What’s on at The Acorn

In this show ‘Joni, Sandy & Me’ Sally Barker and Anna Ryder are delighted to bring some of the songs of both Joni Mitchell and Sandy Denny to the stage, exploring the singer/songwriter legacy that was forged in the early ’70s. Both Sally and Anna attest to the influence of these superb artists and perform their classics alongside a few of her own songs.

Jersey-born singer-songwriter Frankie Davies is back at the Acorn after a sold out show back in October 2018. An intimate evening performing and sharing the stories behind brand new songs and songs on her latest album ‘Wherever I Go’ an album that is delicately laced through with country influences, tied together by Davies’ evocative vocals and addictive melodies that transport listeners through both painful and joyful moments in her life. 

No ID are an emerging 5-piece indie band, formed in St Ives Cornwall, with Ellis Cooper on vocals, Leon Andrews and Alex Temby on guitar, Eddie Devey on bass and Josh Quirke on drums. Ranging from 13 – 18 years in age, they bring a fresh mature sound to the table, far beyond their tender years. Musically drawing spirit from indie bands like The Strokes and The 1975.

A one-man play by Ron Aldridge. Produced by GSP. Starring Giles Shenton

Fresh from the highly acclaimed, sell-out Woman To Woman UK tour with fellow artistes Beverley Craven and Julia Fordham, Judie Tzuke makes a welcome return to the stage.

A clown show, an absurdist black comedy and an existential classic, Waiting for Godot has been famously described as ‘a play in which nothing happens, twice’
In fact, a lot happens. Two tramps beneath a solitary tree discourse at random, sing, play games, bicker, make-up, sleep, eat a carrot and contemplate suicide all while waiting for the mysterious Mr Godot. Who never arrives.

Eilidh Steel & Mark Neal (fiddle, guitar and song) are leading lights in the Scottish traditional music scene, playing traditional music and song strongly influenced by the music from Argyll and the West Coast of Scotland alongside their own original compositions. Their passion for the music and their effortless musicianship clearly shines through in their performances.

With their new album Mesmeranto entering the official rock charts at number 18, the inspirational, award-winning electronic folk pioneers The Blackheart Orchestra take their music to a new, unexplored dimension. Described as “A mesmerizing powerhouse” “An avant-garde musical utopia” and “One of the most extraordinary voices singing anywhere today”

At the end of 1856, Mr. Wilkie Collins presented Charles Dickens with his latest play, ‘The Frozen Deep’, knowing that Dickens could not resist, producing it and taking the starring role of the moody Richard Warder, for himself. This event will commence with a lively performance lecture by Wilkie Collins expert Jak Stringer, who will transport you back to 1857, followed by a professional reading of ‘The Frozen Deep’ by the Penzance Community Speakeasy Players.

West-country collective established in 2013, with a genre-defying, eclectic sound that ranges from traditional folk to full blown festival rock. The Leylines are: Steve Mitchell (Vocals/Guitar), Hannah Johns (Violin), Dan Thompson (Electric Guitar), Sean Booth (Bass) and Dave Burbidge (Drums).

British folk and roots duo, Honey & the Bear, combine delicately interweaving vocal harmonies with emotive and evocative songwriting.

An incredible songwriter with an extraordinarily soulful voice, Cornwall-born Winter Mountain has released 2 critically acclaimed albums and toured the world.

Psychic Medium Nikki Kitt is a Spiritualist Medium who is currently touring the UK with her successful Psychic / Mediumship Evenings.
As a Medium Nikki Kitt aims to provide evidence of life after life by getting links from loved ones in spirit for people in the audience with amazing accuracy in descriptions, personalities and all sorts of personal information.. to give both confirmation and comfort.

A Launceston based harmony vocal & guitar band playing a mix of original & popular music and songs from Cornwall.

‘Hannah White has been nominated by the Americana Music Association UK for ‘UK Album of the Year’ 2021.

PERFECT BLUE SKY ‘Darkness meets light’ songcraft duo featuring Swedish black metal guitarist Pontus (PNA) Andersson from Netherbird and Australian alt-rock vocalist Jane Kitto. Combining their influences as songwriters, their sound is a hybrid between 70’s psychedelic rock meets 90’s grunge. PBS was originally scheduled to perform on March 26 2020.

Katey Brooks is a rebellious troubadour that resists formula. A devastating songwriting talent that has drawn comparisons with Jeff Buckley.

This Summer Somerset based duo Ma Polaine’s Great Decline released their third album City of Love.
Although they have been described variously over the years – with references to Billie Holiday, Tom Waits and a “moody Mary Margaret O’Hara” – Ma Polaine’s sound is very much their own. MOJO magazine said they “have evolved a pop-folk-blues-americana style that is warmly familiar, yet is sufficiently unhinged to keep you guessing”.

