Image by Second Thoughts Productions. Ladies Down Under. Second Thoughts Productions at The Bear Pit Theatre, Stratford-upon-Avon, from 21 October 2026–24 October 2026. Preview by Charles Essex Amanda Whittington’s trilogy of plays about four women who work in a fish processing factory in Hull has proved to be enduringly popular. Ladies Down Under is the second of the series, as the four friends splash their winnings from the races, seen in Ladies Day, on the trip of a lif

Jon Kerr and John-Robert Partridge. Photo by FuzFilms. Sweeney Todd and the String of Pearls presented by Tread The Boards at The Attic Theatre, Stratford-upon-Avon, 16 October – 7 November. Preview by Charles Essex. The name Sweeney Todd is well known and the fictitious story has been told in many formats. It started as a serialised story in the ‘penny dreadfuls’, 19th Century cheap popular literature, in which the “Demon Barber” murdered customers in his shop on Fleet St

Catherine Clark, Mark Carey, Alan Clark. Photo courtesy of Stratford Theatre Company. Under the Greenwood Tree. Saturday 10 October at Ilmington Village Hall. There is further performance of this highly recommended production at Wellesbourne Village Hall (CV35 9NH) on Friday 16 October at 7.30 pm. Review by Charles Essex. Under the Greenwood Tree was Thomas Hardy’s second novel, a forerunner to his much better known Far From the Madding Crowd and subsequent Wessex series o

Onyx Brass. Photo courtesy of the artists. Onyx Brass will play in Rugby School Chapel CV22 5EH, Thursday 15 October at 7.45pm. Running time: 70 minutes, no interval. Preview Enjoy an evening inside one of Rugby’s most spectacular buildings, listening to one of Britain’s finest brass ensembles! Onyx Brass comes to Rugby School Chapel on Thursday 15 October for an evening of brilliant live music in a setting just made for it. Celebrating over 30 years at the forefront of cha

Photo courtesy of the BMM. Are you ready for an October Half-Term to remember? From 24 October – 1 November, the British Motor Museum is bringing a full calendar of activities and experiences to enjoy, inspired by Forza Horizon 6: The Experience. This exciting new exhibition, which opened in May, gives visitors the chance to discover a fantastic line-up of cars from the new game and get behind the wheel of a state-of-the-art racing simulator to test their mettle in the digit

Ty'rone Haughton. Photo courtesy of the artist. Made You Look at the Belgrade Theatre, Coventry B2 Stage, on Saturday 17 October. Ty'rone Haughton's One-Man Poetry Show. Preview Made You Look is a visceral and explosive one-man poetry show with Ty’rone Haughton, interrogating masculinity and what it means to be an immigrant in a Britain growing increasingly hostile towards minorities and women. This is more than just words on a stage, it’s performance poetry at its most poten

Miniature weight by Three Dandy. Photo by Rob Tysall Pro Photography. The Miniatura Show takes place this weekend, 10 – 11 October 2026 at Stoneleigh NAEC near Coventry. Open from 10am to 4pm. Preview It’s Miniatura time once more! The fabulous show of all things miniature crafted by some of the best miniaturists in the country. Make sure you have your tickets to enjoy this incredible event. Miniatura has been running since 1983, founded by Muriel and Bob Hopwood and now unde

Voila! Theatre Festival announces 2026 lineup: London’s Multi-Venue, Panlingual Fringe Festival. Eight London Venues,101 Shows and Events, 60 Languages, 450 Artists. Running from 2 - 22 November 2026. Preview. Theatre in 60 different languages will take over eight London venues this year, as 450 artists come together for Voila! Theatre Festival’s exhilarating programme of 101 shows and events. Reflecting contemporary flows of cultures, stories and aesthetics, this vibrant ce

Mist Over Avalon at the Bear Pit Theatre, Stratford-upon -Avon, Friday 16 and Saturday 17 October 2026 7.30pm. Written by Tony Peters, performed by Susannah Foy. Preview "It befell in the days of Uther Pendragon…” Following the huge success of her one woman show on the life of Mary Shelley last year, Susannah Foy returns to the stage this autumn accompanied by three musicians. Her new project is an Arthurian fantasy, a new play written by Tony Peters with the story of the so

