Eric Morecambe Centre Theatre Brochure - Autumn Winter 2023

WELCOME

TO THE LATEST SEASON AT THE ERIC MORECAMBE CENTRE

A warm welcome to our Winter What’s On Guide. As the air turns cooler and the wind, rain, and snow* sets in, the team at the Eric Morecambe Centre are on standby to deliver our patrons hours of comfort, joy, laughter and entertainment.

Do join us this year for the start of our festive celebrations as we continue our partnership with Polka Dot Pantomimes to present BEAUTY AND THE BEAST. Continuing the festive theme, we have carols from our local community with Christchurch Carols and FestiveLea. Rounding off with the Christmas season, we welcome the return of Hurst Childrens Theatre Co with Snow White.

From comedy to live music there really is something for everyone.

Do take a look at our community classes, and a reminder that our café is dog friendly between 10.am-4.30pm.

From all the team we thank you for your continued support and look forward to seeing you soon.

For our most up to date shows and information, please visit www.the-emc.co.uk.

*snow only ordered for Christmas Day.

Best wishes,

Jo Ditch Theatre Contract Manager

GARETH GATES IN FRANKIE

VALLI

AND THE FOUR SEASONS

Sat 21 Oct 7.30pm

The Best of Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons is a spectacular high pitched celebration of timeless music from one of the biggest selling groups of all time. This nostalgic musical journey pays tribute to the life and career of those four boys from Jersey, who started singing under a street lamp.

£32.50

THE WONDER OF STEVIE

Fri 20 Oct 7.30pm

The ultimate celebration of the genius of Stevie Wonder. Award-winning vocalist Noel McCalla, saxophonist Derek Nash (Jools Holland’s R&B Orchestra) and their world-class band present a diverse catalogue of iconic back-to-back hits including Superstition, Signed, Sealed, Delivered, Isn’t She Lovely, I Wish, Sir Duke, Master Blaster and many more.

£29

THE OPERA BOYS

A

NIGHT AT THE MUSICALS

Thu 26 Oct 7.30pm

With beautiful vocal arrangements, spectacular close part harmony and a great line in humour, The Opera Boys have been delighting audiences all over the world with their unique show combining beautiful, powerful and emotional music with funny, engaging and light-hearted entertainment.

£24

OYE SANTANA

Sat 28 Oct 7.30pm

Based around the exciting dance rhythms of Santana’s Latin music, OYE SANTANA is no ordinary tribute to Carlos Santana’s music. More of a party than a concert, this is a feast of Latin music, superb musicianship and hit songs, faithfully re-creating the music of Santana. They bring a powerful and melodic drive to Santana’s Latin rock style, ensuring a fantastic high energy, engaging and fun event.

£19.50

DREAMCOAT STARS

Tue 31 Oct 7.30pm

Experience the powerful star vocals of four phenomenal leading men from the hit show Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, coming together for a magical evening of West End and Broadway musical classics. This colourful production is packed with vibrant and energetic songs from the nation’s most loved musicals including Joseph, Jesus Christ Superstar, SIX, Wicked, Mamma Mia and more.

£29

100 AND COUNTING

Fri 3 Nov 7.30pm

100 and Counting, a look back at 100 TT starts with John McGuinness and James Whitham. John McGuinness is simply the god of TT racing. A complete legend of the sport who amongst other achievements holds the mind-blowing record of an amazing 23 wins round the Isle of Man track.

£26.50, with photo £31.50

WINDRUSH - THE BETRAYAL

Sat 4 Nov 7pm

Award winning playwright Mark Grey has taken the individual stories as reported in the National Press of Anthony Bryan, Paulette Wilson, Sylvester Marshall, and Michael Braithwaite and woven a story that highlights the way that children of the Windrush generation were shamelessly targeted by their own government.

£15, conc £10

THERE’S A MONSTER IN YOUR SHOW

Wed 8 Nov 1.30pm, 4.30pm

Thu 9 Nov 10.30am,1.30pm

Tom Fletcher’s interactive adventures for big imaginations are leaping from page to stage, as the beloved ‘Who’s in Your Book?’ series makes its debut as a brandnew musical show. A group of performers are preparing to start their show, but quickly discover they are not alone on stage. Little Monster wants to be part of the fun too!

