“One of the most vital arts organisations in southern England” The Times
We are a charity
The Anvil Trust is the charity behind Anvil Arts, the largest performing arts organisation in Hampshire that operates three fantastic cultural venues.
We bring many big names to Basingstoke and attract 200,000 people into the town centre each year, who visit shops, bars, restaurants and hotels, as well as The Anvil , The Haymarket and The Forge. Our activities are worth £7.3m to the local economy every year, and support 130 jobs in addition to our own staff.
As an independent charity we can:
• Make sure that we present a variety of performances for a wide range of audiences, both popular and specialist
• Help Basingstoke gain a reputation as a town with a strong cultural offer, punching above its weight on the national stage
• Give opportunities to local children, schools and colleges, young musicians and performers
• Work to benefit people on the autistic spectrum and people with dementia, their carers and families, with specially designed projects
Support The Anvil Trust
Now and in the future
We need your support to ensure our work continues to enrich lives in Basingstoke and the region.
Donations A one-off or regular donation will be used to support our programme of events and community engagement. Please contact the box office for details or visit anvilarts.org.uk/donate.
• Partner with other charities, both local and national, to make our resources go further
• Apply for investment from Arts Council England and other support organisations
• Make sure that any surplus is reinvested in our work to benefit people in Basingstoke and Hampshire, making the Borough a better place to live and work
Visit anvilarts.org.uk/about-us to find out more.
Make a gift in your will
By including The Anvil Trust in your will, you’ll enable us to continue to give the gift of music as well as reducing your inheritance tax bill.
The Anvil Trust is grateful for the support of the following:
The Haymarket: Wed 2 Apr / 7.30pm
Country Hits Live
Selling
Fast
Country Hits Live celebrates the atmosphere and energy of an evening in the heart of Tennessee, performed by a cast of multi-award winning musicians and singers – fronted by UK country singer Jade Helliwell, and direct from Nashville, Lars Pluto
Prepare to be taken back through the history of country music featuring hits by Johnny Cash, Willie Nelson, Dolly Parton, Shania Twain and Garth Brooks, right through to Taylor Swift and Luke Combs.
£34, £31 (includes £4 booking fee)
The Anvil: Fri 4 Apr / 7.30pm
What’s Love Got to Do with It?
The Anvil: Thu 3 Apr (sold out) & Sun 13 Jul / 7.30pm
Rumours of Fleetwood Mac
Personally endorsed by Mick Fleetwood, Rumours of Fleetwood Mac offers an opportunity for fans, both old and new, to rediscover the songs and performances that have ensured Fleetwood Mac’s place as one of the most loved groups of all time.
£49, £44, £39 (includes £4 booking fee)
Selling Fast
After a fantastic sell-out tour across the UK, Tina Turner fans will have the time of their lives as What’s Love Got to Do with It? is back, celebrating the music and 60-year career of this incredible rock and soul star.
This joyous show features all the hits including Proud Mary, River Deep, Simply the Best, Private Dancer, and many more.
£40, £37, £30, £24 (includes £4 booking fee)
The Anvil: Sat 5 Apr / 7.30pm
The Bootleg Beatles in Concert
Celebrating the Music of The Fab Four on Film
Selling Fast
Featuring hits from all five movies: A Hard Day’s Night, Help!, Magical Mystery Tour, Yellow Submarine, and Let It Be, The Bootleg Beatles and their orchestra take you on a whistle stop trip through the celluloid career of The Fab Four in their brand-new, spectacular multi-media stage show.
£43.50, £40.50, £37.50 (includes £4 booking fee)
The Haymarket: Fri 4 Apr / 7.30pm
Joel Dommett
Happy Idiot
Tickets for this event have sold out. Please email your name, address and contact number to box.office@anvilarts.org.uk to be added to the waiting list.
£29 (includes £4 booking fee)
Suitable for: strictly ages 14 and over (likely to be swearing and adult content). Children younger than this will not be admitted, even if accompanied by an adult.
The Haymarket: Sat 5 Apr / 8pm
Rich Hall
Chin Music
Selling
Fast
‘Chin Music’ has two meanings. One is idle talk. The other is a brushback throw in baseball or cricket to intimidate the batter. Both describe Rich Hall’s comedy. Idle but intimidating. Sharp, quick, splenetic, and sublimely improvisational.
If you’ve never seen him, you need to hustle down and grab a seat because he never disappoints. Ever.
£22 (includes £4 booking fee)
Suitable for: strictly ages 14 and over (likely to be swearing and adult content). Children younger than this will not be admitted, even if accompanied by an adult.
The Anvil: Wed 9 Apr / 7.30pm
Philharmonia Orchestra
Prokofiev Symphony no. 1 (Classical)
Shostakovich Violin Concerto no. 1 Symphony no. 1
Nemanja Radulović violin
Santtu-Matias Rouvali
Prokofiev ’s lively Classical Symphony takes Haydn’s symphonies as its affectionate model, successfully updating the form to the early twentieth century.
Shostakovich’s is one of the finest twentieth century violin concertos. Its four movements include a hushed and poignant nocturne and an unstoppable finale. His dazzling First Symphony reflects the optimism and experimentation of the early 1920s, while showing signs of how the nineteen-year-old composer would mature.
