What to see this week
Sculpture Park
THE Altered States open air sculpture exhibition in the grounds of historic Shaw House is now open. Walk around the park to view 75 sculptures by 23 acclaimed sculptors from all over the UK. This creative mix of traditional, modern and cutting-edge contemporary work is open from 11am – 4pm, seven days a week. Entry is free. Last Summer some 14,000 visitors enjoyed the works in the sunshine. https://alteredstatessculptures.co.uk/
Hog Hop Festival 2024
Local band The Station headlines Hungerford’s legendary Hop Hog Festival of live music, ale, cider and traditional roast hog, chicken rotisserie and roast spuds at The Plume this weekend 12noon to late on Saturday and Sunday. They play on Saturday from 10pm, sharing the bill with 20 superb acts over the two days. Live music all day Saturday and Sunday. Food served from 1pm. Free entry, large beer garden and glazed courtyard, outside cash only bar.
Peter Pan
Immersion Theatre invite you to soar away to Neverland as they proudly bring their trademark energy to their most magical musical to date, Peter Pan, outside at Shaw House on Monday (gates 5pm, performance 6pm). Get ready to think happy thoughts and fly high as the mischievous Peter embarks on an awfully big adventure, introducing the Darling children to the lost boys, the cheeky Tinkerbell, the hilarious Smee, and a host of other exciting characters before facing the most feared villain of them all, the infamous Captain Hook! Filled with catchy music, heaps of audience interaction, a laugh-a-minute script, and the opportunity to meet the characters after the show, this hilarious and exciting musical of the boy who never grew up promises to have every member of the family entertained throughout…You’ll be HOOKED! Suitable for all the family. Performance approx. 1hr 40 mins (plus 20 minute interval). Please bring your own seating/rug, warm clothes and picnic. The café will be open selling snacks, drinks and ice cream. Adult £13, Child £9. https://booking.westberks.gov.uk/heritage_events.html
Beowulf & Grendel
Tawnydog Productions are touring Beowulf and Grendel to the BT Studio at Oxford Playhouse tomorrow (Friday), a gripping tale of a prince’s struggle against evil, adapted and performed by award-nominated actor Evan Quinlan, and brought to you by the people behind the fringe hit Brain Hemingway. Prince Beowulf has answered a neighbouring kingdom’s call for aid when they are set upon by a vicious monster called Grendel. Quinlan’s adaptation from Francis Barton Gummere’s translation of the Old English poem brings to life the quintessential adventure epic, concluding in the iconic clash of epic poetry’s most legendary characters. Quinlan has adapted the alliterative verse, and performs it in the oral tradition that spans back to Beowulf's origins in the 7th century.
The Tiger Who Came to Tea
Judith Kerr’s celebrated big cat is back on the Oxford Playhouse stage on Wednesday in the Olivier Award-nominated show The Tiger Who Came to Tea. Direct from entertaining West End audiences, everybody’s favourite tea-guzzling tiger makes a surprise visit to Sophie and her mum in this delightful musical play adapted and directed by renowned children’s dramatist David Wood. Packed with oodles of magic, sing-along songs and clumsy chaos, this stunning smash-hit show is a family treat. www.oxfordplayhouse.com
