The Place Bedford - Season Brochure Jan-Apr 2019 by The Place Theatre

January to April 2019 theplacebedford.org.uk

OUR PLACE IS YOUR PLACE!

Behind the Scenes

Our Partners

TRUSTEES Justin Phillimore, Brenton Jackson, Matt Baker, Rae Levene, Sarah Waller, Bipin Shah, James Pharaoh

www.theplacebedford.org.uk/tickets

VOLUNTEERS Finance and Billing: Bar Management: Friends Coordinator: Volunteer Coordinator:

Richard Moon Mike Cooper Rae Levene Bill Lay

Mind BLMK works across our communities to support positive mental health and wellbeing.

Jenny Curzon

Jenny Ward Fletcher

Amanda Friman

Chris Ingley

Philippine Thiery

Jon West

Libby Jones

Janet King

Evelyn Sutherland

Barbara Power

Kathy Frost

Helen Vandervelde

Sue Burnett

Imogen Mason

Carol Wood

Colin King

Carol Carter

Lee Knapp

Sheila Bissell

Harri Mardlin

Jess Dullingham

Phil Mardlin

Cory Walker

Lissy Malt

Paul Barnes

Alison McEwen

Cally Lawrence

Wendy Trussell

Oskar Puanecki

Jennie Sewell

Anne Davies

Anne Jones

Jenny Goodes

Donna Swann

Sue Hammond.

Shows marked

♥ have a special price for members of our Friends scheme; see our Friends information on P4.

Our ambition is to make a positive difference by providing people with mental and community health care services that support their recovery.

Suppliers to The Place Theatre with Gelato John’s products offering delicious ices to audiences across the whole year. We are not just any Italian restaurant…

Anne Dunigan

STAFF Facilities Manager: Matt Baker Technical and Content: Dave Deans Audience Development: Elizabeth Howard Programme Coordinator: Alex Levene Accounts and Finance: Mervyn Lewis Social Media & Marketing: Lissy Malt Fundraising and Development: Laura Pottinger, Press and PR: Simão Vaz Administration: Jacquie Waterfield

YOU DO NOT NEED TO PRINT YOUR TICKET-JUST BRING THE BOOKING REFERENCE NUMBER.

The venue has very limited capacity to take telephone bookings-please leave a message with your name and a contact number on our 24-hour answer phone and we will ring you back as soon as we can.

Front of House Volunteers: Ron Singleton

Tickets for all shows are available online (with no booking fees) from:

The Place Theatre, Bradgate Road                                          Bedford MK40 3DE

                         

FREE ONSITE   PARKING                   

                                You can follow our activities online here: The Blue Glass is a truly independent wine, beer and spirit merchant, based in Bedford. The Blue Glass are glad to be the supplier of choice for wine at The Place Theatre, and are very happy to be the new sponsor for the ‘That’s All Folk’, The Place Theatre’s new strand of Folk Music programming.

/ThePlaceBedford @ThePlaceBedford @theplace_bedford

info@theplacebedford.org.uk 2

01234 354321 3

This Season “Growth is painful. Change is painful. But, nothing is as painful as staying stuck where you do not belong.” N. R. NARAYANA MURTHY

We start this season with a huge thank you to everyone who came to The Place during 2018 and made it the busiest and most successful year at the venue since we opened 15 years ago.

“Good friends, good books and a sleepy conscience: this is the ideal life.” MARK TWAIN

...AND WE WOULD LIKE TO THINK – A GOOD PLACE.

OUR FRIENDS COME IN MANY DIFFERENT GUISES AND IT ALL DEPENDS ON WHAT THEY WISH OUR RELATIONSHIP TO BE. The Place operates through the support of many diverse groups. We are supported by individuals and organisations e.g. volunteers, ‘Friends’, funders and our audiences, as well as our dedicated staff who give more than they are called upon to give. We are very fortunate to receive tremendous support from all these but, as the Place continues to grow, there is always room for more. If you feel that you would like to play a part in our continued development there are many ways you can do so.

BECOME A VOLUNTEER If you have time to spare, a talent or simply an interest in meeting people of a like mind, why not come and join us? To find out more about volunteering opportunities in 2019 email: volunteer@theplacebedford.org.uk or speak to the duty manager on performance nights. You are free to commit as much or as little as you want. One thing we can guarantee is that you will be made welcome. 4

BECOME A FRIEND OF THE PLACE Being a Friend brings with it many benefits. Look in this out for any shows marked with a brochure as these have a special price exclusively for our Friends. Friends tickets can be booked online (just show your membership card when you arrive). You also get to enjoy discounts on drinks at certain shows, special offers, invitations to exclusive evenings and advance notice of extra events organised after the brochure goes to print. The primary benefit our Friends have, though, is the satisfaction of helping to maintain Bedford’s only full-time community theatre. For more information about how to become a Friend pick up a leaflet in the foyer or speak to the Duty Manager when you next attend the Place or email: friends@ theplacebedford.org.uk

♥

FUNDERS The Place Theatre is managed by Bedford Players Trust, a charity registration no: 290124 and does not receive any revenue funding though we are very fortunate to receive capital and project funding from a number of organisations - The Harpur Trust, Wixamtree Trust, The John Apthorp Charity, The Frank Branston Trust, The BFI Film Audience Network, The House of Industry Estate, The Theatres Trust, Bedford Community Dental Services, Santander Foundation and The Panacea Society, distributed through the Bedford and Luton Community Fund. In November 2018 we launched a campaign to raise additional funds towards upgrading and replacing our ticketing system and website from our supporters, to whom we are very grateful. In order to ensure that we are able to continue to offer more to our audiences, further campaigns are envisaged so please keep an eye out for them and support them if you are able.

We’ve continued to grow our team, bringing new people into our office, new volunteers into our support teams and new audiences into the venue almost every week. It was a wonderful way for us to mark our 15th anniversary, especially as we look forward to a busy and exciting, if somewhat unpredictable, future. 2019 sees the start of a new long term artistic vision for us. We continue to do those things we do best, whilst also setting out on new pathways to help us deliver better services to our audiences; continue to grow, provoke and entertain all of the communities that call Bedford home; as well as build upon the wonderful relationships we have made with professional performers and theatre makers, both locally and nationally, to ensure that Bedford continues to be an important stop on the theatre circuit for both established and emerging performers alike. We are very proud of the diverse range of work that we present at the venue, and this season is no exception; our popular programmes of work continue with events in the That’s all Folk and Mindscapes strands, and we launch a new strand of work aimed especially at entertainment for a Saturday night: ‘A Good Night Out’. We also bring back our work that explores LGBTQ+ History month, with film, theatre and other events that explore the stories and experiences of the LGBTQ+ community (locally, nationally and internationally) See the next pages for more details on our different strands of work and how you can spot them in this brochure. 2019 also sees the continuation of our year-long season of films about, by and for ‘Kick Ass Women’. It has been an amazing undertaking to research this topic, and I’ve had a huge amount of fun with colleagues at the venue (and with some significant help from our social media followers) putting together a vast season of amazing films from across the spectrum that deal with this brilliant theme. We may even need a whole other year to even scratch the surface of such a huge undertaking. It’s our busiest season of film programming ever, and we hope that you’ll join us as we continue to explore how we can increase and improve our film offer for audiences in Bedford. Thank you so much for coming with us on this journey. We’re really excited to show you the next steps that we want to take, and we hope that you’ll keep joining us at the venue. We would be nothing without the warmth and generosity of the communities of Bedford: The next 15 years starts today.

ALEX LEVENE

ASSOCIATE PRODUCER: PROGRAMMING AND PARTNERSHIPS

Season Launch

Programme Strands We’re always looking for artists and community organisations we can support to develop our programming, so if you have an idea, or know someone who may be interested in helping us, please get in contact with the team.

MENTAL HEALTH PROGRAMME After the successes of our 2018 strand of shows exploring Mental Health, we continue to bring theatre and film that explore the many different lived experiences. Presented in partnership with Mind BLMK, Bedfordshire and Luton NHS Mental Health services provided by ELFT, and other local organisations.

LGBTQ+ MONTH PROGRAMME To celebrate February’s LGBTQ+ history month The Place present a series of films and live events. This is part of our ongoing drive to increase representation and visibility for LGBTQ+ people at the venue, making Bedford and The Place safe environments for all LGBTQ+ people.

LGBTQ+ HISTORY MONTH

A GOOD NIGHT OUT Saturday evenings have traditionally been the night when people go out looking for things to do for that ‘special occasion’. At the Place we have recognised this for some time but now we are going to make an even greater effort to make the night more memorable. Not only will the productions be extremely entertaining, just right for a night out, but our front of house offer will be even greater than it normally is. Special themed cocktails, drinks deals and nibbles will be available, as well as many other ‘secrets’ known only on the night. Look out for the’ A Good Night Out’ logo in the brochure.

FANTASTIC FOR FAMILIES

Thu 10 Jan 7pm Free Event

As holders of the Family Arts Standard we believe in the importance of creating a positive atmosphere for the audiences of the future. With this in mind, we offer a range of programming and activities for a range of ages and to make them accessible to all members of the family group attending The Place.

ALL AGES

In order to achieve this, we strive to have clear pricing and ensure you are told of age appropriateness and that our staff and volunteers are helpful and able to respond to your questions and needs as parents or guardians.

