Issued December 07
Great Nights Out in
Andover
No longer do people living in Andover have to
travel to surrounding towns to enjoy a great night out at the
theatre. And with the publication of The Lights brand
new winter season brochure this week there are over 35 new shows to
choose from and enjoy in the coming months, right here in town.
January will be full of laughter, music and
thrilling theatre. Full houses are anticipated for A
Christmas Carol on Saturday 5 when this ghostly tale of greed and
come-uppance set in the dank, dark streets of London comes to
Andover. To lighten the mood, January's Comedy 'Club features
funny men Carey Marx and Mark Olver and later that week Mark
Watson, direct from a west end run will say "Can I briefly talk to
you about the point of Life?"
Mr Blue Sky, Shine a Little Love, Telephone
Line, Sweet Talking Woman and Turn to Stone - just some of the
great tunes you can catch at the ELO Experience performing on
Friday 18 January. The following day fans of Harry
Potter will love the unauthorised Harry Experience, Potted
Potter. All the Potter books in sixty minutes -
this comic double act will take on the challenge with the help of
endless costumes, brilliant songs, ridiculous props, and a generous
helping of Hogwarts magic. A must-see for all Potter
addicts (over 6 years of age) and a great introduction to the
series for anyone who's ever wondered what all the fuss is
about.
On Monday 21 January The Lights is holding an
Open Mic Night. So if you're into blues, jazz, indie,
folk, pop, or maybe you're a poet or comedian contact Venue
Director Heather Whittam on 01264 368814 to book your
place. For jazz lovers Sootsjazz are presented a
tribute to Oscar Peterson featuring piano maestro Craig Milverton
on Friday 25 January. The final show for the month is a
great family show, Burglar Bill, a tale full of chaotic criminal
cappers, using a blend of live action, puppets, music and
comedy.
In the following months big names such as
comedian Frankie Boyle, ex Stranger Hugh Cornwell, The Commitments,
Chas and Dave and Geno Washington will all be taking to The Lights
stage. Look out for “evenings with” the fabulous
Keith Floyd and the fascinating Anne Widdecombe and great theatre
such as Abigail’s Party and The Complete Works of
Shakespeare. Family audiences will particularly enjoy
the tale of Burglar Bill and the marvellous mime artist and clown
Fraser Hooper performing Funny Business.
Winter season brochures are available
throughout the town or by calling the Box Office on 01264 368368 or
visiting http://www.thelights.org.uk/
Mark Watson
Described as a comic alchemist, funny man Mark
Watson is bringing his unique style of laughter-making to The
Lights in January when he performs his new show “Can I briefly talk
to you about the point of life?”
The show is based, loosely, on his experiences at his last
birthday. A religious recruiter in the street asked him the
question of the title, and Watson started pondering it. In
his over-analytical mind, everything in that otherwise
unexceptional day, from a train ride to buying a peach in a
supermarket, took on a great significance. But then, as he
confesses in another admission, he’s always been one for taking
things too seriously, writing a suicide note after losing a game of
Connect 4 as a chid.
Throughout the show, which is packed with laughs, Watson
skilfully combines his personal experiences with opinions on the
greater state of society, but it’s done so subtly you’d never
notice. This bright, pacy, eloquent comic is no polemist – to
such an extent that the answer to the great questions of existence
his title suggest is nothing more than love and empathy – but the
message seeps subtly through.
Mark Watson is a regular on BBC2’s “Mock the Week”, been in his
own hugely acclaimed Radio 4 series, published his second novel and
performed sell-out runs at the Adelaide and Melbourne comedy
festivals which led to a two-week run at the Sydney Opera House –
now he’s coming to Andover.
Tickets for the show on Thursday 17 January
are available from The Lights Box Office on 01264 368368 or on-line
at http://www.thelights.org.uk/
Potted Potter
Yes it’s true, the unauthorised Harry
Experience – a parody by Dan and Jeff – takes on the ultimate
challenge, with the help of endless costumes, brilliant songs,
ridiculous props, and a generous helping of Hogwarts magic.
This fantastically funny hour feature all your
favourite characters, a special appearance from a very frightening
fire-breathing dragon, and even a game of Quidditch involving the
audience.
Following sell-out seasons at the Edinburgh
festival and in London, this first national tour is a must-see for
Potter addicts, and a great introduction to the series for anyone
who’s ever wondered what all the fuss is about.
Affection for Potter and Rowling is not
required to enjoy this show. In fact even those who loathe
the Harry phenomenon will crack smiles at this endearing
double-act, who, with helter-skelter energy, whisk the audience
through the novels in an hour.
A family treat for everyone aged over 6 years,
guaranteed to get the Muggles chuckling!
Tickets for the evening and matinee shows on
Saturday 19 January are available from The Lights Box Office on
01264 368368 or on-line at http://www.thelights.org.uk/