Based on Dickens’ own performance adaptation, Simon Callow and director-designer Tom Cairns have created a one-man theatrical extravaganza of festive story-telling that is both heart-warming and deeply moving. A Christmas must see for 8-88 year olds! Charles Dickens’ A CHRISTMAS CAROL is one of the most beloved books in the English language. It has become a classic Christmas tale for generations of grown-ups and children alike. As the ghosts spirit Scrooge from the present to his past and future, Dickens takes us on a magical journey from the miser’s dank and creaking house to cosy hearths, and from snowy graveyards to joyful festivities. This treasured story offers a celebration of goodness, a plea for justice and the promise of redemption. Simon Callow, one of the nation’s best loved actors, returns to Dickens’ A CHRISTMAS CAROL after huge international success with The Mystery of Charles Dickens (West End and Broadway), national acclaim for Dr Marigold & Mr Chops and guest starring as Dickens on Doctor Who (BBC). Notable recent acting work has included his performance as Count Fosco, the villain of Wilkie Collins's The Woman in White, both in film and on stage; as Pozzo in Beckett's Waiting for Godot opposite Sir Ian McKellen, Sir Patrick Stewart and Ronald Pickup; and as the psychiatrist in Chichester Festival Theatre's production of Peter Shaffer's Equus. Simon published his own biography of Dickens in early 2012. On screen, Simon is best known for his roles in Four Weddings and a Funeral, Shakespeare in Love and Amadeus. Presented by Assembly & Riverside Studios

Citizens of Hope and Glory! Our new tomorrow beckons. A new tomorrow that smells reassuringly of yesterday, but with wifi. One last heave and we will be there. And when the going gets tough the tough get going. Although the going won’t get tough and anyone who tells you it is going to be tough is lying.

Come join me to marvel at the majesty of our green and pleasant land. A land globally renowned for our culture, history and places, like the world-famous Salisbury Cathedral. Join me to step backwards into the future.

Please note this event is part of Platform Festival and takes place at The Old Station, Pocklington and NOT the Arts Centre.

The King of Waltz Andre Rieu will bring to millions of fans across the world, his New Year’s concert recorded live in Sydney, Australia. The first full production from leading Event Cinema distributor Piece of Magic Entertainment, Andre Rieu will present a festive concert like never before, recorded live in Sydney’s iconic Town Hall. Join the Maestro, Andre Rieu, for a magical evening of music and dance featuring his world class sopranos, The Platin Tenors and plenty of surprises. With show tunes, classical music and plenty of festive fun it promises to be a great way to start the new year! Take a front row seat and experience this spectacular musical event on the big screen. Enjoy backstage access, interviews with Andre and his special guests, musical favourites and much, much more, exclusive to cinema. The evening will be hosted by ITV’s Charlotte Hawkins, a familiar face for all those who continue to enjoy Andre’s annual Maastricht concert each July

Paint your very own masterpiece on canvas to take home or sell as a great fake on the black market! A fun art evening with cheese, wine & all materials included. Absolutely no experience or skill required. To secure your place in art folklore please visit www.cheeseandwinepaintingclub.com

A welcome return for the ultimate bluesman Chris Smither as he showcases his new album Call Me Lucky. Offering commentary on the human condition with a wink of an eye he pulls from deep in the soul and a couple of surprise covers along with digging deep into his back catalogue. He remains a significant songwriter and an electrifying guitarist — an American original — who draws deeply from folk and blues, modern poets and philosophers.

Joining Chris will be The Suitcase Junket, a young American songwriter and musician, who will play a short opener set of his music that is rooted in the salvaged sounds of mountain ballads, blues manifestos, American juke joints and back porches.

Courtney Marie Andrews spent over nine months of 2017 on the road, with multiple trips across the US, Canada, Europe, Australia and New Zealand. That’s nothing new for Andrews, though. She’s been touring relentlessly since leaving her Arizona hometown at 16. It’s a life that inspired much of her 2017 breakthrough album, Honest Life. While that album’s themes spoke to the isolation and rootlessness inherent in a life on the road, most of its songs were actually written during an intentional, extended break. The success that followed its release, however, didn’t afford her the same break to write the material for her new album.

