L-R Ben Nealon, Bill Ward, Gray O’Brien, Ricky Norwood, Tristan Gemmill. Photo courtesy of Manuel Harlan. Twelve Angry Men written by Reginald Rose at The Birmingham Repertory Theatre, running until 26 September 2026. Directed by Christoher Haydon. Review by Charles Essex. The story starts in the jury room as the 12 jurors retire to consider their verdict. A teenager with a track record of antisocial behaviour has murdered his father, with compelling evidence of his guilt

The cast of Much Ado About Nothing. Photo by Martin Pulley. Much Ado About Nothing by William Shakespeare at Rugby Theatre, Henry Street from 19 - 26 September 2026. Directed by Ashley Hirons. Review by Ann Evans Hats off to the Rugby Theatre for tackling Shakespeare’s romantic comedy, Much Ado About Nothing. This tale full of gossip, mischief, lies and deception is in a nutshell about two couples, one pair, Hero (Jennifer Pratt) and Claudia (Eleanor Derrick). This character

Richard Jones begins his show. Photo courtesy of the artist. Richard Jones – The Soldier of Illusion and winner of Britain’s Got Talent 2016 – the only magician in the history of the show incidentally to have taken the top spot, brought his incredible magic to The Albany Theatre last night. Richard who spent 12 years in the British Army currently tours with three different shows, Mission Magic, Masters of Deception and The Sound of Magic which was the show at the Albany Theat

Johnny (Richard Sandle-Keynes) and Judy (Lily Skinner). Photo by Chris Clarke. Home, I’m Darling, by Laura Wade at the Bear Pit Theatre, Stratford-upon-Avon from 18 - 26 September 2026. Directed by Jacquie Campbell. Assistant Director Elliot Gear. Review by Ann Evans. With a back-to-front title such as Home, I’m Darling, you can guess there’s going to be a few surprises – and you wouldn’t be wrong. Johnny and Judy appear to be living the dream. It’s the 1950s - or at least

Ben Wellicombe. Photo by Steve Vent. Queers. Performed at The Priory Theatre, Kenilworth Friday 18 September, running until Saturday 19 September 2026. Curated by Mark Gatiss for the BBC. Directed by Mark Jefferies. Review by Charles Essex Spanning 100 years in this clever series of soliloquies, seven characters discussed their inner thoughts of being LGBQT+ against the norms and attitudes of their eras. The themes discussed gave an indication of the decade, especially if

(L-R): Paul Sully as Ed, Will Shelton as Christopher, Jane Bracey as Siobhan & Jo Banbury as Judy. Photo by Robert Warner. The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night Time by Mark Haddon, adapted from his novel by Simon Stephens. Directed by Sharon Sully. At The Talisman Theatre, Kenilworth from Monday 28 September - Saturday 3 October 2026, evenings at 7:30pm. Relaxed performance Wednesday 30 September 7.30pm. Preview by Guy Devine. The Talisman Theatre is set to bring on

Liberty Stotter, Geraldine Sacdalan, Lou Henry, Jessica Lbadin. Photo by Pamela Raith. Heathers: The Musical at The Belgrade Theatre from 15 – 19 September. Review by Alison Manning School can be a tough place, where popular kids are top of the pecking order and others are picked on, made fun of and victimised. What does it take to survive? Heathers: The Musical, presented by Bill Kenwright Ltd & Paul Taylor-Mills, currently at the Belgrade Theatre, Coventry, is a school d

One of the many tanks at The Tank Museum. Photo courtesy of Rob Levett-Millett. The Tank Museum, Bovington, Dorset. Review by Rob Levett-Millett A collection of over 300 military vehicles sets a high bar of expectation which The Tank Museum somehow obliterates with heavy ordinance. You may look at a map of Bovington, Dorset and see the Museum, its neighbour Monkey World, and assume you have a plan for a two-stage day out. You will assume wrong. There will be no time for Monke

St John Rosse_Nicholas_Powwow on the Beach. Royal Society of Marine Artists Annual Exhibition 2026, held at the Mall Galleries, London, from 16 to 26 September 2026 from 10am to 5pm. Admission: £7 (Free for Friends of Mall Galleries and under 25s, concessions available). No booking required Preview As the Royal Society of Marine Artists’ (RSMA) prepares for its 81st Annual Exhibition at the Federation of British Artists’ Mall Galleries this September, new figures reveal a suc