As usual, there will be ice creams from Spaghetti Johns, and wine tasting from our partner at The Blue Glass, plus extracts from our community shows currently in development.

house theatre/Seth Kriebel

More details of the Family Arts Standard can be found in the leaflet available in the foyer.

Beowulf

We are also proud of our reputation for being friendly and cosy and to display the Fantastic for Families logo.

AGE 14+ PRO There is no adult content in the show, but as it invites audience interaction, there is a potential for strong language.

#DramasInPjyamas We love an evening at the theatre, and we love sharing work with younger audiences; but we don’t want you to worry that your children are going to have a late night if they come to see one of our fantastic family shows.

Before we begin, I should warn you: this story ends with a dragon. But every story ends with a dragon. If you make it to ‘Happily Ever After’ and there isn’t a dragon nearby, the story isn’t over yet. Seth Kriebel’s Beowulf is an interactive performance-game inviting you to explore the world of a legendary story from our ancient past... without leaving your seat.

Extra special early evening performances that start at 6pm are aimed just at families and younger audiences that makes for an extra special evening together at The Place. On top of that... why not come to see a show in your pyjamas or onesies? You will also be super-comfy, and it adds a bit of extra special sparkle to a theatre experience. Thanks to Community Dental Services UK’s CDS Action, we can provide all children attending with free toothbrushes and free toothpaste, and everything you need to clean your toothie-pegs at the theatre – so all your children have to do when they get home is pop straight to bed.

SEE PAGE 30 FOR A TASTE OF WHAT’S COMING SUMMER 2019

A new version of a very old story from Seth Kriebel

Fri 11 Jan 7.30pm £12/£10

We invite families to treat ‘Our Place as Your Place,’ through the continuation of our #DramaInPyjamas initiative:

Look out for the #DramasInPjyamas hashtag on social media.

It’s an early start to the year with all the work coming straight back in after the festive season. We don’t want to leave you alone and miserable over the January period, so why not join us for another fun and friendly start to the season as we share more details about all the wonderful events we have coming up in 2019. A great opportunity to talk to the team here about our forthcoming plans, catch up with the rest of the audience and theatre community after the holiday break and look forward to another great year of events and excitement at The Place Bedford.

Photo by Mark Vessey. Illustration by Sarah Ferrari.

Our professional and community programming continues to go from strength to strength, with previous strands continuing and new ones coming through.

Illuminating the original epic, each show is unique, guided by your choices. An evocative soundscape accompanies your journey through strange lands, to discover forgotten monsters and bring a Viking hero’s tale back to life 1,000 years after his adventures. Why, after all these years, do we still tell each other stories about monsters that lurk in the dark…? Supported using public funding by the National Lottery through Arts Council England. Commissioned by and developed at Battersea Arts Centre. Tour presented by house

Bedford Players Trust

Game Play

A low-cost, family friendly festival of Games and Gaming

Sat 12 & Sun 13 Jan 10am - 8pm Suitable for 6-16 and their families (and big kids too)

MINI FILM FESTIVAL

Kick Ass Women This strand of films continues as we explore the rich landscape of films by, for and about strong females. From hard hitting and brilliant documentaries, to classics of European and World Cinema, from classics of Hollywood, to films from the past 12 months. There’s films chosen by our local community, recently remastered versions from organisations like the British Film Institute and Independent Cinema Office and a whole host of work you’ve maybe never heard of before.

Entry each day: £3 per person/ £10 family. Weekend ticket (including Beowulf ticket): £15 per person

The Place Theatre throws all of its doors open this January to start the new season with what we hope will become an annual post-Christmas event: Game Play is a full weekend dedicated to all of the great things that happen when we play games. We’re going to fill the venue with old computer games consoles, allowing mum and dad to engage in some healthy rivalry with the kids on their favourite consoles from their youth. Expect to find all kinds of cozy places to relax and play. It’s not just computer games though! After a brilliant visit to the venue in July we’ll be welcoming the team from Ghost Valley RC back with their live action remote-controlled car Mario Kart track, this time with an adults-only full competition. Bedford Board Gamers will be filling the rooms upstairs on the Sunday with a chance to get involved with a whole day playing some of the best and most exciting tabletop games for players from 6-60+ yrs old. There’s more things planned, with (we hope) an opportunity to come along and learn more about playing old-school tabletop role playing games (RPGs) as well as any other crazy fun things we can cram into the venue between now and mid-January. Best of all, the whole thing is super cheap, making it a great weekend out for the whole family in the middle of the most miserable month in the calendar.

15mins before each screening this season – All Ages FREE The film is an exploration of women in protest across the North of England and marks 100 years since the start of women’s suffrage in the UK. The film is supported by the Women’s Vote Centenary Grant Scheme. ‘A tear in my eye while watching this film. The passion for this project really shines through. I can’t wait to see it again’ – Leigh Film Society Showing women’s lives from the suffragettes to the miners’ strikes, and much more, the film’s title is inspired by the first person we encounter in the film – suffragette Elizabeth Dean who, celebrating her 100th birthday, defiantly tells the camera: ‘Between you and I, I must have been born a rebel!’ VOTE 100: BORN A REBEL (U) screens every time we run a film screening until August 2019.

AUDIENCE CHOICE: TRIPLE F RATING

AUDIENCE CHOICE: CULT CLASSIC

Clueless (1995)

Mean Girls (2004)

♥ Mon 14 Jan 7pm £6

♥ Tue 15 Jan 7pm £6

12 | 1h 37min | Comedy, Romance

12A | 1h 37min | Comedy

Sex. Clothes. Popularity. Whatever.

Survival of the Ruthless

Writer & Director: Amy Heckerling Stars: Alicia Silverstone, Stacey Dash, Brittany Murphy

Director: Mark Waters Writers: Rosalind Wiseman (book), Tina Fey (screenplay) Stars: Lindsay Lohan, Jonathan Bennett, Rachel McAdams

A rich high school student tries to boost a new pupil’s popularity, but reckons without affairs of the heart getting in the way.

Cady Heron is a hit with The Plastics, the A-list girl clique at her new school, until she makes the mistake of falling for Aaron Samuels, the ex-boyfriend of alpha Plastic Regina George.

Shallow, rich and socially successful Cher (Alicia Silverstone) is at the top of her Beverly Hills high school’s pecking scale. Seeing herself as a matchmaker, Cher first coaxes two teachers into dating each other. Emboldened by her success, she decides to give hopelessly klutzy new student Tai (Brittany Murphy) a makeover. When Tai becomes more popular than she is, Cher realizes that her disapproving ex-stepbrother (Paul Rudd) was right about how misguided she was -- and falls for him.

The film has become a pop-culture phenomenon and fans of the film have made GIFs and memes of the film; posting them on social media has made it one of the most quoted films online to date. Feel free to quote along if you need to, but don’t try to make ‘fetch’ happen!

It is loosely based on Jane Austen’s 1815 novel Emma, updating the setting to modern-day Beverly Hills and is considered to be one of the best teen films of all time.

IN ENGLISH WITH ENGLISH SUBTITLES VOTE 100: BORN A REBEL (U) SCREENS BETWEEN THESE FILMS 8.45PM-9PM. SEE P9 FOR MORE DETAILS.

Foxy Brown (1974)

Girls Trip (2017)

♥ Mon 14 Jan 9pm £6

♥ Tue 15 Jan 9pm £6

18 | 1h 32min | Action, Crime, Thriller

15 | 2h 2min | Comedy, Drama

Foxy is in town, so gather round and watch a real shake down. Cause she’s got drive and that ain’t jive. She don’t bother to bring ‘em back alive.

You’ll be glad you came Director: Malcolm D. Lee Writers: Erica Rivinoja (story by), Kenya Barris (story by) Stars: Regina Hall, Queen Latifah, Jada Pinkett Smith

Writer & Director: Jack Hill Stars: Pam Grier, Antonio Fargas, Peter Brown A voluptuous black woman takes a job as a high-class prostitute in order to get revenge on the mobsters who murdered her boyfriend.

When four lifelong friends travel to New Orleans for the annual Essence Festival, sisterhoods are rekindled, wild sides are rediscovered, and there’s enough dancing, drinking, brawling, and romancing to make the Big Easy blush.

While not prosecuted for obscenity, the film was seized and confiscated in the United Kingdom under section 3 of the Obscene Publications Act 1959 during the video nasty panic of the 1980s/90s.This is a unique chance to see the film on the big screen.

Girls Trip is the rare R-rated comedy that pushes boundaries to truly comedic effect—and anchors its laughs in compelling characters brought to life by a brilliantly assembled cast.

IN ENGLISH WITH ENGLISH SUBTITLES

IN ENGLISH WITH ENGLISH SUBTITLES 11

AUDIENCE CHOICE: CULT CLASSIC

AUDIENCE CHOICE: MUSICAL

Chicago (2002)

Black Mother (2018)

♥ Thu 17 Jan 7pm £6

♥ Fri 18 Jan 7pm £6

12A | 1h 53min | Comedy, Crime, Musical

15 | 1h 17min | Documentary

It’s Just A Noisy Hall Where There’s A Nightly Brawl ...and All That Jazz.

Part film, part baptism, in Black Mother director Khalik Allah brings us on a spiritual exploration through Jamaica. Soaking up its bustling metropolises and tranquil countryside, Allah introduces us to a succession of vividly rendered souls who call this island home.