£45, £40, £34, £25, £17. Under 25s and f/t students £12 (includes £4 booking fee)
6.30pm / The Forge
The Philharmonia Orchestra is Anvil Arts’ Orchestra in Partnership
The Haymarket: Tue 8 Apr / 2pm
The Amazing Bubble Man
Louis Pearl explores the breathtaking dynamics of bubbles, combining comedy and artistry with audience participation, and enough spellbinding bubble tricks to keep everyone mesmerised.
From square bubbles, bubbles inside bubbles, fog-filled bubbles, giant bubbles, bubble volcanoes, tornados and trampolines, to people inside bubbles, The Amazing Bubble Man conjures shrieks of laughter and gasps of amazement from all ages.
£18.50. Under 16s £16.50 (includes £4 booking fee)
“Rouvali’s imaginative, often spectacular musicality is exceptional even in an era with a number of remarkable young conductors”
The Haymarket: Wed 9 Apr / 7.30pm
Nick Mohammed is Mr. Swallow
Tour Warm-Up
Taskmaster loser and Ted Lasso star Nick Mohammed (and his alter-ego Mr. Swallow) previews his brand-new show ahead of a national tour. Expect magic, music and a whole load of mistakes.
£22 (includes £4 booking fee)
Suitable for: ages 14 and over
The Anvil: Thu 10 Apr / 7.30pm
Karen Hauer & Gorka Marquez
Speakeasy
Strictly Come Dancing ’s Karen Hauer and Gorka Marquez bring their all-new show, Speakeasy
From the clandestine New York Speakeasy to the sultry Havana dance floors, the Burlesque Cabaret Clubs of the mid-1900s to the glittering mirror balls of Studio 54, Speakeasy will be a delicious dance experience.
Mamba, salsa, Charleston, foxtrot, and samba the night away with the electrifying cast of world-class dancers, vocalists, and musicians.
£59, £52, £42, VIP £79 (includes £4 booking fee)
The Anvil: Fri 11 Apr / 7.30pm
Luther Live
The world’s premier show in celebration of ‘The Velvet Voice’, fronted by international Luther Vandross tribute Harry Cambridge and his 10-piece band.
Experience all the hits from his amazing career, culminating over 40 million album sales and eight Grammy awards, including Never Too Much, Here and Now, Dance with My Father, and many more.
£31.50 (includes £4 booking fee)
The Haymarket: Sat 12 Apr / 12.30pm & 3.30pm
Based on the best-selling book by Tom Fletcher & Dougie Poynter and illustrated by Garry Parsons
When Danny and Dino’s favourite rock band are playing their last ever concert, they go on a quest to get the last two tickets. But with a villainous band manager lurking, nothing goes to plan. Will the band perform? Will Danny rock out? Or will Dino’s rumbling tummy save the day?
Adapted from the number one best-selling books by McFly members Tom Fletcher and Dougie Poynter , the whole family will have a poopy good time enjoying a brand-new story for the stage.
Featuring new songs by Tom and Dougie, a lot of laughs, and a whole lot of poo!
£20.50. Under 16s £19.50 (includes £4 booking fee)
Suitable for: all the family!
The Anvil: Sat 12 Apr / 7.30pm
That’ll Be The Day
Experience a captivating journey through music history, from the ‘50s to the ‘80s, filled with electrifying performances, and era-defining tunes.
Don’t miss out on this spectacular celebration back by popular demand that will leave you wanting more.
£32 (includes £4 booking fee)
Suitable for: ages 12 and over (contains adult humour)
The Anvil: Thu 17 Apr / 7.30pm
Sing The Musicals
The Anvil: Tue 15 Apr / 2pm & 6pm
Enchanted Entertainment present The Wizard of Oz:
Easter Panto
Starring Stevi Ritchie , Steve Royle and Lewis Denny
Follow the Yellow Brick Road for a fantastic Easter pantomime version of The Wizard of Oz .
Packed with brilliant dance routines, well known pop songs, lots of audience participation, and plenty of laughter for all the family!
£28. Over 65s, under 16s and f/t students £26 (includes £4 booking fee)
Selling Fast
Direct from London’s West End, the first national tour featuring songs from the greatest musicals of all time, including Mamma Mia!, The Greatest Showman, Dirty Dancing, Les Misérables, Phantom of the Opera, The Rocky Horror Show, Mary Poppins, Oliver!, We Will Rock You, and many more.
Performed by a sensational live band and character singers, to make this the must-see sing-a-long spectacular of the year.
£30.50 (includes £4 booking fee)
The Forge: Apr – Jun
Nashville Meets London
The team behind the successful Nashville Meets London returns to The Forge for a three month residency after their sell-out concerts earlier this year.
Thu 17 Apr / 7.45pm
Kezia Gill & Friends – Writers Rounds
Join Kezia Gill for an intimate concert as she invites some of her favourite songwriter friends to share the stage.
Stripping it back to the heart of storytelling, these exclusive performances will feature raw, acoustic renditions of songs, and the stories behind them.
£27.50 (includes £4 booking fee)
Thu 15 May / 7.45pm
Robbie Cavanagh & The Whole Family
plus special guest Savannah Gardner
Robbie Cavanagh lets his music speak for itself. There is no gimmick and there is no heartbreaking backstory.
His unwavering focus on staying true to his identity as an artist has kept him current, fresh and popular.
“Breathtakingly beautiful and painfully gorgeous” Get the Chance
£25 (includes £4 booking fee)
Fri 20 Jun / 7.45pm
Callaghan
with special guest Tom Bright
Performing on piano and guitar with a stunning voice, Callaghan earns frequent comparisons with artists like Sarah McLachlan, Eva Cassidy, and Carly Simon. Her songwriting chronicles the stories, experiences, and emotions which are part of everyone’s lives.
