Nine Sixteenths at Warwick Arts Centre
Nine Sixteenths cast. Photo by Christa Holka. Nine Sixteenths: Inspired by Janet Jackson, created by Paula Varjack, a fast, fun, multimedia examination of iconic black female role models featuring the rise, fall and rise again of Janet Jackson. Runs 60 mins. At Warwick Arts Centre, University of Warwick, Coventry on Thursday 12 February 2026 at 7.45pm. Preview At the 2004 Superbowl, Justin Timberlake exposed Janet Jackson’s breast and nipple to a huge live TV audience for n
Dave Freak
4 hours ago3 min read
My Fair Lady
Leamington And Warwick Musical Society present My Fair Lady. Book and Lyrics by Alan Jay Lerner. Music by Frederick Loewe. Adapted from George Bernard Shaw’s play and Gabriel Pascal’s motion picture “Pygmalion”. Original production directed and staged by Moss Hart. At the Royal Spa Centre from 24 – 28 March 2026. Evenings 7.30pm: Saturday Matinee 2.30pm. Preview Leamington and Warwick Musical Society (LWMS) has had a fabulous time recently bringing modern-era musicals to t
ann-evans
1 day ago2 min read
Looney Tunes: The Day The Earth Blew Up
Coming to a cinema near you. Vertigo Releasing announce that the wacky and beloved world of award-winning Looney Tunes will be returning to UK and Irish cinemas in a new Warner Brothers Animation movie - The Day The Earth Blew Up from 13 February 2026. Directed by Pete Browngardt. Cert PG. 90-minutes duration. Review by Ann Evans Go on, treat the kids! Actually, treat yourself as well! Channel that inner child and enjoy a night at the movies with Porky Pig and Daffy Duck
ann-evans
2 days ago3 min read
Pinball Wizardry
Rosalie Armstrong and Samuel Koppel. Photo courtesy of the Criterion. The Who’s Tommy, written by Des McAnuff and Pete Townshend, at the Criterion Theatre Earlsdon from 31 January – 7 February. Director Debra Relton Elves, Musical Director Rob Parish, Production Assistant Timothy East. Review by Hilary Hopker There was an excited and busy hubbub in the newly renovated foyer of the Criterion Theatre as show goers explored the renovation changes. There’s now more space and ligh
Hilary Hopker
4 days ago2 min read
Jane Eyre at The Priory
Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte, adapted by Catherine Prout, at The Priory Theatre, Rosemary Hill, Kenilworth CV8 1BN, from 14 – 21 February 2026. Directors Ashley Hirons and Emma Marshall. Preview A Gothic masterpiece of tempestuous passions and dark secrets by Charlotte Bronte, Jane Eyre follows the story of an orphan girl and her journey from a childhood of loneliness and cruelty to a life at Thornfield Hall and an unlikely relationship with the mysterious Mr Rochester. Fa
ann-evans
4 days ago1 min read
The Improvesarios at The Loft
The Improvesarios. Photo by Claire Shovelton. Improvesarios in the Loft Theatre Studio on Saturday, 14 February at 7.30pm. Preview Join the Improvesarios, returning to The Loft Studio Theatre, Leamington Spa following their appearance in 2025, for an evening of fun and mayhem as they put down their scores and put their creative prowess to the test. Using your suggestions, this group of classically trained musicians improvise a brand new opera completely on the spot! Help th
ann-evans
5 days ago1 min read
Talisman stages Steven Moffat’s raucous comedy ‘The Unfriend’
Peter (Mark Plastow) and Debbie (Esther Riggs) hide from Elsa (Julie-Ann Randell). Photographer: Robert Warner; post-production: Mark Plastow. The Unfriend by Steven Moffat at the Talisman Theatre and Arts Centre, Kenilworth from 9 – 14 February 2026 at 7.30pm. Preview For its first show of 2026, the Talisman Theatre is delighted to announce the staging of The Unfriend, the new play by award-winning writer Steven Moffat (Doctor Who, Sherlock). After premiering in 2022 to
Sharon Sully
6 days ago2 min read
Candide - Can this be the best of all possible worlds?
Candide at Warwick Arts Centre. Leonard Bernstein’s Candide based on Voltaire’s satirical novel performed by the Student Society Opera Warwick at Warwick Arts Centre from 12 to 13 February 2026. Directed by Millie Jeffries and conducted by Michał Matusz. Preview. Join Candide on a whirlwind, globe-trotting adventure packed with satire, romance and chaos. Guided by the ever-optimistic Pangloss, Candide and his beloved Cunegonde face disaster, danger and absurdity at every turn
ann-evans
Jan 291 min read
The Herbal Bed - a true life Shakespearean tale
L-R: Bishop Parry (Jonathan West), John Hall (Tony Homer), Susanna Hall (Hannah McBride), Rafe Smith (Dominic Rose). Photo by Chris Clarke. The Herbal Bed written by Peter Whelan, directed by Danny Masewicz, a Bear Pit Theatre Company Production running from 27 to 31 January 2026. Review by Ann Evans The Herbal Bed is based on the true story of Susanna Hall, the eldest daughter of William Shakespeare who in 1613 was the subject of a public slander case accused of adultery and
ann-evans
Jan 284 min read
Half Term Fun at Warwick Arts Centre
Tales from Acorn Wood Live. Photo credit Mark Senior. There’s lots going on at Warwick Arts Centre this February Half Term (covering Saturday 14 February to Sunday 22 February 2026). Classic tales, woodland adventures, revolting science experiments, free workshops, magic and more! Preview Writer Julia Donaldson and illustrator Axel Scheffler’s beloved stories come to life in Tales From Acorn Wood Live (Saturday 21 & Sunday 22 February 2026). Packed full of toe-tapping song
ann-evans
Jan 272 min read
Don't Go Into The Cellar!
