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Christmas isn’t cancelled – the Cresset panto is happening and Jack & The Beanstalk will be taking to the stage! It was looking like we would be shouting ‘Oh no it isn’t’ but after weeks of hard work the team at The Cresset have put together a special socially distanced production of their 2020 Christmas Pantomime. Once the government gave socially distanced indoor performances the go ahead, they got to work and have designed a production that is Covid-secure for cast, crew a

Former Strictly star Kristina Rihanoff is bringing her amazing dance show to the Cresset and we can’t wait! It not only stars Kristina but the ex-Strictly Come Dancing pro also choreographs and directs the show which is full of fabulous costumes, stunning vocals and breathtaking choreography. It’s hosted by heartthrob Jake Quickenden who first found fame on The X-Factor, I’m A Celebrity and Dancing On Ice  and features an exciting troupe of dancers including South African Dan

We’re seeing some great comedy names head our way and another top act coming to the Peterborough stage is Russell Kane who’ll be performing at The Cresset on Thursday April 4. Russell has finally completed puberty. It turns out, that whichever age you are (or pretending to be), getting older doesn’t help you mature. Yet, Russell has at last found his reason to grow up, and it’s one of the biggest. It’s time to comb his hair – and act like a man. Well a bit, anyway… Following

For a few hours, I was a kid again! With the refreshments, bright lights and gifts that come this time of the year, I can’t help but feel like a big kid. Nothing brings out my inner-child quite like watching panto. I’ve just been to see Peter Pan at the Cresset and I wasn’t disappointed. For those that are unfamiliar with the classic story, it focuses on Peter Pan (the clue is in the title), a boy who refuses to grow up. Already, I can relate. Peter often visits the house of

Over 150 youngsters performed for panto bosses at The Cresset on Sunday September 11, in the hopes of securing a part in this year’s Cresset Pantomime, Peter Pan. A record number of young dancers and actors were put through their paces by the show’s director and choreographer, and the standard was exceptionally high, making for some very tough decisions. As well as pirates, mermaids, lost boys and Indians, young actor auditions were held for John and Michael, the young boys w

Back in the early 80s, The Jam dominated the charts with anthems such as That’s Entertainment, Going Undergroundand A Town Called Malice. Nowadays, The Jam is reincarnated, in part, as From The Jam, featuring original member Bruce Foxton and with a new frontman, the charmingly cool Russell Hastings. ESP reporter Sarah Tempest caught up with Russell to get the lowdown on their latest tour, ahead of their Peterborough show on June 18… Although currently enjoying some downtime a

It looks like everyone’s keen to follow the yellow brick road as tickets for this year’s panto – The Wondeful Wizard of Oz – are apparently selling faster than ever so don’t hang about! Christmas time spells many things for me but one of them has to be watching a good old fashioned pantomime, so I was delighted to catch up with the cast of this year’s Cresset production, The Wizard of Oz, staring Steve Arnold who played the loveable butcher, Ashley, in Coronation Street. Runn

Soap star Steven Arnold who played Ashley Peacock in Coronation Street for many years will be the special guest at the big switch on of Queensgate’s new Chirstmas lights display. The festivities kick off at 4pm as Bjorn arrives to enchant adults and children alike. The friendly bear loves nothing more than meeting people, posing for photos and teaching fascinating facts about himself and all his polar bear friends. Then, from 6.30pm, join all the special guests as they begin

A special family fun day’s been organised to help raise funds to send a Peterborough Paralympic hopeful to Rio. The event at the Cresset on Sunday August 30 is being held to raise funds for Craig’s Road To Rio 2016. Craig Green is the Gym Co-ordinator at the YMCA gym in The Cresset, and is currently in training to take part in the 2016 Paralympics. Craig is a C5 category cyclist, and is working hard to raise enough money to fund the necessary equipment and training materials,

With the news that Jon Bon Jovi is currently recording another album; Bon Giovi is ready and waiting to see what new songs they might be adding to their future set list. Bon Giovi hits the Cresset in Bretton on May 27 to celebrate and perform as one of the world’s biggest selling bands in the world. Over 30 years after Bon Jovi’s first hit ‘Runaway’ was recorded, Bon Giovi prove a fitting tribute to one of the most successful American bands of all time. Italian born Andrea Oj

