SWINDON
AN
ARTS CENTRE
THEATRE
SPRING / SUMMER 2016
highlights this season…
BAT-FAN THE RAILWAY CHILDREN SARA PASCOE SWINDON FESTIVAL OF LITERATURE GENESIS CONNECTED
plus much, much more... TICKET OFFICE 01793 524 481 IN PERSON from Wyvern Theatre Ticket Office
BOOK ONLINE swindontheatres.co.uk and print your tickets at home
BOOK ONLINE swindontheatres.co.uk THU 3 MARCH 8PM An Evening with
HAZEL O’CONNOR A very special evening with award-winning singer-songwriter Hazel O’Connor, joined here by Clare Hirst (Bellestars, Communards, David Bowie) on sax and Sarah Fisher (Eurythmics) on keyboards. Expect a soulful introspective dip into Hazel’s stunning portfolio, and with a special Meet & Greet immediately after the show, you’re in for a treat! TICKETS £19.50u CONCESSIONS £6.00 off
FRI 4 MARCH 7.30PM
The Last Baguette present
WHAT’S THE MATTER As seen at the British Science Festival, a sci-fi adventure through the strange and wonderful world of quantum physics. Featuring physical comedy, scientific slapstick, and Schrodinger’s cat. Be prepared for a very silly show about a very intelligent subject. Ages 8 to 108. TICKETS £11.00u CHILDREN £2.00 off
SWINDON RECITAL SERIES SAT 5 MARCH 7.30PM TICKETS £12.00u CONCESSIONS £10.00u STUDENTS £2.50u Accompanied children (14 and under) free.
GRAND SONATA
Thomas Carroll cello Paul Turner piano Thomas Carroll will present three of the greatest classical composers and cello sonatas - Beethoven A major, Schubert Arpeggione and Brahms’ E minor.
SPECIAL OFFER
CAKE & COFFEE
£3.85
WED 9 – SAT 12 MARCH 7.30PM
The Western Players present
NIGHT WATCH by Lucille Fletcher To book tickets email boxoffice@westernplayers.co.uk or call 07575 711522 or visit ‘we got tickets’
Unable to sleep, Elaine Wheeler screams when she sees the body of a dead man in the window across the way. The police are called, but they find nothing except an empty chair. Those involved all contribute to the deepening suspense and mystery of the play as it draws towards its riveting and chilling climax. TICKETS £10.00u CONCESSIONS £1.00 off
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BOOK ONLINE swindontheatres.co.uk MON 14 – SAT 19 MARCH
SWINDON MUSIC FESTIVAL The 2016 Swindon Music Festival provides a platform for amateur performance in all fields of music for all ages through competition. For details of classes and full price list visit swindonmusicfestival.co.uk or telephone Yvonne Walker on 07710 243302. TICKETS £2.00u for daily sessions and from £3.00u for evening sessions
SUN 20 MARCH 7PM
PAULINE QUIRKE ACADEMY The judges are ready and the contestants are ready...it is time for The Next Top Star 2016! Watch the participants backstage and then see their live performances! What will the judges say? Who will win? Be part of the live studio audience and watch the action for yourself! SFS Wyvern Spring A6 Advert2.pdf 1 13/01/2016 09:48 TICKETS £13.50u UNDER
16s £10.00 u
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uA 50p per ticket booking fee (capped at 6 tickets) will be added to all transactions unless stated otherwise. Groups, Schools and Friends do not incur a booking fee.
BOOK ONLINE swindontheatres.co.uk MON 21 – TUE 22 MARCH MON 1PM & 7PM, TUE 10.30AM & 1PM Prime Theatre presents
TERRY DEARY’S
THE MACBETH CURSE
1902. Sir Alphonse King’s Shakespeare Ensemble is battling with gruesome props, ghastly mistakes and unexpected ghosts! Terry Deary’s (Horrible Histories) chaotically condensed version of Shakespeare’s play is a perfect introduction to the magic and madness of Macbeth. Recommended for age 7 years and over. TICKETS £12.00u CHILDREN £10.00u GROUPS 10+ 11th ticket free.
