Beacon brochure sep dec 2017 (low res)

Sep - Dec 2017

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BOOK TICKETS: beaconartscentre.co.uk | 01475 723 723

Welcome to Autumn It’s such a lovely time of year, refreshed from our holidays and raring to go!

Kicking off with the Beacon’s Creative Learn team, we are thrilled to continue the very special Creatability project for young people who have additional support needs. We also run a range of classes in dance for people of all ages including firm favourites like Platinum for 60+ and drama classes for children and young people - the perfect way for having fun and making new friends.

Autumn is all about Galoshans, so do keep an eye out on the Beacon’s social media platforms for details on how to get involved with the Parade this year on Saturday 28 October. Let’s make it the biggest one yet!

Is it ever too early to start using the P-word? Oh no it isn’t! Still Game stars Jane McCarry and Mark Cox make a welcome return in Snow White with big favourites from last year, Jimmy Chisholm and Lee Samuel in what is shaping up to be another spectacular family panto.

Our festive show for early years, White, is from award-winning theatre company Catherine Wheels - a show for 2-4 year olds which will captivate and enthrall. Sarah Jessica Parker, of Sex in the City fame, has seen White twice in New York with her kids would ‘happily watch it again and again.’

A firm favourite in our Festive calendar, It’s a Wonderful Life returns for the fifth time and we thank local business, Union Projects, for their continued support.

Amongst all of this, there’s great music, fantastic theatre, some stunning exhibitions and always keeping a spotlight on local talent of which there is plenty.

Enjoy! I hope to see you at the Beacon.

Jackie Shearer Chief Executive

Photo credits: Alamy, Joe Armitage, Rob Blackham, Mihaela Bodlovic, Eoin Carey, Derek Clark, Peter Dibdin, Mike Guest, Greenock Telegraph/George Munro, Brian Hartley, Rob McDougall, Archie MacFarlane, Minttu Mäntynen, Eddie Middleton, Andy Samuel Photography, Trudy Stade, Iman Tajik, Paul Watt. Design: Greenlight Creative.

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three spectacular magic shows at Beacon Arts Centre PAUL DABEK LOOK AT ME! Fri 8 Sep, 5pm, £10 Don’t miss this multi-award-winning star of the international stage and TV for a superb night of laugh-out-loud entertainment that will both amaze and astound you! Age Guidance: 16+

SOOTY’S MAGIC SHOW Sat 9 Sep, 10.30am, £12/£10 conc Izzy wizzy let’s get busy! TV’s Sooty and guest star magicians will amaze all the family. Meet Sooty and Richard after the show!

INTERNATIONAL STARS OF MAGIC & VARIETY Sat 9 Sep, 5pm and 8.30pm, £15/£12 conc International stars of magic bring their spectacular showmanship to Greenock in a spellbinding show full of excitement, mystery, intrigue, comedy, juggling and pure entertainment for everyone.

Suspend your disbelief and allow yourself to be totally amazed.

These public shows are part of an international magic convention (7-10 Sep) being held at Beacon Arts Centre for the first time.

Interested in magic? You can find out more about attending the convention itself by contacting Moira Fletcher on 07771 613894 moira1.fletcher@googlemail.com

BOOK TICKETS: beaconartscentre.co.uk | 01475 723 723

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BEACON DANCE

BEACON YOUTH THEATRE

Classes run:

The Beacon has an experienced team of professional tutors who specialise in facilitating, making and directing theatre for and with children and young people.

The programme is exciting, innovative, fun and accessible and members will:

Mon 21 Aug - Thu 26 Oct - block booking of 10 weeks: £50 Mon 6 Nov - Thu 14 Dec - block booking of 6 weeks: £30

For children and young people Junior Youth Dance Company

11 - 13 years

Mon 5pm - 6.30pm

Young Groovers

6 - 10 years

Mon 6.30pm - 7.30pm

Junior Ballet

6 - 10 years

Tue 6pm - 7pm

Beacon Youth Dance Company

14 - 21 years

Thu 5pm - 7pm

For Adults Dance Workout

Mon 6.30pm - 7.30pm

£5 per week

Platinum Project 60+

Mon 10am - 11am

£2 per week

CREATABILITY (young adults aged 18 - 25 years) Wed 23 Aug - Wed 1 Nov Wed 8 Nov - Wed 20 Dec Every Wednesday 10am - 11am Cost: £5

• • • • • •

develop acting and performance skills; create original scripts and performances; learn about technical aspects of theatre making; build confidence; make new friends; perform at The Beacon and at other local and national events.

The workshops have a laid-back atmosphere where the young people can be themselves, make new friends and have an experience that will last them a lifetime.

This term our primary classes will be rehearsing Wheesht!, which will be performed at this year’s Galoshans Festival. Please make sure that your child is available for this week and for additional rehearsals during the School October Break!

BEACON YOUTH THEATRE

In a fun, safe and fully inclusive environment, young adults with additional support needs will be given the freedom to experience, explore and create movement together. These sessions will progress to aerial dance where participants will engage in playful activities that support future functioning, learning and health.

