The diary Autumn 2016

Welcome The Quarry Theatre is now one-year-old (has it gone that quickly?)! In that time we have hosted over 100 performances, from Olivier Award winning touring productions to our very own home-grown shows. We have even staged a couple of events in the Quarry Theatre Garden during a very busy Creative Arts Festival, which will be back next year. This autumn season brings a specially commissioned production. Somewhere in England explores and celebrates the rich history of Bedford and its most famous citizens as we take a stroll through 850 years of Bedford’s past. We are very excited to welcome back the Bedford Film Festival when both the theatre and the studio will host a vast range of films… and perhaps another UK premier? Let’s hope so! We’re very pleased to be hosting Idle Motion once again with their new show Shooting With Light, after the great sell-out success last year of That is All You Need to Know. We also have the incredible Theatre Re with their award winning show Blind Man’s Song. Pip Utton (Playing Maggie) returns with a final performance of his compelling multi-award winning show Adolf. Fans of Jazz will be excited to hear that the Jacqui Dankworth concert series returns. The opening event, Shakespeare and All That Jazz, is on Saturday 24th September. We’ve been very lucky to be given permission from Warner Brothers & JK Rowling to adapt some of her tales for young witches and wizards so the muggles (and magical folk) of Bedford can enjoy them in dramatic form. The first (and only) Christmas pantomime at Hogwarts was an adaptation of the Tales of Beedle the Bard, so it’s fitting that the Quarry Theatre’s very first home-grown Christmas show is this contemporary classic for families. So everyone who loves Harry Potter, Christmas and magic make sure you book early to ensure you’re part of the family fun! Please do take a look through our brochure and discover lots more events from September to December . . . and remember to keep checking our website as events are added on a regular basis!

Jules Crossley Director of Theatre

James Pharaoh Theatre Manager

Autumn 2016

WHAT’S ON Thu 8 Sept - Wed 14 Sept

Somewhere in England

Main Auditorium

Various

£8 (£5 concessions)

06

Fri 16 Sept Sun 18 Sept

Bedford Film Festival

Main Auditorium

Various

Various

07

Fri 16 Sept Fri 23 Dec

BAFTA Exhibition

The Quarry Theatre

Free Event

08

Mon 19 Sept

Unmasking Grotowski

Main Auditorium

4.30pm

Free Event (Ticketed)

09

Thu 22 Sept

Shooting with light

Main Auditorium

7.30pm

£12 (£10 concessions)

10

Sat 24 Sept

Shakespeare & All that jazz

Main Auditorium

8.00pm

£16 (£14 concessions)

11

Tue 27 Sept

Recording Bedfordians Celebration Evening

Main Auditorium

6.00pm

Free Event

12

Thu 29 Sept

Blind man’s song

Main Auditorium

7.30pm

£12 (£10 concessions)

13

Thu 6 Oct

Great British Buildings

Main Auditorium

5.45pm

£10 (RIBA Members £7.50, Students £5)

14

Tue 11 Oct

The collector

Main Auditorium

7.30pm

£12 (£10 concessions)

15

Sat 15 Oct

The Piano Professors

Main Auditorium

8.00pm

£14 (£12 concessions)

16

Tue 18 Oct

Operation Crucible

Main Auditorium

7.30pm

£12 (£10 concessions)

17

Sat 22 Oct

The funny thing about . . .

Main Auditorium

2.30pm

£8 (£6 concessions)

18

Sat 29 Oct

Albee vector the sound collector

Main Auditorium

2.30pm

£8 (£6 concessions)

19

Tue 1 Nov

This might hurt

Main Auditorium

7.30pm

£12.50 (£11 concessions)

20

Thu 3 Nov

Adolf

Main Auditorium

7.30pm

£12 (£10 concessions)

21

Fri 4 Nov

Key Change

Main Auditorium

7.30pm

£12 (£10 concessions)

22

Mon 14 - Tue 15, Thu 17 Nov

sweeney todd

Main Auditorium

7.30pm

£8.50 (£5 concessions)

23

Wed 23, Fri 25 Sat 26 Nov

Macbeth

Main Auditorium

7.30pm

£7.50 (£5 concessions)

24

Mon 5 Dec

64 squares

Main Auditorium

7.30pm

£12 (£10 concessions)

25

Thu 8 Dec

House drama competition

Main Auditorium

6.00pm

Free Event

26

Sat 10 Dec

2016 Bedford Xmas Wingding!

Main Auditorium

8.00pm

£20

26

Sun 18 Dec

Santa in love

Main Auditorium

1.30pm

£10 (£8 concessions)

27

Wed 21 Fri 23 Dec

Tales of beedle the bard

Main Auditorium

Various

£8 (£6 concessions)

