Celebrating its 50th anniversary, The Theatre in Chipping Norton is an absolutely wonderful mixed arts venue offering a wide range of entertainment from live theatre performances, music, comedy, films and their fabulous Christmas Panto! Throughout the year, they host, co-produce and support some of the most exciting, accessible and entertaining culture in the region. The Theatre runs extensive community and education programmes, engaging with thousands of children and adults annually through their workshops, classes and creative projects.
This summer sees a number of widely different shows so we have just chosen a handful to give you an idea of what is you can enjoy over the coming months. Tickets sell out fast so if there is something of interest, visit their website chippingnortontheatre.com or call their Box Office on 01608 642350.
The month of July starts off with two great evenings of comedy and mirth.
On 2nd July, you can join Sophie Duker and Chloe Petts as they preview their Edinburgh Fringe shows at the Theatre! Sophie has earned the reputation of being a hot comedy weirdo as you may know from watching her on programmes such as when she won Taskmaster, took part in Celebrity Pointless and Celebrity Mastermind. She has received rave reviews for being ‘Laugh-out loud funny’ - The Telegraph. Chloe Petts has established herself as one of the most exciting new acts on the circuit. She is an alumna of the prestigious Pleasance Comedy Reserve, has been shortlisted for the BBC Comedy Award, was a finalist of Leicester Square New Comedian of the Year Awards 2017 and came runner-up in the Funny Women Awards 2017. Chloe was recently seen on ITV’s Jonathan Ross’s Comedy Club; Dave’s Hypothetical has been heard on BBC Five Live’s Fighting Talk and has appeared on Channel 4’s Random Acts and BBC 3 Quickies.
We know him from his TV appearances over the years, but now you have the chance to watch the host of Whose Line Is It Anyway, Talks Back and Loose Ends: Clive Anderson when he takes to the stage on the 4th July with ‘My Seven Wonders’. Whilst the Seven Wonders of the World is a catalogue of the most spectacular natural wonders and man-made structures, but for Clive he sits down with a range of guests to explore exactly what they would choose as their own personal Seven Wonders of the World. Clive will be recording the show for his podcast, but nothing is off limits so expect an evening of pure entertainment and much laughter. The show starts at 7.30pm.
If you are a fan of Hank Marvin and the Shadows, who chalked up an incredible 35 hits, giving them more hits than any other British group (not including another 33 hits with Cliff Richard), you can relive momentous moments as the Bootleg Shadows come to Chipping Norton on the 14th July. Keeping the ‘Shadow’s’ real ‘live’ sound alive by performing a fantasy concert that encompasses the Shadows amazing career from 1960 up until the early 80s. For anyone who loves the sounds of the 60’s – and enjoys a few laughs on the way – Bootleg Shadows perform a unique tribute that has audiences humming the tunes and doing the Shadows famous ‘walk’ long after they have left the theatre.
Calling all cricket fans! Come along to an Audience with Monty Panesar in conversation with Matthew Stadlen on 3rd September. Monty Panesar is a folk hero with England cricket fans. Known as much for his terrible fielding in his early days as for his world-beating left-arm spin, Monty became a household name and helped England to become the number one Test team on the planet. Born in Luton, he played 50 Test matches for his country, took 167 Test wickets, saved an Ashes Test with the bat alongside Jimmy Anderson, claimed Sachin Tendulkar as his first Test wicket, won a Test series in India, was friends with Shane Warne and captured the public’s imagination with his joyous celebrations.
In conversation with national broadcaster Matt Stadlen, the first England spinner to take a five wicket haul at the WACA will take us behind the scenes of his record-breaking career. What was it like bowling at Tendulkar, Dravid and Gilchrist? How did he hit Muralitharan for six? How did he deal with the pressure of Ashes cricket? What was Sir Andrew Strauss like as a captain? How did the Barmy Army help him succeed? What was his greatest England victory? What’s his verdict on this summer’s Ashes? Don’t miss this chance to come face to face with one of English sport’s best loved characters.
Check out what else you can get involved in for both adults and children this summer by visiting The Theatre’s website chippingnortontheatre.com/whats-on.
