MB Unplugged - Free Improv Comedy this Friday, 9th August @ The Riverside!

MB Unplugged, our improv comedy lab for new and established MB superstars, is back at The Riverside for another night of hilarious improv comedy this Friday, 9th August!!

MB Improv performances are 100% made up on-the spot comedy scenes and silliness based your suggestions - anything can, and often does, happen!

The show is completely, 100% FREE! of course, if you like, you could share a few coins on the night for MB's favourite charity, The Children's Society - have a laugh, change the world. And be sure to bring a few more coins for the great collection of delicious local ales on offer at The Riverside.

Doors open from 7:50 pm, show begins at 8:00 pm.

Seats are available on a first-come, first-served basis, so be sure to grab your seats early!

Let us know you're coming by responding to the Facebook event. 

August Book Club— ‘The Great Gatsby' by F Scott Fitzgerald

The next Book club is,  Wednesday 14th August, 7.30 at Crucible Corner. We are reading 'The Great Gatsby' by F Scott Fitzgerald. A story exploring the themes of decadence, idealism, social upheaval and excess, set in the roaring 20s in America.

The Big Book

This is an extra book club that happens every 3-4 months to give us a chance to read a bigger book!

The next one is THIS Wednesday 24th July - Catch 22 by Joseph Heller (mainly chosen so that we never have to have another discussion about whether we should read it!) 

Trip to Whitby!

As we are reading Dracula in October we have decided on a tenuous trip to Whitby. By general consensus it has been booked for the second weekend in October 12th and 13th. You have the option of either just going for the Saturday or staying till the Sunday. There is a lot of enthusiasm for staying over so we will start looking at some accommodation. Let us know ASAP if you would like to come, so far we have:

Emily and Ryan,       Rachel and family, 
Seema,                    Clare, 
Steve,                      Tracy
Alex,                        Alex
Rachel,                    Laura
Emma
 
If you have any ideas for accommodation then let us know.

Book list

• 14th Aug - The Great Gatsby by F Scott Fitzgerald
• 11th Sep - Poetry - Songs of innocence and experience by Blake - Ed is going to choose some specific ones for us all to read.
• 9th Oct - Dracula - Bram Stoker
• 13th Nov - The unbearable Lightness of Being - Milan Kindera
• 11th Dec - Christmas meal at Crucible Corner (That's not a book title!) and maybe a play that is optional to read that we can go to see at the theatre in the new year?

Happy Reading.

Rachel & Emily

May Book Club and the Big Book

Hello All

Here is some information about May book club but don't forget April still has a lot going for it! There's pub club, big book club and the book club social to Bradford!

Next book club is, Wednesday 8th May, 7.30 Crucible corner. We'll be reading 'The line of beauty' by Alan Hollinghurst, a Booker prize winner about love, class, sex and money in the Thatcherite 1980s, a complete coincidence but rather timely. Apologies that it's a rather big book at the same time as 'big book'......be antisocial for a while!

The Big Book

Big book will be on Wednesday, April 24th. 7.30pm at the Crucible Corner. We'll be reading Black Diamonds by Catherine Bailey. A story about the fall of an English dynasty in local Wentworth. Initially recommended by our very own Steve but subsequently recommended by others, should be good....and big!

July - Catch 22 by Joseph Heller (mainly chosen so that we never have to have another discussion about whether we should read it!)

Book Club in Bradford! 

We're off to see The Pitman Painters' play at Bradford Alhambra Theatre on Sat 20th April at 2.30pm and then we'll be going out for a curry afterwards. Hopefully most people have settled their debts but if not just bring cash on the day. If you're not on the list but would like to come then there may be tickets still available from the box office. 

We'll be going on the train and will be meeting at Sheffield station at 11.30 on the saturday, should be home around 8 or 9pm.

