Friday, 24th February
In the year 1850 the small Shropshire town of Much Wenlock hosted its very own ‘Olympian Games’, an event that was to be an essential inspiration for the modern Olympics that began 46 years later. Behind this seemingly mild-mannered event, where athletics and country sports combined with wheelbarrow races and a competition for a bag of tea (the ‘old-ladies’ race), lay a struggle for equality and the right to health and wellbeing, set during the changing world of the Industrial Revolution.
The play centres around the characters from the local community as they train for, and compete in, this amazing annual event: the butcher's wife practises her hammer throws with un-plucked pheasants; the postman uses his letters and parcels to perfect his discus; the local school children (under the training of the strict school mistress) will do their very best! The whole Victorian household is going for gold.
A glorious full mask show, with original music, physicality and choreography, Much Ado About Wenlock is an adventure for audiences from 8 to 108!
A glorious full mask show, with original music, physicality and choreography, Much Ado About Wenlock is an adventure for audiences from 8 to 108!
On your starting blocks! VAMOS Theatre, in association with
The Everyman Theatre, Cheltenham, presents its new production,
The Everyman Theatre, Cheltenham, presents its new production,
Much Ado About Wenlock
A play about health, sports, a reforming doctor and a runaway chicken.
March
Friday, 6th - Monday, 9th April
Baroque Theatre Company presents
“Great Expectations”
Young Phillip Pirrip, known as “Pip” helps the escaped convict Abel Magwitch and sets in motion a train of events that will affect his entire young life. Taken under the wing of the eccentric Miss Havisham, Pip falls in love with her ward, the chilly Estella, and determines to become a gentleman. Receiving money from a mysterious source, and expecting more, Pip renounces his humble past life and feels sure he will achieve his aim – and then the true identity of his benefactor is revealed and a painful process of moral education begins for Pip. Bringing to life all the vivid characters of the original and conveying the story with great clarity, atmosphere and theatrical flair, Hugh Leonard’s adaptation of Charles Dickens’ most popular novel is both exciting and haunting. A production not to be missed!
April
As Duke Ellington said, "There are only two kinds of music: good and bad." At a time when music is all about labels, it's refreshing to find an artist who doesn't easily fit into a box, who is broader than just one category, who is simply "good". Kim Richey is just such an artist.
Two-time Grammy-nominated Kim is a storyteller; a weaver of emotions and a tugger of heartstrings. Tender, poetic and aching with life's truths, Kim's songs transport you to her world, where words paint pictures and melodies touch the soul. And then there's her voice. Pure, arresting and honest, her voice makes you take notice; Kim has the kind of voice where if emotions were ribbons, they'd be streaming in rainbow colours from your iPod. Her voice gives you goose bumps.
Kim Richey
Aside from her two Grammy nods, she has released five critically acclaimed albums; been listed in the Top 10 Albums of 1999 in US Time Magazine for her album "Glimmer", and been given 4 stars in Rolling Stone and named Alt-Country Album Of The Year in People Magazine for her album "Rise". She has written two Number 1’s and four Top 10 hits in the USA and singles in the Top 50.
We are very lucky to have her appearing at the Granary, be sure not to miss her!
Saturday, 17th March
Thursday, 8th March
Tony Law: Go
Stand-Up Comedy Tour
Stand-
Amused Moose Laughter Award Winner 2011
Comediansʼ Choice Award Winner
– Melbourne Comedy Festival
As seen on Stewart Leeʼs Comedy Vehicle,
Russell Howardʼs Good News and Edinburgh And Beyond
Comediansʼ Choice Award Winner
– Melbourne Comedy Festival
As seen on Stewart Leeʼs Comedy Vehicle,
Russell Howardʼs Good News and Edinburgh And Beyond
“This show is so brilliant I fear I’ll run out of superlatives for it before I finish...an hour-long stream of joyous nonsense. As clever as it is loud, ridiculous and hilarious, ‘GO!’ Is a gem” British Comedy Guide
“Clever and blithely zany, he’s just what the doctor ordered” Daily Telegraph
“A healthy dose of fantastic alternative comedy ... He kept the audience howling with laughter”
Forth One FM
“Clever and blithely zany, he’s just what the doctor ordered” Daily Telegraph
“A healthy dose of fantastic alternative comedy ... He kept the audience howling with laughter”
Forth One FM
Following a total sell-out run at the 2011 Edinburgh Festival Fringe, and due to overwhelming demand, Tony Law is adding a second leg to his 2011-12 stand-up comedy tour.
Tony Law is a Canadian stand-up comedian now based in the UK. He is known for his highly surreal material & delivery, and 1950's Americana style of dress - favouring boots with turned up jeans & an impressive quiff.
A lot of Tony's material features tales of his time travelling exploits in the company of his sausage dog, Cartridge Davison.
