After an OUTSTANDING event in 2022,’HAVE A GO’ Arts Festival returns to Kettering Arts Centre to offer the public workshops and mini-masterclasses to produce art in many forms.

Kettering Arts Centre will once again showcase local groups to share their passion for their art form with others – it will be a ‘have a go’ day.

Different groups will be housed in the main church and in the adjacent rooms. Musicians, artists, dancers, actors, comedians, writers, painters, potters and poets can get involved and promote their talents.

This is a family friendly feel good festival that will champion local talent and encourage the community to try something new.

AMAZING FREE workshops on offer at our HAVE A GO Arts Day Saturday 1st April 2023!

BOOK NOW!

Deep Roots Tall Trees 10.30am

Weaving Words Creative Writing 11am

Printmaking 11am WORKSHOP FULL

Cobbled Together 11.30am

Watercolour Workshop 12pm WORKSHOP FULL

Deep Roots Tall Trees 12.30pm

Weaving Words 1pm

Printmaking 1pm

Cobbled Together 1.30pm

Licensed bar
Wheelchair access

Kettering Arts Centre and Deep Roots Tall Trees have proudly collaborated to present this amazing concert!

Come and join the unique and award-winning Deep Roots Tall Trees Choir as it marks 10 years of making music and singing songs!

Led by the inspirational Gareth Fuller, the concert will be packed with original uplifting and thoughtful songs telling the story of Corby, its people, history and heritage.

This will be a very special evening with something for everyone and definitely not to be missed!

Doors: 6:30pm / Show: 7.00pm
All ages (under 18’s must be accompanied by an adult)
Running time: approximately 90 minutes (including interval)

Licensed bar
Unreserved seating
Disability access
(If you require a free carer ticket, please contact us directly)
Concession tickets include: children, students, pensioners, the unemployed, and those with a long-term disability

Kettering Arts Centre is once again proud to host MIKE GUNN & SEAN COLLINS: Standup Comedy Tour

After appearing on BBC 1’s Michael McIntyre’s Comedy Roadshow and headlining shows all over the world, comedians Mike Gunn and Sean Collins have teamed up to tour the UK together.

Both performing headline sets and teaming up for a double act to close the show.

Don’t miss the chance to see these UK comedy veterans in Kettering once more.

Mike Gunn
“One of the top 10 leading stand-ups in Britain”
Independent on Sunday

Sean Collins
“Expert comedy done effortlessly”
The Scotsman

Licensed bar
Wheelchair access
Unreserved seating
Free carer tickets available – contact the venue directly
Ages 18+

GLENN WOOL began his comedy career in his hometown of Vancouver in 1995… Made the move to London in 1998 and quickly became one of the rising stars, and household names on the UK & European comedy circuits.

He has toured all over the world including: Australia, New Zealand, USA, South Africa, Switzerland, France, Croatia, Arabia & Asia (to name a few!)

Winning over audiences globally and a TV favourite on the Melbourne, Sydney & New Zealand International Comedy Galas. Glenn was nominated for Best International Act at the New Zealand Comedy Awards and was twice nominated as Best Headliner at the Chortle Awards.

“.. An hour with Wool is worth about ten hours with many other comics.” ★★★★ The Scotsman

His impressive array of TV credits include John Oliver’s ‘New York Stand-Up Show’ as well as appearances on: The Green Room with Paul Provenza, 8 Out of 10 Cats, Never Mind the Buzzcocks, Russell Howard’s Good News!

Glenn was a highlight on The John Bishop Show (BBC1) and hosted a new NBC series Before the Morning After.

You would have heard him alongside his co-host Frankie Boyle on their podcast Freestyle..

As a guest on The Richard Herring Podcast and seen him on Doug Stanhope’s The Comedians’ Comedian’s Comedians (SeeSo), which was recorded at SXSW!

“Seeing Glenn Wool perform should be made compulsory for the melancholy. There’s no way you won’t feel a bit better about the world afterwards. Lethally funny” ★★★★ Metro

Most recently Glenn has been touring with Reginald D Hunter for his Some People v. Reginald D. Hunter tour, but is also a favourite opener for the likes of Doug Stanhope and Frankie Boyle!