£25 (includes £4 booking fee)
The Anvil: Wed 23 Apr / 7.30pm
Dionne Warwick
Don’t Make Me Over: In Person and in Her Own Words
Selling Fast
Join Dionne Warwick , the artist behind What the World Needs Now, Say A Little Prayer, and Don’t Make Me Over, as she talks about her remarkable life story and performs some of her greatest hits with her band.
£69, £59, £49, £40 (includes £4 booking fee)
The Haymarket: Sun 27 Apr / 3pm
The Steve Hewlett Show
Eyes & Teeth Live
Steve Hewlett started his career in Basingstoke at age 12, and has since worked worldwide as a ventriloquist.
This extravaganza will feature a combination of comedy ventriloquism, live music, and celebrity guests, including Graham Cole OBE ( The Bill ), Triple Cream , and Arthur Lager as co-host.
£17. Over 65s £14 (includes £4 booking fee)
Suitable for: ages 8 and over
The Anvil: Thu 24 Apr / 7pm (Doors)
Clearwater Creedence Revival
Have You Ever Seen the Rain – 55th Anniversary Tour
Clearwater Creedence Revival return for another tribute to one of the most well-known rock groups of all time, Creedence Clearwater Revival.
The group’s biggest hits, such as Proud Mary, Bad Moon Rising, Have You Ever Seen the Rain, and Up Around the Bend are powerfully reprised in this show, alongside other covers of CCR and John Fogerty favourites.
£31.50 (includes £4 booking fee)
The Anvil: Wed 30 Apr / 7.30pm
An Audience with Lucy Worsley on Jane Austen
Tickets for this event have sold out. Please email your name, address and contact number to box.office@anvilarts.org.uk to be added to the waiting list.
£39 (includes £4 booking fee)
Suitable for: ages 14 and over Returns Only
The Haymarket: Thu 1 May / 7.30pm
An Evening with Andy Hamilton
Tickets for this event have sold out. Please email your name, address and contact number to box.office@anvilarts.org.uk to be added to the waiting list.
£24 (includes £4 booking fee)
Suitable for: ages 16 and over
The Anvil: Thu 1 May / 7.30pm
The Waterboys
Selling Fast
The Waterboys live for the experience of playing, of feeling their music evolve and grow with each consecutive concert. Nothing makes them happier than seeing a long list of tour dates.
Come and join them as they return to The Anvil after a sell-out performance in 2023!
£54, £49 (includes £4 booking fee)
The Anvil: Sun 4 May / 7.30pm
Senbla presents Opera International ’s award-winning Ellen Kent production
featuring the Ukrainian Opera & Ballet Theatre Kyiv with international soloists, highly-praised chorus, and full orchestra
Back by overwhelming public demand, this award-winning opera returns in a new production with exquisite sets, including a spectacular Japanese garden, and fabulous costumes, such as antique wedding kimonos from Japan.
Puccini ’s Madama Butterfly (winner ‘Best Opera’ Liverpool Daily Post Theatre Awards ) tells the heartbreaking story of the beautiful young Japanese girl who falls in love with an American naval lieutenant – with dramatic results.
Highlights include the melodic Humming Chorus , the moving aria One Fine Day , and the unforgettable Love Duet
Welcoming back the fabulous Korean soprano Elena Dee , Ukrainian soprano Viktoria Melnyk , Ukrainian mezzo-soprano Yelyzaveta Bielous , Georgian tenor Davit Sumbadze , and Armenian tenor Hovhannes Andreasyan .*
£49, £45, £41, £37. Under 25s and f/t students half price (plus booking fee), over 65s £2 off (includes £4 booking fee)
Sung in Italian with English surtitles. *Cast subject to change
The Anvil: Sat 3 May / 7.30pm
Giovanni
Selling Fast
The Last Dance 2021’s Strictly champion, BAFTA winner, and the Italian maestro of dance, Giovanni Pernice, will be taking to the stage once again with his company of world-class performers in a mesmerising production.
Giovanni has become a household name, captivating audiences worldwide with his electrifying performances and unmatched charisma.
Tickets for this event have sold out. Please email your name, address and contact number to box.office@anvilarts.org.uk to be added to the waiting list.
£39 (includes £4 booking fee)
Suitable for: ages 16 and over
The Anvil: Tue 13 May / 7.30pm
Sounds of the 60s Live
Hosted by Tony Blackburn OBE
Selling Fast
Tony Blackburn ’s BBC Radio 2 Sounds of the 60s slot attracts millions of listeners every week. This new adaptation will feature live music and stories from the most notable decade in fashion, music, and pop culture.
£46.50, £36.50 (includes £4 booking fee)
The Haymarket: 8 – 10 May / 7.30pm / Sat 2pm
Tabs Productions in association with the Theatre Royal , Nottingham present
“Welcome to the pyschological thriller that has it all!” The Times
by Richard Harris
Tabs Productions (The Mysterious Mr Love, Who Killed “Agatha” Christie?) return to The Haymarket with Richard Harris’ (Stepping Out, Outside Edge, The Avengers, A Touch of Frost) psychological thriller.
The time: 1981
The cast: The detective, the playwright, and the man who’s brought them together.
Humourless and drab Stone invites Dee, a television playwright, over to his flat to discuss a script. However, to her surprise, the man with whom she is having an affair with turns up for an entirely different reason.
