NorthYorkshire Moors Railway announces Christmas experiences
Santa Express at NYMR. Photo courtesy of North Yorkshire Moors Railway. The North Yorkshire Moors Railway (NYMR) has announced an array of festive experiences for a magical winter along the heritage line as the Railway 200 celebration year comes to an end, marking the bicentenary of the birth of the modern railway in the UK. From history lovers and railway enthusiasts to families looking for something special this Christmas, this season promises something exciting for all vi
ann-evans
1 hour ago3 min read
British Motor Museum shortlisted in Royal Automobile Club Historic Awards
The British Motor Museum has been selected as one of three finalists in the Museums & Collections category in this year’s Royal Automobile Club Historic Awards. The annual Awards recognise outstanding achievements within the British historic motoring and motorsport world. The judges had an impressive and diverse list of candidates across all 8 categories to scrutinise and will announce the results at a glittering Historic Awards dinner and ceremony on 20 November at the Royal
Tanya Aspinwall
1 day ago2 min read
Forget Porridge – Mark Thomas’ monologue shows gritty realism of life behind bars
Mark Thomas. Photo by Pamela Raith. Ordinary Decent Criminal, Belgrade Theatre from 4-8 November. Directed by Charlotte Bennett. Review by Amanda Burden. Most of what I know of prison comes from Ronnie Barker’s 80s sitcom Porridge, so I suppose anything even slightly more up to date would come as a slap in the chops. Even so, the prison of Mark Thomas’s Ordinary Decent Criminal is less of a world and more of a galaxy supercluster away from the cosy joviality of Norman Stanley
Amanda Burden
2 days ago2 min read
The Pillowman
The Pillowman. Photo by Robert Warner. The Pillowman by Martin McDonagh at the Talisman Theatre and Arts Centre, running from 3-8 November. Directed by Dave Crossfield. Review by Ashley Hayward As someone who, in a previous life, provided support to those who were victims and still suffering from the devastating effects of abuse and cruelty I must admit I felt considerable apprehension about going to see a play where these appeared to be amongst the central themes. Set in a
Ashley Hayward
3 days ago3 min read
Dominion: Edge - An Immersive Experience of Power, Choice, and Consequence
Playbox Theatre’s Shakespeare Young Company. Photo courtesy of the theatre. Playbox Theatre’s Shakespeare Young Company Presents Dominion: Edge at The Court House, Warwick on Thursday, 20 November at 6:45pm and 7:45pm. Preview What does power really look like? Who holds it? Who loses it? And what happens when it’s abused? Dominion: Edge is a bold new immersive performance created by Playbox Theatre’s Shakespeare Young Company, transforming the historic Court House in Warw
ann-evans
3 days ago1 min read
A peep into the RSC's BFG rehearsals!
Ben Thompson, Shaun McCourt, Onioluwa Taiwo. Photo by Marc Brenner. A Royal Shakespeare Company, Chichester Festival Theatre, Singapore Repertory Theatre - Esplanade Theatres on the Bay, and Roald Dahl Story Company production. Adapted by Tom Wells. Dramaturgy and additional material by Jenny Worton. Director Daniel Evans. The BFG will play at the Royal Shakespeare Theatre in Stratford-upon-Avon from 25 November 2025 – 7 February 2026. Then at the Chichester Festival Theatre
ann-evans
4 days ago2 min read
Sheets, spectres and spirits: Adam Wood creates a hauntingly good Halloween
Halloween Horror by Adam Wood at the Albany Theatre, 31 October. Review by Amanda Burden The clocks have turned back, the nights are drawing in…it seems hardwired into human DNA to muse on stories of the season: unwelcome presences haunting houses; gaunt, cadaverous men shambling aimlessly, arms outstretched; poisonous smells of sulphur that inexplicably come and go. But enough about my brother at our family Christmas get-together. This week I went to see storyteller Adam W
Amanda Burden
5 days ago2 min read
A cast of ghosts
L-R: Jack Bailey (Jethro), Peter Daly-Dickson (Red), Katie-Anne Ray (Grace). Photo by Richard Smith. The Cage Protects Me written and directed by Giles Allen-Bowden, at The Loft Theatre, Leamington Spa from 31 October to 8 November. Original music composed by Jonathan Fletcher. Stage Manager Hannah Brown. Set design Caitlin Mills, set dressing Angie Collins. Review by Ann Evans What better evening to open this play than on Halloween. Outside the Loft Theatre, Leamington’s tow
ann-evans
6 days ago4 min read
The Listening Room is back at The Talisman
Pandora Craig. Photo courtesy of the artist. ‘The Listening Room’ Returns to The Talisman Theatre: An Intimate Live Music Experience. At The Talisman Theatre & Arts Centre, Barrow Road, Kenilworth, CV8 1EG. On Sunday 16 November at 7.30pm (doors open 7pm). Preview Following a sold-out debut in July, The Listening Room returns to The Talisman Theatre, Kenilworth, for its second edition on Sunday 16 November. An evening dedicated to the art of songwriting, heartfelt storytellin
ann-evans
7 days ago2 min read
Ordinary Decent Criminal
Ordinary Decent Criminal performed by Mark Thomas, written by Ed Edwards, directed by Charlotte Bennett, at The Belgrade Theatre from 4 – 8 November. Preview Set in the years following the Strangeways Prison Riot, meet recovering addict Frankie, played by renowned political comedian Mark Thomas as he enters the brave new world of a liberal prison experiment. Frankie’s just been sentenced to three and a half years in jail for dealing drugs. When he gets there, none of his fe
ann-evans
Oct 301 min read
How You Doin'?