£16.50, U16 £14.50, schools £12

Active Lifestyles - St Albans

FASCINATING AÏDA

Fri 10 Nov 7.30pm

Uniquely charming, with diamond-sharp satire, filthy, hilarious, belligerent, political, poignant and outrageous, this indomitable trio are still the mistresses of their craft. Marking this astonishing milestone, the show will feature much-loved favourites and some wickedly hilarious new songs. £29.50

THE BOOTLEG SIXTIES FEATURING THE OVERTURES

Sat 11 Nov 7.30pm

The Bootleg Sixties is without doubt the UK’s leading show of its’ kind, dedicated to recreating the vibrant music and spirit of the 1960s. With skilled musicians and authentic instruments, they transport audiences back to the era of rock ‘n’ roll, flower power, and cultural revolution.

£28

A DAY IN THE LIFE OF ARTHUR LAGER

Fri 17 Nov 7.30pm

Steve Hewlett brings Arthur Lager to life in this unique story of a Dummy who has lived life before the ventriloquist came along. Visit your local theatre where you will see a ventriloquist share his masterclass of ventriloquism, laughter and characters with your whole family in 2 shows for the price of 1.

£16.50, U16 £13.50, Family (x4) £54

THE ROOTS OF JAZZ

Live music and a talk exploring the intertwining stories of the roots of Jazz and the Christian faith. A group of professional Jazz musicians tell the history of Jazz music and its roots in the Christian faith. Hosted by ChristChurch Harpenden. All are welcome.

Tickets: www.tinyurl.com/rojcch

START

THE

Fri 1 Dec 7pm

Start me up! at the Christmas “Start Up” party of the year! TGI Friday... Hosted by Graham Kentsley with SoulFish - 2Tone and the original “Dirty Dozen” DJs Tony “The Rave” Reeve & Steve Purssey. Doors and bars open at 6pm with lots of fun fund raising events for local aids charities on this World Aids Day.

CHRISTCHURCH CAROLS

Sun 17 Dec

Family Carols at 10.30am and Carols by Candlelight at 7pm. Carol Services for everyone with carol singing and a Christmas message. Hosted by Christchurch Harpenden at the Eric Morecambe Centre.

Free Entry

FESTIVELEA

Thu 21 Dec 8pm

Christmas wouldn’t be Christmas without carols! Join local chamber choir, The Lea Singers, for an evening of choral favourites, audience carols and mince pies.

£15, U18 £8

HARPENDEN GANG SHOW

Tue 9 - Sat 13 Jan 7.15pm

For 74 years the Scouts of Harpenden, Wheathampstead and Kimpton have been wowing packed audiences with their unique blend of song, dance and comedy, all from a cast of 150 aged 9 to 18. It’s the best possible antidote to the January blues you could imagine – a fun-packed family show.

£12-£25

SNOW WHITE

Thu 25 Jan 5pm

Fri 26 Jan 7pm

Sat 27 Jan 1pm & 7pm

Sun 28 Jan 12pm & 6pm

The Hurst Children’s Theatre Group are back with their traditional Panto - this time, Snow White! The boisterous cast of 100 children will knock your socks off with their unrivalled singing - making the World a better place for 100 minutes!

FAIRPORT CONVENTION

Thu 8 Feb 7.30pm

Fairport Convention have been entertaining music lovers for over half a century, having formed in 1967. During that time the band that launched British folk-rock has seen many changes, but one thing has remained the same - Fairport’s passion for performance. This year’s Winter Tour will present a mix of long-established Fairport favourites and some surprises from albums old and new.

£30

£10-£18

SHAPE OF YOU

Fri 16 Feb 7pm

The hit stage production, Shape of You, features the amazing music of one of the world’s greatest singersongwriters, Ed Sheeran, offering all of his classics in a completely live performance that will captivate you throughout. Shape of You has it all: trademark loops, heartfelt singalongs, beatbox raps, emotional acoustic compositions, an extraordinary band and excellent visuals.

£24.50, Conc £22.50, U16 £18

PETTY CRIMINALS

Fri 9 Feb 7.30pm

Petty Criminals, the UK’s top Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers tribute band, will perform a joint Tom Petty and Stevie Nicks greatest hits show. This is the only show of it’s kind, featuring tributes to two of America’s finest songwriters and performers.

