Comedy treasure joins classic ballet and high drama as new shows on sale
British comedy legend Harry Enfield is set to return to Lighthouse next year in what will be his first show in Poole since 1988, when he appeared with Paul Whitehouse and Craig Ferguson. The tour, a brand-new show called Harry Enfield and No Chums, will find him recreating characters like Loadsamoney and Kevin the Teenager before opening himself to questions from the floor.
As a raft of new shows are announced this week, Lighthouse continues to bring the very best national and international artists to the Poole venue including EastEnders’ star Maisie Smith and Ed McVey (The Crown) in Mark Leipcher’s eagerly anticipated new adaptation of Patricia Highsmith’s classic thriller The Talented Mr Ripley, English National Ballet’s new production My First Ballet: Cinderella, choreographed by George Williamson; revered musicians like Nick Harper, Martin Harley, the Charlotte Carrivick Band and Sam Sweeney; and rising comedy stars Laura Lexx and Amy Mason.
Rude Science and Ice Age Adventure Live offer fun and entertainment for young audiences, while the improv comedy murder-mystery Locomotive For Murder offers thrills and chills.
On sale this week at Lighthouse:
Rank
Saturday 31 January, 8pm, Sherling Studio
A taxi driver recounts an epic encounter with a young woman and her two small children as they travel cross country to buy a horse. As the odyssey unfolds and the woman’s plight becomes known, the taxi driver must decide whether to get the job done or act like a decent human being. Age guidance: 14+
The Simon & Garfunkel Story
Saturday 31 January, 7.30pm, Concert Hall
Having toured to more than 50 countries, the fascinating tale of how two young boys from Queens, New York went on to become the world’s most successful music duo of all time.
Han & Fran’s Ultimate Singalong Party
Tuesday 24 February, 7.45pm, Theatre
The BGT sensations are throwing the UK’s biggest live singalong – and you’re invited! Fresh from Britain’s Got Talent, viral singing comedy duo Han & Fran bring their full-throttle chaos, powerhouse vocals, and outrageous charm to the stage and this time, they’re bringing the band. With a live band, supporting cast, and a setlist packed with iconic bangers from ABBA, Queen, Adele, Britney, Whitney, Gaga and more, this is no ordinary night out. It’s part concert, part comedy, and 100% party.
Nick Harper
Thursday 26 February, 7pm, Sherling Studio
Son of the legendary Roy Harper, Nick has been described as ‘One of the finest guitarists of his generation, his soaring vocal range and propensity for epic song place him somewhere between Rufus Wainwright and Jeff Buckley’ (Mojo). A folk troubadour, an acoustic balladeer – with a touch of rock ‘n’ roll on the side. He’s not folk. He’s emo skiffle. Pastoral hard rock. Progressive soul.
The 80s Show
Saturday 14 March, 7.30pm, Concert Hall
Get ready to step back in time and relive the iconic sounds of the greatest musical era as The 80s Show transports you on a nostalgic journey, celebrating and showcasing the unforgettable hits that defined a generation with an electrifying production to match! From the infectious pop melodies of Duran Duran, Spandau Ballet and Wham! to the rock anthems of Bon Jovi and Tears for Fears plus a few nice surprises, this show will have everyone dancing and singing along to their favourite 80s tunes.
The Talented Mr Ripley
Monday 16 – Saturday 21 March, 7.45pm, (2.30pm Wed, Sat mats), Theatres
This electrifying new stage adaptation of Patricia Highsmith’s iconic psychological thriller stars Ed McVey (The Crown) and Maisie Smith (EastEnders, Strictly). Step into a world of deception, desire, and deadly ambition. How far would you go to become someone else? Age guidance: 12+
Martin Harley
Friday 20 March, 8pm, Sherling Studio
Martin Harley has been making music and touring the world for over two decades. His sound has never been more down to earth. Exploring roots, blues and slide guitar in a style The Guardian referred to as ‘spellbinding’, Harley has released nine albums to date, four recorded on home soil and four across the Atlantic in Texas and Nashville.
Laura Lexx: Yo-Yo
Saturday 21 March, 8pm, Sherling Studio
In a 10-year marriage eventually your partner sees it all. Every bad idea. Every silly decision. Every unfiltered thought, and somehow, they still say they love you. The real twist is that somewhere along the way, you have to believe them. And maybe, just maybe you learn to love yourself too. Fresh off the success of her critically acclaimed show Slinky, multi award-winning comedy star Laura Lexx is back with her brand new show, Yo-Yo.
Cerys Hafana
Wednesday 25 March, 8pm, Sherling Studio
Cerys Hafana is a composer and multi-instrumentalist who mangles, mutates, and transforms traditional music. They explore the creative possibilities and unique qualities of the triple harp, and are also interested in found sounds, archival materials and electronic processing.
Rude Science
Wednesday 1, Thursday 2 April, 11.30am, 3pm (Wed only), Concert Hall
Join BBC Gastronaut Stefan Gates, the award-winning presenter and STEM author, for the “naughtiest, funniest, most revolting science show in the world.” This high-octane, highly educational stage spectacular is packed with outrageous science stunts designed to ignite a lasting fascination for science in children and adults alike! Age guidance: 6+
Harry Enfield and No Chums
Friday 10 April, 7.30pm, Concert Hall
A rare and entertaining evening with legendary satirical comedian and self-styled “stupid idiot”, Harry Enfield. From the meteoric rise of Loadsamoney, to the fury of Kevin the Teenager, Harry will reflect on 40 years of in comedy and bring some of his favourite characters back to life on stage. Then it’s over to your questions… Age guidance: 18+
My First Ballet: Cinderella
Saturday 18, Sunday 19 April, 11am, 2.30pm, Theatre
With a narrator to help the young audience follow the story, and a shortened, recorded version of Prokofiev’s ravishing score, this is the perfect introduction to ballet, and a fantastic family day out. This new production by English National Ballet is choreographed by George Williamson and performed by students of the English National Ballet School Graduate Artists Programme. Age guidance: 3+
Amy Mason: Behold!