Friends! The Musical Parody. Photo by Pamela Raith Photography. Friends! The Musical Parody, Director Michael Gyngell, book and lyrics by Bob and Toby McSmith, at the Belgrade Theatre from 28 October to 1 November then on a UK tour until May 2026. Review by Ann Evans Fans of Friends were out in force last night when Friends! The Musical Parody came to the Belgrade Theatre as part of its UK Tour. Playing to a packed theatre there was a great buzz of excitement, accelerated
ann-evans
Oct 293 min read
Have a Halloween ride in Harry Potter car!
Museum Curator Cat Boxall with the Harry Potter Ford Anglia. Photo courtesy of the BMM. This Halloween the British Motor Museum is inviting visitors to hop in the Ford Anglia from Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets for an unforgettable ride around the Museum grounds! On 31 October dressing up as a favourite, witch, wizard or magical character is highly encouraged for visitors to get fully immersed in this magical experience. What’s more, Museum staff will be handing out
Tanya Aspinwall
Oct 282 min read
Hercules - an unmissable family panto!
Phoenix Players present Hercules – an unmissable family panto! Written by Callum McCormick performed at the Methodist Church Hall, Old Town, Stratford upon Avon CV37 6BG from 29-31 January 2026 at 19:30 with 14:30 Matinée on Saturday 31st January. Preview. Join Hercules on a Laugh-Out-Loud Mythical Adventure in This Unmissable Family Pantomime! Get ready for a side-splitting, heartwarming journey as Hercules, the legendary demigod and son of Zeus, takes centre stage in this..
ann-evans
Oct 281 min read
A Big Friendly Announcement – Full casting revealed as The BFG heads to Singapore
The BFG casting. Image courtesy of the RSC. The BFG will play at the Royal Shakespeare Theatre in Stratford-upon-Avon from 25 November 2025 – 7 February 2026. The production will run at Chichester Festival Theatre from Monday 9 March – Saturday 11 April 2026 with tickets now on sale. It then transfers to Singapore’s Esplanade Theatre for a limited run from 22 April 2026 with tickets now on sale. Preview The Royal Shakespeare Company (RSC), Chichester Festival Theatre, th
ann-evans
Oct 273 min read
Ghostly goings on at The Priory
L-R: Rose Bird, Alex Brown, Ben Smith, Emma Ritson, Dan McAteer, Jo Banbury. Photo courtesy of The Priory. The Revival written by James Cawood, playing at The Priory Theatre, Kenilworth from 25 October to 1 November. Directed by Connor Cunningham. Review by Ann Evans There’s some ghostly goings on at the Priory Theatre, Kenilworth, with the production of The Revival by James Cawood. This is a play within a play, as we meet a group of actors and their director trying to rehear
ann-evans
Oct 264 min read
Rugby School's Macready Theatre announces unmissable festive line-up!
The Nutcracker. Photo by Poppy Downing. Get ready for a spectacular sleigh ride of festive cheer as Macready Theatre unveils its dazzling festive season, featuring two unmissable productions that promise to delight audiences of all ages. From breathtaking ballet to a hilariously energetic family adventure, Macready Theatre is set to be the ultimate destination for holiday magic. Amie Johnson, Theatre Manager, shares her excitement: "We're absolutely thrilled to present such a
ann-evans
Oct 252 min read
Net curtains veil suburban secrets
Caroline Mann in A Lady of Letters. Photo by Simon Raynor. Talking Heads by Alan Bennett at the Albany Theatre on 23 October 2025. The Plays the Thing Theatre Company present A Lady of Letters and Soldering On. Review by Amanda Burden Net curtains and lace doilies can conceal a multitude of suburban secrets – but Alan Bennett’s Talking Heads monologues never shies away from laying them bare with poignancy, humour and sometimes heartbreak. This double vignette, by theatre comp
Amanda Burden
Oct 242 min read
The Cage Protects Me at The Loft
The Cage Protects Me written and directed by Giles Allen-Bowden, at the Loft Theatre, Leamington Spa from Friday 31 October to Saturday 8 November. Original music composed by Jonathan Fletcher. Preview Every night for the last ten years, a pack of wolves has descended upon the town of Drylake, Texas. Their unbroken siege has left one survivor standing, a man named Red, who by day, fortifies the town’s church, and by night, prays his work holds until the morning. But to say Re
ann-evans
Oct 243 min read
Visit the Cotswolds Distillery
Cotswolds Distillery Visitors' Centre. Photo courtesy of Margaret Mather. ‘If you build it, they will come,’ and they have, by their thousands. Whisky lovers from all over the world descend on a small village called Stourton, near Shipston-on-Stour in the picturesque Cotswold countryside to marvel at, and taste, the delightful whisky and gin. Driving through the Cotswolds, you can’t help but admire the quaint stone cottages and wonder at the beauty of the honey-coloured stone
Margaret Mather
Oct 232 min read
