New programme at Ropery Hall

Snake is one of the most in-demand rock soul and jazz sax players in the world, widely known for his solos on tracks such as Lisa Stansfield’s “Change”, M-People’s “Search For A Hero, Moving On Up and Take That “A Million Love Songs”. He has played and recorded with artists ranging from James Brown to Tina Turner to Paul McCartney, The Eurythmics to Amy Winehouse. 

With his catchy sax riffs on Klingande’s “Jubel” and Faul’s “Changes”  he helped launch careers for many players in the Sax/DJ field.

As a session player to the stars he plays arenas and stadiums, but his greatest love is to play intimate venues as himself. Playing the saxophone family as well as flutes, whistles and the ancient Japanese wind instrument, the Shakuhachi, and vocals, it is his total passion and commitment to sound, to every single note, that draws people in. Ropery Hall is the “hometown gig”, a very favourite venue. It’s a couple of years since the Snake Davis Band were here though. Guitar, drums, bass guitar and a sensational boundary-blurring mix including Soul, Northern Soul, Jazz, R+B, Ambient and classy pop.

With JOHNNY THIRKELL – Trumpet, MARK CRESWELL – Guitar

Snake teams up with long time cohort and best buddy Johnny Thirkell and their mutual friend, guitarist Mark Creswell, for an evening of gorgeous mellow music infused with jazz soul and pop.

Snake Davis is one of the most in-demand rock jazz and soul sax players in the world, widely known for his solos on tracks such as Lisa Stansfield’s “Change”; M-People’s “Search For A Hero” and “Moving On Up”; and Take That’s “Million Love Songs”. 

He has played and recorded with artists ranging from James Brown, Tina Turner and Paul McCartney to The Eurythmics and Amy Winehouse

Johnny Thirkell is one of the UK’s top Trumpet and Flugelhorn players. After an early career in Jazz, having been a member of the Buddy Rich Band, the Gil Evans Orchestra and the BBC Radio Big Band, he went on to play on hundreds of pop, rock & jazz recordings and at one stage was on at least one album in the UK charts continuously, without a break, for over  13 years!  In 2024 he scored his 38th No.1 album with Snow Patrol’s “The Forest is the Path”

 His credits include Level 42, George Michael, Jamiroquai, Pet Shop Boys, Phil Collins, Grace Jones, Bruno Mars, Cher, Tina Turner, UB40, Kylie Minogue, Pet Shop Boys, Swing Out Sister and Lisa Stansfield. 

Mark Creswell

Virtuoso exquisite sensitive guitarist, studied at Leeds college of Music with Snake and Johnny. Mark is well known for his work with Tanita Tikaram, The Suspicions and Burden of Paradise.

Expect beautiful music, fascinating tales, banter and opportunity for question and answer and challenges.

“Johnny Thirkell is maddeningly talented; funny, clever, handsome, the best damn trumpeter I ever heard, and the only man I know who can wear a beret without making you want to move to another carriage” – Hugh Laurie

 “Snake Davis has one of the most passionate sax styles and simple bluesy approaches a-la-Sanborn heard in these isles for a while”.  TIME OUT.

“A virtuoso saxophonist”.                                                    DAILY TELEGRAPH

“A brilliant sax player who could wail like the best American players, but was at his best weaving around slow ballads, won deserved acclaim”  BLUES + SOUL

“He doesn’t mess about”                 THE GUARDIAN                     

“Snake is a joy to work alongside. His musical skills have no limit, in fact he is as free as a bird.”             DAVE STEWART (Eurythmics)

Recognised by The Guardian as “a young 21st-century virtuoso”, Alexandra Whittingham’s creative spirit is reshaping classical music and defying conventions. At the age of 16 she began to film her performances of popular guitar repertoire as a personal project, rapidly creating a large community of fans worldwide with over 50 million views.

Having just signed exclusively to Decca Classics, recording continues to play an important part in Alexandra’s career. Her debut album ‘My European Journey’, released in 2021, was described as “a superb debut” by BBC Music Magazine. The album sees Alexandra’s passion for romantic guitar music combine with a love of discovering lesser-known composers and bringing them into the spotlight. The recording lead to her being chosen as one of Classic FM’s ‘Rising Star’ artists in 2022.

Alexandra has enjoyed recent performances at such events as the Cayman Islands Arts Festival, Texas’ South by Southwest Festival and Rome Guitar Expo last year. Forthcoming highlights include recitals in Paris, Amsterdam, Brussels and London as well as a tour across Ireland this April with trumpeter Matilda Lloyd. Alexandra will also embark on a 30-date North American tour in early 2025.

