A legendary figure of British folk music and an acclaimed concert of classic heavy metal played by jazz musicians – original live music at Lighthouse is nothing if not diverse.
As the latest round of new shows goes on sale at the Poole arts centre, Birmingham Rep’s hit stage adaptation of Khaled Hosseini’s bestselling novel, A Thousand Splendid Suns – the spiritual sequel to international hit The Kite Runner – is coming to Poole; as is Four, the latest mixed show by renowned dance-circus company, Motionhouse.
Eliza Carthy MBE is one of the most recognisable voices of contemporary British folk music. Daughter of the legendary Martin Carthy and Norma Waterson, she is considered a pioneer who is loved by traditionalists and iconoclasts alike, effortlessly crossing musical boundaries, she’ll be appearing with her long-term touring band the Restitution.
Having made their debut in a 2010 mockumentary that alleged their original compositions had been stolen by their heavy metal heroes, Jazz Sabbath is a trio formed by Adam Wakeman, Black Sabbath’s touring keyboards player and guitarist and Ozzy Osbourne band member dedicated to rendering jazz readings of Sabbath classics.
On sale this week at Lighthouse:
Sense and Sensibility (PG)
Friday 2, Saturday 3, Tuesday 6, Wednesday 7, Thursday 8 October, 7.30pm (Fri, Thu), 3.30pm (Sat, Wed), 7pm (Sat, Tue), 2.30pm (Tue), 12.30pm (Wed), 1pm (Thu), Cinema
An irresistible new take on Jane Austen’s iconic Sense and Sensibility – a charming, witty, and deeply relatable story of love and sisterhood starring Daisy Edgar-Jones and Esmé Creed-Miles.
Sean McGoughlin: Halfway
Saturday 5 February, 8pm, The Sherling Studio
A stunning new stand-up show from beanpole Sean McLoughlin, whose “long recognised genius within the art is indisputable” (British Comedy Guide). Sean is halfway through his life. What has he learned? What has he achieved? What’s that smell? Age guidance: 16+
Eliza Carthy & The Restitution
Thursday 18 February, 7.45pm, Theatre
Eliza Carthy is one of the one of the most recognisable faces of the English folk revival and one of the most impressive and engaging performers of her generation. In her illustrious 30-year career, Eliza Carthy has earned an MBE, two Mercury Prize nominations and a plethora of other accolades. Her touring band, The Restitution, is a dynamic force of contemporary folk musicians, featuring Dave Delarre (guitars), Ben Seal (bass), Phil Alexander (piano), and Willy Molleson (drums), and together, they create an exciting and captivating musical experience.
Luke Wright: Yes.
Thursday 18 February, 8pm, The Sherling Studio
These poems are Luke’s attempt to make sense of the state of things without losing his sense of humour. They’re about family, ageing, England, public life and trying not to mistake cynicism for wisdom. Some of it’s funny. Some of it’s surprisingly emotional. He doesn’t have any answers, but he’s still trying to say yes. Age guidance: 14+
Farewell Leicester Square
Saturday 20 February, 8pm, The Sherling Studio
Townsend Theatre Productions presents an uplifting celebration of Joe Clough, Britain’s first black bus driver. Through powerful storytelling, live music, community choirs and dance, this inspiring new production reveals the remarkable life of an unsung pioneer whose courage, resilience and legacy helped shape modern Britain. Age guidance: 11+
Technicolour
Tuesday 2 March, 7.45pm, Theatre
Set in Texas in 1956 where Hollywood stars Rock Hudson, Elizabeth Taylor and James Dean are shooting the film Giant. Using the language of 1950s cinema, we see the action both on and off camera featuring an uncomfortably intimate and dysfunctional triangle of love, sex and narcissism. It’s a story about the relationship between reality and construct, a dramatisation of the real-life moment where modern celebrity and its intoxicating promise of re-invention were born.