But nothing is as it seems and as the plot twists and turns, the motive of their host gradually becomes clear. They are all, it would seem, in the same business… The Business of Murder
£24, 2pm £26. Under 25s and f/t students £15.50. Friends £21 Thu 8 May (includes £4 booking fee) Sat / 2pm
The Anvil: Thu 15 May / 7.30pm
Simon Reeve
To The Ends of The Earth
Author and TV presenter Simon Reeve is one of the world’s most adventurous travellers. His journeys have taken him to more than 130 countries, across jungles, deserts, mountains, and oceans, and to some of the most beautiful, dangerous, and remote regions of the world. With behind the scenes footage and stunning imagery, Simon will inspire and remind us that we all need more journeys in our lives.
£36.50 (includes £4 booking fee)
The Anvil: Sat 24 May / 8pm
Dara Ó Briain
Re:Creation
Returns Only
Tickets for this event have sold out. Please email your name, address and contact number to box.office@anvilarts.org.uk to be added to the waiting list.
£34 (includes £4 booking fee)
Suitable for: strictly ages 14 and over (likely to be swearing and adult content). Children younger than this will not be admitted, even if accompanied by an adult
The Anvil: Sat 17 May / 7.30pm
Menopause The Musical 2
Cruising Through Menopause!
In this hilarious sequel to the sell-out hit Menopause the Musical, we fast forward five years to catch up with the same four characters for tales of their lives, loves and losses as they set off on the high seas.
Hot flushes, mood swings, memory lapses and weight gain, Cruising Through Menopause! is a truly funny, heartfelt and reassuring look at the ‘joys’ of menopause.
£35 (includes £4 booking fee)
Suitable for: ages 16 and over
The Haymarket: 23 – 24 May / 1.30pm / Sat 10.30am
Pirates Love Underpants
These pirates SO love underpants!
Join the swashbuckling party of pirates on their quest to find the fabled Pants of Gold for the captain’s treasure chest.
Dodge hungry crocs beneath Long-John Bridge, bob upon the waves of Big Knickers Bay, spot sharks in fancy underpants, and trek across Three Pants Ridge.
Filled with music, puppetry, and glittering pants of gold, arrr you ready to set sail for a family adventure?
£18. Under 16s £16 (includes £4 booking fee)
Suitable for: ages 1 and over
The Haymarket: Sat 24 May / 8pm
Richard Thompson
A founding member of Fairport Convention, Richard Thompson ’s musical influence cannot be overstated. His genre defying mastery of the guitar, along with engaging energy and onstage wit continues to earn him new fans and a place as one of the most distinctive virtuosos and writers in Folk Rock history.
£44 (includes £4 booking fee)
The Anvil: Sat 31 May / 7.30pm
Craig Revel Horwood
Revelations – Songs Boys Don’t Sing
Craig Revel Horwood is a national treasure, the longest-serving judge on Strictly Come Dancing, and the master of the Glitter Ball.
After starting as a dancer, he became a choreographer, director, and best-selling author. Craig’s also a remarkable singer, and to celebrate the release of his debut solo album, Revelations, he’ll reveal his own hidden talent during a Fab-U-Lous night of big songs, tall tales, and glamour.
VIP M&G £89, VIP £54 (includes £4 booking fee)
The Anvil: Sun 25 May / 6pm
Taylormania
Returns Only
Taylor Swift Eras – The Ultimate Tribute Tickets for this event have sold out. Please email your name, address and contact number to box.office@anvilarts.org.uk to be added to the waiting list.
£31.50 (includes £4 booking fee)
The Anvil: Tue 27 May / 11.30am & 3pm
Brace yourselves for the return of BBC Gastronaut Stefan Gates ’ revolutionary, high-tech, highly-explosive show packed with outrageous science stunts.
On the surface, it’s a riot of disgusting experiments built to delight young audiences, but under the bonnet, it’s a brilliantly-constructed, curriculumdriven adventure designed to inspire Britain’s kids with a lasting fascination for science.
Stefan is the high-octane presenter of 20 TV series (five for CBBC), and award-winning author of 12 books (including Rude Science ).
£21. Under 16s £19 (includes £4 booking fee)
Suitable for: ages 6 and over
The Forge: Sat 31 May / 7.45pm
Laura Cortese and Bert Ruymbeek
Laura Cortese and Bert Ruymbeek capture the atmosphere of meaningful moments and turn them into memorable tales of sound.
Like storytellers, Americana fiddler, songwriter and vocalist Laura, and Belgium accordion player Bert, display an intimate dialogue in their music. They reflect on people, places and stories that have an impact on their lives.
£21. Under 25s and f/t students £19 (includes £4 booking fee)
The Anvil: Tue 3 Jun / 7.30pm
The Horne Section’s Hit Show
The Anvil: Sun 1 Jun / 8pm
Katherine Ryan
Battleaxe
Tickets for this event have sold out. Please email your name, address and contact number to box.office@anvilarts.org.uk to be added to the waiting list.
£31.50, £29.50 (includes £4 booking fee) Suitable for: ages 16 and over
With two series of their own Channel 4 show and a chart-topping podcast under their belts, Taskmaster creator and co-host Alex Horne , along with his band, are once again touring the country with a brand-new show.
Expect them to be unruly, ridiculous, and surprisingly satisfying. There’ll be comedy, songs, enthusiastic dancing, and a lot of mucking about.
