They blew the roof off last time they were here, so we had to have them back!

Purple Zeppelin are proud to pay tribute to Deep Purple & Led Zeppelin. In a unique “full on” two part show complete with costume changes, you’ll hear more than 30 classic songs – Basically “The best bits, all of the time!”

With the accent firmly on entertainment this promises be a night to remember, complete with Ritchie Blackmore’s Lute, Jimmy Page’s Twin Neck Guitar and Theremin, and a very special Violin Bow Solo!

Respected rock journalist Chris Welch said "This highly entertaining and musically authentic tribute band dared to match the brilliance of the originators.”

As genuine admirers of both Deep Purple and Led Zeppelin, the band are four talented and versatile musicians with decades of playing between them, comprising thousands of sessions and gigs both in the UK and Overseas. They share a love of classic rock, and it doesn't get much better than the best of Deep Purple and Led Zeppelin!

www.purplezeppelin.com

Tickets and Booking

£15, £12 conc. You can purchase tickets by either calling our box office on 01376 556 354 or via our website by clicking the following link Purple Zeppelin.

Group discounts and student rates are available, please call our Box Office on 01376 556 354 for details!

International hip-hop theatre company The Bad Taste Cru bring their though-provoking show 'The Council of the Ordinary' to Braintree Arts Theatre for one night only.

“Bad Taste Cru have everything that a hip hop theatre company needs to excel: a foundation in battling and cyphering at the highest level, a curiosity of intelligent theatre practice, and deep, heartfelt subject matter. These guys are the future.” 

Jonzi D, Breakin’ Convention

Britain’s leading b-boy crew Bad Taste Cru present an explosive and thought-provoking triple bill fusing breaking (b-boying) and physical theatre. The performances range from an in-depth social commentary dealing with class stereotyping to a piece grounded in the experiences of the crew growing up in the midst of the Troubles in Northern Ireland.

Originating from Omagh, Northern Ireland, and later relocating to Newcastle-Upon Tyne, North East England, the crew has gone from strength to strength pushing their art to its limits, including building their name as one of the UK’s top crews within the battle scene having won every major national competition over the years and representing at the biggest international competitions worldwide.
 
BTC have traveled the world with their theatre performances including shows at San Francisco Hip Hop Festival, Breakin’ Convention Sadlers Wells, and Cultural Itau, Sao Paulo Brazil, and were also the first bboy crew to be commissioned for the prestigious Place Prize for Contemporary dance in 2010, cementing their reputation as a pioneering hip-hop theatre company.
 
“These guys take British urban dance to new heights, combining extraordinary technique and skill with theatrical sensitivity that can match the best of dance theatre. With total respect for their roots they bring freshness, innovation and honesty to the contemporary stage.”
 
Royston Maldoom, OBE
 
“Bad Taste Cru have consistently produced stunning shows which transform the way we think about hip hop…”
 
Anthony Baker, Artistic Director of Dance City

Tickets and Booking

£12, £10 conc. You can purchase tickets by either calling our box office on 01376 556 354 or via our website by clicking the following link Council of the Ordinary.

Group discounts and student rates are available, please call our Box Office on 01376 556 354 for details!

Braintree Musical Society presents this classic musical comedy, the story of Jane and Timothy Dawes who discover love after leaving university. A chance meeting with a tramp brings them together when they are given the chance to look after his piano for a month. When the piano plays, everyone around has an irresistible urge to dance!

A happy show with some catchy tunes which just might give YOU the urge to dance too!

An amateur production by arrangement with Samuel French Ltd

Tickets and How to Book:

In advance: Full Price £11, concessions £9.

On the door: Full Price £12, concessions £10.

You can purchase tickets by either calling our box office on 01376 556 354 or via our website by clicking the following link Salad Days Tickets

All the single ladies, all the Single Ladies! You know when you fall Crazy In Love, but it all goes tits up and you're like Me, Myself and I, but then you Get Me Bodied, you're like he’s the Best Thing I Never Had! I must have bumped my head, because Who Runs The World? Well, if like me, you're an Independent Woman still living at your mummas house, come check up on What Would Beyoncé Do? Come Say Hello and let’s get this party Jumpin’ Jumpin’! 

