Packington Hall. Photo by Martyn Blair of Corley & Fillongley Photographic Club. BBC Gardeners’ World Live and the Good Food Show Summer, which will be renamed as the Good Food Festival, are moving to the breathtaking 4,500-acre Packington Estate in Meriden, Warwickshire with the first Show taking place 17 – 20 June 2027. After an incredible 35-year legacy at the NEC Birmingham, these much-loved flagship events will relocate to Packington Estate, just five miles from the NE

Popcorn. Wayne Hudson played by Connor Bailey and Scout played by Kelly Davidson. Photo courtesy of The Criterion Theatre. Popcorn by Ben Elton, Criterion Theatre, Earlsdon, Coventry, from 27 June – 4 July. Review by Hilary Hopker It was a sweltering opening night for Popcorn at the Criterion. Thankfully the recent refurbishment of the lobby area meant there was cooling air con, but because they are awaiting a grant for the main theatre, many people were left fanning themsel

CEO Peter Armstrong. Photo courtesy of the BMM. The British Motor Museum invites visitors to return to the golden era of hot hatches in their new exhibition: ‘Spoiler Alert: The Hot Hatch Story’, celebrating these everyday road heroes. Inspired by the energetic atmosphere of car meets and the bold visuals of era-defining car magazines, the exhibition immerses visitors in the 80s and 90s hot hatch culture in a space brimming with nostalgia. ‘Spoiler Alert’, which opened on 20

Copernicana CIC and Firstlight Theatre bring The Morality of Mrs. Dulska to The Bear Pit Theatre, 8–11 July 2026. Running time 110 minutes (plus interval) Preview A fiercely funny European masterpiece is coming straight to the heart of Stratford-upon-Avon. Copernicana CIC and firstlight Theatre are staging Gabriela Zapolska’s landmark comedy, The Morality of Mrs. Dulska, at The Bear Pit Theatre this July. The play is a hilarious, biting satire about keeping up appearances

Looking down into the workshop. Photo courtesy of the BMM. The British Motor Museum is ready to welcome families this summer with £1 child tickets for visits between 25 June and 1 September. The Chancellor recently announced the UK government’s Great British Summer Savings scheme, which will temporarily reduce VAT on eligible family activities from when schools finish for the summer in Scotland (25 June) until children return to classrooms in England, Wales and Northern Irel

A Midsummer Night's Dream. Photo©EllieKurttz A Midsummer Night's Dream by William Shakespeare, edited by Robin Belfield at The Other Place, Stratford-upon-Avon until 30 August. Review by Heidi Barber. First published in 1600, this popular Shakespearean play is one of his most entertaining and imaginative comedies. It has inspired numerous film versions including a 1935 film with James Cagney as the well-known and aptly named character, Bottom. For those who have not seen th

Petrol & Pride. Photo by Olgun Kordal. The British Motor Museum is to host ‘Petrol & Pride’, which returns for its second year on Sunday, 26 July. Building an empowering new fixture for members, friends and allies of the LGBTQIA+ community, the event aims to allow everyone to show off their pride in their wheels and themselves. The event is inclusive not only of all people, but of all vehicles. Visitors can immerse themselves in a day of music, food and fun in the beating h

Phoebe Dann (Sherrie), Ben Ionoff (Stacie Jaxx) and Harry Bowser (Drew Boley). Photo by Robert Warner. Rock of Ages at The Talisman Theatre, Kenilworth from Monday 22 June to Saturday 27 June. Book by Chris D’Arienzo and arrangements and orchestrations by Ethan Popp. Review by Ashley Hayward. This highly enjoyable show transports us back in time to the 1980’s world of sex, drugs and rock and roll and it superbly captures the optimism, excesses and culture of that era. The act

Local writers taking part in Cov Lit Fest. A new community literary festival is taking place in Coventry city centre from 25-27 June 2026 with fun and fascinating book-related activities for all ages in venues across Coventry City Centre, with a strong focus on local authors. The collage above shows local writers: l- r Top row: Pippa Virdee, Eleanor Nesbitt, Ann Evans Middle row: Nicky Downes, Danny Scott, Margaret Mather Bottom row: Anna Stephens, Andrea Mbarushimana and Di

