SOME big names are heading to the stage at Warwick Arts Centre’s this autumn.
They include rock and roll royalty in Queen’s Brian May, comedian turned actress Catherine Tate, and singer/songwriter Billy Bragg.
Guitarist May will be joined by singer Kerry Ellis when the pair stop off as part of a Candlelit Christmas Tour on Saturday December 17. The evening will feature stripped-down versions of their favourite songs, together with tracks from their second album together.
Tate, recently seen on stage at the RSC in Stratford as co-presenter of RSC Live, will present The Catherine Tate Show Live on Thursday November 10. Expect characters including Nan Taylor, Irish nurse Bernie and Essex girl Sam.
Bragg, together with American performer and producer Joe Henry will also be pulling up together on Sunday November 13.
The pair recently jumped on a train together Stateside, armed with their guitars, to reconnect with railroad travel and the music it inspired.
On the music front, the centre will also be welcoming some top roots/folk performers, including Kate Rusby, Seth Lakeman, and Eliza Carthy & The Wayward Band.
Laughs will be provided by Lucy Porter, Nina Conti, Romesh Ranganathan, Ross Noble and marcus Brigstoke among others.
Theatre productions include Frantic Assembly & The State Theatre Company of South Australia’s Things I Know to be True, telling the story of a family and marriage through the eyes of four grown siblings struggling to define themselves beyond their parents’ love and expectations.
Terence Rattigan’s 1936 comedy French Without Tears is brought to the stage by English Touring Theatre, and follows the activities and calamities of a group of young men who fall for the charms of a beautiful visitor to their French Summer school.
Kneehigh return with a music and dance bonanza, retelling Michael Morpurgo’s story of war prejudice and love – 946: The Amazing Story of Adolphus Tips.
Family shows include puppets in the Eric Carle favourite The Very Hungry Caterpillar to the tale of Molly’s Marvellous Moustache it’s sure to be a season full of laughs for the little ones.
The family Christmas season will kick off with the Family Weekend – The Wonders of Winter and culminate with Julia Donaldson’s ever popular Stick Man.
Visit warwickartscentre.co.uk for tickets and full programme details.
