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Pre-apocalyptic comedy alert!! But where will The Last Quiz Night On Earth be held?

Look at the pub name! Where else could The Last Quiz Night On Earth be held? Well, Pocklington Arts Centre, actually

QUICK question. Did you see Chip Shop Chips, Box Of Tricks Theatre Company’s show at Pocklington Arts Centre last year?

Yes? So, presumably you will want know when they will be returning to Pock and what in?

The answers are Friday, March 20 in The Last Quiz Night On Earth, an immersive, innovative new play by Alison Carr for theatre devotees and pub quiz enthusiasts alike, who are promised “a very different experience of live performance”.

PAC director Janet Farmer says: “The last time Box Of Tricks visited here, they wowed and wholly entertained us with Chip Shop Chips, an immersive theatre experience that our audiences still talk about. 

“So, we can’t wait to welcome them back to the venue with their brand new show. It looks set to be an absolute blast!”

In the Box Of Tricks locker already are the award-winning Manchester company’s shows SparkPlug, Narvik and Under Three Moons. Now they follow two sold-out tours of Chip Shop Chips with Carr’s pre-apocalyptic comedy, The Last Quiz Night On Earth. 

Next question. What happens? “It’s the final countdown. Landlady Kathy invites audiences to the last quiz night on earth with Quizmaster Rav. He is the host with the most,” say Box Of Tricks.

“But with time ticking, some unexpected guests turn up out of the blue. Bobby wants to settle old scores and Fran wants one last shot at love. Expect the unexpected to the bitter end and plenty of drama as the show gets quizzical.”

Hannah Tyrrell-Pinder directs the play, with design by Katie Scott. Pub landlady Kathy will be played by Meriel Scholfield, who has appeared in Coronation Street, Last Tango In Halifax, Holby City and Doctors, while Shaban Dar will take the role of pre-apocalyptic Quizmaster Rav.

Playwright Alison Carr’s past works include Caterpillar and Iris; her latest play, Tuesday, has been commissioned for the National Theatre’s 2020 Connections programme.

Next question. Why did she write The Last Quiz Night On Earth? “I wanted to combine the known and the unknown, the safe and the downright terrifying,” she answers. 

“My vision was to create something that audiences don’t just sit and watch but are part of – but not in a scary way. 

“Personally, the thought of audience participation makes me feel sick, but a quiz is something we can all do, whether we’re a general knowledge expert or the neatest so we can do the writing.” 

The play was “so much fun to research and write,” she says. “I have to admit, I know a lot about asteroids now, and the answers to a fair amount of quiz questions. I’m so excited to have Box Of Tricks bring it to life and to share it with audiences.”

Director Hannah Tyrrell-Pinder adds: “I’m really excited to be working with Alison Carr on her first play for Box Of Tricks. 

“Alison is a writer of real talent, crafting plays of depth, wit and real emotional warmth. The Last Quiz Night On Earth is a unique piece: a pre-apocalyptic comedy bringing people together through the power of trivia for a great night out.

“Following our success touring Chip Shop Chips to the heart of communities, I’m really looking forward to revisiting some wonderful places and spaces as well as discovering new locations with this play.” 

Last questions. Pocklington show time? 7.30pm. Ticket price? £12.50, under 21s, £10, and Friends Rates. Box office number? 01759 301547. Online? pocklingtonartscentre.co.uk.

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Robert Vincent to play with The Buffalo Skinners at Pocklington Arts Centre

Robert Vincent: new album, Pocklington return

LIVERPOOL singer-songwriter Robert Vincent will showcase his new album In This Town You’re Owned at Pocklington Arts Centre on February 7, one week before its release on Thirty Tigers.

For this return visit, he will be accompanied on stage by PAC favourites The Buffalo Skinners in his 8pm set.

“My last visit to Pocklington Arts Centre, supporting Beth Nielsen Chapman, was such a great night with a lovely music-loving crowd. So, I’m looking forward to being back and playing for the lovely folk of Pocklington,” he says.

