May 07 - press
releases
Summer Nights at The
Lights
Summer Nights in Andover
haven’t looked so good for quite some time. With the publication of
the first summer seasons brochure for The Lights arts and
entertainment venue anyone looking for a great night out should
definitely have a look at what’s on offer.
Comedy is proving a hit with
local audiences at The Lights and with acts such as Robin Ince, who
is currently on tour with Ricky Gervais, the evergreen Barry Cryer
and ‘premier league stand up’ Lee Hurst all booked to appear this
season, visitors will be leaving with a smile on their faces. To
complement these shows, The Lights regular monthly Comedy Club
welcomes comedians Mike Wilmot, Kerry Godliman and Carl Donnelly on
Sunday 10 June.
For lovers of theatre, the
popular Oddsocks Company are returning with their production of
Comedy of Errors which promises to be a "summer Turkish delight!"
Maybe Baby, a production by the Forest Forge company is a new play
based on the real life stories of local people back in the 1950s, a
story of joy and heartache. And in a special promotion this
afternoon performance on Monday 25 June is offered free to anyone
over 50.
Several different genres of
music including gospel, jazz, acoustic sets, blues, piano and even
the sounds of Sinatra will be gracing the stage in the coming
months. Mike Denham, "The Piano Wizard of Wessex" will perform from
Jelly Roll to Rock ‘n’ Roll. In the show he’ll trace how rock and
roll has its roots in jazz and will feature the foot-tapping music
of jazz pioneers like Jerry Lee Lewis and Fats Domino.
Long standing co-vocalists with
The Blues Band, Paul Jones and Dave Kelly will be performing their
laid back, rootsy, country acoustic blues in June as will former
Perrier jazz musician of the year, Zoe Rahman and her trio.
Great shows including Halfway
to Paradise, the Billy Fury Story and the popular Mad About the
Musicals are also booked to appear. For something a little
different the Bloomsbury Boys are back! With their passion for
flowers, and their background in the world of ballet Stephen Wicks
and Mark Welford promise an imaginative and colourful show with
lots of tips, techniques and wit.
For anyone wanting to try something
new, there are also a range of creative classes and sessions
including Strictly Dancing, Music with Mummy, Belly Dancing, Stitch
and Bitch or maybe the new Spotlight Singing group.
Details of all performances and
classes are available in the new seasons brochure, available from
the Box Office on 01264 368368, or by visiting http://www.thelights.org.uk/.
Issued May 07
Spotlight on The Lights
Andover’s new arts and entertainment venue The Lights, is going
from strength to strength – and the figures prove it.
Since opening in October
last year The Lights have been delighted by the level of support
which can be tangibly demonstrated not only by the number of sell
out shows but by visitor numbers, memberships and website hits. A
staggering 28,000 visitors have entered the doors either to enjoy
one of the 27 sell out shows, workshops, classes and business
meetings, or just to enjoy a drink at the bar or refreshments in
Coffee Carousel.
The database has grown to over
6,000 and 160 people have signed up to become Spotlight Members
entitling them to a range of benefits including priority booking.
14,000 hits on the new website http://www.thelights.org.uk/ and
the steady growth of on-line bookings each month also demonstrates
the success of the venue.
With the visitors book full of
comments such as "The best thing to happen to Andover in
Years" and "Great performance, great night out".
Venue Director Heather Whittam commented "We are thrilled with this
first half year and plan to continue programming shows that delight
our audiences, both young and old".
The Lights team of over 70
volunteers, The Bright Sparks, have also added to the success of
the venue, with many of the volunteers giving hours to work as
ushers, bar staff or on the box office.
Tickets are already selling
fast for the summer seasons shows including Halfway to Paradise –
the Billy Fury story and comedian Robin Ince’s Edinburgh Preview
show, indicating a great first year of operation for The Lights!
Programmes are available from the Box Office and at outlets
throughout the area.
Visit http://www.thelights.org.uk/
ENDS
Issued: May 2007