Friday, 30th March
Front Porch Blues
Kevan Taplin and Steve ‘Bluesboy’ Bennett first appeared on stage together over twenty years ago. Whilst Bennett went on to build a career fronting a number of bands which included the successful Steve Bennett Blues Band, Taplin took an alternative career route, writing and performing only on rare occasions.
They later formed Front Porch which now performs an acoustic-based music set featuring the mature vocals of Bennett underpinned by Taplin’s guitar work. Front Porch plays an adult contemporary style in an eclectic set based around the blues and folk roots of their backgrounds. The set also includes original compositions they have written. The music sets are delivered in front of their unique front porch stage set, which adds to the atmosphere of the performance.
The set has been well received since their initial gig at the Norwich Arts Centre. They have regularly kicked off the Mattishall beer festival, are appearing at the World Music Festival, as well as here at the Granary and several other established venues around East Anglia this year.
8pm
Friday,13th April
Ian Keable
Funny Tricks
Ian was winner of the Magic Circle Comedy Award 2008/9.
His blend of humour and mind reading is pefectly balanced. He reads minds and does magic tricks, all done in a humorous presentation.
He specialises in comedy through audience participation.
Is the hand really quicker than the eye, is it all done with mirrors or does everything disappear up the sleeve?
Come and find out..........
Thursday, 19th April
Mad Dogs & Englishmen Theatre Company
present
David Copperfield
Replete with comic, cruel and repugnant characters, Dickens’ semi-autobiographical novel follows a vulnerable boy on his journey to manhood. It is a story of the struggle against poverty and obscurity: a story of loss, of loneliness, and the betrayal of innocence.
Dickens’ favourite novel is brought to the stage with all its dark comedy by Mad Dogs & Englishmen Theatre Company in this fast-paced and faithful adaptation. Directed by Ann Courtney, the cast of two capture the hilarity and pathos of Dickens’ writing with finesse, depth and ingenious dexterity.
As part of the internationally-celebrated bicentennial year of Dickens’ birth, Mad Dogs & Englishmen’s adaptation of David Copperfield is compulsive theatre.
‘Of all my books, I like this the best… Like many fond parents, I have in my heart of hearts a favourite child. And his name is David Copperfield.’
Charles Dickens (from the Preface to David Copperfield)
A child born towards the small hours on a Friday night is destined to be unlucky in life
“The funniest show in Edinburgh”
The Guardian
The Guardian
“This gifted livewire commands the stage with a mix of wit and force of personality”
Bruce Dessau – Evening Standard
Bruce Dessau – Evening Standard
‘He is simply the nicest person ever born’
Time Out London
Time Out London
Without doubt a man who can do funny
The Mirror
Saturday, 28th April
The winner of ITV 1’s Show Me The Funny!
Patrick Monahan
Hug Me I Feel Good
Lovable comedian Patrick Monahan blends a high energy style with hilarious and engaging stories of his Irish/Iranian/Teeside heritage. Patrick performs this hit show direct from the Edinburgh Festival. Laugh and be hugged at the same time!
Eastern Angles present Private Resistance, the ultimate ‘what-if' scenario. How would the British have coped with a German invasion? Set in 1940 it's a thrilling tale of the so-called Auxiliary Units, Churchill's secret guerrilla army primed to go underground to fight behind the lines - a story of the bonds created and destroyed by wartime. This fascinating play is researched and written by Eastern Angles' Artistic Director, Ivan Cutting and directed by Naomi Jones whose credits include Return To Akenfield and The Long Way Home.
Thursday, 3rd May
Eastern Angles
present
Private Resistance
Friday, 11th May
The Library Theatre
present
Talking Heads
Details to follow
July
Sunday, 8th July
Folk-next-the-sea
presents
Pennyless
Pennyless are Les Woods, Penny Stevens and Graham Dale on Flute, Fiddle and Guitar
The Pennyless world is a varied mixture of original songs and instrumental tunes ranging from sea shanty, spiritual, quirky verses on tree spirits, beautiful contemporary airs, english folk tales, and medieaval song with jigs and reels sprinkled in for good measure! Fast and furious jiggety tunes from Ireland, England and Scotland, with American Old Timey fiddle, Cajun and East European Gypsy.
From the latest album "The Turning of my Days" ‘Slim John Cuff’ came from a dream and ‘An English Country Garden’ was inspired by an outdoor gig in the Stamford countryside. ‘John Clare’ is an evocative tribute to the Helpston poet, and ‘Moth to the Moon’ is a challenge to follow your dreams not taking heed of others’ pessimism.
After storming the crowd at Potbelly Folk Festival in Kettering last year Pennyless performed at The Folk Thing Festival in Leicestershire, followed by The Alchemy Festival, John Clare Festival, Thornham Music in the Field, and Wymondham Music Festival Folk Showcase.
