Record holder Joe Bone at Bridge House

Buy photos » World record holder Joe Bone and guitarist Ben Roe. (s)

A WORLD record holder kicks off the new season at Warwick's Bridge House Theatre.

Joe Bone is now officially the record holder for the largest number of characters played by one actor in a single show, moving through no less than 80 distinct personalities during the course of his one man show Bane.

Using no sets or props he re-enacts car chases, frenetic gun battles, toxic mutilations and the high speed pursuit of a rampaging pig monster through the streets of New York City.

A darkly comedic tale of revenge, this one-man film noir parody creates entire worlds from the simplest of staging but leaves the live music accompaniment to guitarist Ben Roe.

Bane part one Someone’s Gotta Pay can be seen on April 14, with parts two and three The Beast Within and Welcome to Sunnyview on September 21.

Another very different one man show is Shylock on June 2. Who is this famous character – villain or foe or someone even more intriguing? Shylock is explained through his only friend Tubal via a series of impersonations from Pontius Pilate to Edmund Kean, from Portia to Dracula.

Sounds from across the pond can be heard from Woody Pines on April 21 and The Toy Hearts on July 13.

North Carolina-based Woody Pines are one of the hottest roots music bands on the Americana circuit, and while The Toy Hearts are from the UK their sound is distinctly stateside, from bluegrass to western swing.

Warwick’s internationally-popular Folk Festival runs from July 26 to 29 and features the very best in traditional and contemporary folk arts. The confirmed line-up so far includes Eddi Reader, Edward II, Michael McGoldrick, John McCusker & John Doyle Breabach, Nic Jones with Joe Jones & Belinda O’Hooley, Faustus, Finest Kind, Vin Garbutt and Jim Moray

For younger audiences come two inventive children’s shows. Knight Time on April 22 is a blend of puppetry, storytelling and song which brings a magical kingdom of knights and dragons to life. There Was an Old Woman Who Swallowed A Fly on September 1 has been written especially to encourage young imaginations, creativity and use of language through children’s natural love of stories.

Pupils at Warwick School will be taking to the stage in four productions from May 16 to 18, and there will be two free school concerts - a Brass Concert (May 11) with performances from children of all ages, and a Summer Concert (June 29) featuring school orchestras, bands and soloists.

For tickets and further details visit www.bridgehousetheatre.co.uk or call 01926 776438.

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