Spring is sprung at the Gulbenkian!

Spring 2009

Gulbenkian Theatre, Canterbury

2009 marks the 40^th Anniversary of the Gulbenkian Theatre and our Spring Season will kick start the celebrations in style with special performances and an exciting and varied programme which shows the Gulbenkian continues to showcase the best in comedy, dance, music, drama and family friendly shows.

The season begins with the popular Open Mic Jazz Singer’s Night which will continue in the atmospheric Gulbenkian Café Bar once a month. Jazz also features as part of our 40^th anniversary celebrations with British Jazz legend Acker Bilk and the undisputed “Princess of Jazz”, Jacqui Dankworth, who makes a welcome return to the Gulbenkian.

Folk fans will be celebrating two 40^th anniversaries as pioneers of folk-rock Steeleye Span bring their 40^th Anniversary Tour to the theatre while winner of two Nationwide Mercury Prize nominations, Eliza Carthy will showcase original material from her new album. The season also offers traditional Irish music from both Dervish and Craobh Rua. For those music fans who want to experience something a little different try the community singing project entitled, Global Voices Workshop.

As ever, the Gulbenkian promises to bring the best comedians to Canterbury as Gulbenkian favourites Rhod Gilbert, Mark Watson, Josie Long, Pappy’s Fun Club and Mark Thomas all return to the stage with their new shows. Plus, if.comedy Award Winner 2008 David O’Doherty will perform his show It’s David O’Doherty Time.  Comedy can also be enjoyed on Valentine’s Day as Lucy Porter presents The Bare Necessities, with the opportunity to enjoy a delicious meal in the Café Bar before the show with our Valentine’s show and supper deal.

The most exciting, contemporary and diverse drama is offered including a darkly comic folk tale told with masks, puppets and original music in Strangeface’s The Last Resort and Fringe First award winners, The Paper Birds Theatre Company present In a Thousand Pieces; a physically and visually moving tale of a young Eastern European girl and her journey to England. Drama also comes from European Arts in The Pickwick Papers and Foursight Theatre present Can Any Mother Help Me?

Children from as young as three can enjoy a variety of theatrical delights including new adaptations of classics such as The Ugly Duckling, Rapunzel and the Tower of Doom and The Three Billy Goats Gruff. Families can also be entertained on a Saturday afternoon by Tall Stories with How the Giraffe Got Its Neck and Blunderbus Theatre Company’s Grandpa Joe’s Magic Show.

Finally, the Gulbenkian has a vibrant programme of dance in store as the unique company Bare Bones present work by three internationally renowned choreographers and Kompany Malakhi bring their unique blend of parkour, physical theatre, contemporary dance, and hip hop culture to East Kent.  Also, receive a great deal of dance from Verve, Ballet Central and Edge: If you buy tickets for all three conservatoire performances, you’ll save £££s.

Book now for what is set to be an entertaining season at the Gulbenkian Theatre.

Booking Office 01227 769075

On line bookings and to download the Spring 2009 brochure www.gulbenkiantheatre.co.uk

Ends.

For press photos contact: