Stables brochure 79: March 2021 - December 2022

The Laine Dankworth Centre | Wavendon | Milton Keynes

Issue 79 | December 2021 - March 2022

world class music & entertainment

Supported using public funding by

box office 01908 280800 www.stables.org

Issue 79 Dec - Mar 2022 MAY

Welcome to The Stables

Located in the village of Wavendon, Buckinghamshire and only a few minutes’ drive from the centre of Milton Keynes, The Stables is one the UK’s best-loved music venues.

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Founded by the world-famous jazz musicians Sir John Dankworth and Dame Cleo Laine in 1970, the venue now presents more than 400 performances each year across all musical genres in our two venue spaces – the Jim Marshall Auditorium (capacity 398) and Stage 2 (capacity 80) – and welcomes more than 100,000 customers through its doors.

By becoming a Friend of The Stables you’ll be helping to support one of the UK’s favourite concert venues. You’ll also be entitled to a range of benefits designed to make your visits to us even more enjoyable.

A year-round programme of music-related workshops and courses for all ages and abilities to develop their musical skills is also available – for full details, turn to page 39.

We look forward to seeing you soon!

become a Friend of The Stables

Your support will enable us to plan for the future with greater confidence and ensure we can continue to develop our worldclass music and education programmes.

Membership starts at just £30 per year To become a Friend please call The Stables box office on 01908 280800.

Alternatively, pick up a membership form from the box office or join online at stables.org Thank you for your support!

Wavendon Allmusic Plan Ltd (Registered charity number 261645)

2

Issue 79 Dec - Mar 2022 MAY

front cover artists contents JIM MARSHALL AUDITORIUM December January February March

STAGE 2

December - March

4 - 12 13 - 16 16 - 22 22 - 29 31 - 37

LEARN & TAKE PART December - March

38 - 46

And not forgetting Also on sale Booking information Diary

48 49 - 51 52 - 53 54 - 55

The Shires

Monday 24 January

page 15

The Princess & The Pea

information key

Tuesday 21 December - Sunday 2 January pages 4&5

Friends and Founders are entitled to a 10% discount. Please notify the box office when making your reservation.

New shows which are open for public booking from Wednesday 24 November prior to which Stables Friends have priority

Count Arthur Strong Friday 11 February page 18

Denotes an education event or a concert with an associated education event. Ask Box Office for details.

This event takes place in Stage 2.

Harriet Saturday 12 February page 18

This event takes place in Mancini Forum.

email stables@stables.org

box office 01908 280800

3

DECEMBER JIM MARSHALL AUDITORIUM 4

All ticket prices are inclusive of booking fees

written by Mike Kenny

produced by tutti frutti productions Dates: Tuesday 21 December 2021- Sunday 2 January 2022

The audience meet a demanding queen, an array of wannabe princesses and our two main characters: an unknown girl who is blown into the palace by a gust of wind and an indecisive prince under pressure to find his real princess.

Will he ever find a real princess or his happy-ever-after?

In this new and updated adaptation of Hans Christian Andersen’s popular story, Mike Kenny and the inventive tutti frutti team once again create a funny, original, beautiful retelling of this familiar tale.

“

JIM MARSHALL AUDITORIUM

Set in the Museum of Forgotten Things, three musical curators tell the amazing tale of the museum’s artefacts including the mystery of a little green pea and how it got there. This one hour of fun is packed with humour and memorable songs, including a romp through every type of princess you can imagine, with hilarious costumes to match.

DECEMBER

Christmas Fun at The Stables

The Princess and the Pea

TUTTI FRUTTI ENRAPTURES ITS YOUNG AUDIENCE WITH A WONDERFUL AND WARM PIECE OF THEATRE, ENRICHED BY MIKE KENNY’S INVENTIVE SCRIPT.

”

The Stage DECEMBER Tue 21 Wed 22

11.30am 11.30am

1.30pm 1.30pm

Running time: about 1 hour (no interval) Age recommendation: 3+ (but suitable for all)

Thu 23

11.30am

1.30pm

Ticket prices

Fri 24

11.30am

1.30pm

Sat 25

No performances

Sun 26

No performances

Adults Children under 16 Family ticket

Mon 27

11.30am

1.30pm

Tue 28

11.30am

1.30pm*

Wed 29

11.30am

1.30pm

Thu 30 Fri 31

11.30am 11.30am

1.30pm 1.30pm

JANUARY Sat 1 Sun 2

No performances 11.30am 1.30pm

£16.50 £14.50 £62

(two adults, two children)

Carers accompanying disabled patrons Groups of 10+ Schools

£12.75 £13.50 £12.50

(one free teacher’s ticket for every 10 tickets booked)

Relaxed performance

£12.50

* R ELAXED PERFORMANCE ON TUESDAY 28 DECEMBER AT 1.30PM: This performance is designed for people who will benefit from a more relaxed environment, including those with an autism spectrum condition, sensory and communication disorders or a learning disability.

email stables@stables.org

box office 01908 280800

5

16+

Wednesday 1 December, 8pm £27.50

Join Ed as he takes a long, hard look at himself and tries to decide if he has any traits that are worth passing on to his children. Ed has appeared on Live At The Apollo, Mock The Week, Top Gear and QI. LIKE THIS? TRY THIS...

Chris McCausland

1 Apr 2022

Best of Queen: Break Free Tour Thursday 2 December, 8pm £29.50

Best of Queen features a selection of the most loved and iconic classics from across Queen’s entire back catalogue, creating a show that really captures the essence of this incredible British band.

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Think Floyd

6

Tenors Un Limited Christmas Show Friday 3 December, 8pm £23.50

JIM MARSHALL AUDITORIUM

DECEMBER

Ed Byrne: If I’m Honest

14 Jan 2022

A fantastic new show from Tenors Un Limited, the number-one selling classical vocal trio. The guys’ rich vocal harmonies and down-to-earth sense of humour have endeared them to audiences around the world. There’s something for everyone in this fabulous Christmas celebration!

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Naturally 7

1 Mar 2022

Cara Dillon: Upon A Winter’s Night Saturday 4 December, 8pm £25

Cara and her band will once again capture the mystery of Christmas with a collection of songs ancient and modern, providing a welcome reminder that the festive season can be about more than just commercialism.

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Mediaeval Baebes

7 Dec

Budapest Café Orchestra

Sunday 5 December, 4pm £12, under-16s £5

Wednesday 8 December, 8pm £20.50

Promoted by Woburn Sands Band

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Churchfitters

Mediaeval Baebes

16 Dec

Classic Clapton

Tuesday 7 December, 8pm £22.50 Over the years, the Mediaeval Baebes have released 10 studio albums, won an Ivor Novello Award and received two Emmy nominations and a Royal Television Society award. With lush, ethereal harmonies, the classical chart-topping choir weaves its storytelling magic, performing tracks from its latest album Prayers of the Rosary alongside carols, traditional folk songs and innovative settings of ancient and romantic poetry.

Thursday 9 December, 8pm £21

Classic Clapton, the world’s leading Eric Clapton tribute band, make a welcome return to The Stables as part of their 35th anniversary tour. The show is a two-hour journey through Clapton’s music featuring all of his hits: Wonderful Tonight, I Shot The Sheriff, Lay Down Sally, Crossroad and Layla, as well as an Unplugged segment.

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The Shee

Led by composer and violinist Christian Garrick, the Budapest Café Orchestra play a blistering barrage of traditional folk and gypsy-flavoured music from across the Balkans and Russia.

Expect klezmer laments, Romanian doinas and Hungarian czadas, as well as the band’s own unique reimaginings of some big tunes.

JIM MARSHALL AUDITORIUM

It’s good to be back! The Woburn Sands Band present The Christmas Concert. The programme will run the gamut from big band sounds to classical, jazz and pop, and include arrangements of some of your best-loved and very seasonal melodies, all in one show. Come along to this early evening event for some true family entertainment from your favourite local brass band, with soloists from the band featured in this, the 65th concert in the Drakeloe series.

DECEMBER

Woburn Sands Band

22 Apr 2022

The Music of Cream

email stables@stables.org

23 Feb 2022

box office 01908 280800

7

led by Alec & Jacqui Dankworth Friday 10 & Saturday 11 December, 8pm £31 & £27.50 Started by the legendary Sir John Dankworth and Dame Cleo more than 50 years ago, this seasonal celebration led by Alec Dankworth features a host of family, friends and special guests. Expect a show packed with great music, seasonal fun and surprises along the way.

JIM MARSHALL AUDITORIUM

DECEMBER

The Dankworth Christmas Show

Already confirmed on the bill are Jacqui Dankworth, Kevin Whately (Friday only), Lorna Dallas, Peter Fisher, Emily Dankworth, Charlie Wood, The Woburn Sands Band and The Alec Dankworth Christmas Band.

These are fundraising concerts for The Stables Theatre LIKE THIS? TRY THIS...

National Youth Jazz Orchestra 10 Apr 2022

Jason Byrne

Amy Wadge

+ support from Isaac Stuart

Sunday 12 December, 8pm £22 He’s back for more comedy chaos! Jason has learnt over the past few years that we all need to ‘play’ a little more in our lives.

With this in mind, Jason will do what he does best, connecting with the audience in a way no other comic can. Jason’s Audience Precipitation will be a laugh out loud, mustsee show, with a light drizzle of audience participation… ooohhh clever that.

8

Grammy winner Amy Wadge is one of the UK’s most prolific contemporary songwriters. Amy’s most notable success to date comes from her long-established writing partnership with Ed Sheeran, with whom she co-wrote the multiplatinum-selling global hit Thinking Out Loud.

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Nell Bryden

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Larry Dean

Monday 13 December, 8pm £16.50

3 Mar 2022

18 Jun 2022

16+

Thursday 16 & Friday 17 December, 8pm £43

Tuesday 14 December, 8pm £22.50

The Blues Band have filled halls and stadiums around the world. The band are taking to the road one last time to remind us just how durable and eternally thrilling live blues remains. If you’re an aficionado of authentic blues played by richly experienced and seasoned journeymen, this will be a memorable opportunity to catch them one final time.

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Carl Palmer’s ELP Legacy

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28 Jan 2022

Maddy Prior & the Carnival Band: Carols & Capers

JIM MARSHALL AUDITORIUM

The star of Live At The Apollo and sell-out sensation Gary Delaney is back! One of the most sought-after joke writers in the country and longstanding Mock The Week special guest, Gary has been through the laughing glass and he’s ready to bring you a brand new show with hit after hit of the kind of one-liners only a master could craft. If you’re hunting for snark, Gary’s got it covered!

Mark Watson

Bye Bye Blues Band: The Farewell Tour

DECEMBER

Gary Delaney: Gary in Punderland

6 Apr 2022

Legend: Tribute to Bob Marley Saturday 18 December, 8pm £22.50

Wednesday 15 December, 8pm £30.50

Maddy Prior joins up once again with the Carnival Band during the festive season for their unique celebratory show Carols & Capers. Together they mix Renaissance, modern and ethnic instruments with a refreshing cavalier attitude and plenty of humour, putting their inimitable stamp on a range of familiar and not-so-familiar festive fare.

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Oysterband

27 May 2022

Legend are seven great musicians and singers dedicated to the life and music of the late, great Bob Marley. This two-hour show covers the very best of Marley’s timeless classics, including Is This Love, No Woman No Cry, Waiting In Vain, Exodus, I Shot The Sheriff, Jamming and Could You Be Loved.

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Are You Experienced?

email stables@stables.org

23 Dec

box office 01908 280800

9

DECEMBER SUNDAY SESSIONS

Enjoy some fabulous Sunday-morning jazz in the Mancini Forum (The Stables’ main foyer).

We’ll be presenting an enticing mix of established names and rising stars of the UK jazz scene – the perfect way to start the day.

Remi Harris Jazz & Blues Duo Sunday 19 December, 11.30am £16 Remi Harris is an exciting jazz and blues guitarist whose unique style draws inspiration from artists such as Django Reinhardt, Jimi Hendrix and Led Zeppelin. Joined by virtuoso double bassist Tom Moore, Remi performs an eclectic mix of jazz standards, improvisations, original compositions and new arrangements of his favourite tunes.

