Shindig Spring 2012 Tour

Welcome to the Spring 2012 Shindig Tour where you will find 17 exciting shows at various venues across Wychavon.

Listed below is a full menu of the shows in Wychavon along with the venues, dates, times and contact details.

Ten Days That Shook the Kitchen - Ginny Davis Productions

'TEN DAYS That Shook The Kitchen!' describes ten days in the life of Ruth Rich, an ordinary mum of three who, in response to a magazine article, starts to write a diary. You'll recognise the familiar packed schedule of mums everywhere - swimming lessons, supermarket shopping, PTA meetings, visits by the gruesome in-laws, whingeing kids and the hard to live up to (34DD) best friend. It's all given a hilarious twist when she prangs her car into (the rather delectable) Milly's Dad's BMW. Their eyes meet…he asks her out….Will she?!

Ginny Davis' performance is magnificent as she cleverly portrays every single character (and there are quite a few). Mums everywhere will recognise themselves and hopefully the stroppy teenagers out there will realise how hectic Mum’s life really is, especially when it comes to saving their embarrassment when her husband decides to impersonate Elvis!
Think 'Bridget Jones's Diary' meets 'My Family'!
Suitable for Adult / Families (children 8+)

Ashton Under Hill Village Hall, WR11 7SW
Friday 13th January - 8.00pm
Box Office - 01386 881594
Tickets - £9.00

or

Rous Lench Village Hall, WR11 4UN
Saturday 5th May - 7.30pm
Box Office - 01386 793651
Tickets - £8.00 / £6.00 (Child under 16) / £25.00 (Family 2 adults, 2 children)

New Budapest Cafe Orchestra

New Budapest Café Orchestra play powerful, driving folk-based music from Eastern Europe inspired by the music of European gypsies. The music evokes vivid images of fiddle maestros, Budapest café life and gypsy campfires.
Comprising of five fabulous musicians and boasting some of the country’s most revered international stars: Chris Garrick on violin (one of Europe’s most celebrated jazz violinists performing regularly with Cleo Lane and John Dankworth); Eddie Hession on free bass accordion (has accompanied Luciano Pavarotti, Placido Domingo and Jose Carreras and was supreme accordion champion of Great Britain); Kelvin Cantlon on double bass and Adrian Zolotuhin on guitar, sax and balalaika.
Suitable for Adults/Families (children 7+)

Eckington Village Hall, WR10 3AU
Sunday 5th February - 7.30pm
Box Office - 01386 750305
Tickets - £8.50 / £7.00 Students under 25

Oh Lady be Good - Melissa Western

Singer-actor Melissa Western is flying in from Brisbane, Australia, just for us. In a feast of music from opera to folk to jazz to rock, she takes you on a tour of the 20th Century with the great divas as your guides. You'll know the classic songs of Ella Fitzgerald, Billie Holiday, Roberta Flack, Aretha Franklin, Carol King, Maria Callas, Judy Garland, Patsy Cline, Marilyn Monroe, Whitney Houston and more, but do you know their stories?
Melissa’s sassy and sultry blues numbers will be a particular treat for any audience and she will be joined on stage by Greg Gottlieb, an enthusiastic double bassist from Brisbane, and Antony Dyer, a talented pianist and guitarist whose harmony vocals wonderfully underscore Melissa’s sparkling routines.
Melissa has won many awards and has performed across the world, acting, singing and dancing in musical theatre shows and cabarets. She has performed at countless festivals and been hand-picked for performances by the Australian Prime Minister, Queensland Premier, Governor General of Queensland and countless other VIPs.
This will be a wonderful cabaret-style night filled with amazing anecdotes, iconic characters, fun for the audience and most of all great quality music.
Suitable for Adults/Older Children (15+)

Harvington Village Hall, WR11 8NQ
Tuesday 7th February - 7.30pm
Box Office - 01386 870255
Tickets - £8.00 / £6.00 (under 16's)

How Steeple Sinderby Wanderers Won the FA Cup - New Perspectives Theatre Company

Is it possible? Could a humble village team really have taken on the best that the football leagues could throw at it and still come out on top? It's a case of 'right place, right time' for Steeple Sinderby as a revolutionary trainer, two of football's best players to have ever disappeared from the top divisions and a chairman of Napoleonic ability all come together to make dreams come true!
You don't need to follow the beautiful game to enjoy this play as this tale of the ultimate underdog will soon have you laughing and cheering from the sidelines! The story is set in the mid-20th century but there are plenty of characters you may recognise if you live in a small community yourself. There are 61 villagers - and counting - and they are all performed by just one extremely talented and hardworking man!
Suitable for adult and families (children 9+)