Director: Rob Marshall Writers: Bill Condon (screenplay), Bob Fosse, Fred Ebb (book) Stars: Renée Zellweger, Catherine Zeta-Jones, Richard Gere

Director: Khalik Allah

Two death-row murderesses develop a fierce rivalry while competing for publicity, celebrity and a sleazy lawyer’s attention.

From red light districts to lush rain-forests, ‘Black Mother’ is a loving and lyrical ode to Jamaica and its people, a visual poem that is at once a deeply felt love letter and ecstatic streetcorner prayer.

The film was critically lauded, and was the first musical to win Best Picture since Oliver! in 1968.

IN ENGLISH WITH ENGLISH SUBTITLES VOTE 100: BORN A REBEL (U) SCREENS BETWEEN THESE FILMS 8.45PM-9PM. SEE P9 FOR MORE DETAILS.

The German Sisters [Die bleierne Zeit] (1981)

Gorillas in the Mist: The Story of Dian Fossey (1988)

♥ Thu 17 Jan 9.15pm £6

♥ Fri 18 Jan 9pm £6

15 | 1h 46min | Drama

15 | 2h 9min | Comedy, Drama

Two sisters both fight for women’s rights. Juliane is a journalist and Marianne a terrorist. When Marianne is jailed, Juliane feels obliged to help her despite their differing views on how to live.

She left everything she knew and entered a world few have ever seen. To save a wondrous creature from the cruelty of men, she went further than anyone dared. Some say she went too far.

Writer & Director: Margarethe von Trotta Stars: Jutta Lampe, Barbara Sukowa, Rüdiger Vogler

Director: Michael Apted Writers: Harold T.P. Hayes, Dian Fossey, Anna Hamilton Phelan Stars: Sigourney Weaver, Bryan Brown, Julie Harris

Justly considered one of the classics of the New German Cinema movement, The German Sisters tells a prescient and intimate story of Germany. Based on the real life story of the Enslein sisters, it is the purest expression of Margarethe Von Trotta’s combination of the personal and the political. Exploring the after-effects of Nazism in contemporary German society, The German Sisters is as searching on a personal level as it is on the political costs of revolution. IN GERMAN WITH ENGLISH SUBTITLES 12

“a challenging and profound deep-dive into Jamaican identity that rewards repeat viewings and confirms the aesthetic of a visionary filmmaker.” INDIEWIRE

An adaptation of wildlife expert Dian Fossey’s autobiography. Midwesterner Fossey (Sigourney Weaver) leaves the United States for Africa, where she studies the gorillas of Rwanda and Uganda. As Fossey develops a bond with the animals, she also becomes wary of the poachers who prey on them. Fearing that the gorillas will go extinct if humans continue to hunt them, she organizes a defense league to protect the animals; in doing so, though, she puts herself in a perilous situation.

IN ENGLISH WITH ENGLISH SUBTITLES 13

Little Pixie Productions

The Nightingale of South Bank ♥ Sat 19 Jan 7.30pm £12/£10 AGE RANGE10+ The arias of the versatile soprano Florence Easton Written by: Sarah Nelson Musical Director: Carl PenlingtonWilliams Originally devised by: Rebecca Little and Helena Leonard Florence Easton was born in 1882 South Bank, Middlesbrough. After training at the Royal Academy at the turn of the 20th century, she went on to become one of our most versatile English opera singers and became known professionally as “The Nightingale of South Bank”. In 1918 at the Metropolitan Opera, New York she created the role of Lauretta in the world premiere of Puccini’s Gianni Schicchi, making her the first soprano ever to sing the famous aria “O Mio Babbino Caro”. Helena Leonard sings many of Florence’s famous arias from operas including Madame Butterfly, Gianni Schicchi, Aida, Tosca and many more as she tells you the fascinating story about the varied career of Florence Easton, “The Nightingale of South Bank”.

Soap Soup Theatre

The Snow Baby ♥ Sun 20 Jan 11am & 2pm £10/£8.50 AGE RANGE3+ PRO Deep in the remote snowy forest an icy wind blows and snowflakes fall from the sky. Doris and her Bear Man live on the hill, alone but happy. Wrapped up in a snowy smother, they are in love. But when the snowstorm comes, Doris’ Bear Man disappears! How will Doris survive by herself in a forest plagued with nothing but bad weather and a cloud of hungry crows? Soap Soup Theatre present The Snow Baby, a magical children’s theatre show with beautiful puppetry, imaginative storytelling and music that will give you goosebumps – a gentle show exploring family, love and loss, with lots of music, confetti and funny bits for the whole family to enjoy!

Soap Soup Theatre return to The Place after last years’ beautiful show The Pixies’ Scarf.

HOLOCAUST MEMORIAL DAY / KICK ASS WOMEN

Denial (2016) ♥ Fri 25 Jan 7pm £6 12A | 1h 49min | Biography, Drama

When one man put the Holocaust on trial, she was forced to defend history. Based on a true story. Written by: Deborah Lipstadt (based on the book “History on Trial: My Day in Court with a Holocaust Denier” by) (as Deborah E. Lipstadt), David Hare (screenplay by) Stars: Rachel Weisz, Tom Wilkinson, Timothy Spall Acclaimed writer and historian Deborah E. Lipstadt must battle for historical truth to prove the Holocaust actually occurred when David Irving, a renowned denier, sues her for libel.

IN ENGLISH WITH ENGLISH SUBTITLES ARAGON DAY 2019

Beneath the Finery: Dressing the Tudor Court ♥ Sat 26 Jan 1.30pm £7 ALL AGES COMMUNITY Come and see Henry VIII and Katherine of Aragon reveal their undergarments in full view of their Court, and have a chance to hear much more from them about their attire! Katherine of Aragon spent the last years of her life in the Bedford area, living in Ampthill Castle from 1531 until she was finally divorced by Henry in 1533, when she was moved to Buckden Towers, and finally to Kimbolton Castle, where she died. Katherine and Henry are the central figures in the annual Aragon Day celebrations in Ampthill, and they have graciously agreed to visit their subjects in Bedford to display their sumptuous costumes, as well as the costumes of the Ladies and Gentlemen of their Court. Traditional Tudor refreshments will be served in the Foyer, where the Royal party have generously agreed to be introduced to guests. All the profits will help to run the Aragon day on Sat 13th July, 2019. 15

HOLOCAUST MEMORIAL DAY

Small Nose Productions in partnership with Trestle Arts

Sat 26 Jan 7pm FREE

♥ Mon 28 Jan 7.30pm £12/£10/£9

Poetry of Genocide

AGE 12+ Join us at for an evening dedicated to exploring the voices of conflict, persecution and resistance. Featuring poetry, autobiography and prose from writers across the centuries who have experienced first-hand the savage violence of genocide and holocaust.

Rachel (a play in full mask) Mrs Rachel Levy is a survivor of Auschwitz Concentration Camp. Mrs Levy is also a survivor of the ‘Death March’ that took place when the the Nazis wanted Auschwitz emptied out as the ‘Red Army’ and the allied war effort drew ever closer. Mrs Levy is also a survivor of Bergen Belsen concentration camp, the worst camp attributed to a time when the Nazis had seemingly given up on trying to hide the horrors of The Holocaust. All hope was gone, but Rachel (our friend) survived. ‘It was a miracle!’ she told us. This play is for school groups, but Small Nose believe the lessons of the Holocaust are for us all.

Drawing on stories from writers from countries, nations, tribes and religions across the world and across time this evening of work will explore in depth how these experiences can impact the writing, challenge authority and keep the legacy of conflict and persecution alive in the mind of those of us who survive. HOLOCAUST MEMORIAL DAY

Commemoration Sun 27 Jan (see below for times) To mark Holocaust Memorial Day on Sunday 27th January, Bedford Borough will carry out a multi-faith commemoration and host a series of events. Each year Holocaust Memorial Day encourages people to reflect upon the terrible consequences of the persecution that led to the Holocaust. Please join members of the team from The Place Theatre at one of the following events: In 2019 the theme for Holocaust Memorial Day is ‘Torn from Home’. A Commemoration at the Anne Frank Tree, in Russell Park between Pembroke and Bower Street, will take place at 2.30pm on Sunday 27th January. This will feature the lighting of a candle of remembrance and words from Anne Frank’s Diary. Participants can then take a short walk to The Harpur Suite where the Civic Commemoration will take place at 3.00pm and will include readings, recitation of the Kaddish – the Jewish mourning prayer – and the lighting of eleven candles. 16

Don’t Go Into the Cellar That’s All Folk

Jim Moray Thu 31 Jan 8pm

£12 advance/£14 on the door

Frankenstein 1899 Fri 1 Feb 7.30pm £12/10 AGE RANGE10+ PRO

For 15 years Jim Moray has been at the forefront of a new movement in English traditional music. His debut album Sweet England changed the sound of folk song and won a brace of awards for its innovative melding of orchestration and electronica. Subsequent albums embraced everything from grime to Johnny Marr-esque guitar pop, but at their heart was always Jim’s unmistakeable soulful and yearning voice; singing old songs in a new way.

His sixth album Upcetera heralds a new chapter for the producer and has received the best reviews of his career, including five stars from Mojo, fRoots and R2 magazines. He has also found the time to contribute three new songs to BBC Dr Who spin-off show Class, and launched his own Low Culture Podcast.

