One of the many tanks at The Tank Museum. Photo courtesy of Rob Levett-Millett. The Tank Museum, Bovington, Dorset. Review by Rob Levett-Millett A collection of over 300 military vehicles sets a high bar of expectation which The Tank Museum somehow obliterates with heavy ordinance. You may look at a map of Bovington, Dorset and see the Museum, its neighbour Monkey World, and assume you have a plan for a two-stage day out. You will assume wrong. There will be no time for Monke

St John Rosse_Nicholas_Powwow on the Beach. Royal Society of Marine Artists Annual Exhibition 2026, held at the Mall Galleries, London, from 16 to 26 September 2026 from 10am to 5pm. Admission: £7 (Free for Friends of Mall Galleries and under 25s, concessions available). No booking required Preview As the Royal Society of Marine Artists’ (RSMA) prepares for its 81st Annual Exhibition at the Federation of British Artists’ Mall Galleries this September, new figures reveal a suc

Dial M For Murder. Photo credit Danny Kaan. Dial M For Murder written by written by Frederick Knott will be at The Belgrade Theatre from Tuesday 22 September to Saturday 26 September. Directed by Josh Mathieson. Phil&Ben Productions announce a UK tour of Dial M for Murder supported by PW Productions as part of a long-term commitment to revitalising touring drama Phil&Ben Productions are delighted to announce a new production of Frederick Knott’s classic thriller Dial M For

David Lutken in Woody Sez. Photo credit Roger Mastroianni. Woody Sez: The Life & Music Of Woody Guthrie, devised by David M. Lutken, is performed at the Underbelly Boulevard Soho from 8 to 19 September 2026. Directed by Nick Corley. Review by Emilia Matyja Woody Guthrie’s musical biography returns to Soho with a historically soulful zing of joy you can find in a live-music bar. David M. Lutken resurrects Woody Guthrie – a singer-composer of American folk songs that captured

The Company of Middlemarch. Photo (c) Johan Persson. Middlemarch Parts 1 & 2 By Nina Raine. From the novel by George Eliot. A co-production with Second Half Productions. Directed by Jeremy Herrin. At The Swan Theatre, Stratford-upon-Avon from Saturday 10 October until Saturday 16 January 2027. Preview The Royal Shakespeare Company (RSC) has released rehearsal photography for the upcoming production of Middlemarch, George Eliot’s expansive study on provincial life, adapted

Our House - Madness Musical, presented by Albany Creates Together (ACT), The Albany Theatre's in-house community theatre company. Our House runs from Thursday 29 October to Sunday 1 November 2026. Preview Coventry's musical heritage will take centre stage this autumn as local performers bring Our House, the Olivier Award-winning musical featuring the iconic music of Madness, to The Albany Theatre – on the very same road that played a part in the city's legendary 2 Tone story

Coming to the Loft Theatre Leamington. Middle by David Eldridge, at The Loft Theatre, Leamington from Wednesday 23 September to Saturday 3 October. Directed by Viki Betts. Preview It’s 4am, a couple are in the kitchen together as dawn breaks. It is time for an honest conversation – but how much honesty can any marriage take? Middle is a truthful, moving and funny portrait of a forty-something couple whose marriage hangs in the balance. David Eldridge wrote a trilogy of plays

SINS, at the Albany Theatre, Coventry - 10 September 2026 Review by Amanda Burden Two questions. 1. Do you like the slasher film Saw? 2. Do you want to be IN the slasher film Saw? Be honest. Nobody is going to knock on your door. This is not a hidden psychological test designed to root out homicidal maniacs. No-one will check your browser history afterwards. But if you harbour a small, private fantasy about sitting safely in the dark while other people endure increasingly hor

The cast of After Party. Photo courtesy of Marc Brenner. After Party by Morna Young at the Belgrade Theatre until 11 September 2026 Review by Amanda Burden This week I have been lucky enough to review two shows about hard-living celebrities contemplating their own demise. The first was the true story of Dr Feelgood guitarist Wilko Johnson. The second is the fictional actress Vivienne Blackwood in Morna Young’s After Party, directed by Katie Posner and currently at the Belgrad

