Alexandra Theatre Spring 2023 What's On

Dear Friends,

As you may have heard, the Regis Centre had some exciting news. Thanks to the efforts of Arun District Council, we have been awarded Levelling Up funds by the Government. This means we can make some significant improvements to the building and its facilities, ensuring the venue’s future and offering a greatly enhanced experience for our community and visiting companies. The results of the planned work will also enable us to extend our studio spaces and improve our auditorium.

Such an extensive refurbishment takes time, and so it will mean that there will be a period in the future during which we will have to close our doors. However, we assure you that it will be worth it! In the meantime, please follow us on social media to keep up to date on what is happening and when.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank Arun District Council for nominating us for funding, and for all their hard work on the application. Thanks must also go to our wonderful team here at the Regis Centre, many of whom are volunteers.

And thank YOU, loyal patron, for your ongoing support.

With warm regards,

Hazel Latus. BEM

CAFE & BAR

A few steps away from the seafront, our Café is the perfect location for a freshly ground coffee, light snack or delicious cake. Stay as long as you like, use our free Wi-Fi, read the paper and relax.

Whether it’s meeting friends, taking a break or relaxing before seeing a show, our Café is the ideal place.

Don’t forget to grab a drink from our Theatre Bar prior to the show, or pre-order something for the interval on your next visit.

Chairman Arun Arts Co Ltd on behalf of Arun Arts and the Regis Centre Team

FRIDAY 24 FEBRUARY

8PM - TICKETS £10.50 / £5.50 NUS

We welcome in the New Year with a return of our extremely popular and immensely funny comedy club! Join us at the Alexandra Theatre for another evening of the finest stand-up comedy delivered by some of the finest stand-up comedians on the UK circuit today! This month’s delights are Sarah Isles, Andy Field, Matt Rees and topped of with the pun-tastic comedy madness of El Baldhiniho!

FRIDAY 21 APRIL

8PM - TICKETS £10.50 / £5.50 NUS

This month’s club features some of the finest April-fools in the shapes of the most excellent Matt Price, Mike Cox, Andrew White and topped off with a Kate Barron.

UNRESERVED SEATING IN STUDIO ONE Age guidance - suitable for age 16+ - Do note that line ups are subject to change.

String Trio - Jonathan Strange, Violin Jonathan Welch, Viola - Roger Clayden, Cello

Programme: Schubert D471 Bb Major Bach - Mozart

Prelude and Fugue C Minor K.4040a

Beethoven String Trio Opus 9 No. 3 in C Minor

UNRESERVED SEATING IN STUDIO ONE

Roger Clayden - Cello & Bass Trombone & Christopher Taylor - Piano

Programme:

JS Back Air on a G String from “Suite No.3 in D minor” Gabriel Faure Sicilienne Op. 78

Gabriel Faure After a Dream, Gabriel Faure Elergy Woldemar Bargiel Adagio Op. 38 G. Verdi “Slaves Chorus” from the opera Nabucco Leo Delibes Mazurka from Coppelia Z. Fibich Poeme

Shostakovich The Gadfly Op. 97 Camille Saint-Saens The Tortues and The Elephant JP Sausa The Stars and Stripes Forever Gioachino Rossini - Final from William Tell Overture

Xylophone, Vibraphone, Percussion Music by the late Sir Patrick Moore CBE in his centenary year! Enjoy this enlightening evening with facts and commentary from the Television Astronomer’s music archive. With the keyboard accompaniment of Andrew Beaumont!

In great demand as a recitalist, concerto soloist and chamber musician is pianist John Paul Ekins.

Presented to HM The Queen and His Royal Highness The Prince Phillip at a reception for Young Performers at Buckingham Palace, we are delighted that he is making an appearance at 60 Mniutes of Classical Music.

2 O’CLOCK CLUB

Monthly Afternoon Community Entertainment

KAREN ETHERINGTON

TUESDAY 7 FEBRUARY, 2PM

Karen Etherington will sing a variety of songs, bringing you a trip down memory lane. These songs will include a selection from Rock’n’Roll, Soul, Motown, Country, Singalong, Musical Theatre, Jazz and Swing. Whatever your taste in music, it will be covered by Karen – another great afternoon of musical entertainment.

