We can celebrate too! That’s the message from the East Riding Theatre in Beverley, which is pulling out all the stops to celebrate England’s patron saint by holding a St George’s Day evening on Saturday April 23.
It follows a sell-out St Patrick’s Day celebration in the theatre’s cafe-bar last month.
With a host of performers, including members of the cast and its musicians of the theatre’s Christmas Show , “Oliver Twist” ; local author and artist Robin Horspool, musicians Phil and Jess Simpson, and other members of this innovative venue, it promises to be an evening to remember .
There’ll be music and dance, readings, drama and poetry, as well as some traditional English Fayre – all included in the price of £12.50. The show starts at 7.30pm
Music is becoming an important part of the mix at ERT are there are a number of other events planned.
The night before the St George’s Day celebrations, for instance, the cafe bar features The Loud Shirts in an evening of country rock and Americana.
The Loud Shirts are four highly-talented musicians presenting the music of The Eagles, Crosby, Stills & Nash, The Byrds, Flying Burrito Brothers and many more.
The evening starts at 7.30pm and tickets cost £10.
On May 5 It’s the turn of Dervish, one of the greatest bands ever to have come out of Ireland.
Fronted as ever by the captivating Cathy Jordan, the line-up of fiddle, flute, bouzouki, mandola, bodhran and accordion draw from seemingly limitless depths of talent, finesse, subtlety and fiery energy.
Exceptional musicianship, breathtaking vocals, vibrant sets of tunes and instantly compelling songs all come together to make Dervish as complete a band as are to be found anywhere in the Irish folk tradition.
Tickets cost from £14 to £16 and the evening starts at 7.30pm.
Looking further ahead, prestigious theatre company, Paines Plough, in conjunction with Latitude Festival, present a rave-inspired evening of drama. “With a Little Bit of Luck” on Saturday May 14 (7.30pm) has been described as “gorgeous genre-melding music and theatre”.
Set in London at the turn of the noughties, the main character, Nadia, is swept up in one hot summer’s night of love that promises endless possibilities. Drinking, dancing, hope, ambition, lust, greed… and decisions that will determine the rest of her life.
Rhythmically underscored by a live mix of old school UK Garage, award-winning writer Sabrina Mahfouz explores the legacy of a cultural movement that defined the hopes of a generation.
One of the great masters of flamenco guitar, Juan Martin, is at the theatre on May 29 and other artists booked include Beverley blues musician Half Deaf Clatch (June 11), the East Yorkshire Motor Services Brass Band (June 26), Quebecois folk band Le Vent du Nord (July 25) and Kiki Dee and Carmelo Luggeri (October 22).
Tickets cost from £8 to £11 and are available from the theatre’s Box Office (01482 874050) or on-line from the theatre’s website – www.eastridingtheatre.co.uk
