Hawth prepares for a sunny season of shows

Spokeswoman Lorraine McGregor said: “The season of music begins with West End hit, The Simon and Garfunkel Story (June 3), including a live band, original film footage and all their hits.

“This is followed by The ELO Experience’s (June 4) Mr Blue Sky Tour. With more combined UK and US top 40 hits than any other band, this is a tribute not to be missed. Audiences can also look forward to Jake and Elwood in The Chicago Blues Brothers (July 16) with their incredible ten-piece band. The Drifters (Sept 4) are back with many of their greatest hits and ABBA Mania (Sept 15) will be hitting the stage to get everyone dancing in the aisles and singing along.

“Classical music lovers can enjoy the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra’s final concert of the 2014-15 season as they return to The Hawth with a performance packed full of cinematic classic tunes in A Night at The Movies (June 14).

“The music continues at the annual Crawley Folk and Real Ale Festival (June 26-28). This year is bigger and better than ever with over 16 hours of music across four stages, extra performance area, more bands and a new site layout. Plus the usual stalls, camping, children’s activities, dance and busking stage, food, real ale and much more music.

“Outdoor entertainment is a big feature this summer, with the vibrant and colourful International Mela (July 25 and 26) and Crawley Irish Festival (August 30) both taking place at The Hawth again this year.

“Another returning favourite are Illyria theatre company who are back in the Amphitheatre for four performances during the season. Audiences can look forward to the original boy wizard story, The Sorcerer’s Apprentice (June 21), Shakespeare’s Taming of the Shrew (July 2), Gilbert and Sullivan’s Iolanthe (July 30) and action-packed classic The Three Musketeers (August 20).”

Lorraine added: “Children from ages eight to 18 have plenty to keep them entertained during the summer holidays with our programme of summer schools offering the chance to make friends, have fun and learn new skills. We’ve got the chance to try out circus skills, drama, musical theatre and even being in a band.

“We’ll also be launching The Hawth’s brand new Youth Theatre in July with IGNITE (July 4), a day of drama, dance and music theatre open to all aged six to 18.

“Drama fans can look forward to a star studded cast in Agatha Christie’s And Then There Were None (June 8-13). Starring BAFTA-nominated stage and screen star Paul Nicholas, Colin Buchanan, from Dalziel and Pascoe, Susan Penhaligon, who starred in Bouquet of Barbed Wire and A Fine Romance, TV favourite Mark Curry, Emmerdale and West End leading lady Verity Rushworth, Emmerdale star Frazer Hines, and from ITV’s award-winning Soldier Soldier, Ben Nealon.

“For those looking for a night of laughs there’s comedy from much-loved star of the small screen Ruby Wax (June 19), with her new show Sane New World, and in the studio up-and-coming comedian Kernow King (June 17) shares the Cornishman’s outlook on life while Joe Lycett (September 26), the ‘absolute lad’ brings his show, and he thinks you’ll Lycett!”

Box office: 01293 553636.