The Brewhouse Theatre & Arts Centre in Taunton announce their latest season, including their Christmas show The Wind In The Willows and the launch of their partnership with Curzon Cinemas.
They are delighted to announce that this year’s Christmas show will be the much loved classic The Wind In The Willows (Fri 7 Dec – Sat 5 Jan). The show will transport audiences to a charming world of companionship, carefree boating and delicious picnicking with lovable Mole, kind-hearted Ratty, brave Badger and the bumptious Mr Toad. Following the success of last year’s fantastic transformation into Wonderland for Alice In Wonderland, this Christmas spectacular sees the building turned into the wetlands and pastures of the river bank. The show is packed with music, songs and laughter, and is the perfect treat for families during the festive period.
The Brewhouse has joined forces with Curzon Cinemas to become a cinema and present film in the Main House. Featuring new releases from some of the biggest names in independent cinema, as well as the best classic films, it launches on Fri 7 – Sat 8 Sep. Tickets cost £6 or an unlimited cinema pass is £10 a month.
Tis the season to be funny, and The Brewhouse hosts a fantastic selection of top quality comedians including Stephen K. Amos – Laughter Is My Agenda (Thurs 18 Oct), Danny Bhoy – Wanderlust (Tues 23 Oct) and Jenny Éclair – Eclairious (Fri 23 Nov) as well as supporting new talent like Bridget Christie – War Donkey (Thurs 4 Oct), Piff The Magic Dragon In… Jurassic Bark (Tues 20 Nov) and Chris Ramsey: Feeling Lucky (Fri 30 Nov). The Brew Ha Ha! Comedy Club (Sat 29 Sep, Sat 27 Oct, Sat 24 Nov & Sat 26 Jan) returns, with each night featuring several comedians and a compere, line-ups to be announced on their website.
For families in the half term holiday The Snail And The Whale (Mon 29 – Tues 30 Oct) combines storytelling, live music and lots of laughs and comes from trusted theatre experts Tall Stories who previously brought The Gruffalo. Have a spooky Halloween treat from Scruffy Mutt in their Terrible Tales (Wed 31 Oct – Thurs 1 Nov) and be prepared for goose-bumps and guffaws. Under 5s are in for a treat with Brewhouse Beanies, interactive play sessions for toddlers, babies and parents, running throughout the autumn. Children and young people can develop their skills at the Youth Theatre, and adults can master new moves and keep fit in Street Dance.
There is a fantastic line-up of musicians including The Upbeat Beatles (Thurs 13 Sep), Spiers & Boden (Wed 26 Sep), Blake (Sat 13 Oct), Ralph McTell (Tues 6 Nov) and Clare Teal (Sat 24 Nov). The International Concert Series returns with Melvyn Tan, Piano (Wed 19 Sep), Rhodes Piano Trio (Thurs 22 Nov), Catrin Finch (Wed 13 Feb) and Guy Johnston With The Navarra Quartet (Thurs 14 Mar). Always keen to programme new and interesting music, The Brewhouse welcomes Tim Hill with Worlds Unknown (Thurs 27 Sep, Thurs 25 Oct & Thurs 29 Nov), a series of musical events featuring a different guest each month for a musical adventure. In memory of the tragic accident near Taunton last year, the Devon & Somerset Fire & Rescue Service Concert Band present the M5 Memorial Charity Concert (Sun 4 Nov), featuring a range of music styles including marches, popular numbers, showstoppers and classical arrangements. All profits from the concert will be donated to the Somerset Accident Voluntary Emergency Service (SAVES) and The Fire Fighters Charity.
Drama includes Jane Austen’s Mansfield Park (Tues 27 – Thurs 29 Nov), featuring stunning costumes and sets. Icarus Theatre present Romeo & Juliet (Mon 8 – Tues 9 Oct) in a rich and intense production. Farm Boy (Tues 13 Nov), is the sequel to War Horse and is written by award-winning Michael Morpurgo. Pilot Theatre bring The Loneliness Of The Long Distance Runner (Wed 7 – Sat 10 Nov), the film has been adapted by BAFTA winning and Olivier Award nominated playwright Roy Williams OBE.
Candoco Dance Company celebrate their birthday at The Brewhouse by performing their Turning 20 Anniversary Bill (Tues 2 Oct). Vienna Festival Ballet bring their acclaimed traditional style performance of Coppélia (Fri 12 Oct).
The Brewhouse opens their building to the Taunton Literary Festival (Sat 29 Sep) with a day of talks and book signings. The Royal Geographical Society (with IBG) present two inspirational lectures this season. Hardest Ice Climb (Wed 10 Oct) with Tim Emmett, who gives a hair-raising insight into a new world of ice and mixed climbing. Alice Roberts draws together academic research and experience from her own travels to tell the story of the Survivors Of The Ice Age (Wed 14 Nov).
For Halloween, Bloody Taunton: A Walk Through Hell (Wed 31 Oct) will send chills down your spine as you discover the ghosts that haunt Taunton town centre. Put on your spookiest costume for Sing-a-long-a Wickerman (Wed 31 Oct) and sing along to this horror classic.
January is tribute band month with performances from Hats Off To Led Zeppelin (Thurs 24 Jan), The Johnny Cash Road Show (Sat 26 Jan), One Night Of Elvis (Wed 30 Jan) and Voice Of The Heart – Karen Carpenter (Thurs 31 Jan) which leads you through the magical memory of Karen Carpenter and the music of The Carpenters.
Our Gallery and Café Bar continue to be a hub for exciting visual arts starting with Studio Open (Thurs 6 – Sat 29 Sep), part of Somerset Art Weeks. In partnership with Somerset Art Works and Strode Valley Arts, the gallery will become a resident studio for two artists, one from Somerset, one from Gloucestershire, and the Café Bar will feature photography from Sebastian King. Mandate From The Honest Hard-Working People (Sat 6 Oct – Sat 17 Nov) is a new exhibition from Volkhardt Müller focusing on public life in British cities and relationships between the generic and the locale. Impress (Sat 6 Oct – Sat 17 Nov) by artists and printmakers from Double Elephant Print Workshop brings together a series of high quality contemporary prints. Work:Surface (Sat 12 Jan – Sat 23 Feb) is a collection of paintings from artist Andrew Davey. 6x6 (Wed 16 Jan – Sat 23 Feb) is an exhibition showcasing the fourth Somerset Young Artists’ competition at The Brewhouse. Young people from across Somerset have been asked to interpret the theme of ‘what Somerset means to me’ on a six-inch square canvas.
Keen to offer audiences more opportunities to attend the theatre this season The Brewhouse have introduced a selection of ticket offers for customers booking early or for multiple events.
General booking opens on Tuesday 3 July at 10am. Platinum and Gold Friends of The Brewhouse can book from Tuesday 19 June at 10am and Silver Friends can book from Tuesday 26 June at 10am. Please contact the Box Office to become a Friend, 12 month’s membership costs £20. To book tickets telephone the Box Office on 01823 283244 or visit www.thebrewhouse.net
