If life is a journey, Zoe’s has had more than its share of potholes and diversions.
From diving with sharks, to sitting in a shed in Vietnam with a former health secretary (and discovering that MPs aren’t the only parasites she has to worry about). Navigating the road to happiness can be exhausting and baffling. Zoe’s begun to think that even Wim Hof would prefer to be tucked up with a nice hot water bottle every now and then.
But Zoe’s been on that road long enough now that she’s felt a change – not as in the menopause. A real change. If happiness is ending up the best version of yourself, Zoe is finally getting there. She is where she needs to be. She is… werewolf.
The host of BBC’s Lightning, a regular on Have I Got News For You, QI, and Mock The Week – and a survivor of Celebrity SAS Who Dares Wins and World’s Most Dangerous Roads on Dave – Zoe is one of the country’s best-loved comedians.
'A hugely enjoyable mix of brutal put downs and richly funny stories, Lyons has what it takes to delight any crowd' Guardian
'A tremendously good comic operating at a vertiginous level.' ★★★★ The Wee Review
'Confident and razor sharp' Observer
Age recommendation: 14+
Courtyard Theatre
£17
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Summer Recital Series (4/4)
Ron Colyer and Guy Haskell (violins)
Susan Black (viola)
Paul Cox (cello)
Nigel Wilkinson (piano)
Mozart Piano Trio in C, K.548
Dvorak 3 Songs
Dvorak Sonatina in G for violin and piano
Schumann 3 Songs
Schumann Piano Quintet in E flat
The summer recital series ends with Schumann’s great Quintet, full of heart-warming melodies.
Soprano Susie Gibbons will be headlining the recital with songs to complement the main works instead of the originally programmed Poppy Shotts, who unfortunately can no longer join us due to unforeseen circumstances.
Courtyard Theatre
£18 | Under 18s Free
Led by SalsaStyle
Specialising for twenty years in providing individual attention to help you develop dance techniques and grow in confidence. SalsaStyle will ensure everyone feels welcome no matter what level.
Autumn
Fri 6 Sept - 4 Oct (5 weeks)
Fri 11 Oct - 8 Nov (5 weeks)
Fri 15 Nov - 13 Dec (5 weeks)
8.15pm - 9.15pm
£12 per session | £50 per 5 weeks
Don't forget to stay for the Salsa Social from 9.15pm - 10pm: stay after the class for a dance and drink!
Box Office closes at 8pm but online booking is still available.
Click here for more information about SalsaStyle.
Please note that the class on Friday 8 March will be led by Darren and Tara.
The irrepressible Lucy Porter bounces back into action with a show all about regrets.
Frank Sinatra had too few to mention, but Lucy’s got hundreds, and she’s prepared to go into graphic detail about all of them. Disastrous dates, professional calamities, ruined friendships and parenting fails. Lucy describes all the mistakes she’s made, works out why they happened, and ponders how her life would have turned out if she’d acted differently.
Lucy looks at the things we might all collectively regret - not sticking to the work-life balance we strove for during lockdown, not realising that clapping for the NHS wouldn’t be enough to save it, allowing people we thought were quite fun on TV to become politicians.
How does regret tie in with guilt and shame? As a middle-aged, middle-class, left-leaning ex-Catholic, guilt is one of Lucy’s top five hobbies (along with going to the garden centre, doing jigsaws, making bread and watching subtitled foreign dramas on Netflix. She’s also ashamed of all these hobbies.)
It’s not all negative though. If you regret something, you can use it to change your ways: see the thing you regret as your rock bottom, and let it spur you on to become a better person. Lucy looks at how she can use shameful or annoying things from her past to change her future.
Lucy regrets volunteering at the school fete when her kids were younger, because now she’s committed to being the Hook a Duck Lady twice a year for the rest of her life. Maybe she could learn to say No a bit more?
'Impeccably punch-lined anecdotes... Genuinely delightful' ★★★★ The Telegraph
'A treat from start to finish' ★★★★★ The Herald
Suitable for ages 16+ years.
Courtyard Theatre
£20
Lucy's website
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The comedian is back with a brand-new show about how his usually stress-free house share took a turn and his housemate tried to get him arrested five times.
