in partnership with The B-Bar
Sleighing It Line Up
Check out the amazing line up we have for Sleighing It running at Barbican Theatre, Plymouth form 15 - 23 December.
To read more about the artists and see which shows they're performing in please click on on the + symbol next to their act title to expand!
Week 1 (15 - 18 Dec)
Doris Johnson
Drag Artist & Week 1 Host
Performing on: Wed 15 Dec 7pm, Thu 16 Dec 7pm, Fri 17 Dec 7pm & 9pm, Sat 18 Dec 7pm & 9pm (child friendly act for the 7pm obviously!)
"Hi, I'm Doris Johnson (you can call me DoJo). I'm a drag performer based in Plymouth who is primarily a stand-up comic who does drag and rewrites popular songs to ruin them.
My act is all about poking fun at taboo and confronting challenging themes with laughter. I'm a laid back performer, who enjoys an interactive and friendly crowd. When it comes to drag, I sit in the more alternative side of things. Wigs, corsets and heels are a thing of the past in my world - drag, to me, is about expression of gender and entertainment (and my poor disabled body can't do that in stilettos, a.k.a foot prisons)"
DoJo is the producer and host of the supremely popular SlagShack where they, along with other members of the drag and queer scenes in Plymouth, have been sleighing the city for nearly two years with multiple sell out shows.
Joey Lee
Breakdancer
Performing on: Wed 15 Dec 7pm, Thu 16 Dec 7pm, Fri 17 Dec 7pm & 9pm, Sat 18 Dec 7pm & 9pm
Joey Lee is an experienced breakdancer who has performed across the southwest. He brings an energetic atmosphere to his performance that’ll not only be entertaining but will keep people on the edge of their seat.
Watch Joey Lee
Milo Craddick Trio
Mulicultural Folk Music
Performing on: Wed 15 Dec 7pm, Thu 16 Dec 7pm, Fri 17 Dec 7pm & 9pm, Sat 18 Dec 7pm & 9pm
The Milo Craddick Trio is a multicultural band based in Plymouth. They have just recorded an EP collaborating with members of the Afro-Celtic dance band Baka Beyond and the Plymouth band Land of the Giants. Their music melds genres from folk to reggae to rock, shifting from upbeat to introspective and back again, fluently exploring the interplay of nature and modern life, resulting in a fresh, new sound to entertain and inspire
Listen to Milo Craddick Trio
Danielle Coates
Contemporary Dance
Performing on: Wed 15 Dec 7pm
There will be bad days. Open your grip, opening each palm slowly now… let go’
Dancing to the inspirational words of Canadian spoken word artist Shane Koyzan Danielle performs Instructions for a bad day choreographed by CEO and director of The Groovement Project Dance Company, Ellen Coulton and Danielle.
We all have bad days, but this piece is Highlighting the importance of perseverance, viewing different perspectives and helping each-other through hardship. It’s often about finding that something that helps you, for Danielle that something is dance.
Danielle Coates is a 14 year old dancer who specialises in ballet, jazz, all street dance styles and contemporary dance. She is a member of the Groovement Project Dance Company ,where she is also a member of the L.A team. She is also a part of the Exeter Northcott Young Company. She has been dancing for 7 years acting for 3 years and taking Lamda exams for 2 years. Recent credits include BBC's Malory Towers, Exeter's Beauty And The Beast panto, and Barbican Theatre's PETROL HEADZ.
Kate Ferguson
Singer & Musician
Performing on: Thu 16 Dec 7pm
Local singer-songwriter Kate Ferguson will be treating you to a mix of traditional and original Christmas songs this evening. Let Kate take you on a musical reflection as she looks back over the last couple of years, opening with Judy Garland’s ‘Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas’ and then moving onto her original music. With a heartfelt vocal performance accompanied by her guitar, Kate’s songs are always guaranteed to make you think. And please sing along if you want to!
Kate Ferguson has a unique soprano vocal style accompanied by fingerstyle guitar, Her solo style retains the easy listening feel of folk, blended with the influences of the singer-songwriters she always known and loved (think Joni Mitchell, Tracy Chapman and Carole King!). The result is an original, heartfelt and authentic style of music.
