The Marlowe Studio Announces Summer Lineup

IF YOU'RE looking for a great night out this summer, head to The Marlowe Studio in Canterbury.

The Studio will be presenting a range of gigs, comedy and drama. First up is Director's Cut on Friday 13 July; a comedy horror show, which takes place on the set of the worst film never made. We join the cast and crew on the last day of filming - the fires have been contained, the wigs have been sterilised, and the star has been replaced after The Accident. Surely, nothing else can be waiting in the dark? Noises Off meets The Exorcist, Carrie meets Singin' In The Rain as award-winning comedy troupe Kill The Beast (He Had Hairy Hands) present this new show.

This summer also sees The Canterbury Players return to The Studio with a new version of Ibsen's classic Hedda Gabler (Thursday 19 to Saturday 21 July), especially adapted for them. Each performance will be accompanied by a live piano score, written and performed by Greg Ireland.

If you're a music fan, don't miss Justin And The Argonauts (Saturday 14 July). They are a four-piece ensemble, comprising violin, accordion, guitar, tuba and vocals, playing an eclectic blend of fast-paced tango, classical, klezmer and out-there pop as you've never heard it before.

They have been dazzling audiences with their musical virtuosity and impeccable manners for the past two years and are (probably) the only band performing music from Shostakovich to Britney Spears in the same set!

Another must-see for music fans will be This Is The Kit (Thursday 30 August). The musical project, which holds exceptional Paris-via-Bristol songwriter Kate Stables close to its heart, have earned the adoration of peers including Guy Garvey, The National and Sharon van Etten. Their new album, Moonshine Freeze, is their most compelling and accomplished to date. It began in the immediate wake of its predecessor, Bashed Out, when days after coming off tour last November, Stables and her band (Rozi Plain, Jamie Whitby-Coles, Neil Smith and Jesse D Vernon) headed into the studio.

And if what you want is a good laugh, The Studio will also be playing an important part in the first Marlowe Comedy Festival. It will be hosting a series of Edinburgh Festival preview shows from up-and-coming comedians: Adam Hess and Kiri Pritchard-McClean (Monday 23 July), Darren Harriott and Jamali Maddox (Tuesday 24 July), Kieran Hodgson and Catherine Bohart (Wednesday 25 July), and Ivo Graham and Alfie Brown (Thursday 26 July).

For performance times, ticket prices, and to book, call the Box Office on 01227 787787, or go to marlowetheatre.com. Please note, age recommendations are in place for some shows.