This is old-fashioned glamour in the company of two, modern-day musical greats.
A Couple of Swells is the inspired pairing of two unique entertainers.
Liza Pulman, songstress, comedienne and one-third of the iconic Fascinating Aida, and virtuoso pianist, songwriter and singer Joe Stilgoe. Together they combine humour and musicianship at the very highest level, making old songs sound new and new songs feel like you’ve known them all your life.
Both born in the proverbial trunk, their style has been fine-tuned from cradle to stage. Together they have the musical and theatrical chemistry of Dudley Moore and Julie Andrews, or Barbara Cook and Wally Harper.
Prepare to be swept away by Joe’s dazzling piano playing, Liza’s exquisite vocals and their beautiful, tight harmonies as they dig into the true classics and hidden gems of Irving Berlin, Paul McCartney, Jerome Kern, Billy Joel and Leonard Bernstein, mixed with a few new songs specially written for the show.
Liza Pulman
Pulman’s career began at Glyndebourne Opera and has encompassed music, theatre and over twenty years as one-third of Britain’s best-selling satirical comedy trio, Fascinating Aida. This much-loved satirical comedy group has just completed 100 sell-out shows across the UK including three nights at the London Palladium and are set to return for a run of shows at the Royal Festival Hall in January 2025.
Liza’s solo career as a concert performer and recording artist has showcased a talent for rediscovering, reinventing and reimagining timeless classics and lost gems. Most recently, Liza Pulman - Streisand played West End runs to packed houses and five-star reviews, and a new show, The Heart Of It, started its 2023 tour at The Other Palace in London.
Joe Stilgoe
Stilgoe is an internationally acclaimed singer, pianist and songwriter, known for writing songs that feel like classics, and adapting classics so they sound like they’ve just been written. Most recently, Joe arranged and accompanied Hannah Waddingham’s performance of Time After Time at the BAFTA Film Awards and opened this year’s Olivier Awards with his arrangement of Anything Goes.
Growing up surrounded by music, Joe’s career extends across theatre, TV and radio. He’s a regular on Radio 4 on shows including Loose Ends and The Horne Section and he has worked with some of the finest orchestras and bands in the world. Joe has released eight albums, five of which topped the UK Jazz chart.
'Oooo…it’s SO good' Dawn French
'Joe Stilgoe and Liza Pulman are showbusiness royalty…' ★★★★ LondonTheatre1
'The chemistry Pulman and Stilgoe have together is second to none … together they are unstoppable' ★★★★All That Dazzles
'… a wonderful night of proper showbiz from two extraordinary artists right at the top of their game…' Damian Thantrey, Festival Director, Lichfield Festival
'Two supreme entertainers on the stage together… what’s not to love!' Stewart Collins, Artistic Director, Petworth Festival
Courtyard Theatre
£22
Liza
Liza's website
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James Church hosts an evening with Broadway star Kim Criswell.
Kim will share songs and stories from her 50 year career. Specialising in the classic American songbook, Kim has sung and recorded with many of the world’s greatest symphony orchestras, including four appearances at the BBC Proms with Sir Simon Rattle and John Wilson.
Her theatre career has take her from Broadway (3 Penny Opera opposite Sting) and LA (Grizabella in Cats) to the West End (Annie Oakley in Annie Get Your Gun) and Paris (Mother Abbess in The Sound of Music).
Studio
£19
A brand new theatre show featuring unique swing style arrangements of songs from global artists such as Queen, The Rolling Stones, George Michael, Bob Dylan, Radiohead, Prince, Bee Gees, Tom Jones, Rick Astley and more.
You can also expect a few classics from Sinatra and co along the way! The live show is fun, full of energy and will have you singing from your seats. Featuring a fabulous band of top big and musicians!
Following a run of sold out shows and touring the globe, Andrew Bourn brings his own unique charm and charisma to the Courtyard stage. He exudes the classic style and panache of the greatest artists of the genre.
Andrew first won hearts in 2014 when he came fourth on ITV's Britain’s Got Talent as part of swing group Jack Pack. Andrew had a fantastic global adventure including a top ten album and performing alongside artists such as Katy Perry, Take That and Jessie J. The band enjoyed multiple TV appearances (Xtra Factor, Strictly Come Dancing, Sunday night at the Palladium) and live radio performances (Graham Norton, Terry Wogan and Ken Bruce).
Andrew has had the honour of singing for and meeting HM King Charles III at the Royal Palaces. He has delivered ‘bucket list’ shows at both The Royal Albert Hall and Proms in the Park, performing at the latter for an audience of 50,000.
'A wonderful evening, thank you' HRH King Charles III
'An outstanding performance' Simon Cowell
‘You sounded like Frank’ Adam Lambert
Courtyard Theatre
£25
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Dottie is an eager to please 50s style diner server on their first day on the job. It's a place where the baby is the customer and grownups are along for the ride.