The nineteenth century is drawing to an end, and a brave new world is set to dawn. But the new age of enlightenment and reason will soon be challenged, and scientific fact cast asunder, when the charismatic preacher, Frankenstein, shocks Britons to the core with his claims. For the Reverend can communicate with the dead, and those sceptics intolerant of his beliefs will soon pay for their blasphemy. Acclaimed actor Jonathan Goodwin plays Frankenstein, and is joined by actress Sarah Gordon, in a show directed by Gary Archer and written by Jonathan Goodwin.

Tomorrow’s Great Pageant – Want to get involved? Are you interested in gender and freedom? Are you part of the LGBTQ+ community? Are you inspired by certain individuals or groups who deserve recognition? Are you interested in finding out how theatre can contribute to meaningful change?

LGBTQ+

As part of LGBTQ+ season, The Place will collaborate with Bedford Creative Arts and Post Workers Theatre to collectively reimagine a historic suffrage play. We are looking for participants to join the workshop process and help co-author Tomorrow’s Great Pageant. If you are interested please contact Elizabeth Howard (Audience Development in the Community) by email eh@theplacebedford.org.uk.

HISTORY MONTH

That’s All Folk sponsored by

The Place, Bedford Creative Arts & Post-Workers Theatre

Tomorrow’s Great Pageant

LGBTQ+ HISTORY MONTH LAUNCH EVENT Sat 2nd Feb 4pm-7pm FREE

Reading, Discussion and Public brainstorming

AGES TBC Post-Workers Theatre host an event which will begin to re-imagine the iconic Suffrage play A Pageant of Great Women, 1909, for a 21st century non-binary context.

LGBTQ+ HISTORY MONTH

The Play, written by Ciceley Hamilton in 1909, was a popular allegorical work of political agitation and featured the embodiment of Justice, Woman and Prejudice, with a cast of 45 historic great women to promote a feminist perspective on emancipation. For the Launch of LGBTQ+ Season at The Place, Post-Workers Theatre and Bedford Creative Arts will be joined by a panel of guest writers, critics, practitioners and community activists to collectively discuss and consider a new cast of iconic great people who can begin to represent the values and ideals of a diverse 21st century LGBTQ+ community.

A reading of the original script will be followed by discussions and collective brainstorming, working with actors, activists and designers to creatively engage with hopes, fears and ideas of alternative narratives. Want to get involved? - See p19 for more details

The Place, Bedford Creative Arts and Post-Workers Theatre

Come to the Cabaret

Zoo Co.

LGBTQ+ HISTORY MONTH LAUNCH EVENT

Messy

Sat 2nd Feb 8pm FREE

Sun 3 Feb 11am & 2pm £8.50 children £5 adults

AGE 15+

4-8YR OLDS AND THEIR FAMILIES PRO

To celebrate the launch of our work around LGBTQ History month, join us at The Place for a whole evening dedicated to the wild and wonderful world of cabaret. Expect music and dancing, comedy and drag, all mixed up with a little bit of debauchery and a generous helping of glitter, glam and jazz. Members of The Place theatre community, supported by our great friends from Zoo Co, and working in collaboration with local performers from a variety of backgrounds will come together to put on a silly blend of entertainment, activism, laughs and talent.

Daisy’s lost something very, very important. She’d probably be able to find it if her brain could stop exploding all over the place! Meet Daisy. She’s got a messy brain and a messy bedroom. No matter what she does, The Mess just seems to follow her about! The only trouble is, it makes it very difficult to look for stuff. Important stuff. Important stuff like Mr Twiggy! Multi-award winning Zoo Co presents their trademark visual storytelling, puppets, clowning and dance in a show that celebrates the creativity that explodes from The Mess.

Messy is BSL inclusive, and fully accessible to d/Deaf and hearing audiences, performed by a Deaf and hearing cast. Messy is produced in partnership with the ADHD Foundation, and responds to the current demand for positive representation for girls with ADHD.

VOTE 100: BORN A REBEL (U) SCREENS BEFORE THIS FILM 7PM-7.15PM. SEE P9 FOR MORE DETAILS. Kick Ass Women

Come Drink with Me [Da zui xia] (1966)

AGE 12+ PRO

15 | 1h 49min | Biography, Drama

Josh finds the outside world a fascinating and frightening place. At a time when he is most vulnerable, a room of forgotten things quickly becomes the perfect place for him to escape reality.

In ancient China, a violent gang kidnap a general’s son to secure the release of their leader from prison. Little do they know that the general’s daughter is Golden Swallow, a mistress of disguise, with fighting skills to match. Writer & Director: King Hu (as King Chuan) Director: King Hu (as King Chuan) Writers: King Hu (as King Chuan), Shan-Hsi Ting (as Ye Yang) Stars: Pei-Pei Cheng, Hua Yueh, Chih-Ching Yang

His family make a desperate attempt to help him realise there is more to life than photos on a shelf and postcards under the door.

This film is an outstanding example of the quality of pictures Shaw Brothers were capable of producing. The picture easily transcends the genre to be a period drama with martial arts (and not just a martial arts flick!) Shot in 1966, this is easily Cheng Pei-Pei’s best film. She returned to the genre with a bang in CROUCHING TIGER, HIDDEN DRAGON playing the villainous Silver Fox. It is widely considered one of the best Hong Kong films ever made.

This is an honest and uplifting show about fear and the impact our decisions have on those we care about, told through mesmerising movement, poetic text and visual inventiveness.

IN MANDARIN WITH ENGLISH SUBTITLES VOTE 100: BORN A REBEL (U) SCREENS BEFORE THIS FILM 7PM-7.15PM. SEE P9 FOR MORE DETAILS.

The Miseducation of Cameron Post (2018)

The Room at the Top of the House Thu 7 Feb 7.30pm £12/£10

Tue 5 Feb 7pm £6

LGBT History Month/KIck Ass Women

Stand By Theatre

LGBTQ+ HISTORY MONTH

“Thoughtful and fresh, the young company’s well structured show has a subtly delivered but somewhat simple message of mental health awareness.” THE SCOTSMAN

Joe C Brown Ltd

The Shy Manifesto

Wed 6 Feb 7pm £6

Fri 8 Feb 7.30pm £12/£10

15 | 1h 31min | Drama, Romance

AGE 12+ PRO

In 1993, a teenage girl is forced into a gay conversion therapy center by her conservative guardians.

17 year old Callum is proud to be shy and he thinks you should be too, because what this noisy, crazy world needs is a bit more selfrestraint. The Shy Manifesto is a bittersweet comedy drama about a boy who is fed up of being told to come out of his shell.

Director: Desiree Akhavan Writers: Desiree Akhavan (screenplay), Cecilia Frugiuele (screenplay) | Emily M. Danforth (novel) Stars: Chloë Grace Moretz, Steven Hauck, Quinn Shephard In 1993 after teenage Cameron is caught in the backseat of a car with the prom queen, she is sent away to a treatment center in a remote area called God’s Promise. While she is being subjected to questionable gay conversion therapies, she bonds with some fellow residents as they pretend to go along with the process while waiting to be released. 22

A classic coming-of-age story starring Theo Ancient (Harry Potter and the Cursed Child) and written by Michael Ross “fun, sparky and full of ideas” THE STAGE ON ROSS’ THEY WON’T KILL YOU. IN ENGLISH WITH ENGLISH SUBTITLES 23

She’s Beautiful When She’s Angry (2014)

Keith Farnan

LGBTQ+

Kidocracy

HISTORY MONTH

Wed 13 Feb 2pm £10/£8.50 AGE 6-9 + THEIR ADULTS PRO

Sun 10 Feb 3pm £6

Where Kids Rule the World… or at least a bit of it.

1h 32min | Documentary, History

An interactive theatre show for children aged 6+, presented by Keith Farnan (Michael McIntyre’s Comedy Roadshow).

Resurrecting the buried history of the outrageous,often brilliant women who founded the modern US women’s movement from 1966 to 1971.

The grown-ups have clearly made a mess of things and so Brehon offers the boys and girls a chance to rule the island of Kidocracy. In just under an hour, they must elect leaders, come up with rules that rock and deal with all sorts of crises because running the world isn’t just all fun, fun, fun, there’s stuff to be done as well.

Director: Mary Dore SHE’S BEAUTIFUL takes us from the founding of NOW, with ladies in hats and gloves, to the emergence of more radical factions of women’s liberation; from intellectuals like Kate Millett to the street theatrics of WITCH (Women’s International Conspiracy from Hell!).

“Kidocracy is a really entertaining, funny kid’s show with loads of great audience participation to keep all ages entertained and laughing. Brehon’s Irish charm engages the children straight away” PRIMARY TIMES

It does not shy away from controversies over race, sexual preference and leadership that arose in the women’s movement, and brilliantly captures the spirit of the time -thrilling, scandalous, and often hilarious.

Comedy Club 4 Kids and Simple Politics IN ENGLISH WITH ENGLISH SUBTITLES VOTE 100: BORN A REBEL (U) SCREENS BEFORE THIS FILM 7PM-7.15PM. SEE P9 FOR MORE DETAILS.

Chavela (2017) Sun 10 Feb 7pm £6

LGBTQ+ HISTORY MONTH

How Does This Politics Thing Work Then? Wed 13 Feb 2pm £10/£8.50

1h 33min | Documentary, Biography, History

AGE 7-13 + THEIR ADULTS PRO

Trailblazer. Rebel. Icon

Politics is boring. Politics is complicated. Politics is for adults.