Book list

May - The line of beauty by Alan Hollinghurst
June - The spy who came in from the cold by John le Caree
July - The book Thief by Markus Zusch
Aug - The Great Gatsby by F Scott Fitzgerald
Sep - Poetry - Songs of innocence and experience by Blake - Ed is going to choose some specific ones for us all to read.
Oct - Dracula - Bram Stoker
​Nov - The unbearable lightness of being - Milan Kindera

​Happy reading,

Rachel and Emily​

MB Improv: Live Show, Friday 5th April!

MB Improv takes to the main stage at the Showroom Cinema Cafe Bar on Friday, 5th April!

MB Improv performances are 100% made up on-the spot, based on audience suggestions. Anything can (and usually does) happen! 

Tickets are only £3 (payable at the door), and all proceeds from the event go to support MB's favourite charity, The Children's Society - have some laughs and support a great cause.

Doors open from 7:30 pm, show begins at 8pm.

It's a great way to start the weekend - we're already savouring the anticipation!

Sign up to the Facebook Event!​

April Book Club, the next Big Book, and a trip to Bradford

Hello All

April is a bumper book club month, with usual book club but also big book club and the book club social to Bradford!

The usual book club is on 10th April, 7.30 Crucible corner. This month we're reading a book by local author Iain Broome, A is for Angelica. It's fairly short so hopefully should leave you some time to finish the big book. I'm not sure how widely available it is but it is definitely available from Amazon.

The Big Book

Big book will be on Wednesday, April 24th. 7.30pm at the Crucible Corner. We'll be reading Black Diamonds by Catherine Bailey. A story about the fall of an English dynasty in local Wentworth. Initially recommended by our very own Steve but subsequently recommended by others, should be good....and big!

July - Catch 22 by Joseph Heller (mainly chosen so that we never have have another discussion about whether we should read it!)

Book Club in Bradford!

We're off to see The Pitman Painters' play at Bradford Alhambra Theatre this month.

We're be going Sat 20th April at 2.30pm and then we'll be going out for a curry afterwards. The tickets for the play are £19.50 each and if you're on Rachel's list can you arrange for an internet transfer or some other way to get the money to her, you can contact her by replying to this email.

If you're not on the list but would like to come then tickets are available from the box office. There is talk of getting the train together but nothing confirmed as yet.

Book list

• April - A for Angelica (local book) by Iain Broome
• May - The line of beauty by Alan Hollinghurst
• June - The spy who came in from the cold by John le Caree
• July - The book Thief by Markus Zusch
• Aug - The Great Gatsby by F Scott Fitzgerald
• Sep - Poetry of some description - TBC
• Oct - Dracula - Bram Stoker
• Nov - The unbearable lightness of being - Milan Kindera

Facebook Page

Make sure you visit our Book Club facebook page and 'like' it here. You can also keep up to date with current books, events and comments from others. Feel free to post your thoughts there and any book recommendations!

Happy Reading.

Rachel & Emily

Book Club on Wednesday: ‘Brick Lane’ by Monica Ali

Hello All

Book Club is this Wednesday, 13th March, 7.30 at Crucible Corner. This month we're reading 'Brick Lane' by Monica Ali.

The Big Book

The next big book will be on Wednesday, April 24th. 7.30pm at the Crucible Corner. We'll be reading Black Diamonds by Catherine Bailey. A story about the fall of an English dynasty in local Wentworth. Initially recommended by our very own Steve but subsequently recommended by others, should be good....and big!

July - Catch 22 by Joseph Heller (mainly chosen so that we never have have another discussion about whether we should read it!)

Book Club in Bradford!

In April we're off to see The Pitman Painters' play at Bradford Alhambra Theatre.
We'll be going Sat 20th April at 2.30pm and then we'll be going out for a curry afterwards. The tickets for the play are £19.50 each and if you're on Rachel's list can you either bring money to March book club or arrange for an internet transfer.

If you're not on the list but would like to come then tickets are available from the box office. There is talk of getting the train together but nothing confirmed as yet.

New Book list

There has been a slight change to the book club list. We have been asked to read a local book by the publisher. They would also like us to review it and so this has been slotted in April, bumping some other books back a month!

We should also apologise for apparently choosing some books which wouldn't look out of place on the big book list!