TUE 22 MARCH 7.30PM
BAT-FAN
Written & Performed by James Wilson-Taylor Directed & Additional Material by Jon Brittain Join Bat-Fan James Wilson-Taylor for stand-up, sketches and songs direct from Gotham City. See all the Bat-films recapped and the world’s first Batsical (Batman musical), as James pitches himself as the next caped crusader. Learn how James thinks he’s perfectly placed to replace Ben Affleck in the upcoming film Batman vs Superman. TICKETS £12.00u
THU 24 MARCH 8PM SOLD OUT
14+
ROMESH RANGANATHAN Irrational
NOW ON SALE
Romesh comes to the Wyvern on Sun 18 September
TAPAS
Menu
Romesh Ranganathan is back with a brand-new show exploring the rationality of his worldview. Irrational will see Romesh examine the issues close to his heart, and explains why everybody else is wrong about them. HHHH Sunday Times TICKETS £15.00u CONCESSIONS £2.00 off
2 x KOPPARBERG £8
Swindon Arts Centre now offers a delicious selection of tapas dishes, available from an hour before every show
BOOK ONLINE swindontheatres.co.uk THU 31 MARCH 8.15PM Short Film Screening
ALBION Premiere Night
‘There was once a fleeting wisp of glory, before this world changed.’ Albion is a short film that follows Arthur and Erec as they embark on a journey, for a lost relic, that could change their world forever. Join independent filmmakers and Chaseaway Productions for the premiere of their latest short film Albion. TICKETS FREE Please e-mail joshua_eley@hotmail.co.uk if you are interested in this event.
2 x KOPPARBERG £8
FRI 1 APRIL 8PM
RICHARD HERRING Happy Now?
After years of drifting aimlessly and alone, Richard Herring is now settled down with a wife and a tiny baby. Is he finally happy now? Or does responsibility for the lives of others come with its own terrors? In his twelfth solo stand-up show, Richard examines whether we are, can ever hope to be or are meant to be truly content. TICKETS £16.00u
SUN 3 APRIL 8PM
DANE BAPTISTE
2 x KOPPARBERG £8
Reasonable Doubts
The last 18 months have been non–stop for the Independent’s ‘Face to Watch in 2015’, Dane Baptiste. After the incredible success of his debut show Citizen Dane, he has completed two sold-out runs at The Soho Theatre, written and starred in his own sitcom for the BBC and performed at the Melbourne Comedy Festival. TICKETS £13.00u CONCESSIONS £2.00 off
THU 7 APRIL 7.30PM
THE UK’S WORST SERIAL KILLERS
Following the success of The World’s Worst Serial Killer Show which toured the UK in 2014, retired murder squad detective Trevor Marriott brings a new show to the stage, this time titled The UK`s Worst Serial Killers. The show is a two-hour audiovisual presentation where Trevor tells the stories behind some of the UK’s worst serial killers, from the late Victorian period up to the present day. Under 16s must be accompanied by an adult. TICKETS £13.50u CONCESSIONS £2.00 off
GROUPS
uA 50p per ticket booking fee (capped at uA 50p per6ticket booking (capped 6 tickets) tickets) will be fee added to all at transactions
GROUPS 10 – 19 £2.00 off a ticket will be added to unless all transactions unless stated otherwise. stated otherwise. Groups, Schools GROUPS 20 – 39 £2.50 off a ticket + group organiser goes free Schools and Friends Groups, and Friendsdo donot notincur incuraabooking bookingfee. fee. GROUPS 40+ £3.00 off a ticket + group organiser goes free
easter holiday treat SAT 2 APRIL 2PM
COMEDY CLUB 4 KIDS Like the name says it’s a Comedy Club 4 Kids! Cracking entertainment for everyone over six years old and under 400 years old (no vampires). We have the best comedians from the UK and world circuit doing what they do best… but without the rude bits! Recommended for ages 6+ TICKETS £9.00u FAMILY OF 4 £8.25u each (must include 1 adult)
PICK’n’ MIX SWEET BAGS 50P
FRI 8 APRIL 1.30PM