DANCE FOR PARKINSON’S The Dance for Parkinson’s programme, in partnership with Scottish Ballet and Dance Base, can develop the participants’ balance, coordination, confidence and creativity in a fun and friendly environment. If you would like register your interest in the class or find out more, please email: gail@beaconartscentre.co.uk For further information Dance Officer: gail@beaconartscentre.co.uk

Every Saturday from 19 Aug - 28 Oct. P1-P2

10am - 11am

£55

P3-P5

11am - 1pm

£60.50

P6 and P7

11am - 1pm

£60.50

S1 - S3

1.15pm - 3.15pm

£60.50

For further information Learn Officer: laura@beaconartscentre.co.uk

BOOK TICKETS: beaconartscentre.co.uk | 01475 723 723

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MUSIC

Sun 24 Sep, 7.30pm, £18/£16 conc Insideout Theatre Productions Ltd

PRETHEATRE MEAL

Divas Unleashed MUSIC

Fri 1 Sep, 7.30pm £20/£18 conc Artistes International

Totally Tina!

Totally Tina recreates the spectacle and energy of the Queen of Rock and Soul’s live shows with a band and four stunning dancers.

Listen to music from her early days with Ike through to her solo comeback in the 80s with her incredible cover of Al Green’s Let’s Stay Together through to massive hits like Simply The Best and What’s Love Got To Do With It.

Sat 2 Sep, 7.30pm, £22.50 Audienceware

A Vision of Elvis A Vision of Elvis transports you on a musical journey from Sun Studios, The Movie Years, ‘68 Comeback’ to a breathtaking Concert Years finale, an experience you will never forget. Featuring the Official No.1 Elvis Tribute Show multi-award winning, Rob Kingsley.

MUSIC

Sun 17 Sep, 7.30pm, £20/£18 conc Barry Collings Entertainments

The Quo Experience

The Quo Experience is the perfect tribute to the legendary duo, featuring an impressively experienced line-up including Shaun Michaels and Dave Crawte who have spent years studying every detail of Rossi and Parfitt’s looks, playing styles and stage performances.

An evening with the best pop Divas. From the company that brought you Girls Night Oot, join them as they take you through songs from some of the best worldwide Divas - from Aretha and Whitney to Tina and Britney. This show will have you dancing in the aisles.

MUSIC

Fri 13 Oct, 7.30pm, £21/£19 conc Entertainment Unlimited

Dirty Dusting

PRETHEATRE MEAL

Starring Crissy Rock: Dirty Dusting is pure theatrical Viagra. Three elderly cleaning ladies attempt to boost their dwindling income by starting a “Sex Chat Line!” This is a feel-good comedy which will have you rolling in the aisles and unable to answer the telephone without having a sneaky giggle!

MUSIC

Sat 14 Oct, 7.30pm, £18/£16 conc Pyramid

MacFloyd MacFloyd returns, celebrating the 40th anniversary of Pink Floyd’s Animals album. In a show lasting over two hours expect to hear this classic album in its entirety as well as favourites from The Dark Side Of The Moon, Wish You Were Here, The Wall and more!

BOOK TICKETS: beaconartscentre.co.uk | 01475 723 723

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MUSIC

MUSIC

Sat 7 Oct, 8pm, £15/£13 conc The Swingcats

Sisters of Swing A tribute to the great female vocalists from the jazz and swing era including Ella Fitzgerald, Peggy Lee and Nina Simone. Accompanied by the Karen MacIver trio and featuring their unique three part harmony arrangements, The Swingcats will deliver these timeless classics with style and sophistication.

Wed 25 Oct, 2.30pm and 7.30pm £18/£17 conc Artistes International

PRETHEATRE MEAL

A celebration of the Andrews Sisters, backed by the Moonlight Serenade Orchestra UK, re-creates the fabulous close harmony sound and feel of those swinging days when they headlined not only in America but also at the London Palladium with numbers such as Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy, Rum & Coca Cola and Bei Mir Bist Du Schoen along with the best loved instrumentals from the big bands such as In The Mood, Opus One, Sing, Sing, Sing and Moonlight Serenade.

Thu 19 Oct, 2.30pm and 7pm Matinee: £14 / Evening: £16/£14 conc

PRETHEATRE MEAL

Timeless Theatre Productions

From the producers of Memory Lane, this roller coaster of a journey through some of the greatest songs of the 50s, 60s and 70s, will be a show you are sure to remember. Including songs by Brenda Lee, Frank Sinatra, Dolly Parton, Elvis Presley, Jersey Boys, Michael Bublé and more. A pre theatre menu is available for the evening performance.

Sat 4 Nov, 7.30pm £16/£14 conc

MUSIC PRETHEATRE MEAL

Mad4Musicals

Thu 9 - Sat 11 Nov, 7.30pm £18/£16 conc Greenock Light Opera Club

Featuring your favourite hits from the best loved shows, Mad4Musicals brings all the glitz of the musicals to you including songs from Evita, Phantom of the Opera, Mamma Mia!, Les Misérables, Wicked, The Bodyguard and more. Performed live by Scotland’s leading vocalists with full band, celebrate the greatest songs from the biggest musicals in the world!

MUSIC

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The Andrews Sisters

MUSIC

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PRETHEATRE MEAL

HOMEGROWN

Rock of Ages GLOC goes back to the 80s with this musical comedy, which was nominated for five TONY awards, and features rock classics such as We Built This City, The Final Countdown and Don’t Stop Believin’. With a great story, big hair, lycra, lace and loud music, this is a real feel-good show. Book early!

This amateur production of Rock of Ages is presented by special arrangement with Samuel French Ltd.

