Irish pop duo featuring ex-members of Westlife and Boyzone. Brian McFadden and Keith Duffy perform pop hits by their former bands. There are few acts that accomplished the level of success that Boyzone and Westlife respectively achieved. As two of the defining groups of 90s and 00s boyband era, both boybands together scored an incredible 21+ UK No.1 singles and can consider countless millions of audience members performed to worldwide.

Immerse yourself in a two-hour show with a live orchestra bringing the show's iconic musical score to life, in perfect harmony with favourite moments from the series. Avatar: The Last Airbender follows the adventures of the main protagonist Aang and his friends, who must defeat Fire Lord Ozai and end the Hundred-Year War to restore balance to the Four Nations. The creative mastermind behind the show's original music, Emmy Award-winning composer and musician Jeremy Zuckerman, has poured his heart and exceptional talent into expanding his compositions for the concert series. Get ready for an unparalleled musical odyssey as Nickelodeon, Senbla and GEA Live proudly present Avatar: The Last Airbender in concert.

Rossini’s bright and sunny overture preludes one of the most famous and popular of all concertos, suffused with the sun-drenched melodies and balmy atmosphere of southern Spain; its achingly beautiful slow movement is perhaps the most sublime pieces of music ever written. The Spanish passion continues with Chabrier’s dazzling rhapsody and Rimsky-Korsakov’s vibrant and colourful suite. In contrast, Borodin’s tone poem evokes the sweeping plains of central Asia, whilst nightmarish visions abound in Mussorgsky’s dark and brooding depiction of a Witches Sabbath.

The King is in the building… That’s Lee Memphis King, Europe’s biggest and best Elvis Presley tribute artist, who comes together with the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra to bring you a show-stopping, rip-roaring celebration of ‘Vegas Years’ Elvis. From 1969-1977, Presley toured North America with an orchestra – and for one night only, we’re bringing that show to Lighthouse. Expect incredible vocals and costumes – all recreated with astonishing accuracy – paired with stunning visuals, pure Presley passion and of course, roof-raising symphonic sound.

Hannah East’s brand-new show is a hilarious deep dive into the highs and lows of parenting.  With millions of views across her viral comedy reels, she brilliantly captures the chaos, joy, and absurdity of mum life.  From pregnancy and labour to breastfeeding, postpartum struggles, and everyday parenting challenges, her sketches hit home with honesty and humour. Audiences love her for saying what mums are really thinking—but rarely say out loud. With her warm-hearted tone, relatable mum impressions, and fearless wit, Express Yourself is a must-watch.  Expect brand-new skits, more wigs, celebrity send-ups, and laugh-out-loud moments every parent will relate to.

Tilting at Windmills is the brand-new stand-up show from Taskmaster alumni and double Edinburgh Comedy Award Winner, John Kearns. A fragmented, digressing portrayal of a 38-year-old man’s life, alluding to books he hasn't read, touching on the modern condition. Plus VAT! More allusive and bleak as ever, it is unreal the comedian you become. And for who? Decent craic with the right crowd. A show for those who have read about but not committed to the Guinness Nitrosurge.

Harriet’s life has been in constant chaos for as long as she can remember. So what happens when things start to go right for the multi-award winning stand-up comedian?  Following her eye opening appearance on Last One Laughing UK, Harriet is back on tour with a new show about dating, mushrooms and how she’s trying her absolute best to be a bit of a floozy.  As seen and heard on Live at the Apollo, Would I Lie to You?, 8 Out of 10 Cats Does Countdown and co-host of the wildly successful Single Ladies In Your Area podcast.

Having made a stunning return to the Strictly dancefloor, Amy Dowden MBE, accompanied by fellow sensational Strictly Come Dancing star Carlos Gu, truly feels Reborn. Back on stage following a triumphant and acclaimed debut season, Amy and Carlos share an intimate portrait of their lives and journeys, in which the inspirational and transformative power of dance shines through. Featuring a dazzling cast of world-class dancers, amazing live vocalists, and a soundtrack of iconic anthems from across the decades, the show will take audiences on an emotional and uplifting journey through show-stopping routines. Amy & Carlos: Reborn is a genuine testament to the joy of dancing.

UH OH. Phil Wang’s back with a new stand-up show, and he’s older than ever before. He’s got a moustache now. It bristles with wisdom. His eyes shine with good humour. His shoulders groan under the weight of being the only cool millennial left. Everyone’s an idiot but him. Nice is out. Right is in. The vibe shift is real. Old Wang’s riding it. You know him from one series of Taskmaster, one episode of Would I Lie to You, and one minute of Wonka. Presented by Avalon UK

A decade older, but not necessarily wiser, Susan has found herself in some improbable situations over the years. Tall Tales is a show about Cruising, driving tanks, cats and getting older. You might have seen her on the television or heard her on the radio but the absolute best way to see her is live on stage. You won’t believe how short she really is. Prepare yourself for an evening of barely believable stories, laughter and probably some dancing. As seen on Grand Day Out, Cruising with Susan Calman, QI, House of Games and (a long time ago) Strictly Come Dancing.

Literary phenomenon John Cooper Clarke is a British cult hero. Known as the “Godfather of Punk Poetry” and the original people’s poet, John’s cultural influence spans literature, music and fashion. From creating some of the most iconic poetry of the modern era, including the world’s most popular wedding poem “I Wanna Be Yours” (which has over a billion streams in its incarnation as a hit record by the Arctic Monkeys) to sharing his life story through his best selling memoir of the same name which is full of John’s much-loved sardonic wit and hilarious ponderings on modern life. John is referenced as a major influence not just by the Arctic Monkeys but also by artists across the globe… As well as musicians like Alex Turner, The Sleaford Mods and Plan B, his legendary number “Evidently Chickentown” plays out the penultimate episode of The Sopranos. Watching John Cooper Clarke perform is an opportunity to see a living legend at the top of his game. Doctor John Cooper Clarke shot to prominence in the 1970s. Captivating audiences with his unique poetry and delivery style, he clawed his way up from working men’s clubs and cabaret venues in his native Salford and Manchester, to become one of the most prolific figures in punk. John’s early live shows were renowned occasions, and headline gigs were supported by many soon-to-be superstars including Joy Division, New Order and Duran Duran, as well as playing as special guest on shows by the Sex Pistols, Buzzcocks and The Clash. After the release of his seminal album on CBS “Snap, Crackle and Bop” where John’s poems were put to music by the legendary music producer Martin Hannett, he was firmly established as one of the most important artists of the Punk era. His recorded album was followed by the release of his first collection 10 Years in an Open Necked Shirt. The book is one of the best-selling poetry anthologies ever in the UK, Canada and Australia. As relevant and vibrant as ever, John Cooper Clarke’s influence is just as visible in contemporary pop culture, with his trademark ‘look’ resonating with fashion-conscious individuals across all demographics and his poetry features in the UK national curriculum syllabus. Having had a groundbreaking effect on modern music, his influence can be eard within the social observations of the Arctic Monkeys, amongst many others. His sense of humor resounds throughout his career, and his latest live show is a mix of classic verse, new material, hilarious ponderings on modern life, good honest gags, riffs and chat.

