What’s on this weekend
FRI 10 – SUN 12 NOV
Danny Bhoy, Corn Exchange Newbury, Sat 11 Nov
I wonder if anyone ever actually speaks Danny Bhoy‘s name or simply breaks into song… I suspect the latter. But when you’re selling out venues up and down the country, I don’t suppose he worries too much (as Danny laughs all the way to the bank). This is your chance to nab a tickets the Scottish comedian’s sell out show this weekend – a new batch have been released, so be quick.
The BFG in Pictures, River and Rowing Museum, Henley, until 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Curated by Quentin Blake himself, the exhibition of everyone’s favourite giant includes unpublished illustrations that have never been exhibited in public before.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.
Perfect Wedding, The Mill at Sonning, until Sat 18 Nov
Theatre’s answer to The Hangover, The Mill at Sonning’s new production The Perfect Wedding is all about the pitfalls of the stag do: naked girls, memory loss, cover ups and a bride on the warpath. The perfect medicine for all those thinking of getting married! Plus all tickets come with a two-course meal. Just in case you needed a clincher.
Jan Ravens: Difficult Woman, Norden Farm Maidenhead, Sat 11 Nov
With so many powerful women in the public eye, Dead Ringers star Jan Ravens is as happy as a pig in the Westminster quagmire. Her new show Difficult Woman pokes fun at these fierce females and the ridiculous situations they find themselves in. You’ll be thanking your luck stars, you’re not Theresa May or Nicola Sturgeon.
Illuminated woodland walk, Basildon Park, until January
Wrap up, wellies on and trudge through the woods to see the trees in all their glory – preferably before the leaves get blown off. Now that we are spending most of our time in darkness, we might as well get something out of it. In this case, an enchanting woodland walk, twinkly lights and all the Winter wonderland magic that goes with it. No need to book.
The Secret Keeper, Corn Exchange Newbury, Fri, 10 Nov
A political fairytale for adults – with songs, magpies and a murderous gothic heart. A father confides in his daughter and lifts a sad weight from his heart and soon the whole town is confessing to her – including a murder. Der, der, DERRRRRRRRR!
Ghost Tours, Hampton Court, selected dates from 5 Nov – Jan 2018
Want to petrify your kids? Course you do! There are Family Tours on 5 Nov at 6.30 (and also 7 Jan 2018, but seriously I’m not even thinking next year yet!). It’s a 75-90 minute walking tour hearing stories of ghostly apparitions and paranormal activity Minimum age is 8 years and a maximum of 3 children per accompanying adult.
Hampton Court Palace, Molesey, East Molesey, hrp.org.uk
Finnish Rooftop Sauna, Queen Elizabeth Roof Terrace, South Bank, Fri 10 Nov – Sat 30 Dec
Rambert Revealed, South Bank, London, Mon 6 – Sun 12 Nov
Rambert is one of my favourite dance companies so I’m excited about this week-long programme opening up the work of the company through performances, tours and workshops at their studios on London’s South Bank. New additions to this year’s programme include a live drawing session of company rehearsals and a residency from ERRATICA, who will spend a month at Rambert developing a prototype for a new interactive dance film installation. Can’t quite be bothered to go into London for the experience? Rambert Live will livestream of a day in the life of the company, so you can wear your leg warmers and langorously stretch out from the comfort of your sofa.
Rambert, 99 Upper Ground, London SE1, rambert.org.uk
Shami Chakrabarti: ‘Of Women’, Sheldonian, Oxford, Fri 10 Nov
Wow, we women are in the middle of a hell of a movement aren’t we? Shami Chakrabarti’s book ‘Of Women’ is a powerful polemic on why women still need equality and how to get there, and she’s coming to the Sheldonian to spread the word.The talk will be introduced by Mark Goldring, Chief Executive of Oxfam.
Shami Chakrabarti is Britain’s leading human rights campaigner, Labour’s Shadow Attorney General member of the House of Lords. Chakrabarti was the Director of Liberty, the National Council for Civil Liberties from 2003 to 2016. Her bestselling book On Liberty, an impassioned defence of human rights, was published in 2014.
Sheldonian, Broad St, Oxford, bookshop. blackwell.co.uk
Cézanne Portraits, National Portrait Gallery, London, 26 Oct – 11 Feb 2018
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.
Messiah at the Tower of London, Fri 10 Nov
A slightly strange combination, but kind of intriguing. First performed in 1742 Handel’s Messiah is one of the most famous works of classical music ever written, and er, The Tower of London is well famous too! Actually, the concert takes place in the intimate Chapel Royal of St Peter ad Vincula within the Tower, a similar sized venue to when the original was performed.