Sun 12 Nov, 7.30pm, £21 LMS Worldwide

PRETHEATRE MEAL

Barry Steele & Friends: The Roy Orbison Story Stunning audiences across the globe with his uncanny ability to recreate the vocal talents of legend Roy Orbison, Barry Steele is quite simply unmissable as he and his fabulous cast take you on a journey back to those halycon days of Orbison fame. The production also features songs originally made famous by Jerry Lee Lewis, Del Shannon, George Harrison, Jeff Lynne & The Traveling Wilburys.

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MUSIC

MUSIC

Wed 22 Nov, 7.30pm £25

PRETHEATRE MEAL

Chimes International

Dominic Kirwan in concert with Lisa Stanley

MUSIC

Fri 17 Nov, 7.30pm, £18/£16 conc

Two of Ireland’s finest come to Beacon Arts Centre - the extraordinary talent of entertainer, Dominic Kirwan and top vocalist, Lisa Stanley, star of TV Channel 389 Keep It Country’s … ”The Lisa Stanley Show.” They bring their own inimitable style to the vast and rich musical heritage of their homeland, working their magic and versatility performing a selection of various musical styles, including Pop, Country and Rock n Roll.

Just Beatles MUSIC

Thu 16 Nov, 7.30pm £22 Audienceware

Let’s Hang On - The Music of Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons This award-winning production is a musical journey through the prolific career of one of the most successful bands of all time Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons.

PRETHEATRE MEAL

Firmly established on the tribute band scene and performing at Beatles’ festivals all over Europe, including the world-famous Liverpool Beatleweek, expect non-stop hits all the way from the early days of Love Me Do, Please Please Me and She Loves You, through to later smash hits such as Let it Be and Get Back.

Sat 21 Oct, 7.30pm £22/£20 conc

PRETHEATRE MEAL

Artistes International

Joe Longthorne

MUSIC

Sat 18 Nov, 7.30pm, £16/£14 conc That Swing Sensation

PRETHEATRE MEAL

Sing Sing Swing Be transported back to a time when ‘Swing was King’ with memorable melodies made famous by Bobby Darin, Dean Martin and Matt Monro, with a generous helping of Ol’ Blue Eyes himself. Fabulous singers and the 14-piece big swing band guarantee to make it a night to remember.

Come and join Joe as he takes you through his impressive repertoire of songs and impressions including Shirley Bassey, Tom Jones, Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin and Sammy Davis Jr, all delivered with 100% accuracy! Book now to be sure you don’t miss out on a fantastic night of song, chat and laughter!

One show not to be missed!

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BOOK TICKETS: beaconartscentre.co.uk | 01475 723 723

SongWriters Uncovered Series Autumn Thu 14th Sep, 7pm 13

MUSIC

MUSIC

Wed 27 Sep, 7.30pm, £16/£14 conc

Fri 15 Sep, 8pm, £12/£10 conc

Emily Smith and Jamie McClennan

Award winning Scottish folksinger Emily Smith and New Zealand born multi instrumentalist Jamie McClennan celebrate 15 years of making music together in 2017. Showcasing new material drawing on influences from the folk tradition, Americana and beyond, their sumptuous vocal harmonies and sensitive guitar accompaniment make them one of the most vibrant duos on the UK acoustic music scene today.

MUSIC

Shelagh McKay Jones PRETHEATRE MEAL

Tommy Smith Quartet: Embodying the Light Internationally acclaimed saxophonist Tommy Smith marks the 50th anniversary of one of his greatest inspirations, jazz icon John Coltrane’s passing. Smith and his new band of talents pay homage to his hero, playing favourite Coltrane compositions and new ones written in dedication.

Winning rave reviews, the quartet promises music full of spirit, passion, devotion and emotion.

Fallen Arches

Aimee Penman

Rebekah Kirk

John Morrison

Joe McMahon

Gram Allan

Martin Stephen Jones

Mark Phillip Jones

Winter Thu 9th Nov, 7pm

Alison McNeill

Chloe Simpson

Fiona McNeill

Box Office 01475 723 723 www.beaconartscentre.co.uk

Tickets £8/£6

MUSIC

Thu 12 Oct, 7.30pm, £15/£12 conc

Ollie Howell

Given his first pair of drumsticks by Radiohead’s Philip Selway, Howell is now championed by industry guru Quincy Jones as an emerging creative force and ‘an unbelievable drummer.’ His first album, Sutures and Stitches, was hailed by the Guardian as ‘a fine debut’. If you like the pulse, rhythm and beat of an exciting jazz band then this is the gig for you.

Sat 30 Sep, 7.30pm, £16.50

Scocha in concert with special guests, The Wherries HOMEGROWN With their onstage banter keeping the night rolling along, be assured that if you’re not a Scocha fan when you sit down – you most certainly will be when you leave. An evening of excellent entertainment with the very best in traditional Scottish music along with Greenock’s very own The Wherries - ‘Ye can stand or ye can sit – but ye won’t sit still!’.

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MUSIC

MUSIC

Thu 16 Nov, 8pm, £12/£10 conc

MUSIC

Wed 4 Oct, 8pm £12/£10 conc

MUSIC

Sun 15 Oct, 7.30pm £20/£18 conc

Cathal Dougie McConnell MacLean Scotland’s finest Trio Cathal McConnell is one of Irish music’s true legends. A founder member of Boys of the Lough, he has taken the Irish tradition around the world and now he presents his sweet singing, tin whistle and flute virtuosity with superbly talented friends, Kathryn Nicoll (fiddle and viola) and Karen Marshalsay (harp).

singer-songwriter is internationally renowned for his song ‘Caledonia’, music for ‘Last of the Mohicans’, and inspired performances...including his unforgettable performance at the Closing Ceremony of Glasgow’s Commonwealth Games which was viewed by over a billion people worldwide!

