Here’s this week’s arts & entertainment hitlist
The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde premiere
Tomorrow (Friday, 7.30pm) Compton Players present the world premiere of a bold new adaptation of The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde by Robert Louis Stevenson, reimagined for the stage by local writer and director Pete Watt. This compelling production breathes new life into the Gothic classic, exploring duality, repression and identity through a strikingly modern lens. With original dialogue and an evocative 1970s staging, Watt’s version dives deep into the psychological struggle between respectability and desire.The play offers audiences an intense and atmospheric encounter with Stevenson’s enduring tale. The performance, at Compton Village Hall, will be followed by a Q&A session with the cast, adaptor and director – offering a rare glimpse behind the curtain into the adaptation process and themes that shaped this unique retelling. Tickets are available on the door or at www.comptonplayers.co.uk
Wildlife Photographer of the Year
There are over 100 stellar images to enjoy at the 60th Wildlife Photographer of the Year exhibition at The Base at Greenham, a firm annual favourite direct from London’s Natural History Museum (until July 20). The international photographers are concerned with the breathtaking beauty – and often the savagery – of the natural world, but also with its fragility. Many are rightly concerned with conservation, sustainability and climate change. The show runs until Sunday, July 20 (Tuesday-Sunday; 10-4; book a slot). Entrance £10.95 (concessions). Relaxed days: June 19 and July 17 (10am-5pm). Read our review here: https://tinyurl.com/yyxcp68p
Treasures of the Turf
Tuesday’s Arts Society Newbury lecture at Arlington Arts, Snelsmore, (10.30am), will be Treasures of the Turf: The fine and decorative arts of horseracing. Speaker Christopher Garibaldi will look at the history of horseracing from the late 17th century to the modern period and the development of the sport in this country through its associated cultural material. Using the wealth of paintings, archive material and decorative art objects associated with and depicting the ‘Sport of Kings’, the lecture takes as its starting point the earliest origins of the sport including the development of Newmarket and the Jockey Club as racing’s ‘Headquarters’. An independent researcher, Christopher was, from 2010–2019, Director of Palace House, Newmarket National Heritage Centre for Horseracing and Sporting Art. From 2008–2010 he was Co-Director of the Attingham Summer School for the Study of Historic Houses and Collections. From 1998–2003 Christopher was Senior Curator and Assistant Keeper of Art (Decorative Art) at Norwich Castle Museum. He was co-curator of Flower Power: The Meaning of Flowers in Art, and Eat, Drink and Be Merry: The British at Table 1600 to 2000. From 1994–1997 Christopher catalogued the silver in the Royal Collection at Buckingham Palace, Windsor Castle and other royal residences. https://theartssociety.org/
Razzamataz showcase
Razzamataz performing arts groups showcase their work at Arlington Arts, Snelsmore, on Saturday and Sunday. Join the Razz students on a journey through the worlds of commercial pop and music theatre, featuring songs from many hit shows as well as favourites from the pop and commercial world! So sit back and let them Put A Little Love in Your Heart as they go into Overdrive…. Tickets can be purchased from the box office (which is directly opposite the entrance doors) during opening hours (10am-4.30pm weekdays), as well as just before and during the show. For carer and access tickets, call 01635 244 246 – or email boxoffice@arlingtonarts.co.uk
Only Connect at New Era
New Era Players present a triple bill of amusing, entertaining and touching pieces - Only Connect: A Trio of Short Plays. It’s a great opportunity to see some new and seasoned talent, as the amateur dramatic society introduce both actors and directors to their stage. ‘And It Makes Me Wonder’, by Jenni Collins and Mandy Clark, is based on a real-life encounter near Reading in the early 80s. Johnny is in the middle of his exams and torn between his dreams of rock stardom or settling for ‘proper’ job, until a chance meeting with an old lady at the bus stop makes him rethink his ambitions. ‘Bed Among the Lentils’ is a wry and witty monologue from Alan Bennett’s ‘Talking Heads’ series. A vicar’s wife struggles with both her role and the demands of the parishioners but discovers a surprising new connection with Ramesh at the corner shop. Another of the ‘Talking Heads’ completes the evening, with ‘A Lady of Letters.’ Irene spends much of her time writing letters: to the council, the crematorium, sausage manufacturers and even the Queen. Irene likes to bring her petty complaints to the attention of the relevant authorities, but now she oversteps the mark and finds herself in a spot of bother.
Join in the fun from tonight (Thursday) to Saturday and Tuesday tonext Saturday at New Era Theatre, Andover Road, Wash Common. Tickets £15 from ticketsource.co.uk/new-era-players.
