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Godber’s companion to Bouncers comes to The Attic
Shakers - Under New Management. Photo credit Rob Fuz@FuzFilms Shakers: Under New Management by John Godber, presented by Tread The Boards, at The Attic Theatre, Cox's Yard, Stratford-upon-Avon, from 2 - 12 July. Preview John Godber’s play Bouncers about an evening is a seedy northern night club is well known and equally well loved. Four male actors play the eponymous bouncers but take on numerous other parts. The companion piece, co-written with Jane Thornton Shakers: Under

Charles Essex
2 hours ago2 min read


Loft success with classic Tennessee Williams' Summer and Smoke
Alma and John (Leonie Slater and Zander Gibney). Photo by Richard Smith. Summer and Smoke by Tennessee Williams at The Loft Theatre, Leamington Spa from 10 – 20 June 2026. Directed by Sue Moore. Review by Ann Evans Summer and Smoke is set in the deep south of the Mississippi around the turn of the 20th century up to around 1916. Basically, it’s a love story – one which certainly doesn’t run smoothly. Alma Winemiller (Leonie Slater) is the puritanical daughter of the gruff an

ann-evans
19 hours ago4 min read


Us, Pots and a Welsh Chapel with Keith Brymer Jones and Marj Hogarth
Keith and Marj coming to Warwick Arts Centre. Photo courtesy of the artists. Keith Brymer Jones and Marj Hogarth present Us, Pots and a Welsh Chapel at Butterworth Hall, Warwick Arts Centre on Friday 12 June 2026 8pm. Preview If you’ve been following Channel 4's Our Welsh Chapel Dream you will have already met ceramic designer Keith Brymer Jones and his partner actor and designer Marj Hogarth. This stage show gives you an opportunity to meet the beloved Great Pottery Throw Do

Hilary Hopker
2 days ago2 min read


Warwickshire Singers' Come and Sing Day welcomes all singers
Warwickshire Singers are delighted to be teaming up with Singing for Pleasure’s Ula Weber to host a Come and Sing Day at Kenilworth Methodist Church on Saturday 12 September 2026. Open to all singers, the day will be an opportunity to meet other singers and experience the joy of singing a wide range of music together, including folk, jazz, gospel and sacred. It is preferable if singers can read or follow written music, but much of the singing will be learnt in the moment. Ula

ann-evans
3 days ago1 min read


A Humorous Tragedy: Romeo and Juliet with a Difference
Image courtesy of Oddsocks Productions. Romeo and Juliet, an Oddsocks Production on at the Belgrade Theatre, Coventry until Wednesday 10 June with performances on Tuesday at 1.30pm and 7pm, and Wednesday at 1.30pm. Review by Alison Manning. Although this play needs no introduction, this version of Romeo and Juliet is Shakespeare with a difference. It is both shortened and simplified to make it more accessible to a potentially younger audience (recommended for 7+, though still

Alison Manning
3 days ago3 min read


Humour and eebygummery take the library van to East Yorkshire
L-R: James McLean, Georgina Liley, Rob Took and Catherine Warnock. Photo credit: Jobling Photography. Top of the Wold at St Peter’s Parish Hall, Market Bosworth on 6 June 2026. Performed by The Mikron Theatre. Director: Marianne McNamara. Review by Charles Essex The same four actors from Mikron’s 2025 double bill of plays return to take us on a tour the East Riding of Yorkshire in a mobile library, portraying numerous characters along the way. James McLean and Georgina L

Charles Essex
4 days ago2 min read


Warwickshire Singers Summer Concert
Following the success of their spring concert (Brahms’ German Requiem), audiences are invited to experience the rich tapestry of folk music from around the world as Warwickshire Singers present their summer concert, Echoes of Tradition, at The Old Shire Hall in Warwick on Sunday 5 July at 3pm. Warwickshire Singers are excited to be joined by soprano Evelyn Byford, baritone Gianpiero Greatorex and percussionist James Jackson. Join them for an afternoon filled with vibrant mel

ann-evans
5 days ago1 min read


Tom's Midnight Garden - Another splendid show from Playbox!
Tom played by Ben Foulerton and cast members. Photo by Lucy Barriball. Tom’s Midnight Garden adapted by David Wood from Philipa Pearce’s Carnegie Medal-winning novel. Performed by Playbox at The Dream Factory, Warwick, from 4 – 7 June. Directed by Mary King. Review by Ann Evans. One of the best things about seeing a Playbox production at the Dream Factory is the uplifting feeling their performances always give you. These young performers, aged from tots to 19-year-olds put

ann-evans
6 days ago3 min read


Triumvirate of actors deliver an 11 out of 10 production
L-R Brian Darnley and Graham Mason play Alan Bennett. Photo credit Chris Clarke. The Lady in The Van by Alan Bennett. Performed at The Bear Pit Theatre, Stratford-upon-Avon, from 6 – 13 June. Director Jo Knight. Review by Charles Essex. Alan Bennett’s description of a 15-year relationship with Miss Shepherd (Pamela Hickson), whose van gradually got closer and closer to his driveway until it finally ended up parking there permanently, was delivered with humour, tension and p

Charles Essex
6 days ago2 min read


Stand up and be counted: Our Public House serves democracy with a pint and pork scratchings
Our public House at the Belgrade. Our Public House, written by Barney Norris. Created and directed by Josephine Burton. Music and lyrics by Jonathan Walton. On at The Belgrade Theatre, Coventry, B2 Venue, from 4 – 6 June 2026. Review by Amanda Burden Long before Starbucks and Wetherspoons became entrenched in every city centre high street, the local boozer was something altogether more vital: a place to gather for a pint, a bit of a row, and the quiet national sport of over
Amanda Burden
7 days ago3 min read