Kate's love of singing and songwriting has always been at the forefront of her life. She is well-established in the Plymouth music scene, her 2017 debut album 'Sweet Confusion' being featured on BBC Introducing and BBC Radio Devon. She has been commissioned for her songwriting by organisations such as The Box and Plymouth City Council, and also works as a session singer and songwriter for independent artists.
As well as performing as a solo singer-songwriter, Kate is also part of the 1920s style speakeasy duo 'Hot Ginger' and is studying for her PhD in Music at the University of Plymouth.
Jonathan Mason
Poet & Spoken Word Artist
Featured on: Thu 16 Dec 7pm (filmed performance)
Jonathan has been a Drama and English teacher, actor, poet, performer and wordsmith for nearly 30 years.
"Since the pandemic, like so many of us, I have been approaching my art and performance work with a fresh sense of gusto and enthusiasm, participating in open-mic and "pop-up poetry performances" in Exeter, Plymouth, Paignton and Totnes. I have participated in, won and judged many local poetry slam nights. My performance poetry is informed by my acting experience, but rooted in my love of language and my lust for life; it can be whimsical, political, personal and profound, but it is always positive and powerful."
City College Dance
Dance
Performing on: Thu 16 Dec 7pm
The dance students of City College Plymouth will perform a piece that incorporates a variety of dance styles. The piece has been arranged by the dance degree students; led by the level 6 students; Jade Cross, Chris Hodkinson and Dana Milne. Rehearsed by dance teachers Joanne Ramsden and Lauren Shiels.
City College Plymouth offers a variety of dance courses for all levels. If you are 16 or over, and love to dance, then you can apply for a level 2 or level 3 dance diploma. The College also runs its very own degree in Dance Performance, with the option to do just 2 years to gain a foundation degree.
Gozer Goodspeed
Folk-Blues-Rock Singer & Musician
Performing on: Fri 17 Dec 7pm & 9pm
Gozer is a Plymouth based blues-folk-rock singer songwriter who regularly gigs all around the South West (including at the B-Bar). Recently signed to Brighton's Lights and Lines records, he is known for his high energy, foot stomping live shows that utilise live looping to make the most out of his guitar skills.
Gozer Goodspeed's songwriting is unique - he tells tales of fortune, hope, sadness, and loss in a way that feels entirely his own, and yet wholly relatable to everyone.
Weaving elements of folk, blues, rock and psychedelia together across an impressive back catalogue of EPs and albums, Gozer is no stranger to making music characterised by the way it makes you feel, rather than the category you put it into.
"The evolution of Gozer Goodspeed has been a privilege to witness" - Listen with Monger
www.gozergoodspeed.co.uk
Chloe Fear
Hip Hop & Contemporary Dance
Performing on: Fri 17 Dec 7pm & 9pm
This Dance piece looks at using Hip Hop, Contemporary Dance and Sign Language to create movement. I grew up with two of my cousins who are profoundly Deaf and witnessed the lack of awareness in mainstream society when it comes to Sign Language. I believe that Sign Language should be taught in Schools. This has inspired me to use Sign Language to create movement raising more awareness for the use of this amazing language.
Chloe is a freelance Dancer, Teacher and Choreographer. She is predominantly trained in Hip Hop, House, Popping, Breaking, Commercial, Contemporary and Jazz, gaining her training from different dance companies and practitioners internationally.
Chloe trained at City College Plymouth where she gained her BA (Hons) in ‘Dance Performance’. When studying at City College Plymouth Chloe gained further experience in a variety of styles including Contemporary, Jazz, Ballet, Tap and Commercial. Chloe has had a range of amazing opportunities to develop her craft including taking part in a Street Dance choreography intensive with Boy Blue and a Hip Hop intensive with Dickson. Chloe has a vast amount of performance experience with some of her favourites being U-Dance, City College Plymouth ‘Dance Showcase’, MTV Crashes Plymouth and Avant Garde’s Fagin’s Twist. Chloe has had battle experience including her favourite being The Notorious IBE Hip Hop festival in Holland. Chloe is also a TV and Film Extra, recently appearing in Dawn French’s ‘Glass Houses’ on ITV.
Chloe focuses on the fusion of Hip Hop and Contemporary Dance aspiring always to create something unique and exciting. Chloe is still an active dance performer currently gaining professional training with Fly Company International. As a part of Fly Company International she is currently learning from people who have performed/choreographed for people like Stormzy, Dua Lipa, Beyoncé and Rihanna.