That rock ‘n’ roll eh? Despite a smattering of tabloid journalists announcing the demise of  ‘guitar music’, it keeps rearing itswell-styled head to wreak havoc upon stages across the country. ESP’s Alex Jones caught up with drummer Ben Jolliffe during their tour in the US to talk about the new album, the new tour and why a depressed astronaut is a perfect choice for an album cover… Alex – So you’re currently coming to an end of a US tour, what are the main differences betwee

A huge live music event is being staged at The Cresset in memory of one of the biggest characters on Peterborough’s live music scene. ‘Pete Thomson’s Memorial Hootenanny’ will see local bands and musicians, past and present, getting together for this exciting event this weekend Saturday March 7 and Sunday March 8. ESP’s live music reporters Keith Dalton and Andy Slater will be compering and the ESP Paparazzi photographer will be dropping by. Colin Smith (Citizen Smith) was a

This month we’re in for a real cultural treat in Peterborough when none other than the Russian State Ballet and Opera House® brings its amazing production of Verdi’s Rigoletto to the Cresset – complete with a large live orchestra of over 30 musicians! An impressive cast will bring to life Verdi’s masterpiece and best-loved opera – a tragic tale of misunderstanding, revenge and sacrifice. It features a succession of stunning tunes, including the famous ‘La donna è mobile’, com

After last year’s success it’s great to hear that Inspire Peterborough is staging a second annual Sporting Saturday event at The Cresset on Saturday January 24. There’ll be over 40 sporting and health and wellbeing organisations demonstrating disability sport and leisure activities from 10am ’til 4pm. The event will bring together some of the key providers of sport for disabled people, their families and carers in and around Peterborough so everyone gets the chance to try som

We’re giving you the chance to see Mallory Knox for FREE when they play the Cresset on Monday November 17. We have 2 pairs of tickets up for grabs – all you have to do to be in with a chance is email us your name, address and contact number to competition@espmag.co.uk and put MALLORY in the header. We’ll draw the winner at 5pm on the closing date of November 12 and let you know if you’ve won. The tickets are worth £13 each (there is no cash alternative). Named after the murde

If you fancy saving a fiver on a great night out, here’s your chance. The Twist show is great fun and it’s coming to the Cresset on November 16 but if you book your tickets before September 1 you’ll get £5 off! It’s the 2014 show with new songs and new characters alongside your favourites! The Beatles, Elvis, Dusty, Buddy, Sandie Shaw, Lulu and more. It’s the ultimate feelgood show is now in it’s fourth successful year delivering great songs, fun and laughter. Set in an Ameri

Saturday night glitz and glamour is coming our way as two stars of Strictly, Pasha and Katya, waltz their way to Peterborough. Catching up with Pasha for a quick chat before the show heads to the Cresset, it’s fair to say that ESP reporter Sarah Tempest has fallen just a little bit in love… Since he first fleckled his way onto our TV screens three short years ago, professional dancer Pasha Kovalev has become a firm favourite on Strictly Come Dancing, filling the Strictly sequ

Joe McElderry’s concert in the city was another hit for the star who’s won three reality shows. ESP was there for a chat and to watch him wow the crowd… Since winning the X Factor back in 2009, Joe McElderry’s also gone on to win Pop Star to Opera Star and most recently The Jump, but for the audience at his concert at The Cresset (Friday March 14) there was never any dispute that this talented young man was their number one whatever he did. ESP’s Emma Bothamley was there and

If you love music you woud love That’ll Be The Day. ESP’s Lorenzo Monteforte is a convert to this ever-popular music and variety show after seeing it at the Cresset… Bringing back its live entertainment along with a walk down memory lane, That’ll be The Day brought the Cresset to life with a return to the days when music was made. Starting as far back in the 1980’s, That’ll Be The Day has toured the UK with its variety show filled with music and comedy drama, bringing the day

The BBC TV show ‘Strictly Come Dancing’ is coming to Peterborough in the form of a brand new live theatre show! Featuring dancers Pasha Kovalev and Katya Virshilas, the show will be coming to The Cresset on Saturday April 12. This brand new production features the two dancing stars accompanied with four guest dancers, all beautifully costumed who demonstrate a series of stunning dance routines, accompanied by a full audio-visual backdrop and light show. There will also be an