Elmbridge Village Hall, WR9 0DA
Saturday 11th February - 7.30pm
Box Office - 01299 851266
Tickets - £8.00 / £6.00 (under 18's)

Steiny's Blues - Such Sweet Thunder - Steve Steinhaus

Steve Steinhaus is the charismatic singer with a big personality who fronts Dr Teeth Big Band and The Steve Steinhaus Swing Band. His brand new show is a departure from the usual and in ‘Steiny’s Blues – Such Sweet Thunder’ he is supported by talented jazz musicians, Tasha Buxton on drums and Jay Moody on keys and saxes, as he tells tales from his life story.
The show features Harlem-style jazz poetry, a cappella gospel songs, call and response singalongs and entertaining stories about the myths and legends of American jazz and blues and Steve’s musical idols. It is interwoven with anecdotes from Steve’s childhood in Chicago and his life as a bouncer, musician, poet, school teacher, and as an American living in England.
The show is bursting with energy and audience interaction; Steve will get you clapping and stamping your feet, teach you simple harmonies to join in with and shout back replies to the rousing choruses. You’ll go home buzzing with his infectious enthusiasm, having been taken on a fascinating journey!
Suitable for Adults and older children (8+)

Stoulton Village Hall, WR7 4RE
Friday 9th March - 7.30pm
Box Office - 01905 841260
Tickets - £8.00 / £6.00 (Children in FT Education) / £25.00 (Family of Four: 2A+2C)

Beowolf - High Lupon & Rick Wilson

Beowulf is the oldest story in the English language, yet still has the power to raise the hairs on the back of the neck. It's often said that things have much more impact if you are told the story and have to imagine the pictures for yourself. Having a master storyteller like Hugh Lupton relate the spectacle of a monster careering through an ancient hall full of warriors, and the stealth of Beowulf as he seeks revenge through murky marshes is a real treat!
Combine this with fantastic on-stage sounds from one of Britain's leading percussionists and gongs, bells and a myriad of drums conjure up a fabulous atmosphere to weave in and out of the rich language.
Hugh Lupton is a storyteller, writer and poet. Throughout his thirty year career he’s won numerous awards and toured constantly with a large repertoire of myths, legends and ballads.
Rick Wilson is an accomplished drumkit player and has trained in Indian, North African and Brazilian carnival percussion. He has been a tutor for WOMAD and Glyndebourne and has spent many years working with storytellers and Musicians.
Suitable for Adults/Older Children (12+)

Cleeve Prior Memorial Hall, WR11 8LE
Friday 16th March - 8.00pm
Box Office - 01789 772578
Tickets - £9.00

Spaghetti Swing - Sid Hero Productions

Sid Hero Productions will be flying in direct from Italy for a special tour with us, and the charismatic four-piece are not only great musicians but also cook and serve REAL Italian pasta direct from the stage.
Some of the music may be familiar to you, played on harmonica, piano and double bass with percussion and vocals - although most of it will be new. It’s got a smoking hot 1950s swing jazz feel and it's seriously foot-tappy!
There will be a fabulous Italian flavour to the evening (and I don’t just mean the pasta). The themes of the music are jealousy, rivalry and revenge - all performed with a knowing twinkle in the eye.
The band has a great 'Front Man' called Luigi and all of the musicians have interesting personalities and back stories. Look out for the drummer when he comes out from behind his drum kit to play percussion on anything he can find in the hall - bottles, plates, tables… their infectious sense of fun means they become great friends very quickly!
Suitable  for Adults/Older Children (16+)

Bishampton Villages Hall, WR10 2LY
Wednesday 21st March - 7.30pm
Box Office - 01386 462306
Tickets - £7.00 (In advance) / £7.50 (On door)

Men in General

In this show five ordinary guys, separated at birth, talk and sing à cappella: Marvin Gaye, Joe Jackson, Coope Boyes & Simpson, Rodgers & Hammerstein, Stephen Stills, Billy Joel, The Beach Boys, The Spooky Men’s Chorale, a song about Elvis by poet Brian Patten and other top compositions.
They are a singing barometer of blokedom, a Beaufort Scale of wind and torment, with interesting perspectives on topical issues such as the green debate and transition strategies. There'll be tonnes of witty banter as these guys love to clown around and adopt comical characters between songs.
Some of you will recognise their faces from The Singing Sous’Chefs (Jim Howden, Adrian Mealing and Will Tooby) and in their latest adventures they’re eloping with two of The Murphy Brothers (Will Coleman and Tim Cranmore).
It is a seriously entertaining, highly original show with plenty of interactive flights of fancy. And they hope that by the end of it we might all understand men a lot better… now that's a tall order!
Suitable for Adults/Older Children (10+)