MITCHELL ARMSTRONG

TUESDAY 7 MARCH, 2PM

Mitchell Armstrong is a first class cabaret act who has worked on major cruise lines, performed at numerous theatres and appeared at a variety of top hotels. His experience, voice and personality are the perfect combination in this afternoon show of swing, musical classics and comedy.

ROBBIE MILLS

TUESDAY 4 APRIL, 2PM

Robbie will be singing an array of Neil Diamond songs plus a collection of 60s and 70s hits.

DAVE HARRIS

TUESDAY 2 MAY, 2PM

Dave Harris is back by popular demand! Dave has been entertaining audiences since the 60s and sings all aspects of popular music, including songs from the ‘big band’ era’, songs from Michael Bublé, Dean Martin, Frank Sinatra, Cliff Richard, Elvis, Neil Diamond, Billy Fury and more. Dave say’s “if its good music, it’s in the set”.

Squashbox Theatre Company JOURNEY TO THE STARS

THURS 16 FEBRUARY

2PM TICKETS £8.50

Since the dawn of time, human beings have gazed up at the night sky and wondered… What’s up there? How far does it go? Does it ever end? Well, wonder no longer! All these questions and more will be answered in ‘Journey to the Stars’!

Let Squashbox Theatre be your guide on a journey through the cosmos: across the solar system, past twinkling stars, towards distant galaxies… to the edge of space and time itself! Using only silly puppets, ridiculous and unnecessary props, ludicrous wigs and assorted fruits and vegetables, Squashbox Theatre will reveal the secrets of the universe!

Journey to the Stars! is a marvellous blend of puppetry, storytelling, live music and comedy, sprinkled with astounding science and astronomy facts, and all contained within an accessible, funny and unique family show.

For adults and children aged 5+ Journey to the Stars is 50 minutes long.

Sweeney Entertainments

ABBA FOREVER

FRI 17 MARCH

7.30PM

TICKETS £29.50

Forever ABBA is one of the UK’s leading International tribute Shows and theatre audiences from across Great Britain and Sweden have long enjoyed this superb recreation of possibly the world‘s greatest pop group.

The unique Abba sound is replicated with an incredible attention to detail by this a seven-piece band featuring electric and acoustic guitars, keyboards and piano, bass, and drums. Two outstanding Abba girls complete the line-up, adding the essential glitz and glamour to a wellpolished and gently humorous show.

The wonderful lyrics penned by Benny and Bjorn are sung in wonderful harmony by all performers on stage. Dynamic non-stop choreography, stunning visuals, top class musicianship and an ALL LIVE performance ensures that the Forever ABBA Show captivates audiences from the opening refrain to the final singalong chorus of this two-hour spectacular.

WHEN YOU’RE SMILING

THURS 30 MARCH

2PM

TICKETS £14.50 / £13.50 CONCS

Neil Sands and his wonderful West End cast are back with a brand-new spirit-lifting afternoon of marvellous musical memories. Described as “like a ray of musical sunshine”, this show will spread enough happiness and joy to lift the spirits of the nation.

This delightful trip down Memory Lane is specially produced to help you forget your worries and will give everyone a shot of sparkling nostalgia. The show includes over 60 of your all-time favourite songs from the Fabulous 40s, the Rocking 50s, the Swinging 60s and Sensational 70s along with best loved sing-a-longs, ever popular show tunes, and much more. All mixed with stunning costumes, amazing voices, and the heartwarming atmosphere that is the signature of Neil’s productions.

This show is guaranteed to send you home with a smile on your face, a song on your lips and a glow in your heart, as we all join together for an afternoon of music, laughter and happy memories

Neil Sands Productions

Sweeney Entertainments and Sisco Productions proudly present

COME WHAT MAY

The Ultimate Tribute to Moulin Rouge Starring Robin Windsor

TUES 28 MARCH, 7.30PM

TICKETS £32.50

We present to you an all-singing, all-dancing extravaganza as you enter the secret world of one of the greatest movie musicals of all time. Featuring Strictly Come Dancing’s sensational Robin Windsor and a cast of top West End performers.

Bursting at the seams with timeless classics including ‘Come What May’,’ Your Song,’ ‘Diamonds Are A Girls Best Friend’, ‘Roxanne’ and ‘Lady Marmalade’ plus hit songs from ‘The Greatest Showman’ and other iconic movie musicals.

Travel back in time as the children of the revolution take you on a thrilling non-stop journey into the sexy, disreputable, and glamorous underworld of Paris. It’s a ‘Spectacular, Spectacular’ evening of unforgettable dancing, dreams, adventure and above all – love!

