An Evening With David Sedaris

Named by the Guinness Book of Records as ‘the world’s greatest living explorer’, Sir Ranulph Fiennes has spent his life in pursuit of extreme adventure, risking life and limb in some of the most ambitious private expeditions ever undertaken.

Amongst his many record-breaking achievements, he was the first to reach both Poles, the first to cross the Antarctic and Arctic Ocean, and the first to circumnavigate the world along its polar axis.

In Living Dangerously, Sir Ranulph offers a personal journey through his life, from his early years to the present day. Both light-hearted and strikingly poignant, Living Dangerously spans Sir Ranulph’s childhood and school misdemeanours, his army life and early expeditions, right through the Transglobe Expedition to his current Global Reach Challenge - his goal to become the first person in the world to cross both polar ice caps and climb the highest mountain on each of the seven continents.

Sir Ranulph Fiennes’ many endeavours have pushed his endurance levels to the very limits, inspiring generations and making him a pioneer of exploration with an unparalleled story to tell.

Fasten your seatbelts and get ready for an awe-inspiring ride.

Tim Peake is a European Space Agency astronaut. In December 2015, he became the first British astronaut to visit the International Space Station to conduct a spacewalk (and run a marathon!) whilst orbiting Earth.
Now, join him on an epic and thrilling journey to the International Space Station as part of his first ever UK tour.

Tim will be your personal guide through life in space, with unprecedented access, breath-taking photographs, and never-before-seen incredible footage. It’s a fascinating insight into what it’s really like to be an astronaut; from training to launch, spacewalk to re-entry, Tim reveals the secrets, the science and the everyday wonders of how and why humans journey into space.
Sharing his passion for aviation, exploration and adventure, this is your chance to spend an evening with one of the world’s greatest living astronauts, and to rediscover the wonder of the place we call home.

“It’s impossible to look down on Earth from space and not be mesmerised by the fragile beauty of our planet” Tim Peake

 “Everything you wanted to know about life in space” The Times

“A delightful adventure of understanding of how and why humans journey into space” Robin Ince, The Infinite Monkey Cage

We are Nature

We need the Wilderness as much as the Wilderness needs us. 

Recently we have learnt to value our green spaces more than ever.

In this fascinating, inspirational, and educational show, Ray will be demonstrating and explaining techniques that will help us improve our senses and highlight the problems nature faces today.
It is time to cease being frustrated and act now to prevent crimes against nature and the environment

Come and celebrate the importance of the Wilderness to us all.

Mr P has been a primary school teacher for over 12 years. He still works part-time in school and leads training in schools all over the UK and beyond. From sharing ideas and funny insights into life in the classroom, he has now become one of the most followed teachers on social media in the UK.
 
3 years ago, alongside his younger brother (who also works in a school) he started the award-winning podcast - Two Mr Ps in a Podcast. In a year, it has been the number one education podcast and amassed over 3 million listens. In August 2021, they are releasing their highly anticipated first book - ‘Put A Wet Paper Towel On It - The Weird and Wonderful World of Primary Schools’.
 
Sharing funny stories from the front line of teaching, this live show will see the Two Mr Ps reminiscing on their own school days and looking at the wonderful and hilarious world of education. Anyone who went to school will enjoy and relate to this brilliant new show.
 

Spend an evening with Test Match Special and Ashes stars Phil Tufnell and Jonathan Agnew as they take you inside the famous TMS commentary box and share memories from their remarkable playing careers.

What was it like facing Shane Warne is his prime? Which member of the TMS team never buys dinner? And what really happened the night after the 2005 Ashes…?

The iconic England duo have watched more cricket (and eaten more cake!) than almost anyone else and can tell amazing stories of life on the road as players, and now as commentators. From Barbados to Birmingham and Christchurch to Kolkata – they’ve seen it all.

Enjoy never-before-seen footage of iconic commentary moments, hear how the team kept their emotions in check on-air at the World Cup Final and find out what life is really like watching England from the finest seat in the house.