Although May Your Kindness Remain was predominately written on the road — in the van, in hotels, and in the homes of family and friends — it’s not a road record like its predecessor. That is, it’s not so much inspired by her life on the road so much as it is by the people she’s met along the way. It’s an inward reflection on the connectivity of their stories and her own. “More than anything,” she says, “it got me thinking about my childhood, and the people around me that I’ve known, and the stories that come from my family. It became clear how many people are struggling through the same issues.”

Eddi's taste in co-writers, writers, songs and players is impeccable and anything with her name on it is guaranteed musical treasure. Whilst the perfection of her technique is widely acknowledged, what sets Reader apart is the depth and quality of the emotional performance; her ability not only to move the listener but to connect her experience to that of her audience.

Her passion and instinct move people in a way reminiscent of those who have influenced her work. Her rare blend of meltingly true vocals and towering romanticism combine with an astute and pragmatic nature to make her a unique and powerful figure in contemporary British music. She has effortlessly developed into one of popular music's most thrilling and affecting performers.

At the end of the first film, the powerful Dark wizard Gellert Grindelwald (Johnny Depp) was captured by MACUSA (Magical Congress of the United States of America), with the help of Newt Scamander (Eddie Redmayne). But, making good on his threat, Grindelwald escaped custody and has set about gathering followers, most unsuspecting of his true agenda: to raise pure-blood wizards up to rule over all non-magical beings. In an effort to thwart Grindelwald’s plans, Albus Dumbledore (Jude Law) enlists his former student Newt Scamander, who agrees to help, unaware of the dangers that lie ahead. Lines are drawn as love and loyalty are tested, even among the truest friends and family, in an increasingly divided wizarding world.

Cornwall's tightest band of brothers and its best-known musical export, brew up a heady mix of hearty song, salty banter and tall tales from the high seas. Fisherman's Friends, the original sole men, will showcase a fresh haul of old favourites as well as new songs from their latest album 'Sole Mates' - their seventh since they were 'discovered' singing on the Platt on the harbour at Port Isaac.

After signing with Island Records their album 'Port Isaac's Fisherman's Friends' went Gold, they've been the subject of an ITV documentary, released hit albums and played to tens of thousands of fans at home and abroad, as well as the famous Pyramid Stage at Glastonbury.

A collective that has recently wowed audiences at Carfest North, Chris Evans’ BBC Children in Need Festival and in July, hosted their third sell-out show at The Great Yorkshire Fringe.  Alongside playing at the world famous Cavern Club for George Harrison’s 75th Birthday celebrations and launching their second album ‘without the Tassels’; they’ve had a pretty exciting year! So, we’re thrilled they’re back in Pocklington to present a "riot of both festive and non-festive classics” for a night to remember.  Expect the unexpected from these little instruments and don’t forget to bring your tinsel for a right old party.

Described as gypsy folk & roll, Holy Moly and the Crackers are one of hardest working bands on the circuit with a growing and loyal fan base. Over the past two years they have toured the UK extensively with festival appearances including Glastonbury, Cornbury, Larmer Tree, Underneath The Stars and Towersey.

Holy Moly and the Crackers’ song Cold Comfort Lane has been used as one of the main featured songs in the new Hollywood blockbuster Ocean’s 8.

Hollywood's best-loved star teams up with America's favourite director to create one of the world's most popular films. "It's A Wonderful Life" is the ultimate seasonal feel-good film. Starring the unforgettable James Stewart as George Bailey, the man who receives the greatest Christmas gift of all, and a superb ensemble cast including Donna Reed and Lionel Barrymore, this high-spirited Christmas tale is directed by the immortal Frank Capra and ranks as an all-time favourite of fans and critics alike.

She Productions will transport you back to the swinging sixties with their sell-out original musical. Inspired by Hull’s own 1960s girl-band, Mandy & the Girlfriend, It’s Different For Girls celebrates five young women that battled to make their mark on the music scene. With a score that is a mix of well-known covers, sixties standards and original music you are sure to be entertained!

“A fun rock 'n' roll musical with catchy numbers and a positive message” British Theatre Guide

Jason is delighted to announce that he is extending his Amazing Midlife Crisis Tour into 2019 with a final series of dates. This is a tour with a twist!! These intimate evenings will be a unique opportunity to see him like you’ve never seen him before!

Celebrating his 50th birthday and with a wealth of tantalising tales under his belt, this autobiographical show will zigzag back and forth through his life, with stories about Neighbours, Ten Good Reasons, Kylie, Joseph, I'm A Celebrity, Strictly and much, much more. Hear some new stories (and possibly one or two you’ve heard before!) plus some of the songs you know and love for a night like no other!