Chris Ingham Quartet: Hoagy!

Sunday 23 January, 11.30am £14 A joyful salute to the wry, wise and beautiful music of legendary songwriter-singer and pianist Hoagy Carmichael (Stardust, Georgia On My Mind, Skylark, Ole Buttermilk Sky, Lazy Bones et al) with anecdotes, insight and delightful curiosities from a uniquely rich and varied songbook.

Natasha Seale sings the Duke Ellington Songbook Sunday 27 March, 11.30am £14 Vocalist and former West End leading lady Natasha Seale leads a stellar band in celebration of Duke Ellington. Natasha’s fascinating narrative weaves around Peter Long’s sparkling new arrangements of repertoire including The A Train, Satin Doll, Sophisticated Lady and It Don’t Mean A Thing If You Ain’t Got That Swing.

Doors open at 11am. Coffee, tea and light snacks will be available before each concert.

10

ENJZYOYSUNDAY

LA NG THAT NING FEELI MOR

Mostly Autumn Remi Harris Jazz & Blues Duo Remi Harris is an exciting jazz and blues guitarist whose unique style draws inspiration from artists such as Django Reinhardt, Jimi Hendrix and Led Zeppelin. Joined by virtuoso double bassist Tom Moore, Remi performs an eclectic mix of jazz standards, improvisations, original compositions and new arrangements of his favourite tunes.

English rock band Mostly Autumn formed in 1995 and have built their reputation through constant touring, never signing to a major label.

They produce music heavily influenced by 1970s prog rock.

JIM MARSHALL AUDITORIUM

Sunday 19 December, 11.30am £16

DECEMBER

Sunday 19 December, 8pm £22.50 in advance, £24.50 on the door

Promoted by Mostly Autumn

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Natasha Seale

27 Mar 2022

Albion Band Christmas Show Wednesday 22 December, 8pm £25

become a friend Enjoy some great benefits including priority booking, discounted tickets and the What’s On Brochure four times a year!

Becoming a Friend also plays a vital role in the funding of The Stables’ live music, entertainment and education activities.

Join online at stables.org/support_us/Friends or call 01908 280800 for further information

Featuring the combined talents of Simon Nicol (Fairport Convention), Kellie While (Albion Band), Simon Care (Edward II) and the Guvnor himself, Ashley Hutchings MBE, the Albion Band take you on a guided tour through the Christmas customs of Britain.

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The Dublin Legends

email stables@stables.org

23 Mar 2022

box office 01908 280800

11

JIM MARSHALL AUDITORIUM

DECEMBER

Christmas Fun at The Stables

Tuesday 21 December 2021 – Sunday 2 January 2022 For information, turn to pages 4 & 5

Are You Experienced?

Tribute to Jimi Hendrix

gift ideas

Thursday 23 December, 8pm £22.50 Are You Experienced? are the world’s number one tribute to legendary rock guitarist Jimi Hendrix. Could anyone measure up to him? Well, when you listen to singer and guitarist John Campbell, you realise it can be done!

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Tribute to Bob Marley

12

18 Dec

Footpath of Fame – your chosen name or text engraved onto a brick and placed amongst many celebrities in our exclusive Footpath Stables Gold – a presentation pack of The Stables’s very own 50th anniversary beer, specially made us by Concrete Cow Brewery.

Gift Vouchers – treat someone to a great night of entertainment Your support helps us to continue providing music and music-making opportunities for children and adults alike.

For more information contact: box office on 01908 280800 or email development@stables.org

Go West in Concert

Friday 14 January, 8pm £29.50

Sunday 16 January, 4pm & 8pm £53.50

This extraordinary band, dubbed the Definitive Pink Floyd Experience, are renowned for their stunning celebration of the music of one of the world’s greatest musical phenomenon.

This brand new show for 2022 features the whole range of classic Pink Floyd from the Dark Side Of The Moon, Wish You Were Here, The Wall, Meddle and much more.

This unique event will be presented in two parts: Part I (4pm) will be a special ‘Audience With Peter & Richard’ hosted by Gary Crowley, who will interview the boys and then invite the audience to put their questions to them. Part II (8pm) will see the band perform a great live show with songs from their debut album Go West including We Close Our Eyes, Call Me and Don’t Look Down, together with many of their other chart hits.

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This is a fundraising concert for The Stables.

3 - 5 Jun

JIM MARSHALL AUDITORIUM

G2 Genesis

JANUARY

Think Floyd

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Toyah & Hazel O’Connor

9 Jun

EXTC Saturday 15 January, 8pm £22.50 With hits including Making Plans for Nigel, Senses Working Overtime and Generals and Majors, XTC are one of the UK’s most revered and influential bands. While XTC are no more, their legacy has passed to EXTC, the band of legendary XTC drummer, Terry Chambers. For the ultimate stamp of approval, EXTC comes with the support of XTC frontman, Andy Partridge. Hot on the heels of a storming headline appearance at the Isle of Wight Festival, EXTC will perform a full set of XTC classics.

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Nick Lowe

14 Apr

acknowledgements The Stables would like to give a special thanks to the following for their valuable support: • Arts Council England • Cavatina Trust • Dame Cleo Laine • Dentons • FCC Communities Foundation • Garfield Weston • MK Community Foundation • PMC • The Wavendon Foundation

Thank you!

email stables@stables.org

box office 01908 280800

13

Tubular Bells Live

Tuesday 18 January, 8pm £23.50

Saturday 22 January, 8pm £27.50 & £26

JIM MARSHALL AUDITORIUM

JANUARY

The Story of Guitar Heroes

The Story of Guitar Heroes’ talented musicians use more than 30 authentic guitars to recreate the sound of a host of great guitar heroes, including Jimi Hendrix, Eric Clapton, Hank Marvin and Slash. This dynamic show features state-of-theart lighting and video footage of historic musical moments – all delivered with a light-hearted vibe.

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Classic Clapton

9 Dec

Internationally renowned maestro Phil Toms is back on tour with his band. They’ll be performing tracks from Mike Oldfield’s 1973 hit record Tubular Bells, as well as highlights from his 50-year career, including Moonlight Shadow, To France and Guilty, and excerpts from the band’s instrumental albums Ommadawn, Tubular Bells 2 and 3.

Promoted by Phil Toms

Back to Bacharach Friday 21 January, 8pm £27.50

Chris Ingham Quartet: Hoagy!

Sunday 23 January, 11.30am £14

This critically acclaimed show features a West End cast and the amazing musicianship of the Magic Moments Orchestra. Together they present the very best of Burt Bacharach – celebrating ‘The Hitmaker’ who was behind one of the greatest American Songbooks of the 20th century. Songs featured in the show include Alfie, I Say A Little Prayer For You and Magic Moments.

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Marty Wilde

14

A joyful salute to the wry, wise and beautiful music of legendary songwritersinger and pianist Hoagy Carmichael (Stardust, Georgia On My Mind, Skylark, Ole Buttermilk Sky, Lazy Bones et al) with anecdotes, insight and delightful curiosities from a uniquely rich and varied songbook.

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17 Jun

Natasha Seale

27 Mar

Ben Hart: Wonder

Teddy Thompson

+ support from Roseanne Reid Described by New York Times as “one of the most gifted singer-songwriters of his generation”, singer-songwriter Teddy Thompson is a native Englishman who has adopted New York City as his home. He has released five albums to critical acclaim, the most recent of which, Heartbreaker Please, was produced in 2020.

JIM MARSHALL AUDITORIUM

Britain’s Got Talent 2019 finalist, West End star and multiaward-winning magician Ben Hart is embarking on his debut solo tour. Ben has performed in West End theatres and international arenas, and made countless TV appearances. Using the simplest of props, he conjures up an altogether new kind of magic.

Tuesday 25 January, 8pm £21

JANUARY

Sunday 23 January, 8pm £19.50

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Nell Bryden

The Shires: Acoustic + support

Mud Morganfield

Monday 24 January, 8pm £39.50

Thursday 27 January, 8pm £20

The Shires are one of the UK’s most popular and best-selling country acts. Having made huge waves both on home soil and across the pond, they became the first UK artists to win Best International Act at the prestigious Country Music Awards. Join Ben and Chrissie for an evening of their biggest hits and favourite tracks.

This is a fundraising concert for The Stables.

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Hot Club of Cowtown

18 Jun

29 Apr

Mud Morganfield, the son of Muddy Waters and proud heir of the King of Chicago blues, is not only blessed with a big and powerful voice but also a natural sense of showmanship that ensures that audiences fall right into the palm of his hand.

He mixes up his sets with his dad’s classic songs and his own original material.

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Mike Zito Band

email stables@stables.org

17 Feb

box office 01908 280800

15

JANUARY / FEBRUARY JIM MARSHALL AUDITORIUM

Mark Watson: This Can’t Be It

16+

Sunday 30 January, 8pm £25

Friday 28 January, 8pm £22.50 We’ve all had some pondering to do about the fragility of life recently, but don’t worry, skinny national treasure Mark Watson has it covered. At 41, he’s halfway through his days on Earth, according to the life expectancy calculator app he paid £1.49 for.

That life is in the best shape in living memory... but one problem remains, and it really is a huge one.

Best known for his work with Rod Stewart, Jim Cregan was Rod’s musical director for nearly two decades. Jim’s own songs have also been recorded by Joe Cocker, Willie Nelson, Kid Rock and Russell Watson, and he has played on stage with guitarists Jeff Beck, Frank Zappa, Pete Townsend and Chuck Berry.

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The Billy Joel Albums Show

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Reginald D Hunter

Cregan & Co

26 Feb

Martyn Joseph

Shaparak Khorsandi: It Was The 90s!

Saturday 29 January, 8pm £21.50

Wednesday 2 February, 8pm £18.50

Teddy Thompson

16

16+

From indie discos to unflattering crop tops… a trip down memory lane to the decade where ‘kinky’ was nurse roleplay and whipped cream, and Shaparak found herself flying about London with hope in her heart, a tenner in her pocket and spare knickers in her handbag. How does the decade of binge drinking and walks of shame look now without snakebite and black tinted specs?

Martyn Joseph is a unique and mind-blowing artist.

Take everything you think you know about singer-songwriters… and rip it up. For one man and a guitar, he creates a performance with a huge, far-reaching sound that’s energetic, compelling and passionate. Be it to 200 people or 20,000, he blows the crowd away night after night.

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8 Mar

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25 Jan

The New Scummy Mummies Show

10 Feb

ELO Again

Suggs: A Life in the Realm of Madness Saturday 5 February, 8pm £33

Come along and relive the age of Glam Rock as ELO Again pays tribute to the beautifully crafted songs of Jeff Lynne. You will revel in ELO’s unique symphonic rock style and hear some of the most unforgettable classic rock and pop songs of our generation.

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G2 Genesis

3 - 5 Mar

The Freddie & Queen Experience

JIM MARSHALL AUDITORIUM

Following the success of his first sell-out My Life Story tours, Suggs is treading the boards again. If the first show was about how on Earth he got there, this evening is about the surprises that awaited him when he did.

FEBRUARY

Thursday 3 February, 8pm £23.50

Erja Lyytinen & Chantel McGregor Sunday 6 February, 8pm £20.50

Friday 4 February, 8pm £23.50 The Freddie & Queen Experience perform a full recreation of Queen’s live shows, based around the 1986 Magic tour. They deliver a passionate and energy packed show full of all your favourite Queen hits! A great show, not to be missed.

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Ultimate Bowie

21 May

“Finnish slide goddess” (The Blues Magazine) Erja Lyytinen is a singer, guitarist and songwriter who performs more than 100 shows every year and releases albums through her label Tuohi Records. In 2017 she won the European Blues Award for Best Guitarist and was named seventh best blues guitarist by The Music Radar. Chantel McGregor has been performing since the age of 12 – her style ranges from traditional blues numbers to a much more raunchy blues rock influence.

