As a society we love stuff, it’s a statement about who we are and who we want to be. But apparently, this message is at odds with the looming environmental crisis. We’re now struggling to balance these worlds, to focus on the things that bring us real connections and nourish the soul. Award-winning comedian and award-winning droduct designer Scott Bennett is desperately trying to cleanse his life of stuff, but is this even possible anymore? Tour support for Mickey Flanagan, Rob Brydon, Jason Manford and John Bishop. Star of Live at the Apollo, The News Quiz, The Now Show, The Ultimate Choice and Chortle Best Club Comedian Nominee 2022.

Kettering Arts Centre Presents... BELCANTO & MASQUERADE: A CHORAL CELEBRATION! BELCANTO is a female voice choir formed in 2008 with just 12 members, growing to a 36'strong choir today. Belcanto has established itself at the forefront of international choirs, winning at Llangollen International Eisteddfod, North Wales Choral Festival and runner-up at the Manchester Amateur Choral Competition. Based in Kettering, the group raises much needed funds for local charities and churches. In addition, Belcanto has travelled all over the UK and also the US during their short history. The choir sings a wide range of music covering all styles and periods, including classical and contemporary works, gospel and musicals in addition to a Capella, conducted by Barry Clark & accompanied by pianist Edward Pick. The members love singing and aim to bring joy to all those who attend their concerts, striving to uphold the tradition of Bel Canto (Italian for beautiful singing). MASQUERADE is a youth choir in Kettering with members aged 6-18 years. Estimated running time: 2 hours All ages welcome Licensed bar // Disability access // Unreserved seating

Mud, blood and stiff upper-lips! Join the critically-acclaimed Pantaloons Theatre Company on a breathless race through the centuries in this delightfully inventive show that tells the entire story of Britain in under 2 hours. Have you ever wanted to see the life of Henry VIII told as a romantic comedy or the tale of the Spanish Armada reimagined as a light operetta? Probably not. But that won’t stop The Pantaloons retelling great moments from the country’s past in a variety of surprising genres! Featuring live music, audience interaction and wild historical inaccuracy.

What?! Mark Thomas has been ‘standing up’ for 40 years? Impossible!! But how old does that make you…? Alas it is true; one of our oldest surviving alternative comics celebrates 40 years at the mic as he takes his brand-new show on the road this autumn. So, here’s what he has done so far in numbers; performed comedy for 40 years, won 8 awards for performing, 4 for human rights work and 1 he invented for himself, made 6 series of the Mark Thomas Comedy Product (Channel 4), written 6 books and 5 play scripts, made 5 series of the Manifesto for Radio 4, made 3 Dispatches for Channel 4, sued the police (and won) 3 times, curated and authored 2 art exhibitions with artist Tracey Moberly and had 1 Guinness World Record for holding 20 protests in 24 hours. If that’s not enough, he’s also walked 724km around the length of the Israel Wall in the West Bank, been credited with changing the law on tax avoidance, started a comedy club in Palestine with Dr Sam Beale and campaigned successfully for things like trade union recognition for cinema workers and getting multinationals to change their practices. You’re right, there’s more, but your attention is running out and we’re running out of space. So, let’s just say he’s generally mucked about trying to have fun and upset the right people…which he is really, really good at. This is a taster menu of political and personal mayhem, jokes, rants and a state of the nation broadcast as he tries to turn ‘what the hell is going on’ into a cogent evening of stand-up.

IN AID OF KETTERING FOOD BANK GIMME! GIMME! GIMME! Kettering Arts Centre presents a night to remember! Get ready for a sensational MAMMA MIA themed party night packed with ABBA anthems, disco vibes, and dancefloor classics all night long! Featuring local legend DJ Bill Burton spinning the ultimate feel-good soundtrack! Expect singalongs, glitter, dancing queens, and all your favourite party hits! Fancy dress encouraged sequins, flares & platform boots welcome! Tickets will sell fast dont miss your chance to say Thank You For The Music in style! Age 14+ Estimated finish time 11pm Licensed bar // Disability access // Unreserved seating

