What’s on this week
MON 11 - SUN 17 DEC
Wreath Making, Tipsy Bean Caversham, Wed 13 Dec
If you’ve been scrolling through Instagram, you’ll have wreath envy by now. So have a go at making your very own door decoration or table centre at the Tipsy Bean in Faversham. Your in safe hands with the very talented Ann Briggs. Just don’t have too many glasses of wine. I did and my front door looks like it got into a fight with a hedge and lost. All materials are provided, it costs £30 and booking is essential.
Christmas supper club, The Pantry Yattendon, Fri 15 Dec
Ooh we love a Supper Club at Muddy, so when we heard The Pantry in Yattendon – Muddy award-winning cafe of 2016 – had started doing a monthly bash, we followed our noses, pressed our faces up against the glass but there was no room at the inn. They are hosting another evening this Fri 15 dec, and they’ve managed to squeeze a few more peeps in. So if you fancy a night out with great food, bring your own vino, then book up. Give Gemma a cal on 01635 202202.
Joyeaux Noel, Basildon Park, Lower Basildon, Fri 1 Dec – Sat 6 Jan
Basildon Park is blinged out for Noël, inspired by Lady Iliffe’s French-Mauritian roots. The family usually spent Crimbo in France, where they would party with Grace Kelly. Does it get more fabulous than that? Every 10th year they celebratedt at Basildon Park. Large piles of presents will sit under traditionally French decorated trees, and as you wander around, listen to the French Christmas music playing. You’ll find me slumped in a corner in a wine and cheese coma.
Windsor On Ice Alexandra Gardens Windsor, until 7 Jan
Windsor On Ice is back for the winter and whether you’re Olympic standard or a ‘cling on’ like me, they’re great for a family day out, or a fun slippy-slidey Christmas party. There are two rinks here. The main one is under cover and there’s a smaller open-air rink. There’s also food and other attractions including an ice bar and grill. Sessions are for 45 mins. See you in A&E, I mean on the ice.
My Fair Lady, Mill at Sonning, until 27 Jan
Can you Adam and Eve it, it’s not panto, it’s not a Christmas show, but it is a classic. Eliza Dolittle will be breaking into song for the musical My Fair Lady at the Mill at Sonning. If Crimbo theatre doesn’t get your jingle bell ringing, then this just might. Make a date with your mum… Wouldn’t it be Loverly?
Christmas Trail: Angel Academy, National Trust Cliveden, throughout December
Cliveden’s new Christmas trail offers little ones the opportunity to train at Angel Academy; a fun mission-style trail around the estate where kids will complete tasks in order to graduate. They’ll learn how to ‘fly’, perfect their magic and complete other activities which, if successfully completed, they’ll be presented with their angel wings. The Christmas trail runs weekends in December and from Wednesday 20 December to Saturday 23 December.
Christmas at Windsor, Windsor Castle, until Fri 5 Jan
Anyone else binge watching The Crown? Windsor Castle is looking mighty fine. So here’s your chance to to see it set up for Crimbo. To commemorate the 20th anniversary of the Windsor Castle restoration following the devastating fire of Nov 1992, the State Apartments will be decked with gold decorations inspired by the intricate gilding work that was undertaken to restore the Castle’s interiors to their former glory. And in case you missed it, there’s a whopping 20ft Nordmann Fir at the end of St George’s Hall.
James Phelan: Trickster, The Firestation Windsor, Sun 17 Dec
If you love magic and pranks then you’re going wet your knickers when you hear James Phelan is performing in Windsor. He’s the nephew of the late Paul Daniels, has become an internet sensation and gained 200,000 social media followers in the last 12 months. His unique magical prank show is both jaw-dropping and laugh out loud funny. Oh and Simon Cowell’s been raving about him. Do you need any more reasons to go?.
