The Criterion Theatre, nestled in the heart of the Earlsdon community, is set to launch its 2026 season at the end of January, following the completion of its modernised new front of house area. The theatre, located in Berkeley Road South and run entirely by volunteers, has over the last seven months embarked on by far the biggest development project since first welcoming audiences through its doors in 1961. The work has been completed by a mixture of local tradespeople and m

The cast of Animal Farm. Photo by Richard Smith Photography. Animal Farm by George Orwell, adapted by Peter Hall with lyrics by Adrian Mitchell and music by Richard Peaslee. At The Loft Theatre, Leamington Spa from Wednesday 21 Jan to Saturday 31 Jan 2026. Directed by Mark Crossley. Preview   The Loft Theatre begins its 2026 season with a new staging of George Orwell’s Animal Farm, a sharp and timely retelling of the classic political satire. As part of The Loft's ongoing co

Playbox celebrate their 40th Anniversary Season. Photo courtesy of Playbox Theatre. Playbox Theatre celebrate their 40th Anniversary Season — A Year of Unmissable, Live-Only Events at The Dream Factory in Warwick. Playbox Theatre — long recognised as one of Europe’s most adventurous and imaginative theatres for young people — launches its 40th Anniversary Season with a bold promise: every production will be a one-off theatrical event that can only be experienced live. What be

A New Musical. Photo courtesy of the RSC. A New Musical  The Boy Who Harnessed The Wind. Book and lyrics by Richy Hughes, music and lyrics by Tim Sutton. Adapted from/based on the book by William Kamkioamba and Bryan Mealer and Potboiler Productions film. At the Swan Theatre, Stratford-upon-Avon from 10 February to 28 March 2026, and then at Soho Place, London from 25 April to 18 July 2026. Preview William wants to build a windmill. Nobody believes he can – not his father nor

Anansi The Spider. Photo by Helen Murray. Anansi The Spider, Presented by the Birmingham REP and Unicorn Theatre, at The Door, Birmingham Rep until 11 January 2026. Suitable for 4 – 8 years and their families. Created by Justin Audibert, Directed by Robin Belfield. Preview.   The greatest tales ever spun… Sit under the canopy of the banyan tree and experience the laugh-out-loud West African and Caribbean tales of the infamous Anansi! People say that in a time long, long ago,

Vox Populi The Bells of Paradise. Performed at Holy Trinity Church, Leamington Spa, Saturday 20 December 2025.  Review by Charles Essex   Once again Vox Populi, Harvey Brough’s community choir, ensured a packed Holy Trinity Church in Leamington as they sang a wide selection of Christmas songs old and new.  All 19 songs were arranged by the multitalented Harvey and accompanied by a harp, piano and some of the brass section of the prestigious Orchestra of the Swan, including th

Image courtesy of The Albany Theatre. Jake Quickenden - WHAM! The Show at The Albany Theatre, Coventry on Saturday 18 April at 7.30pm. Preview After appearances on I’m A Celebrity Get Me Out of Here, Celebrity Masterchef, SAS Who Dares Wins, and of course winning Dancing On Ice, multi-talented Jake Quickenden returns to the stage to showcase his superb vocals and dynamic charisma that originally shot him to fame! Don’t miss WHAM! The Show. Featuring the biggest hits of the 80

Image courtesy of The Albany Theatre. The Bon Jovi Experience at The Albany Theatre, Coventry, on Friday 6 February at 7.30pm. Preview Get ready to rock out to all of the classics in this tribute endorsed by Jon Bon Jovi himself... Direct from London’s West End, get ready to rock your way through an unforgettable journey with the only show to be endorsed by Jon Jovi himself! Immerse yourself in a phenomenal celebration of Bon Jovi’s timeless classics as The Bon Jovi Experienc

Goldilocks and the Four Bears community pantomime presented by The Henley in Arden Drama Society (HADS) at Henley Memorial Hall from 18 – 21 December 2025.  Directed by Laurence Marshall. Review by Ashley Hayward This was my first visit to the annual Henley in Arden pantomime and on arrival you could tell from the warm welcoming atmosphere that it was eagerly awaited by the local community. It was a complete sell out and HADS had even laid on an additional performance to meet

Jo Banbury, Robert Bateman, Rose Bird and ensemble. Photo by James Calver. Goldilocks and the Three Bears, performed at The Priory Theatre, Kenilworth, from Wednesday 17 December 2025 until 4 January 2026. Director: Mike Brooks. Review by Charles Essex. The Priory’s version of Goldilocks and the Three Bears was a novel take on a well known story.  The plot was that a circus owned by Dame Sadie (Paul Sully) was in financial difficulties and being threatened by Baroness Winkl

Fantastic line up coming to Warwick Arts Centre in 2026. Warwick Arts Centre has announced its expansive Spring/Summer 2026 season line-up which includes Mo Gilligan, Ruby Wax, Vitamin String Quartet, Haircut 100, Zog, Hamza Yassin and many more... Preview   Amongst those heading to the popular Coventry arts space are such familiar faces as Mo Gilligan (7 Feb 2026), I'm A Celebrity... disruptor Ruby Wax (21 Jun 2026), No Such Thing As A Fish co-host Dan Schreiber (15 Mar 2026

