John Peel Theatre
The Little Theatre at the Heart of Wigton
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Our Next Production:
A Midsummers Night's Dream
Tickets available online
or by phoning 01697 424624
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President: Melvyn Bragg
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Our Facilities:
Proscenium arch theatre
90 raked seats
Wheelchair access
Induction loop
Licensed bar
Real coffee
Ice cream & snacks
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Registered Charity No: 1178881
Entertaining Wigton
for 70 Years
Folk at The John Peel
Kathryn Roberts and Sean Lakeman
'Almost A Sunset'
Released on Iscream Music UK -17th March 2023
It has been five years since the last offering from the popular husband and wife duo Kathryn Roberts and Sean Lakeman and their latest album proves a ‘tour de force’ of musical and lyrical surprises.
‘Almost A Sunset ‘, their seventh album, is a collection of thoughtful, varied songs that range from re-worked traditional ballads to the off-piste storytelling style that has become their trademark.
Recorded at Devon-pace in their studio on Dartmoor over the course of a year, the couple explore favourite characters, childhood memories and deep emotion to pull together a collection of songs that demonstrate their musical versatility, a sharp interest in the world around them and their own unique perspective on the folk genre.
Duos come and duos go, and some nurture and fine tune their art and watch it grow into something totally original and captivating. For over a quarter of a century Kathryn Roberts and Sean Lakeman's partnership has proved personal, permanent and pivotal.
From their early days in folk supergroup ‘Equation ‘ through to their new album this multi award-winning couple continue to exude timeless class with their exquisite brand of traditional and contemporary acoustic music.
Twice Winners of 'Best Duo' - BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards
"It's folk music for the modern age." - The Telegraph - London
"These guys are something very special" - Acoustic Magazine
"A duo right at the top of their game" - Rock n' Reel
www.kathrynrobertsandseanlakeman.com
Tickets £19
Next event: 3rd May
Running live in the theatre. Places must be booked via TicketSource
Check our Facebook page and newsletter for details.
7:30pm start
Find your voice in a relaxed and supportive environment. We invite artists to register and book a slot at no charge.
Entrance is also free for non-performers
Contact us to register or for further information:
openmic or via the theatre Facebook page.
The Mel Outsider Reformation
The 15 year old East Lancs rock n roll runaway Mel Outsider absconded from school to spin the waltzer cars on the fairgrounds and walked the ponies for the travelling circus.
A love of adventure and the open road saw him move on to form Brit Blues rockers as vocalist for The Outsiders UK and complete a staggering 286 live gigs in 365 days in 1991.
The Outsiders UK released 4 albums and were a popular live group on the European circuit. The final album was critically acclaimed “Everything’s Gone Vintage” 2016.
The new Lancashire based group The Mel Outsider Reformation retains the services of musical director and bassist Matt Pawson and guitarist Liam McCartan.
Dan Arnold joins on guitar, alongside Karl Francis on drums.
Barney Williams from Boogie Williams / The Milltown Brothers / The Animals takes organ, piano & keyboard duties.
Andy Morell plays sax and leads the pocket central horns.
Powerhouse vocalist Hayley Gaftarnick and the sublime Ellie Coast (both Leeds) are on accompanying vocals.
The project was produced in Accrington by Real World Studios Mark Jones, who describes the album as “the rock n roll “Dante’s inferno” for the 21st century.”
Mark has produced, engineered and worked with such luminaries as Peter Gabriel, Cat Stevens, Patti Smith, The Blue Nile, Wishbone Ash, The Ting Tings, Black Grape and Goldfrapp to name a few.
Aided and mastered by Grammy winner Mark Phythian (Coldplay).
Tickets £12
Eden Valley Players present
Crimes on Centre Court
The John Peel Theatre welcomes the Eden Valley Players for this guest performance of Crimes on Centre Court
A small cast of performers play countless characters with quick-fire changes and quicker wits in this comedy 'who done it?'.
Expect mirth, murder and mayhem, with a side of tennis.
Some adult humour. Recommended age 12+.
Tickets: £10
Next event: 14th June 2024
Running virtually on Zoom.
Check our Facebook page and newsletter for details.
7:30pm start
Find your voice in a relaxed and supportive environment.
Pre-recorded videos and live performances are all accepted. Please check that your audio settings are optimised for music if you are performing live (this is a good guide on how to do it).
You can upload your videos here.
Contact Kate Jensen to register or for further information:
openmic or via the theatre Facebook page.
Folk at The John Peel
Bryony Griffith & Alice Jones
As established solo artists, Bryony Griffith & Alice Jones are no strangers to the folk scene, however the force of this phenomenal “new” duo is sure to turn some heads, and for very good reason.
Hailing from the close knit communities of West Yorkshire, both are long-time purveyors and performers of traditional English folk music, united by a mutual fascination with folk song and tune collections from their native county. Bryony and Alice draw on a wealth of stories inspired by the landscape and language of their surroundings, not to mention the local characters they have both grown up with and still live amongst today.