£31.50 (includes £4 booking fee)
Suitable for: ages 12 and over (infrequent strong language) Selling Fast
The Haymarket: Tue 3 Jun / 7.30pm
Tony Stockwell Psychic Medium
Remarkably compelling, amazingly detailed, and always humorous. The popular star of TV’s Street Psychic, Psychic Private Eyes, and Psychic Academy, Tony Stockwell has a long-established credibility as one of the top intuitive mediums.
£29 (includes £4 booking fee)
Suitable for: ages 16 and over
Please
The Anvil: Thu 5 Jun / 7.30pm
Jools Holland and His Rhythm & Blues Orchestra
Selling Fast
featuring Gilson Lavis , with special guest star Chris Difford , and guest vocalists Ruby Turner , Louise Marshall , and Sumudu Jayatilaka
As the UK’s most popular pianist and bandleader, Jools Holland OBE continues to dazzle, involve, and impress audiences with his Rhythm & Blues Orchestra and their exuberant live performances.
£69, £59 (includes £4 booking fee)
The Anvil: Wed 4 Jun / 8pm
Jimmy Carr: Laughs Funny
Tickets for this event have sold out. Please email your name, address and contact number to box.office@anvilarts.org.uk to be added to the waiting list.
£39 (includes £4 booking fee)
Suitable for: ages 16 and over
The Anvil: Fri 6 Jun / 7.30pm
Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment
Elgar In the South (Alassio) Sea Pictures Enigma Variations
Frances Gregory mezzo-soprano
Dinis Sousa
The Haymarket: Thu 5 Jun / 7.30pm
Peggy Seeger –90th Birthday Farewell Tour
with Neill & Calum MacColl
Peggy Seeger, the grande dame of folk music, embarks on her last ever tour alongside her sons, Neill and Calum MacColl, in celebration of her 90th birthday.
Peggy has been performing for over 75 years, and will showcase some of her best-loved songs from across her extraordinary career, as well as new material from her final album.
£25 (includes £4 booking fee)
Elgar ’s vivid evocation of an Italian holiday, including folk tunes the composer noted down on the spot, opens this concert of music from the early part of his career. The composer wrote Sea Pictures immediately after the Enigma Variations , and its five contrasting songs share their mastery of orchestral colour.
The Variations themselves, the composer’s first big success, are fond musical descriptions of close friends and family, concluding with an energetic and confident self-portrait.
£45, £40, £34, £25, £17.
Under 25s and f/t students £12 (includes £4 booking fee)
6.30pm / The Forge
The Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment is Anvil Arts’ Orchestra in Association
“Sousa was electrifying… edge-of-your-seat stuff”
The Guardian
“Performed with maximum intensity”
The Haymarket: Fri 6 Jun / 7.30pm
Paul Hopkins’ Roy Orbison & The Traveling Wilburys Experience
34th Anniversary Special
A journey through the story of the Traveling Wilburys celebrating Jeff Lynne, George Harrison, Tom Petty, Roy Orbison, and Bob Dylan.
Featuring all the Wilburys hits including Handle with Care and End of the Line , as well as solo hits such as Mr Blue Sky, and Pretty Woman .
£30 (includes £4 booking fee)
The Haymarket: Sat 7 Jun / 7.30pm
Ballet Cymru presents Giselle
Award-winning Ballet Cymru presents an unforgettable journey filled with passion, betrayal, and forgiveness.
A brand-new interpretation of this ghost-filled ballet tells the tragic, romantic story of a young Welsh girl named Giselle, who falls in love but dies of heartbreak. Featuring Adolphe Adam’s original and hauntingly classical score, innovative choreography, and immersive video projections.
£22.50. Over 65s, under 25s and f/t students £20.50 (includes £4 booking fee)
The Anvil: Sat 7 Jun / 7.30pm
21st Century Tennessee
The ultimate country show, combining all your favourite contemporary artists into one phenomenal live performance.
Enjoy a night of incredible tunes, authentic Nashville vibes, and a whole lot of boot-stomping fun. Featuring songs such as When It Rains It Pours, Before He Cheats, Chicken Fried, Need You Now, Tennessee Whiskey, plus some old hits thrown in for good measure too.
£30 (includes £4 booking fee)
The Haymarket: Sun 8 Jun / 7.30pm
Milton Jones
Ha!Milton
This is not a musical. Milton Jones is tone deaf and has no sense of rhythm, but at least he doesn’t make a song and dance about it. He has more important things to discuss. Like giraffes... and there’s a bit about tomatoes. With support from Tom Houghton
£36 (includes £4 booking fee)
Selling Fast
The Anvil: Fri 13 Jun / 7.30pm
Queen of the Night – A Tribute to Whitney Houston
Returning for its 10th anniversary with a celebration of one of the greatest singers of all time, Whitney Houston.
Prepare to be blown away through three decades of hits, such as I Wanna Dance with Somebody, I’m Every Woman, I Will Always Love You, and many more.
£39, £33, £29, £24 (includes £4 booking fee)
Please note: this is a tribute production not associated with the Estate of Whitney Houston
The Haymarket: Thu 12 Jun / 7.30pm
Coldplace
Coldplace faithfully recreates the magic of Coldplay’s record-breaking live tours featuring lasers, video screen, and the famous Xyloband LED wristbands.
The only tribute to have worked for Coldplay, this outstanding band leads you through all your favourite hits including Yellow, Paradise, and A Sky full of Stars , right through to their latest album, Music of the Spheres .
