NEWS:Poole's Lighthouse announces their October theatre season.

It’s safety first as October theatre season announced at Lighthouse 

Welcoming the government’s decision to permit indoor performances with social distancing Lighthouse, Poole’s centre for the arts, has moved quickly to announce an exciting programme of shows in its Theatre this October. 

Social distancing means that available seats will have at least a one-metre clear radius around them as audiences are invited to return to Lighthouse to enjoy the unique experience that only a live performance can generate.   

“We are doing all we can so that we can welcome back our audiences that we have missed so much,” says Elspeth McBain, Lighthouse Chief Executive. “Being able to announce these shows represents a giant step forwards and we hope our loyal audiences are as excited as we are to see the return of live entertainment to Lighthouse stages.” 

Having secured ‘We’re Good to Go’ status and industry standard kitemark, Lighthouse is implementing COVID-security measures to ensure the safety of audiences, artists and staff alike.  

The October shows are: 

• Magellan - Circumnavigation. Friday 2 October. 8pm. Bob Whitley and Lee MacKenzie in a musical story of love divided by the greatest voyage of discovery the 16th century had ever seen. 
• Live and Unheard. Thursday 8 October. 7.30pm. The singularly talented Dave Griffiths appears with his band, as does 14-year-old singer songwriter Asha Zee who is on Virgin Records’ watch list. Folk rock duo Harper & Edwards open the show as our monthly unsigned music night returns. 
• Studio Jazz: Derek Nash. Friday 9 October. Probably best known as lead alto sax with Jools Holland’s Rhythm and Blues Orchestra, Derek is one of the most versatile players on the circuit today and fronts a five-piece outfit for this solo show. 

• Coastal Comedy. Saturday 10 October. 6pm. Regular host Adrienne Coles introduces TV comedians Andy Askins, Gareth Richards and Martin Wratten as our monthly stand-up comedy club reconvenes in the Theatre. 
• Tall Trees: Shackleton. Saturday 17 October. 11am, 2pm. A joyful, gentle family show about an adventurous dog who takes advantage of an open gate to break out of his routine. 
• The National Trust Fan Club. Thursday 22 October. 7pm. Helen Wood’s hilarious show about her one-woman quest to visit every National Trust property and become its biggest super-fan.  
• Studio Jazz: Art Themen and Laura Hurd. Friday 23 October. 8pm. As one of the major figures in British jazz joins forces with a key player in the younger generation and a swinging rhythm section the magic is bound to happen! 
• Jess Fostekew: Hench. Saturday 24 October. 8pm. The regular host of The Guilty Feminist podcast and star of sitcoms Motherland and Cuckoo, Jess explores her big strong strength. 

Tickets go on pre-sale to Lighthouse Friends only from Wednesday 19 August and on general sale from Friday 21 August. All tickets must be booked in advance at https://www.lighthousepoole.co.uk.  

Subject to the latest safety guidelines, more shows will be announced in the coming weeks. 

For details of Lighthouse Friends visit https://www.lighthousepoole.co.uk/support-lighthouse/.