Playbox Theatre's Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. Photo courtesy of Playbox Theatre. Roald Dahl's Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, performed by the Playbox Theatre at The Dream Factory, Warwick. Directed by Juliet Vankay. Performances run until Sunday 28 December 2025. See Playbox Theatre's website for dates and times. Review by Gracie Tomlin. On 12 December 2025, my family and I were treated to a gift of a Christmas performance; Playbox Theatre’s opening night of ‘Charl

The cast of All Is But Fantasy: Juliette Crosbie as Desdemona/Juliet; Daniel Krikler as Man; Renée Lamb as First Witch; Georgina Onuorah as Second Witch; Timmika Ramsay as Third Witch and Whitney White as Woman.  Photo by Nicola Young Photography. All Is But Fantasy written and composed by Whitney White at the Royal Shakespeare Theatre, The Other Place, Stratford-upon-Avon, from 21 January to 21 February 2026 (Lady Macbeth, Emelia) and 28 January to 21 February 2026 (Juliet,

Kings International Ballet, The Nutcracker. Photo courtesy of Macready Theatre. There's still time to enjoy Festive Fun at Macready Theatre. There's the festive favourite The Nutcracker performed by Kings International Ballet. Stuff and Nonsense Theatre along with Macready bring you the children's favourite The Gingerbread Man. And for those aged 18 and over, a fabulous Gin and Jive Christmas Special. Here's the details: Kings International Ballet presents The Nutcracker at

Dancing at Lughnasa. Photo by Richard Smith Photography. Dancing at Lughnasa by Brian Friel at The Loft Theatre, from Wednesday 3 December to Saturday 13 December 2025. Review by Ashley Hayward   Set in rural Ireland in the 1930’s this powerful and moving play by Brian Friel is semi- autobiographical as the story teller, ‘Michael’, recalls events when he was 7 years old and living with his unmarried mother and her four sisters during a time of immense political, social and e

Beauty and the Beast at the Albany Theatre, Coventry from 6 December to 4 January 2026. Preview. A Coventry theatre will take cues from its 90-year history as it prepares to host its biggest ever Christmas show. The Albany Theatre’s festive adaptation of Beauty and the Beast will hit the stage on December 6, with a combination of the Midland’s finest theatrical talent and national theatre stars reimagining the beloved tale for the festive season. Hannah Victoria, who recently

Down for the Count Orchestra. Photo courtesy of WAC. From The Tiger Who Came To Tea and The Muppet Christmas Carol, to award-winning comedy and seasonal songs, the Coventry venue has Christmas covered! Ensure your Christmas gets off to a great start at Warwick Arts Centre, with traditional seasonal songs, swinging tunes, famous faces, unique gifts, and a certain uninvited stripy big cat. Coming to Coventry direct from the West End, the Olivier Award-nominated The Tiger Who Ca

Rehearsals are underway. Photo courtesy of Playbox Theatre. Playbox Theatre Presents: Charlie and the Chocolate Factory - The Musical. Roald Dahl’s classic story. At The Dream Factory, Stratford Road, Warwick CV34 6LE. Performance dates are detailed below. Preview    This festive season, Playbox Theatre is bringing the magic of Roald Dahl's beloved classic, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory - The Musical, to The Dream Factory in Warwick.   This spectacular production is the p

The Cast. Photo by Pete Le May Photography. Sherlock Holmes and the 12 Days of Christmas written by and starring Humphrey Ker and David Reed. Directed by Phillip Breen with Becky Hope-Palmer. With original songs by Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber. At The Birmingham Rep from 14 November to 18 January 2026. Review by Ann Evans   Sherlock Holmes and the 12 Days of Christmas is a show that has all the ingredients to entertain audiences for many Christmases to come. It’s fast, it

The cast of Sunset Boulevard. Photo courtesy of the Abbey Theatre. Sunset Boulevard. Performed by the Masqueraders Theatrical Society at the Abbey Theatre, Nuneaton, from 19 – 22 November. Music by Andrew Lloyd Webber. Book and lyrics by Don Black and Christopher Hampton. Based on the Billy Wilder Film. Review by Margaret Mather If it’s drama, tragedy and wonderful music you want, this show has it in abundance. This musical portrays an era where silent black and white films f

At the Birmingham REP this Christmas season. Photo courtesy of the B'ham REP. Sherlock Holmes and the 12 Days of Christmas written by Humphrey Ker & David Reed, at the Birmingham REP Theatre until Sunday 18 January 2026. Directed by Phillip Breen with Becky Hope-Palmer.  Original Songs by Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber. Designed by Mark Bailey. Presented by Birmingham Rep in association with Heartaches Ltd. Preview   It’s Christmas in Victorian London but in the West End –