Portrait Print and Best in Show: Angles and Extensions by Ester Riordan. Fittingly, a new trophy awarded for the judge’s choice of Best in Show at Leamington Spa Photographic Society’s end-of-season competition has been won by an arts-related image. It is presented in memory of long-standing LSPS member Keith Roberts, who was the LSPS membership secretary for many years and was also chairman of the Leamington Spa Arts Society. The Best in Show trophy, chosen by judge John Hai

Sir Nick Varney. Photo courtesy of the artist. The Royal Shakespeare Company (RSC) has announced the appointment of Sir Nick Varney as Trustee and Governor and Baroness Martha Lane-Fox as Governor. All appointments are subject to ratification at the Annual General Meeting. RSC Chair Shriti Vadera said: “On behalf of the Board, I am delighted to welcome Nick and Martha to the RSC. Their commercial, digital and innovation experience and commitment to access and excellence will

Folk duo Harper's Dove (Campbell Perry and Ruth Noble) at the venue for the new folk club, Oak House Sports and Social Club. Photo credit: Sybella Perry. Leamington is experiencing its very own Folk Revival as 28 April sees the relaunch of The Heart of England Folk Club, where acclaimed singers such as June Tabor and Polly Bolton first started out in the 1960s. Local folk duo Harper’s Dove are working in partnership with Oak House Sports and Social Club to create a place wher

Ed McVey (Centre) at Tom Ripley with the cast. Photo by Mark Senior. The Talented Mr Ripley by Patricia Highsmith, adapted and directed by Mark Leipacher, at the Belgrade Theatre from 13 to 18 April.  Review by Amanda Burden In many ways But Is It Cake? is the clearest illustration of the post-truth era we find ourselves lurching about in, like a drunk person heading to the bar on a Friday night. For the uninitiated: BITC? Is a game show that involves earnest contestants squ

Billy (Michael Seeley) and the Queen Mother (Gill Halford). Photo by Rob Warner. Backstairs Billy by Marcelo Dos Santos at The Talisman Theatre and Arts Centre, Kenilworth from 13 - 18 April 2026. Directed by Steve Smith. Review by Ashley Hayward. Much of the action in this delightful comedy takes back in 1979 when the so called ‘winter of discontent’ with all its divisions and industrial strife finally ended with Margaret Thatcher sweeping into power. The script concerns th

Henry Salmon, photo courtesy of the artist. Elton's Song, at Rother Street Arts House, Stratford-upon-Avon on Saturday 18 April. Preview Rother Street Arts House will host the premiere of Elton’s Song on Saturday 18 April, unveiling an electrifying new tribute show performed by a collective of local musicians. Led by Stratford-upon-Avon based pianist, piano tuner and teacher Henry Salmon, the production celebrates the timeless music of Elton John and his long-time collaborat

The people of Salem in court. Photo credit Martin Pulley. The CRUCIBLE By Arthur Miller. Presented by In The Round Theatre, directed by Robert Sloan and Darren Pratt, choreography and movement by Daisy Jones, original musical score by James Grady. In collaboration with Rugby Theatre. from 11 – 18 April 2026. Review by Ann Evans Rugby Theatre is currently enjoying a successful collaboration with the young actors and team from In The Round Theatre , opening on 11 April and run

It's chaos at the radio station. Photo credit The Loft Theatre. Live on Air… and Under Siege: Pontypool by Tony Burgess at The Loft Theatre Studio, Leamington Spa, from 21 - 25 April 2026. Directed by Hannah Brown. Preview   It’s Valentine’s Day in the remote town of Pontypool, Ontario. Beacon Radio’s morning show team are about to go viral in a way DJ Grant Mazzy could only have dreamed of, until he realises that this might be his worst nightmare. Local weatherman Ken Loney

Charlie Hamblett (L) and Anton Lesser (R) Photo credit James Northcote. Red Sky at Sunrise: Laurie Lee in Words and Music at Warwick Arts Centre, University of Warwick, Coventry CV4 7FD, Tuesday 19 May 2026 at 7.30pm. Actors Anton Lesser, Charlie Hamblett with Orchestra of the Swan. Director Judy Reaves. Music Director David Le Page. Writer Deirdre Shields. Producer Hambletts. Preview   Author, Laurie Lee’s extraordinary story - from  Cider with Rosie  to the Spanish Civil Wa

