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Entertainment
2026
Frazzled Cafe: Monday's 7:45-8:45pm
In partnership with the Harpenden Trust we are supporting local residents by providing confidential and non-judgmental peer support meetings via Frazzled Cafe trained Facilitators, where people who are feeling overwhelmed by the stresses of life can talk openly, connect and feel heard. Speaking is optional, you are very welcome to just listen.
If you are a local group wanting to use our facilities please do get in touch by emailing emcfunctions@everyoneactive.com and we would be delighted to help!
The Eric Morecambe Centre
Rothamstead Park
Harpenden
Herts
AL5 2FR
EVENT BOOKINGS VIA: https://everyonetheatres.com/theatres/the-eric-morecambe-centre/
Oct 30th
Frank Sinatra Big Band Bash
Award-winning performer Robert Habermann brings his tribute to Sinatra to the EMC in Harpenden
Big Band music fans are in for a treat this Autumn when the acclaimed Frank Sinatra Big Band Bash comes to Harpenden. Award winning singer Robert Habermann presents an evening of the greatest swinging hits featured in Frank Sinatra’s iconic albums ‘Songs For Swingin’ Lovers’ and ‘A Swingin’ Affair’ using the original arrangements. Joined by the fabulous 16 piece Phoenix Jazz Orchestra, together with a rhythm section of piano bass and drums, the show recreates the rare, wonderful and unique sound of the big band era featuring classic standards from The Great American Songbook.
Fans can enjoy classic hits including, ‘You Make Me Feel So Young’, ‘I’ve Got You Under My Skin’, ‘From This Moment On’, ‘Swingin’ Down The Lane’, ‘I Wish I Were in Love Again’, ‘Just One of Those Things’, ‘Pennies From Heaven’, ‘You’re Getting To Be a Habit With Me’, ‘Love Is Here To Stay’, ‘At Long Last Love’, ‘Night & Day’, ‘Makin’ Whoopee’, ‘Anything Goes’, ‘Too Marvellous For Words’ ‘The Lonesome Road’ and the his greatest hit: ‘New York, New York.’
Robert Habermann is a London-based singer and songwriter widely recognized for his interpretations of the Great American and British Songbooks. He has won acclaim as a cabaret performer, touring extensively with storytelling shows that explore the lives and music of legendary artists.
Habermann’s musical journey has seen him perform alongside notable songwriters of the era, including Margaret Whiting, Kay Starr, and Steve Ross. In 1995, he achieved a major milestone by becoming the first British singer to headline a tribute concert for Frank Sinatra's 80th birthday at London’s Queen Elizabeth Hall. His dedication to classic standards earned him the title of Best International Cabaret Singer in New York.
For more information go to - Frank Sinatra Big Band Bash | Everyone Theatres
CHRISTMAS PANTOMIME
DEC 5 - 30.
RAPUNZEL – A TANGLED TALE
Starring Eastenders Superstar Lorraine Stanley as Fairy Rose, Disney’s Art Attack Lloyd Warbey as Loopy Louis, and the return of Harpenden’s favourite dame JOSH HANDLEY as Betty Bouffant!
Get ready for a hair raising adventure about the girl with the magical golden hair as Polka Dot Pantomimes and the Eric Morecambe Centre proudly present RAPUNZEL– A Tangled Tale! Pantomime at the Eric Morecambe Centre, Harpenden is always the highlight of the festive calendar and RAPUNZEL is the perfect Christmas outing for the whole family.
As always, there will be modern songs to sing along to, huge amounts of laughter, plenty of audience participation, incredible special effects and a talking Chameleon! So let your hair down and book now for Hertfordshire’s finest festive treat,
BOX OFFICE: 01582 767525
Brian Bilston – How To Lay An Egg With A Horse Inside – Weds 30th September, 7.30pm
The EMC is delighted to welcome one of the most popular UK poets Brian Bilston this September. With over 500,000 followers on social media and a host of sell-out shows across the country, he’ll be presenting his latest collection of poems.
He has published several bestselling collections of poetry, including You Took the Last Bus Home, Alexa, what is there to know about love? and Days Like These. His novel Diary of a Somebody was shortlisted for the Costa First Novel Award, and he has also written collections of poetry for younger readers. In 2025 he released an album of his poetry set to music, Sounds Made by Humans, in collaboration with The Catenary Wires.
This autumn sees Brian return to the stage with his latest book, How to Lay an Egg with a Horse Inside. Get ready for an evening of comedy and laughter, as he takes us through the how’s, whys and whats of reading, writing and enjoying poetry every day.
To book - Brian Bilston: How To Lay An Egg With A Horse Inside | Everyone Theatres
Andy Hamilton’s Night To Remember
OCT 29 at the EMC
Writer and comedian returns to Harpenden with his brand new one-man show
Writer and comedian Andy Hamilton returns with a new one-man show where he explores the wonders and the weaknesses of human memory and how laughter oils the wheels of the brain. (Note: Andy is not a qualified neurologist and the brain probably does not have wheels.) Andy will be making a welcome return to Harpenden audiences on Thursday 29th October.
In an evening of non-stop comedy, Andy will do his best to recall the nights to remember from his own life, as a writer, performer, producer, director, failed quiz show contestant, choir boy, under-rated footballer and cartoon elephant dentist. He’ll examine moments that have shaped his life and collective experiences that have impacted us all. So come and enjoy an entertaining, thoughtful, but above all very funny evening with a veteran master of comedy.
