Red hot line-up of music, comedy and theatre for city Fire Station
Comedian Al Murray, people’s poet John Cooper Clarke, indie rockers Public Service Broadcasting and Queen tribute Radio Ga-Ga are among the gigs announced for the Fire Station’s red hot second season.
Since opening its doors in December 2021, the new £11million auditorium, a modern extension to the Edwardian Fire Station, has brought a wholehostofactsandgenresto the city for its opening season, which came to its conclusion last month – with 20,000 people visiting across the season.
Nowithasbeenannounced whowillbekeepingvisitorsentertained next season, which starts from September. Until then, the auditorium side of the venue is closed so planned improvements can be made to the stage.
Tamsin Austin, director of The Fire Station, said: “Our next programme is packed with great music, theatre and comedy and we’re really lookingforwardtowelcomingaudiences back into the venue.
"We’resureourprogramme willattractnewpeopleintothe city centre, as well as bringing back those who’ve already enjoyed a night or two out at The Fire Station.”
Highlights for the new season include award-winning singer songwriter Brandy Clark (September 6); The Story of Soul (September 15); Queen tribute Radio Ga-Ga; The Squeeze’s Chris Gifford (September 18); Deacon Blue’s Ricky Ross (September 27); indie rock group Public Service Broadcasting (October 3); Transatlantic Blondie (October 8); folk rock band Turin Brakes (October 10); jazz folk pairing The Unthanks (October 12); Kathryn Tickell and TheDarkening,whoplayedthe venue’sopeningnight(October 23)andBethNielsenChapman (November 13).
The Royal Northern Sinfonia (RNS) will return on October 8, December 1, February 16 and May 11. Multi-buy packages for The Fire Station’s RNS performances are available through the venue’s website – withupto20percentoffticket prices.
Awayfromthemusicalprogramme,laughswillbeprovided
by Pub Landlord Al Murray (October 1); Mock the Week favourite Milton Jones (November 9); acclaimed stand-up Hal Cruttenden (January 21) and Live at the Apollo star Justin Moorhouse (February 18).
Meanwhile, three children’s theatre shows have also been confirmed: Room on the Broom (September 21), The Tiger
Who Came to Tea (October 4) and The Very Hungry Caterpillar (November 16).
For an older audience, the Elysium Theatre Company is bringing its version of Ibsen’s TheDoll’sHouseonOctober13.
On September 17, the original people’s poet, John Cooper Clarke, brings his I Wanna Be Yours live show to the auditorium. The show, touring the US, UK, Europe and Canada, is a mix of classic verse, new material,hilariousponderingson modern life, good honest gags, riffs and chat.
While The Fire Station Auditorium has closed for a couple of months, the rest of The Fire Station will be open. Visitors will be able to enjoy food and drink at the Engine Room, which has recently reopened with a new menu after a major kitchenrefurbishmentandthe introduction of new outdoor seating.
Meanwhile, music fans can relax and enjoy the lowkey summer vibes of DJs Deja Brew in the venue’s impressive Foyer Bar.