PRETHEATRE MEAL

Kevin McDermott

MUSIC

Fri 10 Nov, 8pm £12/£10 conc

Yvonne Lyon Yvonne Lyon returns to the Beacon to launch her brand new album with Flung Aboot. She is among the UK’s brightest and best emerging singer/ songwriters and has supported Eddi Reader, performed with Beth Nielsen Chapman and co-written with Boo Hewerdine. Yvonne’s gig promises to be a memorable and unmissable night of original music.

HOMEGROWN

Sat 4 Nov, 8pm £12/£10 conc

Adam Holmes and The Embers and Rachel Sermanni Two of the brightest stars on the UK music scene today, Adam Holmes and his band, The Embers and Rachel Sermanni bring their 2017 ‘double bill’ tour to Beacon Arts Centre.

An altogether unmissable opportunity to hear two of the country’s most singular voices and richly melodic songwriters in one night.

Kevin McDermott has long been regarded as one of the foremost songwriters and performers to come out of Scotland and has enjoyed an international reputation through touring and recording with the Kevin McDermott Orchestra and also as a solo artist. In a career spanning 30 years, he has shared stages with many of the best known names in the music industry.

MUSIC

Sun 19 Nov, 7.30pm, £26.50

Hue and Cry + Special Guests Platinum-selling duo Hue and Cry return to the live stage with their full band to celebrate the release of their brand new studio album Pocketful Of Stones.

The album is a blend of masterful ballads and anthems and their first record of completely original material since 2012’s Hot Wire. This live show will showcase tracks from the new album along with well-loved classics including Labour of Love and Looking For Linda.

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BOOK TICKETS: beaconartscentre.co.uk | 01475 723 723

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FAMILY

AN EVENING WITH …

Sun 3 Sep, 2pm, £10/£8 (groups of 4 or more)

Wed 6 Sep, 7.30pm, £19.50

Nonsense Room Productions

Hairy Maclary

Luke Danskin and June Field

Join Hairy Maclary & Friends for canine capers and animal adventures, as they bound off the page and onto the stage. Featuring many of the characters from the books like Hercules Morse, as big as a Horse Bottomley Potts, covered in spots – Schnitzel von Krumm, with the very low tum and Scarface Claw – the toughest tomcat in town. With music, singing and several of your favourite Hairy Maclary stories, this show is a must for the whole family.

Scotland’s sensational Psychic Duo, Luke and June, are back with their ‘More connections from Heaven’ tour. Both have gained a huge following and have amazed audiences with their specific and accurate messages from spirits.

We are required by law to inform you that this show is for entertainment purposes only.

FAMILY

Wed 18 Oct, 2.30pm, £10/£8 (groups of 4 or more) The People’sTheatre Company

AN EVENING WITH …

Thu 19 Oct, 7.30pm, £15

Don’t Dribble On The Dragon

SPOKEN WORD/MUSIC

Sun 1 Oct, 8pm, £7

HOMEGROWN

The Real Mediums Psychedelic of Glesga Confessions Of John Martin

Real Mediums of Glesga, Angel Anne and George Wylie, have moved and entertained audiences across the country with their spirit conversations and Glasgow banter and now you’ve the chance to experience it for yourself, as they tour Scotland this October.

You’ve never experienced a show like it.

We are required by law to inform you that this show is for entertainment purposes only.

A Primal Screamer The original tambourine man of embryonic Primal Scream from 198487 will be reading selected chapters of his self-published musical memoirs that also take in the early days of Creation Records, Splash 1 club nights, Silverfoilcity and Byres Rd living.

He will be supported on the night by the band The Method One.

FAMILY

Sat 30 Sep, 11.30am and 2.30pm, £5 Starcatchers

Sprog Rock A live interactive gig for all ages, but especially 0-5 year olds and their adults. Sprog Rock are on the road meeting Scottish children to help create their next set list, inspired by and made with them. Inventive and playful, come along and join in the fun!

When young brothers Jack and Tom’s friendship falls apart, can a magical dragon help them put it back together again? Based on the fabulous new book by Steven Lee and with magic designed by TV legend Paul Daniels, this spectacular musical adventure about growing up and the importance of family is the perfect feel good show for adults and kids of all ages.

Age Guidance: 2+

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BOOK TICKETS: beaconartscentre.co.uk | 01475 723 723

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THEATRE

Thu 14 - Sat 16 Sep, 7.30pm, £15/£13 conc G.I.P. Theatre Company

Mon Eh Ton! A comedy drama covering the history and characters

HOMEGROWN

THEATRE

Wed 13 Sep, 8pm £12/£10 conc Utter in association with The Byre Theatre, St Andrews

Stand By

A brutally authentic story of four police officers struggling to remain in control as the community they serve disintegrates.

Written by former police officer Adam McNamara, Stand By shows the modern-day police service laid bare.

Age Guidance: 16 + Strong Language

of Greenock Morton, from its origins in 1874 to the present day. When a Ton fan gets hit in the head by a stray ball he wakes to find the ‘Ghost of Morton Past’ (Shug to his mates), who educates him on the history of his favourite team. A must see for all Ton supporters! An exhibition will accompany the show (see page 32) History of Greenock and the Morton, and will feature a video with old match footage, old Greenock images and new interviews with club legends.