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John Verity Band

email stables@stables.org

25 Feb

box office 01908 280800

17

JIM MARSHALL AUDITORIUM

FEBRUARY

The New Scummy Mummies Show

16+

Saturday 12 February, 8pm £24

Thursday 10 February, 8pm £20.50 J​ oin comedians Ellie Gibson and Helen Thorn as they celebrate the scummier side of parenting, from drinking wine at teatime to hiding from the PTA. Expect stand-up, sketches, songs and some very scummy stories.

Guaranteed to make parents laugh and non-parents happy about their life choices.

Based on the hit Scummy Mummies podcast and bestselling book.

Count Arthur Strong: And This Is Me

Frequently championed

by BBC Radio 2, Harriet first gained critical acclaim with her self-titled debut album released in 2016. Her music draws inspiration from the warmth of the 1960s and 70s soundscape and her voice is frequently said to be reminiscent of the late Karen Carpenter. Performing brand new original material, as well as songs from her first album, an evening with Harriet is not to be missed!

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Vonda Shepherd

15 Oct

Folk Dance Remixed: Hope Sunday 13 February, 8pm £18.50, under-12s £14

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Two Mr Ps in a Podcast – Live

Harriet

2 Jul

16+

Friday 11 February, 8pm £25

After many years of giving his wonderful lecture talks of his he does, Count Arthur Strong has at last bowed to substantial public demand and allowed himself be talked into making the show about himself for once. And that had never occurred to him before because of him being highly magnanimous.

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Ian Ashpitel & Jonty Stephens as Eric & Ern

18

Stronger than fear, fuelled with love, this is a defiantly joyous new show from Folk Dance Remixed, created in response to the challenging times we have shared. In it they take a 21st century look at the ancient story of Pandora’s Box, when all the evils of the world were unleashed and hope remained to protect and defend us all.

Live musicians and dancers explore wondrous realms with a stunning electronic soundscape, poetry and storytelling.

Hope was conceived by Folk Dance remixed and Bernadette Russell in response to her brilliant new book How To Be Hopeful.

Hope was commissioned by the English Folk Dance and Song Society and is funded by the Weston Culture Fund of the Garfield Weston Foundation.

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19 & 20 Feb

Merry Hell & Ranagri

3 Apr

Coldplace

Monday 14 February, 8pm £22

Wednesday 16 February, 8pm £25

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The Zombies

6 Mar

Sharon Shannon Quartet

Mike Zito Band

Tuesday 15 February, 8pm £23.50 Sharon Shannon is a musician who continues to surprise.

While she is known for her arrangements of traditional Irish tunes and Irish-influenced compositions, she has always been eager to explore new styles, and to meet and work with other musicians. The accordionist from Ireland has achieved legendary status throughout the world and has made the much-maligned accordion ‘cool’ in her home country.

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The High Kings

Coldplace are a tribute band whose quality and experience on the tribute scene are second to none. In 12 years the band have more than 600 gigs under their belts across the length and breadth of the UK and over 20 countries worldwide. Their aim, as a tribute to one of the world’s biggest bands, is to capture the unique feeling of a live Coldplay performance, the music, the visuals, the energy and the atmosphere.

JIM MARSHALL AUDITORIUM

Russ Ballard first found fame as a singer and instrumentalist with The Roulettes. After a stint with Unit 4+2, he went on to be frontman with Argent in the early 1970s. Russ has enjoyed a successful career as a songwriter and producer and has given us some of the greatest rock classics ever written, such as Since You Been Gone (Rainbow), God Gave Rock’n’Roll To You (Argent and Kiss) and New York Groove (Hello and Ace Frehley) to name a few.

FEBRUARY

Russ Ballard

Thursday 17 February, 8pm £19

Mike Zito is one of the most lauded artists in the contemporary blues arena. But for him, the thing that counts the most is maintaining his honesty, authenticity and integrity. Those are the qualities that have steered Mike’s career since the beginning and continue to do so. Mike has previously appeared at The Stables as a member of Royal Southern Brotherhood.

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14 Jun

Erja Lyytinen & Chantel McGregor

email stables@stables.org

6 Feb

box office 01908 280800

19

FEBRUARY JIM MARSHALL AUDITORIUM

Johnny Cash Roadshow

Fairport Convention

Friday 18 February, 8pm £27.50

Tuesday 22 February, 8pm £31.50

The Johnny Cash Roadshow is back on top form for 2022 with a brand new show. This year award-winning Clive John pays homage to Cash’s career as the Man In Black, alongside his iconic wife June Carter, played by Emily Heighway, and the Roadshow Horns. With all the hits including Man In Black, Walk The Line, Ring Of Fire and Boy Named Sue, this year’s show is an emotional rollercoaster of songs charting Cash’s turbulent career.

Fairport Convention have been entertaining music lovers for more than 50 years, with 2022 being their 55th anniversary! This year’s Winter Tour will present a mix of long-established Fairport favourites and some surprises from albums old and new, including their latest, Shuffle & Go, released just before lockdown in 2020.

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Buddy Holly & the Cricketers

18 Nov

Ian Ashpitel & Jonty Stephens as Eric & Ern Saturday 19 & Sunday 20 February, 8pm £25 A show for all the family from 8 to 108! A brilliant homage crammed full of those famous comedy sketches, muchloved Morecambe & Wise routines and songs and, of course, a musical guest! Be taken back to the world of those fantastic Christmas specials.

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Count Arthur Strong

20

Barbara Dickson

9 Apr

The Music of Cream Wednesday 23 February, 8pm £24

The Music of Cream features Kofi Baker (son of Ginger Baker) on drums and Will Johns (Eric Clapton’s nephew) on guitar and vocals.

Honouring the original band’s landmark 1967 recording Disraeli Gears, often considered Cream’s crowning achievement, the concert will feature the album performed in its entirety, followed by a selection of Clapton’s greatest hits.

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11 Feb

Classic Clapton

9 Dec

Simon Evans: The Work of the Devil

16+

Groove Into The Woods

Saturday 26 February, 11.30am & 2pm £8.50, family ticket £30

Groove Into The Woods is an animated and live-action musical adventure which follows three friends into a fairy-tale forest where they learn some important lessons about who you can trust, who your friends are and which troll might eat you! Blending jungle rhythms, infectious pop themes, and a heavy dose of 60s Blue Note soul jazz, the Groove Baby Organ Trio create a nonstop groove that will have everyone on their feet.

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The Princess & the Pea

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JIM MARSHALL AUDITORIUM

Simon Evans’ last show, Genius 2.0 (“a masterclass”, The Scotsman), provided an hilarious analysis of the departure of any visible sign of intelligence from modern life. But his new show raises the stakes, with his usual excoriating views of a world on fire given a perspective shift from personal revelations that turned his world upside down this year.

21 Dec- 2 Jan

20 Mar

Reginald D Hunter: Bombe Shuffleur

John Verity Band Friday 25 February, 8pm £19

16+

Saturday 26 February, 8pm £24.50

John Verity is one of the most consistent performers on the blues/rock circuit. His previous appearances have included opening for Jimi Hendrix, Janis Joplin and many others in the USA before time spent as frontman with Argent.

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Erja Lyytinen & Chantel McGregor

FEBRUARY

3 to 7 year olds

Thursday 24 February, 8pm £16.50

Rachel Parris

Groove Baby presents

6 Feb

Climate change.

Mass unemployment.

Economic pandemics.

The rise of global fascism. So what the f*** could this man POSSIBLY say to upset you? Welcome to the world of the Bombe Shuffleur.

Reginald D Hunter is back with a brand new show, and there’s no time for niceties. Unafraid to tackle head on the subjects the rest of us skirt around, Reginald is the voice of his generation – searingly honest, brutally funny and uniquely placed to commentate on the unfolding meltdown of life as we know it.

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Mark Watson

email stables@stables.org

28 Jan

box office 01908 280800

21

JIM MARSHALL AUDITORIUM

FEBRUARY

Byron Wallen’s Gayan Gamelan Ensemble: In A Silent Way

keep up to date

Sunday 27 February, 8pm £22.50

All details are correct at time of going to print.

For latest programme and other updates from The Stables, please visit www.stables.org and keep an eye on our social media channels

like us on facebook Widely recognised as a seminal figure in world jazz, Byron Wallen has performed with George Benson, Chaka Khan and The Style Council. His Gayan Gamelan Ensemble marries the two musical traditions of Indonesia and East Africa and fuses them with the urban sounds of modern dance music and contemporary classical traditions. In this concert they will perform Miles Davis’s classic album In A Silent Way which Byron describes as “sonic healing, deeply meditative and fiercely optimistic.”

Steve Harley 70th Birthday Concert Monday 28 February, 8pm £53.50

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Naturally 7 Tuesday 1 March, 8pm £27.50

This is a fundraising concert for The Stables.

Naturally 7 are more than a tightly orchestrated collection of great singers. They transform their voices into actual human instruments, effortlessly producing music of any genre. Their vocal choreography is so perfectly interwoven that they compelled the music maestro Quincy Jones to declare them “the best a cappella group in the world!”

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Steve Harley & Cockney Rebel + String Quartet + Acoustic Band + Gospel Singers in an Ultra Special Performance – a True One-Off! Don’t miss this very special celebration of Steve’s 71st Birthday (Feb 27)!!

Tom Robinson Band

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/TheStablesMK

6 May

Tenors Un Limited

3 Dec 2021

The Counterfeit Stones: Not Fake Away

Wednesday 2 March, 8pm £20.50

Friday 4 March, 8pm £29.50

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Loudon Wainwright III

Why pay a fortune to see ants in a stadium when, for a fraction of the price, you can get up close and smell the faking brilliance of The Counterfeit Stones? Their latest fast shuffle, Not Fake Away, promises yet another night of pure, unadulterated Copy-Rock. Packed with big hits, retro fashion and vintage guitars, it’s Satis-fiction guaranteed.

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19 Sep

Ultimate Bowie

Larry Dean: Fudnut Tour

16+

Thursday 3 March, 8pm £16.50 Larry Dean, double Edinburgh Comedy Award nominee and star of Live At The Apollo, returns with a brand new hour of “confessional storytelling at its funniest” (Herald). As seen on Michael McIntyre’s Big Show, Mock The Week and Roast Battle.

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Gary Delaney

JIM MARSHALL AUDITORIUM

The charismatic Peggy Seeger is the undisputed queen of folk and political song. Join Peggy and her son Calum MacColl, an exceptional musician in his own right, for a glorious evening of up-close performance. Expect to hear some of Peggy and Ewan MacColl’s most loved songs, readings from Peggy’s award-winning memoir The First Time Ever, plenty of audience participation and lots of relaxed family banter.

MARCH

Peggy Seeger with Calum MacColl: First Farewell Tour

14 Dec 2021

21 May

Woburn Sands Band Saturday 5 March, 7.30pm £12, under-16s £5

An evening concert performed by your favourite local brass band to celebrate HM The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Year! Flags for all, and a programme full of the perfect pieces to entertain all the family, featuring soloists from the Band.

This will be the 66th Concert in our Drakeloe Series.

Promoted by Woburn Sands Band

email stables@stables.org

box office 01908 280800

23

The Zombies

JIM MARSHALL AUDITORIUM

MARCH

+ support from Rogers & Butler Sunday 6 March, 8pm £31 & £27.50

featuring Reuben Richards

Led by founding members vocalist Colin Blunstone and keyboardist Rod Argent, The Zombies’ 21st-century line-up features Steve Rodford on drums, renowned session guitarist Tom Toomey, and the newest member, Søren Koch, who joined the band following the untimely passing of their beloved bassist Jim Rodford.

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Russ Ballard

14 Feb

The Billy Joel Albums Show starring Elio Pace & David Brown Tuesday 8 March, 8pm £33.50

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Wednesday 9 March, 8pm £18.50

Enjoy Otis Redding’s songs performed live on stage as two of the UK’s most exciting soul acts join forces to create the world’s funkiest Otis Redding show. Pairing award-winning soul singer Reuben Richards with Hammond and horns from The Jezebel Sextet, this is a truly uplifting evening steeped in 1960s soul that’s guaranteed to get you on the good foot.

