This week’s pick of what to see in and around Newbury

Princess Smartypants

BABETTE Cole’s Princess Smartypants adapted by The Wardrobe Ensemble comes to The Watermill, Bagnor next Thursday (April 4) to Saturday. A subversive, fun-filled adventure for children and their families. Princess Smartypants does not want to get married. She wants to carry on making music with her menagerie of monstrous pets, but the King and Queen have other ideas... Find out how Princess Smartypants fights to preserve her independence in this hilarious fairy-tale-with-a-difference. Full of songs and madcap comedy, a treat for all the family. Perfect for anyone who is fed up of traditional fairy tales and wants to see what happens when girls are in charge of the castle. Thursday:10.30am, Friday 10.30am, 1.30pm, Saturday 10.30am. Most suitable for ages 4+ but all ages welcome. https://www.watermill.org.uk/princess-smartypants

Family ballet

NORTHERN Ballet tour to Oxford Playhouse this weekend with Tortoise & The Hare. When a cheeky Hare won't stop boasting about how fast he can run, thoughtful Tortoise decides it is time to join him in a race. No one thinks Tortoise can win, but when Hare gets distracted by games and treats, Tortoise might just surprise us all. The perfect introduction to live ballet and music, your little ones will be cheering along as a playful cast of characters re-tell this classic tale. Friday 2pm & 4pm, Saturday 11am relaxed performance & 1pm. Suitable for all ages. https://www.oxfordplayhouse.com/

Living more sustainably

JOIN Kirsty Shakespeare from the Trust for Sustainable Living and The Living Rainforest at Honesty Café, at The Base Greenham tonight (Thursday, 7pm) for an insight into living more sustainably and how the changes we can all make can have a lasting impact on our environment. Inspired by the environmental themes explored in the Natural History Museum Wildlife Photographer of the Year exhibition currently on show. Entrance to the exhibition will be from 6.30 - 7pm. Tickets must be booked in advance https://thebasegreenham.co.uk

Dazzling Johannes Radebe

JOHANNES Radebe: House of JoJo tours to the New Theatre Oxford on Saturday (March 30). the Join TV Dance Sensation and a host of eclectic characters in this brand-new theatrical celebration jam-packed with roof-raising music, dazzling costumes and of course, world class dance. “The doors to the House of JoJo are open – and you are invited” https://www.atgtickets.com/venues/new-theatre-oxford/

Sing-a-Long-a Matilda the Musical

AGAIN at New Theatre Oxford, on Sunday, calling all revolting children and their parents – come and be a little a bit naughty at Sing-a-Long-a Matilda the Musical. The hit musical will be shown on screen, with lyrics so everyone can join in. Now is your chance to interact with this incredible tale of a little girl making her great escape. Matilda is an extraordinary girl, who armed with a sharp mind and a vivid imagination, dares to take a stand to change her story with miraculous results. The host will help you have “a holiday in your head” as they teach you some dance moves, show you how to use your free props bags and have you booing the villains and championing the heroes. YOU the audience are the stars! Fancy dress is strongly encouraged and full audience participation essential. Please note this is a screening of the movie not a live stage show

Iconic portraits

JULIE Bennett’s exhibition of painted portraits of celebrated musicians and artists, Iconic, continues at Arlington Arts, Snelsmore, until April 23. Bennett’s bold, unapologetically confident works are tightly cropped, inviting the viewer to focus solely on the face and the physicality of paint. In contrast to the contrived perfection of digital imagery, Bennett wants to leave the viewer in no doubt that they are looking at a painting when they see her work. Visit https://arlington-arts.com/exhibitions/ for opening times.

Natural History Museum Wildlife Photographer of the Year,

THE 59th instalment of the world-renowned exhibition Wildlife Photographer of the Year, on loan from the Natural History Museum, iis showing at The Base at Greenham until April 14. The world’s most prestigious photographic event of its kind celebrates the very best nature photography and photojournalism, using the unique emotive power of photography to inspire wonder and create advocates for the natural world. Truly stunning images allow visitors to experience nature in vivid detail and get up close to some of the world’s most extraordinary species, the lives they live and the challenges they face. book your slot at https://thebasegreenham.co.uk/ Tickets £10.95 (conc £9.25), groups of 10+ £8.75, under-16s £6.75, under-5s & Base Pass holders free,