When he is not on the road he is a popular addition to many of the UK music festivals comedy stages including: Reading & Leeds, Bestival, Download, Sonisphere & Glastonbury! Glenn has also been lending his voice along with Katherine Ryan (Netflix & Live At The Apollo) to the BAFTA award-winning Lottie Bearshout: Good as Goaled – for Disney XD!

In recent years Glenn has dominated the international comedy circuit, performing to huge crowds in Holland, Singapore, Dubai, Cape Town, Melbourne, Montreal, LA, New York, Auckland and Sydney. He is a hugely popular addition to many of the great summer music festivals in the UK, including Reading & Leeds, Bestival, Download, Sonisphere and Glastonbury.

His critically acclaimed solo shows are a highlight for many on the Edinburgh Fringe calendar.

“Absolutely hilarious” ★★★★ The Independent

“.. Edgy, imaginative, funny and original, Canadian born Wool sets the standards at the fringe!” ★★★★ Daily Telegraph

“Why aren’t you in a queue somewhere buying a ticket?” ★★★★ The Scotsman

“A masterpiece of comedy which has the audience helpless with laughter. I genuinely think this is one of the best hours of comedy I have ever seen” ★★★★★ The Scotsman

PAUL PIRIE began his stand-up career after giving up acting to pursue the funny man that lies within, quickly establishing himself on the Scottish comedy circuit as long ago as 2004. It should be pointed out that at the time he was living with his Gran, having given away the keys to his flat in a pub quiz.

Soon after that he was awarded runner up in the prestigious annual awards for Scottish Comedian of the Year making him the (second) funniest comedian in Scotland! Since then he’s gone from strength to strength and right now is on fire enjoying the best comedic from of his life.

A brilliant natural comedian, packed full of energy, he uses every ounce to maximum effect with superb delivery. With a set that jumps from bitchy to silly, you’re never more than a line away from a great pun, insight or well crafted punch line, delivered with a ferocity that makes his humble beginnings on the Scottish circuit seem such a long time ago. Paul’s career has encompassed TV, Film and Radio alongside his skills as a stand-up, and he is now one of the biggest Scottish acts on the UK comedy circuit.

A confident and intelligent comedian who makes it his mission to work and entertain his audience, his material is superbly individual and delivers a refreshing burst of laugh out loud comedy that leaves audiences in raptures.

A physical, theatrical presence on stage, his sharp, rapid-fire comedy onslaught is packed with highly entertaining material, which blurs the lines between real-life anecdotes and flight of fancy. Its been observed that he channels the late Robin Williams at his most excitable; Pirie’s act is absolutely hilarious.

Pauls hilarity and comedic ability has earned him huge popularity with comedy goers and bookers across the world, gigging as far abroad as Australia and even for The Armed Forces. Maker no mistake, he’s one of those acts you never forget!

“Fizzing with energy and spewing out one-liners like he had just scoffed a dodgy prawn, Pirie is a man we will be seeing more of ” Daily Record

“a hilarious rubber faced clown” The Scotsman

“His clowning and quick fire gags will win him fans.. his physical mannerisms have a touch of Eric Morecambe” The Daily Record

“Inherently funny” Edinburgh Guide

Gut-wrenchingly funny, an hour with Tom Little almost isn’t enough. – FRINGE REVIEW

A brilliant, loudly awkward set… very funny, completely inventive, sitting perilously on the fence between allowing an audience to think they know what’s coming, and pulling something unexpectedly bizarre out of the bag. – GIGGLEBEATS

Hilarious – THE MIRROR

Tom has only been performing comedy for a short time, but there aren’t many new acts having a better time than TOM LITTLE.

He is already an award-winning comedian having been a finalist in the coveted BBC New Comedy Award 2014, he then won the title of Leicester Mercury Comedian of the Year 2015 which firmly cemented his billing as ‘rising star.’ His 2018 Edinburgh show was nominated for the Amused Moose Comedy Award. He also performed in the Pleasance Comedy Reserve and the Just The Tonic: Big Value showcases at the Edinburgh Fringe.