“Fabulous; very charming and enchanting”
Sue Marchant - BBC Radio Cambridgeshire
“Moth to the Moon – a brilliant start to the album”
Pete James’ Folk, Blues and Beyond - Radio 103 The Eye, Leics.
Saturday, 28th July
DOT Productions
present
She Stoops to Conquer
In order to romance a wealthy aristocrat who grows timid around upper-class women, highborn noblewoman Kate attempts to put her suitor at ease by posing as a common barmaid.
By Oliver Goldsmith
More details to follow later
Saturday, 4th August
An Evening of Country Music
With
Country Knights
This quartet of experienced musicians hail from the Boston Area. They have played with Ricky Valance and have performed in Norfolk at a country festival in Watton and at the Norwich Show Ground.
The lead singer Ron Ryan has written for the Dave Clarke Five (Bits and Pieces) and continues to write for well known country stars as well as the ‘Country Knights’
The lead singer Ron Ryan has written for the Dave Clarke Five (Bits and Pieces) and continues to write for well known country stars as well as the ‘Country Knights’
Friday, 13th July
Rumpus Theatre
Present their
Summer Show
More details to follow later
August
Friday, 6th July
My Tutu Has Gone AWOL
Written and performed by Iestyn Edwards
AN OPPORTUNITY TO SEE THE HILARIOUS MADAM GALINA STAR OF CHANNEL 4's THE SLOT and ROUGH GUIDE TO CHOREOGRAPHY and an OLIVIER AWARD WINNER 2004 FOR "C'est Barbican"
As heard by Her Majesty, and on Desert Island Discs, Midweek, Woman’s Hour and Loose Ends, part one is a musical revue. Hearing along the way songs by Richard Rodgers, Shermann and Shermann, Cole Porter, Ivor Novello et al, we follow Iestyn in his tutu on Combined Services Entertainment tours through Iraq and Afghanistan in the company of Her Majesty’s Finest. Hoiked onto the “Naughty Tank” on base in Iraq for being lippy to Royal Marines Commando ‘Stacks’, Iestyn had to sing for his supper – or at least to be lifted down again.
‘A unique window on the day to day in the war zones of Iraq and Afghanistan...stories that are both touching and hilarious.
‘A unique window on the day to day in the war zones of Iraq and Afghanistan...stories that are both touching and hilarious.
In part two Iestyn morphs into his legendary Russian Prima Ballerina Madame Galina. Part panto dame, part clown, part stand up, total hit! Expect mayhem, madness and hilarity.
“Laced with waspish humour….such skilled pirouettes from a stout Welsh man were unnerving…the audience howled with laughter, stamped and cheered!’
Libby Purves, The Times
"Sensational...vaudeville for the new millennium...brilliantly written and fantastically funny"
The Stage
““The fabulous Iestyn…sung just so beautifully…makes me weep every time.”
Joanna Lumley, Desert Island Discs, Radio 4
““The fabulous Iestyn…sung just so beautifully…makes me weep every time.”
Joanna Lumley, Desert Island Discs, Radio 4
Friday, 17th August
A Fund-raising Concert in aid of
Quidenham Children’s Hospice
Brooks Williams
Named one of the Top 100 Acoustic Guitarists, with over 17 recordings to his name and 23 years on the road, this Statesboro Georgia (USA) native and Cambridge (UK) resident is one of the premier singer/guitarists on the Roots n’ Blues scene. From Belfast to Boston, London to Austin, Toronto to Istanbul, Brooks Williams has been wowing audiences worldwide with his silky voice and rockin’ acoustic and resonator slide guitars, every night delivering the deepest and most intense interpretations of everything from early blues songs to his recent original compositions.
“Definitely one of the best things I have heard this year.”
(Blues In The Northwest)
(Blues In The Northwest)
“…classy, tasteful, bright, and hugely enjoyable!"
(Blues Matters)
(Blues Matters)
"How soulful a solo guitarist can be when he has
talent, taste and astonishing technique."
(Blues Revue)
talent, taste and astonishing technique."
(Blues Revue)
and
Jess Morgan
Jess Morgan is a singer-songwriter based in Norwich. Drawing on British and American folk influences, she writes songs that are living and breathing; that tell stories and scream out to be played live. With dynamic guitar-playing abilities and a distinctive, unusual voice, Jess’s well-crafted songs and wonderful live performances have gained her impressive support all over the UK and Europe.
