FRIDAY MARKET WHITCHURCH

is operating both indoors and at the front of Whitchurch Civic Centre, every Friday 7.30am – 12.30pm.

WHITCHURCH BLACKBERRY

FAIR 2023

Saturday, 7th October 2023 10:00am

Whitchurch’s Annual Autumn Street Festival celebrating the Arts, Community and Sustainability returns for its 14th year.

The Indoor Market is open every Wednesday, Friday and Saturday and the outdoor market every Wednesday and Saturday. Plus we hold the Artisan Market on the last Friday of every month. The new weekly street market has gone from strength to strength attracting some fantastic bespoke stalls.

Look out for special events throughout the year

INDOOR MARKETWEDNESDAY, FRIDAY & SATURDAY

OUTDOOR MARKETWEDNESDAY & SATURDAY

ARTISAN MARKETLAST FRIDAY OF EVERY MONTH

Go to www.oswestry-tc.gov.uk for further information about our town, market and events

THE GREAT GATSBY, GROSVENOR PARK OPEN AIR THEATRE, CHESTER

Storyhouse has once again delivered a captivating adaptation, transporting us to 1920s America with F. Scott Fitzgerald’s timeless tale The Great Gatsby

Guiding us through the narrative is the extraordinary Thomas Cotran, whose portrayal of narrator Nick Carraway is nothing short of brilliant. Cotran draws the audience in with his polished storytelling, granting us a privileged perspective on events as they unfold.

The play commences with a masterfully executed courtroom scene, cleverly involving the audience in the unfolding drama. Such interactions make the experience memorable and add a unique element to the performance. The introduction of Daisy Buchanan, flawlessly portrayed by the fabulous Molly-Grace Cutler, and her husband Tom (Laurie Jamieson) sheds light on the darker aspects of this society, while Daniel Burke’s portrayal of Jay Gatsby, Nick’s enigmatic neighbour, is compelling as he pursues his dreams of a life with Daisy.

The paths of these captivating characters intertwine, granting us a glimpse into the opulent parties and vibrant jazz scene of New York. Musical interludes breathe life into the setting, paving the way for a heartrending finale that unveils the true essence of each character.

These intimate productions offer a unique opportunity to witness the brilliance of the cast up close, alongside the dedication of the stage and musical directors, choreographers and lighting designers, all contributing to an unforgettable theatrical experience. Storyhouse has outdone itself with this production, leaving audiences hungry for more. AB HHHHH

THE BOLESWORTH INTERNATIONAL 2023, CHESHIRE

Set on the 6,000-acre Bolesworth Estate close to the North Wales border, this year’s event drew large crowds as Bolesworth International reinvented itself as ‘More than a horse show.’ Visitors experienced an actionpacked schedule, featuring thrilling equestrian competitions and an array of lifestyle attractions.

The talent on display in the showjumping arena was world-class, as top names in the sport vied for victory. Crowds met every jump with a roar.

Our visit fell on the Saturday. The shopping village beckoned with its irresistible offerings. Food and drink outlets were a gastronomic haven. We couldn’t resist the Greek cuisine, indulging in mouth-watering chicken souvlaki nestled in hot pittas. Meanwhile, the rest of our party tried pad Thai, red curry and Thai dumplings at the Bamboo Thai stall and pronounced them all delicious.

An impressive range of activities offered something for everyone, from pony rides and land and water Zorbing adventures to thrilling FMX and BMX stunt displays. The petting zoo, beekeeping demonstrations, falconry showcases and dog training sessions were also a hit, not to mention the fairground rides, which kept the teens occupied. Our 11-year-old was speechless at the daredevil motorcyclists who defied gravity with their jaw-dropping tricks.

As the horse events ended, we headed to the main stage. We watched a sensational finale that combined the soulful sounds of the Brand New Heavies with the infectious beats of DJ Trevor Nelson.

Bolesworth organisers have managed to transform the horse show into a lifestyle experience. From world-class competitions to delectable cuisine, captivating activities and unforgettable performances, the event has it all.

