatre and its services. Under the scheme, members who need an assistant to help them access the theatre’s facilities will be able to buy an additional ticket at half the standard ticket price. For full details on individual and organisation membership please phone the box office on 01634 338338.

For a summary of facilities for customers with disabilities, please see our booking information on page 19. If you would like further information, please ask a member of our box office staff for a copy of the leaflet How to access our services or email boxoffice@medway.gov.uk

Festivals in Medway

Every summer, Medway's streets and open spaces are filled with some of the world's most exciting, innovative and inspiring artists.

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Box office 01634 338338

Expect an action packed and fun-filled holiday in Medway this autumn with something for everyone including…

• South African Gumboot Dancing workshop – learn funky rhythms and body percussion • Lantern Making Fun – get ready for Halloween with this art and craft workshop • African Storytime – make great instruments and then be spellbound by tantilising tales

The Brook Theatre, Chatham, Autumn 09

Don’t miss out on all the fun

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Regular drama and dance classes at The Brook Theatre from the Arts Development Team. Arts for life.

Every Wed, 13 Jan - 24 Mar (no class 17 Feb) 7-9pm each week (13-18 years)

Every Sat, 16 Jan - 27 Mar (no class 20 Feb) 2-3pm (5-8 years), 3-4pm (9-12 years)

Brook Youth Theatre

Young People’s Drama

Tutors: Miriam & Aidan Dooley (Play On Words Theatre Company) Work with professional actors as we explore plays, improvisation, songs and movement, but most of all have fun. Previous experience welcome but not necessary.

Fee £43 for 10-week term

Tutors: Heidi Garwood and Charlotte Robinson An introduction to theatre and drama for younger people with little or no experience. A great way of building self-confidence as well as making new friends along the way.

Fee £25.50 for 10-week term

Every Thu, 17 Sep to 26 Nov (no classes 29 Oct) 7.30 – 8.30pm

Young People’s Drama – Musical

Dancercise

Every Mon, 11 Jan - 22 Mar (no class 15 Feb) 6.30 – 8pm (9-16 years)

Young People’s Drama – Musical (Mondays) Tutors: Heidi Garwood and Charlotte Robinson This group is open to anyone, no matter their level of skill or confidence. We will be working towards showcase performances.

Fee £38 for 10-week term Every Wed, 16 Sep - 25 Nov (no class 28 Oct) 11.15am – 12.15pm

Every Thu, 17 Sep to 26 Nov (no class 29 Oct) 8.30 – 9.30pm

Adult Ballet Tutor: Linda Wood Strengthen the physique, tone muscles and learn a traditional technique.

Fee £37 for 10-week course Every Thursday 10am – 12noon

Loop Dance Company – Open Class Tutor: company members An open contemporary class for professional dancers.

Fee £4 per class Every Wed, 16 Sep to 25 Nov (no class 28 Oct) 5.30 - 6.45pm

Adult Tap

Adult Contemporary Dance Class

Tutor: Skye Mitchell A fun and lively class that will get your heart racing.

Fee £3.90 per class

Tutor: Loop Dance Company dancers A pilates and fitness focus. Perfect for beginners.

Fee £4 per class

How to book Phone 01634 338338 or email boxoffice@medway.gov.uk and we will send you a form. Complete and return by post, fax or in person to Box office, Brook Theatre, Old Town Hall, Chatham ME4 4SE or fax: 01634 811101.

Phone 01634 338319 for more information on the Arts Development Team.

The Brook Theatre, Chatham, Autumn 09

Tutors: Heidi Garwood and Charlotte Robinson This group is open to anyone, no matter what their level of skill or confidence. We will be working towards showcase performances.

Fee £38 for 10-week term

Tutor: Karen Dockwray A creative and cheap way to keep fit.

Different levels of ability welcome.

Fee £34 for 10-week course

www.thebrooktheatre.co.uk

Every Sat, 16 Jan - 27 Mar (no class 20 Feb) 4 – 5.30pm (9-16 years)

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Box office 01634 338338 The Brook Theatre, Chatham, Autumn 09 18

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The Brook Theatre is available for hire.

The studio theatre and the main auditorium are available to hire for performances and conferences. There is also a number of rooms available to hire for meetings, rehearsals, classes, conferences and exhibitions.

If you are interested please phone 01634 338300 or email theatres@medway.gov.uk

The box office is open Monday to Saturday 10am to 5pm or until 15 minutes after curtain up on performance nights.

