It seems an unlikely venue, but fresh from being involved in a range of gigs during the summer (at Lavenham Air Theatre), Lavenham Parish Church is flinging open its hefty doors this December for a line-up of swinging events – featuring a string of hitmakers.
What better way to see in the festive season than with a boogie in the aisles?
Tickets are available from thelittleboxoffice.com
The Searchers and Hollies Christmas Show Experience
Wednesday, December 8, 1.15pm, £22
This very special matinee show pays tribute to two of the biggest bands of the swinging 60s, performed by the FOD Band, who are set to transport concert-goers back to one of the most high-energy decades in pop.
Liverpudlians, The Searchers, made their debut with the rise of MerseyBeat. Their first recording, Sweets for my Sweet, went to number one in the charts, swiftly followed at number two by their third single, Sugar And Spice. Other classics include Needles And Pins, and When You Walk in the Room.
Hailing from Manchester, The Hollies were also pushed forward by the rise of MerseyBeat and became one of the most successful British singles bands ever. Catchy hits include Stay, I Can’t Let Go, Bus Stop, Just One Look, and He Ain’t Heavy He’s My Brother.
Showaddywaddy Greatest Hits Christmas Special
Wednesday, December 8, 7.30pm, tickets from £32.45
Showaddywaddy are one of Europe’s most successful retro rock ‘n’ roll acts ever, with 23 Top 40 hit singles to their name – from Under The Moon Of Love, to You Got What It Takes.
Celebrating 40 years, the band bring their live show to Lavenham – and are set to take you on a spectacular journey of four decades of music.
The band is joined by special guest Danielz from T-Rextasy, performing live, acoustic versions in tribute to T-Rex and Marc Bolan.
The Carpenters at Christmas
Thursday, December 9, 12.45pm, tickets from £25.85
The Carpenters' holiday music has become synonymous with the yuletide season through the decades for millions of listeners of all generations.
Formed by siblings Karen (1950–1983) and Richard Carpenter (born 1946). The Carpenters produced a distinct soft musical style, combining Karen's contralto vocals with Richard's harmonizing, arranging and composition skills. During their 14-year career they recorded 10 albums, along with numerous singles and several television specials.
The hits just kept on coming – They Long To Be Close To You, Only Yesterday, Top Of The World, We’ve Only Just Begun.
Today, their legacy lives on via top tribute act The Carpenters Experience.
Elvis at Christmas
Thursday, December 9, 7.30pm, tickets from £31.35
The King is back – OK not THE King, but close enough. Lavenham Church presents A Vision of Elvis tonight, featuring Rob Kingsley, a former winner of The National Tribute Music Awards ‘Official Elvis Show’, and ‘No 1 Male Tribute Artist’.
Rob is internationally known as one of the best Elvis acts in the world today, with one of Presley’s long-time friends, and tour manager, Ed Bonja saying: “He sings like Elvis, but most importantly, he seems to capture the very soul of Elvis – his charisma, his gestures - hell, he even walks like Elvis!”
A Vision of Elvis has been performed to thousands of fans in major theatres, festivals and arenas worldwide- even to a crowd of 50,000 at Wembley Stadium, making history.
In this new show you’ll experience and audio-visual journey through time, with all costumes, instruments and stage settings authentically recreated.
Sing along to Jailhouse Rock, Suspicious Minds, Burning Love, The Wonder Of You and more.
Russell Watson at Christmas
Friday, December 10, 7.30pm, tickets limited – from £59.95
Following a stunning performance at Lavenham Church back in 2018, Russell is back. Since being described by the New York Times as a performer “who sings like Pavarotti and entertains the audience like Sinatra” he has gone on to release 10 studio albums, each one receiving more critical acclaim than the last.
Russell’s debut album, The Voice, shot up the UK charts and held the number one spot for a world record 52 weeks. At the same time he held the number one spot in the USA, making him the first British male to hold the accolade of a simultaneous transatlantic number one.
A very special evening is planned in Lavenham, with the four-time Brit Classical Award winning tenor combining old and new songs, accompanied by his pianist and a talented choir.
Tickets are extremely limited so booking early is encouraged.
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