28

Main Auditorium seating plan

29

HOUSEKEEPING

30

Finding us

31

Theatre

Film

CHILDREN’S theatre

Music

FESTIVALS

LECTURES/WORKSHOPS

The harpur trust presents

Somewhere in England Thursday 8 - Wednesday 14 September, 7.30PM (2.30pm on 11 Sept) Where Main Auditorium Ticket price £8 (£5 concessions) Running time 140 minutes Age suitability All ages Find out more http://bit.ly/HT450-play

Join us for a specially commissioned production exploring and celebrating the rich history of Bedford and its most famous citizens as we take a stroll through 850 years of Bedford’s past. The play’s title ‘Somewhere in England’ (The Bedford Play), is a reference to the BBC’s live broadcasts from Bedford (and particularly Bedford School) during the Second World War. The town’s true identity had to remain a secret to avoid being bombed by Hitler’s Luftwaffe and so the broadcasts were always announced as being live “from somewhere in England”. The play uncovers the lives of key Bedfordians, its connections with famous people and the stories behind some of the town’s iconic landmarks. Written and directed by Mark Burgess, the play will be performed by professional actors and will also have a live orchestra.

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The play has been commissioned by The Harpur Trust as part of its 450th anniversary celebrations in 2016.

The quarry theatre presents

Bedford film festival Friday 16 - Sunday 18 September

Now in its fourth year Bedford Film Festival continues to bring high-quality film screenings and events to Bedford. We’re delighted that they have once again chosen The Quarry Theatre as their main venue and we can’t wait to see what they have in store for 2016. At the time of going to print their full programme was still being decided but we’ve been told to expect a varied mix of feature films, documentaries and talks from film makers the world over. As always Bedford Film Festival won’t just be about screenings. There’ll also be film related activities, talks and fringe events for all ages, including the increasingly popular shorts session that will showcase some of the best new filmmaking talent from across the world. Don’t forget to also look out for The Quarry Theatre at St. Luke’s own film programme throughout the year, in partnership with Bedford Film Festival.

Tickets will be on sale from July onwards with more and more films being added to the programme in the coming months. For details of films and tickets sales, please visit the festival website: bedfordfilmfestival.org

Where The Studio & Main Auditorium Ticket price Various Find out more bedfordfilmfestival.org

The quarry theatre & the Bedford film festival PRESENT

BAFTA: bugsy malone Friday 16 September - Friday 23 December

Where The Quarry Theatre Ticket price Free (non-ticketed event) Age suitability All ages

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40 years ago, Alan Parker’s ‘Bugsy Malone’ delighted audiences young and old with its heart-warming take on an American gangster story. The use of young actors and a musical score, as well as custard pies instead of bullets, inspired the imagination of many. To celebrate 40 years since the release of Bugsy Malone, and to launch this year’s Bedford Film Festival, The Quarry Theatre is hosting a special exhibition of behind the scenes photos from the filming of Bugsy Malone, as well as a collection of drawings detailing the story board of the shots that later appeared on screen. This fascinating exhibition gives us a glimpse into a world rarely seen, detailing the fun and excitement on set from a film that remains in the hearts of generations of film fans.

The exhibition will run from 16th September to 23rd December with a special reception to be arranged as part of this years’ Bedford Film Festival.

The quarry theatre presents

Unmasking grotowski:

From Poor Theatre to Rich Influences Monday 19 September, 4.30pm

This lecture will introduce you to Polish theatre director Jerzy Grotowski, unmasking him in the process, challenging some assumptions and revealing his ongoing value and legacy. The unmasking will take place in a lively lecture using films and images. Paul Allain is Professor of Theatre and Performance and Associate Dean for Research at the University of Kent. He has published several books, DVDs and articles on theatre and actor training as both author and editor, with a particular focus on contemporary Polish theatre. From 2006-2009 he led the AHRC-funded British Grotowski Project, which culminated in an international conference and a series of books. In 2009 he received an award for services to Polish culture from the Polish government.

Where Main Auditorium Ticket price Free event (Ticketed) Running time 60 minutes Age suitability 12+

09

Idle Motion theatre company present

Shooting with light Thursday 22 September, 7.30PM Review “A fitting tribute executed with bags of flair and invention.” TIMEOUT 

Where Main Auditorium Ticket price £12 (£10 concessions) Running time 85 minutes Age suitability 13+ (some strong language) Review “A powerful piece of theatre.” THE STAGE 

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Since the invention of photography we have collectively taken over 3.5 trillion photographs. Total Theatre Award nominated Idle Motion search within these snapshots to expose one of the most remarkable untold stories of our age. It is 1933 and a young German refugee flees to Paris, reinventing herself as Gerda Taro. Discovering the wonder of photography, she falls in love with a fellow refugee who teaches her, ‘if your pictures aren’t good enough, you aren’t close enough’. Together they venture to the Spanish Civil War and capture the tyranny of fascism. As pioneers of front-line photo journalism, he would go on to receive international recognition as the iconic war photographer Robert Capa – she would be forgotten. Using innovative staging, physicality and multimedia, internationally renowned company Idle Motion piece together the life of an exceptional woman, glimpsed through the lost photographs she risked her life to take.