Directors: Catherine Gund (co-director), Daresha Kyi (codirector) Stars: Pedro Almodóvar, Elena Benarroch, Miguel Bosé

Rubbish! Politics is actually super important and can be made really fun, if you know how. Luckily Tatton Spiller (Simple Politics) and Tiernan Douieb (Comedy Club 4 Kids, CBBC’s The Slammer) know exactly how and will show you over 60 minutes just how to make sense of it all.

The life of pioneering singer Chavela Vargas, from her birth in Costa Rica in 1919 to her death in Mexico in 2012. Through its lyrical structure, Chavela will take viewers on an evocative, thought-provoking journey through the iconoclastic life of game-changing artist Chavela Vargas. Centered around never before-seen interview footage of Chavela shot 20 years before her death in 2012, and guided by the stories in Chavela’s songs, and the myths and tales others have told about her - as well as those she spread about herself - the film weaves an arresting portrait of a woman who dared to dress, speak, sing, and dream her unique life into being. 24

IN ENGLISH WITH ENGLISH SUBTITLES

You might not be able to vote yet. You do have opinions, though. You know the world you want to see. You know what’s right and what’s wrong. Also, you want to have fun. Comedy Club 4 Kids specialise in making children laugh & Simple Politics specialise in making them understand how politics works in a clear, informative and fun way. So we’ve teamed up for a show that keeps you entertained, engaged and informed so you can also shout at the telly along with your parents during Question Time!

Bedford Players Trust

VOTE 100: BORN A REBEL (U) SCREENS BEFORE THIS FILM 7PM-7.15PM. SEE P9 FOR MORE DETAILS.

Jackastory: Storytelling in Comfort

LGBTQ+ HISTORY MONTH/KICK ASS WOMEN

KYSS MIG [With Every Heartbeat] (2011)

Thu 14 Feb 10am & 11.15am (45mins) £3.00 includes free coffee/tea/squash and biscuits

LGBTQ+ HISTORY MONTH

Thu 14 Feb 7pm £6 15 | 1h 45min | Drama , Romance

3 TO 6 YEAR OLDS – Limited tickets available.

A stunningly rendered and honest love story about what happens when you follow your heart.

If you’re looking for something to do during the half-term, why not bring the young ones along to a morning of storytelling.

Director: Alexandra-Therese Keining Writers: AlexandraTherese Keining (screenplay), Josefine Tengblad (idea) Stars: Ruth Vega Fernandez, Liv Mjönes, Krister Henriksson

Listen to members of The Place team read their favourite stories from when they were little or which they read to their own children. We are sure that there will also be many favourites of parents, grandparents and guardians as well.

When Mia’s and Frida’s eyes meet for the first time at a party the attraction is instant. However, Mia is engaged to be married to a man she believes she loves, so acting on anything seems out of the question. When subsequent circumstances throw the two women together, openly gay Frida finds it impossible to resist seducing Mia, and Mia finds it impossible to resist. Soon, Mia must choose between following her heart or fulfilling everyone’s expectations of her.

This will be a very relaxed event with young - and old- being invited to join the readers on the stage in an intimate, friendly atmosphere.

IN SWEDISH WITH ENGLISH SUBTITLES

The Wizard of Oz (1939) Thu 14 Feb 2pm £6 U| 1h 42min | Adventure, Family, Fantasy The Greatest Picture in the History of Entertainment Directors: Victor Fleming Writers: Noel Langley (screenplay), Florence Ryerson (screenplay) Stars: Judy Garland, Frank Morgan, Ray Bolger Dorothy Gale is swept away from a farm in Kansas to a magical land of Oz in a tornado and embarks on a quest, with her new friends, to see the Wizard who can help her return home to Kansas and help her friends as well. 9200 living actors in the notable starstudded cast! 68 incredibly magnificent sets! Augmented orchestra of 130 pieces! Chorus of 300 rousing voices! 100 minutes of unforgettable entertainment! 26

IN ENGLISH WITH ENGLISH SUBTITLES 27

Bedford Drama Company

Death by Design Tue 19 – Sat 23 Feb 7.30pm £12/£10

Townsend Productions

Rouse, Ye Women

AGE 12+ COMMUNITY What happens when you mix the brilliant wit of Noel Coward with the intricate plotting of Agatha Christie?

Fri 15 Feb & Sat 16 Feb 7.30pm £12/£9 AGE 12+ PRO

Death by Design!

After the success of ‘We Are The Lions Mr Manager’ Townsend Theatre Productions return to The Place with their new show.

Written by Rob Urbinati and first performed in 2013 this play is a delightful tribute to two of the greatest practitioners of their art. Edward Bennett, a playwright, and his actress wife Sorel flee to their country house after a disastrous opening night in the West End. Various guests arrive unexpectedly and chaos ensues when one of them is murdered. It is left to Bridgit, the maid with a macabre interest in murder, to solve the crime.

In 1910 the women chainmakers of Cradley Heath focussed the world’s attention on the plight of Britain’s lowpaid women workers involved in the ‘home-working sweated industries’, hammering out chain-links in sheds in the backyards of their homes with their babies and children for 5 shillings (25p) for a 50-hour week.

We promise a hugely enjoyable evening of murder, mystery and salad.

Led by the charismatic union organiser and campaigner, Mary Reid Macarthur, hundreds of women laid down their tools to strike for a living wage. The success of the ten-week strike more than doubled their earnings and helped to make the principle of a national minimum wage a reality. Through rousing traditional songs and moving ballads, Townsend Theatre Productions reveals the horrors of sweated labour, Mary Macarthur’s stunning national campaign to expose the perpetrators of this appalling employment, the universal sympathy for the workers, the flood of donations and the events that led to a final victory.

VOTE 100: BORN A REBEL (U) SCREENS BEFORE THIS FILM 7PM-7.15PM. SEE P9 FOR MORE DETAILS. KICK ASS WOMEN

Toni Erdmann (2016) Tue 26 Feb 7pm £6 15 | 2h 42min | Comedy, Drama A practical joking father tries to reconnect with his hard-working daughter by creating an outrageous alter ego and posing as her CEO’s life coach.

★★★★

“A powerful story, powerfully told.”

CLARE BRENNAN. THE OBSERVER GUARDIAN READERS TOP FAVOURITE SHOWS 2017

Director: Maren Ade Writer: Maren Ade (screenplay) Stars: Sandra Hüller, Peter Simonischek, Michael Wittenborn Nominated for the Best Foreign Language Film at the 89th Academy Awards and named the best film of the year by the French magazine Cahiers du cinéma & British film magazine Sight & Sound.

IN GERMAN, ROMANIAN AND ENGLISH WITH ENGLISH SUBTITLES

VOTE 100: BORN A REBEL (U) SCREENS BEFORE THIS FILM 7PM-7.15PM. SEE P9 FOR MORE DETAILS.

Haste Theatre

Where the Hell is Bernard?

KICK ASS WOMEN

No Asylum: The Untold Chapter of Anne Frank’s Story (2015)

♥ Fri 1 Mar 2pm £10/£8.50 AGE 10+ PRO

Thu 28 Feb 3pm £6

In a world where no one plays, no one questions and no one ever leaves, four women work in an office high above the city anonymously returning lost items. Everything runs like clockwork – until one day a box mysteriously bounces back...

1h 13min | Documentary, History The stunning discovery of the lost letters of Anne Frank’s father, Otto, reveal an unknown chapter of their family’s life.

As the women embark on a mission that takes them out of the city, and their comfort zones, they unwittingly find the future of humanity in their hands. Mixing magical visuals, movement, live song and clown, award winning Haste Theatre create a darkly comic warning for the future, supported by Arts Council England.

Director: Paula Fouce Writers: Michael X. Flores, Paula Fouce Stars: Buddy Elias, Eva Schloss, Leonard Berney In No Asylum, Anne’s only surviving family members relate the emotional story of her family’s frantic search for sanctuary – Buddy Elias and Eva Schloss. Buddy, Anne’s cousin and best friend, speaks about their childhood and shares unseen family photographs and letters. Presented in collaboration with Bedford Council of Faiths and the Anne Frank Trust.

“Brave, bizarre, magical” A YOUNGER THEATRE

The feature length film contains historical footage of the Holocaust and death camps including Bergen Belsen which some viewers may find upsetting.

IN ENGLISH WITH ENGLISH SUBTITLES

COMING UP IN SUMMER 2019!