Multi-award winning musical comedy duo (and sisters) Flo & Joan are climbing out of their pits, armed with a piano and percussion section to bring you a brand new show of their critically acclaimed songs and comedy. Their unique, sharp-tongued style has taken them around the world with multiple sell-out tours and appearances at the Just For Laughs Festival Montreal and Melbourne International Comedy Festival. Now they are back with their biggest ever UK national tour, poking around all the classic topics of the day: over-thinking, alien lovers and fringes. As seen on Live at the Apollo (BBC2), The Royal Variety Performance (ITV), The Russell Howard Hour (Sky), Jonathan Ross’ Comedy Club (ITV), online with over 50 million views of their viral songs, in your personal nightmares, and in ‘Alive on Stage’, their own special available worldwide on Amazon Prime.

After a significant self-discovery, Green realises his life is a whirlwind full of tangents of his own making, navigating through the impulsive, random and stupid.

Quite simply one of the most successful and popular singers the UK has ever produced. Now in the 5th decade of her career, she is still proving to be one of the most powerful and versatile vocal talents of our generation. With numerous hit singles, million selling albums and awards, her annual tours are treat for fans old and new. Performing some of her classic hits, blues and jazz, an electric evening with Elkie is guaranteed to leave you begging for more. Elkie is a stunning performer and whatever she does, she does it best live. Don’t miss the chance to see a truly great artist in action.

A brand-new show celebrating the music of the iconic Kate Bush as never before is coming to Stoke-on-Trent.

Leo Sayer: The Show Must Go On – 50th Anniversary Tour British music legend Leo Sayer will be touring the UK celebrating his 50th anniversary in music. With this performance, Leo and his band bring boundless energy, exuberance and a hit packed show to some of his favourite venues across the country. Known the world over for his army of hits which include Thunder In My Heart, Moonlighting, One Man Band, I Can’t Stop Loving You, More Than I Can Say, Have You Ever Been in Love, The Show Must Go On and the transatlantic number ones, When I Need You and You Make Me Feel Like Dancing. This is a hit packed, high energy evening not to miss

Primetime Emmy Nominee Michelle Wolf has established herself as one of the most influential voices in the comedy landscape. Her stand-up specials across HBO and Netflix have garnered critical acclaim and top viewing figures. Wolf has headlined across the world, including her infamous appearance at the White House Correspondents Dinner. Her last sold-out Edinburgh Fringe run scored a prestigious Edinburgh Comedy Award nomination. Wolf is also known for her appearances on The Daily Show (Comedy Central) and The Break with Michelle Wolf (Netflix).

We’re walking in the air…join the Snowman and James on their magical journey through the winter sky in this special showing of the festive classic on the large screen, accompanied by the BSO. Guaranteed to send tingles down your spine as you relive this enchanted animated film together with a live orchestral performance of Howard Blake’s iconic score. The extended second half of the evening celebrates the coming of the holiday season, the Orchestra is joined by BSO Voices for a host of Christmas favourites, including a selection of Disney classics and festive songs for the season.

Can you believe it’s been 50 years since Princess Leia, Han Solo and Luke Skywalker first graced our screens? The Force will be with all of us as we play the iconic tracks that accompanied George Lucas’ epic space opera . Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra presents a magnificent celebration of John Williams’ timeless music from the entire film saga since the original Episode IV: A New Hope in 1977. All performed spectacularly by the full forces of the orchestra and conducted by Pete Harrison, it surely will be an event not to be missed – an evening of some of the best movie music ever written.

The swirling majesty and joyous sounds of the traditional Viennese Gala will see you spinning into the New Year with a flourish! Merry waltzes, polkas and marches from Johann Strauss II, his family and contemporaries fill this sparkling concert that will transport you from your seat in the concert hall all the way into the traditional gala halls of Vienna. This matinee of joyous music includes all of Strauss’ greats such as the Tik-Tak Polka, Emperor Waltz and, of course, The Blue Danube! This beguiling performance that will ensure a glamorous start to your New Year!

What is Christmas if not a time to reconnect with old friends… so we’re thrilled to be joined once more by the wonderful pianist and singer extraordinaire Joe Stilgoe! Joe will be showcasing his musical talents with a hamper full of Christmas musical goodies alongside all your festive orchestral favourites, and a first half of classic jazzy treats. Joe works regularly with orchestra across the UK and can be heard extensively on radio, having hosted and starred many times in BBC Radio 2’s Friday Night is Music Night, while also being a regular presence on the station (Joe Stilgoe – Christmas At The Movies, Jingle Bell Joe, One Night Stand at Ronnie Scotts), and being a regular guest and presenter on JazzFM, Radio 3 and Radio 4.

How do you find a word that means Dame Julie? She’s Maria, she’s Eliza Doolittle; she’s Mary Poppins and she’s Millie Dillmount. She’s the English girl with the voice of pure sunshine, who put the sparkle into Broadway’s golden age and whose classic movies continue to delight, charm and entertain. Tonight, the hills are alive with the sound of her music as the BSO and a team of the West End’s brightest voices present a spectacular salute to a living legend, singing the classic songs that she made her own. Expect all your favourite things from My Fair Lady, The Boys from Syracuse, The King & I, Mary Poppins, Thoroughly Modern Millie and – it goes without saying – The Sound Of Music. And get ready to dance all night!

We commence the festive period with one of the most celebrated pieces in the classical canon, Handel’s jubilant oratorio. Since 1742, Messiah has secured itself in the Christmas calendar as a true celebration of the nativity. Heaped with beautiful arias including He was Despised and Rejected and I Know that My Redeemer Liveth and rousing choruses like For Unto Us a Child is Born and the ever-popular Hallelujah Chorus. This sublime work offers the quintessential holiday celebration.

Celebrating some of the greatest and most influential guitar legends of all time – from blues to rock, metal to jazz – we’ll have a star line up of guitarists and vocalists showcasing just how versatile the guitar can be. Don’t miss the chance to hear the genius of Brian May, Slash, Louis ‘thunder-thumbs’ Johnson, Jeff Beck, Carlos Santana, Chris Wolstenholme, Paul McCartney, Jimi Hendrix, Eric Clapton and many more – played like you’ve never heard them before.

