Where to go and what to see in and around Newbury this week
Ian Hislop & Nick Newman’s satirical world premiere
IAN Hislop & Nick Newman’s The Autobiography of a Cad runs at The Watermill, Bagnor, until Saturday, March 22. A hilarious new adaptation of A.G. Macdonell’s satirical masterpiece, it chronicles the rise of self-proclaimed political titan Edward Percival Fox-Ingleby from Eton to Oxford and then on to Parliament. The Cad’s story contains all the hallmarks of success: university escapades with friends taking the blame, courageously signing up to be on the administrative frontline of the First World War effort and doing the decent thing and joining the Tory party in the 1920s. Committed to ploughing his own way through life, righting the wrongs of his unforgivably liberal parents and armed with a universal disregard for the rules, the truth, and the women in his life, this is Edward Fox-Ingleby, a man who no-one loves as much as himself. This happily fictitious memoir about serving the nation bears absolutely no relation to any politicians past, present or future. https://www.watermill.org.uk/
Chanson d’amour
HOW about a little chanson around Valentines Day? The unique Alan Clayson will play at Shipinnarts, Ashford Hill, with support from Thatcham musician Mark T on Saturday, February 15. Following the unfortunate cancellation of Alan's show at The Ship two years ago he is back with an evening of chanson. Reading-based singer, songwriter and author Clayson has been aptly described as a ‘chanteur and raconteur’. He achieved a cult following back in the late 1970s with his band Clayson and the Argonauts, who performed regularly at The Target in Reading’s Butts Centre and South Street Arts Centre, but his Chanson shows didn’t start until 2011 when he was writing a biography of Jacques Brel. He has been described as “mesmerising” “a man possessed” and a “master raconteur at the top of his game”. He delivers a brief introduction to chanson before launching into songs by Brel and other chansonniers both Gallic and British. An absolutely authentic one-off, unique showman. You will leave both educated and entertained. He is supported by Mark T, an accomplished bouzouki player and multi-instrumentalist who blends blues and English/Celtic folk with Greek Rembetika to create his own highly individual sound. https://shipinnarts.org/
A Man for All Seasons
MARTIN Shaw and Gary Wilmot star in A Man for All Seasons presented by Theatre Royal Bath Productions at the Oxford Playhouse from Tuesday to Saturday. The greatest, most powerful and dangerous figures who shaped English history are brought vividly to life in Robert Bolt’s award-winning play. Martin Shaw’s portrayal of Sir Thomas More has been much praised – scholar, ambassador, Lord Chancellor and friend to King Henry VIII, above all, he is a man of integrity, loved by the common people and his own family. When Henry demands a divorce from Catherine of Aragon, clearing the way for him to marry Anne Boleyn, the staunchly Catholic Thomas is forced to choose between his loyalty and his own conscience, committing an incredible act of defiance for which he eventually pays the ultimate price. https://www.oxfordplayhouse.com/events/a-man-for-all-seasons
Peter Andre – The Best of Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons
STARRING Peter Andre – The Best of Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons is a spectacular, high-pitched celebration of music from one of the biggest selling groups of all time. This nostalgic musical journey pays tribute to the life and career of those four boys from Jersey, who started singing under a streetlamp, but soon went on to become one of the most recognised groups in history. From the streets of New Jersey to the dizzying heights of the West End and Broadway, this incredible music has delighted audiences for over five decades, The Best of Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons features all your favourite songs, including Sherry, My Eyes Adored You, Big Girls Don't Cry, Can't Take My Eyes off You, and many more. Featuring a supporting cast of incredible performers from smash-hit award-winning West End musicals, this show will leave you on a 'high', and guarantee you'll be saying Oh, What a Night! Catch it at The Anvil, Basingstoke, on Saturday (7.30pm). https://www.anvilarts.org.uk/events/peter-andre-frankie-valli
Arts lecture
THE next Arts Society Newbury lecture is The Stirling Prize: British Architecture’s Oscars on Tuesday (February 18) at Arlington Arts. Full details: thertssocietynewbury.org.uk
