book tickets
There are no scheduled instances of The Shock of the Old by Terence Blacker.
View similar events.
The Shock of the Old by Terence Blacker
Terence Blacker has been stressing over how to grow old happily and with style ever since he got his bus pass.
Months of lockdown have not improved his age-anxiety one bit. Looking around, he has discovered that the world is every bit as muddled about age in the 21st century as he is.
Just when you’re getting going in your life, it happens. You catch sight of your father in the mirror and realise that it’s you. You start listening to your old Mungo Jerry albums. You feel the need to contact school friends you haven’t seen for years – even the ones you never liked. You join the National Trust.
Is this it? The start of a slow slide into Oldsville - comfy slippers, fussing over your breakfast cereal, talking at the TV, with the occasional Saga cruise thrown in as a treat?!
In his funny and perceptive new show, Terence faces up to the joys and pains of the passing years with songs, quotes, and anecdotes. It’s as if Victor Meldrew met Tom Lehrer for a none-too-serious debate about the meaning of life.
The result is a spirit lifting and timely celebration of the art of not taking the ageing process lying down - about being, in the words of one of Terence's songs, 'not quite done'.
Does The Shock of the Old finally reveal the great secret of the coming of age? Possibly not, but Terence Blacker shares a world of fun, warmth and wisdom looking for it.
'A bitter-sweet - and yet ultimately life-affirming - show, full of humour and terrific songs (with wonderful guitar-playing), giving two fingers up to old age. Even if you hobble in, you’ll leave with a spring in your step' Virginia Ironside, Journalist, Agony Aunt and Author
'Melodic, funny, and with a touch of melancholy, Terence Blacker’s Shock of the Old blends sharp, knowing comedy with cracking tunes. You’re in for a treat' Craig Brown, Satirist
Studio
£15
other events you may be interested in
Bring Baby Choir
Singing is a great way to relieve stress and promote well-being.
Meet new people and take some time for you in this new acappella choir for mums, dads, grandparents, carers and their babies!
It is a baby friendly class, created especially so you can bring the baby you care for. Grown ups are in a semi circle (with room for your buggy next to you) and babies can sit, crawl or play on the blanket in front of you.
These uplifting classes are led by conductor/composer (and mum) Marta Radwan. There's no auditions, no singing experience is needed and you don't need to have a 'good voice' - just an openness to have a go! You'll be sure to know the songs and there will even be some which include your little one.
There's also:
* Free on-site parking
* Café (open all day)
* Baby changing facilities
Mums, Dads, Grandparents, Carers all welcome with their babies under 18 months
Fridays
Friday 12 May - Friday 9 June and Friday 16 June - Friday 21 July (exc 30 Jun)
12.30pm - 1.30pm
£10 per session | £40 for 5 week course
Acoustic Guitar - Beginners (B)
Led by Richard Lee
For novice guitarists who can string chords together, strum confidently and move between chords with some ease, to take the next steps. You will learn some classic songs, interesting chords, light music theory and the 12-bar blues.
These classes are split by skills level;
Beginners A - Recently completed the Absolute Beginners course but still some way to go. Yet to tackle bar chords and complicated rhythms.
Beginners B - Well on the way and able to do bar chords
Beginners C - Almost intermediate but not quite yet.
If you've never played guitar you need to book on the Absolute Beginners course!
Summer
10 May - 14 June, exc 31 May (5 weeks)
21 Jun - 19 Jul (5 weeks)
8.30pm - 9.30pm
£40 per 5 week course | £32 per 4 week course
Booking cut off time: 6pm on the first day of each course
This class will take place both in person and online via Zoom.
You will find the link to access the session in your booking confirmation email
Suitable for ages 18+ years.
- 7 Jun
- 14 Jun
- 5 more dates...
Acoustic Guitar - Beginners (C)
Led by Richard Lee
For novice guitarists who can string chords together, strum confidently and move between chords with some ease, to take the next steps. You will learn some classic songs, interesting chords, light music theory and the 12-bar blues.
These classes are split by skills level;
Beginners A - Recently completed the Absolute Beginners course but still some way to go. Yet to tackle bar chords and complicated rhythms.
Beginners B - Well on the way and able to do bar chords
Beginners C - Almost intermediate but not quite yet.
If you've never played guitar you need to book on the Absolute Beginners course!
Summer
11 May - 15 Jun, exc 1 Jun (5 weeks)
22 Jun - 20 Jun (5 weeks)
7pm - 8pm
£40 per 5 week course | £32 per 4 week course
Booking cut off time: 6pm on the first day of each course
This class will take place both in person and online via Zoom.
You will find the link to access the session in your booking confirmation email
Suitable for ages 18+ years.
- 8 Jun
- 15 Jun
- 5 more dates...
Acoustic Guitar - Intermediate
Led by Richard Lee.
Play guitar but stuck in a rut? Want to play some notable songs and impress your friends? Then this is the course for you. Rediscover your 6-string and why you took it up originally.
Learn some classic songs as well as learning your pentationic scales, slide guitar and alternate tunings
Summer
11 May - 15 Jun, exc 1 Jun (5 weeks)
22 Jun - 20 Jun (5 weeks)
8.30pm - 9.30pm
£40 per 5 week course | £32 per 4 week course
Booking cut off time: 6pm on the first day of each course
This class will take place both in person and online via Zoom.
You will find the link to access the session in your booking confirmation email
Suitable for 18+ years.
- 8 Jun
- 15 Jun
- 5 more dates...
Acoustic Guitar - Beginners (A)
Led by Richard Lee
For novice guitarists who can string chords together, strum confidently and move between chords with some ease, to take the next steps. You will learn some classic songs, interesting chords, light music theory and the 12-bar blues.
These classes are split by skills level;
Beginners A - Recently completed the Absolute Beginners course but still some way to go. Yet to tackle bar chords and complicated rhythms.
Beginners B - Well on the way and able to do bar chords
Beginners C - Almost intermediate but not quite yet.
If you've never played guitar you need to book on the Absolute Beginners course!
Summer
9 May - 13 Jun, exc 30 May (5 weeks)
20 Jun - 18 July (5 weeks)
7pm - 8pm
£40 per 5 week course | £32 per 4 week course
Booking cut off time: 6pm on the first day of each course
This class will take place both in person and online via Zoom.
You will find the link to access the session in your booking confirmation email
Suitable for ages 18+ years.
- 6 Jun
- 13 Jun
- 5 more dates...
Acoustic Guitar - Absolute Beginners
Led by Richard Lee.
Always wanted to learn guitar but never got around to it? Want to trade your air guitar skills for real guitar skills? It is never too late to learn. Learn guitar right from the very beginning. This is a foundation course for those with little to no experience of playing guitar. You will learn how to hold a guitar and to make the right noises out of it. The aim of these lessons is to get you playing your first song within 4 weeks of lessons, as no-one takes up guitar to strum random chords, it’s all about the songs.
If you are returning to guitar having not played for some time and can barely remember chords this is a great way of getting back into the swing of things.
Summer
Wed 17 May - 14 Jun, exc 31 May & Wed 21 Jun- 19 Jul
7pm - 8pm
£40 per 5 week course | £32 per 4 week course
Booking cut off time: 6pm on the first day of each course
This class will take place both in person and online via Zoom.
You will find the link to access the session in your booking confirmation email
Suitable for 18+ years.
- 14 Jun
- 21 Jun from £40
- 4 more dates...
have your say