His most recent Edinburgh Festival show in 2019 Tom Little – Chronically Underachieving Loser And Wasteman received rave reviews.

His awkward, shouty demeanour is levelled by his sing-song Cumbrian accent, and his delivery and dissection of even the most simple jokes mark him out as one to watch.

Goofy and peculiar, MC STEPHANIE LAING’s comedy is partway between the needy oddness of Maria Bamford and the upbeat affability of Josie Long. Her material is a mix of silliness, filth and unusual observations, underpinned by a disarming honesty which makes her seem charmingly vulnerable.

“Truly commanded the crowd. Disgusting and delightful in equal measure. She is definitely one to watch.” – Three Weeks

“Laing is a jovial, baby faced performer who comes across as utterly unencumbered, so it doesn’t especially feel like adult humour when it plainly is. She looks thoroughly happy to be speaking to us and the atmosphere is relaxed. It’s quite a devastating technique. And thanks to her having natural comic timing and delivery, it’s funny, too. Laing has a Sarah Millican-esque appeal.” – Chortle

Licensed bar
Disabled access
Unreserved seating
Ages 18+
£11 in advance / £14 on the door 

“Empyre Unplugged” a night of live acoustic music as the local favourites return for another headline date at Kettering Arts Centre.

Join us for an MTV Unplugged style evening with Empyre. They will be playing the songs from their acoustic album ‘The Other Side’ along with acoustic versions of tracks from their new album ‘Relentless’ (out March 31st).

In the past few years Empyre have not only headlined gigs at Kettering Arts Centre on no less than 3 occasions, they have also performed acoustic sets before rock legends Eagles, Shinedown and Alter Bridge at Arena Birmingham and been one of very few rock acts to be featured on ‘Whispering’ Bob Harris’ “Under The Apple Tree” Sessions.

Guitar World say “EMPYRE have become masters at taking the formula for British atmospheric rock and infusing it with their arena-ready signature sound. They’ve also been described as the love-child of Pink Floyd and Soundgarden.

Doors: 7:00pm / First Act: 7.45pm
Free Entry to under 12’s
All ages (under 16s must be accompanied by an adult)

Licensed bar
Unreserved seating
Disability access

PATRICK MONAHAN is the only comedian we’ve ever known who’s embarked on not one, but two national tours, at the same time! The first was a result of winning ITV’s ‘Show Me The Funny’ and the other was own tour his show “Hug Me I Feel Good”.

A notoriously warm and friendly comic he also holds the world record for “Longest Hug” at a time of 25 hours and 25 minutes set at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival 2013.

He’s appeared on numerous television shows from BBC1, 2, 3 to ITV1 and 2, Channel 4, Channel 5, and Sky 1. And the reason he’s done all this? He’s absolutely 100% cast iron hilarious and never fails to entertain a crown into delightful hysterics. Frankly, once an act gets to this level they stop playing the circuit so this might be the last chance to see Monahan in a comedy club!

“A force of nature, effortless charm and the mother of all feelgood finales” Mail on Sunday

“Star-In-the-making” Daily Telegraph “Bright young talent” The Sunday Times

“Comic masterpiece” Three Weeks

MC PETER MCCOLE is an Liverpudlian-born stand up comedian who is very much in demand both as an individual act and an MC

Peter is a natural stand up whose hugely popular anecdotal observational comedy and quick wit delights comedy audiences in comedy clubs up and down the UK circuit.

