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

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

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

Leonie Slater as Alma, and Zander Gibney as John. Photo by Richard Smith Photography. Summer and Smoke by Tennessee Williams at the Loft Theatre, Leamington Spa from 10 – 20 June. Directed by Sue Moore. Preview An intoxicating love story follows Alma, a young puritanical woman from a small town, whose undeclared love for an unpuritanical young neighbouring doctor, John, has driven her into a state of neurosis. Alma is a singing teacher and the daughter of a minister. She h

Our Public House coming to the Belgrade. Photo courtesy of the artists. 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. Preview In a city just like yours, a whole community spoiled their ballots and cast no vote. Now, as a storm rages outside, landlady Sanjana, Scott the guitar-playing regular and some unexpected guests are stuck tog

Czech National Symphony Orchestra in rehearsals. Photo by Jan Maly. Boundary-breaking performances, familiar classics, seasonal favourites, and more are lined up for Warwick Arts Centre's 2026-2027 Orchestral Season. Kicking the season off is a return appearance from the inspiring Chineke! Orchestra (26 Nov 2026). Acclaimed Colombian conductor Tatiana Pérez-Hernández leads the orchestra through works by Stravinksy and Rodrigo, as well as lesser-known pieces by Adolphus Hail

John Robert Partridge and cast. Photo courtesy of Fuz Films. Treasure Island performed by Tread the Boards at The Rother Street Arts House, Stratford-upon-Avon. Running from 27 – 31 May 2026. Directed by John-Robert Partridge. Review by Charles Essex Tread the Boards (TTB) made astute use of both the half term and their new alternative venue at the Rother Street Art House to bring a clever adaptation of this popular Robert Louis Stevenson story. Although there were plenty

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