Showmasters’ Collectormania, Middleton Hall, centre:mk, Middleton Hall, Milton Keynes, from 29 – 31 May 2026. Free Admittance. Organisers, Showmasters bring the amazing Collectormania back to the centre:mk Europe’s largest Free to Enter Comic Con! Here’s your chance to meet starts from film and TV, take part in photoshoots, autograph sessions and explore hundreds of stalls full of TV and film memorabilia. Famous names from film and TV include Brian Blessed, Lesley Ash, Math

Sir Kenneth Branagh as Prospero. Photo by Johan Persson. The Tempest by William Shakespeare at the Royal Shakespeare Theatre, Stratford-upon-Avon, on until June 20. Directed by Richard Eyre. Review by Julie Chamberlain Kenneth Branagh in the key role of Prospero - his first performance at Stratford in 30 years - is clearly the big draw to this sold-out production, and he does not disappoint. From the moment he strides on to the stage in silence, sits behind a music stand an

Coming to the Bear Pit Theatre. Terry Pratchett’s® Discworld® comes to life at The Bear Pit Theatre, Stratford Upon Avon this summer from 1 - 4 July 2026 with Second Thoughts’ production of Guards! Guards!, adapted by Stephen Briggs. Directed by Lynda Jephson. Preview The city of Ankh-Morpork is under attack from all sides. Their only defence? The City’s fumbling, unskilled (and sometimes drunken) Night Watch, headed up by a cynical Captain Vimes. When Carrot, an over-enthusi

King Charles III meets the cast of the Tempest. Photo courtesy of the RSC. On Friday 22 May the Patron of the Royal Shakespeare Company, His Majesty King Charles III, joined audiences at the Royal Shakespeare Theatre, Stratford-upon-Avon for a performance of The Tempest directed by Sir Richard Eyre and starring Sir Kenneth Branagh, who is playing Prospero for the first time in a career that has included thirty-five productions of Shakespeare to date. On arrival, His Majes

Shetland Pony Grand National. Photo credit Rob Tysall Pro Photography. The Great British Farm-Fest drew in thousands of people over the weekend, the glorious weather adding to the enjoyment. And you certainly didn’t have to be involved in the farming world to enjoy the show. There was everything for a great family day out - plus you would take the dog too. Organisers were calling this ‘Britain’s biggest farming party!’ Held at the NAEC Stoneleigh in Warwickshire it was hoste

Kaleb Cooper and Jeremy Clarkson. Photo credit Paul Cooke. Thousands Flock to Day Two of The Great British Farm-Fest as Jeremy Clarkson Champions British Farming “Every person needs a farmer three times a day,” declared Festival host Jeremy Clarkson to roaring applause from thousands of visitors as Day Two of The Great British Farm-Fest delivered another unforgettable celebration of British farming, food, countryside culture and live entertainment. Junior Jockey's have fun in

Tom's Midnight Garden. Image courtesy of Playbox Theatre. Playbox Theatre present Tom's Midnight Garden by David Wood, adapted from the novel by Philippa Pearce at The Dream Factory, Warwick from Thursday 4 June – Sunday 7 June 2026. Director Mary King – Founding and Executive Director of Playbox Theatre. Preview This summer, time stands still at The Dream Factory. Playbox Theatre invites audiences to step through the ticking clock into Tom's Midnight Garden, David Wood's acc

The talented cast. Photo courtesy of the Masqueraders. Crazy For You - Music and lyrics by George Gershwin and Ira Gershwin, book by Ken Ludwig. Presented by the Masqueraders Theatrical Society at Abbey Theatre, Nuneaton, from 21 – 23 May 2026. Directed by Angie Adams. Assistant Director & Producer Mike Chappell, Musical Director Dave Adams. Choreography Gemma Eales and Chloe Jupe. Review by Ann Evans It was another fabulously entertaining show from the Masqueraders Theatri

Neil Bain as Mr Myers Q.C. as the trial gets underway. Photo by Steve Vent. Witness for the prosecution by Agatha Christie at the Priory Theatre, Kenilworth from 20 – 30 May 2026. Directed by Mike Brooks. Review by Ann Evans Agatha Christie fans are in their element this week as the Priory Theatre presents Witness For The Prosecution, a courtroom drama where a young man faces the gallows if found guilty of murder. A wealthy, elderly widow, Emily French has been found murde

