This week
MON 3 – SUN 9 SEPT
FAMILY FUN: Circus Montini, Rugby Club Hungerford, Tue 4 – Wed 5 Sep
Roll up, roll up because the circus is in town. Before the kids head back to school, enjoy all the fun of the big top. This year marks 250 years of circus in Britain, so enjoy this all human production packed full of magic, comedy, juggling, balancing, acrobatics, stunts and more. Good old fashioned family fun with plenty of modern twists and turns.
COMEDY: Marcus Bridgstock: Devil May Care, Corn Exchange Newbury, Thu 6 Sep
A new stand-up show from the award-winning comedian Marcus Bridgstock. Without the greasepaint you’ll recognise him from Have I Got News For You, Live At The Apollo and many of BBC R4’s comedy shows. Anyhoo, he’s back on tour with a brand new show. As we continue to put people in unpleasant, evil boxes – Nazi, Remoaner, Trot, Libtard, Brextremist, Feminazi, Piers Morgan – it is time to establish, once and for all, what is good and what is bad?
FILM: NT Live: Julie, various UK cinemas, Thu 6 Sep
Photo: Rosaline Shahnavaz
This new version of August Strinberg’s play Miss Julie remains shocking and fiercely relevant in its new setting of contemporary London. Vanessa Kirby and Kofi Abrefa star in this production, directed by Carrie Cracknell. It follows the story of Julie – wild and newly single, who throws a late night party. In the kitchen, Jean and Kristina clean up as the celebration heaves above them. Crossing the threshold, Julie initiates a power game with Jean – which rapidly descends into a savage fight for survival.
TOUR: Conquer the Tower, Windsor Castle, until 30 Sep
Picture: Royal Collection
To the tower! On this occasion you’ll keep your head. The iconic Round Tower dominates the Windsor skyline, and now you can take the 200 steps (wheeze… one too many ice creams this summer) to check out the epic view from the top. While the Queen’s holidaying in Balmoral, poke around her gaff and see St George’s Chapel, Long Walk, Windsor Great Park and the London skyline.
THEATRE: Fame The Musical, Hexagon Reading, Mon 3 – Sat 8 Sep
Fight your way into your leg warmers and leotards, and leap off your bed because Fame… I’m going to live forever, er, too much? Anyhoo, Fame The Musical based on the 80s TV series is coming to Reading! Featuring the Oscar-winning title song and a cast of outstanding dancers, singers, musicians and rappers as they transform from star struck pupils to superstars. Stars Mica Paris and Jorgie Porter.
FESTIVAL: Reading on Thames Festival, various locations Reading, Thu 6 – Sun 16 Sep
It’s baaaack! Reading on Thames Festival made quite a splash last year when it launched on Reading’s cultural scene – and this year it hopes to be even b better. Using Reading’s rivers as a backdrop, you can enjoy theatre, music, cultural walks, film, writing, debate and exhibitions inspired by the local H2O. We can’t wait to see and Cirque Bijou (see above) fresh from London Lumiere and their unique mix of traditional circus skills and modern technology.
THEATRE: Whitechapel Freaks, The Hope Windsor, Thu 6 Sep
If you like your theatre with a side of weird, then this is going to be right up your street. Whitechapel Freaks takes you back to Victorian London and Saucy Jack is on a murder spree! Take a respite from the horrors of Whitechapel by spending the evening inside Tabram’s Music Hall? Fairy Fay guarantees a ripping time will be shared by one and all… A macabre cabaret of Victorian songs, weird skits and disturbing vignettes wherein you’ll meet a miscellany of suspects.
EVENT: The Lexicon 1st Birthday, The Lexicon Bracknell, Fri 7 – Sun 9 Sep
Can you believe The Lexicon is a year old? It still looks fresh-out-of-the-box fabulous and more and more shops and restaurants are moving in. But this weekend it’s all about cake. Head to Bracknell for a three day festival of fun, where 1,000 cupcakes will be given away each day, get papped in the camper van photo booth, be entertained by stilt walkers, magicians, musicians, a roller skating birthday cake and there’s £1,000 worth of gift vouchers up for grabs. Off you go.
FOOD & DRINK: Festival of Food & Wine, Ascot Racecourse, Fri 7 – Sat 8 Sep
Definitely safer to watch GBBO, Masterchef and the Food Channel from the sofa, but it’s more fun to mine sweep the samples at a food and wine festival. Ascot’s Festival of Food & Wine will feature 40 stalls showcasing their booze and bites, plus enter the Gastronome Theatre for talks and demos from the likes of legandary chef Aldo Zilli, Matt Worswick and Claire Clarke. Plus there’s a full day of flat racing. Giddy up, race you to the bar.
SPORT: RBC Soapbox Challenge, Englefield Estate, Sat 8 Sep
It’s Berkshire’s answer to the Wacky Race as challengers make and race their mad speed machines – all in the name of charity. And you are NEVER too old to hurtle down a hill as fast as you can. Channel you inner Penelope Pitstop, put your engineering and driving skills to the test and let gravity do the rest. Alternatively, watch from the sidelines and enjoy all the race day action.
FMAILY FUN: Tractor Ted Little Farm Live, Stonor Park Henley, Sun 9 Sept
If your nippers’ love Tractor Ted and bouncy castles then 3 Sept is their lucky day. Head to Stonor Park, Henley, and let the them enjoy some end-of-the-summer-hols steam. They can hang out with animals, take a Tractor Ted driving test and try a bout of welly wanging. Which sounds rude to us but we’re sure it’s good wholesome fun.
TOUR: 1940s Guided Bus Tour , Clock Tower Newbury, Sat 8 Sep – Sun 9 Sep
Ding ding, all aboaaaaaaard! Who needs Marty McFly’s Delorean to go back in time when you can hop onto this 1940s Bedford OB bus and visit two historic local attractions. Historian Roger Day will be your conductor, as you bumble along to Littlecote House to explore the Kennet Valley at War Trust’s WW2 museum, including the Aldbourne stable, which once served as a billet for paratroopers from E Company 506th PIR, the famous ‘Band of Brothers’. You’ll then go on to Membury Airfield and inspect the remains of a US WW2 WACO glider crate. Slick on a red lip, seamed stockings and tuck into your packed lunch at 10am.
EVENT: Greenham Cold War Experience, Greenham Control Tower, Sat 8 – Sun 16 Sep
After a ton of Heritage Lottery Funding and hard work, the Greenham Control Tower has had a makeover not seen since Sharon Osborne revealed her last facelift. The Grade II listed building will now be open as a visitor attraction celebrating its historical and environmental importance. Rather than a aimless mooch, immerse yourself in the drama with this Cold War experience. Journey back to the 1980s (Hell yes. Wham! on the Sony Walkman) and experience the Greenham Common Decontamination Suite, Control Tower and Peace Camp in an immersive theatre event. The three scenes are linked by a walk across the Common and a Q&A. ‘You have been contaminated. Follow the red arrows on the floor.’ Resist the urge to chain yourself to the fence.
