Newburytoday’s pick of what to see in and around Newbury this coming week
Shakespeare goes to Hollywood
THE Watermill’s critically acclaimed Watermill Ensemble have sashayed into the Golden Age of Hollywood with their new take on Shakespeare’s classic comedy Much Ado About Nothing. Adapted by Tom Wentworth and directed by Paul Hart, the new production sets the comedy at a bustling film set and will feature a 1940s-inspired jazz and swing soundscape, played live by the ensemble cast of actor-musicians. “Expect mischief, mayhem and passions to run high!” The production runs at the Bagnor theatre until May 18. https://www.watermill.org.uk/
Northern Soul
KEEP the faith! The Signatures: Northern Soul Live at the Corn Exchange tomorrow (Friday, 7.45pm) is an absolute must for soul-loving fans! The Signatures, featuring Stefan Taylor, are the UK’s top Northern Soul act, step back to the sounds of the Twisted Wheel, Blackpool Mecca, Golden Torch and the special guest is Wigan Casino favourite original Northern Soul artist Lorraine Silver (Lost Summer Love). A highly talented 10-piece band playing authentic style of Northern Soul Music. Your feet can’t stop dancing. What a show! The Signatures have been fortunate enough to work with many original Northern Soul artists such as Tobi Legend, Brenda Holloway, Gloria Jones and many more. https://cornexchangenew.com/
Wickedly Camp
IT’S wickedly camp. Unfortunate is coming to Oxford and things are gonna get wet. Direct from a smash hit London season comes the outrageous and wickedly camp parody musical Unfortunate, starring Shawna Hamic (Orange is the New Black, 1776 on Broadway) as Ursula and River Medway (RuPaul’s Drag Race UK) as Ariel. Join everyone’s favourite Disney Diva, Ursula, as she gives her take on what really happened all those years ago under the sea. With an original hot pop soundtrack and trademark filthy humour, take the plunge and dive into this year’s hottest night out. The legendary queer queen is ready to spill, in this tell-all tale of sex, sorcery and suckers. Unfortunate, The Untold Story of Ursula The Sea Witch runs from Tuesday (April 23 to Saturday, April 27, at Oxford Playhouse. https://www.oxfordplayhouse.com/
Goth/Post-Punk
TONIGHT (Thursday) at Reading’s Club Velocity presents Goth/Post-Punk legends Ghost Dance. Anne Marie Hurst was the backing vocalist for the Goth Rock group the Elements in Keighley. In December 1982, she helped form Skeletal Family then in 1985, co-founded Ghost Dance with Gary Marx (formerly of The Sisters of Mercy). Ghost Dance released several indie chart hit singles which were later compiled on the Gathering Dust album. In 1989 they signed to Chrysalis. In 2019 Anne Marie reformed Ghost Dance with ex Harlequyn members Tim Walker, Phil Noble and Dave Wood, then in 2020, Stephen Derrig (formally of Original Sin) completed the line up. Nightclub Club Velocity is based in Silver Street https://clubvelocityreading.com/
Bruegel to Rubens Great Flemish Drawings
Showcasing over 100 exceptional Flemish drawings from the 16th and 17th centuries, Bruegel to Rubens Great Flemish Drawings runs at the Ashmolean, Oxford until June 23. From Pieter Bruegel’s remarkable print designs and landscapes and Rubens’s first sketches to heartfelt friendship albums shared between artists, this major exhibition presents drawings from many of the Flemish masters, rarely seen in public. The exhibition shows 120 drawings, with over 30 on display for the first time, including some which have only recently been discovered. These are some of the most exquisite drawings kept in Antwerp and Oxford collections by famous artists such as Pieter Bruegel, Peter Paul Rubens, Anthony van Dyck and Jacques Jordaens. The artworks will provide insights into how these artists honed their drawing skills throughout their careers. A once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to get close to these delicate and often intimate drawings and the objects they inspired. Book at https://www.ashmolean.org