Bognor Regis Concert Band

A

CORONATION CELEBRATION

SUN 2 APRIL 2.30PM

TICKETS £10 / £8

Concessions

The Bognor Regis Concert Band, under the musical direction of Robert Horner, are excited to be back at the Alexandra Theatre celebrating King Charles III’s Coronation year.

They are very much a community band, comprising of over 30 enthusiastic amateur players, and will be entertaining the audience with an afternoon of music fit for a King!

Following on from their very successful Proms concert last year, they are looking forward to entertaining you again. So, join us for a right royal afternoon performance of rousing music from your very own Concert Band.

They will also be performing in Hotham Park, Bognor Regis, on June 10 for the yearly ‘Proms in The Park’ concert. We hope to see you there!

www.regiscentre.co.uk

www.alexandratheatre.co.uk

LONDON ROAD

THURS 9 - SAT 11 MARCH 7.30PM, 2.30PM SAT MAT TICKETS £18 / £15 CONCS / £10 NUS *Book LONDON ROAD and HIGH SOCIETY at the same time and get the second musical half price!

A critical sensation when it opened at The National Theatre in 2011 attracting 5-star reviews, LONDON ROAD won Best Musical at the 2011 Critics Circle Theatre Awards and became a celebrated feature film in 2015 with original cast reprising their stage roles, including Olivia Coleman. Inspired by true events, Alecky Blythe and Adam Cork’s revolutionary musical narrates the lives of a Suffolk community rebuilding its self-esteem after a series of local murders through a best garden in bloom competition! LONDON ROAD is a remarkably uplifting experience!

Writers Alecky and Adam set verbatim interviews with residents to music in a quite extraordinary way, creating an unforgettable soundtrack, perhaps the most challenging that these hugely talented students have ever taken on in their fifteen-year history. This will be only the 7th production ever staged, and with musical theatre aficionados descending on Bognor Regis from across the country for this rare event, this is a chance not to be missed! If you don’t know LONDON ROAD, think Come From Away, and how that managed to bring us into another difficult human story with uplifting energy, or as celebrated critic

Peter Bradshaw put it in his five-star review: ‘like Broadchurch crossed with Le Mis, but with more subtlety and intricacy than you could expect from either.’ This promises to get the Triple Threat Triple Bill off to a truly thrilling start!

This amateur production is presented by arrangement with Nick Hern Books

HIGH SOCIETY

THURS 23 - SAT 25 MARCH

7.30PM, 2.30PM SAT MAT

TICKETS £20 / £16 CONCS / £12 NUS

*Book HIGH SOCIETY and either BAD GIRLS/LONDON ROAD at the same time and get the second musical half price!

Considered by many to be one of the great classic musicals of all time! Based on the 1956 movie starring Frank Sinatra, Bing Crosby and Grace Kelly, itself taken from Phillip Barry’s ’The Philadelphia Story’ featuring that other iconic trio, Cary Grant, James Stewart and Katharine Hepburn as Tracy Lord, HIGH SOCIETY comes from theatrical DNA of the highest order! Set among the idle-rich on a sumptuous Long Island estate, the show revolves around the armour-plated Tracy Lord’s recognition of her vulnerability and realisation on the eve of her wedding, that she is about to marry the wrong man! Famous for its sharp, comic dialogue, great Cole Porter songs like Let’s Misbehave, True Love and Who Wants to be a Millionaire, plus thrilling choreography makes this a party you will want to attend!

The production is performed by another cast of truly exciting young triple threat performers in their final production before graduating into the industry, once again working with pre-eminent industry professionals in the creative roles.

HIGH SOCIETY is a party to which you are all invited and don’t forget to bring a friend or two!

This amateur production of HIGH SOCIETY is presented by arrangement with Concord Theatricals Ltd. on behalf of Tams-Witmark LLC. concordtheatricals.co.uk

BAD GIRLS

THURS 4 MAY 7.30PM

FRI 5 MAY 7.30PM

SUN 7 MAY 3.30PM, 7.45PM

No Saturday performances due to His Majesty’s Coronation TICKETS £18 / £15 CONCS / £10 NUS

*Book

From Matchgirls to BAD GIRLS! University of Chichester’s celebrated Musical Theatre course’s first production at the Alex was about a group of Victorian women making the best of time spent dipping matchsticks into deadly phosphorous. Fifteen years strong and still going, this production of BAD GIRLS brings us banged-up-to-date with a new generation of women managing their lives on the wrong side of polite society. Created by Maureen Chadwick and Ann McManus based on their famous 8-season ITV series, their 2016 West End musical focuses on the inmates on the fictional South London Larkhill Prison.