Love Deluxe
Drag Artist
Performing on: Fri 17 Dec 9pm & Sat 18 Dec 9pm
Love Deluxe is a 1920s covergirl transported to the technicolour dystopia of the 21st century, here to help sweep away the cobwebs and brighten the place up!
A physical embodiment of queer love and trans euphoria, she'll be bringing high energy, high camp performances through the art of lipsync and shuffling her body in a fun, flirty way to disco tunes.
If Mae West meets Dame Edna with a pinch of Lady Gaga sounds up your alley, you won't wanna miss Love Deluxe!
Kadus Smith
Hip Hop Dance
Performing on: Sat 18 Dec 7pm & 9pm
Kadus Smith has been a professional dancer for over eleven years and is the Director and choreographer at Rhythm City Dance Studio
He has danced with Flo Rida, JLS, Eve and The Game, and has judged nationally and internationally.
Mike Clements
Singer & Musician
Performing on: Sat 18 Dec 7pm & 9pm
Mike is an Alt-Folk Singer Songwriter who has has been performing in Plymouth for over 10 year in various projects He has released two EPs on Spotify, with a third on the way. Mike believes Christmas is a time for bringing people together as well as spreading love and support for those who may not be doing as well as yourself.
"I feel as though my set has now got to a point, where I want to prove that this is my hometown and I will make it proud to know what I'm capable of"
Mike Clements Spotify
Sal-De-Bain
Burlesque Artist
Performing on: Sat 18 Dec 9pm
Sal de Bain is decorating her Christmas tree, but when she looks in the box of decorations...
Oh No! It's empty! Whatever will she do?
In an attempt to save Christmas and decorate her tree, she uses her ingenuity and with a little help from her attire and the audience, Christmas is saved!
A camp, festive romp to get you into the Christmas spirit, a brand-new act from Sal de Bain.
Week 2 (20 - 23 Dec)
Suzy Bennett
Stand Up Comedian & Week 2 Host
Performing on: Mon 20 Dec 7pm & 9pm, Tue 21 Dec 7pm & 9pm, Wed 22 Dec 7pm & 9pm, Thu 23 Dec 7pm & 9pm (child friendly act for the 7pm obviously!)
Former Butlins Redcoat, support act for Russel Kane's UK tour and proud Devonian Suzy Bennett ‘accidentally’ won the prestigious Funny Women Award on her 6th gig and has kept the laughs, and her Janner accent, going strong ever since, performing around the UK as well as overseas hosting large events as well as tour support for big name acts.
Most recently she was chosen as the voice of the ‘PlymouthTrails’ Tour app and was named as one of the ‘50 Coolest people from Plymouth’ by the Evening Herald ( It was in no particular order so she assumes she came third after Dawn French and Wayne Sleep)
'Suzy is Delightful company' (Metro)
'The physical presence and panache of a young Dawn French’ (Chortle)
‘Suzy is a Charm Bomb’ (Russell Kane)
Chloe Carrubba
Singer/Musician/Comedy
Performing on: Mon 20 Dec 7pm & 9pm, Tue 21 Dec 7pm & 9pm, Wed 22 Dec 7pm & 9pm, Thu 23 Dec 7pm & 9pm (child friendly act for the 7pm obviously!)
Chloe is a captivating, talented and likeable solo musician, singer-songwriter and stand up performer. A regular face and sound within the Plymouth the live music scene her performance consists of self-written songs with a stand-up feel of conversational chat between them. Audiences will enjoy her storytelling and live music, creating a unique, funny and powerful statement.
"More than just playing my music live, in the way you would at a gig, in a theatrical setting, the audience really gets an eclectic mix of theatre, live music, stand up and biographical content".
Jo Kelen
Poet & Spoken Word Artist
Performing on: Mon 20 Dec 7pm & 9pm, Tue 21 Dec 7pm & 9pm, Wed 22 Dec 7pm & 9pm, Thu 23 Dec 7pm & 9pm (child friendly act for the 7pm obviously!)
Yes yes I know it's Christmas but what does the tomato have to say? And what about the goats? Get set for some deeply inspiring insights, or in other words, a couple of silly poems with a political tickle.