Ed Byrne: Spoiler Alert, South Hill Park Bracknell, Tues 12 Dec
Ed Byrne’s been on every comedy panel show invented for TV. But he’s ditched the glitz and glamour of the green room to embark on a UK tour. HIs how, Spoiler Alert! questions whether we really have anything to complain about or are we all just a bunch of whiny brats? Come and watch as Byrne takes this question, turns it upside down and shakes it until the funny falls out. Plus who doesn’t love a man in a tux with a chainsaw. You can smell the testosterone for here.
Christmas at Legoland, Windsor, throughout Dec
Legoland is all twinkly lights and snow-dusted Christmas magic. Entry price for the Christmas season includes a visit to LEGO Santa in his magic grotto for kids who’ll receive a LEGO gift to take home. Grown ups aren’t forgotten – they’ll receive a free hot drink and cookie and a large double shot of whisky to anaesthesise a day looking after children.
Legoland Windsor Resort, Winkfield Road, Windsor, Berks, legoland.co.uk
Peter Pan, Hexagon Reading, now – Sun 7 Jan
Mr TUUUUUUUUUMBBBBBLE! The irrepressible CBeebies demi-god Justin Fletcher may make you reach for the gin bottle but any small people in your charge will surely go insane in the membrane at the prospect of seeing him live on stage. He plays hapless trainee pirate Mr Smee in his 6th panto for The Hexagon.
The Borrowers, Watermill Newbury, now – 31 Dec
A family of teeny tiny people living under your floorboards taking stuff from you? Don’t panic, this is not an episode of Crimewatch, Mary Norton’s classic tale, The Borrowers,gets The Watermill treatment. Quick, clever and only four inches tall, their lives unravel when they are discovered by a ‘human bean’. Great storytelling, a bit bonkers but utterly brilliant.
Gourmet Picture Company, Bisham Abbey Berkshire, now – Fri 5 Jan
Following the sell out screenings at Cliveden House this Summer, Tom Kerridge is back with his pimped up daddy of pop-up cinemas. The stunning Tudor grandness of Bisham Abbey will be the setting, Atol Kochhar and Rick Stein will be cooking, while you settle in for classics like Romeo & Juliet, Breakfast at Tiffany’s, The Great Escape, Life of Pi, to name a few.
Beauty & The Beast, Corn Exchange Newbury, now – Sun 7 Jan
Not one but two Beauties in Berkshire. You won’t find big name celebs here, but you will find a talented bunch of actors who bring the feel-good fun, festive cheer, panto clichés and pop songs. Cue much swaying in your seats (a few too many wines, in my case). Proper Crimbo vibes right here.
Miki, Norden Farm Maidenhead, now – Sat 30 Nov
If you haven’t come across Stephen Mackey’s book Miki, take a look. My youngest lovesit. It’s a charming story about Miki, Polar Bear and Penguin who live in a very far away place. One midwinter eve, they make a wish and Miki embarks on a magical adventure in search of a star… It’s a gorge alternative to traditional panto, and will be a stunning stage show.
Beauty & The Beast, South Hill Park Bracknell, now – Sun 7 Jan
There’s nothing like a dame, so brace yourselves for the OTT panto season of fake boobs, heavy slap, innuendo and lots of daft fun knitted into the Disney classic, Beauty & The Beast. Brad Clapson as the Good Fairy and Faye Allen as Belle will be rocking the big frocks, fighting over the blusher backstage to bring Christmas alive at the Wilde Theatre. Adults only, signed and autism friendly performances available.
War Horse, New Theatre Oxford, Weds 13 Dec – Sat 6 Jan 2018
Soooo excited that the outstanding National Theatre production of War Horse is coming to Oxford New Theatre this month. Based on the novel by Michael Morpurgo and featuring those incredible, life-size puppets of the horses, it’s nearly sold sell-out, so please don’t leave it too late to book.