Beatrice (Emma Marshall) and Benedick (Karl Smith). Photo by Martin Pulley. Much Ado About Nothing by William Shakespeare, at Rugby Theatre from 19 to 26 September 2026. Directed by Ash Hirons. Preview by Rosie Fuller A much-loved Shakespeare comedy about two ill-fated sets of lovers is next up from the talented actors at Rugby Theatre. Much Ado About Nothing features the iconic duo Beatrice and Benedick, who claim they despise each other and will never marry. Joining them ar

EA participants. Photo courtesy of the BMM. This autumn, the British Motor Museum will partner with Playground Games to host two exciting STEM Careers Days for KS2 students. Held on 13 & 14 October, the days will be packed with hands-on activities, interactive tours, and inspirational talks. These events will give students the chance to explore real-world STEM skills and discover how their interests and school studies could lead to future careers. Each day runs from 9:30am to

Jon House in Wilko. Photo by Nick Haeffner.. Wilko: Love and Death and Rock ’n’ Roll by Jonathan Maitland at the Belgrade Theatre until 9 September 2026 Review by Amanda Burden I know very little about Dr Feelgood. This is not something I am proud of. In fact, when I invited my brother to see Wilko: Love and Death and Rock ’n’ Roll, he reminded me of a conversation from last year in which we discovered our combined knowledge of this band amounted largely to knowing that they

Photo credit Gaz Hood. Guys & Dolls presented by Five Star Theatre Company at The Benn Hall, Rugby from 1 - 3 October 2026. Preview. A Rugby theatre company will return to one of its most memorable musicals this October – exactly ten years after first bringing Guys and Dolls to the town. Five Star Theatre will stage the Broadway classic at the Benn Hall from Thursday 1 to Saturday 3 October, bringing together leading musical theatre talent from across Rugby and Warwickshire

The Retro Truck Show held at the weekend. Photo courtesy of the BMM. The British Motor Museum has even more key motoring shows coming up this Autumn. The Museum has already hosted a packed calendar of events throughout the summer months including last weekend's Retro Truck Show on 5 & 6 September. Still to come are the MX-5 Owners Club National Rally on 13 September, DR1VR Show on 20 September, Rustival on 26 September, Jaguars at Gaydon on 27 September, Porsche Boxster 30t

Jacob Aldroft and Alexandra Ricou. Image courtesy of the artists. Parody of the Rings at The Cidermill Theatre, Chipping Camden, Saturday 5 September 2026. Review by Charles Essex A small local theatre is staging an all-night playing trilogy of Lord of the Rings films as a fund raiser to repair the theatre’s roof. Unfortunately, it goes wrong before the first reel when the projector and discs catch fire. The ushers Peter (Jacob Aldroft) and Jackson (Alexandra Ricou), a no

The Holey Matrimony written by Andi Hardy-Rastall. A Phoenix Players Production, performed at The Bear Pit Theatre, Stratford-upon-Avon, from Wednesday 30 September until 3 October 2026. Preview by Charles Essex Allan was a pillar of the community, vicar of the local parish church, happily married to Sally, who was dutifully at his side supporting his ministry to his flock. Until he died tragically and unexpectedly. They say the good die young. But after he died secr

Hadrian Conyngham. Photo courtesy of the artist. Understudy No. 5, written by Hadrian Conyngham, performed at The Old Red Lion pub, Islington, London, then on to the Etcetera Theatre, Camden, London from 14 to 15 October 2026. Directed by Warren Rusher. Review by Emilia Matyja. In a theatre, a janitor sweeps the stage floor after a day of rehearsals. During the banal clean-up, he takes a fancy to the props on the floor and discovers that when he touches them, they possess h

Wilko: Love and Death and Rock ‘n’ Roll, by Jonathan Maitland at the Belgrade Theatre from Monday 7 to Wednesday 9 September. Preview In 2012, Wilko Johnson, the iconic rock star and founder of legendary Essex band Dr Feelgood, was told he had inoperable cancer and a year to live. Refusing all treatment, he decided to spend his last months living meaningfully: seeing the people, places and things which meant most to him during his remarkable life.  Then, a miracle happened

Mister Tom (Stuart Lawson), William (Jacob Reid). Photo courtesy of The Priory. Goodnight Mister Tom adapted by David Wood from the novel by Michelle Magorian at The Priory Theatre, Kenilworth from 2 to 12 September 2026. Directed by Pete and Rachel Davis. Review by Ann Evans This classic story of a young evacuee, William Beech, taken from his abusive London home to live in the countryside with elderly recluse Tom Oakley is a heartwarming story of love, friendship and hope.