As the server waits on their demanding clientele (imagine babies doing what babies do best – creating adorable chaos!) the server grows increasingly frazzled – and more and more entertaining!
Stimulating for tiny audience members with sensory play served up throughout the show, it's hilarious for grown ups watching their little ones take on roles in an unfolding comedy.
Age guidance
2 months to 2 years.
Run time
50 minutes without an interval.
Studio
£15 for one adult and one child I Additional adult £12 | Additional sibling £8
Produced by Watford Palace Theatre
Created by Jill Rogati
Directed by Eva Sampson
Event cinema screening.
The Importance of being Earnest by Oscar Wilde directed by Max Webster.
Three-time Olivier Award-winner Sharon D Clarke is joined by Ncuti Gatwa (Doctor Who; Sex Education) in this joyful reimagining of Oscar Wilde’s most celebrated comedy.
While assuming the role of a dutiful guardian in the country, Jack lets loose in town under a false identity. Meanwhile, his friend Algy adopts a similar facade. Hoping to impress two eligible ladies, the gentlemen find themselves caught in a web of lies they must carefully navigate.
Max Webster (Life of Pi) directs this hilarious story of identity, impersonation and romance, filmed live from the National Theatre in London.
Courtyard Theatre Cinema
£16 | £13 Neon Members (free membership for ages 16 - 25)
Find out more about Neon Membership here.
Share your thoughts on contemporary fiction with other readers in a welcoming and relaxed atmosphere.
This season our Book Club will be reading:
Thursday 20 February
A Memoir of My Former Self by Hilary Mantel
Thursday 20 March
Persuasion by Jane Austen
Thursday 17 April
Table for Two by Amor Towles
May
The Romantic by William Boyd
June
Normal Rules Don’t Apply by Kate Atkinson
July
Before the Coffee Gets Cold by Toshikazu Kawaguchi
Suitable for 18+ years.
Spaces are limited, early booking is advised to avoid disappointment.
7.30pm – 9pm
£5 per session (includes a glass of wine or soft drink from the bar)
Led by Julie Potter
This class is suited to those who have been practising for at least 6. My intention for this class is to move our practise forward, explore different avenues and approaches to the traditional postures. We will be aiming to be going deeper into awareness and noticing.
The yoga I teach is an evolution of over 20 years of practice and study, perhaps moving away from external evaluation of the postures and moving towards an internal sense of the postures, moving away from the more used traditional approach of systemised yoga to a more experiential approach. Whilst looking at traditional Hatha Yoga postures and pranayamas, I will be encouraging fun and freedom within the traditional structure, whilst taking into our awareness fundamental anatomical and functional aspects required by our bodies for maximum wellbeing benefits.
Please bring a blanket, a Yoga / Pilates mat, and wear loose comfortable clothing.
Spring
Fri 10 Jan - 7 Feb (5 weeks)
Fri 14 Feb - 14 Mar (5 weeks)
Fri 21 Mar - 25 Apr (5 weeks)
11am - 12.15pm
£12 per session | £50 per 5 week course
This class will take place both in person and online via Zoom.
You will find the link to access the session in your booking confirmation email.
Led by SalsaStyle
Specialising for twenty years in providing individual attention to help you develop dance techniques and grow in confidence. SalsaStyle will ensure everyone feels welcome no matter what level.
Spring
Fri 10 Jan - 7 Feb (5 weeks)
Fri 14 Feb - 14 Mar (5 weeks)
Fri 21 Mar - 25 Apr (5 weeks) (excl 18 Apr)
8.15pm - 9.15pm
£12 per session | £50 per 5 week course
Don't forget to stay for the Salsa Social from 9.15pm - 10pm: stay after the class for a dance and drink!
Box Office closes at 8pm but online booking is still available.
Click here for more information about SalsaStyle.
Led by Deborah Le Vene-Page
Align and Flow Yoga is influenced by the biomechanics and heart orientated philosophy of the Anusara Hatha style of yoga. With a specific alignment focus within the flow of postures the practice will tone and strengthen the body, improve posture and create more freedom in the body and mind resulting in a calm and relaxed state of being.
Each week there will be a different theme weaving its’ way through the session, but a typical class starts with breathing techniques to centre and ground, poses to warm up and then progresses to a fun and challenging mix of vinyasa and alignment yoga.
This class is designed to cultivate focus, stamina, strength, and flexibility. Leaving time at the end for a well-deserved relaxation.
Come prepared for an energising class that will also leave you feeling relaxed.
Age guidance: 18+ years
Spring
Sat 11 Jan - 22 Feb (7 weeks)
Sat 8 Mar - 26 Apr (8 weeks)
£12.50 per session | £73.50 per 7 week course | £84 per 8 week course
Suitable for all levels of experience. Please bring a yoga mat with you.
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