THEATRE

Tue 19 Sep, 7.30pm, £12/£10 conc Birds of Paradise Theatre Company with Tron Theatre

Blanche & Butch

Blanche & Butch are backstage in a mist of hairspray and sequins as they reminisce about life as a troupe of disabled drag queens. Featuring original songs and inspired by Noel Greig’s 2006 play, Heelz On Wheels. Blanche & Butch promises to be a night of outrageous unPCness, high quality campness and deeply touching stories of three men who span the generations.

THEATRE

THEATRE

Tue 26 Sep, 7.30pm £15/£12 conc

Fri 29 Sep, 7.30pm £14/£12 conc

Rapture Theatre

Poorboy in co-production with Mull Theatre

A Streetcar Damned Named Rebel Desire PRETHEATRE MEAL

Join us for a dazzling trip to the whirlwind world of New Orleans with this sultry and sophisticated new production of a timeless American masterpiece.

Immortalised in the Oscar-winning film starring Marlon Brando and Vivien Leigh, this is a rare opportunity to see this iconic play by Tennessee Williams, thrillingly brought to life by Rapture Theatre.

Bitches

The thing about getting old is that everyone who can tell you off has died. Ella and Irene survived the Clydeside Blitz in 1941 and now, in 2012 in the teeth of Hurricane Sandy they are searching for Ella’s grandson in New York city. Damned Rebel Bitches celebrates the independent, risk-taking women of the war years.

THEATRE

Wed 4 - Sat 7 Oct, 7.30pm £18/£16 conc

PRETHEATRE MEAL

Kayos Youth Theatre

Guys and Dolls Set in 1950s Times Square, this ever popular musical comedy features the classic hits Adelaide’s Lament, Luck be a Lady and showstopper Sit Down, You’re Rockin’ the Boat.

An amateur production presented by arrangement with Music Theatre International (Europe).

HOMEGROWN

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BOOK TICKETS: beaconartscentre.co.uk | 01475 723 723

THEATRE

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THEATRE

Wed 25 Oct, 8pm, £12/£10 conc Fire Exit

Horizontal Collaboration THEATRE

Sun 22 Oct, 3pm and 7pm, £25 Robert C Kelly

Fri 6 Oct, 8pm £12/£10 conc

Bonnie Fechters: Songs & Stories of Hope & Resistance Inspiring stories and songs of women’s activism and struggle – from the Scottish witch-killings to Vietnam, from the infamous Magdalene institutions to Zero Tolerance. Threaded through with names of courageous women who changed the world…..

PRETHEATRE MEAL

The Dolls Abroad

The must-see comedy is back by popular demand!

After their successful show in April, Louise McCarthy (Only An Excuse) and Gayle Teller Stevens (River City) make a welcome return to Beacon Arts Centre. Fasten those seatbelts for the gutter trip of a lifetime with Scotland’s favourite scrubbers!

Sex, power and politics collide in this courtroom drama with a dark twist. Four steely UN lawyers read startling interview transcripts from their laptops in a tribunal concerning ‘horizontal collaboration’ - the name for the supposed wartime crime of sex with enemy soldiers.

From writer-director and ‘leading theatrical innovator’ David Leddy (The Times).

Age Guidance 16+ | scenes of an adult nature.

THEATRE/GALOSHANS

Fri 27 Oct, 8pm, £12/£10 conc No Nonsense Productions

Dracula: A radio play on stage MUSIC/GALOSHANS

Fri 27 Oct, 7.30pm, £17/£15 conc A co-production between Scottish Theatre Producers and Festival and King’s Theatres, Edinburgh

THEATRE

Tue 17 Oct, 11am and 2.30pm, £4 Hearts and Minds

Curious Shoes A joyful performance for people living with dementia and their loved ones to share. Live music, movement and very few words bring this funny, entertaining and beautifully simple story to life. The audience is invited to join its quartet of talented performers on their curious voyage of discovery.

HOMEGROWN

The Sunshine Ghost A new musical from Andy Cannon and Richard Ferguson, directed by Ken Alexander. A billionaire American property tycoon transports an ancient Scottish castle across the sea to Florida at the behest of his fiancé, only to discover that its previous owner has not quite ‘left’ the building…

No Nonsense Productions return with a brand new show for this year’s Galoshans. Join three plucky 1940s radio actors as they tackle Bram Stoker’s classic, Dracula, as you’ve never heard it before. Vampiric lust against a backdrop of wartime austerity, this radio play features live sound effects and period music.

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HOMEGROWN

Thu 2 Nov, 7.30pm, £16/£14 conc

Beacon Youth Theatre

Wheesht!

Sat 28 Oct, 7.30pm, £12/£10 conc Spotted Stripes Circus

Welcome My Son Welcome My Son is a unique interpretation of the Mary Shelley classic, Frankenstein. Through the eyes of the monster himself, Phil Hardie offers up a new and exciting rendition of this classic tale, seamlessly combining the disciplines of Chinese Pole and Physical Theatre with storytelling at its best.

The Gorbals. 1935. 100,000 people welcome home Benny Lynch, Scotland’s First Flyweight World Boxing Champion. A drama that pulls no punches fusing performance and pugilism, the story of the career of Benny Lynch, from Gorbals slum to grandiose glamour, his celebratory status and the battles with his demons in and out of the ring.‘Superb Drama’ Daily Record, ‘Inspiring Performance’ The Herald.

