2006 - press
releases
New Lights Season set to
Shimmer and Shine
After a phenomenal first season
with 13 shows achieving sell out capacity, the full spring season
of events will go on sale to Spotlight Members on Wednesday 10
January and to the general public on Wednesday 17 January and with
the success of the first season Director Heather Whittam recommends
that you book early to avoid disappointment.
The Lights are thrilled to announce
that number one selling artist Sandi Thom will be
appearing at the venue on Monday 12 February. Sandi shot to fame
with ‘I wish I was a Punk Rocker’ following a series of
concerts from her home via the web. A sensational voice, strong and
expressive and yet soulful enough to win over your hearts – with
tickets at only £14, this is one concert in Andover not to be
missed.
For comedy fans, Sue Perkins,
Jeremy Hardy and Punt & Dennis visit the venue with their brand
new shows. The Lights will also launch its Comedy Club on Sunday 11
March with appearances from Michael McIntyre, who recently appeared
on the Royal Variety show, Rob Deering and Ben Hurley. Those with a
love for theatre will not be disappointed with a return visit from
the Vagina Monologues visiting the venue following a sell out show
in the Autumn. Theatre also comes in the form of Proteus Theatre
with the spellbinding story of ‘The Elephant Man’ and Network of
Stuff with their amusing tale of ‘The Unsinkable Clerk’.
For a family audience, local
company Forest Forge return with their story of The Gamekeeper and
other family shows include – The Rainbow Fish, Jabberwocky and
Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus. Another treat for families is
the fabulous Sing-a-long-a Sound of Music, complete with subtitles
so the whole audience can quite literally ‘Sing-a-long’.
Music lovers have a vast array of
choice with acoustic sets from Fairport Convention and the
Oysterband, alongside the fabulous music of The Hamsters, John
Renbourn & Clive Carroll, Sarah-Jane Morris and Gordon
Giltrap.
For those of you looking for
something a little different, The Lights are proud to welcome
Professor Germaine Greer to Andover for what is sure to be an
entertaining and thought provoking evening and explorer Benedict
Allen will also be stopping off on his way to his next expedition.
This season The Lights will also become a resting place for Opera
Della Luna, with their production of ‘Nightmare Songs’ which not
only contains all the Gilbert and Sullivan patter songs, but a new
score of challenging complexity and humour.
For fans of live music – tribute
bands Bon Jovie Experience, One Night of Elvis and C’Mon Everybody
will all be arriving at The Lights to make the rafters rock.
And don’t forget if you would like
to dance, drum, sing, act, get arty or even knit The Lights offers
a wide array of creative workshops and classes for both children
and adults, all starting in January
For tickets for any of these
events, to join the mailing list or for further information, call
The Lights Box Office on 01264 368368 (from 3 January) or visit
http://www.thelights.org.uk/
Issued: Dec 06
Dazzling
first month for The Lights
Andover’s brand new arts and
entertainment venue is proving a huge success in its first month
with six sell out professional shows and three other shows with
only limited seats now available.
Since the doors opened on 20 October
hundreds of visitors have visited to check out Hampshire’s newest
arts and entertainment venue and all that’s on offer.
Aiming to become the hub of creative
activity in the town and more than just a theatre, The Lights has
welcomed visitors to enjoy theatre, comedy, workshops, meetings,
shows, dancing, award ceremonies, as well as people dropping in to
enjoy coffee in the stylish café area run by Coffee Carousel.
The professional programme has proved
a sell out success with acts such as Ralph McTell and Jacqui
Dankworth playing to very appreciative audiences. David Benson’s
one man show about his connection with the brilliant Kenneth
Williams brought quality theatre to the town taking the audience on
a roller coaster journey of laughter and thought provoking
memories. Comedian Mark Thomas and the well know Vagina Monologues
take to the stage this week followed by Australian guitar virtuoso
Tommy Emmanuel at the end of the month. Tickets are still available
for serious actor, comedy cabaret and stand-up performer Nicholas
Parsons who presents his one man show at the beginning of
December.
Music and dance have both featured
strongly in the first weeks of the season.
The first monthly Acoustics evening in
the Arena Hall was well attended with visitors enjoying local
artists including the David Imrie trio who are likely to be making
a return visit soon. The next free Acoustics evening is planned for
1 December. A Tea Dance, a Line Dance and regular Belly Dancing
classes have also been held this month.