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The awardwinning Elio Pace and his amazing band return to The Stables to perform two more Billy Joel classic albums in their entirety, Streetlife Serenade and 52nd Street. And if that wasn’t thrilling enough for Billy Joel fans, Elio and his band are delighted to be bringing back their very special guest, direct from the USA… legendary lead guitarist David Brown, who played in Billy’s band from 1978 until 1991.

Cregan & Co

The Jezebel Sextet: The Otis Redding Show

30 Jan

Brother Strut

25 Jun

Mark Radcliffe: Loser Thursday 10 March, 8pm £16.50 An evening of original songs and stories of loss from broadcaster, musician and author Mark Radcliffe. Don’t worry, it’s not as miserable as it sounds.

Hopefully. Having lost six months to, thankfully successful, cancer treatment and with a new perspective on life, Mark takes stock of lost loves, lost friends, lost relatives, lost idols, lost bets and lost time.

Ceilidh Experience Concert & Dance

For more information on eating and drinking at The Stables visit stables.org

Come along and join in the dancing as participants from the Ceilidh Experience course present their new bands created especially for tonight, performing a feast of traditional tunes for dancers and folk fans of all ages. Our guest dance caller will guide you through the steps in what promises to be a fun evening of dance and music. No previous Ceilidh dance experience needed! Suitable for adults and older children.

JIM MARSHALL AUDITORIUM

Our snack bar is open from 7pm serving a variety of snacks (sweet and savoury), soft drinks, teas and coffees.

Or why not enjoy a luxury Marshfield Farm ice-cream during the interval?

Save time at the bar! place your interval drinks order at the bar before the show starts

MARCH

feeling peckish?

Sunday 13 March, 7.30pm £7

Gun: The Backstreet Brothers Tour Monday 14 March, 8pm £25

Nights On Broadway: The Bee Gees Story Saturday 12 March, 8pm £25.50 Nights On Broadway: The Bee Gees Story celebrates the timeless music of the Bee Gees.

The ‘Brothers’ take you on a musical journey through all your favourite songs, including Night Fever, Stayin’ Alive, More Than A Woman, You Should Be Dancing, Jive Talkin’ and many more!

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Leo Sayer

27 Sep

1960s Scottish rock band Gun released three top 20 albums and 11 top 40 singles. They have also toured extensively over the years, most notably with The Rolling Stones on their Steel Wheels and Urban Jungle tours. The current line-up consists of original members Dante Gizzi (vocals) and Giuliano Gizzi (guitar) along with Paul McManus (drums), Andy Carr (bass) and Tommy Gentry (guitar).

email stables@stables.org

box office 01908 280800

25

JIM MARSHALL AUDITORIUM

MARCH

Izzy Gizmo

featuring musicians from Ensemble 360 and narrator Polly Ives Thursday 17 March, 1pm (Free twilight teachers/educators INSET session for participating groups Thursday 27 Jan 4.30pm-6pm)

£7.50 (free teachers ticket with every 10 seats booked) Schools/Family concert for ages 5 to 7/Key Stage 1 (Concert last approximately 50 minutes) Join our quintet of musicians from Ensemble 360 and narrator Polly Ives for a children’s concert packed full of highly engaging live classical music, vivid story-telling, bright illustrations from the book and lots of audience participation.

Adapted from the popular picture book by Pip Jones and presented with Sara Ogilvie’s beautiful illustrations, this brilliant’s children’s story is brought to life in music and, for the first time, animation.

Izzy Gizmo is the story of a young inventor – and her long-suffering grandfather –whose magnificent inventions often malfunction. This participatory piece is full of memorable tunes and innovative instrumentation, with the musicians doubling on pots, pans, whistles and household items to recreate Izzy’s mechanical marvels and mischievous spirit.

Before the concert, why not buy the book, download the free participation pack and the Learn the Songs YouTube video from www.musicintheround.co.uk.

Learn the songs and download the free teachers pack before the concert at www.musicintheround. co.uk. The comprehensive cross-curricular digital resources covering music, literacy, numeracy – and, in the spirit of Izzy the intrepid inventor – an exploration of the creativity of STEM suitable for all.

Ensemble 360 Tuesday 17 March, 8pm £20 & £16.50 Ensemble 360 return to The Stables with a sumptuous and sparkling concert of strings and clarinet repertoire.

Opening with Brahms’s virtuosic sonata, the concert begins with lyricism, grace and warmth. The programme continues with two of the composers lesser known inheritors who crackle with fin-de-siècle verve: Rabl’s optimistic quartet is an overlooked gem of the chamber repertoire, by turns languid and vivacious. Closing with Zemlinksky’s passionate trio, this is a programme full of warmth and energy which concludes with an explosive flourish.

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John Lenehan

Free tickets for Under-25s As a member of the Cavatina Trust ticket scheme, which enables young people to enjoy live chamber music, we are able to offer a limited number of free tickets to eight- to 25-year-olds for this concert. To book these tickets, contact the box office.

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20 Mar

Aly Bain & Phil Cunningham Wednesday 16 March, 8pm £20

5 Apr

Andy Fairweather Low

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Viviana Zarbo

19 Mar

Rachel Parris: All Change Please

16+

Sunday 20 March, 8pm £16.50

Saturday 19 March, 8pm £27.50

Andy Fairweather Low came to prominence as the lead singer with Amen Corner. Since the early days Andy has gone on to work with Eric Clapton, George Harrison, Bob Dylan, Jimi Hendrix and many more. In 2019 he was recognised as being among the top echelon of the world’s guitar players when Eric Clapton invited him as a named guest to play at the Crossroads Guitar Festival.

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Nick Lowe

JIM MARSHALL AUDITORIUM

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Pianist John Lenehan presents a centenary celebration of the unique music and film of an iconic decade, the fabulous 1920s. Music by Gershwin, Fats Waller, Duke Ellington and Kurt Weill brings to life on-screen appearances from the likes of Charlie Chaplin, Greta Garbo, Harry Houdini and Albert Einstein. The performance also features atmospheric archive film of London, Paris and New York set to the music of the decade.

MARCH

Sunday 20 March, 2.30pm £16.50 & £13.50, under-16s £5

Aly Bain was a founder member of the Boys of the Lough and his passionate fiddle-playing has also found its way onto recordings by the likes of Eddi Reader and Richard Thompson. Accordion player Phil Cunningham’s mastery of the instrument has led to him working with Mark Knopfler, James Taylor and Midge Ure. Together they are simply the best traditional musicians you are ever likely to hear.

Feast of Fiddles

John Lenehan: The Roaring Twenties

14 Apr

Baftanominated comedian Rachel Parris is back with a brand-new show about big life changes.

Join the viral sensation and star of BBC 2’s The Mash Report as she performs stand-up and songs about sudden love, the highs and lows of relationships, family, weddings, kids, going viral, going mental, and the baffling state of play in society right now.

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Simon Evans

email stables@stables.org

24 Feb

box office 01908 280800

27

JIM MARSHALL AUDITORIUM

MARCH

Curtis Stigers Thursday 24 & Friday 25 March, 8pm £38.50

gift ideas

For the award-winning singer, songwriter and saxophonist Curtis Stigers, the story keeps getting better. His string of hit singles, millions of albums sold and a 28-year recording career aside, Curtis’ commitment to artistic growth and to bringing new tunes to the Great American Songbook has become unparalleled in modern music.

Footpath of Fame – your chosen name or text engraved onto a brick and placed amongst many celebrities in our exclusive Footpath Stables Gold – a presentation pack of The Stables’s very own 50th anniversary beer, specially made us by Concrete Cow Brewery.

Gift Vouchers – treat someone to a great night of entertainment Your support helps us to continue providing music and music-making opportunities for children and adults alike.

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For more information contact: box office on 01908 280800 or email development@stables.org

Natasha Seale

Clive Anderson: Me, Macbeth & I

The Dublin Legends

Saturday 26 March, 8pm £21.50

Wednesday 23 March, 8pm £31

The Dublin Legends – Sean Cannon, Eamonn Campbell, Paul Watchorn and Gerry O’Connor – have more than 60 years of performing with The Dubliners between them, and they continue to play all the classic songs and ballads known the world over: Whiskey In The Jar, Dirty Old Town, The Wild Rover, Seven Drunken Nights, The Rare Auld Times and many more.

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The host of Whose Line Is It Anyway?, Loose Ends and Talks Back takes to the road with his much-anticipated first ever solo tour, in a one-man show guaranteed to be funnier than Shakespeare’s greatest tragedy.

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The High Kings

27 Mar

14 Jun

Simon Evans

24 feb

Soft Machine Wednesday 30 March, 8pm £21

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Chris Ingham Quartet

Focus

23 Jan

Andy Zaltzman

16+

Sunday 27 March, 8pm £16.50 Andy Zaltzman, chair of BBC Radio 4’s The News Quiz, returns with his unparalleled interactive stand-up show. Andy invites audience members to submit topics, issues and miscellaneous gripes for him to satirise to order.

Please submit an advance satirical commission on any topic to satirisethis@satiristforhire.com and state that you are attending The Stables performance on his tour.

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Simon Evans

24 Feb

JIM MARSHALL AUDITORIUM

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Sunday 27 March, 11.30am £14

MARCH

Vocalist and former West End leading lady Natasha Seale leads a stellar band in celebration of Duke Ellington.

Natasha’s fascinating narrative weaves around Peter Long’s sparkling new arrangements of repertoire including The A Train, Satin Doll, Sophisticated Lady and It Don’t Mean A Thing If It Ain’t Got That Swing.

Soft Machine are one of the greatest UK avant/jazz-rock bands of all time and their work continues to be name-checked by today’s hip experimentalists.

Former band members John Etheridge (guitars), Roy Babbington (bass) and John Marshall (drums) are joined by Theo Travis (saxophone/ flute). If you adore the jazz rock/fusion of Soft Machine in their heyday but with a fresh feel of Third-era, mixed with free jazz and searing guitar licks, then don’t miss this exciting show!

Natasha Seale sings the Duke Ellington Songbook

28 Apr

John Smith Thursday 31 March, 8pm £16.50

Essex-born John Smith has built a reputation as one of the UK’s finest guitarists and songwriters.

Steeped in the lineage of British folk and taking his cue from Richard Thompson and John Martyn, John has evolved a transatlantic blend of fingerstyle and slide guitar techniques. On his new album The Fray, he gives us an uplifting perspective on the path forward, but pays beautiful homage to the difficulties along the way.

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Martyn Joseph

email stables@stables.org

29 Jan

box office 01908 280800

29

COMING SOON

Graeae Theatre Company presents

The Paradis Files

COMING SOON

Wednesday 20 & Thursday 21 April, 8pm £22 & £19 (concessions* £11)

An extraordinary blind musician. A family hell-bent on a cure.

In the glittering salons of 18th-century Vienna, Maria-Theresia von Paradis is a star. Pianist, composer, touring musician; this pupil of Salieri and friend (and alleged lover) of Mozart has captivated Europe with her own sensational talent. They call her The Blind Enchantress.

Yet behind this dazzling success story there are darker forces at work. Some of those closest to Maria-Theresia are looking to profit from her blindness. Others are looking to ‘cure’ her whatever it takes.

In this newly commissioned chamber opera, directed by Jenny Sealey, with music

by Errollyn Wallen CBE, this extraordinary woman is finally drawn out of the shadows to reclaim her place in the spotlight of music history.

All performances will creatively integrate BSL, captioning and audio description.

Commissioned by The Stables for IF: Milton Keynes International Festival. A Graeae Theatre Company production in association with BBC Concert Orchestra and Curve Theatre. *children under-16, those in full time education, unemployed or in receipt of universal credit, disabled and carers

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Stage 2 is the ideal place to catch a star of tomorrow on their way up or enjoy more established artists experimenting with new material. With a capacity of just 80 for most gigs, there’s always an intimate and relaxed feel to proceedings.

