The Coro, Ulverston, announces its Spring-Summer programme

The Coro has announced its initial line-up for Spring-Summer 2022, featuring a variety of music, comedy, theatre, art, dance, family shows and more.

Music
The season opens with a unique celebration of one of the most influential voices in British music in An Evening Without Kate Bush (4 Mar);

Ulverston’s own Jess Gillam (12 Mar), former BBC Young Musician finalist and the youngest ever soloist to play the Last Night of the Proms, gives a saxophone recital with James Baillieu;
Twist & Shout (18 Mar) brings the sights and sounds of the Swinging Sixties to life;
Ulverston International Music Festival present English Touring Opera’s La bohème (3 Jun);

On Retro Rendezvous weekend there’s a tribute to Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons in Oh What A Night! (10 Jun) and a dose of Northern Soul in Northern Live (11 Jun);

And the National Youth Jazz Orchestra open the Lake District Summer Music Festival with a celebration of jazz legends in Basie & Beyond (29 Jul), with The Coro hosting the festival’s opening night for the first time.

Comedy
Planet Mirth present Lloyd Griffith, Lindsey Santoro, Steve Harris and Rich Wilson (11 Mar),

And Steve Royle, Tony Law, Garrett Millerick and Daisy Earl (17 Jun) in two editions of Friday Night Live,

While recent Live at the Apollo host Jen Brister (18Jun) headlines The Coro’s contribution to Another Fine Fest, supported by David Mills.

Theatre
Furness Tradition offer an alternative way to celebrate St Patrick’s Day, as masterstoryteller Dominic Kelly brings to life the epic saga of legendary Irish hero Cú Chulainn in The Hero Light (17 Mar);

And local am-dram group the Ulverston Outsiders present Arthur Miller’s classic The Crucible (29 Mar-1 Apr), set during the hysteria and paranoia of the Salem Witch Trials.

Family
Beloved characters from children’s books and television are brought to life in two family theatre shows for toddlers and pre-schoolers: The Smeds & The Smoos (5 & 6 Apr) and Fireman Sam (25Jul).

Art
The hugely popular Printfest (28 Apr-1 May) is back, offering not only the opportunity to browse and purchase prints from some of the country’s leader printmakers, but the chance to speak to the artists in person and learn how they hone their craft.

Dance
Dance makes a sinister, seductive, and sumptuous return to The Coro in Vortice Dance Company’s contemporary ballet Dracula (15 May) based on the myths and legends of the iconic vampire.

Free events
Ulverston Eco Fair (17 Mar) invites you to discover the various strategies groups and individuals are using to cut their carbon footprint and consider what we as individuals can do next; and people can find everything from locally sourced food and drink to ethically produced arts and crafts at the inaugural Coro Easter Market (16 Apr).

Beth Kennedy, Director of Ulverston Community Enterprises – the organisation that manages The Coro – said: ‘We’ve been gradually reopening step by step since August 2021. But in that time we never felt able to plan events more than a month or so in advance as we grappled with the uncertainty caused by the resurgence of Covid and the slow process of rebuilding our staff and infrastructure.

That process is still ongoing, but this announcement feels like a significant turning point for us – we’re finally getting back to doing what we do best: bringing a broad and varied programme of art, entertainment, community events and more to the people of Ulverston, South Lakeland, Cumbria and the Bay.’

With Covid-19 still lingering, audience safety and comfort remains a top priority for The Coro.

Although no longer legally required, hall capacities will remain limited for many events throughout Spring-Summer with clear disclaimers where this isn’t the case, while hand sanitisers will remain available, the building will be kept well-ventilated, and Coro staff and volunteers will continue to wear face coverings for the foreseeable future.
The complete programme of events on at The Coro can be found at thecoro.co.uk/whats-on