Harvington Village Hall, WR11 8NQ
Thursday 29th March - 7.30pm
Box Office - 01386 870255
Tickets - £8.00 / £6.00 (Under 16)

Ashley Hutchings's Rainbow Chasers

Ashley Hutchings is a multi-award winning musician, singer, songwriter, producer, broadcaster, poet and band leader. He is best known as a founder of the three most successful British folk-rock groups: Fairport Convention; Steeleye Span and The Albion Band. The Rainbow Chasers toured community venues a few years ago and went down an absolute storm, now they’re back with new album, ‘Under the Eaves’!
The Rainbow Chasers is an exceptional gathering of four talented individual songwriters with varying styles who all get their chance to shine. Ashley’s joined by Ruth Angell on vocals, fiddle and guitar, Jo Hamilton on viola and guitar and talented young guitarist and singer-songwriter Joe Topping.
The music features many instruments, with some surprising styles mixed in with Ashley’s older classics and the band’s new songs. They are performed sometimes with the whole band, sometimes as solos, but all with a chatty, friendly introduction to their often quirky subject matter.
It's not often you get a folk-rock icon and musicians of this calibre on your doorstep, so don't miss this treat!
Suitable for Adult/Older Children (12+)

Severn Sailing Club House, Bredons Norton, GL20 7HD\
Friday 30th March - 8.30pm
Box Office - 01684 772849
Tickets - £8.00 / £6.00 (Children up to 14)

Kel Elliott

She’s smart and sassy, ballsy but sweet. New to rural touring, Kel Elliott is a singing double bass player fronting an impressively energetic and dynamic band. At a recent local gig they had the audience dancing on the tables so we expect they'll go down a storm!
Kel has what can only be described as distinctly rich and powerful vocals (think like Alison Moyet bathed in chocolate). She's backed by a tight band: the super-talented Kelvin on rhythm guitar and backing vocals; piano-maestro Leo on keys and the lovely Tom on drums and percussion.
Together, they perform fresh self-penned songs with catchy melodies and infectious grooves. They also throw in quirky versions of well-known hits - they do particularly good renditions of ‘Tainted Love’, ‘Billy Jean’ and The Arctic Monkeys’ ‘Bet You Look Good on the Dance Floor’.
Suitable for Adult and older children 12+

Birlingham Village Hall, WR10 3AB
Sunday 15th April - 7.30pm
Box Office - 01386 750915
Tickets - £8.00

Hoagy, Hornpipes, Handel & Hoedown - Hilary James & Simon Mayor

Simon and Hilary have worked as presenters, songwriters and musical directors for BBC television. Simon is one of the world's leading mandolin virtuosos and composers, as well as a fine fiddle player and guitarist. Hilary has "one of Britain's finest voices" (BBC Radio 4) as well as an unusual taste in bass instruments - her Mandobass is a real showstopper.
With Hilary's stunning voice and wonderful Mandobass (a giant mandolin) plus Simon's finger-flying talent on just about every string instrument going, this will be a fantastically varied evening.
Beethoven gets the mandolin treatment and rubs shoulders with Gershwin, a foot-stomping Texas fiddle tune and a song written for children gets the audience joining in on the action and their lovely laidback humour adds to the quality of a really great, musical night out.
Suitable for Adults and families (children 8+)

Bishampton Villages Hall, WR10 2LY
Friday 11th May - 7.30pm
Box Office - 01386 462306
Tickets - £7.00 (In advance) / £7.50 (On door) / £5.00 (Under 16s)

The Old Dance School

This twinkly-eyed seven piece band will shower you in magical harmonies, dueling fiddles and hair-raising world percussion with their unique and imaginative take on traditional folk music. Evoking images of wind-swept headlands, witches and wild adventures, this group are incredibly talented and bring to the stage a friendly and energetic spirit.
Their debut album 'Based on a True Story' was met with terrific reviews in the national press, has been championed by BBC Radio 2's Bob Harris and has secured The Old Dance School as one of the most exciting young bands to have emerged in recent years.
Having all studied at Birmingham Conservatoire, the seven members of The Old Dance School may seem fresh faced but don't let that fool you – the diversity and scale of each one's musical journey is quite remarkable. From international jazz festivals to European opera tours, film score commissions to classical recitals, green festivals to tattoo conventions the members of The Old Dance School have performed, recorded and toured with artists such as Martha Wainwright, Graham Coxon, Zoe Rahman, Neil Yates, The Destroyers, Martha Tilston, Kevin Dempsey, Joe Broughton and Chris While.
Suitable for Adults / Families (children 8+)

