MUDDY’S PICK OF THE MONTH

Strictly Ballroom The Musical, The Hexagon Reading, 15-21 Jan

Strictly Ballroom the Musical The HEagon Theatre Reading

Kick off 2023 with an explosion of sequins, glitter, features and joy as Strictly Ballroom The Musical at The Hexagon in Reading. Baz Lurhmann’s award-winning 1992 film is being brought to life on stage by the legendary Craig Revel Horwood and stars former Strictly babes Kevin Clifton and Maisie Smith. Sadly Kev will is on paternity leave for the Reading shows, and news of his replacement has yet to be revealed. One thing we do know is the the music is flashback (Love is in the Air, Perhaps Perhaps Perhaps and Time After Time), the outfits are fabulous and the choreography exquisite.

ART & EXHIBITIONS

Baby, it’s cold outside (freezing actually), so head indoors to check out one of these exhibitions popping up this month, including a rare opportunity to see Stanley Spencer’s most popular artworks at the same time, including The Last Supper, set in the Cookham malthouses, Neighbours; and paintings from Spencer’s ‘Marriage at Cana’ series, which weave Biblical stories into village life at the Stanley Spencer Gallery in Cookham.

Elsewhere at MERL Museum in Reading you can see Sew, What! which explores the big questions on sewing and fashion. Deep dive into the museum’s objects and archives, led by its Barnett collection of sewing machines. Fans of The Great British Sewing Bee will love. Opens 24 Jan.

On My Plate exhibition South Hill Park knitted afternoon tea

Over at South Hill Park from 21 Jan you can see On My Plate, a thought-provoking exhibition by women in the criminal justice system about food inside and outside prison, young offender institutions or secure hospitals. Their creations reveal the many memories and meanings that food can hold – joyful, tantalizing, nostalgic, complicated.

There’s still time to see Basildon Park’s Winter Ball exhibition (until 5 Jan) and Windsor Castle at Christmas before the decs are taken down from the 20ft spruce for another year (last day 2 Jan). That’s said the artwork and royal splendour of the State Apartments are always the stars of the show.

STAGE AND SCREEN

SHAWSHANK REDEMPTION THEATRE ROYAL WINDSOR Joe Absolom

First came Stephen King’s 1982 novella Rita Hayworth and Shawshank Re-demption, then came the blockbuster movie in 1994 starring Morgan Freeman and Tim Robbins which was nominated for a whopping seven Oscars. Now you can see the theatre production of The Shawshank Redemption at Theatre Royal Windsor (12-14 Jan), starring EastEnders alumnus Joe Absolom and stage veteran Ben Onwukwe.

For something with a lot more LOLs, Laura Wade’s Olivier Award-winning Home, I’m Darling opens at the Theatre Royal Windsor on 25 Jan – 4 Feb. It’s one about one woman’s quest to be the perfect 1950s housewife, starring BAFTA award-winner Jessica Ransom (Doc Martin and Horrible Histories), but behind the gingham curtains, things start to unravel. We know the feeling.

Circus of Horrors was the first act of its kind to make it to the Britain’s Got Talent finals and the first circus to appear in a West End Theatre for 100 years. Basically if Quentin Tarantino directed Cirque du Soleil it might look a it like this. Now they’re back with a new show, The Witch at the Corn Exchange Newbury on 24 Jan. Expect bizarre circus acts with an original rock score, and a sinister story or Witchcraft and even includes a burning at the stake. Grimly compelling.

For some serious theatre with a heavy dose if star power, head to The Hexagon in Reading for National Theatre Live: The Seagull. Witness Game of Thrones goddess Emilia Clarke make her West End debut in this 21st century retelling of Anton Chekhov’s tale of love and loneliness.

For something a little more rugged, check out ex-special forces soldier, star of Channel 4’s SAS: Who Dares Wins, Jason Fox as he prepares to bring his remarkable story to the stage for the first time at Norden Farm in Maidenhead on 17 Jan. From gunfights, hostage rescues, daring escapes and heroic endeavours that defined his service, to a very different battle that awaited him at home.

Royal Opera House Live Like Water For Chocolate at Norden Farm Maidenhead

Royal Opera House Live will also be broadcasting live to Norden Farm at Maidenhead (and other cinemas) Like Water For Chocolate. It’s a co-production between The Royal Ballet and American Ballet Theatre, inspired by Laura Esquivel’s novel of the same name – modern Mexican classic about love, family and food.

