BEACON Arts Centre, Greenock, has unveiled a packed summer/autumn programme, with everything from chart-topping musicians and acclaimed theatre productions to family favourites, visual arts and festive treats.
Running from July to December, the new season brings together an eclectic mix of live entertainment, including appearances from PP Arnold (Tue 15 Sep), Barbara Dickson (Thu 29 Oct), Shaun Ryder (Tue 13 Oct), John Barrowman (Wed 14 Oct), Lord Ian Botham (Sun 11 Oct) and Russell Watson (Sat 31 Oct), alongside a vibrant range of drama, comedy, dance and community events.
Music lovers can look forward to performances from Goodbye Mr Mackenzie (Sat 4 Jul), Horse (Fri 16 Oct), Bay City Rollers (Thu 5 Nov) — new line-up including Stuart ‘Woody’ Wood — The Tannahill Weavers (Sun 13 Sep), the Scottish Chamber Orchestra (Fri 7 Aug) and a host of jazz, folk and contemporary artists.
Theatre highlights include The Raft of the Crab (Fri 14 Aug) — which heads to the Edinburgh Festival Fringe as part of the prestigious Made in Scotland showcase — the new musical Wallace (Wed 23 Sep) and Samuel Beckett’s Krapp’s Last Tape (Tue 17 Nov), directed by acclaimed US actress Stockard Channing.
Families are well catered for with a packed summer programme featuring The Amazing Bubble Man (Sat 1 Aug), The Puppet Spectacular Glow Show (Sat 11 July), Unicorn Live (Sun 16 Aug), while at Christmas the Beacon’s much-loved pantomime Cinderella is back, along with a festive programme of seasonal entertainment.
Music: The season opens on Saturday 4 July with an intimate performance from Goodbye Mr Mackenzie ahead of their appearance supporting Garbage at Edinburgh Castle. Other highlights include JJ Gilmour (Sat 11 July), formerly of The Silencers.
Classical music remains a cornerstone of the Beacon programme with performances from the Scottish Chamber Orchestra (Fri 7 Aug), the acclaimed Apex Singers (Sat 15 and Sun 16 Aug), violinist Inês Alves F. Soares and pianist Baichuan Hui (Thu 23 July), the Hanover Horn Ensemble (Wed 2 Sep) and a continuing partnership with the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland (Sun 27 Sep, Sun 25 Oct, Sun 29 Nov and Mon 14 Dec).
Beacon Jazz Club welcomes New York duo Sarah King and John Merrill (Thu 30 July), alongside multi-award-winning guitarist and composer Malcolm MacFarlane (Fri 4 Sep).
Theatre: Theatre highlights include a preview performance of the new musical Wallace (Wed 23 Sep), starring rapper Dave Hook (Solareye). Audiences can also enjoy It’s Not Where You Start (Sat 12 Sep), Scott Kyle’s moving autobiographical story of his journey from foster care to foster carer; the thought-provoking When Prophecy Fails (Fri 23 Oct); Jordan & Skinner’s Do Not Pass Go (Fri 30 Oct); and Witch Hunt (Sat 31 Oct), a powerful new musical inspired by the Scottish witch trials.
Comedy: Comedy favourites return throughout the season, with performances from Stuart Mitchell & Friends (Wed 26 and Thu 27 Aug), Gary Faulds (Fri 25 Sep), Gary Meikle (Sat 21 Nov), A Scottish Comedy Collective (Sat 24 Oct) and the ever-popular Tam Cowan (Sat 12 Sep).
Tributes: Tributes continue to draw audiences from across the west of Scotland, with shows celebrating the music of Eric Clapton, Joni Mitchell, Bruce Springsteen, Elvis Presley, Kate Bush, ABBA, Tina Turner, Electric Light Orchestra, Tommy Cooper and many more.
Dance: Dance fans can experience the energy and spectacle of Adam Garcia’s Emerald Storm (Thu 1 Oct), a thrilling production combining world-class performers, live music and breath-taking choreography.
Beacon Kids: Families can look forward to a packed programme of fun and entertainment at Beacon Arts Centre this year. Over the summer break, children can enjoy the Puppet Spectacular Glow Show (Sat 11 July), a dazzling visual experience for the eyes and ears, while The Amazing Bubble Man (Sat 1 Aug) brings his spellbinding bubble tricks to the stage. Young audiences can also discover Adventures in Science (Sun 2 Aug), a lively mix of magic, science and plenty of tomfoolery, and Unicorn Live (Sun 16 Aug), a magical show designed to delight children of all ages.
The fun continues throughout autumn with K-Pop Dance Heroes (Sat 24 Oct), an energetic musical adventure featuring some of the biggest K-Pop hits, including the iconic Soda Pop. Younger children and their families can celebrate with Spot’s Birthday Party (Sat 7 Nov), based on the beloved lift-the-flap storybook. One of the performances will be presented as a relaxed performance, creating a welcoming and accessible theatre experience for all.
Visual Arts: The Beacon’s visual arts programme opens with its annual Summer Exhibition (Sat 4 July to Sat 22 Aug), showcasing work by Inverclyde artists of all ages and at every stage of their creative journey, from emerging talent to established practitioners. This is followed by Muddled Syncopation (Sat 5 Sep to Sat 7 Nov), a new exhibition by outgoing curator Fraser Taylor, and As Still As A River Could Be (Sat 14 Nov to Sat 2 Jan 27) by Alistair Gow.
Lesley Davidson, Beacon co-director, said: “This season reflects everything audiences have come to expect from the Beacon — an exciting mix of internationally renowned artists, emerging talent, community partnerships and unforgettable live experiences. Whether you’re joining us for music, theatre, comedy, visual arts or family events, there really is something for everyone.”
Tickets and the full programme are available at beaconartscentre.co.uk or by calling 01475 723 723.