"This is a true story - at least as best as I can remember it... My name is Rob Halligan. Im a singer songwriter, an itinerant, a minstrel, a troubadour - and a mess. But somehow, Im still here. I started out with a dream and as I got older that dream became a plan and as those plans were scuppered again and again, I went back to dreaming and hoping because hope, Ive been told, doesnt disappoint us. Everyone has a story to tell and every one of those stories has a headline but it's often only the sensational headlines that catch our attention. Look past the headlines - we all carry a story, and in those stories lie the familiar echo of our shared human journey - the moments of joy, the sting of loss, the screams of doubt, and the tender ache of longing. This is a story that smashes a hole through the headlines and shows that in each of us there pulses the same vulnerable, resilient heart, striving to make sense of this intricate world. In 2001, Rob Halligan lost his father in the 9/11 terror attacks. A week later he found himself in New York City on the start of a journey, trying to make sense of what hed seen. From a dysfunctional childhood and life on the streets, to being an ambassador for vulnerable children and an acclaimed songwriter, Rob's journey whistles hope into a hopeless world and invites us to do the same. Through songs and stories, How Did We Get Here takes us down a road underpinned by a simple faith and the belief that love is bigger. Halligan continues to demonstrate that he really is one of Britain's most talented yet underrated songsmiths... CrossRhythms His deftly picked acoustic guitar is the perfect accompaniment to the lyrics which resonate with truth. Premier Magazine Halligan has created a breath-taking collection of songs... Wildey's World Reviews This is song writing craftsmanship at its bestR2R Magazine Song-writing gold Maverick Magazine His voice is layered with pain, practice, grace and love, and is that of a storyteller and connector, someone who makes pathways with others and stands in those in between places with them Baptists Together www.robhalligan.co.uk/ Running time: 2 x 50 minutes plus 20 minute interval Licensed bar // Disability access // Unreserved seating

Kettering Arts Centre at St Andrew's Church & Behold! Productions presents... Stefan Smart has swapped the classroom for the curtain call, performing I AM MARK all over the UK, from churches to prisons. Stefan Smart, a retired English and Drama teacher from Southampton, has swapped secondary school for the stage as he continues his UK tour - and upcoming feature film - with I AM MARK; a daring new stage production performing the Gospel of Mark word-for-word. Years ago I had a big dream, a dream which is actually coming trueI imagined taking one of the greatest stories ever told, the Gospel of Mark, and performing it as it was originally intended live and in one sitting. I AM MARK is the resulting solo performance. Ive already had the privilege to take it to Speakers Corners all over the UK, to a whole range of churches, cathedrals, conferences and schools here and abroad, as well as into prisons. I AM MARK has sold out to venues at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, and is even available on global TV station CMAX." All this seems rather surreal given that it's just me performing with one chair as a prop. But, hugely positive reviews from all kinds of audiences bring home to me the hunger for this unique performance, which started as just a dream." It's been amazing to talk to people who have seen I AM MARK. In these challenging times, it's wonderful to be able to share timeless good news in a fresh new format. Indoors, outdoors, or on film, I AM MARK is a story for these times that can be performed anywhere. In addition to touring throughout the UK, in churches, schools and prisons, Stefan Smart will betravelling to Israel in the summer of 2026 to film I AM MARK on location. Directed by Zachary Kincaid (Redhill Town Films) and produced by Marc Whitmore, this will be a high-quality cinematic retelling of Mark's Gospel - faithful, powerful, and prayerfully open to the movement of God's Spirit. In a world filled with fear, division, and injustice. Mark's story offers a different vision: the Kingdom of God breaking in, where hope, reconciliation, and healing are possible. Sometimes it takes a living voice, like this one, to make you hear the Bible for the first time. Archbishop Rowan Williams A mighty performance: perfect Fringe-fare. The Tablet, review by Patrick Hudson (Edinburgh Festival Fringe, 2023) Go! You dont have to be religious to appreciate this. Specialist Nurse www.iam-mark.com Running time: 2 x 45 mins plus interval & 20 min Q&A Licensed bar // Disability access // Unreserved seating