A.P. Waxkirsch

Hervey Sat 2 Mar 7.30pm £12/£10 AGE 14+ PRO

Fri 3 May

Sun 16–Thu 20 Jun

BPT/OUSEMUSE

Events TBC

BEDSLAM! with Jess Green

Refugee Week

Sat 11 May

Fri 28 Jun

Cyphers Theatre Company

Zoo Co

Northanger Abbey

Sirens

Tue 28–31 May

Fri 26 Jul - Sat 3 Aug

Little Soldier Productions

Bedford Players Trust

Journey to the Impossible

Over To You Programme

1737 is a bad year for the Royal Family. King George II and Queen Caroline loathe their son and heir, the Prince of Wales; and the Prince of Wales loathes them back, with interest. Fanning the flames of this bitter feud is the Queen’s ViceChamberlain, the witty and vicious Lord Hervey, whose uninhibited reminiscences provide a wickedly entertaining picture of Georgian life-at-the-top, in this one-man show by A.P.Waxkirsh. “A witty and stylish production … A.P.Waxkirsh brings Lord Hervey to life in a truly accomplished piece of theatre” SUSANNAH MAYOR, THE NATIONAL TRUST, THE BARN THEATRE, SMALLHYTHE PLACE

Swan Theatre

Dawn State

The Wonderful Discovery of Witches in The County of Lancaster by Gareth Jandrell

The Dresser by Ronald Harwood Tue 5 – Sat 9 Mar 7.30pm £12/£10 AGE 12+ COMMUNITY Backstage in a provincial English theatre, as WWII rages outside, one of the last of a dying breed of great classical actors is losing his way. It is up to his faithful dresser, Norman, to prepare him for a performance of King Lear and prevent the show and its star from falling apart. A snapshot of theatre culture from a bygone era; this wickedly funny and deeply moving play is also a touching study of mutually dependent relationships, loyalty and sacrifice. Based loosely on Harwood’s own experiences as a dresser, the play has been nominated for Olivier and Tony awards and an Academy Award for the screenplay of the film. “a wonderfully affectionate and intelligent play about the theatre” MICHAEL BILLINGTON, THE GUARDIAN

VOTE 100: BORN A REBEL (U) SCREENS BEFORE THIS FILM 7PM-7.15PM. SEE P9 FOR MORE DETAILS. KICK ASS WOMEN

Born in Flames (1983) Tue 12 Mar 7pm £6

♥

15 | 1h 20min | Comedy, Drama, Sci-Fi

AGE 12+ PRO

Set ten years after the most peaceful revolution in United States history, a revolution in which a socialist government gains power.

It’s 1615, and magistrates Potts and Nowell are on a mission to arm their countrymen against a plague of devilish outsiders.

Director: Lizzie Borden Writers: Lizzie Borden (screenplay), Ed Bowes (story) Stars: Honey, Adele Bertei, Jean Satterfield

Until now their chief weapon has been Jennet Device, youngest of the Pendle Witches, the girl whose testimony condemned her entire family to the noose. But now Jennet has grown up, her eyes are starting to open, and, tonight, heads will roll.

This film presents a dystopia in which the issues of many progressive groups - minorities, liberals, gay rights organisations, feminists - are ostensibly dealt with by the government, and yet there are still problems with jobs, with gender issues, with governmental preference and violence. In New York City, in this future time, a group of women decide to organize and mobilize, to take the revolution farther than any man - and many women - ever imagined in their lifetimes.

Dawn State combine searing dialogue, haunting music and bold theatricality to explore the heart-breaking story of Britain’s most notorious witch-craft trial, in a new play by Gareth Jandrell.

“this unruly, unclassifiable film — perhaps the sole entry in the hybrid genre of radical-lesbian-feminist sci-fi vérité — premiered two years into the Reagan regime, but its fury proves as bracing today as it was back when this country began its inexorable shift to the right.” VILLAGE VOICE

Wed 13 Mar 7.30pm £12/£9

IN ENGLISH WITH ENGLISH SUBTITLES

★★★★

“A brilliant return from a fantastic, upcoming company” BRITISH THEATRE GUIDE

★★★★

“Chilling and heart-breaking, this is the best kind of history lesson”

SCOTSMAN 33

Swing’s The Thing

Funny Story Productions in association with Kick In The Head

Thu 14 Mar 7.30pm £10/£8.50

Now Here’s a Funny Story

AGE 14+ PRO

Sat 16 Mar 8pm £12/£10

Best of British Swings The Thing continue their concert series at The Place Bedford with another wonderful concert featuring the music of arguably the best British Big Band of all time: ‘Ted Heath and his Music’. With songs made famous by the finest UK vocalists including The Beatles, Cilla Black, Tom Jones, Amy Winehouse, Matt Monro and more. Heath led what is widely considered Britain’s greatest post-war big band, recording more than 100 albums which sold over 20 million copies. They were the most successful band in Britain during the 1950s. A night of great music and toe-tapping hits is expected.

Beside Ourselves Collective

Just Don’t Do It Fri 15 Mar 7.30pm £10/£8.50 AGE 14+ PRO Christian youth camp 1999 and it’s time for the sex talk! Enthusiastic youth leaders Trish and Tash explain how to save yourself until marriage; it’s as simple as just don’t do it, right? Two clowns and their singing vaginas take a surreal journey into the modern church’s approach to sex, celibacy and female sexual desire. ‘Just Don’t Do It is a show that should be applauded...: we shouldn’t be afraid to talk about our bodies and what we do with them but we should be free to express our choices, be that sexual or spiritual, without fear of judgment or reproach.’ BROADWAY BABY

AGE 12+ A jaunty romp through the history of the Golden age of Music Hall, often delving into its dark underbelly. Experienced music hall artists, TOMMY PARSONS and AIRLIE SCOTT, take you on a musical journey from the very beginnings of music hall through to its 1890s heyday with the likes of Marie Lloyd and Champagne Charlie, onto wartime jingoism and the cross-dressing Vesta Tilley of the Great War. Not just drunken toffs, risqué sexuality, homelessness, decadence and war casualties across the Empire... but plenty of booze and sing along songs as well!

★★★★

”a decidedly upbeat....whistlestop singalong history tour…” ALLEDINBURGHTHEATRE.COM

Act One Theatre School

A Midsummer Night’s Dream Wed 20 – Fri 22 Mar 7.30pm £12/£10 SUITABLE FOR ALL THE FAMILY, BUT GREAT FOR AGES 8+

COMMUNITY Take a firm but fair Duke and his future bride, a captured Amazonian warrior Queen; add in four complicated lovers and a very irate and unforgiving Father; a good dollop of Fairyland feud causing grief and strife in the parallel universe inhabited by the Fairy King, Queen, and all their retinue of Fairies; top with one particularly naughty and wayward fairy who is responsible for much of the woodland mischief. Then, bring in a group of workmen who are intent on performing a play for the Duke’s forthcoming nuptial celebrations – a play that is all about a doomed and tragic love affair… And we can begin to see why Lysander, one of the four lovers says, “The course of true love never did run smooth.” Join all these characters for Shakespeare’s “two hours’ traffic of our stage” and enjoy the laughter and love as all these intertwining stories disentangle and move towards their happy ending.

Kick In The Head

Single Shoe Productions present

Three Men in a Boat Written by Jerome K. Jerome. Adapted for the stage and directed by Simon Downing

Sat 23 Mar 7.30pm £12/£10 AGE 10+ PRO After the huge success of Old Herbaceous, Kick In The Head productions are back with a rip-roaring barrel of fun, Three Men in a Boat, with Giles Shenton (Old Herbaceous himself!) playing the part of Jerome K Jerome. Join Jerome as he recounts the hilarious story of his boating holiday along the magnificent River Thames with his two companions and Montmorency the dog. Come and join in the fun as Giles Shenton expertly takes the helm and pilots you through the ridiculous tale of men behaving badly while messing about in boats! “There are a few seriously funny books that remain great for all time. Three Men in a Boat is one of these” THE GUARDIAN Certain Age

STEVIE by Hugh Whitemore Tue 26 - Sat 30 Mar 7.30pm £12/£10

A Disappearing Act ♥

Tue 2 - Wed 3 Apr 3pm & 7.30pm £10/£8 10+ (YOUNGER AUDIENCE MEMBERS ENGAGE STRONGLY WITH THE PHYSICAL COMEDY OF THE SHOW. HOWEVER, IT DOES DEAL WITH SOME THEMES, WHICH THEY MAY NOT UNDERSTAND.) PRO From the creators of the acclaimed hit Crazy Glue, comes an immersive, interactive, magic-filled comedy. Prepare to embrace the awkwardness of our mortality, behold the rituals we use to accept it and wonder at the magic of life…and death. The great magician, Philip Winterbottom, cordially requests your presence for his final act. Sadly, he’s dead. So…he won’t be there. But he’s left very clear instructions. Come take part in a memorial you won’t forget. Seating is limited. “Endless depths of poignancy, mystery and merriment” CITY PAGES, MINNEAPOLIS A DISAPPEARING ACT is supported by Arts Council England, British Council, Green House Seed Funding & the Esmée Fairbairn Foundation.

AGE 14+ COMMUNITY

In Hugh Whitemore’s play about the life of the great poet Stevie Smith, we enter a ‘world of Battenberg cake, gossip, ginger nuts and sherry in tiny glasses.’ Stevie commutes to the West End to her work as a secretary at a publishing company. Her evenings are spent at home, 1 Avondale Road, Palmers Green, with her beloved aunt; but at the same time as leading this seemingly mundane suburban existence, she is writing the piercing poetry and prose that will one day make her famous. Stevie is a biographical snapshot of both the poet and the private woman. Shot through with wit, this is the story of an endearing heroine, her unconventional life, powerful and popular poetry and her greatest struggle: to keep waving and not drowning. An amateur production in association with Samuel French. Directed by Paul Frecknall

LGBT HISTORY MONTH The Place, Bedford Creative Arts and Post-Workers Theatre

That’s All Folk

The Askew Sisters

Tomorrow’s Great Pageant Sat 6 Apr 7.30pm AGE 12+ COMMUNITY Community re-imagining of a Suffrage Script (February - April 2019) Tomorrow’s Great Pageant is a socially charged project that reimagines the iconic Suffrage play A Pageant of Great Women, 1909, for a 21st century non-binary context. The Play, written by Ciceley Hamilton in 1909, was a popular allegorical work of political agitation, which featured the embodiment of Justice, Woman and Prejudice, with a cast of 45 historic great women to promote a feminist perspective on emancipation. Over one hundred years later the struggle for gender equality continues, and to re-visit the structure and values of this play will offer a new platform for collective understanding, awareness and celebration.