The Stables’ second performance space: intimate, relaxed and informal

STAGE 2

stage 2

Stage 2 hosts around 120 concerts each year of all shapes and sizes – folk, rock, blues and much more besides – along with a good smattering of comedy and theatre nights.

So come and hear the latest new music and comedy, relax and enjoy a drink with friends!

Look out for these Stage 2 artists making their headline debuts this season

Dan Webster

The Goat Roper Rodeo Band

Viviana Zarbo

Fri 25 Feb

Fri 11 Mar

Sat 19 Mar

email stables@stables.org

box office 01908 280800

31

DECEMBER STAGE 2

Keith Thompson Band

Steve Winch & The Inception

Friday 3 December, 8.45pm £11 in advance, £13.50 on the door

Saturday 11 December, 8.45pm £11 in advance, £13.50 on the door

British bluesrock musician Keith Thompson is celebrating 50 years as a live performer.

This milestone coincides with the release of his 12th album, Transcendence, which has already had glowing reviews in the music press. Blues Matters magazine described it as “full throttle enjoyment, a musical gem!”.

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John Verity

25 Feb 2022

Gypsyfingers

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Saturday 4 December, 8.45pm £11 in advance, £13.50 on the door

Steve Harley

Gypsyfingers bring their psychedelic and cinematic folk-rock sounds to The Stables for a full band performance featuring piano, guitars, French horn, drums, keys and sweet vocal harmonies.

Multiinstrumentalists Victoria Coghlan and Luke Oldfield (son of Mike Oldfield) draw on a wide range of influences including folk, rock, pop, prog and psych to create a fresh sound of their own described by Maverick Magazine as “a brilliant fusion of pop and folk-rock”.

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Charm of Finches

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Steve Winch & The Inception are a high octane, retro-fuelled shot of adrenaline. Inspired by mod fashion and culture, punk attitude and 1960s melodies and harmonies, Steve and the band have recently released their debut album Down At The Soul Dispensary, which is available digitally and on vinyl LP.

5 May 2022

28 Feb 2022

Screaming Blue Murder Comedy Club

16+

Wednesday 15 December, 8.45pm £11 in advance, £13.50 on the door

A chance to catch the comedy stars of tomorrow, today! Compere Andrew Bird introduces Howard Read and Diane Spencer.

(Line-up is subject to change.)

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Matt Richardson

17 Mar 2022

Churchfitters

Albany Down

Thursday 16 December, 8.45pm £20.50

Saturday 18 December, 8.45pm £13.50 in advance, £15.50 on the door

STANDING GIG

DECEMBER STAGE 2

Why Churchfitters? Nobody knows! They’re not fitters and have absolutely nothing to do with churches. The name’s origin is lost in the mists of time but there is one aspect that suits them perfectly: quirkiness. When your array of instruments includes a motorcycle petrol tank, a musical saw and a Mercedes Benzouki made from hubcaps, there’s little point worrying if the name makes sense!

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Budapest Café Orchestra

Masada

8 Dec

STANDING GIG

Friday 17 December, 8.30pm £6

Legendary Milton Keynes metal outfit Masada return once more to The Stables – this time Paul and Richard are helping Gareth to celebrate his 60th birthday. Join the boys and the Masada family for a fun night, starting with rock karaoke before they hit the stage playing tracks from their album Virtually Real. There are also rumours of new song(s) plus guest artist(s), so don’t miss out!

Promoted by Masada

Albany Down are an original rock band from Bedford who have recorded three highly acclaimed studio albums with producer Greg Haver: South Of The City, Not Over Yet and The Outer Reach. The latter was voted among the top blues albums of 2016 by Blues Rock Review.

Promoted by AD Recordings

Alden & Patterson and The Shackleton Trio Saturday 22 January, 8.45pm £11 in advance, £13.50 on the door This double header gig features two of East Anglia’s finest folk exports and two of the hardest working folk bands touring the circuit at the moment.

Audiences can enjoy a set from each act, along with a rare collaborative set bringing together Christina Alden, Alex Patterson and The Shackleton Trio for a five-piece finale.

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Charm of Finches

email stables@stables.org

5 May

box office 01908 280800

33

JANUARY STAGE 2

Luke Jackson

My Darling Clementine

Friday 28 January, 8.45pm £16

Saturday 12 February, 8.45pm £20

Luke Jackson is a singer-songwriter from Kent who, way back in 2013, was nominated in the BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards for both the Horizon Award for Best Emerging Talent and The Young Folk Category. Over the past few years he has steadily developed a reputation for himself in the folk, roots, Americana and acoustic circuits, through his solo, duo or trio shows, many festival appearances or when opening for such luminaries as Fairport Convention and Show of Hands.

We are thrilled to welcome My Darling Clementine as they continue to tour in support of their most recent release Country Darkness: The Songs Of Elvis Costello. The album is a collaboration between Michael Weston King, Lou Dalgleish and Costello’s long-time right-hand man, the brilliant Steve Nieve. They have taken 12 EC songs and reworked them for duet in their own inimitable style. The live show will feature a number of these songs as well as many favourites from the duo’s nine-year back catalogue.

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Show of Hands

7 May

Katey Brooks Katey Brooks is a tremendous songwriting and singing talent who defies easy classification, with a sound blending folk, soul, blues and country. Her 2019 album Revolute received huge critical acclaim across the world.

Popdust said “Put simply, one of the best albums of the year”. As we emerge from the pandemic, Katey has been back in the studio and a new album is expected in the spring of 2022.

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17 Apr

Screaming Blue Murder Comedy Club

Friday 11 February, 8.45pm £14

Horse

Nick Lowe

2 Apr

16+

Wednesday 16 February, 8.45pm £11 in advance, £13.50 on the door

A chance to catch the comedy stars of tomorrow, today! Compere Andrew Bird introduces Steve Day and Susan Murray. (Line-up is subject to change.)

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Andy Zaltzman

27 Mar

Miranda Sykes

Saturday 19 February, 8.45pm £14

Thursday 3 March, 8.45pm £15.50

Promoted by MK Watling Rotary

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Show of Hands

7 May

Matt Woosey Band

Dan Webster

Saturday 5 March, 8.45pm £14

Friday 25 February, 8.45pm £13.50 Dan Webster is a roadseasoned English singersongwriter and guitarist.

His music is influenced by the sounds and storytelling traditions of Americana, which he uniquely melds with an honest northern English perspective in his songwriting. His sound is unashamedly influenced by the US – but his heart remains a Yorkshireman’s.

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Teddy Thompson

STAGE 2

MK Watling Rotary presents The Sunset Showcase, a fundraising, talent-filled evening bursting with the best acts in Milton Keynes, featuring the likes of Jasmine Burns, Steve Draper and, making their Stables debut, The Ologys.

After the last few years we’ve all had, we wanted to bring everyone back together with the power of music and with that, raise money for The Stables itself. We’ve teamed up with the Sunset Lounge, a notorious open mic night hosted in Newport Pagnell, to bring you our favourite artists from the local music scene.

Since 2004 Miranda Sykes has been best known for her collaboration with Show of Hands.

During the covid lockdown period Miranda performed regular concerts on Facebook between chemotherapy cycles for breast cancer and they became a lifeline for her, reminding her of her own identity during a dark time. Because of these concerts, Miranda decided to record a CD at home and ask her online audience to choose the songs to be featured on it. This tour is an opportunity for her to bring these beautiful songs to life on stage and use her voice to spread hope and happiness for all our futures.

FEBRUARY

The Sunset Showcase

25 Jan

Listening to the work that has gone into writing his new album Compass And The Sand, it’s clear that Matt Woosey has found a new flow. Always one with a fear of repeating himself, Matt seems to have found his way out of a stale and musically boring blues scene while often harking back to the music which first turned his ear. If roots/ blues music is the seed, Compass And The Sand is his forest.

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Emma King

email stables@stables.org

26 Mar

box office 01908 280800

35

MARCH STAGE 2

The Goat Roper Rodeo Band

Matt Richardson: Imposter

Friday 11 March, 8.45pm £13.50 in advance, £15.50 on the door

Thursday 17 March, 8.45pm £15.50

With just an upright bass, two old guitars and a bucketful of aching harmony, Welsh trio The Goat Roper Rodeo Band are preaching ‘Country Blues’ like you never heard.

It’s up, it’s down, it’s soft and loud, it’s dark and lonesome too, there’s hurt and shame and some mean old pain but there’s love in what they do!

There’s a hint of Gram, a sniff of Dylan and a twist of Waylon’s blues. Simply put, it’s exactly what it says on the tin.

Join the host of Red Bull Soapbox (Dave) for a trademark hour of “high wattage stand-up” (The Guardian).

Imposter tells the story of Matt’s adventures in showbiz and television and how he deals with the imposter syndrome that accompanies these worlds. He doesn’t just feel like an imposter in show business, but in the business of being an adult in general. Imposter is an hour of unrestrained, raucous laughs in which audience interaction and impromptu tangents mean anything can, and probably will, happen.

LIKE THIS? TRY THIS...

Hot Club of Cowtown

29 Apr

Screaming Blue Murder Comedy Club

16+

A chance to catch the comedy stars of tomorrow, today! Compere Andrew Bird introduces Pierre Hollins and Juliet Meyers. (Line-up is subject to change.)

LIKE THIS? TRY THIS...

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LIKE THIS? TRY THIS...

Larry Dean

3 Mar

Viviana Zarbo: I Am Not Marilyn Saturday 19 March, 8.45pm £13.50

Wednesday 16 March, 8.45pm £11 in advance, £13.50 on the door

Matt Richardson

16+

Jazz performer Viviana Zarbo performs her 2019 Edinburgh Fringe hit show. Marilyn Monroe’s contribution to the golden age of swing and jazz is often overlooked, but her breathy renditions of songs like My Heart Belongs To Daddy and I Am Through With Love remain unique and instantly recognisable. Far from impersonating Marilyn, Viviana reinterprets her songs in her own way and looks at the story of her life, asking whether any of us truly know the woman behind the iconic image.

LIKE THIS? TRY THIS...

John Lenehan

17 Mar

20 Mar

Yvonne Lyon & Arcelia

Emma King

Sunday 20 March, 8.45pm £14.50

Saturday 26 March, 8.45pm £11

MARCH

LIKE THIS? TRY THIS...

Beth Nielsen Chapman

STAGE 2

Yvonne Lyon is one of the UK’s brightest and best emerging singer-songwriters. Her most recent album Growing Wild was released in 2020.

Having supported Eddi Reader throughout the UK, performed with Beth Nielsen Chapman and co-written with Boo Hewerdine, Yvonne continues to establish herself as an artist of considerable significance. Arcelia create an exquisite sound which has been likened to Crosby Stills & Nash, America and Paul Simon. The band regularly perform and tour with Chris Difford of Squeeze, while also being in demand as a support act for Scott Matthews, Oysterband and Maddy Prior.

UK roots/blues singer Emma King hits the road to perform songs from her new vinyl The Sun & The Blues. The record showcases four of Emma’s best live recordings at America’s homes of rock‘n’roll: Memphis and Nashville, Tennessee.

LIKE THIS? TRY THIS...

Matt Woosey Band

5 Mar

2 & 3 May

The Stables Bar

The Stables Bar is open from 7pm on concert nights, serving a wide range of drinks for you to enjoy during the evening.

Beers & Lagers Our well stocked bar has a selection of quality draught & bottled beers, lagers and cider. Savour the beers from our local brewery – Concrete Cow – including the award-winning Stables Gold IPA. a bespoke beer brewed for our 50th anniversary.

Check out the Tales from the Ales on the bottles, each beer has a local story to tell.

Drivers Drinks Several low alcohol drinks are available – try an Adnams Ghostship or Heineken Zero.

Prefer something soft? We have a wide range of still and sparkling drinks to satisfy you.

Interval Orders Beat the queue in the interval by pre-ordering your drinks. Collect and enjoy at your leisure, either in our foyer or back in your seat.