Experience the warmth and joy of Christmas with a concert devoted to the best traditional carols ever written. Join in the singing with the Bournemouth Symphony Chorus and Youth Chorus. With a selection of festive favourites, the evening is the perfect way to start the Christmas holiday in the company of family and friends, and a good old, sing-along.

We are delighted to bring you this exceptional & unique show: this, is The Amy Winehouse Band – Amy’s Original band led by her long term Musical Director/Bass player Dale Davis and Amy’s close friend from the very start of her career, celebrate her era defining global music and live performances, keeping her spirit and legacy and the Amy Winehouse sound alive in a true connection only possible by Amy ’s original band.

Viral sensation and Britain's favourite teacher James B Partridge is bringing his hit live show Primary School Bangers to Scunthorpe as part of his biggest ever UK tour. What began as a few playful performances for his pupils has grown into a full-blown national phenomenon - from classroom singalongs to Glastonbury, BBC appearances and sell-out theatre shows across the country. Join James for a joy-filled, tongue-in-cheek trip back to the songs, laughter and innocence of childhood. Expect massive singalongs, throwback mash-ups and plenty of heartfelt humour as James leads audiences through the unforgettable soundtrack of our school days - from He's Got The Whole World In His Hands to Autumn Days and beyond. Warm, funny and completely genuine, James has become the UK's most beloved musical nostalgia act. Audiences leave beaming, singing, and feeling like they've shared something truly special. Gather your mates, colleagues or family for a night of laughter, memories and pure nostalgic joy - the ultimate communal singalong for grown-ups who never quite grew up.

Straight off the back of Taskmaster, A League Of Their Own, and Last One Laughing, Maisie Adam is back with her brand new show Whatsherface. Join the "tall, chaotic one with the weird hair" as she returns with her trademark wit, firecracker gags, and probably a few angry outbursts along the way. A genuine description given by her best friend's Mum at a wedding this year.

Info Poole Pride takes place on Saturday the 6th June 2026. With its home here at Lighthouse, come as you are and embrace a full day and night of inclusive entertainment. By day there’s a festival of LGBTQ+ creativity, with talks, crafts and workshops, live comedy, cabaret and music. Explore an array of stands and meet with local organisations supportive of the LGBTQ+ community. Theme No theme Parade No parade Festival To follow After party To follow

Since the release of their last CD, 'Into Your Heart' Hothouse Flowers have been playing steadily around Ireland, America, Great Britain, Japan and Europe. Their shows last between two and three hours depending on the level of fever in the room. Most recently their sound has been enhanced and reinvigorated by the return of Peter O’Toole on bass, bouzouki and vocals. Drumming with the band these last ten years is Dave Clarke. Dave has been a drummer in Dublin since the beginning. His commitment to the beat is mesmerizing. His style has been a force in the direction of Hothouse Flowers today. Also playing with the band these days is Dorset man Martin Brunsden on double bass and backing vocals. His musicality adds yet another dimension to the ever evolving sound of the band. There is an unpredictable energy in the band that harkens back to the 'Risk' days. They call upon their grand repertoire to create a show that is unique to the time and place. No two shows are the same. Improvisation can come at any point and allow the men express their brightest and their darkest influences. 'Rock and Roll is not about safety or politeness, it is not about perfection either. It is expression and it is spirit.' Humour is also never far from a Hothouse Flowers night. They do not take themselves seriously however, there is no mistaking the musical integrity among them as they open up to each other in musical dialogue. Fiachna, Liam and Peter are traditional musicians. This allows for moments of ancestral connection. What was a second before a Doors-like workout, becomes an earnest and a timeless offering to the memory of Currachaí na Tra Báine. A song inherited by Fiachna describing the blow inflicted upon a community and a family due to drowning. This moment and moments like these set the Flowers apart from almost any other band of their time and trade. They are carriers of Culture and all of what that entails. Hothouse Flowers came out of tough times. They played the streets and brought the streets to the stages of the world. Individually Fiachna and Liam are enjoying a broadening of their horizons. Fiachna has been producing and presenting radio and television programmes and working as a composer of music for television. Liam has been collaborating with the Fabulous Beast Dance Theatre Company. Still Hothouse Flowers has not yet fulfilled her destiny. The possibilities are endless. The will is there. Ni fada go bhfeicfear.

Alan Carr’s back on tour and his lips are unsealed! With a big mouth and a talent for oversharing, Alan’s ready to dish some drama. Expect stories of dipping into the dating pool, navigating showbiz green rooms and a sprinkling of tales from the Traitors turret.

Everyone’s annoying cousin, Ed Gamble, is going back on tour in 2027 across the UK & Ireland with some more of his stand up grot. So come and see the self appointed Crown Prince of Visualised Companion Podcasts harrumph about the stage. Co-host of the award winning mega hit podcast Off Menu with James Acaster, host of visualised spinoffs The Traitors: Uncloaked and Taskmaster The Podcast as well as new upcoming panel show Unacceptable airing this summer, Ed’s brand new tour, Fresh Hell follows his biggest ever sold out world tour across Europe, North America and Australia.

UK country superstars The Shires first entered the history books in 2015, when their debut album, Brave, became the first ever British country album to enter the UK Top Ten. Their second album, My Universe, also broke new ground by becoming the fastest-selling British country album of all time and reached the top three in the UK chart. After an incredible two years, Ben Earle and Crissie Rhodes, hailing from Hertfordshire and Bedfordshire, have fast become a firm favourite in the UK country music scene. Now they’re making their mark in Nashville too. With two gold certified albums under their belt within 12 months of each other and nine playlisted tracks across BBC Music, The Shires are back and they’re raring to go.

Freya Ridings announces details of a major UK and Ireland tour in support of her new record. The ‘Blood Orange’ tour will represent Freya’s first full scale headline tour in four years.

We’re walking in the air… join the Snowman and James on their magical journey through the winter sky in this special showing of the festive classic on the large screen, accompanied by the BSO. Guaranteed to send tingles down your spine as you relive this enchanted animated 26-minute film together with a live orchestral performance of Howard Blake’s iconic score.

Released in 1987, Popped In Souled Out was the album that introduced Wet Wet Wet to not only a national audience, but a global one too. It reached No.1 on the UK Albums Chart and featured the hit singles “Wishing I Was Lucky”, “Sweet Little Mystery”, “Angel Eyes” and “Temptation”. The record went multi-platinum in […]

Fresh from his sold-out, critically-acclaimed Edinburgh Fringe run and becoming the most viewed British comedian of all time on TikTok, world-famous prankster and Lee Nelson creator Simon Brodkin is back with an outrageous new stand-up show. In Screwed Up Simon rips into celebrity culture, social media, the police, Putin, Prince Andrew and Jesus. Nothing is off limits in this hilarious show, including his own mental health, his family, his five arrests and how he once found himself at an underground sex party.

