Artrix announces new autumn season

All-round family entertainment in prospect.

Artrix Arts Centre in Bromsgrove has announced a new autumn season filled with great music, big names in comedy, stand-out cinema, theatre to get you thinking and family favourites.

Following the success of last year’s Summer Drive-In Movies, Artrix is presenting Moulin Rouge! on Saturday 5th August and Mamma Mia on Friday 19th August. Drive-In to Artrix’s car park for big screen movie action, with classic drive-in meal deals available too.

As always, audiences can enjoy a wide range of cinema experiences at Artrix this season, including NT Encore Live screenings of Peter Pan on Saturday 5th August, Yerma on Wednesday 6th September and Follies on Wednesday 22nd November.

There are top quality musical acts, including Northern Soul Live on Sunday 16th September. Featuring classic Motown, Soul and Northern Soul hits and starring Lorraine Silver, best known for the hit Lost Summer Love.

John Illsley, the founder member of Dire Straits, visits on Saturday 21st October and the legendary musician and songwriter Raymond Froggatt, will perform on Sunday 5th November.

There will be anecdotes and laughs aplenty when one of the nation’s best-loved comedy actors, John Challis presents Only Fools and Boycie on Wednesday 20th September, recalling secrets from the set and stories from his dazzling career.

Artrix continues to present big names in comedy including Paul Foot on Saturday 23rd September, Jeremy Hardy on Sunday 24th September, The Fast Show’s Simon Day on Tuesday 17th October and Ellie Taylor on Thursday 19th October. Rounding off this season’s comedy will be Tom Stade on Wednesday 8th November and the TV stalwart Phil Jupitus on Sunday 26th November.

CBeebies double act Chris and Pui will return on Saturday 28th October. With songs, comedy sketches, a dash of magic and heaps of joining in, families are warmly welcomed to get their ‘groovy moves’ on alongside their favourite CBeebies characters. Other family shows include Hairy Maclary & Friends on Thursday 26th October, Half Moon Presents Leaf on Sunday 5th November and family films such as Thomas & Friends: Journey Beyond Sodor on Tuesday 24th and Wednesday 25th October.

Dig out your glow sticks and your whistles as the dancing and partying continues with the return of Artrix’s Bubble Disco on Sunday 10th September and Halloween Baby Rave on Sunday 29th October – fancy dress is a must! For the adults wanting a spooky Halloween treat Artrix have a showing of The Rocky Horror Picture Show on Saturday 28th October.

Theatrical highlights include a visit from the UK’s leading full mask company, Vamos, with their acclaimed production Finding Joy. Approaching the subject of dementia with humour and humanity, this award-winner is being brought to Artrix in partnership with Worcestershire Association of Carers and Worcester-based theatre company Vamos on Thursday 21st September (relaxed performance) and Friday 22nd September.

Other theatreperformances include Hyped, a production by Outspoken, the resident company of emerging artists based at Artrix. Hyped is an interactive, digital, grime performance about issues of mental health aimed at young people aged 13-18 years. This performance opens on Tuesday 10th October, World Mental Health Day, and runs until to Friday 13th October.

The one woman show LITE comes to Artrix on Friday 20th October. Performed by Marlene McKenzie LITE is a powerful, multimedia stage production, exploring the theme of identity and self-image through a young black woman’s eyes.

The wonderfully unique Anjali Dance Company presents Genius on Wednesday 1st November. An exceptional group of six dancers perform two dramatic explorations of genius. In an inspirational performance full of eminent talent and creative power, Anjali Dance Company celebrates through dance, the creative potential of people with learning disabilities.

Visitors to Artrix can expect an exciting range of exhibitions and workshops this season, including the return of Big People, Little People Moving Together dance workshops for preschoolers, adult ballet classes, choirs, belly dancing and pilates. New workshops for Autumn include Artrix Mini and Junior dance classes, Chance to Dance classes for over 55s, Silver Singers – a choir for over 55s and photography master classes.

Tickets for all shows are available via the box office on 01527 577 330 or online at www.artrix.co.uk.