Snack Bar Hot and& cold drinks are available from our Snack Bar together with sweet and savoury snacks, including tempting ice creams.

Seasonal Specials Look out for seasonal offers such as a warm glass of mulled wine or a cheeky pink or rhubarb gin & tonic.

email stables@stables.org

box office 01908 280800

37

LEARN & TAKE PART

learn and take part The workshop was really enjoyable and at the right level for a beginner – not intimidating as they sometimes can be.

Learning and participation are central to The Stables’ activities, bringing music to the widest possible audience.

Our learning and participation programme works with people of all ages and levels of ability and across many musical styles.

With lifelong learning at its heart, the programme includes workshops, courses, talks, concerts and training.

The Stables aims to encourage people to become involved in music, whether by developing existing skills or offering a musical experience for the first time.

The programme offers events for children and young people, through to opportunities for more experienced audiences and music makers. Our outreach work and partnerships aim to support people across the region who may not otherwise have the opportunity to participate in musicmaking activities.

Fantastic course, exactly what I had been looking for and the only one of its type I have managed to find – superb!

Over the following pages you’ll find details of our workshops and courses from January through to March.

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All ticket prices are inclusive of booking fees

LEARN & TAKE PART

learn and take part Workshops & Courses JANUARY

Date

Time

Suitability

Fee

Saxophone from Scratch

Sat 8

1pm-4pm

Adult/15+

£26

Ukulele Beginners Part 1

Sat 15

10am-3pm

Adult/15+

£36

Harmonica Beginners Part 1

Sat 22

10am-3pm

Adult/15+

£34

How To Make Up Chord Sequences

Sat 29

10am-4pm

Adult/15+

£35

Blues Guitar Beginners Part 1

Sat 29

10am-3pm

Adult/15+

£36

FEBRUARY

Date

Time

Suitability

Fee

Ukulele Beginners Part 1

Sat 5

10am-3pm

Adult/15+

£36

Intro to Music Recording & Production Part 1

Sat 12

10am-4pm

Adult/15+

£48

Saxophone from Scratch

Sat 12

1pm-4pm

Adult/15+

£26

Harmonica Beginners Part 2

Sat 26

10am-3pm

Adult/15+

£34

MARCH

Date

Time

Suitability

Fee

Ukulele Beginners Part 2

Sat 5

10am-3pm

Adult/15+

£36

Fingerstyle Guitar

Sat 12

10am-4pm

Adult/15+

£35

Blues Guitar Beginners Part 2

Sat 19

10am-3pm

Adult/15+

£36

Refresher Sax from Scratch

Sat 19

1pm-4pm

Adult/15+

£26

Intro to Live Sound Engineering

Sat 26

10am-4pm

Adult/15+

£40

Intro to Music Recording & Production Part 2

Sun 27

10am-4pm

Adult/15+

£48

COURSES

Dates

Time

Suitability

Fee

Saxophone Beginners

8 Jan, 12 Feb, 19 Mar

9.30am-12.30pm

Adult/15+

£52

Saxophone Improving Beginners

15 Jan, 19 Feb, 26 Mar

9.30am-12.30pm

Adult/15+

£52

15 Jan, 19 Feb, 26 Mar

1pm-4pm

Adult/15+

Saxophone Study Group Ceilidh Experience Youth Ceilidh Experience

30 Jan, 6 Feb, 20 Feb, 27 Feb, 6 Mar, 13 Mar 30 Jan, 6 Feb, 20 Feb, 27 Feb, 6 Mar, 13 Mar

9.30am-12.30pm 12.30pm-2pm

Adult/15+ 12-17

£52 £92 (students £72) £30 (bursaries available)

YOUNG PEOPLE’S BURSARIES We don’t want anyone to miss out because of their family circumstances, so we offer means-tested bursaries for those needing financial help to attend. If a workshop or course says Bursaries Available, visit www.stables.org/learning/youthbursaries for more information.

email stables@stables.org

box office 01908 280800

39

LEARN & TAKE PART

Saxophone Beginners Course Adult/15+ Course Saturdays 8 January, 12 February & 19 March, 9.30am-12.30pm (three-session course) £52 This course offers beginner saxophonists the opportunity to learn as part of a group.

Through practical musical activities and exploring tunes you’ll start to build confidence and develop some of the technical and musical skills to play the saxophone.

The course is suitable for beginners who have attended our Sax from Scratch or Refresher workshops, or had another basic introduction to the saxophone. Participants will need to bring their own tenor, alto or baritone sax.

Saxophone from Scratch

Ukulele Beginners Part 1

Adult/15+ Workshop

Adult/15+ Workshop

Saturday 8 January OR Saturday 12 February, 1-4pm £26

Saturday 15 January OR Saturday 5 February, 10am-3pm £36

Have you ever wanted to try the saxophone but didn’t know where to start? Do you want to try it for the first time or have a go before buying one?

Starting with the absolute basics, this workshop takes you on a on a step-by-step approach to making your first sounds, breathing tips, exercises, learning fingerings and scale patterns and playing simple melodies from those scales.

No previous musical experience is required. You’ll be in a small group of beginners and in a friendly and supportive learning environment. Instruments are provided for use in the workshop, but if you have your own you are welcome to bring it along for advice and comparison, especially if it is one you may be practicing on after the workshop.

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All ticket prices are inclusive of booking fees

The ukulele is a fun and accessible instrument making a big comeback in popular music and in education. This workshop is ideal for beginners to learn the basics of playing, how to accompany songs and ukulele techniques. Come and take part in the ukulele revival! No prior experience necessary!

Participants will need to bring a soprano-, concert or tenor-sized ukulele.

Adult/15+ Course Saturdays 15 January, 19 February & 26 March, 9.30am-12.30pm £52 This course offers returning saxophonists the opportunity to learn as part of a group via a fun programme of practical musical activities and performance. It aims to help students develop core technical, performance and improvisation skills and build confidence.

LEARN & TAKE PART

Saxophone Improving Beginners Course

Students must have their own instruments and ideally have attended previous Stables Saxophone from Scratch, Refresher and Improving Beginners workshops. If you have any other recent playing experience and are interested in joining the course contact education@stables.org for further advice before booking.

Saxophone Study Group Adult/15+ Course Saturdays 15 January, 19 February & 26 March, 1-4pm £52 This course is for saxophonists with more than two years’ experience and looking to reach an intermediate standard (equivalent to Grade 3 plus) on their instrument.

You will have the opportunity to learn through a structured programme of study, incorporating a mixture of scale and study work, duet and group performance and improvisation activities.

The focus is on having fun, building confidence and competence in a supportive environment which enables students to progress in their musical development.

Contact us on education@ stables.org to find out availability of places and also so we can advise you if your recent sax playing experience is suitable for the course.

email stables@stables.org

box office 01908 280800

41

LEARN & TAKE PART

Harmonica Beginners Part 1 Adult/15+ Workshop Saturday 22 January, 10am-3pm £34

Learn the basics of playing harmonica in this popular workshop, where you’ll be introduced to tune playing, chord-playing and blues improvisation. No previous harmonica experience is necessary, but you’ll need to bring a 10-hole harmonica in C.

Blues Guitar Beginners Part 1 Adult/15+ Workshop Saturday 29 January, 10am-3pm £36

How to Make Up Chord Sequences Adult/15+ Workshop Saturday 29 January, 10am-4pm £35 This workshop is designed to de-mystify the process of making up the chords to a song.

Suitable for guitarists, keyboard players and anyone else interested in the process, it will look at examples of popular songs in different styles, starting with simple chord sequences and progressing to more advanced ones, and looking at how more complex chords can add colour and depth. This fast-paced workshop covers basic principles that relative beginners will need to understand, but also more complex extended chord sequences that more experienced players will find useful. Full notes will be supplied to take away. You should have some understanding of scales and chords. If you are a guitarist, please bring an acoustic guitar and capo. Some keyboards will be available (please advise at time of booking if needed).

Introduction to Music Recording & Production Part 1 Adult/15+ Workshop Saturday 12 February, 10am-4pm £48

This practical workshop introduces the blues, looking at playing techniques such as turnarounds, shuffles and basic basslines, demystifying ‘V-IV-I’ blues chord sequences.

We’ll also explore fundamental blues techniques such as finger picking, hammer-ons and pull-offs, using examples from classic Blues recordings.

You will need to be comfortable with the chords of E, A and B7 and be able to change confidently between them. It will also be helpful if you know what a scale is but not essential as the blues scale will be introduced in a very practical way.

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All ticket prices are inclusive of booking fees

Our popular course for anyone who would like a basic introduction to recording and production using music technology, looking at microphone techniques, recording different instruments, and production techniques. The workshop uses MAC computer and Logic Software, but uses them to look at the principles that apply generally across Digital Audio Workstations software such as Ableton, Cubase, Sonar. You will focus on recording and production rather than just creating within the software and you’ll be able to take away audio files of tracks produced to further practice the skills you’ve learned. If you play an instrument, please bring it along for the afternoon recording session to learn how best to record it. (ThePart 2 follow-on workshop on Sunday 27 March looks in more detail into studio based recording and production)

Adult/15+ Course Sundays 30 January, 6, 20 & 27 February & 6 March, 9.30am-12pm; Sunday 13 March, 4pm afternoon rehearsal & 7.30pm evening performance £92 (£72 students) for 6 sessions

LEARN & TAKE PART

Ceilidh Experience

Playing for dancing can stretch you as a musician, but can also be one of the most rewarding musical experiences you can have. The Ceilidh Experience is a chance for anyone interested in traditional and folk music to play in a band and play at a ceilidh. During the sessions you’ll learn tunes and come together as small ceilidh bands, getting ready to perform at a final event for dancers and folk fans of all ages.

You’ll be supported in the sessions by experienced professional tutors and ceilidh band performers, have the opportunity to practice with a ‘caller’ and perform on a professional stage and learn how to perform acoustically and with amplification. For any instrument, but acoustic instruments especially welcome. Participants should already be able to play tunes from memory, ideally at ’dance speed’ and be prepared to do some tune practice between sessions.

Youth Ceilidh Experience Ages 12-17 Course Sundays 30 January, 6, 20 & 27 February & 6 March 12:30pm-2.00pm; Sunday 13 March, 7.30pm evening performance £30 (Bursaries Available) Have you heard of the sea shanty craze on Tic Toc? There’s a world of fun and funky dance-able tunes found in traditional folk music. The Youth Ceilidh Experience is a chance to play some of these as part of a lively band and get your friends and family dancing.

Open to young players from novice to advanced (but not absolute beginners), this multi-ability band is for anyone who has been playing for a while and is looking for new inspiration and musical ideas.

Different instruments are welcome – including strings, wind, brass, percussion, keyboard, guitar, bass, traditional and folk instruments.

Everyone will get the chance to explore contemporary folk-dance music. More experienced players who want to can learn how to add to the performance through solos, leading the tune and adding their own ideas to the mix. The new band will also get chance to play as part of the Ceilidh Experience concert and dance on 13 March for an audience of enthusiastic folk music and dance fans.

email stables@stables.org

box office 01908 280800

43

LEARN & TAKE PART

Folk Dance Remixed Ceilidh ‘Jam’ Music and Dance Workshop

Sunday 13 February, 2pm-4pm Adults £8 Child £4 Suitable for adults and young people and families with children aged age 10+

Folk Dance Remixed have a unique style of mixing folk dance from around the world with street dance, traditional tunes and hip-hop grooves, to create an exciting high energy twist on social folk dance for the 21st century.

In this workshop there are three activities to choose from and by the end you’ll bring them all together to create an exciting new ‘remixed’ dance with lively new music.

Dancers – you’ll learn our unique style of English social folk dance remixed with street dance and other folk-dance forms from around the world – with an emphasis on the sociable! You’ll work with Co -Artistic Director Kerry Fletcher and Frank Wilson, street dance specialist. We’ll also be getting creative with your own moves and devising figures for the dance too, so whether you’re new to dance or a seasoned bhangra or folk dancer, and anything in between, bring your moves with you.