Special guest to be announced.

Graeme Hall The Dogfather Live On Stage 2022

The hugely popular and accomplished Graeme Hall (Channel 5’s Dogs Behaving (very) badly) is bringing
his wisdom, charm and puppy prowess to a UK venue near you.

For the first time ever, dog and puppy owners up and down the country will have the chance to seek
advice from ‘Britain’s best dog trainer’ (The Telegraph) for all their canine concerns. This specially
crafted 90-minute show is full of tricks, memories, heart-warming surprises, and an exclusive Q&A, all
presented in an intimate and relaxed live setting.

Graeme Hall is a Master Dog Trainer with the Guild Of Dog Trainers. With more than 10 years’
experience, a list of celebrity clients, and regular appearances on BBC Breakfast and ITV’s This Morning,
Hall has built a glowing reputation on providing quick but long-lasting fixes to almost any dog behavioral
problem. Hall has one motto, ‘any dog, any age, any problem’ and now it’s your turn to be inspired,
benefit from his expertise, and get your pooch back on track and trained for life.

In a cultural landscape filled with endless pundits and talking heads, Fran Lebowitz stands out as one of our most insightful social commentators.

An American original and purveyor of urban cool, the cultural satirist and author is pointed, forthright, unapologetically opinionated, and known for her hilariously dry social commentary on American life. Lebowitz’s recent Netflix documentary series directed by good friend Martin Scorsese, Pretend It’s A City, was an unmitigated hit with its offering of a tantalizing snapshot of New York in full bloom, along with Lebowitz’s lively and unapologetic commentary on what it means to live there.

For a limited run of dates, Lebowitz will be live in conversation, sharing her invariably cutting take on anything and everything; from growing up in New Jersey and being expelled from her high school for being a bad influence on her peers, to moving to New York City in the 70’s, and writing a column for Andy Warhol’s Interview magazine. She’ll offers insights on such timely issues as gender, race, gay rights, and the media, as well as on her own pet peeves—including celebrity culture, tourists, and baby strollers.

These events promise to be a balm in a wildly shifting world, offering spot-on observations about contemporary living and the opportunity to ask Lebowitz your own controversial questions. Do not miss it.

“No animal should ever jump up on the dining room furniture unless absolutely certain that he can hold his own in the conversation.” – Fran Lebowitz

Presented by Fane

An American original and purveyor of urban cool, thecultural satirist and author is pointed, forthright, unapologeticallyopinionated, and known for her hilariously dry social commentary on Americanlife. Lebowitz’s recent Netflix documentary series directed by good friendMartin Scorsese, Pretend It’s A City,was an unmitigated hit with its offering of a tantalizing snapshot of New Yorkin full bloom, along with Lebowitz’s lively and unapologetic commentary on whatit means to live there.

For a limited run of dates, Lebowitz will be live inconversation, sharing her invariably cutting take on anything and everything;from growing up in New Jersey and being expelled from her high school for beinga bad influence on her peers, to moving to New York City in the 70’s, andwriting a column for Andy Warhol’s Interview magazine. She’ll offersinsights on such timely issues as gender, race, gay rights, and the media, aswell as on her own pet peeves—including celebrity culture, tourists, and babystrollers.

These events promise to be a balm in a wildly shiftingworld, offering spot-on observations about contemporary living and theopportunity to ask Lebowitz your own controversial questions. Do not miss it.

“No animal should ever jump up on the dining room furnitureunless absolutely certain that he can hold his own in the conversation.” – FranLebowitz

Presented by Fane

A new guide to science, art, sex and death from the New York Times bestselling
author of Love Wins

In Everything is Spiritual, the author Rob Bell explores how ideas about creation, love and connection
shaped him and how they shape every one of us. Bell observes that more than anything, people want to
understand their purpose here on earth. And when you embrace who and where you come from, including
your wounds, your pains and your regrets, you will discover that lurking there in the mess of life is an
invitation to expand - just as the universe has been expanding for 13 billion years.