From the explosive opening power chords of ‘I Can’t Explain’ to the majestic pomp of ‘Won’t Get Fooled Again’ Who’s Next embody The Who in their prime.

Following a sell-out run at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, receiving 4-Stars from Broadway Baby, the show sees Paul Simon and Art Garfunkel give their personal accounts of their rise to fame, alongside wonderful live performances by Bookends, as they perform as no other Simon & Garfunkel act can with just a single guitar and two voices.

British Folk-Rock group Julie July Band returns to The Acorn Theatre – Penzance. They have built a substantial reputation with reinterpretations and arrangements of the work of singer-songwriter Sandy Denny. The Fotheringay Tour 2020 features new songs to the repertoire from 1970 Album;- ‘Pond and the Stream, Nothing More, The Sea, The Way I Feel, Winter Winds, Late November, Gypsy Davey plus some old favourites.

Bryher’s Boys formed back in 2017 when the Tenor and Bass sections of several West Cornwall choirs were press-ganged to form a new crew especially designed to navigate the choppy waters of Sea Shanty singing!

Du Glas play their own brand of roots rock, combining influences from Americana and folk music. Born out of the vibrant Cornish music scene their unique sound has been described as, “foot-stomping country with a celtic swing”.

Formed in 2010, Never 42 have become established as the forerunner Level 42 Tribute band based in the UK

VOODOO ROOM are an exciting Classic Power Trio, paying tribute to the incredible music of Jimi Hendrix, Eric Clapton & Cream. Featuring some of the U.K.’s finest musicians, they perform a high energy, world-class show in total appreciation of these musical pioneers from the world of classic blues/rock!!

Wizz Jones – Acoustic Guitarist, Singer-Songwriter and Bluesman!

Ultimate Coldplay are as close to seeing the real thing as you can possibly get. The only Coldplay tribute band in the world to be led by a true look-a-like Chris Martin, they were awarded UK’s number 1 Coldplay tribute at the agent’s association National Tribute Awards 2018.

Fast-moving and at times shocking, GW. Pabst’s 1929 film Diary of a Lost Girl traces the story of Thymian, played by the mesmerising screen idol Louise Brooks, as her life yoyos between episodes of lightness and innocence, darkness and hope.

The South are an impressive 9 piece band who feature former members of The Beautiful South including singer Alison Wheeler and lifelong sax player Gaz Birtles.

Back in Georgian times we got our news from poetry. Before papers, broadcasts or the internet, ballad sellers would hawk their doggerel on street corners for a penny. Scandalous affairs, grisly crimes, and colourful characters were brought to life in rhyming verse long before the first tabloid was printed.

Coming live to the theatre for the first time in over 60 years is The Navy Lark.
Starring James Hurn, known for portraying such iconic characters as Tony Hancock, Sid James and Kenneth Williams from his hit one-man show Hancock and Co.
Also starring Richard Usher and Mark Earby best known for The Goon Show Tour and The Lost Hancock’s Vacant Lot.

Marc Bolan, with his band T.Rex, was one of the most flamboyant and charismatic stars of the original glam rock era.  With Bolan’s special ingredient of Rock-a-Boogie songs, the band had a string of huge hits throughout the 1970s including Love to Boogie, Telegram Sam, Jeepster and 20th Century Boy.

Marky is a Piano Player and Singer with a huge repertoire of covers and originals, and a flair for performing!

John Watterson is delighted to bring his new show to The Acorn – ‘An Audience without Jake Thackray’.

Only Fools And Boycie – An intimate evening with Only Fools And Horses actor John Challis.
 
Enjoy an intimate evening with John Challis, one of the nation’s greatest comedy actors, best known as Boycie in BBC1’s Only Fools and Horses. In this one-off show the national treasure will reveal secrets from the set with stories and anecdotes from his dazzling career.

A ‘magic realism’ comedy, about a Shakespearean character who escapes from the First Folio text (leaving blank pages!) and goes on the run, into the future, hotly pursued by the security forces. A one-man play performed by Derekk Ross

Whether it’s in a cosy folk club still lost in the sixties, or a modern-day arena pulsing with energy, a great song never fails to capture and transport an audience. Yet whilst some artists merely manage the magic a handful of times, there are others who strike gold time and time again.

Widely regarded as two of the best players and innovators in traditional folk amongst a precociously gifted generation, Moore & Moss’ finely-crafted arrangements wield a rare potency. Now, having toured with some of the biggest and brightest acts in the British folk scene, they reconvene to perform as a duo.

Progressive blues guitarist Claude Bourbon brings his unique and talented take on a wide range of musical traditions to the Acorn, Penzance, on Sunday 12th of July 2020!