Via villages, valleys and moorlands, they channel their own brand of Yorkshire folk music. Combining their respect and understanding of traditional song, music and dance with their own more contemporary style of folk performance, they present a unique repertoire of harmony, history and Northern banter. Featuring Fiddle, Harmonium, Tenor Guitar and intricate close harmony vocals in their distinctive regional accents; Bryony and Alice's music celebrates a shared love for community heritage that resonates throughout Yorkshire and beyond, connecting with musical communities the world over.
https://bryonyandalice.com/
Tickets £16
A Midsummer Night's Dream
William Shakespeare
29th - 30th June 2:30pm
In Theseus’ world, all is rational, calm- and run by men- but young love, magic, and a touch of girl power, throw it all up in the air. Add in the earnest efforts of a bunch of well meaning but clueless workers and you have a potent mix of magic, mayhem and laugh aloud comedy. This modern and fast paced production will keep you entertained whether you are nine or ninety!
Tickets: Adult £10 Child £6
Dragonfly Drama Group presents
Aladdin
Once upon a time, there lived a street rat and his best friend, Abu. But do not be fooled. This is not the version of Aladdin that you all think it is! There is, after all, a Dragonfly twist.
Wigton's John Peel Theatre welcomes back the amazing Dragonfly performing arts group, which is made up of 8 individuals from Cumberland Council Day services, with their new, witty, and magical tale, Aladdin.
Tickets: Free but please feel to make a donation!
Handbagged
by Moira Buffini
Handbags, hairspray and sensible shoes.
The monarch - Liz.
Her most powerful subject - Maggie.
One believed there was no such thing as society. The other had vowed to serve it.
'A satire full of mischief and gossip'
The Times
'A clever, funny and charming political comedy'
Guardian
Tickets: Adult £10
Folk at The John Peel
Jack Rutter
Yorkshire folk singer Jack Rutter has established himself as one of the standout voices of the folk, roots and acoustic music scene in recent years.
A hugely engaging stage presence, his soaring vocal, powerhouse guitar and bouzouki playing and masterful arrangements of traditional songs and contemporary covers have enthralled audiences from the largest festival main stages to the most intimate folk clubs.
Following on from his critically acclaimed second album Gold of Scar & Shale - 2022 saw the release of a brand new EP, with autumn 2023 bringing the successor to Gold of Scar & Shale in the form of a new album of traditional songs.
‘Among Britain’s finest traditional singers.’
- Folk Radio UK
‘An outstanding performer.’
- The Independent
‘You always want an exciting new discovery at a festival, and for many it was Jack Rutter who provided just that. What prowess he showed in music, he matched with his skills as a raconteur; his love and respect for the songs in turn made the audience joyful.’
- Louder Than War Magazine reviewing Underneath the Stars Festival
‘In the spirit of the old traditional singers, Jack Rutter takes a song, shapes it, lives with it and brings out something unique. This album makes my heart sing.’
- Kathryn Tickell OBE, BBC Radio 3
‘One of the best albums of its kind in recent times.’
- Mark Radcliffe, BBC Radio 2 reviewing Gold of Scar & Shale
www.jackruttermusic.com
Tickets £14
Folk at The John Peel
Charlie Dore and Julian Littman
The Man Who Built Christmas Tour
Following their fabulous concert in 2023, Charlie and Julian are back to delight us with their Christmas show.
The Man Who Built Christmas Tour
From the celebrated singer & songwriter of worldwide hits
Playing with the stellar multi-instrumentalist Julian Littman
Charlie Dore’s songs have been recorded by the good and the great including George Harrison, Tina Turner, Celine Dion, Martha Wainwright, Jimmy Nail and Ricky Ross, but her live shows reveal that she keeps the best songs for herself.
In a career of several decades, this multi-award-winner realised she had never written a Christmas song. Proving that there’s a first time for everything Charlie Dore presents her live show - The Man Who Built Christmas. Alongside her long-time collaborator Julian Littman of Steeleye Span the pair swap guitars, piano, harmonium, mandolin, ukulele and stories as they showcase these yuletide originals as well as favourites from the past nine albums and several songs never before heard live.
“My entire catalogue was a Christmas-free zone, which was fine by me. Except for one song, Santa and Edie, which I wrote for the Green Note’s Festive Show. This whet my appetite for approaching the whole Christmas thing from different angles, trying for unusual plots, like making miniature movies with the listener behind the camera.”
As one of the UK’s most respected songwriters her albums, described as ‘eclectic contemporary folk-americana with crunchy lyrics’ continue to win awards on both sides of the Atlantic, most recently Female Vocalist Of The Year (FATEA, 2020) and Best Lyrics (Like Animals, US Indie Acoustic, 2021). Charlie has also played major festivals including Glastonbury, Celtic Connections, Cropredy, Shrewsbury Folk and Ventnor and headlined some of the UK’s most prestigious venues including Kings Place and Liverpool Philharmonic.
Recent live sessions for Mark Radcliffe (BBC Radio 2) playing + co-hosting for Ricky Ross’/Another Country (BBC Radio Scotland) as well as an inclusion on Ken Bruce’s final BBC show prove Charlie’s relevance and ability to capture the imagination of an increasing audience. She’s also recently collaborated with Michelle Stodart of The Magic Numbers and rising folk star Katie Spencer.
“…earnest and witty, tender and cynical all at the same time… profound, moving and oddly haunting.” RnR Magazine
“Subtle songs that pack a punch… absolute gems of modern songwriting.” Mike Harding
“.. one of our most intelligent and erudite singer-songwriters.” Fatea Magazine
“ …her dark wit sculpts her lovely lyricism her gentle, unique voice is one to die for.” Folk Wales
https://www.charliedore.com/
Tickets £16