Theatre goers used to booking on-line
will be pleased to know that this facility is also now available on
The Lights website at http://www.thelights.org.uk/
If you would like to join the
mailing list to receive a copy of the spring season’s brochure,
call the Box Office on 01264 368368 or visit http://www.thelights.org.uk/ and
complete the on-line request form.
Issued: Nov
2006
Andover Business Advice Roadshow
It may be 4 weeks to Christmas but it is only 8 weeks
until the Andover Business Advice Roadshow at The Lights.
We are already taking bookings so don’t
delay. If you are thinking about self employment or have
already started up in business, the Roadshow will bring
together over 30 different support organisations under one roof to
offer invaluable advice and ensure your business is
successful. The event is FREE.
Neil Eames, Regional Organiser Wessex of
Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) said “It’s a fantastic
opportunity to test your ideas, and for new and small businesses to
talk to all those organisations who can help their business
grow”.
So, if you are thinking of starting your own
business in the New Year why don’t you come along between 3-6pm on
Wednesday 24th January 2007 and benefit from all those professional
business tips. Book on-line at www.testvalley.gov.uk/business
Issued Nov 2006
Whimsical Nicolas Parsons
An evening of whimsical nonsense,
Edward Lear style, is promised at The Lights on Saturday 2
December.
Nicholas Parson’s endearing one-man
portrait of the life and nonsense of Edward Lear is a richly
satisfying evocation of the man behind the fantasy world. The Owl
and The Pussycat, The Jumblies, The Pobble, The Quangle Wangle, The
Yonghy-Honghy-Bo, Uncle Arly and The Dong with the Luminous Nose
will all feature in this seventy minute shows.
Fascinated by his subject, Nicolas
Parsons has devised a presentation both pleasing and informative as
well as very amusing….. He recreates Lear’s fantasy world through a
carefully timed and superbly modulated recitation.
Serious actor and comedy performer,
Nicholas Parsons became a household name in Britain when he
appeared as Straight Man to Arthur Haynes in the 1960’s. He has
hosted BBC Radio 4’s Just a Minute for 39 years as well as the
amazingly successful Sale of the Century for 14 years.
Tickets for the show are priced at
£10/£11/ Conc £9, and are available from The Lights Box Office on
01264 368368
Issued Nov
2006
Jackie Dankworth swings at The
Lights
Jacqui Dankworth, the talented daughter of Johnny Dankworth and
Cleo Laine is bringing her unique blend of sophisticated jazz to
The Lights this Saturday.
Though there is jazz in her blood, Jacqui is very much her own
creative force. After several years at the National Theatre and RSC
Jacqui decided to concentrate on her singing career with great
success. One of the best jazz singers in the UK today Jacqui was
recently nominated for Radio 2 Jazz Vocalist of the Year.
There's no doubt about it, Jacqui Dankworth is a remarkable artist
of the highest calibre. She has toured with the Brodsky Quartet and
recorded with them on their latest CD, alongside such guests as
Sting, Elvis Costello, Bjork, Ian Shaw and Sir Paul McCartney. She
featured on Courtney Pine’s album Devotionand sang alongside him at
the Royal Festival Hall, as part of the London Jazz Festival.
Several tunes from her album, As The Sun Shines Down On
Me,made the Jazz FM play list, and she receives repeated play
on BBC Radio 2, especially on Michael Parkinson’s Sunday
Supplement.
Tickets for the show are priced at
£14/£12 concessions and are available from The Lights Box Office on
01264 368368
Issued Nov 2006
Andover Business Advice Roadshow
Business people can tap into over 30
support organisations and regulatory bodies all under one roof at
the Andover Business Advice Roadshow.
This is the second year for the
Roadshow and this time it will be held at The Lights (see http://www.thelights.org.uk/)
which is the extensively refurbished former Cricklade theatre. The
event offers the business community the chance to drop in to get
the answers to a range of questions.
As well as stands manned by
organisations such as Acas, Business Link, Enterprise First, Test
Valley Borough Council and HM Revenue and Custom, there will also
be a series of 30-minute briefings delivered by expert
speakers.
These will cover subjects such as top
tips for starting a business, marketing without a budget and VAT
registration.
Deputy Leader of the Council,
Councillor Martin Hatley, said "Test Valley Borough Council is
delighted to play a key role in the staging of this increasingly
important event. We also know that running a business puts
tremendous pressure on your time. But if you can take an hour or so
out once a year to clear up any niggling questions in one go, under
one roof, then, in my book, that’s time well spent.
