New shows at the Plough for 2010

By [rrothery]

THE Plough Arts Centre has plenty of music, dance and theatre to lure you away from the remote control in the winter months. Show of Hands, Courtney Pine and Barbara Dickson all head to Torrington in 2010.

Here's what you can look forward to over the festive period and into the New Year.

Christmas celebrations:

THE Junior Plough Youth Theatre start the festive season with winter warmer Festivity, full of song, dance, drama and glad tidings for the whole family.

Youth theatre director, Rob Pudner, said: "There is something for everyone in this production, whatever Christmas means to them, with its heady mix of drama, singing, poetry and dance and Christmas goodies for everyone."

The show runs from Thursday, December 10 to Saturday December 12 at 7pm with a matinee on the Saturday at 3pm.

Keeping in the festive spirit, the glitz and glamour of pantomime is celebrated in a new show by Miracle Theatre. The Revenge of Rumplestiltskin is said to be blend of breathtaking comedy for all the family. There is also a chance to pick up a unique present in the Original Gifts for Christmas exhibition and craft fair in the Gallery which runs until Wednesday, December 30.

Musical highlights:

JAZZ and swing enthusiasts won't want to miss gigs by Courtney Pine, Anita Wardell and King Pleasure and The Biscuit Boys. Folk fans, meanwhile, can enjoy return visits from both halves of Show of Hands.

The Phil Beer Band will be followed by a solo gig from Steve Knightley in February. (As Show of Hands, Phil and Steve, who return to the Plough in April, have just been nominated in two categories of the 2010 BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards). There's more music in the Celebrity Concert Series featuring pianist Martin Cousin and the all female Finzi Quartet plus there's an evening with the haunting piano arrangements and beautiful voice of Maddie Southorn.

Theatre, dance and comedy:

THERE should be plenty of laughs when Jon Richardson, fresh from the 2009 Edinburgh Comedy Awards, visits in February.

There's also explosive dance from Rannel Theatre, Expression Cubana and Tavaziva Dance plus the Plough Youth Theatre's south west premiere of Disney's Beauty and The Beast.

Literary evenings:

THOSE who worship words can enjoy a Poetry Slam evening with Sarah-Jane Arbury and Marcus Moore; the poetry show You Are Here; and an evening with local poet Jean Tyler. You can also have an audience with Peter Sallis (Norman Clegg in Last of the Summer Wine) who will be telling stories about his life, featured in his autobiography, Fading Into The Limelight.

Children's shows:

CHILDREN are not overlooked with two magical shows: The Rude Mechanicals with The Musicians of Bremen; Unpacked Theatre with Jumping Mouse and Angel Heart with Oshima and The Big Sea.

RHS Rosemoor concerts:

SUMMER diary events at RHS Rosemoor, include The Chris Barber Band, The Manfreds, Barbara Dickson and another visit from acoustic roots duo Show of Hands.

Box office: 01805 624624.

Visit: www.plough-arts.org.