Musicians – you’ll get a choice of beatboxing or mixed instrument ensemble. The beatboxers will work with UK champion beat boxer ABH, who’ll get you adding beats and hits to remix the vibe.

Instrumentalists – you’ll join fiddle player and band leader Deborah Chalmers to create an arrangement to go with the unique dance being created by the dancers.

The beat boxers will start on their own, learning some skills, and then join the band to be part of the arrangement. Towards the end of the workshop, the band and dancers will come together to play and dance in a full-out celebration of music and dance.

Further information Instrumentalists – all instruments are welcome, but the workshop is not suitable for absolute beginners. The music will be learnt by ear, with backup music notation for those who would like it. Music notation and mp3 can be sent in advance, for those who would like it, though there is no expectation to learn the tune in advance. If you have an instrument in an unusual key and wish to tell us in advance, then please do!

Dancers – please wear comfortable loose clothing and suitable footwear you can dance in – clean non-marking indoor sports shoes are ideal.

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All ticket prices are inclusive of booking fees

Ukulele Beginners Part 2

Adult/15+ Workshop

Adult/15+ Workshop

Saturday 26 February, 10am-3pm £34

Saturday 5 March, 10am-3pm £36

Learn more of the basics of harmonica playing in this second workshop part of popular one-day harmonica workshop series. This session will consolidate the work you have already done on improvisation, tune playing and chugging at the Beginners Part 1 workshop and move on to the fundamental blues technique of note bending. Participants will need a 10-hole harmonica in C. Prior attendance on Beginners Part 1 is recommended.

This workshop is ideal for beginner ukulele players to develop their playing further.

Building on Beginners Part 1, this workshop will help you to develop your rhythm and melody playing skills, add new chords and combine different strokes for rhythmic effects. Using a mix of contemporary and vintage material, you’ll also get the chance to practice as a ukulele band and try out playing the melody, accompanying and adding colour to the musical arrangements.

Previous attendance at Ukulele Beginners Part 1 is recommended and you will need to bring a soprano, tenor or concert-sized ukulele.

LEARN & TAKE PART

Harmonica Beginners Part 2

Fingerstyle Guitar: Introduction to Finger-Picking Adult/15+ Workshop Saturday 12 March, 10am-4pm £35 Designed for guitar ‘strummers’ who want to develop other interesting ways of playing, this workshop introduces the use of right-hand fingers to play chords by picking individual strings.

We cover some basic principles to get everyone on the same page and look at playing in ‘guitarfriendly’ keys. We’ll look at how a capo creates guitar-friendly keys from awkward keys, where to put the capo and how we transpose chords from difficult keys into these friendly keys. We explore different picking patterns for various songs and you will experiment with your own picking patterns. We also look briefly at a self-accompanied style of playing both the tune and accompanying chords at the same time. To benefit from this workshop you ideally need to have been playing for at least six months and be able to play most of chords G, C, D, A, E, F, Am, Dm, Em, Bm, F#m, B7, G7, F7. Please bring a guitar (acoustic preferred), guitar tuner and a capo.

email stables@stables.org

box office 01908 280800

45

LEARN & TAKE PART

Blues Guitar Beginners Part 2 Adult/15+ Workshop Saturday 19 March, 10am-3pm £36

Improve your blues playing with this workshop designed to help you move on with your technique. By looking at tunes by Muddy Waters, Howlin’ Wolf, Jimmy Reed and John Lee Hooker, you’ll learn about 12-bar progressions, the blues scale and shuffle rhythms in more depth. You will need to bring a six-string acoustic guitar and prior attendance on the Beginners Part 1 workshop is recommended.

Introduction to Live Sound Engineering Adult/15+ Workshop Saturday 26 March, 10am-4pm £40 Are you an aspiring sound engineer?

Or a musician who wants to understand how to use PA and get a better sound at your gigs? This workshop offers a basic introduction to the world of live sound engineering. It will cover types of microphone and placement, basic parts of a PA, how to use a mixing desk and how to use basic EQ. This course is suitable for complete beginners or for those who have gaps in their understanding of live sound.

Intro to Music Recording and Production Part 2 Adult/15+ Workshop

Refresher Sax from Scratch Adult/15+ Workshop Saturday 19 March, 1pm-4pm £26

Following on from the absolute beginners Sax from Scratch workshop, this Refresher workshop will enable students to have more fun playing one of our saxophones, or bring their own sax, with a view to developing their skills and techniques.

It is ideal for those that have attended previous Sax from Scratch workshops, or for other early beginners who would like to develop their playing

46

All ticket prices are inclusive of booking fees

Sunday 27 March, 10am-4pm £48 Aimed at those who have attended the Intro to Music Recording and Production Part 1 workshop or who already have some experience of recording and music technology, this follow-up session will look in more depth at microphone technique, effects and processors, synthesis, MIDI, mixing and mastering and the techniques you need to create great recordings in your own home or DIY studio. The workshop uses MAC computer and Logic Software, but in a way that apply generally across Digital Audio Workstations software such as Ableton, Cubase and Sonar. If you play an instrument, please bring it along for the afternoon recording session.

This workshop follows on from Introduction to Music Recording and Production Part 1 on Saturday 12 February.

GIFT IDEAS

gift ideas Footpath of Fame

Your chosen name or text engraved onto a brick and placed amongst many celebrities in our exclusive Footpath.

Friends Membership

Why not give a loved one Friends membership as a gift?

They’ll be able to enjoy a range of benefits designed to make their visits to The Stables even more enjoyable.

Stables Gold

A presentation pack of The Stables’s very own 50th anniversary beer, specially made for us by Concrete Cow Brewery.

Gift Vouchers

Treat someone to a great night of entertainment.

Your support helps us to continue providing music and music-making opportunities for children and adults alike.

For more details visit stables.org or call the box office on 01908 28080

email stables@stables.org

box office 01908 280800

47

INFORMATION

And not forgetting...

Tickets are still available for the following shows in NOVEMBER

NOVEMBER

Date

Seth Lakeman

Mon 15

Frazey Ford

Wed 17

Screaming Blue Murder Comedy Club

Wed 17

Limehouse Lizzy

Thu 18

Keith James

Thu 18

The Sound of Springsteen

Fri 19

Clark Tracey Sextet

Sun 21

An Evening with Del Bromham & Stray

Sun 21

Skerryvore

Tue 23

Otis Gibbs

Tue 23

Odyssey

Wed 24

Leo Green’s Sound of the 50s Live

Thu 25

Stephen K Amos

Fri 26

Mike Silver

Fri 26

Supersonic 70s Show

Sat 27

Andrew Bird

Sat 27 & Sun 28

Go Now: The Music of the Moody Blues

Sun 28

Odyssey

Wed 24 Nov

Supersonic 70s Show

Sat 27 Nov

Go Now: The Music of the Moody Blues

Sun 28 Nov

48

INFORMATION

Also on sale Chris McCausland

Gretchen Peters

Hot Club of Cowtown

Fri 1 Apr

Tue 12 Apr

Fri 29 Apr

JIM MARSHALL AUDITORIUM APRIL 2022 Fri 1

Chris McCausland: Speaky Blinders £16.50

Sat 2

Horse £21

Sun 3

Merry Hell & Ranagri £20

Tue 5

Feast of Fiddles £24.50

Wed 6 Carl Palmer’s ELP Legacy £25 Thu 7

Sat 9

Kiki Dee & Carmelo Luggeri £25

ALL SHOWS START AT 8PM, EXCEPT WHERE STATED

Wed 13 Simon & Garfunkel Story £25

Fri 29

Thu 14 Nick Lowe £31

Sat 30 Karnataka £16.50

Fri 15

Billy Walton Band & Virgil & the Accelerators (double-header) £21

Sat 16 No Jacket Required £22 Wed 20 Graeae Theatre: & The Paradis Files Thu 21 £22 & £19 Fri 22

The Young Uns £21

Barbara Dickson £45.50 & £43

Sat 23 China Crisis £31

Sun 10 National Youth Jazz Orchestra: A Celebration of Amy Winehouse £27.50 & £25

Sun 24 Kingdom of Madness £22.50

Tue 12 Gretchen Peters £33.50 & £27.50

Wed 27 The Shee £19

Hot Club of Cowtown £22.50

MAY 2022 Sun 1

John Illsley £33.50 & £31.50

Mon 2 Beth Nielsen & Tue 3 Chapman £33 & £31 Fri 6

Tom Robinson Band £24

Sat 7

Show of Hands £29.50

Tue 10 Peter White £21 Sat 14 Danni Nicholls £18.50 Sun 15 Flook £20 Sat 21 Ultimate Bowie £25

Thu 28 Focus £25.50

All ticket prices are inclusive of booking fees

email stables@stables.org

box office 01908 280800

49

INFORMATION

Also on sale Tom Robinson

Flook

Tony Christie

Fri 6 May

Sun 15 May

Thu 26 May

JIM MARSHALL AUDITORIUM Sun 22 Camille O’Sullivan Sings Cave £24.50 Wed 25 Daphne’s Flight £21 Thu 26 Tony Christie £31 Fri 27

Oysterband £25

Sat 28 Jimmy Webb £25.50 Sun 29 La Voix £25

JUNE 2022 Fri 3, G2 Genesis Sat 4 & £29.50 Book Sun 5 2 shows for £53 or

3 shows for £79.50

Thu 9

Toyah & Hazel O’Connor £33.50

Sat 11 Electric Strawbs £23.50

ALL SHOWS START AT 8PM, EXCEPT WHERE STATED

Wed 15 The Unthanks £27.50 Fri 17

Marty Wilde £31

Sat 18 Nell Bryden £22.50 Sun 19 Richard Durrant: Music for Midsummer £16.50 Sat 25 Brother Strut £27.50 Sun 26 Go Now!: The Music of the Moody Blues £27

JULY 2022 Fri 1

Livewire: The ACDC show £24.50

Sat 2

Two Mr Ps in a Podcast – Live £22.50

All ticket prices are inclusive of booking fees

Northern Soul Live starring Lorraine Silver and Stefan Taylor & the Signatures £26.50

Sat 16 Rose Royce with Gwen Dickey £43

SEPTEMBER 2022 Fri 2

Fleetwood Bac £25

Sat 3

Ultimate Classic Rock Show £27.50

Fri 9

Hello Again: Tribute to Neil Diamond £31

Fri 16

Bye Bye Baby £29.50

Thu 30 Bootleg Blondie £21

Tue 14 The High Kings £27.50

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Sat 9

Mon 19 Loudon Wainwright III £38.50 Sun 25 ABBA Forever £29.50

INFORMATION

The High Kings

Loudon Wainwright III

Ruby Turner

Tue 14 Jun

Mon 19 Sep

Thu 29 Sep

STAGE 2 Tue 27 Leo Sayer: The Show Must Go On £42 Wed 28 Michael English £27.50 Thu 29 Ruby Turner £26

OCTOBER 2022 Sun 2 Sun 9

Dave Koz £26.50 Ronnie Scott’s All Star Band £25

Thu 13 Merrill Osmond £33 & £31 Meet & Greet £78.50

Fri 14

The Bluejays: Rave On – The Rise of Rock n Roll £25

Sat 15 Vonda Shepard £31 Fri 21

Mark Kingswood £33.50

Fri 28

The Three Degrees £33

ALL SHOWS START AT 8.45PM , EXCEPT WHERE STATED

APRIL 2022

Fri 27

Sun 10 Honey & the Bear £14 Wed 13 Screaming Blue Murder Comedy Club £11 Fri 22

The Blackheart Orchestra £16.50

Sat 30 Emma Smith & Jamie Safir £20 MAY 2022 Thu 5

Charm of Finches £13.50

Fri 6

Sidewinder £13.50

Fraser Anderson £11 adv, £13.50 otd

Sat 28 Katie Doherty & the Navigators £11 adv, £13.50 otd JUNE 2022 Sat 4

Steve Tilston 50th Anniversary Tour £12.50

OCTOBER 2022 Sat 15 James Kirby £16.50 Wed 19 Screaming Blue Murder Comedy Club £11 adv, £13.50 otd

Tue 10 Rebecca Loebe £15 Wed 18 Screaming Blue Murder Comedy Club £11 adv, £13.50 otd Sat 21 Gary Fletcher Band & Sun £15 22

SUNDAY SESSIONS IN THE MANCINI FORUM

11.30AM

APRIL 2022 Sun 24 Alan Barnes & Dave Newton £14

email stables@stables.org

box office 01908 280800

51

INFORMATION

booking information How to book

Booking Fees

Core box office opening hours:

Prices published in this brochure include all booking commission fees.