Vincent has been hailed by veteran BBC presenter “Whispering” Bob Harris as “the real deal” for his Americana music. On seeing him play in the Bluebird Café at the Bluecoat, Liverpool’s centre for the contemporary arts, the legendary broadcaster immediately invited him, to record an Under The Apple Tree Session in his home studio for his BBC Radio 2 country show, describing his performance as “absolutely magnetic”.

Vincent duly received the inaugural Emerging Artist Award from Harris in 2016 and the UK Americana Music Association’s UK Album of The Year in 2018 for 2017’s sophomore work I’ll Make The Most Of My Sins, recorded in his hometown and mixed in Nashville by Grammy Award-winning producer Ray Kennedy.

The Buffalo Skinners: playing with Robert Vincent at Pocklington Arts Centre

His 2013 debut, Life In Easy Steps, drew BBC airplay for its title track on Janice Long and Radcliffe & Maconie’s shows.

He has since toured the UK supporting Paul Carrack, James Blunt and Squeeze and The Pretenders at the Royal Albert Hall. Last spring, he opened for Beth Nielsen Chapman on her Hearts Of Glass tour, including the aforementioned Pocklington show.

Last summer, Vincent was on the supporting bill for his hero, Pink Floyd’s Roger Waters, in Hyde Park at British Summer Time and joined “the Titan of Twang”, guitarist Duane Eddy, across the UK on his 80th birthday tour.

Now comes third album In This Town You’re Owned, produced by BRIT Award-winning Ethan Johns.

Tickets for Vincent’s Pock gig are on sale at £13.50 on 01759 301547 or at pocklingtonartscentre.co.uk. Vincent has further Yorkshire gigs coming up at The Greystones, Sheffield, on March 25, and Leeds Lending Room the next night.

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The Felice Brothers to play Pocklington Arts Centre summer gig

The Felice Brothers: two brothers, Ian and James Felice, and two friends, Will Lawrence and Jesske Hume

POCKLINGTON Arts Centre has snapped up The Felice Brothers for a summer gig after director Janet Farmer saw the Americana band at Willie Nelson’s ranch.

Brothers Ian and James Felice and their friends, drummer Will Lawrence and bass player Jesske Hume, have crossed the Big Pond this month for a winter tour that visits Leeds Brudenell Social Club on Monday.

They will return to these shores for more dates in a summer of American and European gigs, among them Pocklington Arts Centre on June 23.

A delighted Janet Farmer says: “I was privileged to see them at Luck Reunion, held at Willie Nelson’s ranch, and can highly recommend their unique brand of American folk rock. Expect a raucous and energetic performance that will be something to truly treasure.

“Tickets for this show will sell fast, so I would encourage you to get yours soon or risk missing out on what will be a sublime show.”

Ian and James Felice grew up in the Hudson valley of upstate New York. Self-taught musicians, inspired as much by Hart Crane and Slim Whitman as by Woody Guthrie and Chuck Berry, they began in 2006 by playing subway platforms and sidewalks in New York City.  

They have gone on to release nine albums of original songs, drawing comparison with Neil Young and Bob Dylan for their song-writing and lawless sound. Last year they returned from a three-year hiatus with Undress, whose songs will be complemented by a selection from their back catalogue on June 23.

Tickets for their 8pm Pock gig cost £20 on 01759 301547 or at pocklingtonartscentre.co.uk.

Did you know?

The Felice Brothers served as the backing band for Conor Oberst’s 2017 album Salutations and subsequent tour. 

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John Osborne’s dementia and music show You’re In A Bad Way heads to Pocklington

Storyteller John Osborne performing You’re In A Bad Way

STORYTELLER, poet and BBC Radio 4 regular John Osborne returns to Pocklington Arts Centre on February 13 to present his beautiful, funny and uplifting new show about music and dementia. 

Last March, he performed a double bill of John Peel’s Shed and Circled In The Radio Times in Pocklington. Now, inspired by seeing a friend’s father face a dementia diagnosis and the warmth, positivity and unexpected twists and turns the family went through, he has put together You’re In A Bad Way.