Larkhill is ruled over by an ineffectual Governor so that a couple of bent warders are its real power base until an idealistic new Governor arrives to make a positive difference to the future lives of the women. In spite of the serious and sometimes very moving themes expect a great deal of fun because this is a musical and in Larkill, the stiletto-wearing inmates have remarkable freedom, singing and partying at every opportunity.

If you were fans of the TV show you will have a chance to re-identify with beloved characters while newcomers will experience a show full of memorable characters that has real heart!

This amateur production is presented by arrangement with Music Theatre International All authorised performance materials are also supplied by MTI mtishows.co.uk

www.regiscentre.co.uk

www.alexandratheatre.co.uk

This is the children’s pop concert with a big difference. A musical spectacular starring four fabulous Fairy tale Princesses who just love to sing! It’s the perfect mix.

Featuring a soundtrack of top pop hits from artists such as Little Mix, Ariana Grande, Taylor Swift, Meghan Trainor, and internet sensation, JoJo Siwa, plus songs from all your favourite Films and Musicals. Come and join the fun!

ROYAL MARINES ASSOCIATION CONCERT BAND

SUN 23 APRIL

3PM

TICKETS £15.50 / £14.50 CONCS

This experienced and thoroughly entertaining band has played to enthusiastic and sell-out audiences for many years by providing a wide spectrum of music to suit all tastes.

The Royal Marines Association Concert Band is comprised of over 50 talented musicians who boast a total of 1,800 years’ service to Queen and country.

They will provide a programme of popular marches, big band sounds, musical theatre, music from film, radio and TV shows as well as favourites from the classics. The concert will also feature a typical Royal Marines finale.

FORBIDDEN NIGHTS

THURS 27 APRIL

7.30PM

TICKETS - ROWS A to F £28.50

ALL OTHER TICKETS £26 OVER 18S ONLY

Forbidden Nights 2023 Tour is here... celebrating our 8th year so it’s bigger and better than ever!

Immerse yourself in this sexy, innovative and classy show this new age entertainment brings you world class circus acts with our signature Forbidden tease. Get ready for your ultimate ‘Forbidden’ night out with two hours of breath-taking action, seductive choreography and our comedian compere for your entertainment.

Abandon your inhibitions at the door as the talented cast of acrobats, live male vocalists, fire acts, aerial artists and world-renowned circus performers flip and spin across the stage in this high-octane show. This fun, sexy & entertaining evening with Forbidden Nights is guaranteed to be a night to remember.

Welcome to the Sexy Circus!®

So Comedy & Broken Robot Productions THE MANY VOICES OF DEBRA STEPHENSON

FRI 28 APRIL

7.30PM

TICKETS £20.50 / £18.50 CONCESSIONS

Take a trip with the star of Dead Ringers, Spitting Image, The Imitation Game, and Bad Girls, as she hurtles through time in a multiverse of musical icons from Billy Holliday to Billie Eilish, Shirley Bassey to Kate Bush, with live musical accompaniment. And, with Debra’s trademark comedic impressions of well-known politicians and celebrities, there’s plenty of fun and laughter along the way.

BROS Musical Productions ANYTHING GOES

TUES 16 - SAT 21 MAY 7.30PM, 2.30PM SAT MATINEE TICKETS £18 / £15.50 UNDER 16S, NUS

Acclaimed local theatre company BROS Musical Productions return with another big Broadway spectacle, certain to have you smiling from ear to ear.

Anything Goes is Cole Porter’s iconic joyful musical. Featuring heart-warming romance, show-stopping dance routines and the most joyful, uplifting score, including the iconic ‘I Get A Kick Out of You’, ‘You’re the Top’, ‘Blow, Gabriel, Blow’ and of course, the breath-taking tap number that is ‘Anything Goes’.

SUPPORT US BY BECOMING A FRIEND OR SPONSORING A SEAT

For just £20 a year or £30 for a joint membership, you will recieve discounted tickets, regular newsletters updating you on upcoming events, opportunities to attend exclusive Friends’ events and 10% discount in our seaside Cafe!