Review “Such an engaging and inventive young company […] this show is as heartfelt and passionate as Taro herself.” LYN GARDENER, THE GUARDIAN Review “Idle Motion bring Gerda Taro’s unique and long-neglected story to light in a brilliant and imaginative way.” BRITISH THEATRE GUIDE

Jacqui Dankworth presents

Shakespeare & all that Jazz Saturday 24 September, 8.00PM (doors open from 7.00pm) Where Main Auditorium Ticket price £16 (£14 concessions) Running time 120 minutes Age suitability All ages Find out more jacquidankworth. com

This year is the 400th anniversary of Shakespeare’s death. To mark the occasion, jazz star Jacqui Dankworth will be joined by some special friends to revisit the musical settings of Shakespeare’s poetry inspired by, and taken from, the seminal album Shakespeare And All That Jazz, composed by her late father Sir John Dankworth. The music is based on works such as Shall I Compare Thee To A Summer’s Day, O Mistress Mine, the story of Macbeth and a comical setting of Shakespeare’s complete works! The brilliance of the music, the genius of Shakespeare’s poetry and world class musicians combined with Jacqui’s emotional and virtuosic voice, will make for a very special evening.

Reviews “Multi-faceted . . . incomparable” THE TIMES “Soaring and sonorous” THE GUARDIAN

This material has not been performed in completion by another songstress since Dame Cleo Laine recorded the album ‘Wordsongs’ in the 1980s. Jacqui performed some of them at The Bear Garden Museum 30 years ago, having been invited by Sam Wanamaker to help raise money for the Globe Theatre; so the time is right for Jacqui to revisit the material she grew up with and to sing these poems that are embedded in her DNA! There will be a special guest performing in the bar before the show so make sure you arrive early to take full advantage of all the great music on offer.

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John Bunyan Museum and The Harpur Trust presents

Recording BedFordians

Writing Competition: A Celebration

Tuesday 27 September, 6.00PM Where Main Auditorium Ticket price Free (Ticketed event) Running time 120 minutes Age suitability All ages

Join us for the evening to celebrate the fantastic winning entries of the ‘Recording Bedfordians’ newspaper article competition, run as part of the Harpur Trust’s 450th Anniversary celebrations. The competition, co-organised with John Bunyan Museum & Library, was to write a five-hundred-word newspaper article on a famous Bedford person. The 140 entries, across four age groups: 5-8 years, 8-11yrs, 1114yrs, and 14-18yrs, were judged by local journalists from Castle Quarter Magazine, Beds on Sunday, Times and Citizen, and The Clanger. The evening will be an opportunity to hear the winning entries performed by staff and pupils from Harpur Trust schools and a few special guests! Tickets are free and available from The Quarry Theatre box office. John Bunyan Museum welcomes over 6,000 visitors from around the world and tells the story of the Bedford man who wrote The Pilgrim’s Progress, one of the greatest novels in the English language.

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For 450 years The Harpur Trust has been inspiring and supporting people within the Borough of Bedford, using the legacy of our founder Sir William Harpur to provide and promote education,to provide relief and help to those who are sick, in hardship or distress, and to provide recreational facilities with a social welfare purpose. .

Theatre re present

Blind man’s song

Thursday 29 September, 7.30pm  THREE WEEKS  MUMBLE THEATRE  LONDON THEATRE  BROADWAY BABY  THE LIST

“The best and most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or even touched – they must be felt with the heart” Helen Keller After a sell-out run at the London International Mime Festival 2015, Theatre Re presents a wordless tale about the power of imagination that blends together physical theatre, mime, sounds, illusions and a beautifully lyrical live musical score. While a blind man walks around his room with unsteady steps a story of love, hope, courage and unquenchable vision unfolds. Blind Man’s Song is a tale about one man’s rage against his world of darkness. Inspired by the paintings of René Magritte, the dead-end word of Samuel Beckett and interviews with blind and visually impaired people, it witnesses the power of the body to communicate without words.