“Peter McCole has a lovely delivery style assured, measured and relaxed” CHORTLE

“Worth the Admission Alone” METRO

NJAMBI MCGRATH is a rising comedy star with a Radio 4 Series in the horizon. She is the author of the critically acclaimed memoir Through The Leopards Gaze was optioned for a 6 part TV drama series by Expectation Entertainment. “Written with poetic fortitude, Through The Leopard’s Gaze reveals that the hardest part of survival is not the experience of violence but the pressure you feel to make sense of it. Bravely sharing her own attempt to confront the past, Njambi McGrath’s memoir is a stunning portrayal of human brutality and human resistance – heart-breaking and empowering in equal measure.” David Lammy MP. ‘Beautifully written’ BBC Radio 4 Loose Ends. On sale in Foyles, Waterstones, WHSmith, Amazon, Audible, Walmart and all major outlets worldwide.

She is a ‘compelling voice of a rarely heard African perspective’ FestMag. Njambi’s book was shortlisted as one of the Twentyin2020 writers announced in the Guardian 2019. Away from writing, Njambi is an accomplished comedian with seven one woman shows and three filmed comedy specials. She was crowned winner of 2019 prestigious Hackney empire NATYS Award joining the ranks of previous winners like Stewart Lee and Lee Mark.

Njambi’s 2019 Edinburgh show Accidental Coconut, was a satirical examination of striking parallels between the Brexit rhetoric mimicking the struggles of those who fought for independence from Britain. Described as ‘nothing short of ground-breaking’ Banbury Magazine, and ‘a unique voice with deliciously tart lines’ Evening Standard. Accidental Coconut was featured on BBC Two’s Edinburgh Nights and BBC Radio 4 Extra Stand ups. Her current stand up show Black Black, she is comparing her grandmother’s life under imperialist Britain, with the rise of Nazism and fascism to her own political climate with Nazism, fascism on the rise. Her previous shows Breaking Black and African in New York – Almost Famous and Accidental Coconut were filmed comedy specials available on Next Up, Amazon Prime, Virgin Trains.

She was in the original line up of the (ARIA) Radio Awards hit BBC World comedy show ‘New Year’s International Comedy Celebration. Since her debut in 2010, she was voted 1 of 5 top up and coming female comedians 2012 by Fabulous magazine barely 14 months later. She was shortlisted for the BBC Radio New Comedy Awards x 2 a year later. She guested shows like Saturday Live BBC Radio 4, Loose Ends and ½ hour profile on BBC World service and has been showcased on BBC Radio 2 and BBC Radio 4Xtra, featured on STV, French TV(Business Africa/Initiative Africa), Nigerian TV. She has been profiled in the Evening Standard, The Guardian, Daily Telegraph, The Scotsman, Daily Nation (Kenya) featured on Arise TV. She reached the finals of many comedy competitions.

As Kikuyu Njambi is a follower of her ancestors Ngai. In her won worfds “He’s low maintenance because he says if he doesn’t hear from you he’ll assume all is well.😀”

Rising star DOM HATTON-WOODS is a rare breed of comedian, talented both on stage and also highly successful online, providing regular content for online dating app Bumble and drinks company Hooch. His Tik Tok posts often hit the 2 million viewers mark as he continues to create hilarious content on a daily basis.

On stage, Dom has provided tour support for Tom Stade, Jamali Maddix and Daliso Chaponda and is a regular at many of the major UK clubs.

Dom is available for live bookings, corporate events, acting/casting roles and online partnerships.

“Hilarious from start to finish, I’d take him on the road anytime.” Jamali Maddix

Licensed bar
Disabled access
Unreserved seating
Ages 18+
£11 in advance / £14 on the door

Impatient Productions presents GARY DELANEY’s return to Kettering Arts Centre!

Get ready to dive into a rabbit hole of the best jokes in the world – star of Live at the Apollo and sell-out sensation Gary Delaney is back! One of the most sought after joke writers in the country and longstanding Mock the Week special guest, Gary has been through the laughing glass and he’s ready to bring you a brand new show with hit after hit of the kind of one-liners only a master could craft. If you’re hunting for snark, Gary’s got it covered!