From the Emmy Award-winning team behind the mega-hit television series, Friends, comes Rapunzel, an exciting musical perfect for all the family! Meet a possessive mother who happens to be a witch, a tentative young man who happens to be a prince and a strong-willed but naïve young girl with the longest hair you’re ever likely to come across! TICKETS £12.00u CHILDREN £2.00 off FAMILY OF 4 (must include 1 adult) £10.00u each
Starbright Entertainments presents
Book and Lyrics by
Julian Woolford Music by
Richard John From the novel by
E. Nesbit By arrangement with
Samuel French Ltd
YUMMY BOX
Pre-order a yummy box, containing a Fruit Shoot, cheese or ham sandwich, box of raisins and a packet of crisps, for just £3.95
MON 4 – TUE 5 APRIL 11AM & 2.30PM
E. Nesbit’s well-loved tale is brought to life in this new adaptation by Woolford and John. Roberta, Peter and Phyllis live in a comfortable house in London until their father, who works for the government, is falsely accused of selling state secrets and is imprisoned for five years. The children and their mother have no choice but to leave their home and move to a quiet little cottage next to a railway in Oakworth, Yorkshire. They quickly make friends with the Station Master, Mr Perks, and an Old Gentleman who waves everyday from his carriage on the 9.15 to London. This unlikely friendship proves to be a very fortunate one and could be key to the release of their Father... A beautiful blend of storytelling, drama, comedy and musical theatre, this really is the perfect way to make literature come alive for all the family! TICKETS £12.00u CHILDREN £2.00 off FAMILY OF 4 (must include 1 adult) £10.00u each
uA 50p per ticket booking fee (capped at 6 tickets) will be added to all transactions unless stated otherwise. Groups, Schools and Friends do not incur a booking fee.
BOOK ONLINE swindontheatres.co.uk
INSIDE SWINDON THEATRES BLOG We’ve recently launched our very own Inside Swindon Theatres Blog in order to provide our audiences with exclusive inside access to what goes on at the Wyvern Theatre and Arts Centre.
SWINDON
WYVERN THEATRE & ARTS CENTRE
Our weekly posts cover how different departments are run, provide behind-the-scenes video footage and include interviews with theatre staff as well as cast and company members from our wide variety of shows and events. Check out the blog at insideswindontheatres.wordpress.com
SWINDON RECITAL SERIES SAT 9 APRIL 7.30PM TICKETS £15.00u CONCESSIONS £12.00u STUDENTS £2.50u Accompanied children (14 and under) free.
A VIENNESE QUARTET PARTY
THE REVOLUTIONARY DRAWING ROOM Adrian Butterfield violin, Kathryn Parry violin, Rachel Stott viola, Ruth Alford cello Their programme brings together quartets by Haydn (The Bird), Mozart (K.387) and Dittersdorf (A major) who played quartets together in Vienna in 1784 (along with Vanhal).
SPECIAL OFFER
CAKE & COFFEE
£3.85
THU 14 – SAT 16 APRIL 7.15PM
HAROLD JOLLIFFE One Act Play Festival Comedy, drama, farce and new writing come together in the first round of two national play competitions. Two or three plays a session are judged on categories like acting, set and technical issues. Trophies are awarded for best actors and, most importantly, best play! Full line-up will be available online from 28 February at www.swindonweb.com/hj1act TICKETS £11.00u & £9.00u CONCESSIONS £2.00 off Contact the Ticket Office for other great ticket offers for HJ1ACT.
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BOOK ONLINE swindontheatres.co.uk The Swindon Gilbert and Sullivan Society Presents
TUE 19 – SAT 23 APRIL 7.30PM, SAT MAT 2.30PM
Swindon G & S Society present
RUDDIGORE
Ruddigore has all the ingredients of a Victorian melodrama. The inevitable love interest, a Witches curse, a mad girl, a haunted Picture Gallery, a wicked Baronet and a unique band of young ladies who are ‘ Professional Bridesmaids‘. Typically Gilbert and Sullivan. TICKETS £10.00u – £12.00u UNDER 16s Half price STUDENTS £7.50u – £9.50u Tickets also available on 01793 337906
WED 27 – SAT 30 APRIL 7.30PM The Phoenix Players present
PRESCRIPTION FOR MURDER
by Norman Robbins.
