ART

Daniel-Craig-in-A-Number-at-the-Royal-Court-Theatre-1999-C-Simon-Annand

Gratuitous shot of a half-naked Daniel Craig? You betcha. Don’t worry your ogling is art. Simon Annand’s photography exhibition The Half will be exhibited at The Base Greenham (7 Oct – 25 Nov), capturing actors over a 40-year period as they prepare for the stage. Featured images include Tilda Swinton, Judi Dench, Cate Blanchett, Helen Mirren and the very talented Daniel just before he went on stage at the Royal Court Theatre. This is a touring exhibition from the V&A Museum curated by Kate Bailey.

If you love nothing more than an arty party, Reading Museum is currently showing an Abstract Art exhibition until 3 Dec. There’s still a chance to see Turner Prize nominee Ingrid Pollard’s There & Then exhibition at The MERL in Reading (until 30 Oct) and

Something a bit different at Basildon Park, the National Trust property in Lower Basildon. On 22 Oct, watch artist Rohit Rajaguru create an intricate artwork live in the ballroom and kids can have a go at creating their own artwork in the 1950s kitchen throughout half term.

Although the weather’s a bit mizzy, either grab a brolly or pray for sunshine before heading to Windsor’s Savill Garden Sculpture exhibition Art in the Garden (now-1 Nov) – a celebration of horticultural and creative excellence. From modern abstract to more classical pieces, there is something to capture everyone’s attention and each is accompanied by the artist’s statement with information on the sculpture.

BOOKS

Bookworms, rejoice! Literary festivals abound this month. Bookworms, rejoice! Literary festivals abound this month, so crack out your freshest pencil and add these to your calendar: Another stellar line-up on offer at this year’s Cliveden Literary Festival, 15-16 Oct. As well as talks with authors like Kate Mosse, Jessie Burton and Robert Harris, you’ll also hear from cultural big-hitters such as Vogue editor Edward Enninful, actor Brian Cox and HM King Simeon of the Bulgarians. Book those slots, ASAP.

Wantage Literary Festival rounds out the month with events from 24 Oct-5 Nov, and a programme including actor Larry Lamb, crime writer Angela Gallop and Lady Carnarvon, of Highclere Castle (aka the actual Downton Abbey). Don’t forget to book your tickets for the literary cocktails on the 26 Oct at the Cob & Pen cocktail bar, too.

FOOD AND DRINK

Whiskey or brandy glass among a wild natural background of green moss, mushrooms, and fern leaves. Advertising image of alcohol drink.

Has gin had its day? (Not judging by Muddy consumption) Is rum the next big thing? Hedge your bets and head for the UK’s largest Gin and Rum Festival (14 Oct). With over 120 gins and rums, a brand new Tequila bar with up to 20 authentic Tequilas to sample, plus DJ, boozy masterclasses and a goodie bag, a taxi is essential and a hangover almost certainly guaranteed. Hic.

Wine lovers are spoilt for choice this month. Thames Valley Wine School has two more tasting events at The Corn Stores in Reading this month – a night of fizz, fish and chips sounds right up out street on 22 Oct and rounding things off nicely with red wine and cheese pairings on the 27 Oct.

COMEDY

What better way to warm up on a cold October evening than having a good laugh? Luckily, we have you covered all month. Comedian Mark Thomas will be hitting the Bracknell stage with his new show Black and White on 24 Oct at South Hill Park. He’s comedic quest if topple international capitalism – expect more than a few mentions of the Liz Truss and the Tory party shambles right now.

Want more? Jessica Fostekew‘s takes to the South Street Arts stage on 14 Oct talking sexy things (awkward), private things (oh no) and a woman trying to sit on the face of time to keep it still (hot, right?). We’ll let you be the judge. The following night (15 Oct) Ed Gamble – co-host of the award-winning mega-hit podcast Off Menu with James Acaster, Taskmaster champ, Great British Menu judge – pops up at The Hexagon Reading. Tickets are selling fast so grab one while you can.

Later in the month, Dara O’Brien will take to stage at The Hexagon Reading on 28 Oct with his new comedy show So, Where Were We? and it’ll be a pandemic free zone (thank god). Expect a mix of stories, one-liners, audience messing, and tripping over his words because he is talking too quickly. It’ll be a ‘masterclass in no-frills comedy’. Dom Joly who is back on tour for the first time since 2011. He’ll be tour guiding you through his Holiday Snaps as he enters the danger zones at South Hill Park Bracknell on 27 Oct.