Written in a lyrical, almost stream of consciousness style this wide-ranging book shares stories from Bell's
life to illuminate lessons about the world around you to help you find purpose, meaning and connection.

'Rob Bell might have left the church, but he will always be my minister - in the purest and most uncorrupted
sense of that word. Nobody else can take ancient teachings and modern science, and blend them together
into wisdom that makes sense to me, and heals me. Rob's unorthodox and bold thinking stirs my
intellect, comforts my heart and makes me believe that - within all the frightening chaos of the unknowable
universe - I still have a sacred place. His work is a sacred gift to a troubled world.’

Elizabeth Gilbert, New York Times bestselling author of Big Magic

Rob Bell is the New York Times bestselling author of ten books, including Velvet Elvis, Drops Like
Stars and Love Wins, which have been translated into 25 languages. His podcast, called RobCast, was in the
iTunes 'Best of 2015' list. He's toured with Oprah, has been profiled in The New Yorker, and in
2011, TIME magazine named him one of the 100 Most Influential People in the World.
He does regular shows at Largo, a comedy and music club in Los Angeles, where he lives with his wife
Kristen and their three kids.

*Under 14s must be accompanied by an adult.

Sir Tony Robinson will be live on stage for an intimate evening looking back at his career on stage and screen, together with his literary accomplishments, in what will be a spectacular evening.

Join us to hear the lowdown on his many exploits and endeavours and expect plenty of fascinating anecdotes and peeks behind the scenes.

Follow Sir Tony's journey from child actor to Blackadder's immortal Baldrick and from Time Team to everybody's favourite history presenter.

This evening will be hosted by television legend Jenny Powell and you will also have a chance to ask your own burning question in an audience Q & A.

Limited VIP seating is available for the front 3 rows with each ticket guaranteeing you a personal meet & greet experience with Sir Tony Robinson and you will also receive your own personal souvenir photograph with Sir Tony Robinson to remember this special night.

Don't miss this rare opportunity to experience an amazing evening in the uniquely entertaining company of one of the country's best-loved performers and true national treasure.

Tickets are limited for this event, which is exclusively presented at The Bowdon Rooms for one night only.

From the police beat to the Hollywood movie screen to a Five Nations Grand Slam and MasterChef final, Martin Bayfield has had a varied life! 

Join former England international and true giant of the game Martin Bayfield as he embarks on his ‘Rugby Legends’ UK tour. 
Martin says,
“This is the game I want to celebrate. The game of my youth, the game that became my family, the game that took me around the world and opened the door to so many unexpected wonders.
If you’ve played the game, you’ll nod your head and chuckle. If Rugby is new to you, you’ll shake your head in disbelief. It shouldn’t work, but it does, and that’s why I love it so much.
Joining me on this journey down Amnesia Avenue will be some great names from the game. Players who have made their mark, but perhaps more importantly players who for me have added the colour and the chaos.”

Bedford 1975: a 5’4” 8-year-old Martin was finding himself useless at every sport he tried, describing his attempts at football as “woefully poor” and cricket “dangerously poor”, but swimming? “I was good at that. Slightly niche, but I’ll take it”!  It would all change when a coach threw an odd-shaped ball accompanied by the wise words, “Hey, shorty, you’ll like this game”.

47 years on and Martin’s passion for the ‘insanely bonkers’ game has not diminished; now a top commentator for the sport with a successful TV and film career alongside motivational speaking work, he still relishes his playing career during the early years of the game, when internationals ran out alongside the club stalwarts and legends rubbed shoulders with the well-meaning incompetent.

The audience can expect stories with soon to be announced special guests about international games, local teams; legends emerging from coal mines, farms, police stations, classrooms, universities. Matches played on 6” of grass, mud in the winter, hard pan in the autumn and spring months.  Riotous end of season tours and half cooked lasagne or chilli con carne after the game washed down with beer, then the long, meandering journey home.