Georgina Liley, James McLean, Catherine Warnock and Rob Took. Photo credit Robling Photography. Wensleydale Whey by Lucie Raine (at Calcutt Boats, Southam), 16 August 2026. Performed by The Mikron Theatre. Director: Elvi Piper. Review by Charles Essex . Writer Lucie Raine’s clever script takes us back 900 years to Jervaulx Abbey with Cistercian monks, who supported themselves with cheese making. The show starts with an appropriate Gregorian chant to set the scene. Fast-forw

Cast members in rehearsals. Lucy Carter, Rox Jefferson, Sophie Bull, Ella Ridgway-Powell and Zane Connellan. Photo courtesy of What's My Line?. What's My Line? present Order Up! at Allesley Village Hall, Coventry for one night only. Written and directed by Olly Brassington and Billy Arnold. Review by Ann Evans Newly created theatre group What's My Line? staged their new musical show Order Up! at the weekend completely blowing the audience away at Allesley Village Hall with th

9 to 5 The Musical at the Belgrade Theatre, Coventry from Tuesday 1 to Saturday 5 Sep 2026. Preview by Amanda Burden Get the kettle on because it’s time to brew up a cup of ambition, as Dolly Parton’s 9 to 5 The Musical comes to the Belgrade Theatre this September. If you, like me, associate the workplace with Zoom meetings, promises to ‘circle back’ and the dreaded team building day, it’s time to dust off the shoulder pads and pick up the enormous cellphone and zoom back to

Heathers the Musical coming to The Belgrade Theatre, Coventry from 15 – 19 September. Preview Following smash hit runs in London and New York, the WhatsOnStage ‘Best New Musical’ winner, Heathers the Musical is coming to Coventry. Welcome to Westerberg High, where popularity is a matter of life and death, and Veronica Sawyer is just another of the nobodies dreaming of a better day. But when she’s unexpectedly taken under the wings of the three beautiful and impossibly cruel

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

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

CBSO in the Bull Ring Birmingham, photo credit Jonathan Ferro. Free performances for thousands of residents and Symphony Hall tickets for just £1. From Thursday 27 to Monday 31 August, CBSO in the City returns for its third year, with the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra’s (CBSO) musicians performing for free to tens of thousands of residents across Birmingham. The CBSO will fill the city with music, popping up in unexpected spaces and for anyone attending the performanc

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

Panto Bollywood style. Photo courtesy of Rich Lakos. Rifco Theatre present Surinderella by Pravesh Kumar at The Belgrade Theatre, Coventry, from 16 – 19 July. Review by Annette Kinsella. Unusual events have long been regarded as indicators that the universe is clearing its throat in preparation for a dramatic announcement. In 1066, terrified Saxons looked to the skies as Halley’s Comet blazed across the heavens - a celestial warning, apparently, that something enormous and de

Morris Dancers. John Wright Photography. Warwick Folk Festival is delighted to announce that it has been awarded Bronze from the Live Events Access Charter. The Charter is a framework to support and encourage live event organisations to progress their inclusive practices for diverse disabled people across all areas of their business. The award recognises the festival’s commitment to making it as accessible and inclusive as possible. It follows a tough assessment of its access

Rugby School. Professional theatre comes to some of Rugby's most beautiful historic spaces this autumn. While the Macready Theatre undergoes an exciting programme of refurbishment, the curtain is far from coming down. Instead, audiences are being invited to experience an unforgettable Pop-Up Season that will bring world-class entertainment to a collection of stunning venues across the historic Rugby School campus from August to December 2026. From acclaimed theatre and live m

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

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

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

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

Jools Holland at the WAC. Photo courtesy of Antony Hopker. Jools Holland and his Rhythm and Blues Orchestra, Warwick Arts Centre, 13 June. Review by Hilary Hopker. I know Jools Holland well - he’s always in my front room on New Year’s Eve. I am of course referring to years of having watched Hootenanny and Later…with Jools Holland. This was the first time I’ve seen him live. The show opened with support act Will Brown, who is a pop and soul newcomer. He started his set with hi

Rugby’s Festival on The Close, In support of the Bradby Boys Club takes place from 20-25 June 2026. Preview Set against the stunning backdrop of Rugby School, this year's Festival on the Close promises an unforgettable season of world-class entertainment, featuring everything from laugh-out-loud comedy and incredible live music to family favourites and unmissable special events. Gather your friends, bring the family, and make memories under the summer sky – because Festival o