Film, theatre and music for January.
The phrase ‘Northern Soul’ was coined by record shop owner Dave Godin circa 1970, who noticed that Northerners visiting his London store weren’t interested in the latest black American chart developments but were buying energetic, up-tempo soul records from smaller and rare labels. Emerging from the mod scene, Northern Soul was based around dancing all night to a fast paced soul sound.
Now this formerly neglected corner of music history has been recaptured in a new movie by photographer-turned-director Elaine Constantine. Northern Soul, which screens at Artrix on Friday 2nd January, successfully captures all the Motown-inspired madness, intensity and sweatiness. After the film you can take a spin on the dance floor with DJ Glyn Preece.
Tickets for the film cost £6.80 (£5.80) and dance tickets, which are available separately, cost £5.00.
Rough, tough and always rocking, the legendary King Pleasure and The Biscuit Boys zany stage show sometimes belies the fact that theirs is one of the finest, most authentic rhythm & blues band ever to come from outside the USA.
As anyone who has followed their astonishing career knows, the band carries a guarantee of great swinging music and high entertainment value. This year the high-octane jump and jive band have been spreading their message throughout Europe. An ideal post-Christmas treat, this promises to be an unforgettable evening which is bound to banish the January blues.
King Pleasure and the Biscuit Boys are performing at Artrix on Saturday 3rd January at 8.00 pm. Tickets cost £16.00 (£14.00) (standing with balcony/gallery seating).
Robert Louis Stevenson’s story of murder, money and mutiny – Treasure Island – is brought to life in a thrilling new stage adaptation. The play will be screened live at Artrix from the National Theatre on Thursday 22nd January.
Broadcast live from the National Theatre’s vast Olivier stage, this show is suitable for everyone aged 10 or over.
NT Live presents Treasure Island on Thursday 22nd January at 7.00 pm. Tickets cost £15 (£12 students & under 16s).
Martin Barre’s guitar playing has earned him a high level of respect and recognition. As well as numerous Jethro Tull albums, Martin has worked with many other artists including Paul McCartney, Phil Collins, Gary Moore, Jo Bonamassa and Chris Thompson and has shared a stage with such legends as Hendrix, Fleetwood Mac, Pink Floyd and Led Zeppelin.
As Tull are taking a long break from touring, Martin has put together a band to play classic music from their back catalogue and give a broader audience the chance to hear tracks not performed for many years.
Martin Barre is playing at Artrix on Friday 30th January at 8.00 pm. Tickets cost £17.50.
Tickets for these and all Artrix shows are available from the box office on 01527 577330 or at www.artrix.co.uk