“This is the fifth theatre show I’ve made and it’s definitely my favourite,” says Osborne. “I loved performing it every day at the Edinburgh Fringe last summer, and I’m really excited to be taking it on tour. 

“For the past few years, I’ve made storytelling theatre shows that are funny, true stories of things that I feel are important to people. This one is a story about what happened to my friend’s dad when he was diagnosed with dementia a couple of years ago.” 

Osborne continues: “It was a really interesting thing to observe, because although it was horrific and terrifying and sad, there was so much warmth and positivity and unexpected twists and turns. 

“As soon as I started writing the show, it came together so beautifully and audience members who have had their own personal experiences of caring for people with dementia have been incredibly positive about the show having been to see it.”

The poster for John Osborne’s show You’re In A Bad Way

Osborne spent time at a dementia care centre in Edinburgh to ensure he was fully informed about the experience of caring for someone with dementia.

 “I never planned to write about something as personal as dementia, and have never written about a big topic before, but this felt like such a beautiful story that I wanted to tell,” he explains. “Just because you’ve been diagnosed with something, it doesn’t mean it’s the end. 

“The things we know about dementia are so sad, but within that there are some special moments. Every time I perform the show, I feel like I learn new things about dementia.”

Describing the tone of You’re In A Bad Way, Osborne says: “As it’s such a big topic, I’ve tried to make the show funny and life affirming and relatable. 

“I don’t want it to be sad or serious; I think it’s important for it to be a good story to someone who has no association with dementia, as well as being sensitive to those who live surrounded by the illness.”

Pocklington Arts Centre director Janet Farmer says: “I was fortunate to see this show at the Edinburgh Fringe last August and thought it was just so beautifully written and truly uplifting, I knew we had to bring it to Pocklington. It tackles a tough topic with such humour and warmth, it really is a must-see.”

Tickets cost £10 on 01759 301547 or at pocklingtonartscentre.co.uk or £12 on the door, with a special price of £9 for a carer of someone with dementia. 

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Folk guitarist and singer John Smith confirmed for Pocklington spring gig

John Smith: Pocklington Arts Centre awaits

ANYTHING but plain John Smith, “the future of folk music”, will play Pocklington Arts Centre on May 21, fresh from a string of Australian dates.

Raised by the Devon seaside, guitarist, singer and songwriter Smith cut his folk teeth in the bars and clubs of Liverpool and has since released six albums, attracted 23 million Spotify streams and played to audiences in living rooms, festival tents and concert halls the world over. 

Steeped in the lineage of British folk, taking his cue from Richard Thompson and John Martyn in particular, Smith has evolved an innovative transatlantic blend of fingerstyle and slide guitar techniques to frame his songs of love, loss and the journeys we make.

On stage, Smith has opened for Iron and Wine, Tinariwen and Ben Howard and guested with Jackson Browne, Martin Carthy, Richard Hawley, Jarvis Cocker, Jerry Douglas, Glen Hansard and Rodney Crowell. 

In his occasional role as sideman, he has played guitar for David Gray, Lisa Hannigan, Lianne La Havas, Joe Henry and Joan Baez.

Welcoming Smith to Pocklington Arts Centre, director Janet Farmer says: “With his honey-on-gravel voice and mesmerising blend of fingerstyle and slide guitar techniques, John is without doubt the perfect addition to our live music programme for 2020. 


“He has quickly amassed a huge following of loyal fans and has opened for folk greats John Martyn, Davy Graham and John Renbourn, who described him as ‘the future of folk music’, and now we have the privilege of welcoming him to our stage.”

Smith has made six albums across 12 years: The Fox And The Monk in 2006; Map Or Direction in 2009; Eavesdropping in 2011; Great Lakes in 2013; Headlong in 2017 and  Hummingbird in 2018. Last year came two October singles, Burden Of The Road and Killing The Blues.

Tickets for his 8pm Pocklington gig are on sale at £15 on 01759 301547 or at pocklingtonartscentre.co.uk.