A DARKLY comic story of a disintegrated family which no-one has got around to leaving is the essence of Blowing which is being performed at the Maltings Arts Theatre in St Albans next Thursday, November 11.

Winner of the Young Angels Theatremakers Award 2009, Blowing has been written by Jeroen van den Berg, one of the most talented contemporary playwrights in the Netherlands.

It tells the story of a family imploding under the weight of its own fantasy and is brought to the theatre by award-winning company fanSHEN in association with Company of Angels and The Junction.

Blowing is aimed at an audience of 11 years upwards and it gets underway at 8pm. Tickets are �12 with concessions �10, available from the box office on 01727 844222.

The following night, Friday, November 12, the arts theatre hosts a visit from comedian Hal Cruttenden, fresh from Michael McIntyre’s Comedy Roadshow and the Rob Brydon Show.

Hal is one of the UK’s fastest-rising stand-up comedy stars – he has supported Ardal O’Hanlon, Omid Djalili and Rob Brydon on nationwide tours and he has performed shows in such faraway places as Hong Kong, Singapore, Dubai, Bermuda and the Falkland Islands.

His national solo tour, which stops off in St Albans at 8pm, is a chance for him to present his unique comic vision which finds him angry without knowing why.

Praised by national newspapers as “hugely talented” and “a delightful surprise”, tickets to see Hal are �12.50 with concessions �10.50.

Music follows next Saturday night, November 13, when Steven Finn performs at the arts theatre. Known for his ability to electrify audiences from the rhythm of his amplified foot stomp through to his explosive harp playing, he has been described as, “one of the best young acoustic blues guitar players on two legs.”

Steven, who comes on stage at 8pm, is one of only three UK artists to be endorsed by Hohner harmonicas. Tickets are �12.50 with concessions �10.50.