On at Artrix

Music, comedy, film and children’s entertainment.

There’s a treat in store for comedy fans with two different stand-up shows promising a rollercoaster of laughs at Artrix on Saturday 24th May.

The Comedy Skool Performance features a clutch of new local comics taking to the stage in the Studio at 7.30 pm after weeks of intensive training at the Artrix stand-up comedy workshop. Hosted by course tutor Theo Theobald, the show looks set to be a mad medley of fantastic original material.

If that wasn’t enough for one night, Barnstormers will be introducing three different comedians from the London stand-up comedy circuit. The performance kicks off at 8.00 pm in the Artrix Theatre and the line-up includes Mickey Sharma, Eddy Brimson and Anthony King. 

Mickey Sharma’s mix of comedy and another form of artistry make him as unique as he is funny. His high and contagious energy helps him tame any crowd no matter their age, gender, ethnicity or amount of alcohol consumed. Having undertaken various jobs like a waiter, shelf stacker, camera assistant and doorman, Mickey started comedy in 2009 and now travels all over the UK and in Europe.

Over the past few years, Eddy Brimson has emerged as one of the most interesting, considered and thoughtful comedians on the stand-up circuit. Having co-written several successful books, Eddy turned his attention to television, appearing as an actor in the likes of Thin Blue Line, Casualty, Between The Lines, Silent Witness, Absolutely Fabulous and EastEnders – he was the vicious lout who turned over Frank Butcher’s car lot.

Anthony King is an outwardly normal looking bloke who turned to comedy after he was disowned by the Catholic church for confessing in too much detail. Having finally found a use for his twisted sense of humour, Anthony has gone on to perform at all the major comedy clubs across the UK and beyond, including performances in the Netherlands, Dubai, Majorca, Abu Dhabi and Al Ain. 

Comedy Skool Performance is on Saturday 24th May at 7.30 pm in the Artrix Studio. Tickets (16+) cost £10 

Barnstormers is at Artrix Theatre on Saturday 24th May at 8.00 pm. Tickets (18+) are available at £12 advance/ £14 on the door

CBeebies’ favourite double act is looking for help to find some lost animals at Artrix on Tuesday 27th May. Little people and their families are invited to come and help Chris and Pui with the search and meet Humpty, the Duke of York, King Cole and Little Bo Peep along the way. The popular duo will be performing lots of comedy sketches, rhymes and songs for all the family. Teddies and other favourite character toys are more than welcome to attend but please hang onto them!

Chris and Puiare appearing at Artrix Arts Centre on Tuesday 27th May at 11.00 am and 2.00 pm. Tickets are available at £12 (£10 under 16s) and a family ticket is £40

It is little wonder that when Disney Pixar were searching for the perfect, authentic singing voice to feature in the Oscar, Golden Globe and BAFTA winning ‘Brave’, their worldwide hit animated film set in the ancient highlands of Scotland, their research led them to one of the Western Isles’ true contemporary treasures – Julie Fowlis.

Brought up on North Uist in Scotland’s Outer Hebrides, Fowlis has been a proud standard bearer for Gaelic music and culture over the course of a solo career which has spanned over ten years and three highly acclaimed studio albums. Earlier this year she released her much anticipated fourth studio album. Gach sgeul/Every story is a mature offering of carefully selected Gaelic songs and it’s already getting attracted great reviews from critics and fans alike.

2014 will also see her perform in several high profile concerts, collaborate with world renowned violinist Nicola Benedetti on her new Scottish themed record, plus tour with the internationally acclaimed ‘Transatlantic Sessions’, a spin-off from the hit TV series.

Julie Fowlis is performing at Artrix on Monday 26th May at 8.00 pm. Tickets cost £18 (£17)

There’s another eclectic mix of cinema highlights at Artrix cinema this month. Rosamund Pike stars in A Long Way Down which is based on Nick Hornby’s story of New Year’s Eve friendships. Psychological drama and obsession are common themes this month. In Her, a lonely writer develops an obsessive relationship with his computer’s operating system and in The Double, timid, overlooked Simon’s life is overtaken by James, his confident, charismatic double.   

There’s a lighter side to the jungle in Rio2 when Blu and Jewel are hurtled into the Amazon for an exotic adventure. Finally, Bridesmaids pin-up Chris O’Dowd appears in Calvary, which tells the story of Father James who faces challenges after being threatened during a confession.

Tickets cost £6.50 (£5.50) or £3 for accompanied children under 16.  There are also accessible screenings for audiences with special needs and their carers.

Tickets for all events are available from the box office on 01527 577330 or at www.artrix.co.uk