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Stunning performance by Max Cooper
Max Cooper at WAC. Photo courtesy of Antony Hopker. Max Cooper, Warwick Arts Centre, 15 May 2026 Review by Antony Hopker Live electronic music can be something of an acquired taste. The performance is generally watching the artist mixing, flicking switches, triggering sequences. Cynics may say that you’re not watching anything live as it’s all pre-programmed. Max Cooper blew any such notions away with a stunning visual show where he laid down the tracks to a dazzling mont
Antony Hopker
1 hour ago2 min read


Glorious - the true story of the worst singer in the world
Show poster. Glorious written by Peter Quilter and directed by Kirk Jameson at the Belgrade Theatre from 19 – 23 May 2026. Preview Florence Foster Jenkins is about to blow your mind… and possibly your eardrums. Glorious! follows Florence’s journey as she prepares for her concerts, builds an unlikely friendship with her accompanist, Cosme, and defies her critics to follow her dreams. Dubbed ‘the worst singer in the world,’ Glorious! is the true story of American socialite
ann-evans
1 day ago3 min read


Jolly lacrosse sticks: wizard production brings Blyton boarding school to life
The company of Mallory Towers. Photo by Steve Tanner. Malory Towers from the novels by Enid Blyton and adapted and directed By Emma Rice, at the Belgrade Theatre as part of the UK Tour, from 12 - 16 May. Tour dates and venues below. Review by Amanda Burden. Three proof points that would have convinced 10-year-old me that adult me had absolutely won at life. 1. I saw Bananarama live (Godiva Festival, 2023. Potentially the best gig I’ve ever seen). 2. I once sat in the So
Amanda Burden
2 days ago4 min read


Warwickshire Singers present Echoes of Tradition
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 3.00pm. 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
ann-evans
2 days ago1 min read


Rare models and unique concept cars to feature at this year's VauxALL
Last year's show. Photo courtesy of the BMM. VauxALL, the celebration of all Vauxhall, Opel and Bedford models, is calling all owners and enthusiasts to bring their vehicle to the British Motor Museum on Sunday 17 May. Sponsored by Howden Classic Insurance Services, VauxALL is in its fourth successive year and is widely respected as one of the leading Vauxhall events in the UK. This headline May event is recognised by many as the start of the show season for the Vauxhall, O
Tanya Aspinwall
3 days ago3 min read


Schoolchildren release 100 butterflies to celebrate Sir David Attenborough's 100th birthday
A pupil from Thomas Jolyffe Primary and one of the birthday butterflies. Photo credit the school. Stratford-upon-Avon Butterfly Farm marked the 100th birthday of Sir David Attenborough on Friday 8 May with a memorable celebration bringing together local schoolchildren, visitors and staff to honour one of the world’s most treasured naturalists and broadcasters. Pupils from Thomas Jolyffe Primary School and Stratford-upon-Avon Primary School joined the special event, releasing
Tanya Aspinwall
3 days ago2 min read


Enjoy two musical extravaganzas at Abbey Theatre
The Masqueraders Theatrical Society present the Gershwin Musical, Crazy For You at the Abbey Theatre, Nuneaton from 21 to 23 May 2026. Also, Alan Parker’s Bugsy Malone on 20 May at 7.30pm and 23 May at 1pm performed by the Masqueraders Juniors. Preview Crazy For You is a high energy romantic musical comedy featuring a fabulous score by George and Ira Gershwin and based on the book by Ken Ludwig. It follows Bobby Child, a stage-struck banker with dreams of dancing on Broadwa
ann-evans
4 days ago2 min read


Talisman Stages Tennessee Williams’ Timeless Masterpiece
Jo Banbury as Blanche, Paige Phelps as Stella and Richard Morelli as Stanley. Photo by Gwyn Davies. A Streetcar Named Desire by Tennessee Williams, at The Talisman Theatre and Arts Centre, Kenilworth from 18 to 23 May. Directed by Chris Carpenter. Preview by Sharon Sully As summer draws nearer, this May the Talisman Theatre is delighted to announce the staging of Tennessee Williams’ best-loved classic drama ‘A Streetcar Named Desire’. After a hugely successful run acros
Sharon Sully
4 days ago2 min read


Novel effects and two great performances in this production of The Tempest
Daisy Swaby as Ariel. Photo courtesy of Caramba Theatre Company. Caramba Theatre Company present The Tempest by William Shakespeare at The Bear Pit Theatre, Stratford-upon-Avon, Saturday 9 May 2026. Directed by Mollie Taylor. Review by Charles Essex. Caramba Theatre Company’s adaptation of The Tempest used novel costuming and effects in the production of this Shakespeare classic. The audience was greeted with an intriguing set when they entered, beautiful birdsong contras
Charles Essex
5 days ago2 min read


Rugby Irish Community present The Field
Alex Brown as Bird and Sean Kerrigan as Bull McCabe. Photo by Martin Pulley. The Field by John B Keane performed by the Rugby Irish Community Drama Group at Rugby Theatre, Sunday 10 May as part of Rugby Fringe Week. Directed by Nicky Main & Bev Avis-Dakin. Review by Ann Evans The Rugby Irish Community Drama Group took on The Field by John B Keane and an excellent job they did of it too. We spent the evening in Flannigan’s Bar, in the village of Carraigthomond in the Southwest
ann-evans
5 days ago3 min read


Cherry Orchard
Bill Pullman inThe Cherry Orchard at the RSC Swan Theatre. Image courtesy of the RSC. The Cherry Orchard, a new version of Anton Chekhov’s final play by Olivier Award-winning playwright Laura Wade. Directed by RSC Co-Artistic Director, Tamara Harvey. At the RSC Swan Theatre, Stratford-upon-Avon from Friday 10 July – Saturday 29 August. Preview The RSC have announced that Bill Pullman will play Gaev in The Cherry Orchard, a new version of Anton Chekhov’s final play by Olivie
ann-evans
5 days ago2 min read


Dive into the Springboard Festival
Rebecca Mileham. Photo courtesy of Alison Manning. The opening night of this year's Springboard Festival at the Criterion Theatre in Earlsdon did not disappoint. As Artistic director, Anne-marie Greene said in her opening welcome, this is the 4th year of the festival which consists of a week-long celebration of creative arts, featuring a variety of music, poetry, theatre, literary discussion, community groups and even visual art. The festival brings together amateur and profe
Alison Manning
6 days ago2 min read


Saints Drama Group present The Welkin
Saints Drama Group present The Welkin. The Saints – The Welkin by Lucy Kirkwood. Saints Drama Coventry in association with Second Chance Productions. Directed and Produced by Peter Daly-Dickson. At Allesley Village Hall, Coventry CV5 9GX from 19 – 23 May. Preview The year is 1759. A child has been murdered. The accused, 21-year-old Sally Poppy, must convince twelve matrons that she is pregnant to spare herself from the gallows. But these women - midwives, shopkeepers, servan
ann-evans
6 days ago2 min read


Falling - Open Theatre's life-affirming new show
Falling. Photo courtesy of Open Theatre. Falling performed by Open Theatre’s ensemble company of young performers touring to Birmingham REP, The Belgrade (Coventry) and Arena Theatre (Wolverhampton) this May. Dates and times below. Preview Falling is an experience on the borderlines of theatre, dance and mime. This ground-breaking theatre show has been devised and is performed by Open Theatre’s ensemble company of young performers. Described as the “most validating piece of
ann-evans
May 93 min read

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