Killer Queen Natalie Van Spelde and ensemble. Photo by Martin Pulley. We Will Rock You, Music and Lyrics by Queen, Story and Script by Ben Elton, at Rgby Theatre from 20 – 27 June 2026. Directed by Emma Bright, Musical Director Liam Walker, Choreographer Jo Walker. Review by Ann Evans This could be the shortest review ever – I only need two words to describe Rugby Theatre’s production of We Will Rock You – Utterly Brilliant! But I won’t stop there because there is so much w

BBC Orchestra. Photo courtesy of the BBC. Friday Night is Musicals Night with the BBC Orchestra, Butterworth Hall, Warwick Arts Centre on 19 June 2026. Review by Antony Hopker BBC’s iconic Friday Night is Music Night arrived at Warwick Arts Centre and put on a treat for the Coventry audience. The long-running show was playing a live show, which will be broadcast in September. If you weren’t there it’s well worth listening to. If you were there, it’s well worth hearing it agai

Never a dull moment. Photo courtesy of Brainiac. Brainiac Live at The Belgrade Theatre, 20 June 2026. Review by Jan Malatesta The Belgrade once again, welcomed Brainiac Live, based on the well-known TV show, for a momentous and awe-inspiring science spectacular. The show was energetic and fast-paced, with enthusiastic audience participation, ear-splitting sound effects, and plenty of loud explosive bangs. Our high-spirited presenters – Ned, Taz, Raz, and Dave the Handyman –

A topical floral dislay. Photo by Rob Tysall Pro Photography. It’s always good to try out the brand new and of course the well-established, and at the BBC Good Food Show and BBC Gardeners' World Live currently on at the Birmingham NEC, there are new products and firm favourites galore. Hot off the press, so to speak is CoffeeB, a brand-new eco-friendly way of making exceptional coffee that was launched just the day before! (17 June 2026). James Newitt is the founder of Coffee

Photo courtesy of La Joaquina Flamenco Express. Authentic Flamenco Sound and Dance performed at The Rother Street Arts House, Friday 19 June 2026. Review by Charles Essex Artistic Director of the newly-opened Rother Street Arts House, John-Robert Partridge (JP), has organised an eclectic programme of guests and acts and theatrical performances. JP cast his net widely and brought one of the foremost Flamenco groups to Stratford. The highly talented and experienced Flamenco Ex

Professor Alice Roberts and David Stevens. Photo © BBCGWL Professor Alice Roberts and designer David Stevens are the proud winners of Best Show Garden and a Platinum award at BBC Gardeners’ World Live 2026 for their immersive Garden of Evolution. This educational show garden is inspired by 500 million years of life on Earth, and academics from the University of Birmingham have played an active part in its development. Visitors to the garden can journey through dramatic prehi

One of our favourite gardens, Sensed, Not Seen. Designed by Rebecca Williams. Photo by Rob Tysall Pro Photography. BBC Gardeners’ World Live and Good Food Show is on from 18 – 21 June at the NEC Birmingham. Review by Ann Evans For many visitors to the BBC Gardeners' World Live Show today and over the weekend, they will be heading straight for the beautiful show gardens, to see what the experts have come up with this year. Well, they won’t be disappointed as a dozen gardens

Ghostbusting charity fundraisers. Photo courtesy of Rob Tysal Pro Photography. Showmaster’s Collectormania was back at Milton Keynes Centre:mk for three days at the end of May, drawing in huge crowds, and attracting stallholders from all over the country. The show was held over the weekend of Friday 29 to Sunday 31 May with free admittance. Centre:mk in Milton Keynes was an ideal place to hold this Comic Con event as it already had a bustling footfall with all the local shopp

Playbox cast of ORFEO. Photo courtesy of Luci Barriball. Playbox Theatre presents ORFEO - A Midsummer night's journey from dusk to dawn. Saturday 20 (audience arrivals from 10pm) to Sunday 21 June 2026. At The Dream Factory, Warwick. This Midsummer Night, audiences are invited to step beyond theatre and enter an extraordinary overnight journey through love, celebration, loss, memory, music, and the Underworld itself. For the first time in its history, Playbox Theatre pre

BBC Orchestra. Friday Night is Musicals Night with the BBC Orchestra, Butterworth Hall, Warwick Arts Centre at 7.30pm. Preview Lovers of the long-running Friday night is Music Night are in for a treat when the BBC Concert Orchestra visits Coventry. The long-running show has been wowing its legions of loyal fans for more than seventy years with its frequent tours, each show focusing on a different theme. And as part of this year’s season the concert at the Warwick Arts Centr