The Marlowe Studio Sets Spring 2017 Lineup, Featuring First Relaxed Performance

The Marlowe Studio, Canterbury, hosts its first Relaxed Performance next month.

The Three Half Pints, stars of Spot Bots on CBeebies, bring Bad Guys to the studio on Tuesday 4 April for two shows, the second of which (at 3pm) is especially adapted for customers with disabilities, including those on the autistic spectrum. This follows on from the success of Relaxed Performances (RPs) of the pantomime in The Marlowe's bigger space.

One of the theatre's pantomime stars, Lloyd Hollett, kicks off the new month in the studio with his new stand-up show Live And Electric (Saturday 1 and Sunday 2 April).

Mark Harrison brings a modern take on the style of the early blues and folk/blues innovators to the studio on Thursday 6 April. His memorable tunes, striking lyrics and strong rhythms, plus his wry introductions and explanations of the songs, make Mark a favourite on the live circuit.

Ready Or Not (Friday 7 and Saturday 8 April) is a disturbing thriller for our times by Naylah Ahmed. A retired teacher takes an idealistic young Muslim man hostage and embarks on a dangerous game of hide and seek with the truth. Tormented by grief and haunted by a terrible secret, will she ever let him go? Regret and loss collide with fear and paranoia in a distorted reality fed by 24-hour global news, blogs and chat rooms.

Offside (Tuesday 11 April) looks at four women across the centuries who live, breathe and play football. Each face very difficult obstacles in pursuing their dream profession, told through lyrical dialogue, poetry and prose.

The best comedians from the UK and the world circuit come together in Comedy Club 4 Kids (Thursday 13 April), doing what they do best - but without the rude bits!

Award-winning comedian Rob Auton brings The Sleep Show to the studio (also on Thursday 13 April). As the name suggests, this is a show about sleep, and follows Rob's observations in previous years about yellow, the sky, the face, and water.

All The Little Lights is a searing and darkly funny play about slipping through the cracks of society. The story of three girls searching for friendship, family and themselves, it comes to the studio on Friday 14 and Saturday 15 April.

With music, puppetry and dance, A Strange New Space (Monday 17 April) is a non-verbal solo show from children's theatre expert, Tessa Bide. Amira dreams of becoming an astronaut and one night, when she is forced to leave her home, her imagination catapults her into an intergalactic voyage that mirrors her real-life journey as a refugee.

The Devil Speaks True (Thursday 20 April) plunges audiences into a chilling exploration of the psychological effects of war. Using wireless headphones, 360-degree binaural sound design and sometimes complete darkness, the real words of ex-servicemen are cut with the text of Shakespeare's Macbeth to investigate the return home from conflict zones.

Hidden (Friday 21 and Saturday 22 April) is set against the economic collapse of 2008 and is a love story about invisible disability in difficult times. City lawyer Chris and Jess, a PHD student, are two ordinary people who want to get on with their lives. But when their son is born, everything changes.

Winners of Best Duo at the 2015 BBC Folk Awards, Josienne Clarke and Ben Walker (Monday 24 April) are best known for their interpretations of traditional songs, making them personal and present again, while also touching the heart with their own tales of everyday love and loss. The duo combine Josienne's nuanced, emotionally-affecting voice and Ben's intricately expressive, adroit guitar technique, alongside self-deprecating humour.

Bucket List (Tuesday 25 April) is the powerful story of one Mexican woman's fight for justice. When her mother is murdered for protesting corporate and governmental corruption, Milagros finds herself with only a bloodstained list of those responsible. Determined to make them pay, she embarks on a passionate quest for justice, not matter what the cost. Using physical storytelling, live instrumental music and song, multi-award-winning Theatre Ad Infinitum unfold a story of love, loss and revenge.

The Alternative Comedy Show (Wednesday 26 April) gives audiences the chance to see some of the most exciting and innovative comedians on the circuit.

Multi-award-winning comedian Simon Munnery brings Standing Still, a new stand-up show to the studio on Thursday 27 April. Simon is a British Comedy Award nominee, Perrier Award nominee and Chortle Award winner. He is a star of Comedy Central's Alternative Comedy Experience, as seen on BBC2's Culture Show and heard on Radio 4's News Quiz, amongst others.

For performance times, ticket prices, and to book, call the Box Office on 01227 787787, or go to marlowetheatre.com (discounts available and booking fees apply). Please note, age recommendations are in place for some shows.

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