New Theatre, George Street, Oxford, atgtickets.com
Hogwarts in the Snow, Harry Potter Studios, now – 4 Feb
Hogwarts in the Snow – as regular as Christmas! The festive makeover will see Christmas trees line the Great Hall, the Gryffindor common room dressed for the season and a blanket of filmmaking snow covering the majestic Hogwarts castle model. Visitors will even be able to touch samples of the different types of ‘snow’ used during production, each selected for its ability to float like falling snow, crunch under foot or glisten in the light like ice. Trust me, your kids will love it.
Warner Bros. Studio Tour London, Studio Tour Drive, Leavesden, wbstudiotour.co.uk
The BFG in Pictures, River and Rowing Museum, Henley, now – 21 Jan 2018
Curated by Quentin Blake himself, the exhibition of everyone’s favourite giant includes unpublished illustrations that have never been exhibited in public before. The exhibition includes Blake’s first designs that weren’t included in the book, and provide a glimpse of a BFG that might have been in 40 original artworks. Don’t forget there’s the permanent John Piper exhibition at the museum too – that’s well worth seeing in its own right.
FURTHER AFIELD…
North – Fashioning Identity, Somerset House, now – Feb 4 2018
Alice-Hawkins, LOVE magazine, ‘The Liver Birds’, 2012
Forget the north/south divide, London doffs its hat to Manchester, Newcastle et al in this new exhibition. Social documentary film and photography detailing life in the north of England in the mid-20th century sits alongside works by photographers, designers and artists inspired by the parts of our green and pleasant land beyond the Watford Gap. Contributors include Nottingham’s finest Paul Smith and Manchester’s Factory Records designer Peter Saville. If you visit after 15 Nov, you can also take a twirl on Somerset House’s gorgeous outdoor ice rink.
Twelfth Night, RST, Stratford, Thurs Nov 2- Feb 24 2018
Dinita Gohil as Viola. Photo: Manuel Harlan (c) RSC
The RSC’s winter production Twelfth Night sees Ade Edmondson, of The Young Ones and Bottom fame, as Olivia – Kara Tointon’s dour steward Malvolio in Shakespeare’s bittersweet comedy. Directed by Christopher Luscombe, who recreated Warwickshire’s Charlecote Park on stage for the RSC’s fabulous Love’s Labour’s Lost and Much Ado About Nothing, it’s set in Victorian Britain. Also starring Birmingham’s Dinita Gohil as Viola and Michael Cochrane as Sir Andrew Aguecheek.
Winterville, Clapham Common, now – 1 Jan 2018
If you’re in Sarf London over Christmas, Winterville on Clapham Common’s is well worth a look. There’s everything from an outdoor Ice Rink to a fairground, roller disco and free kids’ entertainment, but there’s lots more unusual stuff than at your standard Christmas Fair. We’re particularly loving the sound of the Spiegeltent, where you’ll find cabaret, bingo, kids raves and, er, Mexican wrestling. What next, ‘Yoga On Ice’? Oh, I see, they have that too.
Slava’s Snowshow, Southbank Centre, London, Mon 18 Dec – Thurs 4 Jan 2018
Southbank Centre, Lambeth, London SE1, southbankcentre.co.uk
This started just last week, Brings together over 50 of Cézanne’s portraits from collections across the world, including works which have never been on public display in the UK . Over a working life of some forty-five years, Cézanne made almost 1,000 paintings of which around 160 are portraits and this exhibition offers a fascinating insight into this central aspect of his work. Christmas at Kew, Kew Gardens, London, now – 1 Jan 2018
The Tate Modern’s comprehensive retrospective of Modigliani’s work is quite a treat. During his brief, turbulent life Modigliani developed a unique and instantly recognisable style. His nudes that are a highlight of the exhibition – with 12 nudes on display, this is the largest group ever reunited in the UK. First shown in 1917, police closed down his only ever solo exhibition on the grounds of indecency. Also expect sculptures, and portraits of his friends, lovers and supporters, including Pablo Picasso and his partner Jeanne Hébuterne. Finnish Rooftop Sauna, Queen Elizabeth Roof Terrace, South Bank, now – Sat 30 Dec