• March - Brick Lane by Monica Ali
• April - A for Angelica (local book) by Iain Broome
• May - The line of beauty by Alan Hollinghurst
• June - The spy who came in from the cold by John le Caree
• July - The book Thief by Markus Zusch
• Aug - The Great Gatsby by F Scott Fitzgerald
• Sep - Poetry of some description - TBC
• Oct - Dracula - Bram Stoker
• Aug - The unbearable lightness of being - Milan Kindera

Facebook Page

Make sure you visit our Book Club Facebook page and 'like' it here. You can also keep up to date with current books, events and comments from others. Feel free to post your thoughts there and any book recommendations!

Happy Reading.

Rachel & Emily

Not read the book for StandOut tomorrow? Here's a cheat for you!

We're all busy people, and sometimes we don't get to read everything we'd like to. This month at StandOut, we're discussing 'Adapt', the book by Tim Harford. As Tim actually gave a TED talk a while back, covering some of the content from his book, we thought we'd share the video for those who are interested in the conversation, but maybe haven't had time to read. Enjoy!​

And see you on Wednesday, 7.30pm at Crucible Corner.​

March Book Club: ‘Brick Lane’ by Monica Ali

Hello All

Well done to everyone who braved the snow to come and discuss 'The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry'. Evidently your passion for books is not deterred by a little frozen water!

The next Book Club is WEDNESDAY, 13th March, 7.30 at Crucible corner. This month we're reading 'Brick Lane' by Monica Ali.

The Big Book

The next big book will be on Wednesday, April 24th. 7.30pm at the Crucible Corner. 

We had a debate about the next Big books to read and eventually decided on the books for April and July, which are:

• April - Black Diamonds by Catherine Bailey
• July - Catch 22 by Joseph Heller (mainly chosen so that we never have have another discussion about whether we should read it!)

Book Club in Bradford!

People really enjoyed The Pitman painters' play we read for the December book club. The play is touring at the moment and we're arranging a trip out to see it at the Bradford Alhambra Theatre.

We'll be going Sat 20th April. We have decided to go to the matinee performance at 2.30pm and then go out for a curry afterwards. The tickets will be about £14.50-£24.50 depending on seats and availability. If you would like to come please let Emily and Rachel know asap either via email or Facebook.

New Book list

There has been a slight change to the book club list. We have been asked to read a local book by the publisher. They would also like us to review it and so this has been slotted in April, bumping some other books back a month!

We should also apologise for apparently choosing some books which wouldn't look out of place on the big book list!

March - Brick Lane by Monica Ali
April - A for Angelica (local book) by Iain Broome
May - The line of beauty by Alan Hollinghurst
June - The spy who came in from the cold by John le Caree
July - The book Thief by Markus Zusch
Aug - The Great Gatsby by F Scott Fitzgerald
Sep - Poetry of some description - TBC
Oct - Dracula - Bram Stoker
Aug - The unbearable lightness of being - Milan Kindera

Facebook Page

Make sure you visit our Book Club facebook page and 'like' it here. You can also keep up to date with current books, events and comments from others. Feel free to post your thoughts there and any book recommendations!

Happy Reading.

Rachel & Emily

February Book Club, the next Big Book, and a trip to Bradford!

Happy February!

Book Club is this WEDNESDAY, 13th February, 7.30 at Crucible corner. We'll be chatting about 'The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry' by Rachel Joyce. Nominated for the Man Booker in 2012, it's a story about a man who sets off the post a letter to his dying friend, funny and poignant if the reviews are to be believed.

The Big Book

Last Big Book was excellent as always we discussed 'Wolf Hall' by Hilary Mantel, some secret history degrees were revealed and made for a delightful discussion. 

The next big book will be on Wednesday, April 24th. 7.30pm at the Crucible Corner. 

We had a debate about the next Big books to read and eventually decided on the books for April and July, which are;:

• April - Black Diamonds by Catherine Bailey
• July - Catch 22 by Joseph Heller (mainly chosen so that we never have have another discussion about whether we should read it!)