Thu 4 Apr 8pm £12 advance /£14 on the door ALL AGES Emily and Hazel Askew have become known as two of the foremost performers and interpreters of English folk music. Their live performances brim with the depth and connection not only of two sisters, but also of two musicians who have been immersed in folk music all their lives. Together, they rework and reinterpret songs and balladry, creating breathtaking arrangements,which allow words that are hundreds of years old to resonate profoundly with contemporary audiences.

“Inspired arrangements of traditional music, striking versions of tricky ballads – this is traditional folk in a fine, fresh form” THE TELEGRAPH

That’s All Folk sponsored by

A series of performative workshops will run throughout LGBTQ+ season at The Place to co-author a new script that comments on gender and freedom today. Participants work with forum theatre actors and contemporary forms of media to collectively develop a new cast and agenda for the roles of Prejudice, Justice and Woman. Following the workshops, a public performance of the new script will merge live performance with digital voice synth technology! Join us on Saturday 6th April for a celebration of emancipatory ideas and local voices.

LGBTQ+ HISTORY MONTH

Bedford Drama Company and ShowCo Bedford

Bonnie & Clyde

Tue 9 – Sat 13 Ap 7.30pm £15 /£12.50 AGE 15+ COMMUNITY

VOTE 100: BORN A REBEL (U) SCREENS BEFORE THIS FILM 7PM-7.15PM. SEE P9 FOR MORE DETAILS. KICK ASS WOMEN

Ocean’s Eight (2018) Fri 5 Apr 7pm £6

Frustrated with their poor, ordinary lives, Bonnie and Clyde both dream of the excitement they have seen in the movies and their mutual desire for fame sets them on a mission to chase their dreams. Their craving for fame leads them into a life of crime and soon their bold and reckless behaviour spins the young lovers’ thrilling adventure into a downward spiral, putting themselves and their loved ones in deep trouble with the law. Forced to stay on the run, the lovers resort to robbery and murder to survive. As the dishonourable duo’s notoriety grows, they inadvertently become the celebrities they so desperately wanted to be.

12A | 1h 50min | Action, Comedy, Crime Every con has its pros. Director: Gary Ross Writers: Gary Ross, Olivia Milch (screenplay} Stars: Sandra Bullock, Cate Blanchett, Anne Hathaway Danny Ocean’s estranged sister Debbie attempts to pull off the heist of the century at New York City’s star-studded annual Met Gala. Her first stop is to assemble the perfect all-female crew 38

Bonnie & Clyde -The Musical tells the story of America’s most notorious lovers and bank robbers, Bonnie Parker and Clyde Barrow, who find infamy and love in this thrilling, fast-paced Tony Award nominated musical from lyricist Don Black (Tell Me on a Sunday, Aspects of Love) & composer Frank Wildhorn (Jekyll & Hyde).

Featuring a superb soundtrack of blues, gospel and rockabilly music,

IN ENGLISH WITH ENGLISH SUBTITLES

Bonnie and Clyde is a thrilling and sexy new musical.

Presented by The Wardrobe Ensemble and Wardrobe Theatre

Toffe Apple Productions

Honk! Jnr

The Star Seekers

Fri 19 & Sat 20 Apr 7pm (2pm matinee 20th) £13/ £11/Groups of 20+ £10/Family £42

Sun 14 Apr 2pm & 6pm Children £8.50 Adults £5

ALL AGES COMMUNITY

AGE 3+ PRO

Toffe Apple Productions bring to stage the junior musical version of the classic Hans Christian Andersen tale ‘The Ugly Duckling’

THE UGLY DUCKLING MUSIC

Do you want to fly to outer space? Visit a space station? Become a Star Seeker?

Watch magic come to life on stage in this story of personal transformation.

Star Seekers Alph, Betty and Gammo need your help to save their space station,

The other animals on the farm are quick to notice and make fun of Ugly. Feeling rather foul about himself, the little fowl finds himself on an adventure of self-discovery. Along the way, Ugly meets a whole flock of unique characters and ultimately finds out that being different is not a bad thing after all.

THE UGLY DUCKLING MUSICAL

Ugly, hatched from a curious-looking, large brown egg, looks quite a bit different from his darling duckling brothers and sisters.

collect all the orbs and delve into the great unanswered question of the universe: what do astronauts really have for tea? Inspired by our childhood wonder of the universe, award-winning The Wardrobe Ensemble have created a unique theatrical experience for children. Fresh from a run at the National Theatre, The Star Seekers is an interactive show that explores the limitless majesty of galaxies, the solar system, shooting stars and planets through songs, silliness and anti-gravity antics.

The West End in Concert

West End at the Movies Tue 16 Apr 2.30pm & 7.30pm £15/£13 ALL AGES Direct from their sold out tour last year… The cast of leading performers from London’s West End, invite you to join them to a night at the Movies! A magical evening of live entertainment, featuring the very best songs from the smash hit movies throughout the decades. The talented cast have starred in many West End productions and national tours including Les Miserables, We Will Rock You, South Pacific, Singing in the Rain, Starlight Express, Phantom Of The Opera, Wicked, Godspell, Joseph and Cats... to name but a few!

“With outstanding vocals and slick choreography, this wonderful concert guarantees to bring you joy” SOUTH WALES EVENING POST

Book by Anthony Drewe. New Songs and Additional Music by George Stiles. Lyrics by Anthony Drewe. Based on The Ugly Duckling by Hans Christian Andersen. Honk Jr. is presented through special arrangement with Music Theatre International.

VOTE 100: BORN A REBEL (U) SCREENS BEFORE THIS FILM 7PM-7.15PM. SEE P9 FOR MORE DETAILS. KICK ASS WOMEN

Moana (2016) Tue 23 Apr 11am & 2pm £6 adults/£2 children PG | 1h 47min | Animation, Adventure, Comedy The ocean is calling Directors: Ron Clements, John Musker Writers: Jared Bush (screenplay), Ron Clements (story) Stars: Auli’i Cravalho, Dwayne Johnson, Rachel House In Ancient Polynesia, when a terrible curse incurred by the Demigod Maui reaches Moana’s island, she answers the Ocean’s call to seek out the Demigod to set things right.

IN ENGLISH WITH ENGLISH SUBTITLES 40

The Pantaloons

Odyssey Wed 24 - Fri 26 Apr 7.30pm (6.30pm Fri 26) £12/£10 AGE 10+ PRO Sing, O Muse, of the critically-acclaimed Pantaloons and their hilarious new verse adaptation of the most epic journey of all time… Stranded war hero Odysseus must struggle against the odds to get home to his wife; but can he battle his way through grumpy gods, naughty nymphs, monocular monsters and over a hundred sleazy suitors? All whilst wearing an Ancient Greek robe that looks suspiciously like a bedsheet? Or will he – and The Pantaloons – remain all at sea…?

External Events Swan Theatre Company

Poetry at the Eagle Bookshop Sun 3 Feb, Sun 24 Feb, Sun 7 Apr 7:00pm £5 ALL AGES Members of Swan Theatre Company and guests present an evening of poetry, lightly spiced with prose and drama, in the appropriately bookish surroundings of the: Eagle Bookshop 103 Castle Road Bedford MK40 3QP Tickets are available online or on the door.

“Part alt rock band, part thespian… wholly charming” THE TIMES

Primrose productions

Hancock & Co Sat 27 Apr 7.30pm £12/£10 AGE 12+ Following James Hurn’s sell out tour of 2018, he is back with his popular one-man, many voices, celebration of radio comedy classic Hancock’s Half Hour. James – a multitalented actor and impressionist – will be performing Hancock and Co, a brand new programme which includes one lost episode of Hancock’s Half Hour, and two episodes he has written himself in the same style as Ray Galton and Alan Simpson, with James voicing the entire cast. James is a master at recreating the accents and personas of such iconic 20th century British favourites as Tony Hancock, Sidney James, Hattie Jacques, Bill Kerr and Kenneth Williams. The show is performed in the style of a radio performance in front of a live audience, bringing to life the classic days of radio comedy.

The Eagle Bookshop RARE BOOKS and RARE PEOPLE FINE BOOKS and FINE PEOPLE SCHOLARLY BOOKS and SCHOLARLY PEOPLE SECONDHAND BOOKS and.... we’ll stop there! Books bought and sold at 103 Castle Road, Bedford www.eaglebookshop.co.uk 43

Community Matters COMMUNITY GROUPS – THANK YOU The Place Theatre was founded by Bedford Players Trust to become a hub for the local community theatre world, a home where various groups could gather together, rehearse and perform. Since then, we have welcomed and worked with many local groups and while in recent years our programme has expanded to include touring companies, our links with the Bedford companies remain part of the lifeblood of the organisation. In our fifteenth year we are delighted to have so many exciting productions by community groups, adding a very rewarding Bedford focus to our spring season. The Place would like to say a big THANK YOU to all of the community groups that help us to be the unique venue we are.

