About Us

Wavendon Allmusic Plan Ltd (WAP) is a registered charity, founded in 1969 by the world-renowned jazz musicians Dame Cleo Laine and Sir John Dankworth. It has a vision to:

"engage the widest range of people with music in all its diversity"

Sir John and Dame Cleo began the realisation of that vision with the development of The Stables Theatre, in some outbuildings at their home, as a venue for concerts and education activities. In October 2000, the new Stables Theatre opened its doors, with a second phase of development opening in 2007. It is now home to The Jim Marshall Auditorium with 448 capacity (398 seated and 50 standing) and Stage 2 (80 seated and 20 standing or 100 standing) and presents around 350 concerts and 250 education sessions each year.

The old Stables building

The new Stables building

The intimate auditorium has proved to be a favourite venue for many of the world's finest musicians from the world of pop, rock, jazz, classical and roots music with recent concert highlights including Joan Armatrading, Courtney Pine, Bill Wyman, Dave Brubeck, Nigel Kennedy, Beth Neilsen Chapman, Paul Carrack, Nils Lofgren, Eric Bibb, Steve Hackett, Antonio Forcione, Evelyn Glennie, Walter Trout, Thea Gilmore, Suzanne Vega, Cerys Matthews, Kate Rusby, Nerina Pallot and Nuru Kane to name but a few.

Its diverse programme continues to attract musicians respected as leading exponents of their genre whilst providing performing opportunities for emerging artists. Initiatives such as "Live From The Stables" provided a platform for emerging talent including Gwyneth Herbert, Jamie Cullum, Lemar, Jamie Scott, Amy Winehouse and Clare Teal to perform with the Dankworth Big Band and on the same platform as established artists such as Curtis Stigers, Craig David, Beverley Knight, Marti Pellow, Alison Moyet and Chrissie Hynde.

Lemar performs with the Dankworth Big Band

For an in-depth delve into the history of The Stables a book The Stables: Inside Story is available to buy from The Stables' shop and also from the Box Office. Click here for more information on how to buy your copy.

History