Les Amazones D'Afrique. Photo credit Karen Paulina Biswell. African Soul Rebels at Warwick Arts Centre on 6 October 2026. Review by Barbara Goulden Exhilarating, enveloping and ultimately exhausting were the performances by African Soul Rebels at Warwick Arts Centre. This was because audience members simply could not stop clapping, dancing and even joining in - especially members of Coventry's own Worldsong choir who were thrilled to be invited to stand up and join in a ch

The Snowman at the Birmingham REP from 20 October to 1 November 2026. It then heads to the Peacock Theatre, Sadler Wells home in the West End from 21 November to 3 January 2027. Directed and choreographed by Olivier award-winning Will Tuckett. The production is based on the much-loved wordless picture book by Raymond Briggs published by Penguin and featuring Howard Blake’s acclaimed score, including the iconic Walking in the Air. Preview Sharing the role of The Boy in thi

Sweeney Todd the Demon Barber of Fleet Street. Photo courtesy of Birmingham REP. The Birmingham Rep is delighted to have received four award nominations in the forthcoming UK Theatre Awards and Asian Media Awards. The Rep’s recent record-breaking and critically acclaimed production of Sweeney Todd The Demon Barber of Fleet Street is nominated for ‘Best Musical Production’ in the UK Theatre Awards. Small Island, a co-production with Leeds Playhouse and Nottingham Playhouse i

Under the Greenwood Tree by Thomas Hardy adapted and performed by Mark Carey with live music from ARKangel. At Ilmington Village Hall, Shipston-on-Stour on Friday 9 October and Saturday 10 October. Presented by Stratford Theatre Company. Preview by Charles Essex. Under the Greenwood Tree was Thomas Hardy’s second novel, published anonymously like his first novel, and the first of his Wessex series of novels. It follows the trials and tribulations of the village choir, who

No Escape present nine horror-led escape rooms across London. Photo courtesy of No Escape. From haunted toys and murderous dentists to demonic forces and a Cold War nuclear threat, No Escape’s nine horror-led escape rooms across four London venues will offer some of the capital’s most atmospheric ways to celebrate Halloween from 23 October – 1 November 2026. Tickets on sale from 5 October. Preview by Emilia Matyja Immediately thrust under ribbed vaults and besieged by pointed

Matt Parker. Photo courtesy of the artist. Getting Triggy With It: Matt Parker does the maths, at Warwick Arts Centre on Wednesday 14 October starting at 7.15pm. Preview Matt Parker talks a lot of maths. He's a NYT best-selling author and sold-out stand-up performer, as well as a popular YouTube personality. Matt has previously held world records for both the Rubik’s Cube and Space Invaders. In the pursuit of maths, Matt has: flipped a coin 10,000 times, travelled to Antarcti

Five Star Theatre bring you Guys & Dolls. Photo credit Gaz Hood. Guys and Dolls, presented by Five Star Theatre at The Benn Hall, Rugby from Thursday 1 October to Saturday 3 October 2026. Review by Ann Cee My luck was in at The Benn Hall last night when the superb Five Star Theatre presented an exuberant Guys and Dolls. This Broadway legend of a show has music and lyrics (Frank Loesser) which salsa round your heartstrings until you are betting your last sot on the most un

Photo courtesy of Tease. Tease – Burlesque and Cabaret at The Albany Theatre Coventry on 1 October for one night only. Review by Ann Evans Burlesque, cabaret, circus, acrobatics, music and comedy. Tease has it all. This sensational, glamorous show, brought its unique brand of sensuous entertainment to Coventry for one night only, and the audience loved it. With an excellent host and compare – except she introduced herself faster than I could note down her name, belted out s

Nick Milton, Jane Ormsby, Eloise Essig, Fiona Robson and Lynne Neale. Photo credit Phoenix Players. The Holey Matrimony written and directed 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. Review by Charles Essex Allan was the popular vicar of the local parish church, happily married to Sally, who was dutifully at his side. He ministered to his flock; she ran the

In rehearsals. Photo courtesy of The Saints. "Saints Present..." is the latest production from Saints Drama Company. The production runs from Tuesday 13 October to Saturday 17 October, 7.30pm start. At Allesley Village Hall, Birmingham Road, Coventry CV5 9GX. Preview "Saints Present..." is an evening of short plays written by members of the group. There are a variety of themes throughout the plays, providing an evening of entertainment. Some may make you laugh, some may mak