If you missed Colin Hoult: The Death of Anna Mann in Reading last month, he’s back in the Berkshire hood at Norden Farm in Maidenhead on 29 Oct. Colin wowed hardened critics at this year’s Edinburgh Fringe, so you know it’s good.

THEATRE

Looking for something magical, mysterious or made up on the spot? We can surely oblige with this month’s theatre round-up.

OTHELLO WATERMILL THEATRE MATC BRENNER — Image Marc Brenner

Some of the best Shakespeare you’ll ever see. The Watermill Theatre nail Othello (on until 15 Oct) making it relevant and accessible without deviating from the story. An adaptation of Michael Morpurgo’s The Sleeping Sword will then open on 27 Oct – a great play for older kids.

More Shakespeare, but this time performed by the pedal powered Handlebards Theatre Company who will perform their hilarious Twelfth Night on 30 Oct at Norden Farm Maidenhead.

When things go bump in the night… and just in time for Halloween. The Dark will performed at the Corn Exchange Newbury, 29 Oct by the Peut-Être Theatre company. Based on the Lemony Snicket book, join Laszlo on his journey to meet the dark (who lives in the basement), and find out why it will never bother him again. The performance is accessible for blind and visually impaired children through integrated audio-description and touch tours.

More balls, please. Join the multi-award-winning New Old Friends theatre as they bring murder and mayhem, with a back slice of tennis. Crimes on Centre Court at South Hill Park in Bracknell (9 Oct) is a classic whodunnit with a cast of four performers playing countless characters with quick-fire changes and quicker wits. Game, set and match.

SK Shlomo is not just a kids beat-boxing hero, his new show BREATHE (The Hexagon Reading, 13 Oct) has mass appeal. Described by The Times as a “one-person music festival”, SK Shlomo’s new solo show is a rollercoaster love-letter to the lifesaving power of beats, bass & breathing.

FUN STUFF

Qipco British Champions Day Ascot Frankie Dettori

It’s the flat season finale! That’s all well and good but, let’s be honest we’re only in it for the cute hats, fashion and the endless supply of bubbles. Race you to the winner’s enclosure at Ascot Racecourse’s Qipco British Champions Day, on Sat 15 Oct and we can trot around the parade ring on race day. Newbury Races will out the flat season with it’s Oktoberfest (21-22 Oct! A fab weekend of racing,, plus the Grandstand will be transformed into a Bavarian Beer Hall, Oompah music, traditional German grub and, of course, loads of beers. Looks my dirndl will finally get an airing.

KIDS

Looking for our exclusive Half Term Guide? It’s winging its way to you – in the meantime, here’s what we’re booking…

As the days are dimming, Basildon Park is glowing up (22-30 Oct). There’s a wholesome garden trail for the kids and the house will be draped light and colour. Not to be missed.

Theatre for littlies is a great opportunity to keep the monkeys entertained and for you to have a snooze. The classic and very colourful The Very Hungry Caterpillar is on at the Corn Exchange Newbury (15-16 Oct).

Rescheduled from September, Stonor Park‘s famous Medieval Jousting is now taking place on 1-2 Oct. Gawp at the colourful Knights of Royal England recreating medieval jousting (with better health and safety, obv) and watch weapon displays, archery and axe throwing – as well as scoffing medieval food and drink, naturally.

A welcome break from Halloween madness, Morgan & West’s Unbelievable Science show (South Hill Park Bracknell, 25 Oct; Corn Exchange Newbury, 30 Oct) is fun and, whisper it, educational. Expect captivating chemistry, phenomenal physics and bonkers biology in this science extravaganza. Suitable for age 6 years +. Keeping the science theme going, The Amazing Bubble Man will also be combining comedy, science and, er, bubbles at South Hill Park on 27 Oct.

HALLOWEEN

It’s prime pumpkin-picking time, and there are plenty of places to PYO this year. Head to stunning Wasing Estate in Aldermaston to p-p-pick up a pumpkin and wander the Woodland Trail (21-29 Oct). You can also PYO pumpkins at Cobbs Farm in Hungerford (8-30 Oct) as well as Copas Fruit Fields in Cookham, available 15-16 Oct and 22-30 Oct. For more info on local patches, read more here.

