Saturday 27th April 2024

The Father

by Florian Zeller

Translated by Christopher Hampton

Seen through the eyes of a man with dementia, The Father exposes the emotional toll it has on him and his family. Moving and at times heart-breaking, André’s story will be recognised by all too many families. Blisteringly honest but ultimately uplifting, it’s a story of our times.

Presented by White Cobra, an award-winning community theatre company based in Northamptonshire. They tour all across the UK and beyond with a mix of drama, musical and comedy productions. 

Doors open at 6.45pm

Performance starts at 7.30pm

Tickets £15

Saturday 11th May 2024

ASHBY ARTS FESTIVAL present:

Skinner & T'witch

supported by The Three Rivers Gang

Ashby Arts Festival present a fun night of music with The Three Rivers Gang. They consist of John Harris on lead vocals and guitar, Ann Harris on backing vocals and squeezebox and martin on bass guitar and mandolin. They specialise in old country music.

The headline act are Skinner and T'witch, a Leeds based duo performing folk, flamenco and theatre style songs, with driving rhythms, intense harmonies and inspiring lyrics.

Doors open at 6.45pm

Performance starts at 7.30pm

Tickets £10 directly from www.ashbyartsfestival.co.uk

Thursday 16th May 2024

Your Bard

Written and Performed by Nicholas Collett

Professor Nother is giving a talk about Shakespeare authorship in the pub – but he doesn’t believe the man from Stratford wrote those plays. 

That’s Will’s cue to defend his reputation. Come and meet the man himself! He’ll tell you all about his family, what it’s like on tour and the glory days at the Globe. Ladies and gentlemen raise your glasses – Your Bard!

'Your Bard' was written by Nicholas Collett in 2016 as part of the Escape To Create writers residency in Seaside, Florida. It was the winner of the first Holland Playwriting Award. Directed by Gavin Robertson.
The show has toured throughout the UK and has been performed in Kansas City, Seaside Florida and Edinburgh. It was selected to be part of the Arts Council of England’s first “Inn Crowd” scheme, administered by Creative Arts East and Applause – the show has been performed in pubs in Norfolk, Suffolk, Kent and East Sussex.

Doors open at 6.45pm

Performance starts at 7.30pm

Tickets £14

*** An Ashby Dramatic Society production ***

Thursday 6th - Saturday 8th and

Wednesday 12th - Saturday 15th June 2024

Ladies Unleashed

by Amanda Whittington

The Ladies are back! The herring girls from Hull venture out in this third play in the series. After winning it big on the horses (Ladies Day) and finding love and adventure in Australia (Ladies Down Under) Pearl, Jan and Linda reunite again.

This time for a weekend prior to a wedding in Lindisfarne, a place where the echoes of the past merge with the present. But a lot has changed since they were last together, and will Shelley return?

Trouble is never far away and as they get cut off from the mainland, tensions rise with the tide. As the girls look back on the changes in their lives and changes over the last century, the importance of love and friendship remain.

Doors open at 6.45pm

Performance starts at 7.30pm

Saturday 8th Matinee doors open 1.45pm

Matinee performance starts at 2.30pm

Tickets £12 (including programme)

Friday 5th July 2024

Lesley Smith as Elizabeth I

Although given a matter of months on the throne by observers of the day, Queen Elizabeth I went on to rule England longer than any other monarch before her. Her passionate belief in the English people and her lack of martial ambition combined with a brilliant mind and outstanding political skills is why she was so hugely successful.

Here is a chance to meet Her Majesty at her political zenith and already an icon in the English psyche of the time.

This glittering presentation will transport the audience back to the time of Drake, Raleigh and Shakespeare on England’s voyage into the Renaissance.

Lesley Smith has been the Curator of Tutbury Castle in Staffordshire since 2000. She is a medical historian holding an M.Phil in Tudor medicine, and has many academic publications. Lesley has also appeared in over 120 television programmes and is well known for her highly entertaining and informative costumed portrayals of a variety of historical characters, including Anne Boleyn, Mary Queen of Scots and Nell Gwynne.

Please note that Lesley’s performances are intended for audiences over the age of 16.

Doors open at 6.45pm

Performance starts at 7.30pm

Tickets £12

Friday 11th October 2024

Lil' Jimmy Reed

Hailing from the USA, musician Leon Atkins filled in one night for famed blues star Jimmy Reed, earning him the nickname of Lil' Jimmy Reed.

He has headlined festivals all over the world. With his authentic Louisiana blues sound, Lil' Jimmy teamed up with Bob Hall on piano and Hilary Blythe on bass and is visiting Ashby-de-la-Zouch for the first time as part of their 2024 UK tour.

Doors open at 7.30pm

Performance starts at 8pm

Tickets £16

Tiered Seating for 110