Jo Kelen is a poet and teacher and a regular in the spoken word scene in London, and have performed in venues such as the Nottingham Playhouse as a member of the Mouthy Poets, The Curve, The Y and Upstairs at the Western, as part of UK Young Artists and the Tabernacle (London) in association with Renaissance One.
A lot of her poems are whimsical, with a number about relationships with all sorts of people, the environment and with the odd political tickle thrown in for good measure.
Flamenco Vivo! with Mercedes & Lisa
Flamenco Dance
Performing on: Mon 20 Dec 7pm & 9pm
Hola, it's Flamenco Vivo!
Flamenco Vivo consist of Mercedes and Lisa dancing an uplifting, colourful flamenco piece, which include all the elements of Flamenco dancing, bringing a little ray of Spanish sunshine to Sleighing It. The performance is perfect for audiences to join in by clapping and stamping their feet to the rhythm!
Danielle Coates
Contemporary Dance
Performing on: Mon 20 Dec 7pm
There will be bad days. Open your grip, opening each palm slowly now… let go’
Dancing to the inspirational words of Canadian spoken word artist Shane Koyzan Danielle performs Instructions for a bad day choreographed by CEO and director of The Groovement Project Dance Company, Ellen Coulton and Danielle.
We all have bad days, but this piece is Highlighting the importance of perseverance, viewing different perspectives and helping each-other through hardship. It’s often about finding that something that helps you, for Danielle that something is dance.
Danielle Coates is a 14 year old dancer who specialises in ballet, jazz, all street dance styles and contemporary dance. She is a member of the Groovement Project Dance Company ,where she is also a member of the L.A team. She is also a part of the Exeter Northcott Young Company. She has been dancing for 7 years acting for 3 years and taking Lamda exams for 2 years. Recent credits include BBC's Malory Towers, Exeter's Beauty And The Beast panto, and Barbican Theatre's PETROL HEADZ.
David Arnold
Stand Up Comedian
Performing on: Mon 20 Dec 7pm & 9pm (child friendly act for the 7pm obviously!)
David Arnold is a Welsh comedian who has been whipping up a storm on the national comedy circuit since making his debut right here in Plymouth in 2012.
He has won critical acclaim in the same competitions that launched the careers of Alan Carr and Peter Kay, this year he’s reached the final of the British Comedian of the Year and shared the stage with Johnny Vegas, Henning Wehn and Reginald D Hunter.
Proud to call Plymouth home, David is one of the founding members and tour guide for Plymouth Comedy Tours, taking locals and holiday makers on a fun filled, joke packed tour around the city.
Betty Boom Boom UK
Burlesque Artist
Performing on: Mon 20 Dec 9pm & Tue 21 Dec 9pm
Betty Boom Boom UK is a burlesque artiste, who brings you characters from stage, screen and history, as you’ve never seen them before (or want to see them again!).
Be prepared to be transported back to the 18th century, with a love letter to a composer from Salzburg, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. Betty will show you how desperately she wants to be in this Wolf’s gang! Grrr!
Betty is a founding member of Take It Off Burlesque and Cabaret based in Plymouth.
Tim Merrifield & George Donaghy
Dance 'The Money Game'
Performing on: Tue 21 Dec 7pm & 9pm & Wed 22 Dec 7pm & 9pm
Tim Merrifield & George Donaghy ‘The Money Game’
The Money Game is a fusion of Contemporary, Commercial and storytelling. The piece is a journey through capitalism . A fight against the system with aims to expose the poverty safari..however through the lies and manipulation will greed take over? and just how far will one go to get to the top?
The Money Game was created, devised and choreographed by Adie Dove and Tim Merrifield.
Adie Dove
Adie Dove graduated from BodyWork International in 2017, she has been on a mission to challenge the arts culture and pursue equality ever since. Whilst continuing to perform, choreograph and direct professionally she has become a voice for working class artists. Adie founded her first community interest company at just 15 and is now reaching hundreds of young people with the mission of making the arts accessible to all. After becoming BBC Sports Personality South West winner Adie then went on to found her second companyBTC Records working in collaboration with The Grannary Studio which is working directly with young people, using the arts to redirect their lives from crime, cycles of abuse and trauma. Adie believes the power of art goes far beyond what the eye can see.