After releasing a weekly folk song for a year, BBC Radio 2 spins and glowing press reviews, Joshua Burnell & Band take to the stage to launch a brand new album. Josh and his band won The Great British Folk Festival audience poll for favourite act by an overwhelming majority. An exciting emerging artist whose talent shines out!

Brilliant musicians, thrilling performers, free-thinking visionaries and all-round good chaps as well…small wonder Lau are regarded as the epicentre of the new folk boom. And they’ve got shelves groaning with awards (BBC RADIO 2 FOLK AWARD WINNERS, BEST BAND, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2013, ALBUM OF THE YEAR 2015 THE HERALD), a forest’s worth of ecstatic reviews and breathless plaudits from excited audiences in various outposts of the world ringing in their ears to prove it.

Lau comprises Kris Drever (vocals, guitar), Martin Green (accordion, wurlitzer, keys, electronics) and Aidan O’Rourke (fiddle) and together they effortlessly bridge the seemingly diametrically opposed worlds of acoustic folk tradition and post rock – electronics.

‘Lau are a remarkable band – the most musically adventurous trio in British folk exquisite and hypnotic, musicianship at its best.’

THE GUARDIAN

Cluster-bombed with yoghurt on 'Taskmaster', half-killed on 'Bear Grylls' Celebrity Island', Watson returns to what he's best at: being indoors.

Inspired by the mostly alarming state of the world his children are growing up in, and a genuine, urgent desire to do something about it, this show is about empathy. 99 percent of the world's population is made up of other people: why can't we understand them? As scrawny and impassioned as ever, one of the UK's most beloved and thinnest acts offers some suggestions, with his usual notoriously high joke- and-rant-per-minute rate.

Award winning Jazz guitarist Martin Taylor teams up with acoustic and slide guitar virtuoso Martin Simpson The pair shares the stage throughout the performance – adding to each other’s songs and instrumental pieces, taking them to sublime new heights.This is an unmissable evening with two guitar playing legends working in harmony.

Multi-award-winning drama The Madness of George III will be broadcast live to cinemas, in National Theatre Live’s first ever broadcast from Nottingham Playhouse.

Written by one of Britain’s best-loved playwrights Alan Bennett (The History Boys, The Lady in the Van), this epic play was also adapted into a BAFTA Award-winning film following its premiere on stage in 1991.

The cast of this new production includes Olivier Award-winners Mark Gatiss (Sherlock, Wolf Hall, NT Live Coriolanus) in the title role, and Adrian Scarborough (Gavin and Stacey, Upstairs Downstairs, After the Dance).

It’s 1786 and King George III is the most powerful man in the world. But his behaviour is becoming increasingly erratic as he succumbs to fits of lunacy. With the King’s mind unravelling at a dramatic pace, ambitious politicians and the scheming Prince of Wales threaten to undermine the power of the Crown, and expose the fine line between a King and a man.

Broadcast live from the National Theatre, Ralph Fiennes and Sophie Okonedo play Shakespeare’s famous fated couple in his great tragedy of politics, passion and power. Caesar and his assassins are dead. General Mark Antony now rules alongside his fellow defenders of Rome. But at the fringes of a war-torn empire the Egyptian Queen Cleopatra and Mark Antony have fallen fiercely in love. In a tragic fight between devotion and duty, obsession becomes a catalyst for war. Director Simon Godwin returns to National Theatre Live screens with this hotly anticipated production, following broadcasts of Twelfth Night, Man and Superman and The Beaux’ Stratagem.

An epic portrayal of the events surrounding the infamous 1819 Peterloo Massacre, where a peaceful pro-democracy rally at St Peter’s Field in Manchester turned into one of the bloodiest and most notorious episodes in British history. The massacre saw British government forces charge into a crowd of over 60,000 that had gathered to demand political reform and protest against rising levels of poverty. Many protestors were killed and hundreds more injured, sparking a nationwide outcry but also further government suppression. The Peterloo Massacre was a defining moment in British democracy which also played a significant role in the founding of The Guardian newspaper.

Our annual Christmas Comedy Gala, which has sold our for the last twelve years, features:

The Noise Next Door take audience suggestions and the cheeky and charming quartet, transform them into fantastically funny scenes and songs in the blink of an eye with a perfect blend of ludicrous characters, witty one-liners, epic stories, and explosive physicality.

