Pick of the best - whats on this week
Only Fools & Horses The Musical
STICK a pony in your pocket – The Trotters are at New Theatre Oxford until Saturday with the hit UK tour Only Fools and Horses The Musical – direct from a record-breaking four-year run in the West End – featuring Del Boy, Rodney, Grandad, Cassandra, Raquel, Boycie, Marlene, Trigger, Denzil and Mickey Pearce. Based on John Sullivan’s legendary television show, this musical spectacular features material from Britain’s best-loved TV series. With a script and original score written by John’s son Jim Sullivan and comedy giant Paul Whitehouse, prepare to get reacquainted with Britain’s most lovable rogues and experience the classic comedy brought to life on stage through an ingenious script and 20 hilarious songs. https://www.atgtickets.com/venues/new-theatre-oxford/
Bands night fundraiser for Old Library Campaign
THERE’S a great line-up for tomorrow night’s (Friday, 7pm) Newbury Sounds local bands night at the Corn Exchange in aid of the Old Library Campaign. The event is curated by Ben Richardson and his band A Dirty Soul, who co-headline with Revenant and launch their debut The Bloodline EP. They offer a show packed with Indie and Rock n Roll influences by the likes of BRMC, Nirvana and Oasis. On the bill are The Sion Whiley Band: Sion, known locally for his incredibly popular open mic events and prolific gigs across West Berkshire, brings his newly formed three-piece for their debut gig in Newbury. Colorado River, formed in 2018 and originating from Newbury, Berkshire. Created by Milena and Ken who wanted to share their love and passion for country and folk music. They have since added Newbury musician Nathan Holland on drums/percussion to complete the trio. Infinite Horse, are a three-piece alt-rock act currently based in Bristol, but all three members of the band are originally from Newbury. Their latest single Thanks was recorded and produced by the drummer in the band Adam King, making up the three piece are Greg Sharrett on guitars and vocals, and Pete Edward on bass and vocals. Formed in 2023, Revenant brings a huge rock sound with a southern spin. Their debut EP What A Time To Be Alive received critical acclaim in 2024. Labelled as 'ones not to be missed', Revenant also release their new EP on the night and might just become your new favourite band. https://cornexchangenew.com/
Absurdist humour at New Era Theatre
New Era Players production of ‘Here Comes a Chopper’ by Eugène Ionesco opens tonight (Thursday) at the Wash Common theatre. This play, written in 1970, is billed as a comedy about a plague that sweeps through a town, forcing a lockdown situation. Sound familiar? Fifty years before it was written, the Spanish flu had ravished Europe, and 50 years after, we endured Covid; Ionesco is both reflective and prophetic, commenting on the human condition and showing us that nothing much changes and we are perhaps doomed to keep repeating ourselves. The action of the play portrays both anarchic humour and pathos, with fast-paced scenes darting around the town and giving an insight into the reactions of the townsfolk to their predicament. Featuring an ensemble cast, there is more than a hint of Monty Python in the absurdist humour and fantastical situations, making for a very entertaining watch. It runs from tonight to Saturday, and Tuesday to next Saturday at New Era Theatre, Andover Road, Wash Common, Newbury RG14 6NU. www.new-era-players.org
Americana
WHEN the self-styled ‘Queen of Oklahoma’ Carter Sampson appeared at ACE Space in 2023, together with co-headliner Amelia White, our reviewer summarised the evening as “a mesmerising slice of genuine Americana”. Tony Trigwell-Jones went on to say: “Carter Sampson’s voice has and effortless beauty that captivates instantly”. Carter makes a welcome return to ACE Space on Saturday, this time with her full band. The Oklahoma City-based artist is blessed by a musical family legacy that includes talents like Roy Orbison. Her journey as a naturally independent, free-spirited musician has seemed almost predestined at times. At age 15 she began experimenting with sound as a way to pass the time; now her creativity has matured into the dedicated and passionate performance that makes her an award-winning musician with six CDs under her belt. Carter Sampson writes relatable and honest songs about family, love, life and historical characters. Her music mixes country, rock ’n’ roll, folk and county. As Americana UK said, you “can’t take the country out of an Oklahoman musician no matter how hard you try”. Opening the evening will be Lancashire-born singer-songwriter Joe Martin, who is deservedly gaining attention on both sides of the Atlantic having performed around the UK, Europe and legendary venues in Nashville, Tennessee. He grew up listening to the greats and has been influenced by artists from Bob Dylan and Townes Van Zandt to Jason Isbell and Kacey Musgraves which is evident his sound and lyrical style. Go to www.WeGotTickets.com or email events@acespace.org.uk for ticket info.
Groundbreaking Tess
Ockham’s Razor’s Tess is a groundbreaking adaptation of Thomas Hardy's classic novel Tess of the D'Urbervilles. It comes to the Corn Exchange on Tuesday. An ensemble of performers weave together Hardy’s words and the extreme physicality of circus - acrobatics, aerial, dance and physical theatre - to tell this tale of power, loss and endurance. Against a backdrop of projections, the cast wield wooden planks, climb shifting walls and move through ropes and swathes of linen to evoke the vast landscapes and interior worlds of Hardy’s Wessex. It is a story which still has extraordinary relevance for our times in its incredibly nuanced evocation of female relationships, sexual desire, consent, privilege and poverty. This retelling captures the beauty, heartbreak and yearning of the novel and draws upon the incredible strength of the circus body to create a Tess as heroic as Hardy intended. The scheduled performance on Wednesday at 7.30pm has been cancelled. Reviewed by @newburytoday at Oxford. https://cornexchangenew.com/