The feedback from last year’s event
was extremely gratifying and we are anticipating an even larger
turn-out in terms of support organisations and regulatory bodies
this year".
The event is on Wednesday 24th January
2007, between 3pm and 6pm. The event is free but to book briefings,
visit www.testvalley.gov.uk/business
Issued by dgleave@testvalley.gov.uk
November 2006
Think No Evil of Us - My Life with Kenneth Williams
A classic one-man theatre show will be one of the first
professional shows to be offered at The Lights. Written and
performed by David Benson this award winning show was first
performed as part of the Edinburgh Fringe in 1996. Since then the
show has toured to almost 300 venues throughout the country, and
now appears in Andover on Thursday 9 November.
The show was an instant hit with the critics and audiences and
since then the show has toured to almost 300 venues throughout the
country. Benson claims he will continue touring the show, ‘till I
drop.’
In this thrilling and hilarious tour de force we see Kenneth
Williams at his funniest – and at his most badly behaved. This
brilliantly performed semi-autobiographical show also reveals how
David’s unusual childhood led to an extraordinary connection with
the Carry On star.
David Benson’s uncanny impersonation was also recently heard on
the acclaimed BBC Radio 4 series, "The Private World of Kenneth
Williams"
Tickets for the show are priced at £10/£9 Concessions and are
available from the Box Office on 01264 368368
Issued October 2006
The Launch of The Lights!
A wide range of different
performances and events will take centre stage at The Lights during
its launch week starting 22 October, some offered at low
introductory prices and several offered free for this week.
The programme starts with a bang
when Kokoro, the contemporary ensemble of the Bournemouth Symphony
Orchestra, take to the stage for the very first performance on
Sunday 22 October. With tickets priced at only £5, the box office
has been inundated with bookings for this particular event, so be
sure not to miss out.
From Monday 23 October, The Lights
have put together a cacophony of workshops and performances to suit
all ages and tastes. With Street Dance workshops for ages 8-12 and
13-16 and drama workshops for ages 5-7 and additional drumming and
craft workshops for all ages, The Lights have made sure that
whatever your age, this is a great opportunity to "have a go"
Three lunchtime concerts for the
launch week are arranged with Andover Light Orchestra's Trio moving
into the limelight on Monday 23rd, local pianist
Katherine Rockhill-Vincent performing Gershwin, Beethoven and more
on Wednesday 25th and popular group Southern Sinfonia
presenting a selection of show tunes on Friday 27th .
What's more, it won't cost you a penny. This is the ideal time to
visit The Lights, have a spot of lunch or a coffee from Coffee
Carousel, and enjoy some fabulous music in wonderful
surroundings.
For those of you who like something
a little different, then The Lights will be staging an Acoustic
evening on Monday 23 October, with 5 fabulous local musicians/bands
in the line up including the David Imrie Trio. Wednesday 25 October
sees the decibels raised a little when Cut Out Kid Promotions
introduce local bands to the arena stage. Come along and enjoy
Clubhouse Corona and Big Screen Buddha, entry just £3 with drinks
available from the bar.
With introductory offers for all
workshops and some events free of charge, the team at The Lights
hope to welcome as many of you as possible into the venue during
launch week.
Tickets for all workshops can be
booked through the box office on 01264 368368 and must be booked in
advance.
The new What's on brochure for The
Lights is out now so be sure to pick up a copy as demand is
high.
Issued September
2006
Launch week at The Lights,
Andover
Strike up the music. Andover's news
arts and entertainment venue opens this month and in keeping with
the new look venue - the first performance on Sunday 22 October
will feature Kokoro, the contemporary music ensemble of the
Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra.
With all tickets for this
performance offered at a special introductory price of just £5,
this is an event not be missed for lovers of classical music and
those keen to amongst the very first to visit Andover's new jewel,
The Lights.
Bach to the Future will include
works of humour, vitality and nostalgia and Bach as you have never
heard him before! The audience will take a journey through the
music of eight centuries, from Machaut to Beethoven exploring
classic works, seen through the eyes of living composers. The
performance culminate with Nyman's elegant waltzes and Fitkinâ's
foot-tapping Totti.
The full autumn season's brochure
is now hot off the press and available from the Box Office on 01264
368368.
Issued September
2006
Handsome hunks in tights - it must
be Oddsocks!
After much persistence, The
Lights, Andover's soon to be opened arts and entertainment
venue, is pleased to announce that they have secured a date for the
welcome return of Oddsocks Theatre Company to the town.