Glorious! written by Peter Quilter. Directed by Kirk Jameson. At The Belgrade Theatre from 19 – 23 May 2026. Review by Amanda Burden It is a truth universally acknowledged that I cannot sing. Never mind the people who say kindly “but everyone can sing!”. My caterwauling would have Gareth Malone reaching for a stiff gin with a Nurofen chaser and quietly rethinking every life choice that led him to standing in a draughty church hall coaxing middle managers through a rendition o

The cast of The Welkin. Photo by Paul Bovey. The Welkin written by Lucy Kirkwood, Directed by Peter Daly-Dickson. At the Saints Drama Society, Allesley Village Hall, Coventry from 19 – 23 May 2026. Review by Ann Evans I’ve seen a number of productions put on by the Saints Drama Society but The Welkin by Lucy Kirkwood, with its large cast of 18, directed by Peter Daly-Dickson is in my opinion their best so far. They take on this critically acclaimed play, first aired by The Na

Charlie Hamblett and Anton Lesser. Photo courtesy of the artists. Red Sky at Sunrise: Laurie Lee in Words and Music, Orchestra of the Swan, Warwick Arts Centre, 19 May 2026. Hambletts Productions. Review by Ann Cee Last night I slipped into an almost forgotten, rural idyll and was cradled in the dreamy British countryside at a time when the pace of life seemed more human. The exceptional Orchestra of the Swan and awesome Anton Lesser and Charlie Hamblett created an exquis

Jo Banbury as Blanche (seated) and Paige Phelps as Stella. Photo by Gwyn Davies. A Streetcar Named Desire written by Tennessee Williams, directed by Chris Carpenter, at The Talisman Theatre, Kenilworth from 18 – 23 May 2026. Review by Ann Evans The Talisman Theatre, Kenilworth take us on an emotional journey down to New Orleans as Blanche DuBois arrives at the shabby apartment of her younger sister Stella Kowalski and her husband Stanley. It’s late spring 1947 and the weath

Coming to The Bear Pit Theatre, Stratford-upon-Avon. The Lady in the Van by Alan Bennett at The Bear Pit Theatre, Stratford-upon-Avon from 5 – 13 June 2026. Directed by Jo Knight. Preview When a woman in a battered old van is offered a temporary place to stay, it seems like a simple act of kindness. A few days becomes a few weeks. Then months. Then Years. Alan Bennett’s The Lady in the Van is the remarkable true story of Miss Shepherd, a sharp, stubborn and often infuriatin

Graham Macdonell and Cassandra Wilson. Photo by Andrew Maguire Photography. TWO written by Jim Cartwright, performed by Tread the Boards at The Attic Theatre, Stratford-upon-Avon, from 15 - 24 May 2026. Directed by Ash Bayliss. Review by Charles Essex The landlord and landlady (Graham Macdonell and Cassandra Wilson) are genial and full of bonhomie in their northern pub in a working-class area, but the affability and banter quickly dissipate as they fire sharp barbs at each

A Phoenix Night Rises, performed at The Bear Pit Theatre, Stratford-upon-Avon, Saturday 16 May 2026. Review by Charles Essex. The Phoenix Players theatre company is 80-years-old and this variety evening was an opportunity to showcase the various performance genres and the talents of their members in 17 songs and comic sketches, and two one act plays. The evening kicked off with a rousing rendition of I’m gonna be [500 miles] involving all the cast, followed by an eveni

Max Cooper at WAC. Photo courtesy of Antony Hopker. Max Cooper, Warwick Arts Centre, 15 May 2026 Review by Antony Hopker Live electronic music can be something of an acquired taste. The performance is generally watching the artist mixing, flicking switches, triggering sequences. Cynics may say that you’re not watching anything live as it’s all pre-programmed. Max Cooper blew any such notions away with a stunning visual show where he laid down the tracks to a dazzling mont

Show poster. Glorious written by Peter Quilter and directed by Kirk Jameson at the Belgrade Theatre from 19 – 23 May 2026. Preview Florence Foster Jenkins is about to blow your mind… and possibly your eardrums. Glorious! follows Florence’s journey as she prepares for her concerts, builds an unlikely friendship with her accompanist, Cosme, and defies her critics to follow her dreams. Dubbed ‘the worst singer in the world,’ Glorious! is the true story of American socialite

The company of Mallory Towers. Photo by Steve Tanner. Malory Towers from the novels by Enid Blyton and adapted and directed By Emma Rice, at the Belgrade Theatre as part of the UK Tour, from 12 - 16 May. Tour dates and venues below. Review by Amanda Burden. Three proof points that would have convinced 10-year-old me that adult me had absolutely won at life. 1. I saw Bananarama live (Godiva Festival, 2023. Potentially the best gig I’ve ever seen). 2. I once sat in the So