Make sure to mark your calendar for next year’s show!

AB HHHH

A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM, GROSVENOR OPEN AIR THEATRE, CHESTER

A pop soundtrack and quirky setting breathe new life into Shakespeare’s comedy. Feuding monarchs, mischievous fairies and a troupe of unlikely players converge in a thrilling, fast-paced, fantastical tale, where live-captioning. Two digital screens showcase captions to enhance accessibility and heighten the overall experience.

An absolute standout was Laurie Jamieson as Titania. Breaking gender norms, he gave a unique and captivating rendition as a strong Scotsman, infusing comedy into the part. Gender roles were also cleverly reversed by Alyce Liburd brilliantly taking on the traditionally male lead, Lysander.

ALDERFEST 2023, ALDERFORD LAKE, WHITCHURCH

including water sports and a silent disco. Presenters AJ and Curtis Pritchard kept the crowd roaring with laughter.

the fairy kingdom is reimagined as a circus big top. A remarkable addition for this season is the

The level of interaction with the audience is fabulous. The cast run and climb around the terraces, even enjoying picnic items on stage. Storyhouse consistently delivers outstanding adaptations and this is no exception. AB ★★★★★

AlderFest was back for a second year with a two-day festival. Friday Night Dance Anthems was a new addition. Headlined by Sonique, Friday also saw performances from Dave Pearce, N-Trance, Ellie Sax and more.

Saturday’s Family Festival offered an amazing day of entertainment. The line-up was full of big names – McFly, Sam Ryder, Aston Merrygold of JLS, and Heather Small. Alongside was a whole host of activities

WE’LL MEET AGAIN, FESTIVAL DRAYTON CENTRE, MARKET DRAYTON

It was my first time here and I couldn’t believe the acts they had performing. And what a beautiful location too! Families had set up chairs and blankets on the field, ready for the concert. The place was packed. The bands put on a great show and we were all entertained. See you next year! DL ★★★

THE COMMITMENTS, VENUE CYMRU, LLANDUDNO

It’s hard to believe it is 35 years since The Commitments first burst from the pages of Roddy Doyle’s best-selling novel. Now the story of ‘the world’s hardest working band’ from Dublin, which became a defining movie of the ’80s, has been adapted for the stage and is touring the UK after a successful West End run. It comes as no surprise that this show is all about the music –the plot, after all, is limited. But any more action on stage may have overpowered the subtlety of the characters, the gentle oneliners and overall feel. As the main character’s dad, Coronation Street legend Nigel Pivaro almost stole the show despite minimal dialogue. A lot can be said with the roll of an eye or shrug of a shoulder!

The story is familiar: teens start a band, fall in and out of love, almost hit the big time and ultimately blow their chance. But again, it’s not about the plot – The Commitments is about character, emotion and above all else soul. On that score it’s a winner. KS ★★★★

We’ll Meet Again follows the lives of two families in wartime – from the BBC broadcast in which Chamberlain announced the war with Germany in 1939 to a street party celebrating victory in 1945. Their experience is reflected in a string of popular hits, from ‘Wish Me Luck As You Wave Me Goodbye’ to ‘There’ll be Blue Birds Over the White Cliffs of Dover’.

The show brought together the creative and performance skills of Market Drayton amateurs with the high-tech facilities of the Festival Centre to create a dramatic and highly entertaining musical, demonstrating the same commitment and all-pullingtogether as the story it told.

There was a quiet intimacy in scenes where mother wrote to son, fiancé to fiancée; high drama in the skies as Spitfire shot down Messerschmitt ‘live’ on a projected Pathé newsreel; heartbreaking pathos on the arrival of the dreaded telegramme. From Vera Lynn ballads to the big band sound of Glenn Miller, routines capturing the hopes and the fears of the times were performed with flair and feeling by soloists and chorus alike. JH ★★★

If you have a show in the Shire area, we can send a reviewer –and you can appear on these pages too! Email editorial@ shiremagazine.co.uk Get in touch!