★★★★ ‘A cavalcade of brilliantly inventive puns’ Guardian
★★★★ ‘More quality jokes in one hour than most comics have in their entire careers…Quite brilliant’ Scotsman
★★★★ ‘A master craftsman’ Times 
★★★★ ‘One of Britain’s grandmasters of the one-liner’’ Chortle

Website: garydelaney.com
Facebook: @GaryDelaneyComedian
Twitter: @GaryDelaney

Age Guidance 16+ (under 18s must be accompanied by an adult)
Estimated Running Time 110 minutes (including interval)
Unreserved seating 
Licensed bar

Kettering Arts Centre are very excited to host the critically-acclaimed Pantaloons Theatre Company for a riotous Regency rom-com!

Meet misguided matchmaker Emma as she tries to play Cupid in this hilarious yet faithful new adaptation of Jane Austen’s satirical story.

In the days before dating apps, spoilt socialite Emma Woodhouse is convinced that Mr Knightley just isn’t that into her, that Harriet is a 100% match for Mr Elton and that Jane and Mr Dixon are made for each other. Will any of her acquaintances couple up? Will her marriage-meddling mess everything up? Will she attain any self-awareness by the end of the play?

Find out in this fast-paced, physical and funny show, filled with romance, music and The Pantaloons’ own charming brand of theatrical chaos.

The Pantaloons are the “inimitable” (Guardian) and “wholly charming” (Times) touring theatre company bringing a vital sense of “play” back to classical performance. In our theatre, your imagination is just as important as ours.

Doors: 7pm / Show: 7.30pm
Suitable for all ages (under 18’s must be accompanied by an adult)
Running time: approximately 1 hr 40 plus interval

Licensed bar
Unreserved seating
Disability access
(If you require a free carer ticket, please contact us directly)
Concession tickets include: children, students, pensioners, the unemployed, and those with a long-term disability

Kettering Arts Centre & Impatient Productions present

‘After defeat, re-enchantment is necessary’, said Lola Olufemi. This thought inspires Josie Long’s brand-new show of stand-up infused with humanity, compassion and some brief political rants. The triple Edinburgh Comedy Award nominee, underdog Fringe hero and delirious new mother (the first person to have two babies) returns with a show about the changes wrought by time, passion, moving to Scotland, and loving the world under – let’s face it – difficult circumstances.

★★★★★ “Stunning, riotously hilarious” The Skinny

★★★★ “Josie Long has long been a favourite…brilliantly evocative, an original and unflagging spirit.” The Times

★★★★ ”What a delight to have Josie Long back…the perfect cure for a spot of November SAD” The Telegraph

★★★★ “The motherlode of love, joy and laughs” Guardian

★★★★ “A near constant hour of laughs” The Scotsman

★★★★ “Rowdy, brilliant, sweary, beautiful, funny” Chortle

★★★★ “She is articulate, passionate and intense, and heartwarmingly funny’ Evening Standard

★★★★ “Long’s skill as a comedian is undimmed…the laughs keep coming” Fest

★★★★ “An absolute delight” Time Out

★★★★ i Newspaper

★★★★ Metro

★★★★ The List

Website: josielong.com
Twitter: @JosieLong
Facebook: @josie.i.long

14+ years (under 18s must be accompanied by an adult)
2 x 40 mins plus interval
Unreserved seating
Licensed bar

Kettering Arts Centre is proud to present – The funniest show you will see all year… Made up on the spot?!

That might sound impossible, but, THE NOISE NEXT DOOR have spent the last 15 years perfecting the art of winging it. Watch in amazement as they take audience suggestions and transform them into genuinely hilarious sketches and songs in the blink of an eye.

The Noise Next Door are twelve-time sell-out veterans of The Edinburgh Fringe and have appeared on ‘The One Show’ (BBC One), ‘Britain’s Got Talent’ (ITV1), and ‘Roast Battle’ (Comedy Central). They have also appeared alongside the likes of Michael McIntyre, Katherine Ryan, Romesh Ranganathan and Harry Hill.

“Hilarious… A superior kind of chaos” Telegraph

“21st century comedy at its finest and funniest.” The Stage

“Comedy gold… Staggeringly well executed.” Guardian

“Phenomenal” Daily Mirror

Age guidance: 15+
Licensed bar
Disability access
Unreserved seating