This month
NOVEMBER 2018
THEATRE: Murder For Two, Theatre Royal Windsor, Thu 1 – Sat 3 Nov
I reviewed the brilliant Murder For Two when it premiered at The Watermill Theatre last year, and after a run in London’s West End, this hilarious high-energy whodunit is back in Berkshire. Starring Ed MacArthur and Jeremy Legat, it’s a madcap murder mystery with a twist, a hysterical blend of music, mayhem and murder. Originally a massive off-Broadway hit, it’s directed by Luke Sheppard, winner of Best Musical Olivier for In The Heights.
THEATRE: The Think Drinker’s Pub Crawl, South Street Arts Reading, Thu 1 – Sat 3 Nov
Any show that involves a pub crawl, had me at hello. The Thinking Drinkers are back on tour with a brand-new, intoxicating bar-hop through history. Enjoy five free drinks as the award-winning experts take you from the symposiums of Ancient Greece to the classic British boozer via Wild West saloons, Victorian gin palaces and the secret Speakeasy. You’ll learn a lot, you’ll laugh a lot and, don’t forget, you get five free drinks.
COMEDY: Croft & Pearce Double Take, Norden Farm Maidenhead, Fri 2 Nov
If you missed there show in Reading, get yourself down to Maidenhad! Croft & Pearce are back on tour with a brand new show and, if it’s anything like the others, it’ll be a sell out. So hurry. Stars of BBC Radio 4’s The Croft & Pearce Show and Sketchorama, winners of the Mervyn Stutter Spirit of the Fringe Award, recipients of the official Edinburgh Fringe ‘Total Sell-Out Show’ laurel and WhatsOnLondon Comedy Award nominees 2017. The list goes on and on. Buy a ticket and see why everyone loves these gals.
EXHIBITION: A Royal Wedding: Duke and Duchess of Sussex, Windsor Castle, now – 26 Jan 2019
Better late than never, but we’ve all been invited to Windsor Castle to get up close and personal with newlyweds Harry and Meghan. OK, so they won’t actually be there but a new exhibition will display Meghan’s Givenchy bridal gown designed by Artistic Director Clare Waight Keller is, her 5m veil embroidered with flora symbolising the 53 Commonwealth countries and the 1932 Queen Mary diamond and platinum tiara loaned to the Duchess by the Queen. It’s not all about the bride (even though we known it is really), Harry’s Blues and Royals frock designed by Dege & Skinner on Savile Row will also be standing to attention.
EVENT: Spookfest & Sparkle, Royal Windsor Racecourse, Sat 3 Nov
It doesn’t get much bigger than this. Windsor’s epic fireworks display – courtesy of British Fireworks Championship double award-winners Fantastic Fireworks – is set to music from spooktacular movies like The Addams Family, Ghostbusters, Scooby Doo and Psycho. But it doesn’t end there, once you’ve been wowed by the fpretty explosives, you can head over to the drive-in outdoor cinema to watch the original 1984 Ghostbusters. How cool is that? Book up, it’ll be a sell out.
EVENT: Fireworks Spectacular Family Raceday, Ascot Racecourse, Sat 3 Nov
Why not make a day of it? Ascot Racecourse is offering a full day of National Hunt racing, white knuckle fun fair rides and gentler ones for littlies (free until 4pm, then £1 per ride), they’ll also be showing The Greatest Showman in the Ascot Pavillion, finishing with an enormous fireworks display. Under 18s go free and all proceeds go to local charities. Talk about bang for your buck. Fnar.
Other fireworks displays: Sat 3 Nov: Sparks In The Park, Swallowfield Park Reading; Wellington College Charity Fireworks 2018; Upton Court Park Fireworks, Slough; Boyn Hill Cricket Club Fireworks Display, Maidenhead; Pangbourne Fireworks Fiesta 2018, Pangbourne Primary School. Sun 4 Nov: Thameside Firework Extravaganza, Mapledurham Lock Purley On Thames. Mon 5 Nov: Chieveley Fireworks, Chieveley Recreation Ground. Sun 10 Nov: Lions Fireworks Spectacular, Newbury Racecourse
Read about Berkshire’s biggest and best displays, here.
KIDS: There Was An Old Lady Who Swallowed A Fly, South Hill Park Bracknell, Sat 3 Nov
Kids love nursery rhymes that takes a macabre twist – an antidote to the saccharin sweet storytelling of Peppa Pig. To celebrate the 45th anniversary of Pam Adams’ classic There Was An Old Lady Who Swallowed A Fly the People’s Theatre will bring the story to life. Suitable for ages 2yrs+. Meet the characters after the show for a book signing and photos.