Bilal Zafar has been nominated for Best Newcomer at the Edinburgh Fringe and is winner of New Act of the Year 2016.
He has appeared on BBC One, BBC Two, BBC Radio 4 and built up his own online audience on Twitch as he plays an unhinged football manager in an ongoing improvised series.
'A natural storyteller with a very likeable stage presence' ★★★★★ Shortcom.co.uk
'Endearing, relaxed and naturally funny… hilarious' ★★★★ EdFestMag.com
Age guidance 14+ years
Studio
£15
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After a sellout Edinburgh Fringe Run and subsequent 40-date UK Tour, World Poetry Slam Champion Harry Baker is back with a brand-new show celebrating the wonder that is being alive.
Featuring brand new poems about death, postcodes and his favourite German wheat bear Schöfferhofer, The maths-loving, TED-talking, German-speaking, battle-rapping, happy-crying, self-bio-writing unashamed human brings his signature playfulness and poignancy that has made him a fan favourite and reached millions of people all over the world.
'Harry Baker’s intricate, quick-fire rhymes have always been on the impressive side of mind-blowing' The Scotsman
'Spectacularly Witty' ★★★★★ Whatsonstage
'Blistering wordplay' ★★★★★ Threeweeks
'Not one syllable out of place' ★★★★★ The Wee Review
'The Spell Over The Audience Is Tangible' ★★★★★ Broadway Baby
'Simply put... The greatest performer on earth' ★★★★★ BBC Radio 1
Courtyard Theatre
£15
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An Albion Christmas is widely regarded as the premier seasonal show. They have been touring for 25 years and attract sell-out audiences across the UK.
Featuring the combined talents of Simon Nicol (Fairport Convention), Kellie While (Albion Band), Simon Care (Edward II) and the Guvnor himself, Ashley Hutchings MBE this show takes you on a guided tour through the Christmas customs of Britain.
Kellie While, Simon Care and Simon Nicol join founder of Fairport Convention, Steeleye Span and The Albion Band, Ashley Hutchings, on stage for an evening of traditional English Christmas music, song and celebratory readings.
Kellie takes time out from working with her mum, Chris While, for which both the UK press and public alike have praised her. Folk enthusiasts will know Kellie from her work with The Albion Band. She received personal praise from Ron Sexsmith for her beautiful version of his song Riverbed on her album Tenacious, which put her on the map as one this country’s finest voices.
Simon Care is currently working with Edward II and has always had a passion for Traditional English dance and song. Simon also works with Banter, Tickled Pink and the Morris On Band.
Simon Nicol, founder member of Fairport Convention finishes the line up to make this a truly festive treat. He is regarded as one of the finest acoustic guitarists in the world... His voice is pretty special too!
The Albion Christmas Show is a seasonal mixture of carols, spoken word and humorous readings. It really is the perfect way to start your festivities. This year will see material chosen by the band from the last 25 years of shows and albums… a 'best of the Albion Xmas' selection.
With sell-out tours including venues such as Buxton Opera House, The New Vic Stoke and The Sage, Gateshead, The Albion Xmas Show is a very popular show appealing to all ages.
Described in the Guardian as 'the perfect antidote to the corporate Christmas', this is a show you must not miss! And also voted in the 'top ten unmissable shows this Christmas' by The Telegraph in 2018.
Courtyard Theatre
£26.50
Join Harry as he warms up ahead of his brand-new UK tour!
Courtyard Theatre
£20
Strictly ages 14+ years. Likely to be swearing and adult content.
Children younger than this will not be admitted - even if accompanied by an adult.
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Join Ellie and Helen as they celebrate ten years of scumminess! For a decade now, the Scummy Mummies have been touring their hit comedy show to sold-out audiences around the country.
Now they’re bringing all their most-loved songs, sketches and stand-up together for a night that will make you laugh till you wee. Guaranteed to make you feel normal about your parenting skills, or very smug about being child-free. Bring your gin-in-a-tin, pop a panty liner in and let’s party!
'Highly recommended! 5 stars' One4Review
'Very funny' The Guardian
'Hilarious' Broadway Baby
Courtyard Theatre
£25
Scummy Mummies' website
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