The Cast of Come From Away. Come From Away. The book, music and lyrics are by Irene Sankoff and David Hein. Directed by Nicky Main, Musical Director James Harragan. At the Priory Theatre, Kenilworth from 8 – 18 April 2026. Review by Charles Essex   While the awful events of the planes crashing into the twin towers on 9/11 filled our screens and were the only news, a little-known event was being played out 1100 miles away in Newfoundland.  The small town of Gander, which had a

Priory Theatre's first production, 80 years ago! On 8 April, as the Priory Theatre team prepare to raise the curtain on their latest production, Come From Away,  they also celebrate a truly special milestone - the day the Priory Theatre first opened its doors in 1946. The Priory story began in 1932 with the Kenilworth Players, who performed on a portable stage in the old Abbey Hotel Ballroom. After the disruption of war, the company was reborn, transforming a disused chapel i

The Choir of Man. Photo by Mark Senior. The Choir of Man, Created by Nic Doodson and Andrew Kay, directed by Nic Doodson. Direct from the West End, the Olivier Award-Nominated worldwide smash hit – now on its first ever UK tour. At the Belgrade Theatre from 7 – 11 April. Review by Margaret Mather. Set in a fictional pub called The Jungle, this show has it all. It tells the story of the great British pub institution which is sadly declining in the UK. It shows how much they ar

Mahesh Parmar, Kadiff Kirwan, Samuel Nunes De Souza & Mark Gatiss. Photo by Marc Brenner. The Resistible Rise of Arturo by Bertolt Brecht, updated by Stephen Sharkey, directed by Seán Linnen at the RSC Swan Theatre, Stratford-upon-Avon, from 11 Apr – 30 May. Preview   Here’s a peep at rehearsals prior to the production beginning its run on 11 April, featuring double Olivier award-winner Mark Gatiss in the title role of the notorious gangster and small-time crook, with big bos

l-r: Matthew Salisbury and John Nichols. Photo by Gwyn Davies.   The Talisman Theatre is proud to celebrate the success of its vibrant Fringe programme, as two original comedy pieces developed through its popular Fringe nights have been selected to perform at the prestigious Stratford One Act Festival.   The Talisman Fringe has become a vital platform for new writing, offering writers, performers and creatives the opportunity to experiment, develop ideas and share original wo

George Ormerod as Hamlet. Photo credit @FuzFilms. Hamlet by William Shakespeare. Performed by Tread the Boards at The Attic Theatre, Stratford-upon-Avon, from 4 April until 26 April. Directed by John-Robert Partridge. Review by Charles Essex   Usually set designer Adam Clarke intricately arranges the small Attic stage with a wonderful array of props, dividing the space into various ‘rooms’ so it was a surprise to find the stage empty apart from two simple benches and a plain

Eve Hatz as Jesus Christ. Photo by Lucy Barriball. The Mysteries adapted and developed from the Medieval Mystery Cycles, Performed by Playbox Theatre at The Dream Factory, Warwick from 2 to 4 April, today at 2pm and 7pm. Creation and Doomsday Directed by Emily Quash, Passion Directed by Mary King. Review by Ann Evans Incredible! Sensational! Inspirational! I honestly can’t praise this production enough.  With a cast of 60, their ages ranging from around 3 to 18 performed the

Max Cooper. Photo by the artist. Max Cooper 3D/AV Live, Feeling is Structure Album Tour. At Butterworth Hall, Warwick Arts Centre on Friday 15 May 2026. New Album out 8 May 2026. Preview Acclaimed electronic artist and multidisciplinary composer Max Cooper will be bringing his 3DAV live album show to some of the most prestigious venues throughout the UK on the back of his London sold out Royal Albert Hall performance - including Coventry's Warwick Arts Centre (15 May 2026) Re

Michael Seeley as Billy, Gill Halford as The Queen Mother. Photo by Rob Warner. Backstairs Billy by Marcelo Dos Santos at The Talisman Theatre, Kenilworth from 13 - 18 April 2026. Directed by Steve Smith. Preview The Talisman Theatre and Arts Centre invites audiences behind the doors of the Queen Mother’s official residence, serving you our newest production Backstairs Billy. Marcelo Dos Santos’ script is brought to life by director Steve Smith in a story of rivalries, affai

James Proctor as Ralph Wantage. Photo Richard Smith Photography. Frozen by Bryony Lavery, at The Loft Theatre, Leamington Spa, from 1 - 11 April 2026. Directed by Dave Crossfield. Review by Ann Evans Three talented actors portraying three very diverse characters, set the scene for a story that is every parent’s worst nightmare. The play by Bryony Lavery begins in the 1980s and ends 20 years on. At the start, mother of two young daughters, Nancy Shirley (Cheryl Laverick) is ha