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Be prepared for comedy, music, improv and York’s very own internationally acclaimed burlesque star Freida Nipples when the city’s newest cabaret nightspot opens its doors at York Theatre Royal in October.
The Studio at York Theatre Royal is being transformed into cabaret club The Old Paint Shop, an apt name for a space that pre-Studio housed the theatre’s workshop.
The Old Paint Shop season opens (October 5) and closes (October 26) with York’s internationally acclaimed Burlesque artist Freida Nipples welcoming some of her favourite and most fabulous Burlesque, Drag and Cabaret artists from across the UK and beyond. Or, to put it another way, expect Glamour, Gags and Giggles. Prepare to be dazzled, shocked and just a little bit in awe of these performers. Age guide 18+
The message from Fool(ish) Improv is: Come confess and unburden yourselves of some silly secrets, tales of the office and childhood memories and we will shape them into surreal sketches and sensational scenes. Not so much Who’s Line is it anyway but more Who’s Lie is it anyway. Yorkshire improvisers Fool(ish), trained by Chicago’s best, promise a playful night of joy, nonsense and completely making things up.
With Brendan Duffy on sax and vocals, Tom Townsend on drums, local favourite Christian Topman on double bass and Karl Mullen, the hardest-working pianist in York, on upright piano with an eclectic and exciting cabaret of jazz through the ages. Everything from Louis Armstrong and singalong fun to John Coltrane and Charles Mingus.
Hailing from York, multi award-winning singer-songwriter and actress Jess Gardham has performed throughout the UK, US, Europe and Canada. She has supported the likes of Paul Carrack, KT Tunstall, The Shires, Wilko Johnson and Martin Simpson to name but a few, with her music being played regularly on the BBC. Jess has also taken lead roles in theatre productions including Hairspray, Ghost the Musical and Rock of Ages.
Performance storytelling by Debs Newbold presented by the Crick Crack Club. Debs gleefully delivers the boisterous, remarkable and inspirational story of her hero: Grainne ni Mhaille – Grace O’Malley – legendary Irish clan chief and queen of the sea. Stowing away aboard her father’s ship aged 8, Grace became a 16th century force of nature. A multilingual, seafaring weapons expert, leader of 2,000 men, rebel, politician, kingmaker and slayer, prodigious lover, avenging hero and notorious pirate. From the west of Ireland to the court of Elizabeth I, from wild youth to even wilder old age, Dauntless is an epic celebration of uproarious storytelling, high drama and one fascinating 16th century feminist.
As heard on BBC 2’s The Folk Show with Mark Radcliffe, Bay’s music is accessible yet complex with a philosophical edge akin to 1970’s Labi Siffre. Existential in nature, The Meadow is heavily influenced by Bay’s upbringing in the Rockies of Colorado. In performance, Bay captivates his audience, drawing from skills as an actor and storyteller. The Not So Ugly Sisters, a theatre show that Bay co-composed songs for, was named in The Guardian as one of the Top 25 shows to book for Christmas 2021. The short film Egg Party, with music scored by Bay, won the audience choice awards at both the Coven and Cinequest Film Festivals (2021). Recent acting credits include: The Gifting (Leeds 2023); Napoleon (Apple TV).
Since 2014 the band have appeared in many forms, to delight and entertain on the streets, in clubs, castles, tipis, tapas bars, stately homes and even on film sets. This October they finally set foot in York Theatre Royal with the outstanding Will Dreyfus fronting the band. Prepare for a unique fusion of irreverent covers, folk instruments, and punk energy playing pop bangers: a one-of-a-kind musical journey.
The debut show from comedian Pete Selwood (as seen on Comedy Central Live, The Emily Atack Show, Radio 4) Uninspiring is a stand up show about the pitfalls of being a disabled man coming to terms with his limitations after becoming a parent. Recently seen at York Theatre Royal supporting Guz Khan and regular tour support for Jack Carroll.
The Old Paint Shop season from October 5 to 26 is dedicated to Terry Bounds, who worked as Stage Carpenter at the theatre for over 30 years before retiring in 2013.
Find out more information and book your tickets here
Box office 01904 623568 | yorktheatreroyal.co.uk
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