Book Club in Bradford!

People really enjoyed The Pitman painters' play we read for the December book club. The play is touring at the moment and we're arranging a trip out to see it at the Bradford Alhambra Theatre.

We'll be going Sat 20th April. We have decided to go to the matinee performance at 2.30pm and then go out for a curry afterwards. The tickets will be about £14.50-£24.50 depending on seats and availability. If you would like to come please let Emily and Rachel know asap either via email or Facebook.

New Book list

There has been a slight change to the book club list. We have been asked to read a local book by the publisher. They would also like us to review it and so this has been slotted in April, bumping some other books back a month!

We should also apologise for apparently choosing some books which wouldn't look out of place on the big book list!

• March - Brick Lane by Monica Ali
• April - A for Angelica (local book) by Iain Broome
• May - The line of beauty by Alan Hollinghurst
• June - The spy who came in from the cold by John le Caree
• July - The book Thief by Markus Zusch
• Aug - The Great Gatsby by F Scott Fitzgerald
• Sep - Poetry of some description - TBC
• Oct - Dracula - Bram Stoker
• Aug - The unbearable lightness of being - Milan Kindera

Facebook Page

Make sure you visit our Book Club Facebook page and 'like' it here. You can also keep up to date with current books, Events and comments from others. Feel free to post your thoughts there and any book recommendations!

Happy Reading.

Rachel & Emily

StandOut: The February Book

January saw the first StandOut event. And It was a really great start. Using Richard Stengel's book about leadership and life lessons from the life of Nelson Mandela, we went on a fascinating journey of stimulating and thought-provoking conversation. Here's what Pete, one of the attendees, said about it:

I wasn’t sure to expect when I turned up to the first StandOut event – I was hoping it wouldn’t be a dry academic debate.  It turned out to be great fun - a stimulating discussion with a really friendly and interesting bunch of people.  Highly recommended as a way to spend a couple of hours on a Wednesday evening.

Our next meet up is happening on Wednesday 27 February, 7.30pm at Crucible Corner. This month our conversation will be triggered by Tim Harford's book ‘Adapt: Why Success Always Starts with Failure’.

Here's the blurb about the book:

Everything we know about solving the world's problems is wrong. Out: Plans, experts and above all, leaders. In: Adapting - improvise rather than plan; fail, learn, and try again In this groundbreaking new book, Tim Harford shows how the world's most complex and important problems - including terrorism, climate change, poverty, innovation, and the financial crisis - can only be solved from the bottom up by rapid experimenting and adapting. From a spaceport in the Mojave Desert to the street battles of Iraq, from a blazing offshore drilling rig to everyday decisions in our business and personal lives, this is a handbook for surviving - and prospering - in our complex and ever-shifting world.

Unlike the January event, we won't be having any formal event signup page. People are free to simply turn up on the night. As before though, there will be a £3 charge that will - in its entirety - be donated to the work of Oasis South Africa. 

See you in a few weeks!

Sam.

Nelson Mandela: 15 Life and Leadership Lessons

In our first StandOut conversation (happening in two weeks time) we're discussing Richard Stengel's book on Nelson Mandela. It explores fifteen life and leadership lessons. As a way of a taster for those of you who are still contemplating getting the book and signing up for the event, here are the fifteen lessons:

1. Courage Is Not the Absence Of Fear
   
2. Be Measured
3. Lead from the Front
4. Lead from the Back
5. Look the Part
6. Have a Core Principle
7. See the Good in Others
8. Know Your Enemy
9. Keep Your Rivals Close
10. Know When to Say No
11. It's a Long Game
12. Love Makes the Difference
13. Quitting is Leading Too
14. It's Always Both
15. Find Your Own Garden

If you're worried you won't have time to read the book now, worry not! First, each of the sections are really short, making it a quick read. And second, even if you don't get to read it all (or even none of it) but would enjoy the conversation, you're still welcome to come along and join in.

See you in a couple of weeks!

Sam.

February Book Club

Hello Bookclubbers!

