What's On (Sep 28-30): Mugenkyo Taiko Drummers, Joan Armatrading, Andrew Lawrence and more

Scunthorpe’s Plowright Theatre will be filled with the incredible energy and thunderous rhythms of the Mugenkyo Taiko Drummers on Saturday.

With more than 1,000 performances across the UK, Japan and Europe over the past decade, the drummers have established a solid reputation for their gritty passionate style, setting themselves firmly at the forefront of Taiko drumming.

Saturday, September 29 (7.30pm). Plowright Theatre, Scunthorpe. Tickets: £17. Call 0844 854 2776

 

One of Charles Dickens’ best loved stories, Nicholas Nickleby, will be performed at Scunthorpe’s Plowright Theatre on Friday by the illustrious author’s great great grandson Gerald Dickens.

He will play every character in his famous ancestor’s masterpiece himself, as the audience experiences the timeless romantic tale of passion, intrigue and revenge in an exciting theatrical performance.

Friday, September 28 (7.30pm). Plowright Theatre, Scunthorpe. Tickets: £14. Call 0844 854 2776

 

There’s spooky goings-on at Scunthorpe’s Plowright Theatre on Sunday as The Ghost Stories of M R James are performed on stage by R M Lloyd Parry.

Over a century after their first publication, M. R. James' Ghost Stories of an Antiquary remain among the most admired supernatural tales in the English language.

Sunday, September 30 (7.30pm). Plowright Theatre, Scunthorpe. Tickets: £13. Call 0844 854 2776.

 

Singer-songwriter Joan Armatrading will perform at the Baths Hall in Scunthorpe on Sunday.

The three times Grammy nominated, Brit award nominee and Ivor Novella winner will be performing Love and Affection among many other firm favourites, and also showcase songs from her new CD.

BBC Radio 2 Folk awards Singer of the Year 2011 Chris Wood is also set to feature.

Sunday, September 30 (7.30pm). The Baths Hall, Scunthorpe. Tickets: £29.50. Call 0844 854 2776.

 

As seen on BBC 1’s Live at the Apollo, now a regular on Channel 4’s Stand Up For the Week, Andrew Lawrence is heading for Barton’s Ropery Hall on Friday.

Twice nominated Best UK Headline Act at the Chortle Awards 2010/11 and a former double Edinburgh Comedy Award nominee, audiences can expect Lawrence to deliver an evening of top class stand-up.

Friday, September 28 (8pm). Ropery Hall, Barton-Upon-Humber. Tickets: £12 (in advance), £14 (on the door). Call 01652 660380.

 

Distinguished concert pianist Richard Markham celebrates his 60th birthday with a concert at the Central Hall in Grimsby on Saturday.

His previous concert appearances have taken him throughout the UK and as soloist with the likes of the London Symphony Orchestra and the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra at venues such as the Royal Festival Hall, the Barbican and the Royal Albert Hall. His travels have also taken him to over 60 countries.

Saturday, September 29 (7.30pm). Central Hall, Grimsby. Tickets: £10-£12. Call 01472 355025.

 

This year’s Foster’s Edinburgh Comedy Award nominees and five-star sketch comedy act Pappy’s are heading to Scunthorpe and Grimsby this weekend to start their UK tour.

The threesome – made up of Ben Clark, Matthew Crosby and Tom Parry – is known for its two hugely successful podcasts of last year, the iTunes Best New Comedy Podcast of 2011, Pappy’s Bangers And Mash, and Loaded Lafta Funniest Podcast, Pappy’s Flatshare Slamdown.

The new show, Last Show Ever, sees the trio intertwining effortless sketches, songs, silliness and nostalgia through the eyes of an older reminiscing Pappy’s.

Friday, September 28 (7.30pm). Heslam Park, Scunthorpe.

Saturday, September 29 (7.30pm). The Vault, Victoria Street, Grimsby.

Tickets: £8 (in advance), £10 (on the door). See www.yorkshirecoastcomedy.co.uk for details.

 

For one evening only, the Louth Playgoers’ Riverhead Theatre presents I Heart Louth.

This production, written by Mark Whiteley, features comedy, slapstick, song and dance performed by Hard Graft Theatre Company, a group of freelance actors, writers, directors and inventors who come together and create imaginative, entertaining and innovative theatre and comedy.

Saturday, September 29 (7.30pm). Riverhead Theatre, Louth. Tickets: £8. Call 01507 600350.

 

A taste of Bavaria heads to Cleethorpes Coast Light Railway as the ever-popular Oktoberfest celebration returns this weekend.

German beers and wines to the backdrop of music and steam trains will be on offer alongside Bratwurst and Sauerkraut from the eatery.

Saturday, September 29 & Sunday, September 30 (Until late). Cleethorpes Coast Light Railway. See www.cleethorpescoastlightrailway.co.uk for more information.

 

Inception’s Joseph Gordon-Levitt returns the the mind-bending science-fiction genre in Looper which is new in cinemas this week.

Here he plays an assassin for a mafia company who is employed to kill and dispose of agents sent to him from the future. However, complications arise when he recognises his latest target is his future self (Bruce Willis).

Trailer for ‘Looper’

Looper is showing daily at cinemas in northern Lincolnshire including Parkway Cinema in Cleethorpes and Vue cinema in Scunthorpe. Check with your local cinema for times.