Smash hit of Edinburgh Fringe Festival, sell out east london show, and having come from a ten date run at Soho theatre. Fresh, sassy, and utterly original, newcomer Luisa Omielan is bringing her debut comedy hour to Braintree for one night only!

Luisa Omielan is a diva in training. She’s got the sass, she’s got the earrings, now she’s ready for the lifestyle! And like Beyoncé, her mum still styles her clothes. But approaching 30 and finding herself breaking up poo in the toilet because her little brother blocked it, she’s starting to wonder...

‘Does this ever happen to Beyoncé?!’ If she couldn't dance or sing, but was still a diva, when life gave her lemons…“What Would Beyoncé Do?!” 

''In a year that's seen a real dearth of talented female comedians coming through, Luisa Omielan bucks the trend in her own brilliant way' The Guardian

'Soul baring comedy, it's exactly what Beyoncé would do, only one word for it, BOOTILICIOUS!' Chortle

Facebook & Twitter @luisaomielan #whatwouldbeyoncedo 

Age recommendation: 16+ 

Tickets and How to Book

£12, £10 conc. You can purchase tickets on the door, by calling our box office on 01376 556 354 or via our website WWBD Tickets

Dust off your Space hoppers & Lava lamps, it’s time for Europe’s premiere 70s party! David Cassidy to 10cc, Bay City Rollers to Donna Summer, Donny Osmond to Sweet, and Boney M to Suzi Quatro. All the classic pop hits of that ‘superlicious’ decade are celebrated in authentic style, and even classic hits from the decades biggest musicals ‘Grease’ & ‘Saturday Night Fever’ feature in this bumper extravaganza.

This stunning show features some of the finest singers and musicians in the land, and together with yards of denim, satin, leather, kipper ties, flares and a Raleigh Chopper, they deliver a ‘fabtastik’ performance to tickle parts you never knew you had.

If you lived in, or just love the 70s, then get onboard for a roller coaster ride of nostalgia with the show that always inspires a party atmosphere and a fun spirit wherever it plays. 70s dress is encouraged too as is a strong pair of lungs to join in with all those favourite tunes pop pickers!

Check out a preview of the show by clicking the following link: SuperSonic 70's Trailer

Ticket Prices and How To Book

Tickets: £17, £15 conc. Call our Box Office on 01376 556 354 or book tickets via our website by clicking the following link SuperSonic 70's Tickets

Funhouse Comedy returns to Braintree Arts Theatre on Thursday May 16th for another night of laughter!

Headlining is the inimitable Joe Lycett. Last year at The Edinburgh Fringe Festival he was a nominee for The Best Newcomer Award and has also appeared on Radio and TV shows including 8 out of 10 Cats, Never Mind the Buzzcocks, Celebrity Juice and as the announcer on Epic Win. He has also supported Jack Whitehall on tour. His witty anecdotes start simply but then unravel into uniquely hilarious stories. With his confident warmth and subtle wit he charms his audiences, leaving them enthralled.

Tickets and how to book tickets:

Tickets are £10 in advance, £12 on the door. ALL TICKETS ARE 3 FOR THE PRICE OF 2! 

You can book tickets by calling our Box Office on 01376 556 354 or through our website by clicking the following link: May Funhouse Comedy Night Tickets

7.15pm doors

8.00pm start

Award winning theatre company Sparkle and Dark's Travelling Players are delighted to present their new show THE GIRL WITH NO HEART at Braintree Arts Theatre.

Inspired by the tragic events of the Hiroshima and Nagasaki atomic bombings during WWII, the show highlights the fragility and frustration of children surrounded by a war they cannot control. This stark yet beautiful fable is brought to life with the company's unique brand of highly visual puppetry and shadow, live music and new writing. Delicate, intense, provocative and haunting, THE GIRL WITH NO HEART takes us on an epic journey into a paper world of forgotten wishes, a world where a child’s heart has the power for immeasurable good or unimaginable destruction.