A winner with audiences and critics alike, DreamWorks’ How To Train Your Dragon is a captivating and original story that combines humour, fire-breathing action and epic adventure! Hiccup is a young Viking who defies tradition when he befriends one of his deadliest foes – a ferocious dragon he calls Toothless. Together, these unlikely heroes must fight against all odds to save both their worlds. How To Train Your Dragon in Concert features this acclaimed film presented in HD, with composer John Powell’s Academy Award®-nominated score performed live to picture by a full symphony orchestra in a thrilling experience for all ages. How To Train Your Dragon © 2010 DreamWorks Animation LLC. All Rights Reserved.

Queen Of The Night – A Tribute to Whitney Houston returns for another show-stopping celebration, following sold-out tours across the UK. This breathtaking production honours the music, legacy, and unmatched talent of the legendary Whitney Houston. Celebrate Whitney’s remarkable musical repertoire in an electrifying production that honours her timeless songs with sensational vocalists and a full live band. Prepare to be captivated by an extraordinary journey through three decades of all-time hits such as I Wanna Dance With Somebody, One Moment In Time, I’m Every Woman, I Will Always Love You, My Love Is Your Love, So Emotional, Run To You, Saving All My Love, How Will I Know, Million Dollar Bill, The Greatest Love Of All, and many more. Join us for an unmissable evening filled with live music, captivating choreography, and powerful vocals, as we pay homage to the one and only queen of the night. Please note that this is a tribute production not associated with the Estate of Whitney Houston.

Arooj Aftab, the Grammy-winning singer and composer known for her spellbinding blend of jazz, minimalism and South Asian classical traditions with the London Contemporary Orchestra led by co-artistic director and principal conductor, Robert Ames. Reimagining music from across her acclaimed catalogue, this collaboration brings sweeping new orchestral textures to her intimate, emotionally rich sound world. LCO’s bold, cinematic approach perfectly complements Aftab’s haunting voice and boundary-defying compositions, promising an evening of deep atmosphere and transcendent beauty. This show offers audiences a unique chance to experience one of today’s most distinctive artists on a truly expansive scale. Presented by Lighthouse Poole. Under 14s to be accompanied by an adult

Björn Again. The original Australian ABBA Homage has amassed over 5,800 shows in 78 countries in 39 years. Rod Stephen had previously been working in metallurgical research when at the age of 29 and inspired by legendary New Zealand band Split Enz’s musicianship and theatrics opted for a career change to create a new concept by revisiting the music and fashion of the 1970s. Rod had originally considered basing a nostalgic show on one of three all time top bands, The Beatles, Queen and ABBA but believing that the latter globally encapsulated all that was good (and maybe some not so good?) about the 1970s decided ABBA was ideal to focus his efforts on. After countless auditions and months of rehearsals and studying music and videos all Rod then needed was to devise a great show format to go with the name…and then the BJÖRN AGAIN show was ready to rock and roll !!! Having been acknowledged by BJÖRN ULVAEUS as being the show that single-handedly initiated the ABBA revival in the late 1980s and early 1990s, the BJÖRN AGAIN show is hailed as the most popular and successful show of its type.

Take a journey back in time to remember Michael Jackson – the man, the music and the magic.  MichaelⓇ Starring Ben is a hit theatre production starring the UK's ultimate Michael Jackson tribute star, Ben Bowman. Not only does he look and sound like the King of Pop, but he's honed his routine so carefully that audiences truly believe they are watching Michael Jackson himself.  The show features a live band, dazzling costumes and the performer's iconic dance routines. It also showcases the greatest hits of Michael Jackson and also of The Jackson 5 including Beat It, Billie Jean, Thriller and Man in the Mirror.

Rick Wakeman: The Wizard of Prog brings his Ultimate Highlights Concert Tour feat The English Rock Ensemble! Classically trained keyboardist extraordinaire who plied his trade with Yes and developed his own brand of live spectacular in a solo act.

Grace Petrie is a folk singer, songwriter and activist from Leicester, UK, she has been writing, recording and touring relentlessly ever since. Her unique takes on life, love and politics, and the warmth and wit with which they are delivered, have won over audiences everywhere, across the alternative, folk, political and comedy scenes She has racked up tour supports with Emmy the Great and Billy Bragg, and has also made her mark in the comedy scene supporting comedians Robin Ince and Josie Long. She’s appeared at Glastonbury four time at the invitation of Billy Bragg, as well as an eclectic genre-crossing mix of festivals Latitude, Musicport, Blissfields, Shrewsbury Folk Festival, Greenbelt and more including of course Cambridge Folk Festival. She has collaborated with some of the most respected names in folk, including Leon Rosselson, Roy Bailey and Peggy Seeger.

This Is The Kit is the alias of Indie-folk musician Kate Stables. As well as the band she fronts, one which has carried Stables from Winchester to Poole to Paris (where she lived for the last 15 years), and across tours and festivals around the world, not to mention a prestigious Ivor Novello nomination. In today’s fast-paced mid-apocalyptic world it can feel like a waste of time to speak about time at all. Why dwell on the past when we could just live in the present because the future won’t shut up about how bad it’s going to be? Stables has been turning heads in all the right places since 2003: a long time favourite among BBC Radio 6 Music DJs. A first album Krülle Bol produced by John Parish (PJ Harvey), singles (Two Wooden Spoons) released by Rob da Bank’s label Sunday Best and a long-awaited second album on Dreamboat Records in 2010. Presented by Lighthouse Poole. Under 14s must be accompanied by an adult

Fast gaining a reputation as one of UK’s most dynamic and virtuosic bands, Opa Rosa are an energetic acoustic ensemble sharing music from the Balkan, Greek, Klezmer & Roma traditions. With several combined decades of study and experience, all five musicians are well-versed in the musical traditions’ syntax and significance, capturing all the joy and sorrow that these traditions are so renowned for expressing. Deeply rooted in Balkan traditions, Opa Rosa’s music aims to explore and reinvent the motifs of Eastern Europe by subtly drawing from other musical influences such as Post-Rock, Classical and Jazz. With their lineup of violin, clarinet, accordion, double bass and percussion, their unique and refined sound consists of an explosive and grooving rhythm section combined with intricate melodies soaring over rich and nuanced harmonic structures. Fresh off the release of their anticipated New Album ‘Havasi Klub‘, they continue to captivate domestic and international audiences with their engaging and high-energy performances. They have sold-out performances headlining Bristol Beacon, The Cornish Bank (Falmouth), Jamboree (London) and various festivals including Priddy Folk Festival, Purbeck Folk, Fire in the Mountain, Smuggler’s Festival, Boomtown and Secret Garden Party. Enjoy a collection of vibrant and soulful melodies played with fiery precision, and let Opa Rosa take you on a foot-stomping journey through the Balkans and beyond! Presented by Lighthouse Poole. Under 14s to be accompanied by an adult