MUSIC: BR James, South Hill Park Bracknell, Sat 3 Nov
When you’re described as the John Legend of the UK, that’s putting a whole heap of expectation out there. But that’s what music peeps are saying about BR James – Berkshire’s finest soul singer. Not only can the man sing, he’s also pretty nifty on the piano. You can see him perform at South Hill Park in Bracknell. Check out and let me know what you think.
DRINKIES: Gin Club, Corn Exchange Newbury, Sat 3 Nov
First rule of Gin Club, you do not talk about Gin Club. We don’t everyone tucking into our favourite tipple, now do we? A monthly shindig at the Corn Exchange, you’ll get to sample four different premium minis, tonics and garnishes with like minded lovers of botanicals. Drinks o’clock is 8pm, and I’m happy to be ruined.
FILM: Scream @ WBB, West Berkshire Brewery Yattendon, Sun 4 Nov
Arrrrrrrgggh! Ditch the kids, they’ve had their fun this week and head out for your very fright night at the movies. West Berkshire Brewery will be showing the 90s classic, Scream, starring Drew Barrymore, Neve Campbell and Courtney Cox, poking fun at every horror cliche in the book. Entry is £5 and includes a pint of WBB beer plus the Kitchen will be be serving hotdogs (veggie & vegan options available) & popcorn.
FAMILY FUN: Morgan & West Unbelieveable Science, Norden Farm Maidenhead, Sun 4 Nov
Kaboom! Time-travelling magicians Morgan & West are back with a brand new ‘Work In Progress’ show. Their magical extravaganza was a massive hit, but these boys have been hiding another talent they are genuine, bona fide, legitimately qualified scientists, and now are bring their love of enlightenment to the stage! Expect explosive thrills, chemical spills and a risk assessment that gives their stage manager chills.
ACTIVITY: Festive Floral Roadshow with Mig Kimpton, Corn Exchange Newbury, Tue 6 Nov
A floral roadshow? Scratches head. But yes, the theatre of floral design is coming to a stage near you. Multi award-winning Mig Kimpton combines his theatrical past (he’s worked with Elton John, Ian McKellan, Kevin Spacey, to name drop a few) with his floral know-how (10 shiny Chelsea Flower Show gold medals). The live show will see Mig create from scratch some amazing festive designs for the home using fresh flowers and unusual materials.
ART: Stanley Spencer: Friends and Family, Stanley Spencer Gallery Cookham, Thu 8 Nov – Mar 2019

Youth and experience” Self portraits of Berkshire-born Stanley Spencer
Not a loyalty scheme, but the latest exhibition at the brilliant Stanley Spencer Gallery on Cookham High Street. Although more famous for his local landscapes, his portraits are world class – in fact one on his first self portraits hangs in the Tate Britain. This new exhibition is an intimate snapshot of the artist’s private life, demonstrating his immense talent at capturing the mood and character of those closest to him.
SHOPPING: Donna Ida Denim Clinic, Jax Jeans Hungerford, Thu 8 Nov
Shopping for jeans can be as painful as root canal treatment. Not any more, denim queen Donna Ida will be running a VIP clinic at Jax Jeans in Hungerford, to help you into the perfect shape, size and fit. You’ll have a one to one personal consultation with Donna herself (possibly the loveliest, most glamorous woman on the planet) all helped along with a glass of bubbly. Plus owner and pro stylist Jax will be on hand to pull your whole look together. It’s fun event – 10am-5pm.
DANCE: 10, Corn Exchange Newbury, Thu 8 Nov
Something a bit different… contemporary dance. If Strictly’s got you in the mood to see more, don’t miss the opportunity to the see the Company Chameleon’s inspiring new triple bill, 10. It’s athletic, emotive and the muscles will one rippling on stage. Dance critics have raved about it, so plie this way and book up.
TALK: An Evening With Michael Parkinson, Cliveden House Hotel Taplow, Fri 9 Nov
If you could invite anyone to dinner, who would choose? Parky would definitely be at mine (whether he liked it or not). The man is a legend with more showbiz miles on the clock than the Rolling Stones tour bus. He’s interviewed over 2000 of the most important cultural figures of our time and won awards for journalism, radio and broadcasting. So Cliveden’s evening with Sir Michael is a bit spesh. Quaff Champers. scoff canapés, listen to Sir Michael talk, followed by a delicious 3-course dinner in the Andre Garrett Restaurant. Tickets £150pp.
TALK: Ayesha Hazarika – Girl on Girl: The Fight for Feminism, South Street Arts Reading, Fri 9 Nov
‘Phew! After Weinstein and #MeToo, women of the world have finally united… Who cares about smashing the patriarchy when you can go full-on Prisoner: Cell-Block H? So, what happened to feminism? Is it too posh? Too white? When did Germaine Greer become Richard Littlejohn? Whose feminism is it anyway?’ Political pundit Ayesha Hazarika tackles the F word.