£30 (includes £4 booking fee)
The Haymarket: Thu 19 Jun / 7.30pm
Suzi Ruffell
The Juggle
The Haymarket Sun 15 Jun / 2.30pm
Apollo Theatre Company present
Carry On Ladies
Valerie Leon and Jacki Piper in Conversation with Robert Ross
The Carry On films are the most successful and prolific comedy franchise in British entertainment history.
In this brand-new theatre celebration, two of the leading ladies, Valerie Leon and Jacki Piper, share their memories accompanied by clips and unseen behind-the-scenes gems curated by the official Carry On historian, Robert Ross
£28 (includes £4 booking fee)
Selling Fast
It’s hard to be good all the time. A good mother, a good daughter, a good partner, a good friend, a good person. To be ambitious but not ruthless; a success but not a sell-out. A gentle parent but not a pushover. To be smashing life and make it look easy. The Juggle. Suzi is exhausted, and she hasn’t even started. This is a stand-up show and a support group!
£21. Under 25s and f/t students £19 (includes £4 booking fee)
Suitable for: strictly ages 14 and over (likely to be swearing and adult content). Children younger than this will not be admitted, even if accompanied by an adult.
The Anvil: Fri 20 Jun / 7.30pm
The Searchers
‘Thank You’ Tour 2025
Retirement does not come easy for The Searchers Thus far, they have completed no less than three ‘final’ tours. Officially named in 2023 as the ‘longest serving pop group in British history’, they have toured continually over 67 years.
Say a last fond farewell, and hear songs such as Needles & Pins, Sweets for My Sweet, Don’t Throw Your Love Away, and so many more.
£33.50 (includes £4 booking fee)
The Anvil: Sat 21 Jun / 7.30pm
Anton & Giovanni
Together Again
The Forge: Sat 21 Jun / 3.15pm & 7pm
WiFi Wars
10th Anniversary Tour!
WiFi Wars returns with a new live comedy game show to celebrate their 10th anniversary.
Play along in a range of games, puzzles and quizzes to win prizes!
Hosted by comedian Steve McNeil (Dara O’Briain’s Go 8 Bit ).
£19 (includes £4 booking fee)
Suitable for: ages 6 and over
Selling Fast
The nation’s favourite double act, Anton Du Beke and Giovanni Pernice , are Together Again in a brand-new show with more fun, more dance, and more song than ever before!
Featuring breathtaking routines, stunning choreography, and a seamless blend of ballroom, Latin, and musical theatre.
£66, £59, £55, £48, £46 (includes £4 booking fee)
Suitable for: ages 8 and over
The Haymarket: Sun 22 Jun / 7.30pm
An Evening with Jimmy Tarbuck
After more than 60 years at the top of his profession, Jimmy Tarbuck OBE relives many prominent moments from a life on stage and screen.
Featuring a huge collection of anecdotes and video clips highlighting a fabulously glittering career, from going to school with John Lennon to playing golf with Bing Crosby, and of course, his rise to fame hosting Sunday Night at the London Palladium. Includes an audience Q&A.
£33.50 (includes £4 booking fee)
The Anvil: Tue 24 Jun / 7pm
John Wilson & Sinfonia of London
with special guest soloists Louise Dearman , Nathaniel Hackmann & Scarlett Strallen
Prepare to be enchanted as John Wilson and Sinfonia of London bring the music of Rodgers & Hammerstein to life featuring songs from some of the greatest musicals of all time, including South Pacific, The Sound of Music, Oklahoma!, Carousel, and The King and I.
£56, £51, £45, £40 (includes £4 booking fee)
The Anvil: Sat 5 Jul / 7.30pm
Jukebox Idols
“I have nothing but praise... Wilson scores one bullseye after another”
Fanfare
The Anvil: Sat 28 Jun / 7.30pm
Royal Choral Society
and the Academy of St Martin in the Fields
Mendelssohn Hör mein Bitten (Hear my Prayer) Hebrides Overture Brahms Ein deutsches Requiem
Verity Wingate soprano, Jerome Knox baritone, Richard Cooke Brahms’ inspiring and uplifting music reminds us that even in the most troubled of times there is hope. Mendelssohn’s Hear My Prayer, famous for O for the Wings of a Dove, completes the programme.
£44, £34, £24. Under 25s and f/t students £12, Friends receive 10% off (includes £4 booking fee)
Strictly Come Dancing ’s Nadiya Bychkova and platinum-selling vocal harmony group The Overtones , invite you to their show of non-stop hits from the past and present in Jukebox Idols
Alongside their cast of stellar dancers, they will swing, bop, jive, and rock ‘n’ roll their way through an array of pop music’s greatest moments, featuring hits from Elvis Presley, The Beatles, The Backstreet Boys, Take That, and many more.
Tickets for this event have sold out. Please email your name, address and contact number to box.office@anvilarts.org.uk to be added to the waiting list.
£32 (includes £4 booking fee)
Suitable for: over 18s only. “If easily offended, please stay away” The Forge: Sun 13 Jul / 7.45pm
Every year we work with thousands of people from across the Borough and beyond to explore their creativity in our Community Engagement programme.
We provide schools and colleges with opportunities to experience classical and world music, to create their own music and theatre, and to support their
careers. We work with people living with dementia to help them stay connected and tell their stories creatively in our Finding the Words project. Our popular Musication Station encourages the community to try a musical instrument, whatever their age or ability.