Last book club was excellent, as always and a good kick off for 2013. The new book list is out and hopefully there will be something for everyone. We've tried to keep it varied and not all the suggestions could go on!

February's Book Club is surprisingly in February, WEDNESDAY, 13th February, 7.30 at Crucible corner. We'll be chatting about 'The Unlikley pilgrimage of Harold Fry' by Rachel Joyce. Nominated for the Man Booker in 2012, it's a story about a man who sets off the post a letter to his dying friend, funny and poignant if the reviews are to be believed.

Next month we need to meet at the bar first and allow the theatre crowd to disperse before rearranging tables....manager's request!

The Big Book

Two weeks to go until the first big book of the year. We're reading 'Wolf Hall' by Hilary Mantel. A historical novel about the Tudors, winner of a Booker prize. (the sequel won another one). We will be meeting Wednesday, January 23rd. 7.30pm at the Crucible Corner. Bring suggestions for the next big book!

Book Club in Bradford!

People really enjoyed The Pitman painters' play we read for the December book club. The play is touring at the moment and we're arranging a trip out to see it at the Bradford Alhambra Theatre.
We'll be going Sat 20th April. We have decided to go to the matinee performance at 2.30pm and then go out for a curry afterwards. The tickets will be about £14.50-£24.50 depending on seats and availability. If you would like to come please let Emily and Rachel know asap either via email or Facebook.

New Book list

Here it is kids....buckle up!

March - Brick Lane - Monica Ali
April - The line of beauty - Alan Hollinghurst
May - The spy who came in from the cold - John le Caree
June - The book Thief - Markus Zusch
July - The Great Gatsby - F Scott Fitzgerald
Aug - The unbearable lightness of being - Milan Kindera
Sep - Poetry of some description - TBC
Oct - Dracula - Bram Stoker

Facebook Page

Make sure you visit our Book Club Facebook page and 'like' it here. You can also keep up to date with current books, Events and comments from others. Feel free to post your thoughts there and any book recommendations!

Happy Reading.

Rachel & Emily

New Intro to Improv course starting in February

Hey MB fans - we have a new 'Intro to Improv' 8 week course starting in Feb with the first one being a 'taster' session. Email Isaac for more info or to book your place.

The Intro to Improv course takes place in Room 5 at The Showroom.

Isaac.

January Book Club(s)

Happy New Year!

The first Book Club of 2013 is THIS WEDNESDAY, 9th January,7.30 at Crucible corner. We'll be chatting about 'The Sisters Brothers' by Patrick DeWitt. A western which is excellent and was nominated for the booker prize, definitely not just one for the boys!

The Big Book

The first in the series was a great success and we're doing it again in January. We unanimously decided on 'Wolf Hall' by Hilary Mantel. A historical novel about the Tudors, winner of a Booker prize.

We will be meeting Wednesday, January 23rd. 7.30pm at the Crucible Corner.

Book club social

People really enjoyed The Pitman painters' play we read for the December book club. Apparently the actual play is touring at the beginning of next year. We think the nearest performance may be in Bradford. A tentative plan is to go one Saturday, possibly watch the matinee and then have a curry. More details to follow!

Upcoming books

Jan - Sisters Brothers - Patrick DeWitt
Feb - Unlikely pilgrimage of Harold Fry - Rachel Joyce
March - Brick Lane - Monica Ali

We have set ourselves the task to finalise the next few months this week.....look out!.

Facebook Page

Make sure you visit our Book Club facebook page and 'like' it here. You can also keep up to date with current books, Events and comments from others. Feel free to post your thoughts there and any book recommendations!

Happy Reading.

Rachel & Emily

StandOut: An All New Vox Event To Kick Off 2013

Every human being is loaded with talent and potential. Sadly, all too often, many of us struggle to fully unleash our talents on the world; we find it hard to discover our voice and stand out as the people we are capable of being.

Starting in 2013, Vox is looking to help change this. Each month, on the fourth Wednesday*, we will host a conversation around one or more of the themes of human potential, creativity, talent, and leadership that are designed to be fun and informal, and yet meaningful and inspiring. The source of the content will vary from month to month, but will typically be books related to the above themes.