There is never a dull moment for Dr. Richard Forth. He has a hectic work schedule, visits from his ex-girlfriend and his wife Barbara is constantly and mysteriously ill. Then a stranger arrives looking for Richard’s previous fiancée - who Richard claims never existed... TICKETS £10.00 CONCESSIONS £1.00 off GROUPS 1 ticket FREE for every 10 tickets booked. To book tickets please call Pauline on 07517 698083 or email bookings@phoenix-players.com. All details are listed on our website phoenix-players.com
SAT 14 MAY 7.30PM
GEMMA SHORT SCHOOL OF DANCE & THEATRE ARTS The Gemma Short School of Dance & Theatre Arts is proud to present An Evening of Song & Drama. Students will showcase their talents in drama, singing and musical theatre in GSS’ first performance at Swindon’s Arts Centre. TICKETS £11.00u CONCESSIONS £2.00 off
uA 50p per ticket booking fee (capped at 6 tickets) will be added to all transactions unless stated otherwise. Groups, Schools and Friends do not incur a booking fee.
BOOK ONLINE swindontheatres.co.uk MON 2 – SAT 14 MAY
SWINDON FESTIVAL OF LITERATURE The Swindon Festival of Literature celebrates things well thought, well written, and well said, both serious and funny! At the Arts Centre, it will include novelists, poets, politicians, travellers, scientists, storytellers, economists, sportsmen, historians, comedians, artists, and activists. Plus competitions, new performances, and writing workshops. There will be events at midday, teatime, and in the evening, carefully spaced and placed to enable you to attend almost every one, should you have the stamina! For full programme, email litfest@lowershawfarm.co.uk or tel 01793 771080 or see website at swindonfestivalofliterature.co.uk
SUN 15 MAY 7.30PM
SWING BIRDS
In Full Swing: The Birds Are Back In Town Flying in to celebrate the anniversary of their sell-out debut performance, the Swing Birds, an all-female Big Band, are back to swing, sway and entertain! TICKETS £12.00u CONCESSIONS £2.00 off
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BOOK ONLINE swindontheatres.co.uk TUE 17 MAY 8PM
MARK STEEL Who Do I Think I Am? See Mark Steel in his newest stand-up show, a surprising and enthralling story told with aplomb as he explores the possible consequences of meeting his estranged Mother. Previously, Mark has presented the BAFTA nominated Mark Steel Lectures for BBC2, is a regular on BBC1’s Have I Got News For You and Radio 4’s Newsquiz. TICKETS £16.00u
THU 19 – SAT 21 MAY 7.30PM
THE CAST OF STAGE STRUCK Featuring an array of music, dance and comedy, audiences are promised a carnival atmosphere that’s full of colour, sparkle and Rio rhythm. And given 2016 is an historic year for Swindon’s railway heritage – we’ll be supporting the Swindon 175 programme of events with a little bit of locomotion! TICKETS £11.00 CONCESSIONS £2.00 off (No booking fee) For tickets please call Stage Struck on 07596151051
WED 25 MAY 8PM
SIMON EVANS In The Money Host of BBC Radio 4’s Goes to Market and star of BBC1’s Live At The Apollo, Simon Evans has been immersing himself in economics for the last couple of years, like a pig immersing itself in organic cleansing elements. Age guidance 14+ TICKETS £15.00u CONCESSIONS £2.00 off
FRI 27 MAY 7.30PM
ANDREW LAWRENCE Uncensored Andrew Lawrence has appeared on Live At The Apollo, The Michael McIntyre Comedy Roadshow, Dave’s One Night Stand and as a regular on Stand Up For The Week. He brings you his most honest, fearless and uncompromising stand-up show to date. No joke is unacceptable. No subject off-limits. Absolutely no concessions made to political correctness. TICKETS £15.00u CONCESSIONS £2.00 off
uA 50p per ticket booking fee (capped at 6 tickets) will be added to all transactions unless stated otherwise. Groups, Schools and Friends do not incur a booking fee.