Severn Sailing Club House, Bredons Norton, GL20 7HD
Friday 11th May - 8.30pm
Box Office - 01684 772849
Tickets - £8.00 / £6.00 (Children up to 14)

Zulu

Zulu’ is a theatre company, a band, a dance troupe, a group of storytellers and school of educators all rolled into one! Direct from Durban, South Africa, the individual members of ‘Zulu’ have previously performed in the UK as part of 'The Mighty Zulu Nation' and on the West End in 'The Lion King'. They have performed around the world for royalty and senior government alike, including the Queen, Nelson Mandela and Desmond Tutu.
Staged in colourful authentic costumes, this exciting show encompasses a wide range of musical styles to present a spectacle of rich African culture. You will be taken on a journey to experience Maskandi (traditional Zulu music), afro-jazz and traditional Zulu songs and psalms. The cast will also use various genres
Suitable for Adults/Families (Children 6+)

Ashton Under Hill Village Hall, WR11 7SW
Saturday 12th May - 7.30pm
Box Office - 01386 881594
Tickets - £9.00

Brassed Off! - Orichalcum - World of Brass

It’s not very often that you hear nearly 20 different brass instruments in the same show and it’s hard to believe that they’re all played by one man! This performance will take you on a journey through a whole world of brass, from the tiny piccolo trumpet to the huge bass tuba.
James Stretton will be your virtuoso multi brass instrumentalist. He is a former member of both Black Dyke and Grimethorpe Colliery Brass Bands and a musical chameleon working in professional theatre, performing with leading orchestras, as a soloist and with recording artists. Iain Jackson will accompany, and delight, on the electric piano.
James and Iain pride themselves on their impressive variety and move through musical genres at a rate of knots. With down-to-earth versions of well known classics, from Jazz on the tuba, Rachmaninov on the euphonium and a lively Hungarian dance on the trombone, there really will be something for all tastes!
There are opportunities to get involved throughout the show, from singing along to playing instruments, and the evening will conclude with a popular Q & A session.
Suitable for Adult/Families (children 7+)

Cleeve Prior Memorial Hall, WR11 8LE
Friday 18th May - 8.00pm
Box Office - 01789 772578
Tickets - £10.00 / £5.00 (Under 16s)

The Lady Loves Jazz

Helen Barrett has been wowing audiences up and down the country in rural and community venues with this sumptuous show. She has been working as a professional performer for over 10 years and her singing career has taken her all over the world.
Helen will be joined by one of the country’s top jazz pianists for this performance as she sings a wonderful repertoire from well-loved songwriters of our time - Ella Fitzgerald, Nina Simone, Peggy Lee, Norah Jones and Eva Cassidy to name a few.
Helen has performed to some of the most prestigious audience members in the past including the Queen, Prince Philip, Prince Charles and Tony Blair so this lady's definitely got a few stories to tell!
Suitable for Adults/Older Children (15+)

Eckington Village Hall, WR10 3AU
Saturday 19th May- 7.30pm
Box Office - 01386 750305 
Tickets - £8.50 (Full price) / £7.00 (Student U25)

Latin Fiesta Rhythmic Explosion

Lament are a Warwickshire based five-piece latin, jazz and world music group. They have appeared on BBC 6 Music, recorded two successful CD's and have been touring extensively to packed out venues and festivals. They played at community venues last year and went down a storm so we're delighted to have them on the programme.
The band is made up of Kath on vocals, Anthony on acoustic guitar, Liz on trumpet, Chris on drums and the very cool Wayne on bass guitar. Their style blends gypsy, latin and flamenco grooves with Arabic, Cuban, Salsa and Brazilian Bossa Nova flavours. Add Kath's meaningful songs into the mix and you have an evening that's not just about Latin dance grooves.
Lament's live performances are incredibly vibrant and they will keep all ages entertained with their fun improvisation and freestyling. You really won’t be able to resist getting up to show off your sassy salsa skills!
Suitable for Adults/Families (children 8+)

Stoulton Village Hall, WR7 4RE
Saturday 19th May - 7.30pm
Box Office - 01905 841260
Tickets - £8.00 (Adult) / £6.00 (Child in full time Edcn) / £25.00 (Family 2 adults + 2 child)

Join the mailing list so Live and Local can keep you up to date with the latest news and shows: http://www.shindig.org.uk/

Click on the link to find out more about Shindig and to download the Spring 2012 Brochure

For details of performances please contact Jenny Davis on 01386 565396 or email jenny.davis@wychavon.gov.uk

Click on the link to see past Shindig Tours