To mark the European Athletics Championships, Casa Atletica Italiana is organising a two-day networking event celebrating all things Italian, and in particular the Marche region, taking place at the Hotel Du Vin in Birmingham, on 10-11 August. Over three focussed sessions, you’ll have the chance to learn more about Italy’s hidden gem, the Marche, hear about its outstanding design, fashion & sport offering, and network with local businesses. Participants can expect to hear

Andrew Margerison in A Christmas Carol. Photo by Ben Guest. The Bridge House Theatre, Warwick present three plays around Christmastime. A Christmas Carol: Being a Ghost Story of Christmas on Saturday 28 November, Wind in the Willows on Friday 18 December and The Twelve Days of Christmas on Monday 21 December. Preview by Charles Essex If someone were to say there were only 140 shopping days to Christmas there would probably be a collective groan, as most people would prefer t

Crybabies haunt Greyfriars Kirkyard. Photo credit DuncanMcGlynn. Francesca Moody Productions in association with Plosive Live present Crybabies: The Scaring, directed by Jon Brittain. Premiere at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe at Pleasance Two. Preview Edinburgh Comedy Award Best Newcomer nominees Crybabies (Michael Clarke, James Gault, Ed Jones) join forces with Olivier Award-winning Fleabag and Baby Reindeer producers Francesca Moody Productions and director Jon Brittain

Photo credit Arts Insight. Arts Insight Theatre Group present Pipe Dream, a jukebox musical, written and directed by Laura Berridge at Rother Street Arts House, Stratford-upon-Avon. Review by Ann Cee Heart, humour and stonking pop tunes from the shoulder-padded '80s pack out this musical extravaganza performed by Arts Insight at Rother Street Arts House, Stratford Upon Avon. Were you busy being a Material Girl, or crooning with Wet Wet Wet, or bopping to the Eurythmics as

George R.R.Martin's Game of Thrones: The Mad King. Photo by Seamus Ryan © RSC. Ahead of the official opening for the world premiere of George R. R. Martin’s Game of Thrones: The Mad King, a new play based on novels by George R. R. Martin, adapted by Duncan Macmillan and directed by Dominic Cooke, the Royal Shakespeare Company (RSC) releases a group portrait introducing members of the company in character for the first time. The release marks the 30-year anniversary for the

Animal Farm, a solo performance by Sam Blythe on Monday 21 September at Macready Theatre, Lawrence Sheriff Street, Rugby. Adapted and directed by Guy Masterson (with original direction by Tonly Boncza). From the book by George Orwell. Preview George Orwell's timeless masterpiece comes to life in this internationally acclaimed one-man adaptation. A spellbinding performance packed with unforgettable characters, sharp wit and a message that resonates more powerfully than ever.

Sister Act. Photo by Martin Pulley. Sister Act: The Musical, at Rugby Theatre from 29 July - 2 August 2026. Director Janet Devenish, Murical Director Jonathan Rees. Review by Ann Evans Rugby Theatre’s Youth Project have done it again! These talented young singers. dancers and actors aged between 10 and 21 have produced another brilliant show after just 10 days of rehearsals. Sister Act: The Musical is packed with humour, high energy, fabulous characterisation and sensationa

Guy Henry as Pishchik, Esther Smith as Varya, Kenneth Branagh as Lopakhin, Amber Gadd as Dunyasha. Photo by Johan Perrson. The Cherry Orchard by Anton Chekhov in a new version by Laura Wade, directed by Co-Artistic Director Tamara Harvey, at the Swan Theatre, Stratford-upon-Avon until 29 August 2026. Review by Wynne Lang. Chekhov wrote The Cherry Orchard in1903, two years before the first Russian Revolution. He considered it a comedy, though Stanislavski later directed it a

Barry Potter (left) with his family team at a recent toy fair at the NEC. Photo Rob Tysall Pro Photography. Being interested in toys isn’t just for kids! Adults of all ages are enjoying the hobby of collecting toys of all types. For some its model trains, others go for diecasts such as Dinky, Corgi and the many other models and manufacturers. For some it’s the distant past when tin plate was all you could buy; or it might be dolls and teddies, and the ever-popular TV, film an

Arts Insight Theatre Group present Pipe Dream, a jukebox musical, at Rother Street Arts House, Stratford-upon-Avon from Thursday 30 July to Saturday 1 August, 3 matinee and 3 evening shows. Preview Neon lights, nostalgic beats, and a legendary tune gone rogue. In this reimagining of The Pied Piper, five friends are forced to navigate a new world swept up in greed, corruption, and image. Set in a British town in the late 1980s, the children begin to notice something strange:

The BAFTA Award-Winning CBeebies Children’s TV Show In the Night Garden Live is coming to the Belgrade Theatre on Friday 31 July – Saturday 1 August 2026. Preview Celebrating its 17th Birthday, the smash-hit In the Night Garden Live will be back on stage in 2026, with a seventh major tour of UK theatres, including Coventry’s Belgrade Theatre. Take a spectacular journey into the magical world of In the Night Garden and experience the UK’s favourite family show with all the

3m long tapestry traces the river’s path. Photo courtesy of Stan's Cafe. Midlands-based theatre company Stan’s Cafe have announced the dates for their latest production, River Tours: The Avon - with performances across Worcestershire, Warwickshire and Birmingham (1-16 Aug 2026), including a visit to the Royal Shakespeare Company, in Stratford-upon-Avon. The poetic production floats visitors through centuries of history, folklore and wildlife, from the River Avon’s source in N

Family with Jim. Photo courtesy of the BMM. Summer has officially arrived at the British Motor Museum with a wealth of family activities, running from 17 July – 2 September, focused on two incredible feature exhibitions, both packed with fascinating cars and stories. First there’s Forza Horizon 6: The Experience, where visitors can discover a fantastic line-up of cars from the game, and get behind the wheel of a state-of-the-art racing simulator to test their mettle in the di

The entire assembly. Photo by Martin Pulley. Sister Act: The Musical, at Rugby Theatre from 29 July - 2 August 2026. Performed by Rugby Theatre's Youth Project, Preview by Annette Kinsella. Holy habits! Packed with humour, heart and high energy, the musical comedy Sister Act is next up on Rugby Theatre’s historic stage. Performed as Rugby Theatre’s Youth Project, Sister Act: The Musical follows disco diva Deloris Van Cartier, whose life takes an unexpected turn when she i

Greg Abate Trio, at the Anglican Chapel, London Road Cemetery, Coventry, on Thursday 30 July, doors open at 7pm, show starts at 7.30 pm. Preview A summer evening of jazz with one of America's best contemporary alto saxophonists - accompanied by Tim Amann (keyboard) and Tom Marsh (bass). For many years Greg has been recognised as one of America’s top saxophonists, playing with Ray Charles from 1972-73 and later featured in the Artie Shaw band. He has recorded two well-receiv