To find out more visit anvilarts.org.uk/get-involved
The Anvil: Sun 13 Apr / 4pm
National Children’s Orchestras’ Family Concert
Join the amazing National Children’s Orchestras of Great Britain as they introduce your family to their instruments through Britten’s Young Person’s Guide to the Orchestra, and Mussorgsky’s Pictures at an Exhibition
The concert will also feature music from Toy Story and Harry Potter, as well as a spectacular feat of percussion skill and timing – Ed Arngeziano’s Stinkin’ Garbage played on tin dustbins.
£26, £23, £20. Under 18s and f/t students £10, under 5s £3 (includes £3 booking fee)
Circle Foyer: / 2.45pm
Pre-concert Percussion Workshop
Free to ticketholders, please book in advance.
The Haymarket: Thu 17 Apr / 7.30pm Basingstoke Academy of Dancing
Moving Experience 2025
This is the 16th annual showcase from students of Basingstoke Academy of Dancing
£20 (includes £3 booking fee)
The Haymarket: 24 – 26 Apr / Thu – Fri 7.30pm / Sat 2pm & 6.30pm
RARE Productions Youth Theatre
RARE Productions: Peter Pan
by J.M. Barrie
An adaptation of J. M. Barrie’s story about a boy who never grew up.
See Hook’s pirates take on the lost boys in this fun musical.
£25, £23, £17. Under 16s £21, over 65s £22 (only second tier price band) (includes £3 booking fee)
The Anvil: Sun 27 Apr / 4pm
Hampshire County Youth Orchestra
Spring Concert
Hampshire’s most talented young musicians return for an afternoon of fantastic music. Along with works by Mozart and Verdi, the orchestra will perform Shostakovich’s monumental 5th Symphony. This is a concert not to be missed.
£16. Over 65s, under 16s and f/t students £12 (includes £3 booking fee)
The Anvil: Sun 11 May / 7pm
Hampshire Choral Festival
Verdi Requiem Derek Beck The Life of Universal Song
Hampshire Choral Festival’s seven community choirs and orchestra will perform Verdi’s mighty Requiem directed by John Sutton MBE together with the premiere of a Centenary piece written for the Festival.
£30, £25, £20. Under 16s and f/t students £19, £13.50, £10 (includes £4 booking fee)
The Haymarket: 13 – 17 May / 7.30pm / Sat 2.30pm
Basingstoke Amateur Theatrical Society presents
BATS: Rock of Ages
Step back to the 1980s, the era of big bands, guitar solos, and even bigger hair! Aspiring rock star Drew longs to take to the stage, but will developers thwart his rock ‘n’ roll dream?
Featuring hits including I Want to Know What Love Is, The Final Countdown, and Don’t Stop Believin’.
13 – 15 May £28.50, 16 – 17 May £29.50.
Over 65s and f/t students £2 off. Under 16s £5 off (includes £3 booking fee)
Suitable for: ages 14 and over (likely to be adult content). Children under 16 must be accompanied by an adult.
The Anvil: Sun 18 May / 6.30pm
Basingstoke Area Youth Orchestras
Basingstoke Area Youth Orchestras perform an exciting repertoire from pop songs to film scores. This will be an uplifting evening of music showcasing the talent of young musicians in Basingstoke.
£17. Under 16s and f/t students £14 (includes £3 booking fee)
The Anvil: 17 – 18 Jun / 7pm Basingstoke Primary Schools Festival
Over 500 children from local primary schools celebrate the art of performing in a massed choir, orchestra and dance troupe.
Featuring music that celebrates our differences and the importance of working together.
£15 (includes £3 booking fee)
The Haymarket: 26 – 27 Jun / 7.30pm / Fri 12pm
Kingsclere Performing Arts College
Text TBC
£21. Over 65s, under 16s and f/t students £18 (includes £3 booking fee)
The Anvil: Sun 6 Jul / 4pm Hampshire County Youth Orchestra
Summer Concert
Hampshire’s finest young musicians return for their final concert of the season. Come and celebrate their achievements in a varied concert of passionate music-making.
£16. Over 65s, under 16s and f/t students £12 (includes £3 booking fee)
The Anvil: Sat 12 Jul / 6.30pm
Petite School of Dancing Music Legends
Join the Petite School of Dancing for a captivating show celebrating Music Legends . Featuring talented dancers aged three and over, showcasing tap, modern, lyrical, contemporary, and acro performances.
£18. Over 65s and under 16s £12 (includes £3 booking fee)
The Haymarket: Fri 18 Jul / 6.30pm Oakridge Schools Federation
Aladdin Trouble
Oakridge Junior School welcome you into the exciting world of 1001 Arabian Nights.
Hiss, boo, cheer and laugh at all your favourite characters, from Aladdin himself to Genie and the magic carpet.
Box Office: situated at The Anvil and The Haymarket main entrances.
Box Office Opening Hours
The Anvil Mon – Fri, 10am – 2pm Performance nights – open from 6pm
The Haymarket Open on performance nights only
Call 01256 844244 or email box.office@anvilarts.org.uk
Reserved Tickets: held for three days or until an hour before the performance, whichever is sooner. After this time, unpaid reservations will be released.
Returns Only Performances: please contact the box office to join the returns list. Some tickets may be released nearer to the performance date.
Booking Fee: all ticket prices include a booking fee. The Anvil Trust is an independent educational charity. Without the booking fee, we would not be able to offer the current level and variety of programme at our venues or our extensive work with schools, young people and people living with dementia.