Please be patient when phoning the box office during busy periods (for example around show times) as calls are answered in strict rotation.

By credit/debit card Phone the box office after 10am and pay for your tickets by credit/debit card.

Tickets can be posted to you on the same day for a 75p charge or kept at the box office for collection on the day.

Postal bookings When booking by post, please enclose a stamped addressed envelope so that tickets can be forwarded to you. Cheques should be made payable to Medway Council. Please print your name, address, daytime phone number and cheque card number on the reverse.

Reservations Tickets must be paid for in person, by phone, credit card or by post within three days of reservation or 30 minutes before curtain up, whichever is the sooner. Seats not paid for after this time will be released.

Exchange and resale of tickets Tickets should be considered as nonexchangeable and non-refundable and we advise patrons to check their tickets upon receipt.

However when a show has more than one performance, tickets may be exchanged from one performance to another.

Unwanted tickets may be left with the box office for resale. However, The Central and Brook theatres cannot guarantee their sale and will only offer them for resale once all of the theatre's own seats have been sold.

There is an administration charge of £1 per ticket for each of these services.

Discounts The Brook Theatre’s box office reserves the right to introduce special offers and discounts in accordance with the hirer’s wishes without notice; these will not apply to tickets already purchased before the announcement.

Availability of concessions will also vary according to the hirer’s wishes. Please contact The Brook Theatre box office for details.

Information is correct at time of going to press, however this programme is subject to alteration without prior notice.

Facilities for customers with disabilities There is wheelchair access to The Brook Theatre either by the electronic platform on the front steps or via the ramped entrance on Whiffens Avenue. On the ground floor there is wheelchair access to the cinema, box office, café, gallery and toilet for disabled persons.

A lift in the ground floor foyer can then provide further access to The Main Theatre, The Studio Theatre and The Theatre Bar on the first floor.

Four wheelchair spaces per performance are available in The Main Theatre and one in The Studio Theatre.

An infra red loop hearing system is fitted in the main theatre. Patrons wishing to use this system should see box office to collect a hearing device. A loop system is also fitted in The Studio Theatre, conference room and large dance studio. Patrons wishing to use the system in these rooms should switch their hearing aids to T. A minicom system is available at box office on 01634 880969.

Doors open Doors open 30 minutes before curtain up.

The licensed bar is open during performances and interval drinks can be ordered before the performance.

Gift vouchers Brook Theatre and Central Theatre vouchers are available in denominations of £1, £5, £10 and £20. Vouchers are valid for 18 months from date of purchase.

Where to find The Brook Theatre

Sir John Hawkins Way flyover has now been demolished.

The Brook Theatre, Chatham, Autumn 09

Box office hours

www.thebrooktheatre.co.uk

Booking information

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At a glance September Thu, 24

Cajun Dance Night with Jumbo Gumbo

October Fri, 2 Mon, 5 Tue, 6 Thu, 8 Fri, 9 Tue, 13 – Wed 14 Thu, 15 Fri, 23 Wed, 28 – Sat, 31

Black History Month Comedy - Terry Alderton Gwyneth Herbert Cabaret of Curiosities Gong Myoung Shakespeare Schools Festival D-n-K Big Band International Sweeny Todd, The Demon Barber of Fleet Street

November Mon, 2 Tue, 3 Wed, 4 Thu, 5 Fri, 6 Sun, 15 Thu, 19 Sat, 21 – Sun, 22 Sat, 28 Mon, 30

Comedy - Shappi Khorsandi The Derek Nash Acoustic Quartet The Best of John Betjeman Cabaret of Curiosities Mor Karbasi Medway Youth Dance Platform The Acoustic Heartbeat of Strawbs Global Voices Wyrd Sisters Comedy - Lee Nelson and Friends

December Tue, 1 Thu, 3 Thu, 10 – Wed, 30

The Jive Aces Cabaret of Curiosities The Railway Children

January Sat, 23

Technical Workshop, at The Central Theatre

Book online: www.thebrooktheatre.co.uk or phone: Box office 01634 338338 The Brook Theatre, Old Town Hall, Chatham ME4 4SE Email: boxoffice@medway.gov.uk Opening hours: Mon – Sat 10am to 5pm, and up to 15 minutes after performances begin Minicom service (for people with hearing disabilities) 01634 880969 G4615 09 09 Designed by Medway Council’s Communications Team. www.medway.gov.uk/communications