Motionhouse: Four
Tuesday 9 March, 7.30pm, Theatre
Breathtaking dance-circus, this mixed bill from world renowned company Motionhouse brings together four powerful pieces from the company’s spectacular repertoire. Four is about human connections, the glue that holds us together, and our innate need to strive but also to save and protect each other. This thrilling mixed bill celebrates our human instinct to explore and discover, finding strength together. Four celebrates human endeavour, where highly skilled performers move together in a symphony of strength, support and tenderness. The dancers lift, throw and catch each other with immense precision. Their extraordinary skill and mutual trust make Four compelling and emotional to watch.
Jazz Sabbath
Tuesday 30 March, 7.45pm, Theatre
A high energy 100% jazz show for jazz fans, rock fans and everyone in between. Led by Grammy-winning pianist Adam Wakeman, who played in Black Sabbath and Ozzy Osbourne’s solo band from 2004, Jazz Sabbath explores the boundaries between jazz and the songs that defined heavy metal.
The Best of Frankie Valli starring Matt Terry
Thursday 1 April, 7.30pm, Concert Hall
This nostalgic musical journey pays tribute to one of the most iconic acts in music history, featuring the sensational Matt Terry alongside a world-class cast from smash-hit, award-winning West End musicals.
Pinocchio
Thursday 8, Friday 9 April, 11am, 2pm, The Sherling Studio
An inventive, family-friendly theatrical adaptation of the classic story with Steve Tiplady, as Geppetto, using the objects of a carpenter’s workshop to tell the tale of the puppet that wants to be a real boy, and the puppet-maker who wants to be a real father as Pinocchio is carved on stage. Age guidance: 4+
COMB
Saturday 17 April, 8pm, The Sherling Studio
Comb is poet Charlotte Mooney’s tangled ride into Celtic, Slavic and Siberian folklore, mythology, history and the perils of obsessive research. Featuring sentient puddles, bishops with holy combs, portals, magical flies and a healthy respect for nits, Comb is a playful, heart rending and furious lament for the stories and people we have lost. Age guidance: 12+
An Evening of Stories and Songs with Ian W Brown
Thursday 22 April, 8pm, The Sherling Studio
His songs have been sung by Oscar winners and recorded by international superstars. More than 30 (and counting!) of them feature in films. He’s co-written a number one hit, earned an Ivor Novello nomination and written the lead song in a smash hit West End musical. And there’s more; much, much more…
Lovett
Thursday 29 April, 8pm, The Sherling Studio
A fascinating, darkly comic tale of her life before her infamous partnership with Sweeney Todd, we discover what would later lead Mrs Lovett to turn pie-maker. Age guidance: 14+
A Thousand Splendid Suns
Tuesday 11 – Saturday 15 May, 7pm, (2pm Wed, Sat mats), Theatre
Birmingham Rep presents its powerful production of Khaled Hosseini’s bestselling novel, A Thousand Splendid Suns, which has sold over 38 million copies worldwide and is Hosseini’s spiritual sequel to The Kite Runner. Age guidance: 14+
The Great Big Bug Show
Saturday 15 May, 11am, 2pm, The Sherling Studio
Join poet Simon Mole and musician Gecko for a family show full of poems, raps and songs all about your favourite bugs (and some you haven’t heard of yet!). A fun and interactive invitation to explore the secret world beneath our feet. Age guidance: 4-11
Seiners and Quarry Path
Thursday 3 June, 8pm, The Sherling Studio
Created, in part at Lighthouse as part of the Sanctuary residency, this atmospheric multimedia show is about memory of place and the echo voices that remain long after the Purbeck and Portland quarries and stone yards, and the seine fishing crews and mackerel on Chesil beach are gone. Experienced in words, cello and film, these everyday working lives and industrial landscapes become mythical and universal as we remember them together. Age guidance: 10+
:: With the exception of The Best of Frankie Valli starring Matt Terry, which is already on sale, Priority booking opens for Lighthouse Best & Great Friends only on Friday 18 September, and to Lighthouse Good Friends on Tuesday 22 September before going on general sale from Friday 25 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/.