Sparkle and Dark’s critically acclaimed direction and design interlace elements of Japanese culture into the show with sets made entirely of paper, Shamisen-inspired music and specially designed life size puppets which attempt to blur the lines between puppet and puppeteer.

Behind the scenes: the secrets of shadow

On Friday 3rd May, the World Premiere of a brand new English translation of Miss Julie by August Strindberg will be visiting Braintree Arts Theatre - a tale of lust, class conflict and boundaries broken.  This powerful new version of Strindberg’s classic play is presented by UK Touring Theatre; touring to 13 theatres across the UK.

Developed as part of the Swedish Strindberg 2012 centenary celebrations, this translation promises to be extremely faithful to Strindberg’s original Swedish script (reinstating several controversial lines and elements of black humour which are often cut from many other English translations), while being accessible to a modern audience through it’s dynamic choice of English language.

Set in Sweden on Midsummer's Eve in 1888; the play explores the relationship between aristocratic Miss Julie and Jean, her father’s valet.  What starts as a harmless flirtation, soon descends into a ferocious power struggle and battle of the sexes, from which neither can escape.

Widely regarded as Strindberg’s masterpiece, Miss Julie has been performed across the world and is frequently adapted and updated.  In this latest production UK Touring Theatre gives new life to Strindberg’s words in their original 1888 setting - perfect for fans of classic theatre and Scandinavian drama alike.

Director Denis Noonan said, “Miss Julie is a very powerful piece.  The process of re-translating the play from scratch took about 8 months, but the result is a script that I think really reflects what Strindberg originally wanted to achieve with the play; as well as being exciting and accessible to a modern audience.”

UK Touring Theatre is a new company, committed to developing new translations of European plays and bringing classic drama to venues large and small across the UK.

Tickets and booking

£15 (£12 concessions, £10 student and group bookings) and can be purchased from the Braintree Arts Theatre Box Office on 01376 556 354 or online at Miss Julie Tickets

For more information on the production visit www.uktouringtheatre.co.uk

“THE NEW POSTER BOY FOR BRITISH COMEDY MAGIC”

Telegraph

Following a hugely successful tour in Spring 2012 and another ground-breaking Edinburgh Festival Fringe season, Pete Firman, the Star of BBC1's popular prime time show The Magicians, sets out to tour the UK again in 2013 with a brand new show and an all-new box of mind-bending tricks.

“FIRMAN IS RESPONSIBLE FOR MAKING IT SOCIALLY ACCEPTABLE TO SAY THAT YOU LIKE MAGIC AGAIN”

Guardian

Pete was also seen on TV over the Christmas period in BBC1’s Celebrity Mastermind and in early 2013 in The Sarah Millican Television Programme on BBC2, and a comedian’s special of Come Dine With Me as part of Channel 4’s Mash Up season. Typically for a Pete Firman show, Hoodwinker is packed to the hilt with his very own trademark blend of comedy and jaw-dropping magic. This is a show not to be missed!

“THE MAN FROM MIDDLESBROUGH SETS THE PACE FOR COMEDY-MEETS-MAGIC IN THE 21ST CENTURY” 

Times

In 2012 Pete captivated audiences of all ages when he starred in BBC1’s primetime magic show The Magicians before setting out on a hugely successful tour of the UK with his live show Jiggery Pokery which was such a hit at Edinburgh Festival Fringe 2011.

His skill for fusing magic and comedy has made him one of the most in demand magicians working on British television, writing and performing in magic shows such as Monkey Magic (Channel 5), Dirty Tricks and Derren Brown's 3D Magic Spectacular (Channel 4), The Secret World of Magic (Sky One). He has also made dozens of guest appearances on programmes including The One Show, BBC Breakfast, Comedy Rocks with Jason Manford, This Morning, Edinburgh Comedy Fest Live, Comedy Cuts, Saturday Live Again! andSomething For the Weekend.