Reviews “Superb... Full of fear and tenderness. It looks like a Samuel Beckett play designed by Magritte.” THE STAGE “Theatre Re creates an entrancing, poignant world, and an hour spent in it seems all too brief.” EDINBURGH SPOTLIGHT

Where Main Auditorium Ticket price £12 (£10 concessions) Running time 60 minutes Age suitability 8+ BBC’s Highlight of the Edinburgh Fringe Festival 2015

“We’re not sure what we’re watching but we know it is unique.” BRITISH THEATRE GUIDE  13

riba & foster wilson architects present

great British buildings Where Main Auditorium

Thursday 6 October, 5.45PM

Ticket price £10 (RIBA members £7.50, Students £5) includes a free glass of wine or soft drink.

This year’s national and regional RIBA (Royal Institute of British Architects) Award winners open their doors to the public in an exclusive series of behind the scenes talks and tours.

Running time 90 minutes

You are invited to join Foster Wilson Architects who will lead a talk and tour of this RIBA Regional Award winning new performing arts centre. Described as giving ‘both the town and Bedford School a fantastic new flexible performance space’. The Awards jury were impressed with the way the ‘architects skilfully exploited the existing features of the building, striking a balance between respect for the old and celebration of the new’.

Age suitability All ages

Discover the story behind the building, the things that have inspired some of the best modern architects and what it means to have won some of the UK’s coveted architecture prizes.

OPEN MORNING SATURDAY 1 OCTOBER

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TO BOOK YOUR FAMILY’S VISIT, CALL 01234 362216 OR VISIT www.bedfordschool.org.uk Bedford School is part of The Harpur Trust 13 27

Kathryn barker productions presents

The collector Tuesday 11 October, 7.30pm

Mazrat Prison, Iraq. Previously one of Saddam’s most notorious torture houses, where more than 10,000 people died, is now under Allied command. Nassir works here, translating for the American interrogators. He’s local, pro-Western, determined to bring liberal values to his country and is about to get married to Zoya, his sweetheart. But when he is recognised by Faisal, new prisoner and psychotic supporter of the old regime, his life becomes a living hell. Born out of Henry Naylor’s own experiences of a visit to Bagram Airbase in 2003, The Collector is a compelling tale of murder, evil and betrayal set in occupied Iraq. One of the most highly-acclaimed shows at the 2014 Edinburgh Festival, it won a prestigious Scotsman Fringe First Award, which was followed by a sold-out run at London’s Arcola Theatre.

Review “Outstanding new writing… brilliantly delivered… first class.” THE SCOTSMAN Review “Coruscating drama… strong performances.” METRO  Review “Hard-hitting drama”

Where Main Auditorium Ticket price £12 (£10 concessions) Running time 75 minutes Age suitability 12+

FRINGE FIRST WINNER 2014

THE STAGE

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Charlie Wood presents

The piano professors Saturday 15 October, 8.00pm (doors open from 7.00pm)

Where Main Auditorium Ticket price £14 (£12 concessions) Running time 120 minutes Age suitability All ages Find out more perdido.co.uk

Review “The music is all at a tip-top level” LONDON JAZZ NEWS REVIEWS

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Charlie Wood presents The Piano Professors, a freewheeling romp through the history of American popular music. Featuring classic songs by legendary singer/pianists like Jelly Roll Morton, Fats Waller, Memphis Slim, Professor Longhair and many others. The Piano Professors traces the evolution of Jazz, Blues, R&B and Rock & Roll through the work of these keyboard giants, starting from their earliest beginnings in New Orleans and the deep South, working their way up the Mississippi River to Memphis, St. Louis, out to Kansas City, Chicago, New York and beyond. Veteran singer/songwriter and piano man Charlie Wood cut his teeth gigging with New Orleans soul/funk diva Charmaine Neville and touring the US and Europe with blues guitar legend Albert King before settling into a long nightly residency at King’s Palace on Beale Street in his native Memphis, TN. Now based in the UK, Charlie keeps a busy schedule of touring & recording dates, both under his own name and with his wife, British jazz icon Jacqui Dankworth.

There will be a special guest performing in the bar before the show so make sure you arrive early to take full advantage of all the great music on offer. Reviews “I fell in love with this man’s voice the moment I heard it. He is the essence of soul and blues. I am so lucky to have sung on the same stage as him” PALOMA FAITH “Dazzling pianism and smoky vocals” JAZZWIZE

Folie à deux Productions and From Ground Up Theatre Company present

operation crucible

Tuesday 18 October, 7.30pm

A story of four ordinary men in extraordinary times . . . Set against the backdrop of the Sheffield Blitz, Operation Crucible is the story of four ordinary men in extraordinary times. On the 12 December 1940, more than six hundred people lost their lives in over seven hours of continuous bombing by Germany’s Luftwaffe. Their objective? Wiping Sheffield’s world famous steel works – the heartland of Britain’s munitions manufacturing – clean off the map. The ruthless attack left Sheffield in ruins – destroying families, shattering a way of life, and changing the city forever. At 11.44pm on the night of the raid, a single bomb reduced the Marples Hotel, which stood proudly in Fitzalan Square, from seven storeys to just fifteen feet of rubble. Only one of the ten compartments in the hotel’s cellars withstood the blast. Within it, trapped, were four men. This is their story, from beginning to end.