Dom Joly is best known as the creator of Trigger Happy TV. And now the writer and broadcaster is undertaking his first UK tour since 2011, giving fans a rare opportunity to see him live. Dom will be talking about his exploits as a serial globe-trotting and seeker of dangerous travel spots.

“A STAR IS TORN!!” Ceri Dupree has performed almost everywhere! Throughout the UK, Europe and overseas, and has impersonated almost every female star in the world at one time or another!!

This top tribute show is more than just a tribute – they are the complete package! Their great combination of brilliant musicianship and tongue in cheek humour has had rave reviews throughout the UK. Playing the country-rock songs of the Traveling Wilburys, the band also steal some choice numbers from its five iconic members; Roy Orbison, Tom Petty, George Harrison, Bob Dylan and Jeff Lynne.

Now in their twenty-fourth year, they are the longest-running, a professional tribute to the music of Led Zeppelin with their customary two and half hour shows receiving acclaim from Zeppelin lovers the length and breadth of the UK and abroad.

Kick In The Head (Old Herbaceous, Three Men in a Boat & Fagin?) is proud to present a celebration of the 40th anniversary of the loss of the great, unremittingly genteel, comedienne and monologist, Joyce Grenfell.
Choice Grenfell is a wonderful tribute featuring some of the best of Joyce’s hilarious songs and monologues from Stately as a Galleon and School Nativity Play to A Terrible Worrier and First Flight. Joyce is our guide for a delightful delve into some of her most endearing characters, ably accompanied by her trusted pianist William Blezard.

Taking you back to when Britain ruled radio airwaves across the globe. Experience the British Invasion with The Beatones!

Somerset’s now London-residing Jeremy Tuplin is referred to by some as the pioneer of space-folk. Broadcasting stories both mundane and intergalactic, his new TV-inspired album ‘Violet Waves’ came out in August 2020 on Trapped Animal Records to critical acclaim from the likes of Uncut Magazine, Loud & Quiet, The Line Of Best Fit, and The Independent.

Two of the UK’s most iconic bands will be brought to life in one power-packed show!

Her award-winning musicianship, distinctive chocolatey vocals and mastery of the songwriting craft have led reviewers to describe Sarah McQuaid as a “triple threat”. Add to that a warm, charismatic stage presence, five critically acclaimed solo albums and a battery of instruments including acoustic and electric guitars, drum and piano — and you’ve got a one-woman powerhouse who defies categorisation because there simply isn’t anyone else out there quite like her. Not to be missed!

MANOEUVRES are Europe’s premier tribute to OMD – Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark – one of the most influential and original bands to emerge from the early days of synth-pop in the late 1970’s.

Wrong Jovi are widely considered to be “the best Bon Jovi tribute band in the world!” So much so, that even the former Bon Jovi guitarist, Richie Sambora, has personally thanked the band for their hard work and unforgettable performances. In their 5 years of touring, the band have performed across the world and featured on the BBC prime-time TV show, Even Better Than The Real Thing.

A stunning live performance of the sensational music of Kate Bush.

In a world of soundbites and distractions, Chris Wood is a truth seeker. His writing is permeated with love and wry intelligence, uplifting and challenging as he celebrates the sheer one-thing-after-anotherness of life. Tom Robinson and Chris Difford are fans while Stick In The Wheel and The Unthanks look to him as an influence.

A very special evening with award-winning singer-songwriter Hazel O’Connor, joined here by  Clare Hirst (Bellestars, Communards, David Bowie) on sax and Sarah Fisher (Eurythmics) on keyboards. The superb blend of the three voices and stunning musicianship adds a sweet touch of class to their vibrant performance. Live onstage, her unforgettable songs from the iconic film Breaking Glass, which is celebrating its 40th anniversary, including Eighth Day, Will You, Big Brother, If Only and more seem even more relevant in our present times.

The first major female star of the ’80s, award-winning singer-songwriter Hazel O’Connor rose to fame exactly forty years ago in 1980 starring in the film Breaking Glass. There were hits and eye-catching  Top of The Pops appearances aplenty along the way.  Hazel’s ageless songs include Eighth Day, Will You, Big Brother, Monsters in Disguise, Calls The Tune, If Only, Give Me An Inch, Blackman and  Hanging Around – all of which seem even more relevant in our present times.

Women In Rock are thrilled to be bringing their show to The Acorn theatre this October. Since exploding onto the live music scene in 2016 they have been busy wowing audiences up and down the UK in theatres and art centres with their sell-out show.

Over ten years and evolving incarnations Roving Crows have cultivated an arresting, singular sound that pushes the boundaries of the Celtic Folk genre.

The Cabarats bring a new musical experience to the global underground, combining traditional Balkan and Middle Eastern sounds with lively reggae and ska.
Using a collection of intriguing instruments such as accordion, oud, keyboard and brass, the band have dazzled a wide range of audiences from festival crowds to private functions and community events.