BOOK ONLINE swindontheatres.co.uk SAT 28 MAY 7.30PM
MAX & IVAN: THE END Welcome to Sudley-on-Sea. Take a look around. You don’t have long. Seriously. Foster’s Edinburgh Comedy Award winners and Melbourne Barry Award nominees Max and Ivan (BBC 1’s W1A, BBC Radio 4’s Casebook Of Max And Ivan) embark on their first UK tour to tell an epic narrative sketch comedy tale about the hopes, fears and dreams of a doomed town. TICKETS £13.00u CONCESSIONS £2.00 off
SUN 29 MAY 7PM
GREG FOOT
CAUTION: Safety Goggles Required! Curious Questions. Explosive Answers. Ever wondered why your fingers go wrinkly in the bath? What explosions in space really look like? Or why beans make you fart?! Well wonder no more. Fresh from Blue Peter and BBC’s Factomania, join TV and YouTube Science Guy Greg Foot for an evening of curious questions and explosive answers. TICKETS £17.00u CONCESSIONS £3.00 off FAMILY OF 4 (must include 1 adult) £11.00 each
BEAT THE QUEUES... BY PRE-ORDERING YOUR INTERVAL DRINKS AT THE BAR WHEN YOU ARRIVE AT THE THEATRE
Half term treat
BOOK ONLINE swindontheatres.co.uk WED 1 JUNE 7.30PM
Baroque Theatre Company presents
KINDLY LEAVE THE STAGE A celebration of fun, mayhem and thespian mischief of a similar format to ‘Noises Off’, a play within a play. The ensemble go head-to-head as they play the characters in the play and the actors who are in the play. A fast-paced farce which is easy to watch and a lot of fun! TICKETS £13.00u CONCESSIONS £2.00 off
THU 2 JUNE 8PM
PATRICK MONAHAN The Disco Years The family’s favourite funnyman (and occasional disco dancer) is on tour across the UK with his brand-new stand-up show! Charged by Patrick’s memories and reminiscences of being an immigrant to Great Britain, this is a laugh out loud show that is both thoughtful and smart as well as brilliantly silly! TICKETS £13.00u
FRI 3 JUNE 7.30PM
JAMES FREEDMAN: MAN OF STEAL Persuader. Showman. Thief.
Hailed a genius in his field by Derren Brown, stealth-crime expert James Freedman is the only man to have picked the pockets of the Mayor of London, the Chancellor of the Exchequer and the Governor of the Bank of England. It’s no wonder that his hands have been insured for £1 million. Funny and fast-fingered, his unique and extraordinary show exposes how the bad guys really work, as he shares a life-time spent studying hustlers, street criminals and con-men. TICKETS £15.00u CONCESSIONS £2.00 off
uA 50p per ticket booking fee (capped at 6 tickets) will be added to all transactions unless stated otherwise. Groups, Schools and Friends do not incur a booking fee.
BOOK ONLINE swindontheatres.co.uk SUN 5 JUNE 7.30PM
SARA PASCOE Animal Sara Pascoe is a human animal, and so are you. The show is a mixture of completely true stories about Tony Blair, Oedipus Rex and the wildlife of Lewisham, plus a load of stories that don’t sound true at all about Jason Donovan, Henry the Hoover and when God took over the tannoy in Sainsbury’s. TICKETS £13.00u
THU 9 JUNE 8PM Buswell & Nyberg’s
10 DAY ORCHESTRA CHALLENGE (with special guest Gaz Brookfield) Shaun Buswell & Erik Nyberg are travelling around the UK forming pop-up orchestras. They have ten days to perform with 150 musicians. Will they succeed? Come find out in this comedy talk/ presentation followed by a one-off concert with a pop-up orchestra.