Reviews “a play that vividly evokes both the terrors of wartime bombing and Sheffield’s capacity for survival.”

Where Main Auditorium Ticket price £12 (£10 concessions)

 THE GUARDIAN

Running time 80 minutes

“bellowing pace giving way to moments of silence that are emotionally deafening.”

Age suitability 12+

 TIME OUT  THE TIMES  EXUENT

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United Talent & James Campbell PRESENT

THE FUNNY THING ABOUT... SATURDAY 22 OCTOBER, 2.30PM Where Main Auditorium Ticket price £8 (£6 concessions) Running time 60 minutes Age suitability 6+

Review “James Campbell pioneered the idea of stand-up for children, and it is still genuinely impressive to watch him hold the attention of a theatre full of six- to 11-year-olds for an hour with nothing but a microphone.” THE GUARDIAN

A stand-up show for children over six, their parents and anyone who likes comedy without the rude words. Hold on to your socks, take the banana out of your ears and enjoy the best comedy for kids from the man who invented it. James Campbell also writes the hilarious Boyface books, has appeared on TV programmes such as Blue Peter, has performed at the Royal Festival Hall, The Royal Albert Hall, on Broadway and the West End and even a tiny tent on the back of a hamster. James’ show will find The Funny Things about everything including pets, couscous, spaniels, making your own yoghurt, bees, why we have hair and will answer questions such as: Do Sausage Dogs eat sausages or do they just look at them and say, “I’m not eating that – it looks like my grannie.” This show might include stories of lollipop ladies, giant catapults, and some of the worst drawings in the world including this terrible picture of a Labrador that looks more like Darth Vader.

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Reviews “My seven-year-old was howling with laughter and so was I.” THE DAILY MAIL “He belongs on the stage.” THE NEW YORK TIMES “Has achieved almost holy status - don’t miss” THE SUNDAY TIMES “A hit not to be missed” THREE WEEKS 

Green Light & house Theatre present

Albee Vector the Sound Collector Sunday 29 October, 2.30PM

An epic tale of love, adventure and a sound-hoover called Mustard. Find out how Albee and his love Andromeda survived kings, curses and cruelty on their quest for beautiful sound in the world. Sounds are running low so Albee will need a few more noises to tell this particular story… Can you help him? He’ll need you to make popping, fizzing, hissing, clopping, whizzing, whooshing, banging, crashing, and probably a fart a noise or two! Greenlight Theatre was founded in 2011 by Sam Woolf and Sadie Spencer. The company engages with how technology opens up communication channels and affects the way we think and behave.

Reviews “Everything that children’s theatre should be – vivid, imaginative and downright funny” BROADWAY BABY  “A real gem.” THE SCOTSMAN 

Where Main Auditorium Ticket price £8 (£6 concessions) Running time 55 minutes Age suitability 4+

“The whole just leaves you wanting more” THE LIST  “There is nothing this show doesn’t have” EDFRINGE REVIEW  19

John Godber Company & Theatre Royal Wakefield PRESENT

This might hurt Tuesday 1 November, 7.30pm Where Main Auditorium Ticket price £12.50 (£11 concessions) Running Time 90 minutes (+15 min interval) Age suitability 16+

Review “[John Godber] has produced some of the most popular stage plays of the last 20 years including Bouncers, Teechers and Up ‘n’ Under.” BBC HUMBER

The latest play by one of the nation’s favourite playwrights which looks at the pressures and pains of being under the Doctor. With bleak humour and shades of Breaking Bad, This Might Hurt is an emotional, bitter sweet and shocking true story of one family’s experiences with an embattled Health Service. From over-stressed consultants to over-weight home carers, Godber’s eye for observation has never been sharper. In this cutting vision of the state of our health, one thing’s for sure; no matter what happens, this might hurt!

