John Peel Theatre

The Little Theatre at the Heart of Wigton

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Our Next Production:
A Midsummers Night's Dream


Tickets available online

Book now
or by phoning 01697 424624
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President: Melvyn Bragg

2017 WINNER

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Our Facilities:


Proscenium arch theatre

90 raked seats

Wheelchair access

Induction loop

Licensed bar

Real coffee

Ice cream & snacks

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Registered Charity No: 1178881

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Upcoming Productions and Events
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Entertaining Wigton
for 70 Years

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First Friday of every month

Next event: 5th April

Running live in the theatre. Places must be booked via TicketSource
Check our Facebook page and newsletter for details.

7:30pm start

Find your voice in a relaxed and supportive environment. We invite artists to register and book a slot at no charge.

Entrance is also free for non-performers

Contact us to register or for further information:
openmic or via the theatre Facebook page.
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Folk at The John Peel

Mikey Kenney

7th April 7:30pm

Mikey Kenney is an original. A passionate and well-respected advocate for traditional music – a brilliant Liverpool-style fiddler drawing primarily on his native North West English and Irish heritage – but grounded in a present-day, urban reality.

He is a musician with wide-open horizons and insatiable curiosity for new possibilities. As evidenced on his latest album, The Reverie Road (Penny Fiddle Records), Kenney’s songwriting is both adventurous and earth-bound, with his high lonesome voice exploring sun-drenched Italian vistas, dream worlds and sounds of the city.

Mikey is currently working on a new album, due for release in autumn 2023. For album tour shows, Mikey performs unaccompanied or in duo/trio formats.
With a reputation for both making quality music and producing wondrous flourishes of creativity, Kenney is also a multi-talented and in-demand collaborator, including, formerly, with band Of Burns, and now, with his electric trio World Turned Upside Down, as well as playing with BBC 6 Music favourite, Alabaster DePlume and Italian singer-songwriter, Vinicio Capossela. Mikey is also Musical Director of the Lancashire Youth Folk Ensemble.

“This is magical, medicinal music that defies labels and borders” - Liverpool Echo

“Mikey Kenney is an artist for whom music is a calling, not a career choice…a singular and inspiring talent... unfettered by expectations of geography or genre, and a wanderer of worlds both seen and invisible, Kenney is an authentic free spirit”. - fRoots


mikeykenney.co.uk
 

Tickets £14
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Second Friday of every other month (Feb, April, June, Aug, Oct, Dec)

Next event: 12th April 2024
Running virtually on Zoom.
Check our Facebook page and newsletter for details.

7:30pm start

Find your voice in a relaxed and supportive environment.
Pre-recorded videos and live performances are all accepted. Please check that your audio settings are optimised for music if you are performing live (this is a
good guide on how to do it).

You can upload your videos
here.

Contact Kate Jensen to register or for further information:
openmic or via the theatre Facebook page.
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The Magic of Music
A Special Fundraising Concert and
Celebration of 60 Years of The John Peel Theatre

19th April 7:30pm
A brilliant opportunity for a great night out while supporting your local theatre.

Join us for a special fundraising evening of fabulous music from our very special guest artists - all regulars of our virtual open mic nights. You really don't want to miss this abundance of talent! We will also have a very special unveiling to celebrate the history of our special building.

It will be an excellent evening - a party fit for the 60th birthday of the John Peel Theatre!

All ticket sales go towards running and maintenance of the theatre.

Featuring
Paul Cornwall
Michelle Dodds (Cultram)
Maureen and Ian Kellett
Neil McHardy
Tony Stevenson

and a chance to purchase a CD of music from the exceptional
Colin Webb

Tickets
£11 for a standard ticket
£37 for a gala ticket including buffet after the concert and a glass of fizz
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Folk at The John Peel

Kathryn Roberts and Sean Lakeman

2nd May 7:30pm

 'Almost A Sunset'
Released on Iscream Music UK -17th March 2023

It has been five years since the last offering from the popular husband and wife duo Kathryn Roberts and Sean Lakeman and their latest album proves a ‘tour de force’ of musical and lyrical surprises.

‘Almost A Sunset ‘, their seventh album, is a collection of thoughtful, varied songs that range from re-worked traditional ballads to the off-piste storytelling style that has become their trademark.

Recorded at Devon-pace in their studio on Dartmoor over the course of a year, the couple explore favourite characters, childhood memories and deep emotion to pull together a collection of songs that demonstrate their musical versatility, a sharp interest in the world around them and their own unique perspective on the folk genre.

Duos come and duos go, and some nurture and fine tune their art and watch it grow into something totally original and captivating. For over a quarter of a century Kathryn Roberts and Sean Lakeman's partnership has proved personal, permanent and pivotal.

From their early days in folk supergroup ‘Equation ‘ through to their new album this multi award-winning couple continue to exude timeless class with their exquisite brand of traditional and contemporary acoustic music.