One evening at the Jazz Cafe, Camden in 2018, six artists came together in celebration of John Martyn's music. It was an evening of deep connection, not just to John's music, but also with a unique community of John Martyn fans. That night saw the sparks of what was to become 'The John Martyn Project' - an ongoing homage to a truly pioneering and unique musical soul. Each bringing their own story and relationship to John’s music, they continue to keep the spirit of his music alive whilst collecting stories and insights from the crowds they play to. With thanks to John and those that find connection in his music. Presented by Lighthouse Poole. 14+

Ren & Romeo are playing some unique duo shows together. They will be playing much loved songs from their respective catalogues, new songs yet to be heard, perhaps a cheeky cover or two and are open to wherever the night takes them. If you’d like to experience the intimacy of songwriting, story telling and what it feels like to have found kindred spirits, you won’t want to miss this special show. Presented by Lighthouse Poole. 14+

AFRICAN SOUL REBELS, Music Beyond Mainstream’s trailblazing live series, is reborn for a new era — celebrating fearless artists who reshape tradition, challenge borders, and put rhythm at the centre of resistance and joy. This isn’t just a gig. It’s a revival of a movement. A celebration of African creativity, resistance and innovation — past, present and future.

Join wildlife cameraman and presenter Hamza Yassin on a new adventure as he takes to the stage for his first nationwide theatre tour “My Life Behind the Lens”. Hamza will share his infectious sense of wonder and most precious memories both in life and in nature. “My Life Behind the Lens” promises to be an unforgettable show filled with adventure, storytelling, and stunning wonders from the natural world. Hamza brings a fresh perspective to the natural world, and he truly believes that by engaging people in the joy of Mother Nature and what she has to offer, we can all gain a fresh perspective on the world around us and how we can protect it together. Hamza shares behind the scenes tales from his epic filming expeditions across the globe. Packed with breathtaking footage, fascinating insights, charming personal stories, and with a deep passion for nature, he invites audiences of all ages to reconnect with the wild world around them. This unique live experience offers a rare glimpse into the life and work of one of Britain’s most beloved natural history storytellers.

Bound together by lifelong friendship and shared experience for more than 25 years, the Fisherman’s Friends have met on the Platt (harbour) in their native Port Isaac to raise money for charity, singing the traditional songs of the sea handed down to them by their forefathers. In 2010 they signed a major record deal and their album Port Isaac’s Fisherman’s Friends went gold as they became the first traditional folk act to land a UK top ten album. Since then they’ve been the subject of an ITV documentary, released the hit albums One and All and Proper Job and played to hundreds of thousands of fans at home and abroad. The Fisherman’s Friends have been widely credited with starting the revival of interest in shanty-style choral singing but a cornerstone of their success has been their constantly evolving and expanding repertoire.

Bafta-nominated comedian, Rachel Parris, is back with a brand-new show about big life changes. Join viral sensation and star of BBC’s The Mash Report as she performs stand-up and songs about sudden love, the highs and lows of relationships, family, weddings, kids, going viral, going mental, and the baffling state of play in society right now.

It seems fitting that Beethoven composed his First Symphony at the dawn of a new century. Despite its homages to the older generation, it is very much a forward-looking work with its use of sudden and unexpected shifts in tonality, the inclusion of the not-yet-standard clarinets, and the more prominent use of the woodwind section at large that foreshadow Beethoven’s innovation to come. Henk de Vlieger’s orchestral arrangement of Wagner’s Ring Cycle ingeniously boils down this monumental music-drama in such a way as to create a unified, single symphonic work. The most important orchestral passages are seamlessly bolted together following the chronology of the operas so that the irrevocable process towards the twilight of the gods is clearly signposted. All of the best-known passages are included, among which are the Prelude, the Descent into Nibelheim, and the Entry into Valhalla from Das Rheingold, the Ride of the Valkyries and the Magic Fire Music from Die Walküre, Forest Murmurs and Brünnhilde’s Awakening from Siegfried, and Siegfried’s Rhine Journey and Siegfried’s Funeral Music from Götterdämmerung.

Violent in character, the Coriolan Overture moves at an unrelenting tempo with abrupt breaks and many dramatic contrasts. Was Beethoven expressing his horror about the reign of terror that had followed the French Revolution just a few years earlier? However it is interpreted, it is a masterpiece of musical invention – highly original and ground-breaking. Although Beethoven was only nineteen years old when he was commissioned to write a cantata to mark the death of Josef II in 1790, the work shows the embryonic marks of his greatness: the choral exhortations and intensity of expression show a knowledge of opera and dramatic oratorio. Whilst the music preserves the sense of a requiem, the cantata is notable for its unusual tone painting, dramatic writing for the orchestra, and significant solo writing for bass and soprano. Although his earlier works had shown flashes of what was to come, the Third Symphony, by contrast, opens with two staggering chords that announce to the world the arrival of a new talent, a forceful personality, a man never to be forgotten. From that point on Beethoven was no mere composer, he was a creator of monuments.

One of her last compositions, Lili Boulanger’s meditative miniature reflects both her recognition that she had only a short time to live and her strong Catholic faith. Her musical language demonstrates the more harmonically adventurous and austere style that she had developed. The orchestral version was transcribed by her sister Nadia. The Violin Concerto is frequently cited as a turning point in Barber’s output – a work which reflects both the ingratiating melodic-Romantic style of his earlier compositions and the first intimations of a new, leaner approach. The violin sings passionate lines in the opening two movements – the andante is one of the great lyrical outpourings in American music, demonstrating Barber’s command of the long, lush melodic line – before delivering a whirlwind of triplet rhythms in the fast-paced finale. Remaining incredibly fresh and abounding with memorable melodies, the Ninth Symphony describes Dvořák’s own spiritual and emotional journey from his intense longing for his beloved Bohemia to the thrill of the ‘New World’ and its varied peoples. Its premiere in New York was a huge success and was proclaimed in the US as “the greatest symphonic work ever composed in this country”.

The overture to Mozart’s Don Giovanni effortlessly introduces the shifting moods and dramatic contrasts and tensions that are to follow. Its genius lies in the success with which it captures the spirit of the opera without quoting from all its famous numbers. Saint-Saëns’ exquisite Second Piano Concerto shows a youthful high-spiritedness and somewhat inorganic, juxtaposed themes and movements. A famous witticism claimed, “It begins with Bach and ends with Offenbach”. The skill of Saint-Saëns the pianist shines throughout, with its virtuosic passages and arpeggios, ultimately sparking to the finale’s tempestuous pyrotechnics. Scheherazade consisted of “separate, unconnected episodes and pictures” as Rimsky-Korsakov himself put it, from The Arabian Nights. It is a triumph of imagination over experience; a feast of sumptuous colours and brilliant instrumental effect by the man who literally wrote the book on orchestration. The suite is bound together by a recurring motif, a bewitching melody sung by the solo violin: the voice of Scheherazade herself. It quickly became a favourite Romantic showpiece and a landmark in the history of descriptive music.