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The Pip Utton Theatre Company present

adolf

Thursday 3 November, 7.30pm Where Main Auditorium Ticket price £12 (£10 concessions) Running time 80 minutes Age suitability 13+

The 20th century’s most notorious tyrant is daringly and divisively brought to the stage in one of the most successful and powerful solo works ever presented. Looking uncomfortably like the Führer, Utton stands before a huge Nazi banner addressing his party faithful. He furnishes his audience with an acute anatomy of fascism; its ideological justifications; its poisoned utopias. They are in the presence of an utterly compelling idealist, and are helplessly drawn in to his warped logic. Hitler’s final performance seems over as he settles into pre-suicidal contemplation. We know the rest… But Utton has reserved a sting for his tale… A sting so powerful that it pushes the audience into looking within themselves to question their own prejudice and intolerance. Utton doesn’t stop in the bunker. He plumbs the very source of racism and exposes just how near the surface of our own lives lurks its insidious influence.

Reviews “The sting is in the tail. Hitler is alive in nineties Britain… an ever present malignancy… Unashamedly theatre with a message, with a vengeance… A tour de force..” THE STAGE “This is atmospheric, emotional stuff... and a cautionary tale to boot. It caresses its way into your confidence and then chokes you on your own laughter.”

“Terrifying, searing, transfixing... It is quite impossible to be anything other than totally absorbed by Utton’s performance. Adolf reaffirms the need and worth of political theatre.” THE SCOTSMAN 

THE LIST  21

House & Open Clasp theatre PRESENT

Key Change Friday 4 November, 7.30PM Where Main Auditorium Ticket price £12 (£10 concessions) Running time 60 minutes Age suitability 12+

Review “Exquisite… singing with an everyday poetry as if the devising process had unlocked a waterfall of creativity” THE GUARDIAN 

What do women in prison say to a captured audience of men? Devised with women in Her Majesty’s Prison Low Newton to tour to male prisons, Key Change carries the stories of some of the UK’s most marginalised women over the razor wire through an intense, raw and illuminating portrayal of women in prison. The prison van, fences high, a Magpie. One for sorrow. Snatched the babies. The mother fought, but it was too big, and flew too high.

Winner of the Carol Tambor Best of Edinburgh Award 2015

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Reviews “A touching, empowering work that hits the hat-trick of great script, direction and performance” THE STAGE  “A tale told with kinetic honesty and tightly controlled tenderness.” THE SCOTSMAN 

Winner of the Arts Council Award at the Journal Culture Awards

THE OBSERVER

Critics’ Choice – New York Times



Bedford School & Bedford Girls’ School present

Sweeney Todd: A Musical Thriller Monday14, Tuesday 15 & Thursday 17 November, 7.30PM

The dark, haunting tale of the Demon Barber of Fleet Street. The cast of performers from Bedford School and Bedford Girl’s School present Sondheim’s take on this iconic story. Although set in its traditional Victorian era, there are some modern twists. The audience themselves will be located in Bedlam with the tragic Johanna. Sweeney, her father, has returned from a life sentence in Botany Bay to take revenge on the judge who ruined his family’s life. This exciting musical will take the audience on a thrilling, but terrifying journey – not for the faint hearted. Beware – the immersive nature of this production will have you on the edge of your seat! “There’s a hole in the world like a great black pit and the vermin of the world inhabit it and its morals aren’t worth what a pig could spit and it goes by the name of London”. Music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim Book by Hugh Wheeler from the adaptation by Christopher Bond Orchestrations by Jonathan Tunick

Reviews “Sondheim’s Sweeney Todd deliberately turns its back on the sentimental feel-good world of musical comedy to confront something really not very nice - humanity’s atavistic desire for revenge and its gloating fascination with murder.” THE GUARDIAN

Where Main Auditorium Ticket price £8.50 (£5 concessions) Running time 120 minutes (+ 15 min interval) Age suitability 12+

Performed By pupils of Bedford School & Bedford Girls’ School This amateur production is performed by arrangement with Josef Weinberger Ltd.

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Bedford School Drama Society presents

Macbeth

A Radical Reimagining

Wednesday 23, Friday 25 & Saturday 26 November, 7.30PM Where Main Auditorium Ticket price £7.50 (£5 concessions) Running Time 75 minutes Age suitability 12+

Performed By pupils of Bedford School

We begin at his end. In the moments before the climactic battle of his life, Macbeth is tortured with guilt and paranoia. Is he mad, evil or who he thinks he is . . . the rightful King of Scotland? Join us as we place Macbeth under the microscope. Offering an intense insight into Macbeth’s thoughts in the moments before his death through the use of live-video feed screened on stage, Macbeth will be under the spotlight as we explore the consequences of his desire for power and the effect of his betrayal of those closest to him. Using only the original text we have reordered scenes and key moments in Macbeth’s descent into madness as his grasp on power and reality spiral out of control, to create a new and original take on this classic text. In the year of the 400th anniversary of Shakespeare’s death, this adaptation will emphasise how relevant his work remains to a contemporary audience. “And all our yesterdays have lighted fools the way to dusty death.”