Tim Merrifield
Tim Merrifield Graduated from Edge Hill University in 2018 with a degree in Dance, Drama and Aerial Performance. Tim has since been a member of the Urban Playground Team, taking a role in the creation and performance of the show 'Zoo Humans', as well as helping with workshops for at risk community groups with the company. Tim also has performance experience working with companies such as All Choreographers are B*stards, where he took a part creating and touring the show 'Abattoir', performing in a music video for 'Flohio - Unveiled', as well as a site specific performance in Manchester called 'Ribs'. He also worked with Company Chameleon where he took on one of the shadow roles in the company's latest show 'The Shadow'. As well as performing Tim has previously been teaching with All Boys Dance to help inspire the next generation of male dancers in Cornwall.
George Donaghy
George brings a high energy, uplifting style to his entertaining performance, fusing voguing, street and contemporary dance.
He is currently in sixth form as well as a dancer, teacher and choreographer, working alongside KBSK a community group enabling all children to dance. He also works with an InterGeneration Project, where he gets to teach the elderly seated dance session.
George Donaghy
Dance & Vogue
Performing on: Tue 21 Dec 7pm & 9pm & Thu 23 Dec 7pm & 9pm
George brings a high energy, uplifting style to his entertaining performance, fusing voguing, street and contemporary dance.
He is currently in sixth form as well as a dancer, teacher and choreographer, working alongside KBSK a community group enabling all children to dance. He also works withj an InterGeneration Project, where he gets to teach the elderly seated dance session.
Jessie Cooper
Singer & Musician
Performing on: Tue 21 Dec 7pm & 9pm
Jessie is a 21 year old Plymouth based singer/songwriter currently part of the Barbican's ReBels music group.
Her songwriting style is acoustic and storytelling but she also enjoys covering jazz, folk and pop songs. During her Sleighing It performance Jessie aims to create a cosy and relaxing atmosphere for the audience with songs inspired by Plymouth, and quirks of everyday life.
Leah Ingall
Comedy ‘Two Brits Abroad’
Performing on: Wed 22 Dec 7pm & 9pm & Thu 23 Dec 7pm (child friendly version for the 7pm obviously!)
Two months, two brits, “I’ll have two pints of Citra please” now what do I do?
Imagine spending two months abroad working with your mate. Sharing the same room. Cooking for each other. Drinking the same pints. Sharing our wacky dreams. Pretending to be flaming husband and wife. Now I have touched down in the UK, we are having to cope without each other. We are in two separate counties, and we have hundreds of stories to tell.
From Sweden’s 5 tier recycling system to paying 9 pounds for a pint, I have learnt how living abroad can really open your mind to a thing or two. Or did it just break the bank?
In Two Brits Abroad Leah Ingall will take you on a journey of how our completely platonic marriage progressed and how they are hopelessly waiting for Sam to wander in with my morning coffee. This is all about being a guilty feminist, a little bit gay, a brit abroad and a caring friend.
Leah is an actor, writer and a wannabe comedian living in Plymouth. Leah’s most recent credits include: performing in ‘Are we not drawn onward to new erA’ by Ontroerend Goed in association with Gothenburg English studio Theatre, ‘Dwellings - Sanctuary’ a filmed monologue, working with Downstage Write on ‘Shields’ by Kate Ellis and being a presenter on the The Nubsessions, a live stream music platform on YouTube.
Leah is also in the process of writing her own work and aspires to create important, poignant stories to perform in the South West.
Ellori May
Jazz & Blues Vocalist
Performing on: Wed 22 Dec 7pm & 9pm, Thu 23 Dec 7pm & 9pm
"My love for singing jazz and blues comes alive at Christmas, and I love to emulate that special warm, cosy Christmas feeling through music. After the couple of years we've had, I think it's so important for people to come together and treat themselves to an evening of entertainment and festive fun. As a young performer who's beginning to find their feet in music, I'm keen to be involved in lots of performance opportunities such as this".
Violent May
Burlesque Artist
Performing on: Wed 22 Dec 9pm & Thu 23 Dec 9pm
Mx Violent May is a burlesque dancer who has performed across the South West and beyond!
They have been performing since 2014 and have since become a glamorous queerdo who prefers the freaxyyy and weird. Don’t expect anything from them apart from the unexpected!
At Sleighing It Mx Violent May will be performing an ode to Love Actually and the scene in particular with Andrew Lincoln and Kiera Knightly but making it draglesque. Expect filthy festivities!
Helix
Drag Artist