Elgar’s The Dream of Gerontius was thought by many to be outlandishly modern at the time of its completion in 1900. It tells the story of the journey of a pious man’s soul from his deathbed to his judgment before God and settling into Purgatory. The subject originally caused uproar within the English church due to its overtly Catholic overtones, yet is now acclaimed as one of the great choral masterpieces and one of Elgar’s most popular works. At once intensely personal and universal, its expression and nature are best identified by means of the quotations Elgar placed in the manuscript. At the head of the score he wrote the initials A.M.D.G. (Ad Maiorem Dei Gloriam – To the Greater Glory of God). And at the end he included a quotation from John Ruskin. “This is the best of me. For the rest, I ate and drank, and slept, loved and hated, like another; my life was as the vapour and is not; but this I saw and knew; this, if anything of mine, is worth your memory.”

Britten registered his personal feelings about war by calling this symphony a requiem, and giving its three interlinked movements headings taken from the Roman Catholic Mass for the Dead. Cast in two sombre outer movements and an agitated centre, it covers a gamut of moods, from pity to passion. Showing influences from Mahler, Stravinsky and Vaughan Williams, it is distinctly written in his unique language. The last of Mahler’s Wunderhorn symphonies, the Fourth is the sunniest, the final one without the brooding nature, intensity, size, and vastness of those yet to come. Displaying an innocence and congeniality throughout, it is an exploration of the idea of Heaven from the perspective of a child. The title of the poem used in the symphony’s final movement is There is not a cloud in the sky. Elements from the song appear in the first three movements before it is heard in its entirety in the last movement. Mahler’s Fourth Symphony was the one Britten loved the most. The coupling of these two works is our way of acknowledging the 50th anniversary of Britten’s death.

Britten was asked to rework the delicate minuet from Mahler’s Third Symphony to help bring him to a wider audience. Whilst preserving the essence of Mahler – distilling his wonderment at natural beauty – Britten lightens the original orchestral forces and gives this reverie on flowers a greater intimacy, with almost Schubertian accents. Mozart’s E-flat Piano Concerto is a mix of profundity and flippancy. With its solemn slow movement and the opera buffa finale that suddenly turns darkly introspective. It is particularly notable for its luxuriant interplay between the piano and the woodwind quintet, rising out of the orchestra almost as a separate entity to engage in poignant, private conversations among themselves. Schumann wrote his First Symphony in an astonishing burst of creative energy over four days. Its vivacity is completely characteristic of him at the peak of his happiness. Opening with a dramatic fanfare by the trumpets summoning spring’s awakening, Schumann’s gift for melody and rich romantic harmonies is on full show whilst retaining clarity, balance, and a formal integrity.

Though titled as such, The Age of Anxiety bucks the traditional form of a symphony, Bernstein scored it for solo piano and orchestra and split it into two parts that are performed without pause, further divided into six subsections that mirror the text of Auden’s “fascinating and hair-raising” poem. The narrative is of four anxious New Yorkers seeking meaning amid post-World War II disillusionment. Ravel greatly admired Schubert’s collection of Valses Nobles and Valses Sentimentales, inspiring him to write his own cycle of eight solo piano waltzes which he later orchestrated – each a sparkling jewel. One of the most impressive calling cards in the history of music, The Firebird is a work of such brilliance that it could only have been written by Stravinsky, mixing the orchestral mastery of his Russian mentors with the rhythmic vitality of the revolutionary about to burst out of his shell. The musical language shifts between exotic, chromatic gestures to illustrate the supernatural dimension and the sing-song simplicity of folk song for the mortals creating a dazzling, evocative atmosphere.

Distinctive and eclectic, Tippett’s works combine both traditional and modernist elements, often exploring themes of humanism, spirituality, and social justice. His orchestral concerto reflects the tumultuous period leading up to World War II and is marked by its expressive depth and intricate counterpoint, evoking a wide range of emotions. Vaughan Williams’ intensely beautiful and idyllic tableau of English life opens almost imperceptibly, out of which the ‘lark’ takes wing, rising, undulating, falling. The music avoids any tonal centre, written without bars allowing the soloist an almost improvisatory freedom to describe the ethereal minstrel. Originally composed for violin and piano, Thomas Adès reworked his four Dances from Fairytale for full orchestra to accompany the solo violin. Full of sonic inventiveness and tonal colour, they draw from English folk sources and are at once light and energetic, and then melancholy and thoughtful. Sibelius was going through a difficult time in his life, despite his success and popularity, when he wrote the Fifth Symphony. However, he created one of the great late-Romantic symphonies displaying his ability to gather the mysterious world around him. The gorgeous opening sunrise is best described by Sibelius himself: “God opens His door for a moment and His orchestra plays”. This was no boast!

For Haydn, The Creation was a summation of his religious convictions as well as his life’s work as a composer. Every one of his scores ended with the inscription “Laus Deo” (God be Praised) or “Soli Deo Gloria” (For the Glory of God alone), and never was it more fitting than at the end of this illuminating oratorio. It is a masterpiece by any standards. Embracing a great diversity of episodes, all of which Haydn sets with confidence and imagination, his love of nature can be found everywhere. Most importantly, his deep religious faith illuminates every bar. It still speaks eloquently to believer and non-believer alike with its lively arias and rousing choruses, and this, in the end, was what Haydn hoped his music would do. The opening is one of Haydn’s most gripping moments of genius – a depiction of the chaos that reigned before the birth of the world. Fragmented themes, shocking dissonances and unexpected instrumental flourishes conjure a vision of a tumultuous universe before Haydn wields a stunning and dramatic stroke: at the moment of the creation of light, the orchestra and chorus unleash their full power that underlines the cosmic power of the moment.