Nineteenth century true crime! A spooky night is promised at the Anglican Chapel set in the London Road Cemetery this Saturday, 31 January at 7pm. Presented by Don’t Go Into The Cellar – the theatre company that brings new adaptations of 19 th century literature’s greatest ghost and horror stories to modern day audiences. If you dare, you’ll see how Scotland Yard Investigates infamous true-life crimes. During the course of this macabre performance, you’ll encounter many n
ann-evans
Jan 262 min read
Playbox Theatre stages Romeo and Juliet this Valentine season
Sam Almond will play Romeo. Photo courtesy of Playbox Theatre. Romeo and Juliet at The Dream Factory, Warwick, from Thursday 12 to Saturday 14 February 2026. Directed by Mary King. Preview Shakespeare’s timeless tragedy is re-imagined for a new generation. Playbox Theatre opens its 2026 season at The Dream Factory, Warwick with a bold new production of Shakespeare’s ageless love story, Romeo and Juliet. Launching the company’s 40th anniversary year, Founding Director Mary Ki
ann-evans
Jan 242 min read
It's a swashbuckling adventure with Rugby Theatre!
The Pirates are plotting! Gemma Kettle, Suzanne Swan, Emily Stafford and Longjohns Silver Simon Burne. Photo by Martin Pulley. Treasure Island at Rugby Theatre from 23 January to 1 February 2026. Written by Michael Read, directed by Emma Bright. Review by Ann Evans Ahoy there me hearties! Rugby Theatre have set sail on the high seas with a swashbuckling adventure to Treasure Island. And determined to find Captain Flint’s buried treasure are Nanny von Tripe and dashing hero Ji
ann-evans
Jan 243 min read
Former Leicester Tigers player takes to Rugby's stage!
L-R: Former England captain Lewis Moody, panto star Rob Field and another friend. A former rugby player is swapping scrums for singing and dancing by taking part in Rugby Theatre’s swashbuckling family pantomime Treasure Island, to raise money for his friend, the former England captain Lewis Moody, who was recently diagnosed with Motor Neurone Disease. Rob Field played over 200 first class games during the 1990s with Leicester Tigers, Coventry, Rugby Lions and the Midlands, a
Rosie Fuller
Jan 232 min read
Animal Farm at The Loft
Foreground Henry Clark as Snowball and David Bennett as Napoleon. Photo by Richard Smith. Animal Farm by George Orwell adapted by Peter Hall at The Loft Theatre, Leamington from 21 to 31 January. Music by Richard Peaslee, lyrics by Adrian Mitchell. Directed by Mark Crossley. Review by Ann Evans The Loft Theatre Company tackle the George Orwell classic Animal Farm and make an excellent job of re-telling this satirical dystopian story where the farm animals on Manor Farm reb
ann-evans
Jan 223 min read
Criterion welcomes the new year with a new look theatre and a new show!
The Criterion Theatre, nestled in the heart of the Earlsdon community, is set to launch its 2026 season at the end of January, following the completion of its modernised new front of house area. The theatre, located in Berkeley Road South and run entirely by volunteers, has over the last seven months embarked on by far the biggest development project since first welcoming audiences through its doors in 1961. The work has been completed by a mixture of local tradespeople and m
ann-evans
Jan 212 min read
Girl Blue - A new play by June Carryl on the life and work of Nina Simone
Girl Blue. Photo courtesy of June Carryl. A new play by June Carryl, exploring the cost of artistic genius through the life and work of Nina Simone. Directed by Michael Matthews A new play inspired by the life and inner world of Nina Simone, GIRL BLUE will receive its first UK industry presentation at Seven Dials Playhouse, London, on Wednesday 21 January, as part of its development toward future public performances later in the year. Written by award-winning playwright June
ann-evans
Jan 202 min read
Romance is in the air at Stratford Butterfly Farm
The Glasswing Butterfly. Photo courtesy of Stratford Butterfly Farm. As the half term holiday (14 – 22 February) falls over Valentine’s weekend, Stratford Butterfly Farm is inviting families to enjoy the magical experience of wandering through the tropical rainforest filled with colourful butterflies. With fish-filled pools, waterfalls and lush plants and blooms, the popular family attraction is the perfect place to share a moment of wonder. Being one of the most romantic set
Tanya Aspinwall
Jan 192 min read
Enjoy a gloriumptious glimpse behind the scenes of the RSC’s BFG
John Leader as The BFG backstage at the RSC. Photographer credit: Simon Hadley. Jaw-dropping giants, oversized snozzcumbers, iridescent dream jars and frobscottle fit for the Queen of Enger-land herself; these are just some of the incredible items currently to be found backstage at the Royal Shakespeare Theatre in The BFG, a new co-production from the Royal Shakespeare Company (RSC), Chichester Festival Theatre, the Roald Dahl Story Company, Singapore Repertory Theatre and Es
ann-evans
Jan 172 min read