£24.50

SPECIAL TOM & STEVIE SHOW

MONEY FOR NOTHING EUROPE’S #1 DIRE STRAITS SHOW

Thu 29 Feb 7.30pm

Money For Nothing is a tribute to the Dire Straits like no other before. Prepare to be captivated by the authentic sounds of one of the most successful rock bands of all time. Money For Nothing is a show of the highest quality.

£29

A TRIBUTE TO THE CARPENTERS

Sat 2 Mar 7.30pm

It’s time to get over that rainbow and make the smallest of dreams come true with A Tribute to the Carpenters. The original Carpenters tribute is back with a brand-new show! Featuring Gordy Marshall’s, The British Carpenters, starring the fantastic Sally Creedon as Karen Carpenter and with an incredible cast made up of musicians straight from London’s West End.

£29.50

SWEENEY TODD

Wed 20 - Sat 23 Mar

Get ready for a spine-tingling theatrical experience that will leave you on the edge of your seat, from the award-winning Harpenden Musical Theatre Company. Combining the macabre with the melodious, step into the shadowy streets of 19th-century London, where darkness lurks behind every corner, and follow the story of Benjamin Barker, a once-happy barber who was wrongfully sent to prison, only to return as the vengeful Sweeney Todd.

£22, U16 & Conc £19

THERE WAS AN OLD LADY WHO SWALLOWED A FLY

Sat 30 Mar 2.30pm

There Was an Old Lady Who Swallowed A Fly. I don't know why she swallowed a fly... But The People's Theatre Company do!

And now you can too as they bring the world's best loved nonsense rhyme to life with a delicious blend of live action, puppetry and animation.

£18, U16 £16

COMMUNITY SESSIONS

The Dance Studio

Mon, Tue, Wed & Sat miriam@thedancestudioherts.co.uk

Mini Mozart

Mon, 9.15am-12.15pm emma@minimozart.com

Monkey Music

Tue, Wed & Fri, 8.45am-12.30pm harpenden.stalbans@monkeymusic.co.uk

Hearing Advisory

Tue (once a month), 10am-12pm Charlotte.Spurway@hhas.org.uk

Arts on Prescription Weds, 1pm-3pm RoseGooding@everyoneactive.com

Salsa Machine

Wed, 7pm-10.30pm ben.santosrichmond@gmail.com

Breaking Ballet Thu, 9.30am-10.30am sarah@breakingballet.com

Classes with Rachel Thu, 9.15am-12.30pm classeswithrachel@gmail.com

Hurst Children’s Theatre Group

Fri, 4pm-8pm hctg@live.co.uk

The Arts Society Harpenden

3rd Thu each month, 9.30am-12.30pm membership.tasha@gmail.com 3rd Wed each month, 7.15pm-9.30pm lizadawarriner@googlemail.com

Zumba

Fri, 9.30am-12pm boggo1@mac.com

St.Albans School of Dance

Fri, 7pm-8.30pm natalia@stalbansschoolofdance.co.uk

JOIN US FOR A DRINIK

Open Mon-Sat, 10am-4.30pm

Set within Rothamsted Park, our café is the perfect location for a catch up with friends. We have a variety of hot drinks and delicious snacks available.

CORPORATE AND COMMUNITY HIRE

With scenic views of Rothamsted Park, a licensed bar and cafe, The Eric Morecambe Centre boasts an auditorium, green room and two function rooms, available to book for a variety of community and corporate events, including, clubs and groups, dance and fitness classes, conferencing and meetings, parties, celebrations and events. Contact us today to find out more.

Arts on Prescription wellbeing

Arts on Prescription wellbeing

Stressed, anxious or depressed?

Stressed, anxious or depressed?

Stressed, anxious or depressed?

This programme using the arts is for those suffering from stress, anxiety, depression and other conditions affecting mental wellbeing. You don’t need any experience to take part, everyone is welcome from absolute beginners to the more experienced. You must be aged over 18 and live within the District of St Albans.

This programme using the arts is for those suffering from stress, anxiety, depression and other conditions affecting mental wellbeing. You don’t need any experience to take part, everyone is welcome from absolute beginners to the more experienced. You must be aged over 18 and live within the District of St Albans.