Sibelius is the master of northern mists, melodies of austere simplicity, and dark timbres. In The Swan of Tuonela he paints an image of a mystical bird swimming the rivers of the land of death, the hell of Finnish mythology, whilst in En Saga, the story is just that of the music itself – an expression of a state of mind, the themes undergoing complex transformations. Rautavaara’s two Serenades are steeped in nostalgic reflection. The solo violin explores themes of love and life with yearning lines that swirl and soar over a gentle orchestral background. Adès’ single-movement journey maintains an almost constant mood throughout, not dissimilar to many of Sibelius’ own tone poems. Constantly changing harmonic colours are further enhanced by a shifting orchestral palette, conjuring the feeling of air itself. Sibelius’ last symphony shines with a unique radiance – a work of great confidence and affirmation. The culmination of a lifetime of work in the direction of concision, compression and organic unity within symphonic form, it is more a sort of giant rondo. Comprising one seamless tapestry of interrelated motifs, it builds from a few melodic scraps towards a final upward sweep and trombone hymn that seems to reach out to infinity. Listen to Thomas on BBC Radio Four’s This Cultural Life where he talks about the influence his family had on him, and the moment he decided to pursue music as a composer rather than a pianist.

Combining Tudor-style choral grandeur with modern, rhythmic energy, Walton’s vibrant and majestic coronation march is celebrated for its stately main theme, a lyrical trio, and a triumphant finale. Beethoven’s final piano concerto is the largest in scale of all of his concertos – an epic tour de force, pitching soloist and orchestra in a musical argument of unprecedented breadth and scale. It is written in a virtuosic style that looks forward to the grand pianism of Liszt in its full chordal textures and wide dynamic range. A spirit of heroism infuses the music, whilst the sublime slow movement is one of Beethoven’s most profound. However it might have acquired its name, it really is the ‘Emperor’ of piano concertos. Tchaikovsky’s Suite No.3 is a finely crafted work of winning spirit, though one that rarely broaches the personal revelations of his late symphonies. It is entirely idiomatic Tchaikovsky, nonetheless. Nobody else could have written the opening Elegy, which traces a trajectory from the languid to the impassioned, with its gorgeous themes and fluttering accompaniments.

Bizet’s opera Carmen is a treasure trove of unforgettable melodies, vibrant rhythms, and gripping drama. Its dazzling instrumental numbers quickly captivated audiences beyond the theatrical stage: the suite brings together six iconic movements, offering a brilliant concert distillation of the opera’s spirit. The Fourth Piano Concerto displays much of the spacious style and the demanding virtuosity of Rachmaninov’s earlier concertos but also incorporates the remnants of late Romanticism with some up-to-date sounds of Ravel and Gershwin. Wit, charm, romance, rhythmic verve and masterly orchestration combine in Rachmaninov’s Rhapsody – an extroverted and immensely technical demonstration of pianistic wizardry. Opening with the main Paganini theme, after moments of romantic outpourings, the music hurtles towards a typical grandiose conclusion, before ending impishly with an echo of the introduction. Strauss’ Der Rosenkavalier was an instant success with its Mozart-like farce and flurry of sweet and saucy waltzes set in the golden age of Viennese high society, Overflowing with melodic splendour and harmonic richness, orchestras had long enjoyed playing selections before a more established suite emerged, capturing the most celebrated and voluptuous moments from the original score.

Nielsen’s musical depiction of the Greek sun god’s chariot ride across the sky begins with a serene sunrise that almost imperceptible grows from darkness building to a vigorous depiction of the brilliance of the Aegean summer day, and ending with the gentle waning of the day into night. From its explosive, dramatic opening, Grieg’s dazzlingly original Piano Concerto communicates with fiery passion, sustaining interest and excitement throughout. The music is imbued with a Nordic quality echoing traditional Norwegian dances and instruments. For his depiction of sunrise, Adès’ Dawn is imagined as a constant event that moves continuously around the world. The Symphonic Dances proved to be Rachmaninov’s last work, and the music suggests a new direction he might have pursued had fate granted him more time. In contrast to the lush harmonies and sweeping melodic lines that pervade his earlier style, it offers a more modern sound of leaner textures and sharper harmonies together with a wondrous kaleidoscope of instrumental colours. With its incisive dance rhythms inspired by folk and jazz, the work finally explodes with visceral energy.

On the completion of his mature Second Piano Concerto, Brahms announced his “ever so tiny piano concerto with an ever so tiny and dainty scherzo.” Its four movements combine to create one of the grandest piano concertos of the 19th century, with the music expressing a Classical lyricism and Romantic sense of drama in perfect harmony with each other. In a melange of foxtrots and waltzes, sometimes flirtatiously raunchy, sometimes delicate and mysterious, Adès elegantly combines his own personal style and clever instrumentation with characteristic features from cabaret, tango, and popular music. The suite, using music from his opera on the scandal surrounding Sixties socialite, Margaret Campbell, is rich, playful, dramatic, and expressive Schumann poetically captured Beethoven’s Fourth Symphony’s relationship to its neighbours when he called it “a slender Grecian maiden between two Nordic giants”. It is certainly lighter in tone, but it is far from lightweight. In terms of economy and tightly coiled energy, it is every bit the equal of its counterparts.

Henri Duparc, a talented pupil of César Franck, based his stand-out symphonic poem Lénore on an extraordinarily popular gothic horror ballad by Gottfried August Bürger. Describing a woman who is tricked by a vampire that looks like her dead fiancé, with its erratic harmonies and undulating and convoluted melodies, it deftly portrays the desolate mood of the poem and its ghostly ride toward death. Mozart wrote his only concerto for clarinet and orchestra in the space of about ten days, when he was at the height of his powers, and only two months before his tragically early death. It is a glorious work: the first great concerto for the instrument, and some would say still the greatest, which displays the range and agility of the clarinet as well as its velvety and soulful qualities. The powerful and highly personal Symphony in D is the Belgian composer’s most famous work. It is lusciously filled with gorgeous Wagnerian harmonies, combining elements of both symphony and symphonic poem in a thematically unified whole. It has enormous emotional appeal and remains an audience favourite.

Khachaturian’s acclaimed ballet depicts the turbulent life of a slave, turned gladiator, turned revolutionary who almost brought the Roman Empire to its knees. The music is a tour de force of epic proportions evoking the splendour and barbarism of life during these brutal times, as well as moments of delicate tenderness as in the famous adagio. Berio’s anthology of eleven folk songs from eight countries and regions (USA, Armenia, Auvergne, Azerbaijan, France, Italy, Sardinia, and Sicily) is perhaps the earliest example of his fascination and experimentation with different musical culture and vernaculars. They are, in effect, traditional melodies recomposed (two of them are actually original pieces) that reflect and comment on their roots and meanings. Respighi’s most popular works are his triptych of wonderfully orchestrated musical postcards from the Eternal City. His sumptuous Pines of Rome depicts four scenes as witnessed by the trees that have stood sentinel for centuries: the glittering sunlit gardens of the Villa Borghese, the solemn hush of the Catacombs, the scented evening warmth on the elegant Janiculum hill, and the memory of an approaching Imperial army thundering past along the Appian Way.

