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

Warwickshire Singers are delighted to be teaming up with Singing for Pleasure’s Ula Weber to host a Come and Sing Day at Kenilworth Methodist Church on Saturday 12 September 2026. Open to all singers, the day will be an opportunity to meet other singers and experience the joy of singing a wide range of music together, including folk, jazz, gospel and sacred. It is preferable if singers can read or follow written music, but much of the singing will be learnt in the moment. Ula

L-R: James McLean, Georgina Liley, Rob Took and Catherine Warnock. Photo credit: Jobling Photography. Top of the Wold at St Peter’s Parish Hall, Market Bosworth on 6 June 2026. Performed by The Mikron Theatre. Director: Marianne McNamara. Review by Charles Essex The same four actors from Mikron’s 2025 double bill of plays return to take us on a tour the East Riding of Yorkshire in a mobile library, portraying numerous characters along the way. James McLean and Georgina L

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 3pm. 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 mel

Rock of Ages at The Talisman. Photographer Robert Warner; post-production Mark Plastow. The Talisman Theatre is turning the volume up to eleven this summer as it presents the smash-hit musical Rock of Ages from Monday 22 June to Saturday 27 June, with performances each evening at 7.30pm. Rock of Ages arrives at the Talisman Theatre, Kenilworth in a riot of 80s rock, featuring the book by Chris D’Arienzo and arrangements and orchestrations by Ethan Popp. Preview Known for its

The Enormous Crocodile. Photo courtesy of the Roald Dahl Story Company. Roald Dahl’s The Enormous Crocodile – the musical. Presented by The Roald Dahl Story Company. As part of a major nationwide tour it will play at The Belgrade Theatre from 11 – 14 June 2026. Preview ‘For my lunch today I would like… a nice juicy little child!’ The Enormous Crocodile is weaving his way through the jungle in search of delicious little fingers and squidgy podgy knees... Only the other jungl

(l-r) Libby Lowe as Scaramouche, Natalie Van Spelde as Killer Queen and Wil Neale as Galileo. Photo by Martin Pulley. We Will Rock You at Rugby Theatre from 20-27 June 2026. Preview Don’t stop us now! A feel-good musical featuring Queen’s biggest hits is next up at Rugby Theatre, and tickets are selling fast. We Will Rock You is set in a dystopian future, where musical instruments are banned and rock music is dead. The evil Killer Queen has crushed creativity, and only compu

Jules Holland. Photo courtesy of the artist. Jools Holland and his Rhythm and Blues Orchestra with special star Roachford and guest, vocalists Ruby Turner, Louise Marshall and Sumudu Jayatilaka on Saturday 13 June at 7.30pm, Butterworth Hall, Warwick Arts Centre. Preview As the UK's most popular pianist and bandleader, Jools Holland OBE has performed and recorded with some of the most talented musicians and songwriters in the world, including Eric Clapton, the late George H

The Handlebards. Photo courtesy of the artists. This summer, The HandleBards bring you a wacky and wonderful Macbeth AND a fast-paced and farcical As You Like It to beautiful outdoor spaces across the UK. Written by William Shakespeare | Directed by Mark Collier Touring 21 May - 11 September 2026. As You Like it will be performed at Coventry Cathedral on the 11 July at 5pm. Preview The HandleBards are an intrepid four-strong troupe, and this summer they are making HBs his

The Lindy Hop Dance Company. Image credit The Lindy Hop Dance Company. Swinging at the Cotton Club, at The Cidermill Theatre, Chipping Camden, Saturday 30 May. Review by Charles Essex A combination of great musicianship, dancing and singing recreated the Roaring 20s and 30s at New Yorks’s most famous jazz venue, The Cotton Club. The 8-piece Harry Strutter Hot Rhythm Orchestra started the evening with a Duke Ellington number Jubilee Stomp. The Lindy Hop Dance Company burs

Czech National Symphony Orchestra in rehearsals. Photo by Jan Maly. Boundary-breaking performances, familiar classics, seasonal favourites, and more are lined up for Warwick Arts Centre's 2026-2027 Orchestral Season. Kicking the season off is a return appearance from the inspiring Chineke! Orchestra (26 Nov 2026). Acclaimed Colombian conductor Tatiana Pérez-Hernández leads the orchestra through works by Stravinksy and Rodrigo, as well as lesser-known pieces by Adolphus Hail

Shetland Pony Grand National. Photo credit Rob Tysall Pro Photography. The Great British Farm-Fest drew in thousands of people over the weekend, the glorious weather adding to the enjoyment. And you certainly didn’t have to be involved in the farming world to enjoy the show. There was everything for a great family day out - plus you would take the dog too. Organisers were calling this ‘Britain’s biggest farming party!’ Held at the NAEC Stoneleigh in Warwickshire it was hoste

The talented cast. Photo courtesy of the Masqueraders. Crazy For You - Music and lyrics by George Gershwin and Ira Gershwin, book by Ken Ludwig. Presented by the Masqueraders Theatrical Society at Abbey Theatre, Nuneaton, from 21 – 23 May 2026. Directed by Angie Adams. Assistant Director & Producer Mike Chappell, Musical Director Dave Adams. Choreography Gemma Eales and Chloe Jupe. Review by Ann Evans It was another fabulously entertaining show from the Masqueraders Theatri