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Rhum and Clay Theatre Company present

64 Squares

Monday 5 December, 7.30pm

“You might have noticed there are four of me. Don’t worry. You’ll get used to it. I have.” On board a decadent cruise liner in 1939, the world’s greatest chess champion is challenged to a match by a mysterious newcomer called… B. As B begins to play, it becomes clear that the game is not the only thing he’s at risk of losing. Because B is not just one person, but four. And they each have their own version of the story they want to tell. With a live jazz percussive score and their signature blend of ramshackle and cinematic performance, Rhum and Clay Theatre Company tell a story of madness, identity and finding a home in 64 black and white squares.

Review “Rhum and Clay have come of age… beautifully put together, intelligent and moodily atmospheric” THE GUARDIAN 

Review “This was weird and wonderful theatre performed with inch perfect precision... the rustle of audience awe was lovely”

Where Main Auditorium Ticket price £12 (£10 concessions) Running time 70 minutes Age suitability All ages

THE OBSERVER  25

Bedford Prep School Drama presents

House Drama Competition Where Main Auditorium Ticket price Free (Ticketed event) Running time 150 minutes Age suitability All ages

Performed By pupils of Bedford Prep School

Review “One of our finest singers – regardless of category.” SUNDAY TIMES

Where Main Auditorium Ticket price £20 Running time 120 minutes Age suitability All ages Don’t forget there will be some very special festive music in the bar before the show. 26

Thursday 8 December, 6.00PM An empty space with two areas: one for storytelling and one for listening. Based on New York poet Shel Silverstein’s collection of poems, Where the Sidewalk Ends, each of the four day houses in the Prep School will present an ensemble scene featuring song, dance, physical theatre and an array of inventive props and costumes. Come and join a celebration of the boys own work, staged in the main auditorium of the Quarry Theatre.

Jacqui Dankworth, Charlie Wood & Friends present

2016 Bedford Xmas Wingding! Saturday 10 December, 8.00PM (doors open from 7.00pm) Join us and start celebrating Christmas in style! It’s becoming a bit of a tradition here at The Quarry – Jacqui and Charlie’s Christmas Concert. Apart from general seasonal hilarity the concert will feature stellar performances by artists from the worlds of music, comedy, poetry & more. Last year’s concert was incredibly popular and sold out quickly so book early to avoid disappointment. “I will be joined by some wonderful artists and friends who will celebrate by making music together” Jacqui Dankworth

The People’s Theatre Company presents

Santa in love

Sunday 18 December, 1.30pm

Have you ever wanted to know a secret? A Christmas secret! Maybe you’d like to know where the fairy on top of the Christmas tree comes from, or why you never see a Christmas elf, or what exactly happened to Frosty the Snowman? Or maybe you’d like to know the greatest secret of them all… the one about Santa Claus and the thing he secretly loves best. Could it be presents? Could it be reindeer? Could it be snow? You’ll never guess, so if you want to find out then join Santa and his friends in this fun filled family musical complete with games, giggles and all your favourite Christmas songs. Santa will be available after the show to meet your little ones and give them a present, so don’t forget to bring your camera to capture the smiles!

Where Main Auditorium Ticket price £10 (£8 concessions) Running time 60 minutes Age suitability 2+

Review “A brilliant production that adults will love just as much as the young ones.” THE GUIDE Review “Thoroughly entertaining and brilliant fun.” WHAT’S ON STAGE

A magical fun filled Christmas show with sing along songs and lots of interaction followed by a meet and greet with Santa that includes free presents for the children and photo opportunities! By Steven Lee

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the quarry theatre presents

the tales of beedle the bard By J.K. Rowling

Wed 21 - Thu 22 December, 7.30pm, Fri 23 December, 2.30PM & 7.30pm Where Main Auditorium Ticket price £8 (£6 concessions) Running Time 75 minutes Age suitability 5+ Warner Bros. Entertainment and J.K. Rowling are not responsible for this event but, subject to conditions, they have kindly granted us permission to use the HARRY POTTER trade mark and other materials.

Join us this Christmas when our family and children’s show will be an adaptation of some of J.K. Rowling’s “uniquely magical” stories. Find out the origins of the Harry Potter’s cloak of invisibility, discover why there’s no point trying to outsmart Death and learn the secret ingredients to success, as we explore three of these classic tales. The Fountain of Fair Fortune is particularly appropriate for the festive season as it was the subject of “the sole attempt to introduce a Christmas pantomime to Hogwarts’ festive celebrations!” So don’t forget your sorting hat, your stripy tights and your wizards’ cloaks; give your owls* a good brush and get your broomsticks ready to fly down to The Quarry Theatre this Christmas for a special festive family treat. Muggles welcome as well as wizards and witches! There will be some special prizes for the best fancy dress. 28

* Please note any owl droppings must be cleaned up by the patron responsible for the owl . . .