THEATRE

Wed 1 Nov, 7.30pm, £12/£10 conc Fairpley

Butterfly and Out of the Bad A double bill of two one-act plays

The 103-day occupation of the Caterpillar factory in Uddingston in 1987 sent reverberations around the world.

Butterfly tells the story of Jamie who, in March 1987, faces redundancy.

Driven to despair he climbs the factory’s water tower only to discover he’s not alone or the only one with problems. A black comedy about complicated lives, loves and buried secrets.

The Lynching: The Last Rounds of Benny Lynch

Devised and performed by Beacon Youth Theatre’s Primary Classes and written by Marianne Yeomans, when the clocks go back and the nights grow long, the mysterious Wheesht! sails through the cracks in time. Bogles, sea snakes, witches and ghosts take the streets of Inverclyde by storm but what could they possibly want from us?

Come dressed up!

THEATRE

Out of the Bad and the year is 2017.

Mary has the hangover from hell after the Caterpillar women’s reunion dinner.

The last thing she needs is her daughter Danni to come round uninvited with bad news. But Mary is determined that Danni should know her heritage and that life must go on.

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THEATRE

Tue 31 Oct, 7pm, £9/£7 conc

THEATRE/GALOSHANS

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THEATRE

Thu 23 Nov, 7.30pm, £18/£16 conc

Fri 24 Nov, 7.30pm, £17/£15 conc

Gusset Grippers

Fairpley PRETHEATRE MEAL

Come with your friends to laugh, not leak; dance on your pelvic floor, and figure out whether you hit the Menopause or the Menofast.

Jojo, Susan and Elaine wish you a Hap-pee Christmas with Festive Fun goodie bags.

The Lions of Lisbon May 1967. Thousands head for Lisbon: from Scotland, Ireland, and all over the world. Most were Celtic daft; many just plain daft. They sought paradise, and found it in Portugal. A cast of ten, plus live band recreate the humour, passion and occasional calamity that accompanied a Glasgow & District XI showing Europe’s finest how to play the beautiful game.

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BOOK TICKETS: beaconartscentre.co.uk | 01475 723 723 HOMEGROWN

THEATRE

Thu 12 - Sat 14 Oct, 8pm, £12

PRETHEATRE MEAL

Thistle Theatre Company

The House of Bernarda Alba

The House

adapted by Rona Munro

Set in the midst of gangland warfare, Bernarda will do anything to safeguard her family’s fortune and the future of her five daughters. With these five headstrong daughters cooped up in the family home this becomes an epic challenge in the face of bitter rivalry and repressed sexuality.

Bernarda

This amateur production is presented by arrangement with Nick Hern Books

THEATRE

Sat 11 Nov, 8pm, £12/£10 conc A Magnetic North and Traverse Theatre Company co-production

Our Fathers

Two atheist sons of clergymen theatre-makers Rob Drummond and Nicholas Bone - are on a quest to find out how we disagree with someone we love. Our Fathers is a new play inspired by Father and Son, Edmund Gosse’s Victorian memoir about growing up in an evangelical Christian family.

THEATRE

Tue 14 Nov, 7.30pm, £13/£11 conc Royal Conservatoire of Scotland in association with Solar Bear

Love and Information

An exhilarating theatrical kaleidoscope about how we live in a world bombarded by information.

How do we make sense of things? What’s true and what’s fake? What about privacy, our relationships?

This Royal Conservatoire of Scotland production, in association with Solar Bear, is accessible to both hearing and D/deaf audiences.

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This is an amateur production

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PERFORMANCE SCHEDULE Morning

Afternoon

Evening

Sat 09 Dec

2pm

7pm

Sun 10 Dec

1pm

5pm

Fri 08 Dec

7pm

Tue 12 Dec

10am

7pm

Wed 13 Dec

10am

7pm

Thu 14 Dec

10am

7pm

Fri 15 Dec

10am

Sat 16 Dec Sun 17 Dec Tue 19 Dec

7pm 2pm

7pm

1pm

5pm

10am

7pm

Wed 20 Dec

7pm

Thu 21 Dec

2pm

7pm•

Fri 22 Dec

2pm

7pm

Sat 23 Dec

2pm

7pm

Sun 24 Dec

1pm

5pm

Mon 25 Dec

Merry Christmas

Wed 27 Dec

2pm

7pm

Thu 28 Dec

2pm

7pm

Fri 29 Dec

2pm

7pm

Sat 30 Dec

2pm

7pm

Sun 31 Dec

1pm

Schools: £8. One teacher free with every 10 pupils Standard Performances: £18, £14 upper circle (Concs £15, £11 upper circle). Family of 4 £41-£57* Family of 5 £50-£70** Premium Performances: £20, £16 upper circle (Concs £17, £13 upper circle). Family of 4 £49-£65* Family of 5 £60-£80** Groups of 20+ £14.50. One ticket free with every 10 purchased.