Twice Winners of 'Best Duo' - BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards

"It's folk music for the modern age." - The Telegraph - London

"These guys are something very special" - Acoustic Magazine

"A duo right at the top of their game" - Rock n' Reel

www.kathrynrobertsandseanlakeman.com


Tickets £19

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The Mel Outsider Reformation

17th May 7:30pm

The 15 year old East Lancs rock n roll runaway Mel Outsider absconded from school to spin the waltzer cars on the fairgrounds and walked the ponies for the travelling circus.

A love of adventure and the open road saw him move on to form Brit Blues rockers as vocalist for The Outsiders UK and complete a staggering 286 live gigs in 365 days in 1991.

The Outsiders UK released 4 albums and were a popular live group on the European circuit. The final album was critically acclaimed “Everything’s Gone Vintage” 2016.

The new Lancashire based group The Mel Outsider Reformation retains the services of musical director and bassist Matt Pawson and guitarist Liam McCartan.

Dan Arnold joins on guitar, alongside Karl Francis on drums.

Barney Williams from Boogie Williams / The Milltown Brothers / The Animals takes organ, piano & keyboard duties.

Andy Morell plays sax and leads the pocket central horns.

Powerhouse vocalist Hayley Gaftarnick and the sublime Ellie Coast (both Leeds) are on accompanying vocals.
The project was produced in Accrington by Real World Studios Mark Jones, who describes the album as “the rock n roll “Dante’s inferno” for the 21st century.”

Mark has produced, engineered and worked with such luminaries as Peter Gabriel, Cat Stevens, Patti Smith, The Blue Nile, Wishbone Ash, The Ting Tings, Black Grape and Goldfrapp to name a few.

Aided and mastered by Grammy winner Mark Phythian (Coldplay).


Tickets £12
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Folk at The John Peel

Bryony Griffith & Alice Jones

20th June 7:30pm

As established solo artists, Bryony Griffith & Alice Jones are no strangers to the folk scene, however the force of this phenomenal “new” duo is sure to turn some heads, and for very good reason.

Hailing from the close knit communities of West Yorkshire, both are long-time purveyors and performers of traditional English folk music, united by a mutual fascination with folk song and tune collections from their native county. Bryony and Alice draw on a wealth of stories inspired by the landscape and language of their surroundings, not to mention the local characters they have both grown up with and still live amongst today.

Via villages, valleys and moorlands, they channel their own brand of Yorkshire folk music. Combining their respect and understanding of traditional song, music and dance with their own more contemporary style of folk performance, they present a unique repertoire of harmony, history and Northern banter. Featuring Fiddle, Harmonium, Tenor Guitar and intricate close harmony vocals in their distinctive regional accents; Bryony and Alice's music celebrates a shared love for community heritage that resonates throughout Yorkshire and beyond, connecting with musical communities the world over.

https://bryonyandalice.com/
 

Tickets £16
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A Midsummer Night's Dream
William Shakespeare

27th - 28th June 7:30pm
29th - 30th June 2:30pm

In Theseus’ world, all is rational, calm- and run by men- but young love, magic, and a touch of girl power, throw it all up in the air. Add in the earnest efforts of a bunch of well meaning but clueless workers and you have a potent mix of magic, mayhem and laugh aloud comedy. This modern and fast paced production will keep you entertained whether you are nine or ninety!

Tickets: Adult £10 Child £6
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Handbagged
by Moira Buffini

25th - 28th September 7:30pm

Handbags, hairspray and sensible shoes.
The monarch - Liz.
Her most powerful subject - Maggie.
One believed there was no such thing as society. The other had vowed to serve it.

'A satire full of mischief and gossip'
The Times

'A clever, funny and charming political comedy'
Guardian

Tickets: Adult £10
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Folk at The John Peel

Jack Rutter

12th October 7:30pm

Yorkshire folk singer Jack Rutter has established himself as one of the standout voices of the folk, roots and acoustic music scene in recent years.

A hugely engaging stage presence, his soaring vocal, powerhouse guitar and bouzouki playing and masterful arrangements of traditional songs and contemporary covers have enthralled audiences from the largest festival main stages to the most intimate folk clubs.

Following on from his critically acclaimed second album Gold of Scar & Shale - 2022 saw the release of a brand new EP, with autumn 2023 bringing the successor to Gold of Scar & Shale in the form of a new album of traditional songs.


‘Among Britain’s finest traditional singers.’
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Folk Radio UK

‘An outstanding performer.’
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The Independent

‘You always want an exciting new discovery at a festival, and for many it was Jack Rutter who provided just that. What prowess he showed in music, he matched with his skills as a raconteur; his love and respect for the songs in turn made the audience joyful.’
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Louder Than War Magazine reviewing Underneath the Stars Festival

‘In the spirit of the old traditional singers, Jack Rutter takes a song, shapes it, lives with it and brings out something unique. This album makes my heart sing.’
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Kathryn Tickell OBE, BBC Radio 3

‘One of the best albums of its kind in recent times.’
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Mark Radcliffe, BBC Radio 2 reviewing Gold of Scar & Shale


www.jackruttermusic.com


Tickets £14
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Folk at The John Peel

Charlie Dore and Julian Littman

7th December 7:30pm

Following their fabulous concert in 2023, Charlie and Julian are back to delight us with their Christmas show.

https://www.charliedore.com/

Tickets £16