When the company perform at
The Lights on Sunday 7th January, it
will be over three years since Oddsocks last appeared in Andover
with their fabulous production of Jane Eyre, performed of course in
their own inimitable style.
Now Oddsocks are back with Twelfth
Night and this time, they are in love! In the snow-covered land of
Illyria it will be a Christmas to remember for the melancholy
Countess Olivia who is spending the festive season with her
intoxicated cousin Toby and his friend the geek, Andrew
Aguecheek.
Sir Toby plans to marry Olivia to
the geek but she's having none of it. Meanwhile, the local hunk,
Count Orsino is besotted with the gorgeous Olivia, who is still too
sad to smooch, and his serenading falls on deaf ears, but, in the
words of the bard himself - if music be the food of love, - best
pump up the volume! The Count uses his new sidekick Cesario, to do
his wooing for him. Olivia fancies Cesario but Cesario is not a
man, he's a she, called Viola, and she fancies the Count, but he
thinks she, is a he, and he doesn't fancy hes he fancies shes. Can
things get sillier? Oh yes. when, by a strange and fabulous
coincidence, Viola's twin brother turns up and gets into a fight
with Aguecheek and Toby.
It's fast-moving fun in a panto
with a difference, as the talented Oddsocks troupe take
Shakespeare's classic comedy and make it a festive treat fit for
all the family.
A member of the theatre company
said: "We remember our last performance in Andover as if it
were yesterday and we are delighted to be returning to one our most
appreciative and loyal audiences. It will be great to be back with
Twelfth Night!"
Tickets are priced at £9.50/£8.50
Concessions/£7 Children. The theatre also offers a Family Ticket at
£30. The performance will be on Sunday 7 January at 7.30pm. Be sure
to book early as tickets are sure to sell out very quickly.
Issued August
2006
Acoustic Opportunities at
The Lights
To celebrate the launch week of The
Lights, the call is going out for local musicians and singers to
perform an Acoustic evening on Monday 23 October.
This exciting opportunity offers
local musicians and singers the chance to perform in the Arena at
The Lights which is a fully equipped professional performance space
with full stage and lighting facilities, however this particular
evening will be fully acoustic without an amp in sight.
Venue Director, Heather Whittam
said: "The evening with be an excellent opportunity for a range of
local musicians and singers to perform to a new audience in an
intimate, professional setting. We hope that local people will take
the opportunity to come along and enjoy an excellent evening of
music over a glass of wine, or a beer or two"
Musicians and singers are invited
to submit expressions of interest to Heather Whittam, Venue
Director by email hwhittam@testvalley.gov.uk
or to call 01264 368814. Where possible, demo's should be sent to
the Venue Director at The Lights, West Street, Andover, SP10 1AH.
Should demo's not be available, artists will be invited to audition
during August.
For further information please
contact Teresa Bradley, Marketing Manager , The Lights on 01264
368833
Issued July
2006
Look Out for the Dazzling
Lights
The Lights in Andover will open its
doors for the first time this October with a fantastic autumn
season of events. The first full seasons brochure
will be available by the end of August however theatre goers are
welcome to make reservations for the forthcoming shows. With all
eyes on this new and exciting arts and cultural venue at the very
heart of Andover, be sure to book your tickets early to avoid
disappointment.
To celebrate the opening of the
venue on 22 October, Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra's Kokoro
touring programme, bring Bach to the Future to The Lights works of
simplicity, vitality, humour and nostalgia and Bach as you have
never quite heard him before. Special offer tickets at only £5.
For comedy fans, Ed Byrne and Mark
Thomas visit the venue direct from Edinburgh Festival with their
brand new shows. With tickets priced at only £12/£10 early booking
is recommended.
Those with a love for theatre will
not be disappointed with the renowned Vagina Monologues visiting
the venue on 25 November. An ideal opportunity for a "girls night
out". The line up has yet to be confirmed, however reservations can
be made for tickets which are priced £16. Other theatre comes in
the form of Think No Evil of Us - My Life with Kenneth Williams, a
fabulous tour-de-force which unlocks the character of one of
Britain's best-loved and most-missed entertainers.
For a family audience, local
company Forest Forge bring the classic tale of "A Christmas Carol"
to the Lights on 17 November and other family shows include The
Night Before Christmas, Lily and the Magic Moonbeam and The Rainbow
Fish.