FINAL FESTIVE FLING

Jack and the Beanstalk The Hexagon Reading

If you’re still shaking your jingle bells at Christmas, this is your last call for festive fun. Don’t miss Mr Tumble (aka Justin Fletcher) and Dame Paul Morse in Jack and The Beanstalk at Reading’s Hexagon Theatre until 2 Jan. Windsor’s panto Sleeping Beauty, starring Anita Harris, Steven Blakeley, Kevin Cruise and Basil Brush run until 8 Jan.

It’s lights out at Windsor Great Park’s Illuminated Trail on 2 Jan, so don’t miss the opportunity to take a late twinkly stroll. And for full throttle festive fun, it’s your last call to visit The Great Christmas Carnival at Newbury Racecourse (until 2 Jan). Use code MUDDYXMAS for two-for-one on entry tickets and ice skating.

MUSIC

Sicilian-born violin master Fabio Biondi

Don’t miss Sicilian-born violin master Fabio Biondi perform the complete solo violin works of JS Bach at The Concert Hall in Reading (11 Jan). The concert follows hot on the heels of his critically acclaimed album release. A unique musical experience. Don’t miss the pre-show talk at 6.30pm.

It’s the vinyl countdown: eight contestants bring their fave LP to battle it out to be crowned 2023 Vinyl Frontier Album Champion at Norden Farm in Maidenhead. The audience chooses the winner of each round. Come and have a go if you think you’re muso enough.

WELLBEING MONTH

It’s Wellbeing Month at Muddy! Ease yourself gently into 2023 at the Swan at Streatley’s Yoga and Wellness Brunch – 90 mins of yoga to shock your body out of its Celebrations coma, followed by an intention-setting workshop and brunch. For more deep breaths and plenty of lying down, sign up for the Lunar Gong Bath Workshop at The Good Life Hub in Hampstead Norreys on 21 Jan. Discover the healing powers of sound and a toasty lies down under a blanket. Sleep is allowed, just saying.

For serious wellness warriors, Wasing Estate has partnered with Will Van Zyl for a six-week Wellbeing Foundation Programme that will teach simple breathing meditation, reflective techniques and connecting nature. Will is a master of cold therapy, so expect an ice bath or two to feature at some point. Ohmmmmmm. The programme begins on 28 Jan.

Great Pottery Throwdown contestant Cait Gould resident artist at The Base Greenham Common Newbury

Learn how to make your own pots in artist Karen Marks‘ six week ceramics course running from 10 Jan to 21 Mar. If you’re more into candlelit baths (aren’t we all) make bespoke soy and beeswax candles in a Literati & Light’s Candle-making workshop 23 Jan at Renegade Brewery in Yattendon.

For the artsy among you; The Base in Greenham will run a five week life-drawing classes, every week Wednesday and Friday evenings. Alternatively, if your pen is mightier than the paintbrush, the Modern Calligraphy Class on 28 Jan might float your boat instead.

Over in Wokingham the brilliant Sewisfaction will let your creativity run wild with clothes. Buckle up, future Vivienne Westwood this is your time to shine. Lots of courses to choose from for all abilities and ages. Start with an introduction to sewing and dressmaking, sewing lingerie and swimwear to pattern cutting. New skill and cheeky new item for your wardrobe that fits like a glove (in theory). Prices from £45.

Dry January deniers (*raises hand), this one is for you. Thames Valley Wine School has a trio of wine tastings to tickle your tastebuds this January. Kick off with a Introduction to Wine Tasting (17 Jan) and work your way through Fizz, Fish and Chips (21 Jan) and the month’s last hurrah Cheese and Wine pairings (26 Jan). They also take place in the stylish surrounding of The Corn Stores in Reading – and a handy stagger from the train station.

Biriyani cookery class Honesty Cookery School

Looking to host a dinner party or two come spring? Give your culinary repertoire a kick up the bum at Honesty Cookery School’s January courses. I’m a sucker for a Biriyani, so that course on 24 Jan has my name on it, but there is also Sri Lankan cookery on 17 Jan Simple Sourdough on 19 Jan and Turkish Winter Mezze on 26 Jan.

RACE DAYS

Love a day at the races but can’t wait for Royal Ascot? Saddle up for a January raceday with a little less pomp and ceremony (ok a lot less), but the fashion is fabulous (coats, faux fur and boots) and you can have a little flutter to spend on the totally unnecessary shoes you have seen in the sales. First up is, Newbury Racecourse’s BetVictor Afternoon Racing on 18 Jan, followed by the Clarence House Chase Raceday at Ascot Racecourse on 21 Jan.

Jump into January! Brilliant things to do locally this month

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