ARTS: Contemporary Arts Fair, Windsor Racecourse, Fri 9 – Sun 11 Nov

Image: Pure Evil
If you’ve got blank walls and you’re looking for something cool, get yourself down to Windsor Racecourse for the 14th Contemporary Arts Fair for artwork that’s accessible and affordable. London’s Reem Gallery – an urban art gem – will be exhibiting for the first time this year showcasing the brilliant work of emerging artists alongside global household names.
contemporaryartfairs.co.uk/windsor
FESTIVAL: Berkshire Christmas Festival, Newbury Showground, Sat 10 – Sun 11 Nov
It’s Christmaaaaaas…OK, not quite, but if the Berkshire Christmas Festival doesn’t get you in the spirit, I’m not sure what will. There’s a circus, Santa, panto, Great British Bake Off 2017 star Julia Chernagorova, a Victorian Market featuring local food and drink producers and artisans, choirs, bell ringers and more more more. There’s even a Dog Show Christmas Pawty. It’s a one-stop festival of festive fun. Who needs the John Lewis Christmas ad, when you’ve got this. Tickets: £8; concessions £6, kids £4, Under 5s FREE.
DANCE: Beauty And The Beast, South Hill Park Bracknell, Sun 11 Nov
If you’ve seen The Nutcracker a gazillion times (guilty as charged m’lud), why not try Beauty and The Beast. A stunning gothic production by Ballet Theatre UK is coming to South Hill Park in Bracknell. I think we all know the story by now, but I’m got Christmas party inspo right here and I’ll always be perfectly lit by carrying my own candelabra.
THEATRE: A Christmas Carol, Theatre Royal Windsor, Mon 12- Sat 17 Nov
The perfect time of year to see the Dickens classic, A Christmas Carol – and this one has been adapted by Broadway heavy hitters Alan Menken (Disney’s Beauty And The Beast & The Little Mermaid) and Lynn Ahrens (Ragtime & Seussical). So don’t expect the same old, same old. Plus if you’re teen’s studying it at school, drag him away fro YouTube and see the story come alive.
MUSIC: Jools Holland Rythem & Blues Orchestra, Hexagon Reading, Wed 14 Nov
If New Year’s all about getting smashed and watching Jools Holland’s Annual Hootenany, then this might just prise you off the sofa before the end of year sit in. The legendary Jools and his Rhythm & Blues Orchestra are touring the UK and hitting the Hexagon in Reading this November. Plus they’ve smuggled Soft Cell frontman Marc Almond onto the tour bus to belt out a few numbers too. Room for one more?
THEATRE: Robin Hood, Watermill Theatre Bagnor, Thu 15 Nov – Sat 5 Jan 2019
The Watermill Theatre is renowned for its high quality bookish Christmas shows – and this year it’s Robin Hood. It’s a superb alternative if you’re not a fab of panto. So don’t expect a camp, thigh slapping Robin. Funny, fearless and brilliant family entertainment, it’s always a treat at Crimbo.
THEATRE: Withering Lunatics, Corn Exchange Newbury, Thu 15 Nov
Britain’s favourite literary lunatics are back with their cult Brontë spoof, Withering Looks. Specially reworked for the 200th anniversary year of Emily’s birth, the classic comic duo couldn’t resist the urge to dust off their crinolines and sit at rain-lashed windows in a pale and decorative manner.
SHOPPING: Christmas Market, Douai Park Upper Woolhampton, Sun 18 Nov
Hallelujah! The skincare brand all parents of tweens and teens have been waiting for – Spots & Stripes! Created by former glossy mag beauty editor Charlotte Ann Fidler (she’s worked for them all – Vogue, Elle Glamour and more) Spots & Stripes is skincare with a conscience that looks good, smells amazing and is packed with quality natural ingredients that tackles teen skin and hair problems. It’s brilliant. Don’t take my word for it, meet the lady herself at the Jax Jeans launch.
ACTIVITY: The Carnival of Animals – Lantern Making Workshop, Norden Farm Maidenhead, Sat 1 – Sun 2 Dec
The Maidenhead lantern parade is a firm fave and a wonderful Christmas tradition. But don’t just admire the twinkly lovliness from afar, get involved. For the 10th year, Norden Farm will run its brilliant lantern making workshops so you can take part in the parade on Sat 8 Dec. Weave and mould willow ready for decoration – inspired by the animal world. It’s a jungle out there, get creative and light em up.
Lantern Making For The Brave, 101 Arts Creation Space Greenham Business Park Newbury, Sat 1 Dec
Oooh, sparkly lights! The annual Newbury lantern parade is a really special event. Rather than ooh and ahh on the sidelines, why not make a lantern and take part in the procession on Sun 16 Dec. Work with pros to create a traditional pyramid Lantern out of willow and paper, to carry in our Festival of Light! It takes between 1- 2 hours to make, then join the fun and light up!