Music lovers have a vast array of
choice with jazz vocalist Jacqui Dankworth, folk legend Ralph
McTell and sensational Austrailian guitarist Tommy Emmanuel all
appearing in the Autumn.
Soon after Christmas The Lights
bring a rather different array of classical musicians to the venue
with spectacularly entertaining shows from Graffiti Classics and
Pluck, superb musicians who link humour with classical music. Great
for a family audience with tickets priced at £10/£9/Family £35. For
fans of live music tribute bands Gaga, Whole Lotta Led and U2UK
will all be arriving at The Lights to make the rafters rock. Fans
of 60's music will also welcome visits from Buddy Holly& the
Cricketers and At The Hop.
With a wide array of workshops and
classes also available in the New Year for both children and
adults, you can expect to find something for everyone at The
Lights.
For reservations for any of these
events, to join the mailing list or for further information, call
The Lights Box Office on 01264 368368
Issued July
2006
The Lights gets a lift
The remodelling of the Cricklade
Theatre building into The Lights, Andover's new professional arts
and entertainment venue, began in earnest back in February. Only a
shell of the former building now remains as the contractors make
ready to begin the refit.
Work began by clearing all asbestos
from the building, internal walls were then demolished and the
suspended ceiling removed to add extra height and create the
spacious new Arena area. Inside the auditorium there's not a seat
to be had! The old seats have been removed and stylish new seating
including several rows of Pullman style seats are now on order.
The new bar and cafe area will help
create the perfect ambiance for theatre goers who will soon be able
to enjoy a professional programme featuring music, theatre, comedy
and dance here in Andover town centre. Bookings for the autumn
seasons's programme will include popular comedian Ed Byrne, a
professional family Christmas show and the Bournemouth Symphony
Orchestra.
It is planned that The Lights will
become the hub of creative activity for the Andover area offering
an arts related education and training programme, as well as
hosting community group performances, exhibitions and gigs.
Business and community users will
be able to hire one of 5 different function rooms, the main
auditorium or the new large arena hall, for anything from a board
meeting to an annual ball. And in an innovative move The Lights
will also become Andover's first Wi-Fi hotspot enabling laptop
users to log on to their own laptops either in a meeting room, in
the cafe/bar or relaxing outside on the decking.
Three experienced artists have been
commissioned to develop the pubic art both on site and on the
approaches leading to the site. Caroline Cardus, Michael Marriott
and Malcolm Buchanan-Dick will be working closely with architects
Genesis Design, the Enham Trust, local schools, commerce and
industry to innovative pieces for The Lights.
With work continuing throughout the
summer, plans to open this exciting new venue in time for the
October half-term are well on course. To sign up to the mailing
list to receive the first season's brochure as soon as it is
published visit http://www.thelights.org.uk/,
telephone 01264 68833 or send your details to: Leisure Services,
Test Valley Borough Council, Beech Hurst Weyhill Road, Andover,
Hants, SP10 3AJ
Issued June
2006
The Lights, Andover
After several months in
detailed planning, work has now started on site to upgrade
Andover's old theatre building into a stylish new professionally
run arts and entertainment facility. Over the next few
months the building will undergo a transformation. With the use of
lights, canopies, an atrium, outside decking and landscaping it
will become a place to meet friends, be entertained, and get
creative!
Due to open in the autumn,
The Lights as the new venue will be called, will
be a place where visitors can enjoy a drink in the new bar and cafe
area before stepping into the large arena hall is perfect for
large events, performances in the round, themed exhibitions, or
when the lights are changed, a place to relax in a more intimate,
cabaret style environment.
The new look auditorium will
feature new decor and Pullman type seats together with improved
access. A dance studio, function rooms and refitted dressing rooms,
together with a suite of meeting rooms, will complete the venue's
facilities. All the facilities will be available to hire for both
community and business activities.
Approaches from the town centre to
the new venue will be developed with the help of a £89,000 grant
from the Arts Council and £5000 from Test Valley Arts Foundation.
Thanks to the grant the Borough Council will be able to work with
local groups and organisations, including Enham Trust and Lee
Filters. Talented artists will be commissioned to work in media
such as light and water to make everyone's arrival at the venue
both attractive and entertaining.
The Lights first
autumn season programme is due to be published in late June. If you
would like to be added to The Lights mailing list
please send your details to Leisure Services at Test Valley Borough
Council or email leisure@testvalley.gov.uk
Issued February
2006