Venue favourite Tom Binns (aka Ivan Brackenbury Hospital DJ) is an award-winning and critical acclaimed character comedian.

Lee Ridley AKA Lost Voice Guy may not be able to talk, but he definitely has something to say! He won the BBC New Comedy Award 2014 and Britain’s Got Talent earlier this year.

Edinburgh Comedy Award nominee and the self-dubbed “Lie-In King”, Seann Walsh is “unquestionably the best observational comic of his generation (The Guardian).  

Returning from his run in America, where he made his USA television debut appearance on Conan, Seann Walsh is back on tour in the UK.

This disheveled, fiery, animated, fiercely idle, millennial man child is one of best live comedians to have come out of the UK.

Seann made his acting debut starring in Comedy Central’s sitcom Big Bad World, this was quickly followed up by the lead role in Monks (BBC One), he utilized his physical comedic abilities in Sky’s silent comedy, Three Kinds of Stupid, which led to him producing, writing and starring in his own silent comedy web-series The Drunk. He also wrote and starred in his own Sky short for Sky Arts and is now co-starring in Jack Dee’s brand-new sitcom Bad Move (ITV one). He recently made his feature film debut as the children’s nemesis in family film, 2:hrs. Seann is quickly on his way to becoming one of the UK’s best comedy character actors.

Team captain on Virtually Famous (Channel 4) and a regular on Play To The Whistle (ITV), other TV appearances include: One For The Road (BBC 3), Live At The Apollo (BBC 2), The Jonathan Ross Show (ITV), Tonight at The London Palladium (ITV), Celebrity Juice (ITV2), 8 Out Of 10 Cats (Channel 4), 8 Out Of 10 Cats Does Countdown (Channel 4), Alan Carr’s Chatty Man (Channel 4) and Russell Howards Stand Up Central (Comedy Central) 

Seann can currently be heard hosting his weekly radio show News-Ish on Fubar Radio.

Steve Harley, the original Cockney Rebel, and his Acoustic Trio, will play an intimate, unique and atmospheric show. He will be accompanied by his Cockney Rebel band-mates of long-standing, Barry Wickens [violin & guitar] and James Lascelles [piano and percussion]. The set will be built around tracks from any or all 13 of Steve’s original albums and will include all-time favourites like Mr Soft, Judy Teen, Mr Raffles, Sebastian, and of course the world-wide classic hit, Make Me Smile (Come Up And See Me).

The Fureys have been entertaining audiences worldwide for 41 years, audiences that have included former Australian Prime Minister John Howard, Former Irish President Mary McAleese and the late Pope John Paul while Tony Blair has publicly stated his favourite peace song of all time is the Fureys “Green Fields of France” and President Michael D Higgins attended their last concert in National Concert Hall.

The Fureys are responsible for some of the most stirring music ever to capture the public imagination. Their folk based music has received standing ovations in some of the biggest concert halls of the world and they credit their musical ability to their parents, Ted and Nora, who were well-known musicians themselves. They encouraged their sons to play music from a very early age and there was live traditional music in their house almost nightly.

Their emotive songs stir many emotions….tears and laughter, sadness and joy.

Each year at Christmas they disrupt his tranquil solitude with their increasingly bigger, brighter and louder celebrations. When the Whos declare they are going to make Christmas three times bigger this year, the Grinch realizes there is only one way for him to gain some peace and quiet: he must steal Christmas. To do so, he decides he will pose as Santa Claus on Christmas Eve, even going so far as to trap a lackadaisical misfit reindeer to pull his sleigh.

Meanwhile, down in Who-ville, Cindy-Lou Who—a young girl overflowing with holiday cheer—plots with her gang of friends to trap Santa Claus as he makes his Christmas Eve rounds so that she can thank him for help for her overworked single mother. As Christmas approaches, however, her good-natured scheme threatens to collide with the Grinch’s more nefarious one. Will Cindy-Lou achieve her goal of finally meeting Santa Claus? Will the Grinch succeed in silencing the Whos’ holiday cheer once and for all?

