When: Sat 29th November, 2008 - Sun 11th January, 2009.
“Another Winner” Leicester Mercury
“Marvellous. Can’t wait for panto time to come around again.” The Stage
Following last year’s smash hit Sleeping Beauty, WISH Theatre returns to Loughborough Town Hall for the 6th time this Christmas, with the magical pantomime adventure Aladdin – guaranteed to be another cracker.
Aladdin is the tale of a poor Chinese boy who dreams of marrying a beautiful princess. But his dream seems impossible, as the law decrees that the princess may only marry a prince. Aladdin’s problems look set to get worse when his mum, Widow Twankey and his goodhearted, but hapless brother Wishee Washee, cause mix-up mayhem at the laundry, earning the wrath of the Emperor. Can Aladdin avert disaster, win his fortune and make all their dreams come true? A truly magical pantomime adventure, filled with thrills, laughs, flying carpets, magic lamps, a fabulous genie and even an elephant!
The pantomime is written by BAFTA award winning writers, Iain Lauchlan and Will Brenton, (whose writing includes The Tweenies, Fun Song Factory, and Jim Jam and Sonny). This breathtaking new production promises to be a feast of spectacular scenery, dazzling costumes, music, astonishing magic and madcap comedy, suitable for everyone to enjoy from age 3+.
Note: Preview Performances on Saturday 29 November at 12pm & 5.30pm are at a special discounted rate of just £6.50/£9.50
When: Sat 6th September, 2008.
Paddy hits the road again with his eagerly awaited brand new show Paddy McGuinness Plus You.
The new stage show will have the “plus you” element. Specially invited guests from the Loughborough area will be hand picked by Paddy himself to be his new support act. Details of the competition to take part will be published soon. All this plus a winner’s cheque for two thousand pounds and a chance to appear in his new live DVD.
Paddy’s last tour ‘The Dark Side’ was the fastest selling of 2006 taking in 115 sold out dates selling more than 160,000 tickets. His following live debut DVD entered the comedy charts at No 1 and has currently sold in excess of 250,000 copies.
Patrick McGuinness's career began as a comic actor as Terry, a work-shy employee in Peter Kay's The Services. He then starred as Paddy the doorman in That Peter Kay Thing. He appeared in the episode entitled "The Club" which led to the massive spin off series Phoenix Nights. Patrick then went on to co-write with Peter Kay, the eagerly anticipated spin off to Phoenix Nights: "Max and Paddy’s The Road To Nowhere".Since then Paddy has appeared on numerous comedy shows, presented the weekly Friday night show Unanimous: The Fallout and Raiders of the Lost Archive and found time to write a comedy short for E4, The Unknown Stuntman.
When: Tue 29th July, 2008.
Dr Jane Mackay continues her series of lunchtime lectures onlandmark works of English literature. Jane sheds new light on the lives and intentions ofgreat writers of the world.
Arthur Miller is America’s greatest 20th centrury playwright. Hehas left us the product of a long lifetime of dramatic and other works. From All My Sons (1947), Death of a Salesman (1949) and The Crucible (1951), through to the plays he was writing in the 1990s, Miller never lost his ability to confront for us uncomfortable truths about the 20th century. Come and share his unique, prophetic and totally honest voice.
When: Fri 18th July, 2008.
Edinburgh Preview Special Catch these two Edinburgh bound shows before they head up north for Fringe glory…two full length shows on one superb bill!
Phil Nichol The 2006 winner of the If.comedy Award (formerly the Perrier Award), returns with a brand new comedy show. His shows are feats of high-octane comedy storytelling that leave audiences shocked, amazed and uplifted.
The second act will be advised as soon as possible.
When: Sat 12th July, 2008 - Sun 13th July, 2008.
Offenbach's famous fairy tale of blinded love presentedby Charnwood Opera.
When: Thu 3rd July, 2008 - Sun 6th July, 2008.
Back by popular demand, Christchurch Theatre Company present the stage version of the acclaimed film.
When: Tue 24th June, 2008.
Dr Jane Mackay returns to deliver another of her popular lunchtime lectures on great works of literature. Jane sheds new light on the lives and intentions of the great writers of the world, with insight, wit and warmth.
Tess of the D'Urbervilles is one of Hardy's most famous novels, and the most often dramatised and filmed. Set in the glorious landscape of Wessex (mostly based on Dorset), share a journey with the heroine that Hardy loved best, and whom he called a 'pure woman'. This is the novel that charts best the passing of rural England and the destruction of its beauty and innocence.
When: Fri 20th June, 2008.
Direct from supporting Ricky Gervais on the biggest British comedy tour of all time, Book Club star Robin Ince is a Time Out Comedy Award Winner, Chortle Award Winner, Observer Award Winner, and British Comedy Award Nominee. As heard on Radio 4, Radio 2 and as seen on countless TV shows – what else can we say?
Zoe Lyons has previously won the Funny Women award and was nominated as Best Newcomer in this year’s if.comedy Awards. Zoe delivers hilarious routines with awesome energy.
Carl Donnelly (MC) is back after his barnstorming set at the Town Hall last autumn. His confident, conversational style and childish sense of humour has seen him become a regular at clubs all over the country in double quick time...
Gareth Richards has quickly made inroads with his outsider viewpoint and appealing stories.
When: Sat 14th June, 2008.
Relive the heyday of Motown with the music of The Drifters and The Four Tops. Two hours of breathtaking harmonies and snappy dance routines, featuring all your favourite classic hits like Up on the Roof, Under the Boardwalk, My Girl and many more.
[image 1 left]
When: Fri 13th June, 2008.
Henry Blofeld, one of Britain’s most celebrated cricket commentators and the doyen of BBC Radio’s Test Match Special, takes to the stage in a totally different guise in his own one-man show.
Famed as the voice of cricket and one of the great characters of the game, Blowers is as renowned for his musings on pigeons, double-decker buses, planes, tea ladies (and, of course, cakes!), as he is for his much-loved commentating prowess. He remains one of the most respected and knowledgeable commentators in the sport – and one of the most charming people you’ll ever encounter.