As we move into a new year, we look forward to sharing the wonderful world of creative experiences we have on offer - just in time if you're looking for the ideal Christmas present for the theatre, comedy or dance fan in your life!
Tickets for the majority of our Spring shows go on sale at 10am tomorrow, Friday 11 November, but if you want to make sure you've got the best seat in the house, why not become a Friend or Best Friend for priority booking?
Theatrical treats peppering our Spring months include Unfiltered, an opportunity to see new work from local talent with a shared meal; masters of spoken word Shon Dale-Jones and James Rowland; circus in Orange Skies Theatre's Wild Onion; visionary dance theatre from Avant Garde Dance in Illegal Dance and top comedy from Chris McCausland, Zoe Lyons and Simon Brodkin.
Brand new festival Take Flight will celebrate the creative brilliance of the next generation. Enjoy inspiring performances created by our youth dance and theatre companies and local schools, as well as events to join as a whole family during this festival that incorporates theatre, dance, magic, music, craft and more.
Our Big Ideas Day returns in May, showcasing the best community and creative action that our Borough has to offer, alongside a riotously fun environmental tale for families in Dinosaurs and All That Rubbish. We're also launching our Small But Mighty programme of year-round bitesize sustainability-focused events, led by Changemakers in residence Wild Hive Collective.
All of our regular favourites return so you can keep your babies and toddlers entertained during Too Good Tuesdays, enjoy a film and a friendly welcome at our Inclusive Cinema, discover new favourites and replay old ones at the Board Game Cafe or join our regular classes for adults and young people in dance, theatre, crafts and writing for the stage - new for Spring.
AT THE BERRY THEATRE, HEDGE END
We're bringing a full programme of theatre, comedy and family activity back to Hedge End for 2023 and we're sure you'll find something for you amongst our Spring line-up.
The Comedy Network finds a new home at The Berry Theatre, bringing a monthly night of exciting comedy talent to our stage (previous headliners from 2022 include Jayde Adams, as seen on the current series of Strictly Come Dancing) - alert your WhatsApp group now and get those great nights out in the calendar.
There's a half-term inspired by the best of children's fiction, with much-loved author and illustrator Nick Sharratt dropping in for an all-new Drawalong, Long Nose Puppets' picture-book perfect Hulla Balloony Moon Time and the Spontaneous Potter crew improvising an entirely new Hogwarts adventure based on audience suggestions.
Finally, there's theatre aplenty to laugh, gasp and wonder at. Howl with the Hounds of Love in An Evening Without Kate Bush, solve the murder of Lady Fanshawe in Done to Death, By Jove and watch witty sparks fly when Charles Dickens meets Lewis Carroll in A Perfect Likeness.
Community performances
We're thrilled to welcome a range of performances and events from our valued theatre hirers - showcasing a broad range of styles and talents from the local area.
At The Point
12 - 15 Jan - Mountbatten Players: Cinderella
19 - 22 Jan - Westfield Productions: The Wizard of Oz
28 Jan - The Floyd Effect: They Told Us What to Dream Tour
15 - 18 Feb - Centrestage Productions Youth Theatre: Cats
8 - 11 Mar - Footlights Youth Theatre: The Addams Family
19 - 22 Apr - Southampton Musical Society: 9 to 5: The Musical
3 - 5 May - Eastleigh Operatic & Musical Society: The Yeomen of the Guard
17 - 20 May - Spot On Productions: School of Rock
At The Berry Theatre
28 & 29 Jan - Dance and Cheer-a-cality: This is What Dreams are Made Of
4 Feb - En Masse Pop Choir: The En Masse Collective
25 & 26 Feb - Blue Butterfly Dance Company: Blue Butterfly Talent Showcase