CREATING NEW DIALOGUES The Place is very proud to contribute to the cultural identity of the town and in recent months we have been discovering new ways to reach out and connect with the Bedford community. In February 2018 we embarked on a project called Audience Development in the Community, funded by the Harpur Trust. The initiative is a wonderful way for The Place to collaborate with new audiences as it allows the venue to reach out and show that theatre is for everyone to share. A very successful venture of the project so far was the collaboration with the University of Bedfordshire and local schools. Last November drama, dance and music students from the University of Bedfordshire and Goldington Academy attended a matinee of Hymns for Robots at The Place. Students were introduced to technical and administrative staff, took part in a post-show discussion with the touring company, became familiar with the processes of making and producing professional theatre for regional audiences, and shadowed front of house volunteers for the evening performance. Wrap around talks and workshops were part of the collaboration and these took place off site at the university and Goldington Academy. Through this partnership The Place becomes the natural focus for class trips as it can offer quality, affordable professional theatre. We hope to expand our relationship with other schools over the coming months. Please email eh@theplacebedford.org.uk with any enquiries. 44

We also continue to support young people who are working towards an Arts Award. Call or email us for advice or to plan a visit.

RESIDENT REVIEWERS SCHEME Another initiative of the Audience Development Project that is underway is the Resident Reviewers Scheme. Last season two young people (Kezia-Rose Johnston (18) and Isabelle Brazier (9)) were chosen to be our resident reviewers and their writing was published across our social media accounts and in The Bedford Clanger. The initiative provides a public platform for young local people to express their views about the theatre that is on offer to Bedfordians as well as collecting, analysing and disseminating information about local events that bring people together. Over the next 18 months (and possibly beyond) The Place will run a competition like this at the beginning of each season, so there are plenty of opportunities to get involved. Writing workshops will also run regularly to support new writers. This is sponsored by the Frank Branston Charitable Trust. Contact eh@theplacebedford.org.uk for more information.

OVER TO YOU RETURNS FOR SUMMER 2019 Have you ever sat in the audience at one of our shows and thought ‘I’ve got a great idea for an event for this space’? July 2019 we are throwing open the doors of The Place Theatre to you and your ideas We’re not looking for work that is explicitly theatrical or artistic and there are no restrictions on what you can pitch as an idea, as long as it fits into our space. This opportunity is open to all, regardless of background, age, race, religion, gender or sexuality. For one week only, all hire of the theatre is free for people with new ideas. All we ask is that you have an idea of who your target audience will be, and a few ideas for how you might reach them. Keep your eyes peeled for more information about the scheme. 45

Wider activities at The Place Bedford Creative Days Saturday mornings in term time. From 4 years WORKSHOPS AND PARTICIPATION BOOKING ESSENTIAL “Our aim is to encourage and develop the creativity in children through our weekly art and craft workshops here at The Place Theatre.” ‘Creative Saturdays’ workshops are open to all 4 to 13 year olds. We explore a range of different themes using many different materials and techniques. We take our inspiration from the changing seasons, the world around us, as well as different artists and cultures. Contact Philippa on 07824345042, email: creativedaysbedford@gmail.com or visit our website: www.creative-days.co.uk

Act One Theatre School Saturday mornings in term time. From 7 years. WORKSHOPS AND PARTICIPATION BOOKING ESSENTIAL Act One Theatre School has been running successfully at The Place since 2002. There are three groups every Saturday morning in term time for Juniors, Intermediates and Seniors. Act One Beginners for 5 to 8 year olds takes place on Tuesday afternoons. Every year Act One gives pupils the opportunity to take part in the Bedfordshire Festival of Music, Speech and Drama, perform in a Showcase and take part in a Senior production. There are Speech and Drama lessons available after school preparing pupils for LAMDA examinations and holiday courses open to all in the Easter and Summer school holidays. Contact Sally Hammelev on 07988 762170 or email actone. theatreschool@yahoo.co.uk for more information. New pupils are always welcome and a free trial session is offered to every prospective pupil.

Our Season of Events FILM

SPOKEN WORD

MUSIC

THEATRE

Thu 10 Jan

Bedford Players Trust

Season Launch

Thu 14 Feb

FILM

Wizard of Oz

Fri 11 Jan

house

Beowulf

Thu 14 Feb

FILM

100 Born a Rebel

Sat 12- Sun Bedford Players Trust 13 Jan

Game Play FESTIVAL of gaming

Thu 14 Feb

FILM

Kyss Mig

Townsend Productions

Mon 14 Jan FILM FESTIVAL

Clueless

Fri 15 - Sat 16 Feb

ROUSE, YE WOMEN Mary Macarthur and the Women Chainmakers

Mon 14 Jan FILM FESTIVAL

100 Born a Rebel

Death by Design

Foxy Brown

Tues 19 -Sat 23 Feb

Bedford Drama Club

Mon 14 Jan FILM FESTIVAL Tue 15 Jan

FILM FESTIVAL

Mean Girls

Tue 26 Feb

FILM NIGHT

100 Born a Rebel

Tue 15 Jan

FILM FESTIVAL

100 Born a Rebel

Tue 26 Feb

FILM NIGHT

Toni Erdmann

Tue 15 Jan

FILM FESTIVAL

Girls Trip

Wed 27 Feb TBC

TBC

FILM NIGHT

No Asylum

Thu 17 Jan

FILM FESTIVAL

Chicago

Thu 28 Feb

Thu 17 Jan

FILM FESTIVAL

100 Born a Rebel

Fri 1 Mar

Haste Theatre

Where the Hell in Bernard?

Thu 17 Jan

FILM FESTIVAL

The German Sisters

Sat 2 Mar

A.P. Waxkirsch

Hervey

Fri 18 Jan

FILM FESTIVAL

Black Mother

Swan Theatre

The Dresser

Fri 18 Jan

FILM FESTIVAL

100 Born a Rebel

Tues 5-Sat 9 Mar

Fri 18 Jan

FILM FESTIVAL

Gorillas in the Mist

Tue 12 Mar

FILM NIGHT

100 Born a Rebel

Sat 19 Jan

Little Pixie Productions The Nightingale of South Bank

Tue 12 Mar

FILM NIGHT

Born in Flames

Sun 20 Jan

Soap Soup Theatre

The Snow Baby

Fri 25 Jan

FILM NIGHT

100 Born a Rebel

Fri 25 Jan

FILM NIGHT

Denial

Sat 26 Jan

KOA

Beneath the Finery

Sat 26 Jan

Bedford Players Trust

Holocaust Poetry Event

Mon 28 Jan Small Nose Productions Rachel Jim Moray

Wed 13 Mar Dawn State

The Wonderful Discovery of Witches in the County of Lancaster

Thu 14 Mar

Swings The Thing

Best of British

Fri 15 Mar

Beside Ourselves Collective

Just Don’t Do It

Sat 16 Mar

Kick in the Head

Now Here’s A Funny Story

Wed 20-Fri 22 Mar

Act One Theatre School

A Midsummer Nights Dream

Kick in the Head

Three Men in a Boat

Thu 31 Jan

That's All Folk

Fri 1 Feb

Don't Go Into the Cellar Frankenstein 1899

Sat 23 Mar

Sat 2 Feb

Dash&Dem/BPT/ZooCo

Tomorrow’s Great Pageant: LGBT History Month Launch night

Tues 26-Sat Certain Age 30 Mar

Stevie

Sat 2 Feb

BPT/ZooCo

Come to the Cabaret

A Disappearing Act

ZooCo

Messy

Tues 2Wed 3 Apr

Single Shoe

Sun 3 Feb Tue 5 Feb

FILM NIGHT

100 Born a Rebel

Thu 4 Apr

That's All Folk

The Askew Sisters

Tue 5 Feb

FILM NIGHT

Come Drink with Me

Fri 5 Apr

FILM NIGHT

100 Born a Rebel

Wed 6 Feb

FILM NIGHT

100 Born a Rebel

Fri 5 Apr

FILM NIGHT

Ocean’s 8

Wed 6 Feb

FILM NIGHT

The Miseducation of Cameron Post

Sat 6 Apr

Thu 7 Feb

Stand By Theatre

The Room at the Top of the House

The Place, BCA Tomorrow’s Great Pageant a Post-Workers Theatre

Fri 8 Feb

Joe C Brown Ltd

The Shy Manifesto

Tues 9-Sat 13 Apr

Bedford Drama Club

Bonnie & Clyde

Sat 9 Feb

TBC

Sun 14 Apr

FILM NIGHT

She’s Beautiful When She’s Angry

house/The Wardrobe Ensemble

The Star Seekers

Sun 10 Feb Sun 10 Feb

FILM NIGHT

100 Born a Rebel

Tue 16 Apr

West End

West End at the Movies

Sun 10 Feb

FILM NIGHT

Chavela!

Fri 19-Sat 20 Apr

Toffe Apple

Honk!

Tue 23 Apr

FILM NIGHT

100 Born a Rebel

Tue 23 Apr

FILM NIGHT

Moana

Wed 24-Fri 26 Apr

Pantaloons

The Odyssey

Sat 27 Apr

Primrose productions

Hancock & Co.

Wed 13 Feb Keith Farnan

KIDOCRACY-Where Kids Rule the World… or at least a bit of it.

Wed 13 Feb Comedy Club 4 Kids a Simple Politics

How Does This Politics Thing Work Then?

Thu 14 Feb

Jackastory: Storytelling in Comfort

Bedford Players Trust

SEE PAGE 30 FOR A TASTE OF WHAT’S COMING SUMMER 2019