If you’re all about the decorating, Bucklebury Farm‘s spooktacular day out includes a woodland trail, pumpkin carving, crafts and games (21-30 Oct). Wellington Country Park’s Hallo-Welly-Ween is back with a week of ghoulish fin – pumpkin patch, ghost train, Not So Spooky show and more (22-30 Oct).

Brick or Treat at Legoland Windsor (3-30 Oct) is an oldie but a goodie. Don’t miss the fangtastic Haunted House Monster Party, the new Halloween Harbour Show Lord Vampyre’s Creepy Crypt Trail, Monster Rocker’s fang-tastic Pumpkin Trail, plus all of the rides in the LEGO MYTHICA: World of Mythical Creatures, live shows and attractions.

Tumblestone Hollow in Henley will be embracing the spooky season once more this year, with The Moon Witch’s Halloween Adventure is running from 19 – 30 Oct. Read our Muddy review of last year’s event for a taster – expect a creepy themed trail, chocolate prizes and seasonal decor galore.

For something more witch crafty, sign your kids up for book illustrator Nick Sharratt’s Halloween Draw-a-long at South Hill Park Bracknell on 26 Oct. Ideal for Nick’s younger fans, bring pencils, paper and something to lean on and doodle away. Ages 4yrs+.

It’s a spooky movie marathon at the Renegade Brewery in Yattendon on 25 Oct. They’ll be showing The Addams Family 1 & 2 from 2pm – and it’s absolutely free. Book a table (it’ll be busy) and perhaps grab the kids’ tea while you’re there.

Hellfire Caves are a brilliant venue for spooky activities – I mean, the clue’s in the name. Plus, for Halloween, the caves are decked out to the nines with macabre props, lighting, creepy music and characters. Between 22-31 Oct there’s a Halloween Kids Disco and a Ghoulish Grub Halloween Feast. Space are limited so book up.

OOP! MISSED IT

Henley Literary Festival kicks off the month from 1-9 Oct, with events from the likes of Mary Berry, Sir Lenny Henry, Sali Hughes, Ruth Jones and Dr Julie Smith. Can’t make it into Henley? Each talk has a virtual event, so you can feel well-read from the comfort of your sofa.

Thames Valley Wine School will be running tasting events at The Corn Stores in Reading. Learn more about lip smackingly good French wines on 4 Oct, join the Introduction to Wine Tasting on 6 Oct and Italian wines on 11 Oct.

The Hexagon Theatre in Reading has Katherine Ryan – creator the Netflix smash hit The Duchess – performing her new stand-up show, Missus on 6 Oct. Pete Chowdhry workshopping his latest comedy with you live on the 12 Oct at Norden Farm Maidenhead (can’t make it? Try Seann Walsh on 13 Oct at Corn Exchange Newbury).

Ballet Cymru will perform DREAM – a new full-length ballet set in a magical, gender bending world of fairies, lovers, and bewitching enchantment at Corn Exchange Newbury on 11 Oct.

This one’s for charidee, mate. Stylist and fashion writer Virginia Chadwyck Healey will be hosting An Evening With Alexandra Shulman at Ascot Racecourse on 12 Oct. It’s fashionable fundraiser for Smart Works Reading and you have a chance to grab spectacular prizes and shop a very special sale rail. Tickets £45pp.

Roll up, roll up, the circus in town. Continental Circus Berlin will be pitching its Big Top in Ascot Racecourse’s car park from 5-9 Oct to bring you a mash up high energy acts including aerialists, quick-change artists, high-wire walkers, the rotating wheel of destiny, Hula Hoop queens, whirlwind acrobats & the death defying Globe of Death with riders traveling a G force speeds inside a mesh dome.

A roaaaaaarsome theatre trip for dinosaur loving kids as Dinosaur World Live arrive at The Hexagon Reading on 1-2 Oct. They’ll LOVE the jaw dropping puppetry of these prehistoric superstars as they thud, stomp and terrorise the locals on the Reading stage.

Hello spooky season! 50+ local things to do this October

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