Closer to home Alexandra has performed at London’s Milton Court Concert Hall, The Jazz Cafe in Camden, the Bridgewater Hall in Manchester, Sage Gateshead and Wells Cathedral. She has also appeared as a concerto soloist with both UK and European orchestras.

Alexandra began her studies at Chetham’s School of Music at the age of eleven, where she now teaches alongside her former professor. She went on to gain a scholarship to study at the Royal Academy of Music in London and graduated with both undergraduate and postgraduate degrees. During her time at the Academy she was awarded the Timothy Gilson Guitar Prize, a Diploma of the Royal Academy of Music and the Regency Award for distinguished studentship.

Hal Cruttenden: Can Dish It Out But Can’t Take It

Hal is back with a brand-new tour for 2025/2026 with a show that promises to stick it to ‘The Man’, as long as ‘The Man’ doesn’t stick it back to him.

With his trademark hard-hitting ‘take no prisoners’ comedy (this is what Hal told me to write!!!) he will be hilariously pontificating on subjects like middle aged dating, social media, the insanity of modern politics and the fact that his daughters love him but don’t respect him. He believes that, after you’ve seen the show, you’ll feel exactly the same way.

His last tour was extended four times and he’s one of a select number of comics to have done Live At The Apollo three times and the Royal Variety twice, TV also includes Have I Got News For You, The Apprentice You’re Fired, Bake Off Extra Slice and Would I Lie To You.

‘Reminded me of how much I love stand up‘ ★★★★ The Times

 ‘Go and see Hal Cruttenden, he’s got something to say and he’ll make you laugh; a lot.’ ★★★★★ Daily Mirror

 ‘Naturally funny…challenging and provocative’ ★★★★ Daily Telegraph

How Lovely

Daniel was determined to handle his Big Breakup with the grace of Julia Roberts. He didn’t. Join him as he navigates dating in your 30s, Le Creuset addiction and 12-step skincare routines, all while trying very hard to emanate love and light.

Described by Rolling Stone as ‘utterly hilarious and effortlessly charismatic’, award-winning stand-up Daniel is best known for his viral comedy videos, which are enjoyed by millions of women and gays online. 

His critically-acclaimed debut show Villain toured internationally, including a sell-out run at New York’s SoHo Playhouse and London’s legendary Clapham Grand. He co-hosts the podcast Welcome To Hell with fellow comic Dane Buckley, which debuted in Apple and Spotify’s Top 10 comedy charts, and he is the author of the hit book Bedtime Stories for Privileged Children. 

‘Utterly hilarious and effortlessly charismatic’ ★★★★★ Rolling Stone

‘Relentlessly hilarious’ ★★★★★ Broadway World

‘A supremely gifted comic’ ★★★★★ North West End UK

★★★★ The Scotsman

★★★★ The List

The award-winning Dyad Productions and Company Gavin Robertson are joining forces!

It’s a pedigree of the first degree!  Between them, Dyad’s recent productions – Austen’s Women: LADY SUSAN, A Christmas Carol, A Room of One’s Own, That Knave, Raleigh  – and Gavin Robertson, with Done to Death by Jove!, The Ghost of a Smile and BOND – An Unauthorised Parody have toured both the UK and internationally, with resounding success over the last few years. Labouring away in secret, looking for the perfect co-production has taken time, but finally the answer has arrived!

Every hospital, medical-based, Doctors-and-Nurses cliche-ridden drama onstage in a comedy mash-up spoof!

It’ll have you in stitches!

It’s Dr Ann Fleming’s first day at St David’s, where her unfortunately-named mentor Dr Death, is determined to show her who’s boss. As medical emergencies overload the hapless staff, Dr Fleming has to juggle a complicated budding love affair, with a kidney, and a nosey Hospital boss. Not literally.

Yes – ‘Holby City’, ‘Casualty’, ‘E.R’ and ‘Doctors’ – not to mention movies galore, are re-imagined and invigorated by Rebecca Vaughan, Andrew Margerison and Gavin Robertson in a pacy, cliché-ridden comic homage to the intrigues and dramas of every hospital plotline on the big and small screen!

To be taken once a day. (Or twice if there’s a matinee).

Created in collaboration with the Old Town Hall, Hemel Hempstead.

★★★★★ ‘If you haven’t seen Dyad Productions’ work before, you simply must’ British Theatre Guide

★★★★★’Robertson performs with a subtle conviction that’s compelling to watch’ The Guardian