Upstairs at the Western’s Autumn Season
begins 11 September and features another bumper crop of touring and locally-based theatre, comedy and spoken word performances as well as events from two local festivals.
Three performances from Everybody’s Reading feature, including a WORD! poetry reading by Maria and The Mullet (3 October) and a performance of Forget Me Not – An Alzheimer’s Whodunit (2 October) by legendary Leicester poet Rob Gee. When asked how he feels about performing at Upstairs at the Western in Leicester he said:
“It feels like coming home because although I live here the vast majority of work I do is outside of Leicester, quite a lot of it outside the UK. I’ve participated in Everybody’s Reading on and off since the late 90s and over the last few years it’s grown at a steady and healthy pace. I love the diversity of work that’s showcased and this year looks healthier than ever. And also performing at Upstairs at the Western? I’m really looking forward to it! I saw Find the Right Words there (Jess Green’s poetry open mic residence) and immediately knew it would be perfect for the Alzheimer’s Whodunit.”
And for those who have always wanted to try their hand at performing their own work Off the Fence Theatre Company will be hosting free Writing for Performance workshops (21 September and 4 October), culminating in a Celebration of Spoken Word Open Mic Night on 5 October to round off Everybody’s Reading 2014.
UK Young Artists Festival 2014 is also coming to Leicester in November and free performances featuring shortlisted performers will be showcased at Upstairs at the Western on 8 and 9 November, full details to follow.
Other highlights include Leicester Tigers legend George Chuter who will be appearing at the venue on 16 September as the next guest in the Upstairs and Intimate series, a great opportunity to hear this colourful character, both on and off the pitch, in conversation.
Meet the Real Maggie Thatcher (1 November) coincides with the 30th anniversary of the Miners’ Strike and provides an engaging insight into one of the most notorious political leaders of our era. Fancy a bit of Die Hard meets the Naked Gun? Bane (12 October) shakes action, comedy, music and drama together for this one-man-one-musician shape-shifting show.
These are just a few of the performances in a great season of comedy, theatre and spoken word all in Leicester’s very own West End. Tickets and further information available at www.upstairsatthewestern.com
See also:
Our guide to What’s On in the arts in Leicester