He is also a published author and his first book, Tricks To Freak Out Your Friends was also released in the USA and is about to go into its second print run.

Pete also co-presents The Bodyshocking Show with The Real Hustle’s Jessica Jane Clement for E4 which is due to transmit in early 2013.

www.petefirman.co.uk

Tickets and Booking

Tickets: £14/ £12 conc.

You can book tickets by either calling our Box Office on 01376 556 354 or you can book online by clicking the following link: Pete Firman Tickets

Following complete sell-out runs at the Edinburgh Festival and London’s Soho Theatre, and due to overwhelming popular demand, Edinburgh Comedy Award nominee and star of BBC Two’s brand new sitcom, Hebburn, extends his nationwide tour into spring 2013.

How did we get here? Elaborately laid plan, or just pure fluke? Who knows… do you feel lucky? Perhaps you should.

As seen on Celebrity Juice, Never Mind the Buzzcocks, 8 Out of 10 Cats and Russell Howard’s Good News.

 “Stand-up gold” The Guardian

"Frighteningly talented... tearing up every stage he lands on" GQ

“A brilliantly engaging natural storyteller” Evening Standard

Tickets and Booking

Tickets: £15

You can book tickets by either calling our Box Office on 01376 556 354 or you can book online by clicking the following link: Chris Ramsey Tickets

Funhouse Comedy brings another laughter-packed night to Braintree Arts Theatre on Thursday April 18th.

Headlining is true cockney, Jeff Innocent, comic, actor and star of both radio and TV, his last role being in ‘Call the Midwife’. Looking like a bouncer but with the intellect of a university professor his sharp wit and confident charm draws the audience into his lair, then he entertains them with his diverse mix of somewhat surreal subjects.

Support from the easygoing James Acaster who used to be a drummer in his local town prior to doing stand-up comedy. He supported both Milton Jones and Josie Long on tour and has appeared on TV’s Russell Howard’s Good News and Dave’s One Night Stand. His anecdotes and interaction with his audiences are unique and captivating.

Completing the line-up will be the sharp and confident Paul T Eyres, with his lively and somewhat extraordinary material.

Compere for the night is the cute and witty Ria Lina.

Tickets and Booking

Tickets: £10 in advance, £12 on the door. All tickets are 3 for the price of 2!

You can book tickets by either calling our Box Office on 01376 556 354 or you can book online by clicking the following link: April Funhouse Comedy Night Tickets

The New 4 Poofs and a Piano are going on tour!

Like a phoenix risen from the lashes, the New 4 Poofs and a Piano show is Bigger, Louder, Harder, Longer!!

Camp, irreverent, self-deprecating, high octane, naughty but fun entertainment with original comedy songs, musical parodies, pop standards, dance, physical comedy and light-hearted banter, this new line-up of the fab four, with original member Big Dave Wickenden at the helm, will have everyone from students to the blue rinse brigade reaching for their Tena Ladies!

Joined by fabulous Graeme Clark who promises to bring a notable level of butch pazazz to the New 4 Poofs…(please don’t sue!!), and the brilliant, gorgeous and far too young Ian Lilley who loves to bust a move while hitting a top b, these 3 Poofkateers will join Big Dave, original member of the group famed for his one armed choreography, immutable smile and legendary dance moves that have made him an icon to plus size gays everywhere.

**NEWS FLASH** For a limited period, the New 4 Poofs and a Piano will feature the legendary Bobby Crush whose fingers are so fast and light that he could vajazzle a ferret while playing Rachmaninov!

Tickets and Booking

Tickets: £15, £12 concessions. 

You can book tickets by either calling our Box Office on 01376 556 354 or you can book online by clicking the following link: Four Poofs and a Piano Tickets

Be a Legend This Easter Holiday at Braintree Arts Theatre!

Award-winning company Temple Theatre bring their 2012 Edinburgh hit show UNMYTHABLE on a UK and European tour in February and March. This riotously fun show presents all the greatest Greek myths in just 70 minutes, combining theatre, storytelling, comedy and songs.