The Forge
Purple: Circle rows A to D plus CC and DD Purple: Rows A to G
Group Booking
For information on group booking rates and availability, please call 01256 366935 (answer service when not staffed) or email group.booking@anvilarts.org.uk. Alternatively, visit anvilarts.org.uk/groups
You can pay by Paying less for your tickets
Cards: Mastercard and Visa.
We do not accept personal cheques. Please do not send cash through the post.
Gift Vouchers: Anvil Arts gift vouchers can be used for tickets at any Anvil Arts venue, and are valid for 24 months. Available from the box office. Please note we do not accept Theatre Tokens.
No refunds can be given. We offer ticket cancellation protection – please contact the box office for details, or visit ticketplangroup.com
Exchange and resale of tickets
Once tickets have been printed, they can be exchanged within the run of the same event for tickets of the same value at a cost of 50p per ticket. Lost tickets can be reprinted at a cost of 50p per ticket. We operate a re-sale facility on sold out performances (admin and booking fee applies).
Bars and Refreshments
Foyers are open from 6pm for evening performances, and one hour before all others. Out of respect to fellow audience members and performers, re-admission to the auditorium with drinks once a show has started is not permitted.
Beat the queues with our hassle-free click & collect service. Pre-order your drinks using your e-ticket and simply pick them up from your designated collection
Safety and Enjoyment
Please ensure you always have your ticket with you as scanned tickets are checked when entering the foyers and auditorium.
We may on occasions conduct bag and security searches. Large bags will not be permitted into the auditorium.
We will make every effort to admit latecomers at a suitable break in the performance, but we cannot always guarantee entry.
We reserve the right to refuse admission or eject audience members from our venues and events at our discretion, including for behaviour affecting people’s enjoyment of the performance.
Please switch your phone off or to silent during a performance or event.
Discounts are available for performances where stated.
Only one discount can apply to any one ticket.
You may be asked to provide proof of eligibility. Student tickets cannot be posted out or sent by text. Please show your ID on collection.
For full terms and conditions of sale, contact the box office, or visit anvilarts.org.uk/terms-and-conditions
E-tickets
We will send you a text message 10–48 hours before the performance, with a link to your e-tickets and other information about your visit.
point. And, try our new Order to Seat service at The Anvil, which allows you to enjoy a selection of food and drink delivered right to your seat pre-show!
We operate a Challenge 25 Policy in our venues. Please be prepared to show photographic ID on request when purchasing or pre-ordering drinks or products containing alcohol.
We do not permit the unauthorised use of cameras and recording equipment within the auditorium or foyers.
Please be aware that other audience members may stand or dance during the performance.
If you experience any problems during a performance or event, please inform a member of staff immediately, so that we can do our best to resolve the issue at the time.
Under 16s must be accompanied by an adult ticket holder; Anvil Arts cannot be held responsible for children unaccompanied by an adult.
Please be kind to our staff and to each other so that everyone can enjoy the experience
Children’s Performances
A limited number of booster seats are available on entry to the auditorium, for use free of charge. Baby changing facilities are available in both venues
Children under 18 months require an Infant in Arms ticket (available at selected performances) for the cost of £3–£4. To book, please call the box office on 01256 844244
Conditions of Sale
It is the nature of live performance that start and running times may vary, and artists, programmes, and other details may be subject to last minute changes.
Anvil Arts reserves the right to introduce discounts and special offers at any time, and these cannot be applied to tickets already purchased.
Not all seats may be available at all performances or when booking opens.
Details in this brochure were correct at the time of going to press, but changes may be unavoidable.
Access Facilities
Access List
Anvil Arts operates a free Access List in order to improve our service to patrons with access needs. Registration forms are available from the box office or anvilarts.org.uk/access
Wheelchair Users
We have up to six wheelchair spaces available in The Anvil, one in The Forge and up to two in The Haymarket. We are unable to sell wheelchair spaces or allow transfers out of wheelchairs into seats in the Circle level of The Anvil auditorium. Emergency evacuation from The Haymarket auditorium is via an emergency lift or evacuchair, all other lifts in our venues cannot be used in an emergency. Personal emergency evacuation plans can be made available on request.
Hearing Enhancement
The Anvil and The Haymarket are equipped with infra-red hearing enhancement systems for use with portable headsets and personal induction neck loops. Both are available at the Stalls Foyer counters.
Privacy
Anvil Arts is committed to protecting your privacy and to this end has developed a Privacy Policy. We operate and are registered in accordance with current data protection legislation. For more information visit anvilarts.org.uk/ privacy-and-cookie-policy
Assistance dogs are welcome; please discuss availability of suitable seating areas at the time of booking.
Parking
Blue Badge parking is available in car parks within a short distance of both The Anvil and The Haymarket. Please visit anvilarts.org.uk/ visit-us/how-to-get-here for full details.
Familiarisation Visits
If you would like to look at the venues in advance, please call the box office to arrange.
Visual Stories
Visual Stories for The Anvil and The Haymarket can be found at anvilarts.org.uk/access to assist your visit.
This brochure is available in large print and Braille on request.
For more information visit anvilarts.org.uk/access or accessable.co.uk (search for The Anvil or The Haymarket).
If you require any help in planning your visit, the box office will be happy to help.
If you have any questions about our Privacy Policy or information we hold about you, email datacontrol@anvilarts.org.uk or write to us at: Information Controller, Anvil Arts, Churchill Way, Basingstoke RG21 7QR.