This programme using the arts is for those suffering from stress, anxiety, depression and other conditions affecting mental wellbeing. You don’t need any experience to take part, everyone is welcome from absolute beginners to the more experienced. You must be aged over 18 and live within the District of St Albans.

"Everything has improved in my life and I feel I'm moving forward with confidence. This group has helped me to find my voice and strengthen it. The sessions take my mind off other things."

"Everything has improved in my life and I feel I'm moving forward with confidence. This group has helped me to find my voice and strengthen it. The sessions take my mind off other things."

"Everything has improved in my life and I feel I'm moving forward with confidence. This group has helped me to find my voice and strengthen it. The sessions take my mind off other things."

Participant testimonial

Participant testimonial

Participant testimonial

HARPENDEN LEISURE CENTRE

THE BOX OFFICE

You can book online 24 hours a day at www.the-emc.co.uk. The Box Office phones lines are currently open Mon-Sat 10am-4.30pm. On performance days the box office will open for in person bookings a minimum of 2 hours before the start of the show until 15 minutes after curtain up.

METHODS OF PAYMENT

Please be aware we only take card payments and are a cashless venue. Visa, MasterCard and Maestro are accepted. EMC vouchers are also accepted. E-tickets are available at the time of purchase or can be held at the Box Office for collection.

RESERVATIONS

Tickets may be reserved for 3 working days, without payment, subject to availability but must be confirmed with payment or cancelled no later than 7 before the performance. Any unpaid tickets not confirmed by this time will be released for sale.

BABES IN ARMS

Under 18 months are generally only admitted for children’s shows and at our discretion.

REFUND & RESALES

We regret that tickets cannot be refunded unless a performance is postponed or cancelled, in this circumstance only the face value of the ticket will be refunded. Tickets can be exchanged or a credit note issued up to 7 days prior to a performance date, less a 10% admin fee. Tickets can be taken back for resale within 7 days of a performance date if the show has sold out. In this instance, a credit note will be issued less a 10% admin fee. All exchanges and re-sales are at the management’s discretion.

CONCESSIONS

Where offered, concessions prices related to Under 16s, full-time students, senior citizens, unwaged and the registered disabled may be asked for proof of your discount eligibility. A family ticket constitutes four tickets of which at least one must be an adult and one other

must be a child. Only one discount can apply to a ticket. Under 14s must be accompanied by an adult.

GROUP BOOKINGS

We welcome group bookings for any performance, and discounts are available where stated. Group bookings will be held for one month or until a sellout whichever is sooner. Please advise us if any of your group has specific access needs, or requires a wheelchair position. For further information please call the Box Office. Group bookings also receive an extended reservation period.

DATA PROTECTION

We will record booking contact details at the time of booking to enable communication in the event of a cancellation. With consent, customer details will also be used to provide relevant information about forthcoming events at the Eric Morecambe Centre. In accordance with the Data Protection Act, these details will not be shared with any third parties.

GENERAL CONDITIONS

Smoking, the use of electronic cigarettes and the use of cameras or any kind of recording apparatus such as mobile phones is strictly prohibited in the auditorium. Latecomers may be asked to wait for a suitable pause in the programme before being shown to their seats. Changes to the programme, cast, seating and pricing are at the discretion of the management.

TICKET OFFERS

Ticket offers are subject to availability. Ticket offers are non-transferable and cannot be exchanged for cash. The offer cannot be used in conjunction with any other offer or concession, and does not apply to tickets already purchased. The management reserve the right to exchange or withdraw offers at any time.

AMENBURYLN

ERIC MORECAMBE CENTRE SEATING PLAN

STATIONRD GETTING HERE

Rothamsted Park, Harpenden, AL5 2FR

Amenbury Lane Car Park post code: AL5 2HS

ARDENGROVE

Harpenden Train Station is a 10 minute walk. There are also various bus stops in the town centre, a 5 minute walk away.

BOX OFFICE OPENING TIMES

Mon-Sat 10am-4.30pm

Show details listed in the brochure are correct at thetime of printing. Changes to the programme are at the discretion of the management and touring companies.

FIND MORE SHOWS ONLINE

www.the-emc.co.uk/events