Andy started as a professional comedy writer in 1976 as a contributor to Radio 4’s Week Ending. Since then he has picked up many awards for co-writing such classics as Drop the Dead Donkey and Outnumbered. Both were created with his friend Guy Jenkin, and together they also made the political satires Ballot Monkeys and Power Monkeys for C4, the sitcom Kate and Koji for ITV, and What We Did On Our Holiday, a feature film starring David Tennant, Rosamund Pike and Billy Connolly. On radio, he wrote many acclaimed series of Old Harry’s Game, where he played Satan, Revolting People, where he played a one-armed, one-legged degenerate, and Andy Hamilton Sort of Remembers, where he played himself. He pops up frequently on panel shows like Have I Got News For You and the inimitable I’m Sorry I Haven’t a Clue. He has written three books, Blue Was the Colour, a memoir about his troubled relationship with football, and two novels, The Star Witness and Longhand, an epic tale which was, uniquely, published in the author’s own handwriting.
For more information and to book go to:-
Harpenden Gang Show celebrates record-breaking 77th year as tickets go on sale this October
Harpenden and Wheathampstead Gang Show returns to the Eric Morecambe Centre for its 77th Show from 12-16th January 2027.
Tickets are on sale to the public from 5th October 2026.
Until the end of October, audiences can bag tickets from £12 per person for Tuesday and Wednesday (12th and 13th January) night shows*.
The multi-award-winning Harpenden and Wheathampstead Gang Show is set to return to the Eric Morecambe Centre in Harpenden from 12th to 16th January 2027, with tickets going on sale to the public from 5th October 2026.
To mark the launch, audiences can take advantage of a special early booking offer throughout October, with discounted tickets available for Tuesday and Wednesday evening performances.
Following another stand out show packed with energy, laughter and even aliens, excitement is already building for the record-breaking 77th Harpenden and Wheathampstead Gang Show, which will be bringing together around 150 local Cubs, Scouts and Explorers for a week of unforgettable entertainment early next year.
A highlight of the local culture calendar, the Gang Show has been delighting audiences for more than seven decades with a dazzling array of music, dance routines and comedy sketches.
Each year, audiences return in anticipation of the themed sections in the show, eager to hear the opening notes of the first song (which is, of course, a closely guarded secret).
And, under the direction of Show Director Becca Leigh, Musical Director Graham Thomson and Lead Choreographer Charlie Meade, preparations are already underway, with the 143-strong cast attending rehearsals up to twice a week.
Speaking about the upcoming show, Becca Leigh said: "After the incredible success of our last show, we're so excited to begin the journey towards our 77th Gang Show. The creative team has already been hard at work behind the scenes for the last couple of months and we are looking forward to welcoming audiences
back in January to experience the magic of what promises to be another amazing show.
"If you haven't been to Gang Show before, there's no better New Year's pick-me-up, you don't want to miss out!"
Over its remarkable history, the Harpenden and Wheathampstead Gang Show has involved more than 4,000 young people and raised significant funds for local Scouting, helping support opportunities and adventures for hundreds of young people across the district.
When many young people are struggling to find purpose and belonging, Scouting helps them build confidence, develop new skills and find a place to belong.
District Lead Volunteer for Scouts in the Harpenden and Wheathampstead District, Jackie Agg, said: "Gang Show is a fantastic example of what young people can achieve when they are supported by dedicated volunteers and a strong local community. Through months of rehearsals, as well as their regular Scout meetings, young people gain skills for life that can help them at school, college, university, job interviews and beyond.
"While audiences see 150 talented young people on stage, more than 100 adult volunteers work behind the scenes to bring the show to life, supporting everything from costumes and choreography to lighting, sound and set design.
"We're incredibly grateful to everyone who gives their time to Scouts and Gang Show, and we're always keen to welcome new volunteers. Volunteering is a brilliant way to give back to your community, learn new skills, boost your wellbeing and make a real difference to the lives of young people.
"Knowing you’re helping young people develop skills for life is hugely rewarding, and I’m excited to welcome back the local community for what promises to be another fantastic show."
With tickets in hot demand for the 77th Show, audiences are encouraged to secure their seats early when booking opens on 5th October 2026.
So, whether you're a long-time Gang Show fan or planning your first visit, get ready for an evening of laughter, music and community spirit at the 77th Harpenden and Wheathampstead Gang Show in January 2027.
.So, whether you're a long-time Gang Show fan or planning your first visit, get ready for an evening of laughter, music and community spirit at the 77th Harpenden and Wheathampstead Gang Show in January 2027.
Saturday 10 October 2026,
from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM.
Harpenden family day of art and music will support refugee artists
Harpenden residents are invited to come together for Art & Sound: Create for Change, a family day of art, music and wellbeing at The Eric Morecambe Centre on Saturday 10 October 2026, from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM.
The event is being held in support of Love Without Borders, which supports refugees displaced in Greece. It will create a space for local families and community members to connect through creativity, while also offering visitors the opportunity to view and buy artwork painted by refugees supported by the organisation.
The programme includes painting to live music, music created by local composer Nicholas Simon, sound healing, singing and ambient tones, art sessions with Love Without Borders, and opportunities to make music with Viva Live Music and The Healing Voice. Families are invited to drop in during the day and to take part in the creative space.
The event seeks to bring the local community into the Eric Morecambe Centre to enjoy a creative time painting and making music together and supporting the charity, Love Without Borders for refugees in need through Art and Sound.
Admission is £10 per individual and £15 per family. Visitors are asked to RSVP through Eventbrite at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/art-and-sound-tickets-1997508245935?aff=oddtdtcreator.