TICKETS £8.00u CONCESSIONS £2.00 off (includes groups 10+, NHS & Emergency Services)
FRI 10 JUNE 7.30PM
An evening of Mediumship with Psychic Medium
NIKKI KITT
As a Psychic Medium, Nikki Kitt aims to provide evidence of life after death by giving messages to people in the audience from their loved ones in spirit. She delivers these messages with amazing accuracy and detail. Any demonstration of mediumship is an experiment and results are not guaranteed. TICKETS £10.00u
WED 15 – SAT 18 JUNE 7.30PM
Western Players present
PASSING STRANGERS by Eric Chappell To book tickets email boxoffice@westernplayers.co.uk or call 07575 711522 or visit ‘we got tickets’
Confirmed bachelor Malcolm and recently dumped Clive bite the bullet and attend a Singles’ Evening in the bar at The Royal Hotel. Their encounter with two divorcees, Julie and Liz, provides us with some side-splitting laughs, and a few unsuspecting surprises too! TICKETS £10.00u CONCESSIONS £1.00 off
Beechdean Farmhouse Dairy Ice Cream is served at the Café-Bar
BOOK ONLINE swindontheatres.co.uk SAT 2 JULY 7.30PM
Sheila and Friends present
THE SONGS THAT GOT AWAY Sheila Harrod presents Sheila and Friends in The Songs That Got Away. Come and hear Sheila’s voice, students and friends in an evening of sheer vocal magic not to be missed. All accompanied by Sheila herself. Wonderful songs that are rarely sung. They are the songs that got away! TICKETS £12.00u
FRI 8 JULY 8PM
GENESIS CONNECTED Following a sell-out performance in 2015, this show celebrates the hits of Genesis, Phil Collins, Peter Gabriel and Mike and the Mechanics. Hits spanning the late 70s onwards will be brought to life on the night, including; Turn It On Again, Slegdehammer, In The Air Tonight, Over My Shoulder, Against All Odds, That’s All, Solsbury Hill, You Can’t Hurry Love, The Living Years and many more... TICKETS £17.00u
SAT 9 JULY 8PM
GYLES BRANDRETH:
Word Power! Get It! Use It! Conquer The World! Join Edinburgh Fringe award-winner Gyles Brandreth – wit and word-meister, former MP and Government Whip, Just A Minute regular, One Show reporter, QI, Have I Got News For You, Room 101, IT Crowd, Pointless and Countdown survivor - on an uproarious and unexpected magic carpet ride around the awesome world of words. TICKETS £20.00u
WED 13 – SAT 16 JULY 7.30PM, SAT MAT 2PM
ROCK OF AGES
Don your best 80s rock outfit and hairdo, grab your air guitars and join the party as Chocolate Theatre takes you back to a sexier time! Featuring classic rock anthems from Journey, Foreigner, Bon Jovi, Pat Benatar and many more, this jukebox story of a small-town girl and city boy following their dreams on LA’s rock ‘n’ roll Sunset Strip is bound to make sure you don’t stop believin’! TICKETS £15.00u
uA 50p per ticket booking fee (capped at 6 tickets) will be added to all transactions unless stated otherwise. Groups, Schools and Friends do not incur a booking fee.
THU 21 – SAT 23 JULY THU, FRI 7.30PM, SAT 1PM & 6PM
Prime Theatre present
THE ODYSSEY
A teenage son waits for his absent father. Odysseus’s famous wooden horse won the Trojan War but sea monsters, witches and vengeful gods stand in the way of a family reunion. Set sail on a new version of this ancient story. Written and performed by Prime Youth Theatre as part of the charity’s 30th anniversary. (Previously known as Sixth Sense Theatre). TICKETS £12.00u CONCESSIONS £2.00 off
ARTS CENTRE
nn i ve 60th a
rsary
This September marks the 60th Anniversary of the official opening of the current Swindon Arts Centre. To mark the occasion we are planning a summer of celebrations in recognition of our lovely venue, which will include looking back on the last 60 years at how the Arts Centre has changed and evolved. If you have any stories which relate to the Arts Centre, or any photographic or video materials that you wouldn’t mind sharing with us for the occasion, please do get in touch. You can e-mail our Marketing Assistant Ben Dunn at bdunn@wyverntheatre.org.uk or give him a call on 01793 509041. Keep an eye on our website swindontheatres.co.uk for updates on the celebrations!
uA 50p per ticket booking fee (capped at 6 tickets) will be added to all transactions unless stated otherwise. Groups, Schools and Friends do not incur a booking fee.
All attempts are made to ensure that show information and prices are correct at the time of going to print but may be subject to subsequent alteration. We reserve the right to introduce offers which cannot be applied to tickets already purchased. Tickets and discounts may not be available at all advertised prices at all times. Conditions of Sale Sales are made subject to the ‘Terms and Conditions for The Sale Of Tickets, Gift Vouchers & Memberships’ as published at swindontheatres.co.uk/Online/terms_conditions (copies are also available from the Ticket Office).