AUDITORIUM Seating G1

G2

G3

G4

G5

G6

G7

G8

G9

F1

F2

F3

F4

F5

F6

F7

F8

F9

F10 F11 F12

E1

E2

E3

E4

E5

E6

E7

E8

E9

E10 G11 E12

D1

D2

D3

D4

D5

D6

D7

D8

D9 D10 D11 D12

KEY

G10 G11 G12 G13 G14 G15 G16

Restricted view* Suitable for wheel chair users*

C11 C12 C13 C14 C15 C16 C17 C18 C19 C20 C21 C22 B11 B12 B13 B14 B15 B16 B17 B18 B19 B20 B21 B22

*please call to book

A11 A12 A13 A14 A15 A16 A17 A18 A19 A20 A21 A22

C10 B10 A10

A23 B23 C23

C9

B9

A9

A24 B24 C24

C8

B8

A8

A25 B25 C25

C7

B7

A7

C6

B6

A6

C5

B5

A5

A28 B28 C28

C4

B4

A4

A29 B29 C29

C3

B3

A3

A30 B30 C30

C2

B2

A2

A31 B31 C31

C1

B1

A1

A32 B32 C32

STAGE

A26 B26 C26 A27 B27 C27

E2

E3

E4

E5

E6

E7

E8

E9

E10 E11 E12 E13 E14 E15 E16

D2

D3 F1

D4

D5

D6

D7

D8

D9

D10 D11 D12 D13 D14 D15 D16 D17

C1 E1

C2

C3 E1

C4

C5

C6

C7

C8

C9

C10 C11 C12 C13 C14 C15 C16 C17

B1 D1

B2

B3 D1

B4

B5

B6

B7

B8

B9

B10 B11 B12 B13 B14 B15 B16 B17

A25 C1A26 A27 C1A28 A29 A30 A31 A32 A33 A34 A35 A36 A37 A38

CIRCLE SEATING

E17

E1 D1 F1

A39 A40 A41 A42

A24 C1

A43 C1

A23

A44

A22

A45

A21

A46

A20

A47

A19

A48

A18

A49

A17

A50

A16

A51

A15 C2

A52 C2

A14 C1

A53 C1

A13

A54

A12

A55

A11

STAGE

Stalls SEATING

A56

A10 C2

A57 C2

A9 C1

A58 C1

A8

A59

A7

A60

A6

C4

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A BIT OF HOUSEKEEPING Book online

Contact us

quarrytheatre.org.uk

We are always happy to hear from you with comments, suggestions and enquiries.

By phone 01234 362337

Facilities The box office is located as you enter the building from the St. Peter’s Street entrance. We have a spacious ground floor bar, opening onto the garden of the original Moravian chapel, which serves pre-show and interval drinks and snacks. There is a ground-floor foyer which houses art exhibitions and displays.

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If you’re interested in becoming a Friend of The Quarry Theatre or joining our volunteer team of ushers and front of house staff, please call us on one of the numbers below:

Bookings & information The Quarry Theatre at St. Luke’s 26 St. Peter’s Street Bedford MK40 2NN quarrytheatre.org.uk

quarrytheatreatstlukes

@quarryatstlukes

T: 01234 362335 E: quarrytheatre@ bedfordschool.org.uk

School group bookings

To enquire about our special discounts for school groups, and to book tickets, please call 01234 362337 or email quarrytheatre@ bedfordschool.org.uk

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FINDING US

St Peter’s Street car park

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Goldington Road

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Lurke Street Car Park

Finding us

Disabled access

Parking

The entrance to The Quarry Theatre at St. Luke’s is on St. Peter’s Street.

The Quarry Theatre at St. Luke’s aims to make all its facilities accessible to all members of the community. The main theatre (ground floor) and the studio (first floor) are wheelchair accessible.

Apart from a limited amount of disabled parking (please call ahead to book) there is no on-site parking. Nearby car parks are indicated on the map above. Please note the Lurke Street Car Park (MK40 3HZ) is open 24 hours and is free after 8pm. St Peter’s Street Car Park is also open 24 hours and is free after 6pm. Parking on De Parys Avenue is free after 6pm.

If you are travelling by car, please use MK40 2NN for Sat Nav systems.

If you require wheelchair access, please do phone ahead so we can make the appropriate arrangements prior to your arrival. We have an assisted listening facility for the hearing impaired.

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The Quarry Theatre at St. Luke’s 26 St. Peter’s Street, Bedford, MK40 2NN The Quarry Theatre at St. Luke’s is part of Bedford School, which is part of The Harpur Trust