Please visit www.stables.org for details of current opening hours

For tickets up to £10: a commission fee of £1 per ticket will be charged

IN PERSON: please refer to our website for current arrangements regarding in-person booking

For tickets between £10.01 and £15: a commission fee of £1.50 per ticket will be charged

BY PHONE: 01908 280800 during opening hours; text phone users please call 18001 01908 280800.

For tickets between £15.01 and £25: a commission fee of £2.50 per ticket will be charged

ONLINE: www.stables.org

For tickets more than £25: a commission fee of £3.50 per ticket will be charged

COLLECTING YOUR TICKETS: E-tickets: You can choose to receive your tickets via email. You can either print these out at home or show them on your phone to our front of house staff when entering the auditorium.

These fees apply to all booking channels - in person, by phone and online.

Concessions/discounts

Ticket collection: from The Stables box office during opening hours.

Concessions are available on selected performances and where they apply are indicated on the ticket pricing details.

Postal tickets: At an extra cost of £2, we can send your tickets to you by post.

Gift Vouchers

Payment options

You can pay by cash if booking in person; we accept all major debit and credit cards.

Reservations

Gift vouchers for The Stables are available to purchase online and from the box office.

Data protection We would like to add or retain your details to keep you informed about future events promoted by The Stables.

When you make your first booking with us, you will be asked whether you want to receive such information.

To be removed from our mailing lists at any time, please call or email the box office boxoffice@stables.org

Ticket reservations must be paid for within three days of booking (excluding groups and Friends of The Stables who can reserve for up to seven days). We are unable to reserve tickets without payment within seven days prior to the performance.

Terms & Conditions

For full terms and conditions, please visit www.stables.org

seating plan

AB AA

This seating plan gives a general overview of The Stables main auditorium. Please ask a member of our box office staff at time of booking if you have questions regarding the choice of your seats

KEY:

Balcony

LEFT DOOR

ENTRANCES

Balcony BR

LEVEL SEAT TIERED SEAT BALCONY SEATING WHEELCHAIR

CA CB CC CD CE CF CG CH CJ CK CL Sound Desk

BL

Balcony

DB DA

AH AG AF AE AD AC

THRUST STAGE DH DG DF DE DD DC

DH DG DF

Shaded areas represent seating levels not prices.

Each show is individually priced.

PROSCENIUM STAGE

RIGHT DOOR

For large print brochures, please call our Box Office on 01908 280800 52

All ticket prices are inclusive of booking fees

KEY:

L T B W

th

H5 Portw

ay

From M1 Junction 14

1

M1

ew tR por

H9

WALTON

ay

w ove

Gr

Sou

oad

Parking

A421

S

0N

• Take the second right (Dankworth Way) by the traffic lights onto the new approach road, signposted The Stables. The Stables entrance is straight ahead.

A42

A421 H8

BUCKINGHAM

13

• At the Kingston roundabout take the first exit signposted Wavendon/Woburn Sands, onto the A5130 (Newport Road)

CO’

A5

• Head towards Milton Keynes on A421

130 TES

• Take the second right (Dankworth Way) by the traffic lights onto the new approach road, signposted The Stables. The Stables entrance is straight ahead.

From M1 Junction 13

BEDFORD

A5

• At the Kingston roundabout take the second exit signposted Wavendon/Woburn Sands, onto the A5130 (Newport Road)

46

• At the next roundabout, take the 1st exit.

Follow the road through to the Kingston roundabout

A41

• At the first roundabout take the 2nd exit

ay sW

hild

C H6

NEWPORT PAGNELL

th

l Lane

• Head towards Milton Keynes

MK17 8LU

Nor

J13

M1

Stockwel

TThe Stables is situated to the south east of Milton Keynes in the village of Wavendon. Please note that the approach to The Stables has changed recently and there is no access via either end of Stockwell Lane.

A50 9 J14

How to find us

INFORMATION

visitor information

BLETCHLEY WAVENDON

WOBURN

Accessible Toilets

There are three accessible public toilets – one as part of the main toilet area situated in the foyer; further toilets are located next to the ladies and within the gents, both accessible from the auditorium.

Facilities for Hearing Impaired Customers

The Stables has free car-parking on site (vehicles and contents are left entirely at owner’s own risk). At busy times, your exit from the car park may be slightly delayed – thank you for your patience. There are a limited amount of disabled parking spaces available (not bookable in advance).

We also have a small bicycle rack available to the left of the main public entrance.

The main auditorium is fitted with an Ampetronic system.

To use this system you must have a hearing aid with either a switchable or auto-detect T-Setting built in. Stage 2 customers will need to wear a hearing necklace, available from the box office. If you wear a hearing device please inform a member of the box office team when booking your tickets so that they can seat you in the area of the auditorium where the signal is strongest.

Access information

Assistance Dogs

The Stables welcomes people with disabilities. For full access information, please refer to the Your Visit section on our website at www.stables.org The Stables is accessible to wheelchair users and other customers with limited mobility.

There is a lift available giving access to seats on lower accessible levels. We can accommodate eight people in wheelchairs per performance, subject to availability. We have volunteer customer assistants available at the majority of events to provide assistance.

Please ask a member of our box office team at the time of booking if you have any questions or concerns about your access around the building

Assistance dogs are welcome, but please advise us when you book so that we can allocate appropriate seats and inform you of any special effects that might affect your dog’s comfort.

Eating and drinking at The Stables Our in-house restaurant Café in 2 will remain closed for the remainder of 2021.

The Stables bar will be available for pre-show and interval drinks on performance nights. Please visit our website for latest arrangements regarding ordering drinks.

email stables@stables.org

box office 01908 280800

53

INFORMATION

diary at a glance DECEMBER

Wed 22 Albion Band Christmas Show

Wed 1

Ed Byrne

Thu 23

Thu 2

Best of Queen

JANUARY

Fri 3

Tenors Un Limited

Fri 14

Think Floyd

Fri 3

Keith Thompson Band

Sat 15

EXTC

Sat 4

Cara Dillon

Sun 16

Go West

Sat 4

Gypsyfingers

Tue 18

The Story of Guitar Heroes

Sun 5

Woburn Sands Band

Fri 21

Back to Bacharach

Tue 7

Mediaeval Baebes

Sat 22

Tubular Bells Live!

Wed 8

Budapest Café Orchestra

Sat 22

Alden & Patterson and The Shackleton Trio

Thu 9

Classic Clapton

Sun 23

Chris Ingham Quartet

Fri 10 & The Dankworth Christmas Show Sat 11

Sun 23

Ben Hart

Sat 11

Steve Winch & The Inception

Tue 25

Teddy Thompson

Sun 12

Jason Byrne

Thu 27

Mud Morganfield

Mon 13 Amy Wadge

Fri 28

Mark Watson

Tue 14

Fri 28

Luke Jackson

Wed 15 Maddy Prior & The Carnival Band

Sat 29

Martyn Joseph

Wed 15 Screaming Blue Murder Comedy Club

Sun 30

Cregan & Co

Thu 16

Bye Bye Blues Band

FEBRUARY

Thu 16

Churchfitters

Wed 2

Sharparak Khorsandi

Fri 17

Bye Bye Blues Band

Thu 3

ELO Again

Fri 17

Masada

Fri 4

The Freddy & Queen Experience

Sat 18

Legend: Tribute to Bob Marley

Sat 5

Suggs: A Life in the Realm of Madness

Sat 18

Albany Down

Sun 6

Erja Lyytinen & Chantel McGregor

Sun 19

Remi Harris Jazz & Blues Duo

Thu 10

The New Scummy Mummies Show

Sun 19

Mostly Autumn

Fri 11

Count Arthur Strong

Fri 11

Katey Brooks

Sat 12

Harriet

Tue 21 Dec – Sun 2 Jan

54

Gary Delaney

tutti frutti: The Princess & The Pea

All ticket prices are inclusive of booking fees

Are You Experienced? Tribute to Jimi Hendrix

Mon 24 The Shires: Acoustic

Friends and Founders discount applies

Educational

Mancini Forum

Stage 2

For more information see page 3

Sat 12

My Darling Clementine

Tue 8

The Billy Joel Albums Show

Sun 13

Folk Dance Remixed

Wed 9

The Music of Otis Redding

Mon 14 Russ Ballard

Thu 10

Mark Radcliffe

Tue 15

Fri 11

Sarah Millican SOLD OUT

Wed 16 Coldplace

Fri 11

The Goat Roper Rodeo Band

Wed 16 Screaming Blue Murder Comedy Club

Sat 12

Nights on Broadway

Thu 17

Mike Zito Band

Sun 13

Ceilidh Experience Concert & Dance

Fri 18

Johnny Cash Roadshow

Mon 14 Gun

Sat 19

Ian Ashpitel & Jonty Stephens as Eric & Ern

Wed 16 Aly Bain & Phil Cunningham

Sat 19

The Sunset Showcase

Wed 16 Screaming Blue Murder Comedy Club

Sun 20

Ian Ashpitel & Jonty Stephens as Eric & Ern

Thu 17

Matt Richardson

Tue 22

Fairport Convention

Thu 17

Schools concert: Izzy Gizmo

Wed 23 The Music of Cream

Thu 17

Ensemble 360

Thu 24

Simon Evans

Sat 19

Andy Fairweather Low

Fri 25

John Verity Band

Sat 19

Viviana Zarbo

Fri 25

Dan Webster

Sun 20

John Lenehan

Sat 26

Grove Into The Woods

Sun 20

Rachel Parris

Sat 26

Reginald D Hunter

Sun 20

Yvonne Lyon & Arcelia

Sun 27

Bryan Wallen’s Gayan Gamalan Ensemble

Wed 23 The Dublin Legends

Sharon Shannon Quartet

Mon 28 Steve Harley’s 70th Birthday Concert

Thu 24

Curtis Stigers

MARCH

Fri 25

Curtis Stigers

Tue 1

Naturally 7

Sat 26

Clive Anderson

Wed 2

Peggy Seeger

Sat 26

Emma King

Thu 3

Larry Dean

Sun 27

Natasha Seale

Thu 3

Miranda Sykes

Sun 27

Andy Zaltzman

Fri 4

The Counterfeit Stones

Wed 30 Soft Machine

Sat 5

Woburn Sands Band

Thu 31

Sat 5

Matt Woosey Band

Sun 6

The Zombies

INFORMATION

Indicates a new show which is open for public booking from Wednesday 24 November, prior to which Stables Friends have priority.

John Smith

email stables@stables.org

box office 01908 280800

55

your perfect Conference Venue The Stables offers an inspirational and unique setting for a wide range of meetings, conferences, team-building musical workshops and businessfocussed events.

Hold your event at The Stables before the end of March 2022 and receive

15% discount on room hire For further details please contact the Development Office on 01908 280816 or development@stables.org SHARE OUR PASSION...

become a Friend of The Stables Membership starts at just £30 per year

By becoming a Friend of The Stables you’ll be helping to support one of the UK’s favourite concert venues. You’ll also be entitled to a range of benefits designed to make your visits to us even more enjoyable.

Your support will enable us to plan for the future with greater confidence and ensure we can continue to develop our world-class music and education programmes.

To become a Friend please call The Stables box office on 01908 280800.

Alternatively, pick up a membership form from the box office or join online at stables.org Wavendon Allmusic Plan Ltd (Registered charity number 261645)

email stables@stables.org

box office 01908 280800

reachmarketing.co.uk 35488 11/21

THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT!