Grinch Characters

‘Dogger, Fisher, German Bight’: Charlie Connelly brings the shipping forecast vividly to life in this hilarious and moving celebration of an iconic cultural institution. Charlie explores the broadcast’s remarkable history, unlocks its beguiling mysteries and tells riproaring stories of his own adventures among the sea areas, ensuring the forecast will never sound the same again. How did a weather forecast for ships capture the hearts of a nation, from salty old sea dog to insomniac landlubber? How is it possible for ‘rain later’ to be ‘good’? And where the hell is North Utsire? Delving into the history of the forecast and the extraordinary people who made it, Charlie explains what those curious phrases really mean, celebrates its wide cultural impact, shares riproaring adventures from his own extraordinary journey through the 31 sea areas – the times he was accused by the media of trying to annex Rockall from the British government and sang sea shanties with Tom Hardy in a Manx hotel bar while Scary Spice pulled the pints – and presents his case for the shipping forecast being our finest achievement. Inspired by Charlie’s bestselling book, which has sold more than a quarter-of-a-million copies worldwide, this pacy, moving and hilarious show...

Dave O’Higgins – tenor sax Rob Luft – guitar Jim Watson – organ Billy Pod – drums Saxophonist Dave O’Higgins & guitarist Rob Luft may be more than a generation apart, yet are very much of one musical mind. Now recording their 3rd album together, they have been touring with extensively since 2019. The line-up at Northants tonight is the classic organ combo, drawing on influxes from George Benson, Joe Henderson, Grant Green, Michael Brecker and many more as a springboard for Luft’s lush soundscapes & O’Higgins’ impassioned tenor. Joining them on organ is the virtuosic Jim Watson, and the magically swinging drummer form Greece, Billy Pod.