What's on
♫ Rebecca Poole Quintet
Fri 25 May 2018 at 7:30PM
- Rebecca Poole vocals
- Brandon Allen tenor sax
- Hugh Turner guitars
- Raph Mizraki bass
- Steve Wyndham drums
Following the release of her long-awaited debut album ‘Diamond in the Dust’, 2016 saw Rebecca Poole support Jools Holland and his Rhythm & Blues Orchestra on his UK Tour – including appearances at the Royal Albert Hall, which gave rise to sensational reviews.
As a singer/songwriter, Rebecca creates alongside grammy award winning producer Andy Wright, famed for his records with Imelda May, Chrissie Hynde, Simple Minds and Simply Red.
Often referred to as pop noir, her distinctive sultry stylings and songwriting skills have led to collaborations with Jamiroquai’s Matt Johnson and Ian Barter (Amy Winehouse). Rebecca’s latest singles have been championed by Radio 2, BBC 6 music and BBC London.
Combining her own unique style with nuances of Nina Simone, Nancy Sinatra, Peggy Lee and Henry Mancini, Rebecca offers playful swagger with hugely entertaining onstage appeal.
With her popularity continuing to grow, Rebecca has performed to 90,000 people at Wembley, guested on The Royal Variety Show, performed with Jamie Cullum at BBC Radio 2’s Cheltenham Festival, played packed houses at London’s premier venues, Formula 1 events and The London Lifestyle Awards. Only recently Rebecca also performed as a guest singer on Richard Branson’s Necker Island opening for Lana Del Rey.
Fronting with Rebecca at the Progress Theatre we have Brandon Allen, described by Tony Hall of JazzWise as “arguably the most exciting tenor player in Britain today. His phrasing is unashamedly emotional, soaked in the blues tradition.”
Making up the rhythm section we have local guitar hero Hugh Turner, Jazz in Reading favourite and acoustic bass supremo Raph Mizraki and, swinging hard, drummer Steve Wyndam – who is also head of drums at Eton school, no less.
We anticipate a magical night!
Jazz at Progress is presented in association with Jazz in Reading.
Happy Jack
By John Godber
11-16 June 2018, performances at 7.45pm
Matinée at 2.30pm on 16 June
Doors open 30 minutes earlier
Happy Jack is a funny and touching play about Jack and Liz, a couple inspired by John Godber’s own grandparents. Weaving through 60 years of marriage, the pair introduce us to the characters they have known in their Yorkshire mining village and take us through love, sadness, anger, joy and conflict, from courtship to retirement and much in between.
"Neat, touching and joyously celebratory" - Financial Times
"There’s a truthful timeless quality to this little piece of Yorkshire social history that isn’t showing its age at all" - British Theatre Guide
Directed by Helen Wernham
This amateur production of “Happy Jack” is presented by special arrangement with SAMUEL FRENCH, LTD.
Poetry of War
3-7 July 2018, performances at 7.45pm
Doors open 7.15pm
An evening of performance poetry to mark the centenary of the end of the First World War – “The war to end all wars”.
Progress Youth Theatre, the creative talent that devised The Hidden Truth brings you a story of personal, political and social conflict through the medium of verse.
Much Ado About Nothing
by William Shakespeare
in the Open Air at Reading Abbey Ruins
11-21 July 2018
Enjoy an open-air production.of this great Shakespearean comedy - although with a touch of darkness.
Much Ado About Nothing follows the return of soldiers from war. Packed with intrigue, double-crossing and plenty of laughter, Much Ado About Nothing is the perfect introduction to Shakespeare. Following the turbulent romances between Hero and Claudio and Beatrice and Benedict, this exploration of what loyalty, chivalry, and true love really mean empowers us to challenge our perceptions of relationships.
Our production moves the story from Italy to an English house at the conclusion of World War Two. It will be using the story of the lovers to explore the nature of the relationship between men and women as well as exploring themes of jealousy and class.
Leonato welcomes his friends back from war. His daughter, Hero, is in love with Claudio. His niece, Beatrice, verbally spars with Benedict. Can their friends conspire to bring them together? Will Leonato’s brother, Don John, succeed in driving Claudio and Hero apart? Can the watchmen overcome their incompetence to bring out the truth?
Cast
Benedict - Dan Clarke
Beatrice - Kate Shaw
Hero - Taylor Rupp
Claudio - Matt Urwin
Peter - Matt Tully
Leonato - Paul Gallantry
Antonia - Emma Kellow
John - Ian Belcher
Conrade - Louise Banks
Borachio - Alex Hobbs
Dogberry - Mikhail Franklin
Verges - Juliet England
Seacole- Laura Barns
Oatcake - Heather Eley
Margaret - Rebecca Douglas
Ursula - Debora Rochfort
Rebecca - Francesca Alfano
Sexton - Simon White
Friar Francis - Adj Messelles
Messenger - Daniel Gladwel
Directed by Trevor Dale
Jesus Christ Superstar
Lyrics by Tim Rice
Music by Andrew Lloyd Webber
13-22 September 2018, performances at 7.45pm
Matinées at 2.30pm on 15 and 22 September 2018
Doors open 30 minutes earlier
Musicals return to Progress Theatre late summer with the much sought after and loved rock musical Jesus Christ Superstar. With a mixture of styles of music there is somebody for everybody, from folk to jazz and from musical ballads to driving rock. The powerful show performed in the unique Progress Theatre is something not to be missed. Get your tickets early….this one will sell out!
Directed by Andy Camichel
An amateur production by arrangement with The Really Useful Group, Ltd.