Babes in Arms: £2 Disabled companions free *Must include at least 2 children **Must include at least 3 children • BSL performance

BOOK TICKETS: beaconartscentre.co.uk | 01475 723 723

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FESTIVE

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DANCE/GALOSHANS

HOMEGROWN

Sat 28 Oct, 3pm, £9/£7 conc

Wed 20 - Sat 23 Dec, 7.30pm matinees Fri 22 Dec, 2pm and Sat 23 Dec, 2.30pm, £15/£13 conc

Beacon Dance

No Nonsense Productions

It’s a Wonderful Life: a radio play on stage

FESTIVE

Tue 12 - Fri 15 Dec, 10.15am, 1pm Sat 16 - Sun 17 Dec, 10am, 12noon, 3pm £6 (schools £7 includes transport) Catherine Wheels Theatre Company

White

Welcome to the beautifully strange world of White. Full of birdsong and birdhouses, it gleams and dazzles and shines in the night. Two friends look after the birds and make sure the eggs stay safe. We watch, we help. The world is bright, ordered and white. But high up in the trees, all is not white. Colour appears.

First red... then yellow... then blue...

White is a playful, highly visual show for very young children.

Age Guidance: 2-4 years

A firm favourite in the Beacon festive calendar, we are delighted to welcome back It’s a Wonderful Life for the 5th year. The heart-warming American family classic, It’s a Wonderful Life is brought to the stage as a radio play. Set as a 1940s radio broadcast and featuring live sound effects and music, six actors perform the characters of radio actors who in turn portray the dozens of characters of the classic film It’s a Wonderful Life.

Sponsored by

DANCE

Thu 21 Sep, 7.30pm, £12/£10 conc Gary Clarke Company

COAL

Created to mark the 30th anniversary of the end of the 1984/85 British Miners’ strike, award-winning choreographer Gary Clarke proudly presents COAL, a powerful and emotional dance theatre show about life at the coal face. It brings together Clarke’s striking physical language performed by 7 professional dancers, a local cast of women and a live brass band, in a story about community, solidarity and survival.

HOMEGROWN

Alice in Wonderland

Join Alice as she falls through the rabbit hole into a magical topsy turvey world of peculiarities. Alice in Wonderland brings together talented young dancers from across Inverclyde who take part in Beacon Youth Dance, West College Dance, Branchton Community Centre and Clydeview Academy. Age Guidance: 12+

Age Guidance: 12+ PRETHEATRE MEAL

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DANCE

Sat 25 Nov, CLASS 12-1pm / JAM 1-3.30pm £12 Class and Jam / £7 Jam

@TheGlasgowJam

Penny Chivas and Laura Gonzalez lead a one-hour physical class exploring the fundamentals of Contact Improvisation (touch, consent, flying and falling safely) and then the space opens for a jam, exploring improvisation in its myriad forms.

The perfect opportunity to jam in Contact Improvisation, music, dance, visual arts, voice or text.

Call box office to book your place or for more information e-mail gail@beaconartscentre.co.uk

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BOOK TICKETS: beaconartscentre.co.uk | 01475 723 723

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@thebeaconarts Thu 26 Oct, 7.30pm, £12/£5 (under 26s)

OPERA

Scottish Opera

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Opera Highlights Scottish Opera returns to the Beacon with another night of classic opera that is not to be missed. Opera Highlights takes four singers and a pianist out and about around Scotland, travelling the highways and byways, by land, air and sea, taking a musical mix of operatic treasures to every corner of the country.

The minibus will be packed full of props and costumes to bring audiences an entertaining evening of music and good company. There’s something for everyone – from opera first timers to seasoned fans.

DANCE

Sat 23 Sep, 1pm and 7pm, £12 Karen Maciver Dance

Timeless

Based in Erskine, Karen Maciver Dance has been going strong for eight years.

Timeless is their annual Showcase around the theme of dance and music through the ages.

WATERFRONT

c i n e m a COMEDY

Fri 20 Oct, 8pm, £14/£12 conc

Des McLean

COMEDY

Fri 3 Nov, 8pm, £12/£10 conc

Phil Differ

One Night Only

That’s Another Story

Multi award-winning stand-up comedian, TV and radio presenter, event host and actor, Des is in demand both throughout the UK and across the world and has recently toured America, Canada, New Zealand, Australia and even played the iconic Riviera Hotel in Las Vegas! He also won three prestigious Sony Radio Awards for his comedy sketches on Radio Clyde.

Stand up comedy plus more tales from behind the scenes of your favourite comedy programmes. What really happens at awards ceremonies?

Who’s the funniest person he’s worked with? Is it all laughs on the stand up circuit? Just a few of the questions answered in the show itself or in the Q & A that follows.

2017/18

Met Opera season

Sat 14 Oct 5.55pm

Die Zauberflöte (The Magic Flute)

Sat 18 Nov 5.55pm

The Exterminating Angel

Sat 27 Jan

5.55pm

Tosca

Sat 10 Feb

5.00pm

L’elisir d’amore

Sat 24 Feb

5.30pm

La bohème

Sat 10 Mar 5.55pm

Semiramide

Sat 31Mar

5.55pm

Così fan tutte

Sat 14 Apr

5.30pm

Luisa Miller

Sat 28 Apr

5.55pm

Cendrillon (Cinderella)

www.waterfrontcinema.co.uk

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BOOK TICKETS: beaconartscentre.co.uk | 01475 723 723

VISUAL ART

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@thebeaconarts HOMEGROWN

EXHIBITION

Mon 23 Oct - Wed 8 Nov

Scottish Mental Health Arts and Film Festival Community Learning and Development Art Showcase Tue 29 Aug - Sat 30 Sep Presented in partnership with Street Level Photoworks

Roscoe Thomson ‘A Glasgow Fair’ A Glasgow Fair recalls the city’s traditional holiday fortnight by re-imagining stories passed down through generations like precious family heirlooms. It is created from the memories of people and places as experienced by others rather than any kind of then-and-now style comparison.

