New season at the Swindon Arts Centre (From Wilts and Gloucestershire Standard)

New season at the Swindon Arts Centre

SWINDON Art Centre's new full colour 28-page brochure is now launched and winging its way to thousands of arts enthusiasts all over the region.

"This season provides real strength in depth.

Among the headline names we have shows from Christine Hamilton, Barry Norman and Paul Daniels, music from Alan Price, The Animals and Friends, Chicken Shack and Roger Chapman, former lead singer with Family.

Otis Grand will provide some wonderful rhythm and blues, and the Great British Jazz Band and Bill Bruford can be relied upon for great jazz.

With folk from Bill Jones and a truly amazing a capella 'boy band' The Magnets, the only difficulty is knowing which music events to pick!

"There's also a strong comedy line-up which, in addition to Scrapheap Challenge's Robert Llewellyn, includes several rising stars, all successful at Edinburgh and surely destined for great things.

And there is a fabulous performance of David Hare's play The Blue Room, which caused such a stir when it was first performed starring Nicole Kidman at London's Donmar Theatre in 1998," said Arts Centre manager Clarry Bean.

The brochure also gives details of the new Swindon Film Society programme, and appearances from popular local groups - The Phoenix Players, The Western Players, Old Town Theatre Company and Ten in a Bar - as well as the resumption of a full programme of visual arts workshops and classes.

For racing fans there is The Racing Roadshow on Thursday, February 13, when former jockeys Willie Carson and Bob Champion join comedian Dave Richards for an evening of lively racing chat. The box office is now open and bookings can be made on 01793 614837.

The Centre will open its doors fully on January 6, with comedian Ricky Grover kicking off the new season on Saturday, January 11.