Oddsocks present Romeo and Juliet at The Belgrade
Oddsocks Productions in rehearsals. Photo credit Charlie Mackenzie-Barrow. Oddsocks Productions presents Romeo and Juliet at the Belgrade Theatre, B2 Venue, from 8 – 10 June 2026. Preview A family feud divides the community! Violence stalks the streets. Who can see beyond the hate and dare to follow their heart? A pair of star-crossed lovers, Romeo and Juliet! Oddsocks return with their new take on this well-loved classic, finding laughs and pathos in the most dramatic of

ann-evans
7 days ago1 min read


Big dreams, bigger hair and blazing riffs as Rock of Ages comes to the Talisman Theatre
Rock of Ages at The Talisman. Photographer Robert Warner; post-production Mark Plastow. The Talisman Theatre is turning the volume up to eleven this summer as it presents the smash-hit musical Rock of Ages from Monday 22 June to Saturday 27 June, with performances each evening at 7.30pm. Rock of Ages arrives at the Talisman Theatre, Kenilworth in a riot of 80s rock, featuring the book by Chris D’Arienzo and arrangements and orchestrations by Ethan Popp. Preview Known for its

Sharon Sully
Jun 53 min read


Canley Through the Ages - Coventry's Canley's Parade and Big Lunch return
Canley Parade. Photo courtesy of Warwick Arts Centre. Coventry’s colourful Canley Parade, along with The Big Lunch, return on Saturday 6 June 2026 for a packed day of entertainment, food and activities for all. Bringing together residents, schools, artists, community groups, volunteers and local organisations, the annual event is one of the city's most vibrant community celebrations. Building on the success of previous years, the 2026 parade continues the tradition of cel

ann-evans
Jun 42 min read


Roald Dahl's The Enormous Crocodile at The Belgrade
The Enormous Crocodile. Photo courtesy of the Roald Dahl Story Company. Roald Dahl’s The Enormous Crocodile – the musical. Presented by The Roald Dahl Story Company. As part of a major nationwide tour it will play at The Belgrade Theatre from 11 – 14 June 2026. Preview ‘For my lunch today I would like… a nice juicy little child!’ The Enormous Crocodile is weaving his way through the jungle in search of delicious little fingers and squidgy podgy knees... Only the other jungl

ann-evans
Jun 42 min read


Get ready to rock at Rugby Theatre!
(l-r) Libby Lowe as Scaramouche, Natalie Van Spelde as Killer Queen and Wil Neale as Galileo. Photo by Martin Pulley. We Will Rock You at Rugby Theatre from 20-27 June 2026. Preview Don’t stop us now! A feel-good musical featuring Queen’s biggest hits is next up at Rugby Theatre, and tickets are selling fast. We Will Rock You is set in a dystopian future, where musical instruments are banned and rock music is dead. The evil Killer Queen has crushed creativity, and only compu

Rosie Fuller
Jun 41 min read


Classic and Modern Motoring Shows Galore!
The Metro and Mini Show. Photo courtesy of the BMM. The British Motor Museum will host a full schedule of ten classic and modern motoring shows throughout June and July. These will include the Banbury Run on 7 June, Classic & Vintage Commercial Show on 13 & 14 June, Aston Martin Owners Club Festival on 21 June, Ford Nationals on 28 June, Wythall BusFest on 4 July, National Metro & Mini Show on 5 July, BMC & Leyland Show on 12 July, Rootes Heritage Day and Old Ford Rally on 19

Tanya Aspinwall
Jun 34 min read


Jools Holland coming to Warwick Arts Centre
Jules Holland. Photo courtesy of the artist. Jools Holland and his Rhythm and Blues Orchestra with special star Roachford and guest, vocalists Ruby Turner, Louise Marshall and Sumudu Jayatilaka on Saturday 13 June at 7.30pm, Butterworth Hall, Warwick Arts Centre. Preview As the UK's most popular pianist and bandleader, Jools Holland OBE has performed and recorded with some of the most talented musicians and songwriters in the world, including Eric Clapton, the late George H

ann-evans
Jun 22 min read


The HandleBards Summer Season will be at Coventry Cathedral
The Handlebards. Photo courtesy of the artists. This summer, The HandleBards bring you a wacky and wonderful Macbeth AND a fast-paced and farcical As You Like It to beautiful outdoor spaces across the UK. Written by William Shakespeare | Directed by Mark Collier Touring 21 May - 11 September 2026. As You Like it will be performed at Coventry Cathedral on the 11 July at 5pm. Preview The HandleBards are an intrepid four-strong troupe, and this summer they are making HBs his

ann-evans
Jun 12 min read


Swinging at the Cotton Club
The Lindy Hop Dance Company. Image credit The Lindy Hop Dance Company. Swinging at the Cotton Club, at The Cidermill Theatre, Chipping Camden, Saturday 30 May. Review by Charles Essex A combination of great musicianship, dancing and singing recreated the Roaring 20s and 30s at New Yorks’s most famous jazz venue, The Cotton Club. The 8-piece Harry Strutter Hot Rhythm Orchestra started the evening with a Duke Ellington number Jubilee Stomp. The Lindy Hop Dance Company burs

Charles Essex
May 312 min read

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