JC Bach’s turbulent and dramatic G minor Symphony reveals numerous innovations which were a major influence on a young Mozart who must have heard it on a visit to London. The whole piece ends with a disturbing musical question mark, leaving the unleashed tempest hanging there, crackling with electricity. Mozart’s cheerful concerto highlights the lyrical expressiveness, staccato capabilities, and contrasting ranges of the bassoon in a series of conversations with the orchestra. CPE Bach’s Hamburg Symphonies stand out for their emotional expressiveness and bold harmonic progressions and greatly influenced Beethoven and the later Romantic music tradition. Filled with contrasting shadows and tension, the introspective and dramatic B minor leaves a strong impression. Haydn’s Symphony No.104 encapsulates the diverse cultural tapestry of 18th century London, a city teeming with artistic fervour at the time during which he was there. It also serves as a testament to Haydn’s ability to captivate and innovate at the height of his powers. An animated but dignified finale provides a fitting conclusion to his final symphony.

Butterworth composed his poignant Rhapsody as an orchestral epilogue to his song settings of the various Housman poems which explore life faced by the spectre of impending mortality. Influenced by Sibelius, Debussy and Vaughan Williams, it is a ravishing epitaph that sings of the tranquil landscape from which it grew. Bridge’s Oration for cello and orchestra, an expressionist concerto in one movement, alternates ghostly funeral marches with outbursts of terror and indignation. It is both an elegy for the fallen of the First World War and an anguished warning. The cello writing is exceptional – at times a declaiming speaker, at others muttering a train of thought arising from deep within the unconscious. Tchaikovsky approached his Fifth Symphony from a position of extreme self-doubt, fearing his muse was exhausted. “I am dreadfully anxious to prove not only to others, but also to myself, that I am not yet played out as a composer”. From its first note to last noble chord, it is filled with passionate self-questioning, exposing the soul of a deep and complex man.

Ignoring the Russian Revolution raging in the background, Prokofiev hit upon the idea of writing his first symphony as though Haydn were still writing music in 1917. The result is wonderfully light-hearted and whimsical. Nicknamed the ‘Classical’, it is not without a certain amount of impertinence for the classical form, meshing the tradition of clarity and formality with the renegade spirit of his early works. Schumann’s concerto, although outwardly resembling those of Mozart and Beethoven, broke new ground in several respects. Most strikingly it moved away from the contemporary use of the concerto as a showcase for the virtuoso pianist. Instead, piano and orchestra form an integrated whole, weaving subtle textures together with delightful lyricism. It was whilst working through his period of crisis with the onset of deafness that Beethoven completed the Second Symphony. The music is sunny and exuberant and bears no marks of his emotional turmoil. This symphony is a testament to Beethoven’s ability to transcend his own troubles in order to create beauty.

Corelli’s lively and energetic concerto is full of melodic invention. The concluding Pastorale evokes images of the shepherds in the fields and angels hovering over Bethlehem. In The Four Seasons, Vivaldi demonstrates a sense of humour and delicacy of expression without rival. Autumn celebrates the abundance of harvest and hunting whilst Winter’s frosty chill and biting winds are tempered by a warm fire. Nightmarish visions abound in Mussorgsky’s depiction of a witches’ Sabbath. Bone-chilling elements, include the sinister roll of the bass drum and scary descending phrases that slither like serpents. With the tolling of a church bell, the darkness is finally dispersed and the ghouls sent packing. Tchaikovsky’s The Nutcracker has charmed Christmas audiences over the years with its range of gorgeous music and romantic imagery. From the elegant Waltz of the Flowers to the witty Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy and the Dance of the Reed Flutes, the score is a feast of wonderful melodies. The music tinkles in the memory like a lost music box – enchanting for young and old alike.

A taut, realistic, and brutally human melodrama, Rimsky-Korsakov’s The Tsar’s Bride was a shocking and brilliant departure from the composer best known for his magical, folkloric pageantry. A story of obsessive love, dark jealousy, and fatal revenge, the master orchestrator paints a dark, oppressive, and paranoia-filled world. Saint-Saëns composed his ‘Egyptian’ concerto in the temple town of Luxor. As well as the use of Middle Eastern traits, the music also displays influences from Javanese and Spanish styles. He said that the piece represented a sea voyage – the piano and orchestra produce impressionistic sounds emulating frogs and the chirping of Nile crickets. After a promising beginning as a talented composer and performer, Rachmaninov’s confidence and momentum, if not his entire career, suddenly seemed to fizzle after premiere of his First Symphony, The performance must have been appalling. For the next three years he wrote nothing and the symphony itself was never performed again in his lifetime. Strong, highly individual and self-assured – the work of a young talent overflowing with ideas – its four movements are unified by a single idea that echoes the shape of the Dies irae, that would recur in his most important later works.

Visions fugitives is a cycle of 20 short piano pieces composed during a pivotal time in Prokofiev’s early maturity. These whimsical and effervescent miniatures with their mercurial changes of mood, showcase his imaginative and harmonic language, textural experimentation, and emotional breadth. Carnaval stands as a monumental work in the solo piano repertoire, embodying the Romantic spirit through its expressive range and innovative character pieces. Depicting a masked ball and vivid cast of characters across 21 short sections it not only showcases Schumann’s extraordinary ability to intertwine narrative with music but also highlights his pioneering use of the cyclic form, connecting these diverse pieces into a cohesive whole. Pictures at an Exhibition is Mussorgsky’s musical homage to a talented friend, inspired by a visit to a posthumous exhibition. One of Mussorgsky’s great gifts was the ability to capture the essence of a character, mood, or scene in brief, striking musical imagery. His imagination goes far beyond the immediate visual stimulus of the paintings.

Bringing her fresh, unapologetic and charismatic real talk to theatres across the country, The One Like Judi Love hits theatres on her first official tour! Expect unrelenting and hilarious anecdotes from Judi's life! Expect unrelenting and hilarious anecdotes from Judi's life! Regular panellist on Loose Women and as seen on Taskmaster, The Jonathan Ross Show, The Graham Norton Show, 8 Out Of 10 Cats Does Countdown, and The Royal Variety Performance.

New stand-up tour show from Mike Wozniak in which a story about a bench will be prominent. Previous experience of or strong opinions about benches not required. Let Mike worry about that. As seen on Taskmaster, Man Down and Junior Taskmaster. As heard on Three Bean Salad podcast. "deliciously distinctive fun… The story of Wozniak might be the shaggiest of shaggy dog stories you will ever hear" - The Evening Standard "a comic of adorably skewwhiff charm" - The Times "Wozniak has a talent for [the] slightly absurd… a charming storyteller with a splash of the surreal" - The I Paper "Wozniak is a great crafter of a story… A great performer with an interesting style" - The Skinny "Wozniak is extremely funny" - Beyond The Joke