This first month we'll be seeing what we can learn from the life of Nelson Mandela, the former President of South Africa. We'll be discussing the material from Richard Stengel's book Nelson Mandela: Portrait of an Extraordinary Man.

To participate in these monthly conversations will cost £3 each month. We are charging because, as well as investing in our own lives, we want to give something to those who have a much harder starting point than we do in looking to develop and maximise their potential. As such, all the proceeds raised each month wil be going to support the work of Oasis South Africa, a charity working in the townships of Johannesburg, helping to give young people a much better start in life.

We have also chosen to limit the number of people who can come each month to maximise the quality of the conversation and ensure the numbers are such that everyone can contribute.

The vibe for these conversations is very relaxed and informal. They're designed for anyone and everyone who wants to learn more about living life to the full and discovering their unique voice. This isn't some stuffy, academic workshop. It is more along the line of an non-fiction book club where people can come to learn, share, and discuss. We're all on a journey, figuring out what it means to be human. This is a space for you to do that with others who share the same motivations.

Buying and reading the book isn't essential to benefit from this event, but to get the most out of it, it is highly recommended.

Register Now

If you have any further questions, please contact Sam Radford. 

*This first month we'll be meeting on the fifth Wednesday as a one off.

Subscribe / Facebook

We are setting up a dedicated mailing list for those who would specifically like to receive the email updates about all StandOut events. You can subscribe to this here. And to fully stay in the loop, be sure to Like our new Facebook page. 

The MB Improv Xmas Show - Tuesday 18 December

Ding Dong Merrily on High

Good tidings - The MB Improv Christmas show is almost upon us!!!!

Tuesday 18 December - 8pm

Don't miss what promises to be our best show ever - loads of new games as well as some of the classics. Without script our players will create scenes from nothing but audience suggestions that will have you falling off your seat!

IMPORTANT INFO - THIS SHOW IS ALL TICKET - you can purchase your tickets by phoning the Showroom box office on 0114 275 7727 or online.

Tickets are £4 and as usual all of our takings will go to our partner charity - The Children's Society.

There are only 80 tickets which will be soon gone so we recommend that you buy your tickets quick - we wouldn't want you to miss out.

Isaac & Ryan

December Book Club and a Greek night out!

Hello Book Clubbers,

Firstly, this Wednesday 28th November is our social My Big Fat Greek Book Club meal. We're off for a Greek meal at Parthenonas on London Rd, meeting at 7.30. Most people have already put their names down for a place but if you would like to come, just turn up and I'm sure we'll be able to make room.

Book Club in December is, Wednesday 12th December, 7.30pm at the Crucible Corner. 
This month we're experimenting with reading a play, 'Pitmen Painters' by Lee Hall. It's based on the Ashington group of painters and is both humourous and moving, (Lee Hall also wrote Billy Eliot). Along with this we'll be having our Christmas book swap, so bring your wrapped offering. Lastly don't forget to bring room for dessert!

Here are the list of books to take us to March!

please note we have had to switch Jan and Feb books due to the January book not being out in paperback yet!

Dec - Pitman Painters, Lee Hall (play)
Jan - Sisters Brothers - Patrick DeWitt
Feb - Unlikely pilgrimage of Harold Fry - Rachel Joyce
March - Brick Lane - Monica Ali

As our list of books dwindles we will be taking suggestions for new ones so get your literary thinking caps on.

The Big Book
The first in the series was a great success and we'll be doing it all again in January, giving you three months to get through it. We unanimously decided on 'Wolf Hall' by Hilary Mantel. A historical novel about the Tudors, winner of a Booker prize.

We will be meeting Wednesday, January 23rd. 7.30pm at the Crucible Corner. 

Facebook Page
Make sure you visit our Book Club facebook page and 'like' it here. You can also keep up to date with current books, Events and comments from others. Feel free to post your thoughts there and any book recommendations!

Happy Reading.

Rachel & Emily