The art classes from Inverclyde Council’s Community Learning and Development (CLD) department are teaming up to showcase a range of work for this year’s Scottish Mental Health Arts and Film Festival. Classes run from a variety of venues across Inverclyde. For more information please contact CLD on 01475 715450 or come along to the exhibition.

EXHIBITION

Old News

Wed 13 - Sat 16 Sep

HOMEGROWN

History of Greenock and the Morton History of Greenock and the Morton will run in conjunction with Mon Eh Ton! (p 18). The centre piece will be a video with old match footage, old Greenock images and new interviews with club legends.

Tue 3 Oct - Sat 14 Oct

Hillend SC Art Club

HOMEGROWN

WS Graham Centenary Schools’ Exhibition

EXHIBITION HOMEGROWN

Hillend SC Art Club, a registered charity, is a friendly, tutor led group for artists of all levels, including beginners.

This exhibition is part of the Scottish Mental Health Arts and Film Festival.

HOMEGROWN

Tue 5 Dec - Wed 3 Jan

Tue 14 - Sat 2 Dec

EXHIBITION

EXHIBITION

Poet WS Graham was born in Greenock 100 years ago next year. He lived in Cornwall for most of his life but much of his work remains rooted in Greenock and the West of Scotland. Working with four professional artists, children and young people from King’s Oak, St Patrick’s, Whinhill and Clydeview Academy explore and celebrate Graham’s life and work through visual art, poetry and film-making.

In the run up to Beacon Arts Centre’s 5th anniversary, the Creative Learning Team showcase the wealth of arts development work that has taken place since first opening the doors in January 2013.

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ACCESS

TICKETS / DIRECTIONS Terms and Conditions

Booking Fee

Family Friendly

By road

Full conditions of ticket sales are available at our Box Office and on our website.

Booking fees are charged per ticket and go towards our processing costs.

Fees are waived for tickets that are purchased in person in cash at our box office.

Our Bar + Kitchen provides high chairs and bottle warming facilities. We are breastfeeding friendly. There are baby-changing facilities for both men and women to use.

The Beacon is just off the A8 behind Greenock Police Station. Turn into Brymner Street at the Police Station and then turn right into Custom House Place.

Lost tickets

Disability Friendly

By train

Lost tickets can be reprinted for 50p per ticket on the day of the performance.

Beacon Arts Centre is fully accessible with wheelchair spaces, stair lifts and an induction loop. Our staff are fully trained to help.

The local train station is Greenock Central and is only 500 metres away with a frequent service on the Glasgow Central/Gourock line. Journey times from Glasgow are approximately 30 or 40 minutes and currently run until 11.00pm (an hour earlier on Sundays).

Check scotrail.co.uk for a list of times.

Concessions Concession rates are available on many performances and apply to the following groups: • children (under 16 or over 16 in full time education) • Young Scot cardholders and students • senior citizens • those in receipt of jobseekers allowance, disability living allowance, personal independence payment and employment and support allowance recipients • disabled patrons • members of Equity, BECTU, the Scottish Society of Playwrights and the Musicians’ Union.

Proof of entitlement must be shown when collecting your tickets.

Groups At certain performances, we offer 1 free ticket with every 10 purchased.

Booking Online:

beaconartscentre.co.uk

Telephone: 01475 723 723 In Person:

Beacon Arts Centre, Custom House Quay, Greenock PA15 1HJ

Environmentally Friendly We aim to be as green as possible.

We recycle and are working to reduce our energy use.

How to get to Beacon Arts Centre

FOOD AND DRINK PRETHEATRE MEAL

We have FREE Wi-Fi throughout the building.

Social networking

Pre-theatre meals are available on selected shows where you see this sign.

A sample menu is available on our website. For other shows, a bar service, relaxed dining or light snacks are available.

Wi-Fi

Follow and like us on: @thebeaconartsc @thebeaconarts The Beacon is situated on Custom House Quay, opposite the Custom House, and is within easy reach of Greenock town centre and close to all public transport links.

The Beacon is a Charity Greenock Arts Guild Limited trading as Beacon Arts Centre. Registered in Scotland Company No. SCO24805.

Registered Scottish Charity No. SC003030.

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BOOK TICKETS: beaconartscentre.co.uk | 01475 723 723

COMING SOON Wed 7 Feb

Sun 11 Feb

The Platters

Ae Fond Kiss

Featuring all the hits and many more!

A musical journey through the major events of Burns’ life.

Fri 9 Feb

Tenors Unlimited The best songs from the world’s Opera Houses and Broadway.

Sun 11 Feb

Little Red Riding Hood

Sun 18 Feb

Magical Mozart

by Candlelight A programme of classical music and song from Mozart’s operas.

A forest full of family fun!

Creative opportunities for people of all ages!

For further information contact: ail Sneddon, ance Officer gail@beaconartscentre.co.uk aura earce, earn Officer laura@beaconartscentre.co.uk

01475 723723 | beaconartscentre.co.uk Beacon Arts Centre, Custom House Quay, Greenock PA15 1HJ Greenock Arts Guild Limited trading as Beacon Arts Centre. Registered in Scotland Company No. SC024805. Registered Scottish Charity No. SC003030