This week
Mon 3 – Sun 9 Feb
MUDDY’S PICK OF THE WEEK
THEATRE: The Tempest, South Hill Park Bracknell. 4-9 Feb
Nothing like a wet, miserable night to give you the willies before a couple of hours watching Shakespeare’s famous last play, The Tempest. This fantastical adaptation reunites director Joe Malyan with award-winning set designer Victoria Spearing who together have the ability to make magic happen on the stage.
COMEDY: Josh Widdicombe – Bit Much, Theatre Royal Windsor, 3 Feb
Josh Widdicombe makes a return to our ‘hood with his show Bit Much… which promises to tackle hot comedy topics of, erm, the closing time of his local park and pesto (I’m sure it’s funnier than it sounds) along with his trademark impressions. 14+
THEATRE: One Million Tiny Plays About Britain, The Watermill Theatre Newbury, now–15 Feb
A critically-acclaimed jumble of micro plays about everyday life, The Watermill’s One Million Tiny Plays About Britain is funny and heartbreakingly moving. Listen hard and see the daily dramas – from a couple peering into an estate agent’s window and two sports fans having a heart-to-heart to a daughter questioning her mother’s love life, it’s a fascinating window into our world.
WORKSHOP: Clothing Revival Workshop, The Base Greenham Common, 4 Feb
Trying to shop less, wear more and do your bit to be kinder to the planet? Join the slow fashion and movement and learn sewing techniques to give your well-worn wardrobe CPR, extending the life of your fashion faves.
THEATRE: Extraordinary Wall Of Silence, Corn Exchange Newbury, 5–6 Feb
Yep, the strikethrough is intentional! From theatre company Ad Infinitum, this bilingual performance in English and British Sign Language uses the company’s signature physical theatre to explore the deaf experience through the interconnected lives of four deaf people who are transported back to 1880. 14+
A Splash of Colour, Forbury Place Reading, 5–9 Feb and Landmark Place Slough 12–16 Feb
Don’t let colour bring you out in hives. You don’t have to wear it to appreciate it. A much safer and enjoyable way of embracing the rainbow is art. A Splash of Colour is a touring photographic exhibition created by The Photographic Angle. This exhibition brings together a full spectrum of colour images from all aspects of our lives and it is a beauty. Stunning images from very talented artists. Pop along and see it. Rude not to when it’s free.
OUTDOORS: Snowdrop Walks, Welford Park Newbury, now – 3 Mar
It’s snowdrop time! Choose a dry-ish day and wander through drifts of snowdrops at Welford Park. Why Welford Park? It’s only got one of the finest natural snowdrop woodlands in the chuffing country – four fabulous acres. Visit Wed-Sun (11am-4pm) until Sun 3 Mar. You can find more snowdrop walks here.
MUSIC: A Vinyl Frontier – An Evening with Martyn Ware (Heaven 17), Norden Farm Maidenhead, 6 Feb
Heaven 17 and The Human League founder Martyn Ware has worked with the likes of Tina Turner, Erasure and Terence Trent D’Arby, as well as being a leading electronic soundscape artist. Martyn will be in da house talking about his career at the forefront of electronic music over four decades.
WORKSHOP: Writing the Outdoors, 101 Outdoor Arts Creation Space Newbury, 6 Feb
Word up! Take an in-depth look at the role of narrative, the impact of words, and the possibilities and challenges faced by artists working in an outdoor/public context. There’ll be a chance to engage with content and network as well as being part of the conversation.
SHOPPING: Donna Ida & Friends Pop Up, Swan At Streatley, 7 Feb
Did anyone say payday treat? Yes, they did. Jean Queen Donna Ida is popping up at the stunning Swan At Streatley and she’s bringing loads of fashion friends (including Muddy faves Beau Britches, Cottens & Gems and Crosslow) along for you to shop the new SS20 trends. Try them on for size in a relaxed, fun space – not a queue or hassly changing room in sight!
EXHIBITION: Wildlife Photographer of the Year, The Base Greenham Common, 7 Feb – 26 Apr
Wildlife photography requires patience, lightning reactions and a little bit of luck. But when they get the money shot… POW! the results are extraordinary. This year’s prestigious Wildlife Photographer of the Year exhibition is being held at The Base at Greenham Common Business Park in Newbury. It’s an international showcase of 100 images taken by the very best in nature photographers around the world.
WELLBEING: Alternative Friday Night, Orchard Life Midgham, 7 Feb
Spend your Friday nights flat on your back in a state of total bliss. And on this occasion, you won’t have emptied a bottle of wine. Friday nights have never looked so good… no, seriously, you’ll be polishing your halo after an evening with Laura of The Wellbeing Feeling’s deep reiki infused meditations, Yoga Nidra (yogic sleep) and sound meditation.
TALKS: Meet The Author: Timmy Mallott, The Little Bookshop Cookham, 8 Feb
Dig out your loudest shirt, wacky glasses and the giant pink foam mallet you made in sewing class back in 1988 (er, just me?). Timmy Mallott is coming to Cookham and it’s going to be utterly brilliant! Meet the 80s superstar at The Little Bookshop in Cookham who will be signing copies of his memoir. `
WELLBEING: The Way Of Food – Nourishment as a Spiritual Practice, Wasing Wellbeing Aldermaston, 9 Feb
Discover the connection between energy and food. Chef, teacher, and healer Heather Umlah, will teach you the core spiritual and magical principles of nourishment that benefit body, mind spiritual and wellbeing. Learn how to use the healing properties of food to balance, elevate and inspire our relationship to our own sacred Self Care.
SPORT: Maverick USE Exposure Dark Series Oxfordshire, Culden Faw Estate, 8 Feb
Fancy running in the dark (yes please, the wobble on my arse is currently on the tsunami scale), This trail run around the Culden Faw Estate in the Chiltern Hills starts after dark, at 6pm, with three route options – 5k, 10k, 15k.
Newbury Racecourse 5K/10K/Half, Newbury, 9 Feb
A new race on the calendar but one that is flat, so you can push for a PB. Gallop around Newbury Racecourse over 5k, 10k or a Half Marathon. You’re running laps, one loop for 5K, two for 10K and four for the half. See you in the Winner’s Enclosure.
FURTHER AFIELD
THEATRE: Cabaret, New Theatre, Oxford, 4 – 8 Feb
Don’t miss your chance to snap up tickets to see Mr Jazzhands himself, EastEnder-turned-West-Ender John Partridge, as the Emcee in Cabaret, after its two smash hit runs in London. Anita Harris also joins the line-up for an extra sprinkling of star power.
CONCERT: Madonna, London Palladium, until 16 Feb
Looking sultry Madge! This month you have 15 chances to see the Queen of Pop herself at the London Palladium. Dig out your 80s garb and snaffle tickets quick as it’s bound to be a sell out.
ONGOING EXHIBITIONS
Busy last month? There’s still time to see Tutankhamun – Treasures of the Golden Pharaoh at the Saatchi Gallery. One of the biggest cultural events in the winter calendar, the exhibit features 150+ original artefacts found in the Pharaoh’s tomb that was unearthed in 1922 (until 3 May). Elsewhere, at the O2 Arena, there’s ABBA: Super Troupers, a journey through the Swedish band’s career featuring personal items and artefacts never seen before in the UK (until 21 Aug 2020). And finally, there’s the fantastically bonkers Tim Walker exhibition (above) at the V&A with snaps from his career as a fashion and portrait photographer, a must-see before it ends on 8 Mar.
