Playbox Theatre Open Day. Photo credit Playbox. From a hotel room in Leek Wootton to the Dream Factory — four decades of theatre exclusively for young people In September 1986 Mary King created Playbox Theatre in a hotel room in Leek Wootton, Warwickshire. Always designed to be unique in being a young people’s theatre, exclusively for them from very young to early twenties. By 1988 performing in Warwick and Kenilworth, by 1989 Balsall Common, the same year Stewart McGill join

Richard Jones begins his show. Photo courtesy of the artist. Richard Jones – The Soldier of Illusion and winner of Britain’s Got Talent 2016 – the only magician in the history of the show incidentally to have taken the top spot, brought his incredible magic to The Albany Theatre last night. Richard who spent 12 years in the British Army currently tours with three different shows, Mission Magic, Masters of Deception and The Sound of Magic which was the show at the Albany Theat

One of the many tanks at The Tank Museum. Photo courtesy of Rob Levett-Millett. The Tank Museum, Bovington, Dorset. Review by Rob Levett-Millett A collection of over 300 military vehicles sets a high bar of expectation which The Tank Museum somehow obliterates with heavy ordinance. You may look at a map of Bovington, Dorset and see the Museum, its neighbour Monkey World, and assume you have a plan for a two-stage day out. You will assume wrong. There will be no time for Monke

St John Rosse_Nicholas_Powwow on the Beach. Royal Society of Marine Artists Annual Exhibition 2026, held at the Mall Galleries, London, from 16 to 26 September 2026 from 10am to 5pm. Admission: £7 (Free for Friends of Mall Galleries and under 25s, concessions available). No booking required Preview As the Royal Society of Marine Artists’ (RSMA) prepares for its 81st Annual Exhibition at the Federation of British Artists’ Mall Galleries this September, new figures reveal a suc

Dial M For Murder. Photo credit Danny Kaan. Dial M For Murder written by written by Frederick Knott will be at The Belgrade Theatre from Tuesday 22 September to Saturday 26 September. Directed by Josh Mathieson. Phil&Ben Productions announce a UK tour of Dial M for Murder supported by PW Productions as part of a long-term commitment to revitalising touring drama Phil&Ben Productions are delighted to announce a new production of Frederick Knott’s classic thriller Dial M For

The Company of Middlemarch. Photo (c) Johan Persson. Middlemarch Parts 1 & 2 By Nina Raine. From the novel by George Eliot. A co-production with Second Half Productions. Directed by Jeremy Herrin. At The Swan Theatre, Stratford-upon-Avon from Saturday 10 October until Saturday 16 January 2027. Preview The Royal Shakespeare Company (RSC) has released rehearsal photography for the upcoming production of Middlemarch, George Eliot’s expansive study on provincial life, adapted

EA participants. Photo courtesy of the BMM. This autumn, the British Motor Museum will partner with Playground Games to host two exciting STEM Careers Days for KS2 students. Held on 13 & 14 October, the days will be packed with hands-on activities, interactive tours, and inspirational talks. These events will give students the chance to explore real-world STEM skills and discover how their interests and school studies could lead to future careers. Each day runs from 9:30am to

The Retro Truck Show held at the weekend. Photo courtesy of the BMM. The British Motor Museum has even more key motoring shows coming up this Autumn. The Museum has already hosted a packed calendar of events throughout the summer months including last weekend's Retro Truck Show on 5 & 6 September. Still to come are the MX-5 Owners Club National Rally on 13 September, DR1VR Show on 20 September, Rustival on 26 September, Jaguars at Gaydon on 27 September, Porsche Boxster 30t

See finely detailed furniture such as this by Tony Dunham. Photo by Rob Tysall Pro Photography. Miniatura - The Dolls' House Show at the National Agricultural Exhibition Centre, Stoneleigh NAEC, near Coventry. On Saturday 10 & Sunday 11 October 2026. Preview We’re getting closer and closer to the Autumn Miniatura Show. This magical exhibition that brings you some of the world’s very best artisans when it comes to making dolls houses, dolls houses furnishings and the actual sc

Warwick Arts Centre, Coventry announces what’s coming up this Autumn/Winter 2026/27 season. Preview Astronaut Tim Peake. Photo courtesy of Warwick Arts Centre. There’s monstrous tales, award-winning theatre, electrifying dance and some of the brightest visual art stars set for Warwick Arts Centre’s Autumn/Winter 2026-2027 Season. The UK’s most significant exhibition of contemporary art, British Art Show 10, opens in Coventry on 2 October 2026 (until 10 Jan 2027), with Warwi

A Midsummer Night’s Dream cast enjoy theTrail. Photo courtesy of Simon Hadley. The Royal Shakespeare Company (RSC) cast of A Midsummer Night’s Dream enjoyed the magical outdoor installation in the Swan and Avon Bank Gardens, as the RSC celebrates a successful summer run for the production, at The Other Place. Inspired by Shakespeare’s much-loved comedy, the A Midsummer Night’s Dream Summer Trail has invited families to step into the enchanted world of the play, with colourfu

Excitement for all the family. Photo by Rob Tysall Pro Photography. Have you got your tickets booked for the Tanks Trucks & Firepower Show this Bank Holiday weekend? Once again what is possibly the loudest and most exciting show around will be taking place in Dunchurch, Warwickshire from Saturday 29 to Monday 31 August 2026. Organised by Andrew Baker and his team with support from the Alvis Fighting Vehicle Society here’s your opportunity to get up close and personal with

Members of UK Garrison and Rebel Legion. Photo by Rob Tysall Pro Photography. It was fun and games all the way at MCM Comic Con held at the Birmingham NEC recently. Around 8,000 visitors attended many dressed as their favourite character. Also, with 110 exhibitors it was the ideal shopping opportunity – the place to buy unique gifts or keepsakes. Clothing, steampunk, hats, T-shirts, replica fantasy and sci-fi weapons and accessories, unique ornaments, original artwork, jewel

Helpful staff. Photo courtesy of the BMM. The British Motor Museum has been awarded the accreditation of VisitEngland Quality Assured Visitor Attraction following its recent assessment. The Museum achieved an impressive score of 91%, the second year in a row that it has been in the top 10%. The completely objective assessment looks at a number of key areas that are important to any tourist, from pre-arrival communications and first impressions, to cleanliness and catering, wi

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

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

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

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

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

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