Thursday 4 December

Red Herring Comedy Club

Jon Richardson is one of the best acts to emerge in recent years and a guaranteed big name of the future. Co-host of BBC 6Music’s The Russell Howard Show; and If.comedy best newcomer nominee 2007.

Matt Price when it comes to low- key charisma and innate likeability, few comics are in the same league as Matt Price he is able, with apparently little effort, to reel in the listener until they hang on his every word. Chortle

MC Duncan Oakley One guitar, half a brain, a couple of pints and lots of laughs. Impressions, parodies, original songs, puns, groaners and other foolishness.

Over 18s only. Acts subject to change.

Red Herring tickets are also available from www.gigantic.com

Saturday 6 December

Blunderbus Theatre Company

Grandpa Joe's Magic Show

Grandpa Joe has flown away to join the angels, and Molly misses him terribly. But one day, a parcel arrives; a box full of magic tricks. Molly then has a clever idea, something to make everyone smile again; she’s going to put on the most spectacular magic show, and invite her Grandpa’s friends along!

Grandpa Joe’s Magic Show is a celebration of friendship. A funny, enchanting tale that promises to warm the coldest of hearts. Blunderbus Theatre Company’s production of Elmer was a big hit at the Drill Hall last year, so don’t leave it too long to get your tickets!

Suitable for 4 – 7 year olds

Monday 8 December – Thursday 11 December

New Youth Theatre

Oliver!

Lincoln’s own ‘I’ll do Anything’

This colourful and spectacular New Youth Theatre production of Oliver! has more than a 70 strong young cast and chorus. Packed full of Lionel Bart’s best-known songs including Food Glorious Food, Oom-Pah-Pah, Gotta Pick a Pocket or Two, As Long as He Needs Me, Where is Love, Be Back Soon and Consider Yourself.

Tuesday 9 December – Thursday 11 December

Icarus Productions

Pinter: Ashes to Ashes

Ruston Room

Lincolnshire company Icarus Productions makes a swift return to the Drill Hall following its October production of Chekhov’s ‘The Bear’ and ‘The Proposal’.

‘Ashes to Ashes’ is one of Harold Pinter’s later plays, first staged in 1996. It is an intense and atmospheric two- hander that is both disturbing and, at times, savagely humorous. This one-act play will be presented in the Ruston Room (seating capacity 50 per night). Please note this production contains the occasional use of strong language.

Friday 12 December

Stayin Alive: Drill Hall Festive Club Night

Staying Alive is the Drill Hall’s occasional club night and tonight… it’s party night! It’s all about good music, a great atmosphere and about dancing till you drop! The chance to dance however you want to fantastic music that you know (Fairytale in New York anyone?) as well as superb music that maybe you don’t, along with stunning visuals and live cameras. (Email your requests to djhereticdj@googlemail.com). Each night also features fresh and innovative live music in the café bar.

Saturday 13 December

New Jazz 5

Ray Gelato's Giants

The New Jazz 5 Christmas Concert is a bit special this year, with no expense being spared to bring you Ray Gelato’s Giants. Ray Gelato is a maestro of swing and jazz, an entertainer and saxophone player of the first degree and has perfected a hard-swinging style of jazz with hints of rhythm and blues. As the proud son of an Italian-American GI, Ray delivers his vocals with gruff accents followed by lusty tenor solos in the style of Coleman Hawkins and Illinois Jacquet. Good enough to be invited to play at Paul McCartney’s wedding, Bryan Adams’ party and twice for the Queen, Ray evokes an era when musicians understood that the point of jazz was not to keep the audience at a polite distance. Bring your dancing shoes…

Friday 19 December

Literature at Lunchtime with Dr Jane Mackay

C.S.Lewis: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe

This children’s classic is the second in Lewis’s six ‘Chronicles of Narnia’, and is concerned with the eternal battle between good and evil. Four children find the world of Narnia through an uncle’s wardrobe and embark on wonderful adventures. A clear Christian allegory, with the lion Aslan (Turkish for ‘lion’) as the sacrificed and resurrected Christ figure, this is also a cracking good story that your children will be telling their grandchildren!

Once again there will be mulled wine and mince pies for the audience today… please note the later time of 2.00pm to allow for the pantomine!

Wednesday 17 December – Wednesday 31 December

Jamie Marcus Productions

Aladdin

From the producers of last year’s best selling pantomime Cinderella! Join us for our second all-singing all-dancing professional pantomime and follow Aladdin on his mission to defeat the evil Abanazar and find the magic lamp. With princesses, genies, magic rings, songs, dancing, outrageous costumes, plenty of booing, cheering and loads of audience participation, Aladdin will give you everything you could want from a panto!

Look closely and you may even see some familiar faces from last year’s show!

Panto Party!

Celebrate your birthday by coming to the panto! Buy 10 tickets and get the 11th FREE! Each party member will receive an Aladdin souvenir and the birthday boy/girl will receive a birthday card, a signed programme and the loudest ‘happy birthday’ in the land! Call the Box Office to register.