Outstanding new performance venue in Kent
Bookings are now being taken for the first public events in a new performing arts venue within the heart of Kent. The completion of the stunning new Centenary Buildings at the prestigious Benenden School has enabled the school to open its performance spaces to public performances. The Centenary Buildings, which have recently been completed, are an outstanding addition to one of the most beautiful areas of the school grounds. They comprise a light and airy atrium, smaller recital room, a music school and the main Centenary Hall – a 800-seater multi-purpose space that has been established as one of the foremost concert halls in the South East.
The intimate venue will be hosting a professional touring production, by the highly regarded Chapterhouse Theatre Company, of a Dickens classic A Christmas Carol on the 2 and 3 December. Followed by uplifting performances by the Len Philips Swing Orchestra, who will be performing Christmas classics on the 10 and 11 December.
The events in these wonderful spaces will be the first of many, with a full programme of public performing arts events due to be released in 2023.
Benenden’s Commercial Arts Director Frankie Denton said: “Our buildings, both the newly opened ones and those that are more established, are a stunning addition to the Kent arts scene and we are proud to welcome the public to come and enjoy them. We are putting together an exciting and wide-ranging programme of events that audience will love and it’s an incredibly exciting time for us and for the public. With its beautiful grounds, outstanding views and purpose-built facilities, Benenden is a hidden gem that we are confident performing arts enthusiasts will be delighted to return to time and again.”
Details of the upcoming events at Benenden are listed below:
A Christmas Carol – 2 – 3 December, 7:30pm. Adults £18, under 18s £12
On Christmas Eve, the most magical night of the year, the miserly Ebenezer Scrooge is whisked away on a terrifying journey through the past and into the future, accompanied by three fearsome ghosts determined to make him realise the true meaning of Christmas.
Charles Dickens’ classic ghost story is brought alive in this wonderfully traditional production, complete with beautiful period costume, song, dance, and a magnificent original musical score. Join Chapterhouse Theatre Company and celebrate winter 2022 with the most heart-warming production imaginable to melt the hearts of even the sternest of Scrooges. Now in its eleventh year of touring A Christmas Carol, Chapterhouse returns to wonderful venues with this most beautiful family-friendly rendition of one of the most memorable Christmas stories ever written.
Len Phillips Swing Orchestra – 10 – 11 December, 7:30pm. Tickets £25
Nothing says Christmas like Bing Crosby, Michael Bublé and the classic sound of a big band. This year, the Len Phillips Swing Orchestra is back to celebrate in style with A Swingin’ Christmas. Dance the night away with some of the best loved Christmas tunes of all time.
The Len Phillips Swing Orchestra have an international reputation with dancers for getting the tempo just right, playing everywhere from the Blackpool Tower Ballroom to London’s Ritz Hotel. This really is the most wonderful time of the year, so put on your dancing shoes and bring in the holiday season with the iTunes Jazz Chart topping Len Phillips Swing Orchestra and A Swingin’ Christmas.
Full details and booking is available via the Benenden School website.