Already a friend?

Introduce a new friend and receive a £5 Theatre Tokens Gift Card

If you love what we do at the Regis Centre or want to commemorate someone who did, why not sponsor a seat in our theatre auditorium?

Seat naming gifts are acknowledged through a smart plaque with your chosen inscription on a seat of your choice, at a cost of £100.

To become a friend or to sponsor a seat call us on 01243 867676 or email info@regiscentre.co.uk

BOOKING INFORMATION

Box Office Tel: 01243 861010

Book Online: www.regiscentre.co.uk

Box Office Hours: Monday to Saturday 10am - 2pm or one hour before the start of each performance

Payments: We accept cash, theatre tokens and all major credit and debit cards. Please make cheques payable to Arun Arts Ltd.

Booking fees: We charge a 50p per ticket booking fee which is included in the ticket price. We charge £1.50 if you would like your tickets posted. There is also a charge of £1 for reprints/exchanges.

Concessions: One discount per ticket applies. Concessions may include senior citizens, students, under 16s or registered disabled patrons. Appropriate ID required. Concessions cannot be applied to previously purchased orders or in conjunction with any other offers.

The Management reserves the right to amend the programme as necessary.

ACCESS

Please mention your requirements at the time of booking and don’t hesitate to ask the Duty Manager if there is anything you need on arrival.

Parking: There are four parking spaces for blue badge holders at the front of the Centre and additional blue badge bays in the public car park next to the Centre. Hearing Impaired: There is a hearing loop in our auditorium.

Assistance Dogs: We welcome assistance dogs in all areas of our building. Please talk to our Box Office staff about any special requirements when booking.

Auditorium: Row J has permanent wheelchair spaces. Wheelchair spaces can be booked in person or over the phone at our Box Office. Row J is also suitable for patrons with walking difficulties.

HIRE OUR STUDIOS

Situated on the seafront, the Regis Centre offers an ideal venue for your event. Our studios can be hired for fitness classes, meetings, conferences, rehearsals, auditions, children’s workshops and more. We can also provide catering to enhance your hire with us.

For further information please contact jo.latus@regiscentre.co.uk or call 01243 867676.

Take a look on our website for our current schedule of classes and workshops.

Due to our licensing regulations, we are unable to permit the transfer from wheelchairs to theatre seats.

H

The Regis Centre prides itself on being a community venue for all so when you see a little ‘H’ next to an event this means the show is produced by a local society or non-professional company. For these events we are not responsible for either the pricing or content of the show.

JANUARY

Tues 3

The 2 O’clock Club

Fri 6 60 Minutes of Classical Music

Sat 14 Aladdin - Youth Theatre Panto

Thurs 19 - Sat 21 Marvellous Musicals

Mon 23 & Tues 24 Dance House 2023

Thurs 26 & Fri 27 Intermezzo

FEBRUARY

Fri 3 60 Minutes of Classical Music

Mon 6 & Tues 7 Dance House 2023

Tues 7 The 2 O’clock Club

Sat 11 - Weds 15 Bognor Regis Dance Festival

Thurs 16 & Fri 17 Family Fun Days

Thurs 16 Journey to the Stars

Sat 18 UCSU Heels Society

Fri 24 The Alex Comedy Club

Sat 25 & Sun 26 Arabesque School of Performing Arts

MARCH

Fri 3 60 Minutes of Classical Music

Tues 7 The 2 O’clock Club

Thurs 9 - Sat 11 London Road

MARCH cont.

Fri 17

ABBA Forever

Thurs 23 - Sat 25 High Society

Tues 28

Thurs 30

APRIL

Sun 2

Tues 4

Come What May

When You’re Smiling

Bognor Regis Concert Band

The 2 O’clock Club

Fri 7 60 Minutes of Classical Music

Sat 15

Magical Bones: Soulful Magic

Fri 21 The Alex Comedy Club

Fri 21 Pop Princesses

Sun 23 The Royal Marines Association Concert Band

Weds 26 Dance House 2023

Thurs 27 Forbidden Nights

Fri 28 The Many Faces of Debra Stephenson MAY

Tues 2 The 2 O’clock Club

Fri 5 60 Minutes of Classical Music

Thurs 4 - Sun 7 Bad Girls

Tues 16 - Sat 21 Anything Goes