The multi-award winning and critically acclaimed Lincoln Center Theater’s production of Rodgers and Hammerstein’s The King And I comes to cinemas in this unmissable event recorded live from London’s iconic Palladium. Reprising her Tony Award-winning role, ‘Broadway musical’s undisputed Queen’ (The Sunday Times) Kelli O’Hara (Anna) takes to the stage alongside Tony and Oscar nominee Ken Watanabe (The King) in a "powerhouse" (The Times) performance. Also returning to her Tony Award winning role as Lady Thiang is Ruthie Ann Miles. Set in 1860s Bangkok, the musical tells the story of the unconventional and tempestuous relationship that develops between the King of Siam and Anna, a British schoolteacher whom the modernist King, in an imperialistic world, brings to Siam to teach his many wives and children. With one of the finest scores ever written including; Whistle a Happy Tune, Getting to Know You, and Shall We Dance, and featuring a company of over 50 world-class performers, The King and I is a testament to the lavish heritage of gloriously romantic musical theatre – it is the greatest musical from the golden age of musicals.

The Searchers remarkable career continues. With such classic hits as, Sweets For My Sweet; Needles and Pins; Don’t Throw Your Love Away; Sugar and Spice and When You Walk In The Room, they have contributed enormously in establishing the UK as the world’s leading nation in the music industry. There is no doubt that the decade that gave us The Beatles as well as The Searchers and many others was very special and will go down in history as being the most imaginative period of music creativity and expression.

With total record sales in excess of 50 million, The Searchers still have great appeal to audiences of all ages. They tour the globe as much today as they have done throughout a fantastic career spanning 5 decades.

Their special ‘solo’ concert is a highly entertaining show and has been enthusiastically and warmly received throughout the world. Combined with anecdotes and reminiscences, this fully self-contained concert includes all their famous hits, plus many album recordings, B-sides and a selection of other collector and well known favourites.

Don’t miss The Searchers live in concert!

Inspired by the touching children's story by Oscar Wilde, Bristol's two leading family theatre experts are combining forces to explore an unusual friendship, and how even the grumpiest giant's heart can melt when Spring finally comes. Powerful storytelling, captivating puppetry, beautiful design, enchanting music and a sprinkling of magic sums up this very special show. Brought to you by Soap Soup Theatre and Tessa Bide Production.

Where does a band go, after a symphonic journey that peaks with orchestral performances at the Royal Festival Hall and Royal Albert Hall? Back to the beginning of course. Before fronting one of the most artistically brave and revered bands working today, Tyneside sisters Rachel and Becky Unthank grew up singing songs without accompaniment, in weaving, unschooled vocal harmony. As if to prove that creativity should never be about ambition or aspiration, The Unthanks move on from their recent orchestral explorations by going back to what they know and do best - singing in unaccompanied harmony - joined on this tour by Unthanks member Niopha Keegan to make a vocal trio. The three have already established a band within a band in The Unthanks, with the success of haunting harmony signature pieces like Magpie, recently brought to wider attention by Mackenzie Crook’s beautifully poignant series, Detectorists.

On this tour, they fully explore their rich and unique vocal combinations, with brand new material and arrangements, alongside more familiar Unthanks material. Believing unaccompanied song to be a performance art of storytelling and communication, instead of recording a studio album, each show will be recorded and there will be chance at shows to pre-order a forthcoming album compiled from live performances on this tour.

Special guests are: Aidan O’Rourke and Kit Downes. Lau’s Aidan O’Rourke (fiddle) and ECM artist Kit Downes (piano, harmonium) are perhaps the two most compelling and inventive players of their instruments we have in the British Isles today.

Since releasing her debut as a teenager nearly 20 years ago, the Oxfordshire-raised, Cheshire-based singer and songwriter Thea Gilmore has gained global acclaim for making music not only of extraordinary beauty, but of rare honesty and insight.

In 2009 Thea released ‘Strange Communion’ an immediately acclaimed collection of seasonal songs ranging from joyful to meditative, from introspective to darkly humorous. The album contained ‘That’ll Be Christmas’ which became the most played festive song on BBC Radio 2 that year and was described by Chris Evans as ‘the best Christmas song in years’.

Her 2018 acoustic Christmas Party UK tour will feature material from ‘Strange Communion’ laced liberally with the occasional diverse, highly individual versions of a Christmas classic. Enjoy the superb musicianship always on display from Thea’s band and at the heart of the show - Thea's spine-tingling, pure-toned voice guaranteed to leave you moved, exhilarated and spellbound.

Unavailable for some five years, finally now in 2018 Thea is set to release a ‘deluxe’ reissue of ‘Strange Communion’ in November with four brand new bonus tracks.