Dial M For Murder. Photo credit Danny Kaan. Dial M For Murder written by written by Frederick Knott will be at The Belgrade Theatre from Tuesday 22 September to Saturday 26 September. Directed by Josh Mathieson. Phil&Ben Productions announce a UK tour of Dial M for Murder supported by PW Productions as part of a long-term commitment to revitalising touring drama Phil&Ben Productions are delighted to announce a new production of Frederick Knott’s classic thriller Dial M For

David Lutken in Woody Sez. Photo credit Roger Mastroianni. Woody Sez: The Life & Music Of Woody Guthrie, devised by David M. Lutken, is performed at the Underbelly Boulevard Soho from 8 to 19 September 2026. Directed by Nick Corley. Review by Emilia Matyja Woody Guthrie’s musical biography returns to Soho with a historically soulful zing of joy you can find in a live-music bar. David M. Lutken resurrects Woody Guthrie – a singer-composer of American folk songs that captured

The Company of Middlemarch. Photo (c) Johan Persson. Middlemarch Parts 1 & 2 By Nina Raine. From the novel by George Eliot. A co-production with Second Half Productions. Directed by Jeremy Herrin. At The Swan Theatre, Stratford-upon-Avon from Saturday 10 October until Saturday 16 January 2027. Preview The Royal Shakespeare Company (RSC) has released rehearsal photography for the upcoming production of Middlemarch, George Eliot’s expansive study on provincial life, adapted

Our House - Madness Musical, presented by Albany Creates Together (ACT), The Albany Theatre's in-house community theatre company. Our House runs from Thursday 29 October to Sunday 1 November 2026. Preview Coventry's musical heritage will take centre stage this autumn as local performers bring Our House, the Olivier Award-winning musical featuring the iconic music of Madness, to The Albany Theatre – on the very same road that played a part in the city's legendary 2 Tone story

Coming to the Loft Theatre Leamington. Middle by David Eldridge, at The Loft Theatre, Leamington from Wednesday 23 September to Saturday 3 October. Directed by Viki Betts. Preview It’s 4am, a couple are in the kitchen together as dawn breaks. It is time for an honest conversation – but how much honesty can any marriage take? Middle is a truthful, moving and funny portrait of a forty-something couple whose marriage hangs in the balance. David Eldridge wrote a trilogy of plays

SINS, at the Albany Theatre, Coventry - 10 September 2026 Review by Amanda Burden Two questions. 1. Do you like the slasher film Saw? 2. Do you want to be IN the slasher film Saw? Be honest. Nobody is going to knock on your door. This is not a hidden psychological test designed to root out homicidal maniacs. No-one will check your browser history afterwards. But if you harbour a small, private fantasy about sitting safely in the dark while other people endure increasingly hor

The cast of After Party. Photo courtesy of Marc Brenner. After Party by Morna Young at the Belgrade Theatre until 11 September 2026 Review by Amanda Burden This week I have been lucky enough to review two shows about hard-living celebrities contemplating their own demise. The first was the true story of Dr Feelgood guitarist Wilko Johnson. The second is the fictional actress Vivienne Blackwood in Morna Young’s After Party, directed by Katie Posner and currently at the Belgrad

Beatrice (Emma Marshall) and Benedick (Karl Smith). Photo by Martin Pulley. Much Ado About Nothing by William Shakespeare, at Rugby Theatre from 19 to 26 September 2026. Directed by Ash Hirons. Preview by Rosie Fuller A much-loved Shakespeare comedy about two ill-fated sets of lovers is next up from the talented actors at Rugby Theatre. Much Ado About Nothing features the iconic duo Beatrice and Benedick, who claim they despise each other and will never marry. Joining them ar

EA participants. Photo courtesy of the BMM. This autumn, the British Motor Museum will partner with Playground Games to host two exciting STEM Careers Days for KS2 students. Held on 13 & 14 October, the days will be packed with hands-on activities, interactive tours, and inspirational talks. These events will give students the chance to explore real-world STEM skills and discover how their interests and school studies could lead to future careers. Each day runs from 9:30am to

Jon House in Wilko. Photo by Nick Haeffner.. Wilko: Love and Death and Rock ’n’ Roll by Jonathan Maitland at the Belgrade Theatre until 9 September 2026 Review by Amanda Burden I know very little about Dr Feelgood. This is not something I am proud of. In fact, when I invited my brother to see Wilko: Love and Death and Rock ’n’ Roll, he reminded me of a conversation from last year in which we discovered our combined knowledge of this band amounted largely to knowing that they