Wilton's Music Hall Announces 2014 Holiday Season Lineup

By: Nov. 04, 2014
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Wilton's Music Hall has announced further events for The Chrysalis Club, an eclectic interim arts programme of events, gigs, screenings, classes and performances to run until September 2015, as the world's last surviving Grand Music Hall in London's East End enters the second phase of vital building works.

The perfect night out for guitar fans, Seven Decades: Zebra Stripes, Flames and Killer Tops, is musical storytelling at its very best. Its been six months since the four talented musicians behind Seven Decades took Wilton's audiences on a fascinating, inspirational and humorous musical journey through the last 70 years of popular music, guided by the Fender Telecaster, the Gibson Les Paul, the Fender Stratocaster and the Gibson ES 335. Following sell out shows, they return to carry on where Songs and Stories left off. This time there will be a host of new additions and dimensions bringing this absorbing show into its next incarnation.

Wilton's first specially commissioned Christmas show, Mrs Hudson's Christmas Corker is written by Barry and Bob Cryer and presented in association with Spymonkey. Situated somewhere in the celebrated 221B Baker Street residence, this riotous production contrasts the minutiae of a landlady's daily domestic routine with the grand opera of Conan Doyle's Adventure of the Blue Carbuncle.

Due to complete in the Autumn of 2015, the restoration project will open up a further 40% of the building, currently derelict, bringing these unseen and unused spaces back to life and making them accessible for the first time. Beyond that, securing the building also secures the future of Wilton's as an arts and heritage venue, enabling more strategic long-term artistic programming, creating more venue hiring potential and offering the opportunity to plan and incorporate a wide range of community and learning activities, developed so everyone from local school children and community groups, businesses and volunteers can get involved in Wilton's revival.

For booking information, visit www.wiltons.org.uk.


2014/15 LISTINGS:

Seven Decades: Zebra Stripes, Flames and Killer Tops

Dates: 4 - 8 November
Time: 7.30pm
Price: £10 - £20

The perfect night out for guitar and popular music fans - musical storytelling at its very best

Written and Directed by Phil Hylander and Michael John Ross

It's 6 months since the four talented musicians behind Seven Decades took Wilton's audiences on a fascinating, inspirational and humorous musical journey through the last 70 years, guided by the Fender Telecaster, the Gibson Les Paul, the Fender Stratocaster and the Gibson ES 335. If you were lucky enough to see any of those sell-out shows, you'll be beating a path to our door to carry on where Songs and Stories left off. If you didn't, now's your chance to find out what you missed, with the added bonus of a host of new additions and dimensions as the band have developed this absorbing show into its next incarnation.

Sticking to the original formula and telling the chronological story of these iconic instruments that shaped modern music, Mike and the boys have introduced yet more magnificent guitars from the 1960s. Their virtuosity is now enhanced by two live vocalists as well as a special pre-recorded guest appearance from the distinctive voice of Huey Morgan (BBC Radio 2, BBC Radio 6 Music and frontman of Fun Lovin' Criminals). This time, the band will present the work of all the guitar masters plus new artists such as Sister Rosetta Tharpe and Tom Morello, illuminated by a backdrop of films, animations and responsive visuals.

The Mahogany Bar Presents: FoBo Jug Band

Date: 10 November
Time: 8.30pm - 10.30pm
Price: Free

Delta shuffle with stomping flavour, join us for an evening of high energy Blues delivered with a modern twist.

The FoBo Jug Band are an acoustic trio stomping and hollering blues, country and ragtime classics of the prohibition era. Bringing together fast paced skiffle energy with modern takes on the traditional musical forms, the Mahogany Bar will be transformed into a raucous 1920's drinking den, complete with bawdy tales of hard living and spurned lovers.

One of London's best known and respected Delta revival bands, Harpo (Harmonica and Washboard), Speed Dial Simmonds (Guitar, Vocals and Kazoo) and Cripple Fingers (Piano) are known for their wild and tireless live performances bringing to life the spirit of the cotton fields in a truly unique way. If you like to holler and stomp, you won't be disappointed.

The Mahogany Bar presents: Carradine's Cockney Sing-A-Long

Date: 11 November
Time: 8pm - 10.30pm
Price: Free

Join Mr. Tom Carradine, on the 'Ol Johanna, Art Deco dandy, Champagne Charlie and the songbird of Trafalgar Square, Lili la Scala, as they present an evening of timeless songs with audience participation.

After a uproarious debut in the Mahogany Bar this October, our cockney hosts are back to lead you in an traditional sing-a-long, with ditties from the Music Hall era, WWI and II, the West End stage and traditional popular songs from across the decades. A good old-fashioned knees-up!

Dance Party with Swing Patrol

Date: 21 November
Time: Dance Class, 7pm & music from 7.30pm
Price: £15

Enjoy a drink with friends and take to the dance floor with help from the Swing Patrol experts...

Congratulations to Swing Patrol Maestro, Scott Cupit, on winning Dragons' Den on Sunday 20th July! Come and find out why these dance nights are so hugely popular, enjoy a drink with friends and take to the dance floor with help from the experts.

Swing Patrol return with their usual taster class at 7pm, followed by social dancing until 11pm. There will be performances by the pros and guaranteed good times for everyone, regardless of ability. Enjoy displays by some of the best dancers on the scene and join in if you can. These events are for experts, intermediates and absolute beginners with two left feet -- everyone really is welcome!

Mrs Hudson's Christmas Corker

Dates: 2 - 31 December
Time: Tuesday - Saturday 7.30pm (except Wed 3rd at 7pm), matinees every Wednesday & Saturday 2pm
Price: £35 table seats, £27.50 main seating, £20 side seats
Press Night: 3 December
Written by Bob and Barry Cryer
In association with Spymonkey
Directed by Ed Gaughan
Designed by Lucy Bradridge

Situated in the kitchen of the celebrated 221B Baker Street, this riotous production contrasts the minutiae of a landlady's daily domestic routine with the grand opera of Conan Doyle's Adventure of the Blue Carbuncle.

Witness the tale of what really happens below stairs in an affectionate yet hilarious take on the Holmes legend, using music hall routines, tatty magicians, cod ventriloquists, lady boxers and perhaps even a death defying finale worthy of Moriarty himself! Mulled wine and Christmas trees come as standard.

Special New Year's Eve party! Book early to avoid disappointment, as they say!

Created by actor & writer, Bob Cryer, with his veteran comedy writer father, Barry, and in collaboration with the ultra-talented Spymonkey company, all deftly wrapped up with a ribbon by director Ed Gaughan.

N/B: The 3rd December performance will start at the earlier time of 7pm. There is no show on 25th December. Special New Year's Eve party tickets are available now. These will give ticket holders exclusive access to Wilton's and The Mahogany Bar after the show.

The Mahogany Bar presents: Carradine's Cockney Sing-A-Long

Date: 15 December
Time: 8pm - 10.30pm
Price: Free

Join us in the Mahogany Bar for a traditional cockney sing-a-long this Christmas, with your hosts, Mr. Tom Carradine, on the 'Ol Johanna, London cabaret compère, Champagne Charlie, and special guests.

In the decidedly festive surroundings of The Mahogany Bar, grab a mulled wine and let your hosts lead you in an traditional cockney sing-a-long, with ditties from the Music Hall era, WWI and II, the West End stage and traditional Christmas songs from across the decades. A good old-fashioned knees-up!



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