Saturday 18 April, 8pm, Sherling Studio
When Amy Mason got hacked, she lost her number, bank account and social media access. And then the hackers started sending her gifts… A surprising, somewhat filthy dive into connection, intimacy, and the perils of using your dead cat’s name as your password for literally everything. Age guidance: 18+
Anna Phoebe
Thursday 30 April, 8pm, The Sherling Studio
Multi-instrumentalist, composer, producer and presenter Anna Phoebe showcases her highly anticipated second solo album, Divergence. It’s an anthology of sonic explorations, with each piece rooted in the human experience, from standing at the edge of the world in the windswept theatre in Minack, to the grounding meditation of Return to Source, Anna has composed, performed, and produced a deeply personal, striking exploration of mortality, memory, and spiritual transformation.
Locomotive For Murder
Friday 15 May, 7.45pm, Theatre
An improvised comedy murder-mystery where killing the cast and cracking the case is in your hands. Expect outrageous accents and shaky alibis! Four characters board a train but not everyone will survive. Thankfully, a world-famous detective is ready to solve the case. But who is the murderer?
The Charlotte Carrivick Band
Saturday 16 May, 8pm, Sherling Studio
Charlotte Carrivick is a flatpicking guitarist of international renown, sought for her inventive lead playing and regarded as an expert fiddle tune interpreter on the guitar. Joining Charlotte is longtime collaborator and in-demand fiddler, Kieran Towers (Pet Yeti); master of tone and taste, Evan Davies (The Often Herd), on the mandolin; and the firm hand of fellow Midnight Skyracer bassist, Eleanor Wilkie. Together, their music is at times joyous, poignant, dark, pensive or exuberant with virtuosic instrumentals and close harmony singing.
Ice Age Adventure Live
Tuesday 26 May, 2pm, Theatre
Brace yourselves for a mammoth mission in the frozen world of Ice Age Adventure Live! Journey back in time to meet incredible prehistoric animals in the coolest family show this side of the arctic circle! Join our fearless explorers as they trek through snow-packed valleys, outwit sabre-toothed surprises, befriend the coolest cavemen and bring back some extinct dodo friends for the ride!
Sam Sweeney
Thursday 18 June, 8pm, Sherling Studio
Nominated four times, and winner in 2015, of Musician Of The Year BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards, Sam is a veteran of the mighty Bellowhead, inaugural artistic director of the National Youth Folk Ensemble, founder member of the acclaimed instrumental trio Leveret, and “one of the defining English fiddle players of his generation” (Mark Radcliffe) at the forefront of the revival in English traditional music.
Killer Queen
Saturday 20 June, 7.30pm, Concert Hall
Killer Queen have been performing their tribute to Queen’s concert since 1993. Their expert musicianship, extraordinary energy and accurate portrayal of the world’s greatest live band have rightfully earned Killer Queen the title of Queen tribute royalty.
Steve Steinman’s Anything For Love
Saturday 18 July, 7.30pm, Concert Hall
The highly acclaimed show producer and recording artist, Steve Steinman, brings you his brand-new production featuring over 25 of Meat Loaf and Jim Steinman’s greatest hits. The show includes also Steve’s very own no.1 single Everything They Said Was True, written by John Parr and Meat Loaf.
John Kearns: Tilting At Windmills
Saturday 19 September, 7.45pm, Theatre
The brand-new standup show from the Taskmaster alumni and double Edinburgh Comedy Award winner is a fragmented, digressing portrayal of a 38-year-old man’s life, alluding to books he hasn’t read, touching on the modern condition. Plus VAT! More allusive and bleak as ever, it is unreal the comedian you become. And for who? A show for those who have read about but not committed to the Guinness Nitrosurge.
Hannah East: Express Yourself
Wednesday 23 September, 7.30pm, Theatre
Hannah East’s new comedy show hilariously captures the madness of parenting. With millions of views online, her sketches are brutally honest, wildly relatable, and laugh-out-loud funny. Express Yourself is the comedy show every parent needs – raw, real, and utterly unmissable. Age guidance: 14+
Filkin’s Drift
Friday 2 October, 8pm, Sherling Studio
Filkin’s Drift are dedicated to exploring innovative avenues in music creation. Their compositions are sophisticated, yet rooted in tradition, from delicate Welsh folk songs, to traditional English dance tunes, the pair blend fiddle and guitar with close harmony singing.
With the exception of Hannah East, which opens for priority booking for Lighthouse Best, Great & Good Friends on Wednesday 17 September and goes on general sale from Friday 19 September; Harry Enfield and No Chums, which opens for priority booking for Lighthouse Best, Great & Good Friends on Thursday 18 September and goes on general sale from Friday 19 September; and K-Pop All Stars, which opens for priority booking for Lighthouse Best, Great & Good Friends on Tuesday 23 September and goes on general sale on Wednesday 24 September, priority booking for all other shows opens for Lighthouse Best & Great Friends only on Friday 19 September, and to Lighthouse Good Friends on Tuesday 23 September before going on general sale from Friday 26 September. at https://www.lighthousepoole.co.uk
To gain access to priority booking, Friends memberships are available from just £50 a year at https://www.lighthousepoole.co.uk/support-lighthouse/.