"Every so often you come across a little gem like this!" Steve Lamacq, BBC Radio 2
“In flagrant defiance of such circumstances, the results of this meeting glow with customary warmth of Morgan’s delivery – clear, open guitar and ethereally bluesy vocals, mic’d close and intimate as they lull and soar.” R2 / Rock ‘n’ Reel Magazine
"Catchy and melodic with a roots edge. Jess Morgan goes it alone and against the grain" Acoustic Magazine
"Every so often you come across a little gem like this!" Steve Lamacq, BBC Radio 2
“In flagrant defiance of such circumstances, the results of this meeting glow with customary warmth of Morgan’s delivery – clear, open guitar and ethereally bluesy vocals, mic’d close and intimate as they lull and soar.” R2 / Rock ‘n’ Reel Magazine
"Catchy and melodic with a roots edge. Jess Morgan goes it alone and against the grain" Acoustic Magazine
Photo by Jez Brown
Starring
Sheringham Shantymen
in Concert
in Concert
The Sheringham Shantymen are one of the best known and highly regarded maritime singing groups in the UK. The group perform all over the country and overseas.
Since 1990 the group has completed almost 1,000 public performances, made three videos and recorded 5 CD's, the sales of which have enabled The Sheringham Shantymen to donate £5,000 to £6,000 each year split between the RNLI and local charities.
Visit their website for lots more information
Friday, 24th August
Susie Self and Stephen Miles
The Sound of Music
More details to follow
More details to follow
Saturday, 25th August
Lots more to come - keep checking back with us
Pirate Weekend
More details to follow
More details to follow
Friday, 7th - Sunday, 9th September
Beyond Eternity Productions
Present
Sherlock Holmes
More details to follow
Present
Sherlock Holmes
More details to follow
Friday, 21st September
September
The Library Theatre
Present
Sleuth
More details to follow
Present
Sleuth
More details to follow
Saturday, 29th September
The Rumpus Theatre Company
Present
The Ghost Touch
More details to follow
Present
The Ghost Touch
More details to follow
Friday, 2nd November
November
Sunday, 9th December
December
Friday, 10th - Sunday, 12th August
Baroque Theatre Company presents
“Veronica’s Room”
From the author of Rosemary’s Baby, this chilling mystery thriller explores the thin line between fantasy and reality, madness and murder.
The play opens with an elderly couple inviting a young girl (Susan) and her date, whom they had spotted while dining at a restaurant, to visit the bedroom of a dead girl (Veronica) that they knew and who looked like Susan.
The young pair accept the invitation, led by curiosity to see a photograph that shows Veronica's likeness. Before long, they are trapped in an unexpected situation that leads to a jarring and surprising climax.
May
Saturday, 11th February
Silent Echo
written and directed by Tobias Nicholls
written and directed by Tobias Nicholls
Purple Dreams Productions
‘Empty Stage Tour’
present
A new thriller written especially for the 'Empty Stage' Tour, tracking the relationships of four friends - two couples - over the course of a picnic, as they realise who their friends are, and more importantly who they are. Discussing their visions of the future, opinions and beliefs, they unveil secrets that threaten to either strengthen their friendships... or shatter them. ‘Silent Echo’ begins with a laid back humour but races to a heart-pounding and unexpected climax.
2.30pm & 7.30pm
Thursday, 16th & Friday, 17th February
BRIC A BRAC
REFRESHMENTS
PLANTS
BOOKS
REFRESHMENTS
PLANTS
BOOKS
Table Top Sale
10-4
Saturday 26th - 7.30pm
Sunday 27th May 3pm
A weekend of live music from the magical 60's era.
Re-
A huge number of songs performed, over 2hrs 15mins of live music.
When the 6Ts performed at The world famous Cavern Club, Liverpool, Manager Wes Paul quoted " these are the best 60's band I've seen for years & years"
The 6Ts have also performed with Mike Pender’s Searchers and, more recently, The Fortunes.
The 6Ts really are suitable for all age groups!
East Anglia's Premier 60's Tribute Band
Wednesday 22nd - Thursday, 23rd August
Purple Dreams Productions
‘Empty Stage Tour’
Presents
Kissing Angels
written and directed by Tobias Nicholls
written and directed by Tobias Nicholls
Angel has the perfect life. She has fame, fortune and a very wealthy fiancé. But when her uber-wealthy husband-to-be is killed off under suspicious circumstances, Angel finds herself penniless - and nobody wants to know! Only the school friend she used to bully relentlessly, a slightly crazed stalker and a mysterious stranger will give her the time of day - but will they help her get her life back on track?
‘Kissing Angels is a new comedy written especially for the ‘Empty Stage’ Tour, presenting a few twist and turns on the way to a heart-warming climax. Maybe.............
February
Tickets are always available at the door (unless we are sold out!)
or from the Maltings Project Office
Performances start at 7.30 unless stated otherwise
Normal ticket prices are £8 & £7 for Friends of the Granary
Book with Pat on 01328 710193
Or email Pat
Wheelchair access
Enhanced Sound
To ensure that you’re getting the most up-