Audiences set sail with Jason and the Argonauts as he takes on his greatest mission: the quest to bring back the Golden Fleece. Along the way they act, sing and clown their way through all the Greek myths you've ever heard of, and some you never knew existed. Meet Midas after the gold ran out, relive the Odyssey through the eyes of a foot-soldier, and discover what really happened in that wooden horse...

UNMYTHABLE sold out in Edinburgh, received a host of five star reviews and was awarded a prestigious Three Weeks Editors’ Award. The Spring tour of more than 30 venues includes performances at the Rose Theatre in Kingston, Winchester Theatre Royal, the Lyric Theatre in Camarthen, Siamsa Tire in Ireland and Bios Theatre in Athens.

 ‘Utterly entertaining.’ ★★★★★ - Three Weeks

'Unmissable. Flawless.' ★★★★★ - Broadway Baby

Temple Theatre is an international company based in Birmingham, led by artistic directors Paul O’Mahony and Mike Tweddle. Having trained at the Lecoq School and the RSC, they combine physical theatre and ancient stories to create exhilarating, accessible and unique theatre. Paul O’Mahony said ‘we are delighted to take these incredible stories to audiences all over the UK and, of course, back to the place where it all began: Greece.’

A Pythonesque Goodie bag... a masterclass in keeping an audience spellbound.’

★★★★ - Fringe Review

'Superb physical theatre... A fantastic show that’s all set to create its very own legend.'

★★★★★ - The Public Reviews

Tickets and booking information:

Tickets: £8, £5 conc.

£20 Family Ticket (4 tickets)

To book tickets either call our box office on 01376 556 354 or book via our website by clicking the following link: Unmythable Tickets

Superjohn loves to fly through outer space. But one day... crash! His superpowers are stolen and he has to travel to a dangerous world to get them back. Come and join us in the Quirkiest Hospital on the Planet, jump into The Field of Flowers, seep into The Magical World of Bloodbone, Laugh with Betty and Bill, Fight Heama the Blood Queen, and help Star, Superjohn's big sister, to bring him back home!

Laugh, shout, cry and join the adventure and let Superjohn show you the power of imagination.

 **** 'Cleverly and sensitively... engaging young minds iwth a fantastical story and mortality and the power of the imagination' - The Metro

About Fireside Creative Productions

Firehouse Creative Productions develops international performance work inspired by distinct communities, inviting voices from diverse cultural and historical backgrounds to share a creative space in their performance making process. They often incorporate true stories into the creative process. This approach is based on our belief that each individual’s story can give us insight into universal truths, offering unique and vibrant avenues into creating contemporary theatrical events.

Tickets and Booking

£8 adults, £5 concessions. Special Family Ticket price: buy two adult and two children tickets for £20!

You can book tickets by either calling our Box Office on 01376 556 354 or you can book online by clicking the following link: Super John Tickets

Formed in 1983, Bon Jovi is an American rock band from Sayreville, New Jersey, fronted by lead singer and namesake Jon Bon Jovi.

Throughout their career, the band have sold over 120 million albums worldwide, and they performed more than 2,600 concerts in over 50 countries for more than 34 million fans. In 2006 Bon Jovi were inducted into the UK Music Hall of Fame, and in 2004 they were ranked number 14 in Q magazine's “50 Greatest Bands of All Time”.

“The Bon Jovi Experience” is an outstanding tribute to Bon Jovi.  They are the only Bon Jovi tribute band in the world to have actually played and shared a stage with Jon Bon Jovi himself! (Fans will have thought there were two Bon Jovis on stage that night, so much does lead singer Tony Pearce resemble Jon Bon Jovi!)

Recreating Bon Jovi Live in Concert, “The Bon Jovi Experience” perform all the great hits:  “Livin’ On a Prayer”, “Keep the Faith”, “Bad Medicine”, “You Give Love a Bad Name”, and many, many more.

Tickets and booking

Tickets are £15 each. You can purchase tickets by either calling our Box Office on 01376 556 354 or by ordering online by clicking the following link: The Bon Jovi Experience Tickets