50 shows for spring

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music • theatre • films • listings • comedy • family days out

unmissable spring shows plus 10 things to do with the family q Chiwetel Ejiofor q Listings

20 | January 9, 2014 | cambridge-news.co.uk | Cambridge News

nd, quite ns have been made (a The New Year resolutio ), and January payday seems en possibly, already brok doesn’t mean you can’t at th t bu , oh so far away to of fun things to get up e st ho a ng ni an pl t ar st th . ELLA WALKER picks when it finally arrives comedy and theatre, ic, 50 shows – from mus n’t oks – you really should to film, family and bo t booking. miss this spring. Go ge unconventional: lonely the Brave

Music

on drums and second guitarist Joel Mason. They’ve already got the support of Zane Lowe and Daniel P Carter and are currently on tour with Don Broco. Do not miss them. l Cambridge Junction, on Saturday, February 8. Contact (01223) 511511 / junction.co.uk

Del Amitri

It’s 30 years since Del Amitri first made their mark on Glasgow’s post-punk scene, peddling a brand of spiky, angular jangle-pop that saw them championed by John Peel. After one brilliant but largely ignored self-titled album, the band disappeared to America and returned pretty much unrecognisable, trading in their choppy new wave stylings for a rootsier, country-blues vibe.

Despite splitting and the fact they were never exactly fashionable, the game certainly wasn’t up. Not even frontman Justin Currie’s solo career derailed a plan to get back on the road. Better make it worth their while. l Cambridge Corn Exchange, Tuesday, January 28. Contact (01223) 357851/cornex.co.uk

Royal Philharmonic

Enjoy the infectious rhythms of 1920s America with Gershwin’s Girl Crazy Overture thanks to the Cambridge Corn Exchange’s Orchestra in Residence. Hear the jazz-inspired Rhapsody in Blue with its famous clarinet notes, Copland’s exuberant Rodeo Excerpts, Bernstein’s On the Town: Four Dance Episodes and Gershwin’s An American in Paris, made famous by MGM’s dazzling, Oscar-winning 1951 film. Conducted by rising star David Charles Abell, also see piano soloist, Freddy Kempf who made his concert debut with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra aged 8, won the BBC Young Musician of the Year competition and is one of today’s most successful pianists. l Cambridge Corn Exchange, Thursday, January 30. Contact (01223) 357851/cornex.co.uk

Paul Carrack

Singer-songwriter Paul Carrack might not be a stadium sell-out kind of musician, but the sometime voice of Squeeze and Mike and the Mechanics has been successfully plugging away for decades. His songs have been recorded by artists including The Eagles, Diana Ross, Tom Jones and Jools Holland, while he’s toured

5 Cate le Bon

and sessioned with Elton John, Ringo Starr, BB King, the Pretenders and The Smiths. He’s also recently finished touring with Eric Clapton.

The guy has serious game. Why not see him on his own terms? l Cambridge Corn Exchange, Friday, January 31. Contact (01223) 357851/ cornex.co.uk

London Grammar

Newest indie-pop kids London Grammar are Radio 1 darlings Hannah Reid, Dot Major and Dan Rothman. They met at university in Nottingham and have made a name for themselves by racking up hundreds of thousands of hits on YouTube, magnified by their buzzladen debut album, If You Wait. Filled pf soloist: Pianist Freddy Kem

with ethereal, wistful tracks like the haunting Wasting My Young Years and the plaintive Hey Now, these guys are set to be massive. l Cambridge Corn Exchange, Saturday, February 1. Contact (01223) 357851/cornex.co.uk

dan le sac Vs Scroobius Pip

dan le sac (otherwise known as Daniel Stephens on production, programming, keyboards, guitars and backing vocals), and Scroobius Pip (aka rapper, poet and singer David Peter Meads), are a hirsute hip-hop, rap and electronica duo who have a habit of selling out their tours. And, after this year’s album Repent Replenish Repeat – their third together – they look like they’re going to do it again. Don’t miss them on top form. l Cambridge Junction, Wednesday, February 5. Contact (01223) 511511/ junction.co.uk

Lonely the Brave

This Cambridge-born five-piece are slowly but surely taking the rock scene by storm. Influenced by the likes of The National and Deftones, they’re made up of Mark Trotter on guitar, Andrew Bushen on bass, unconventional singer David Jakes (he fronts the band from the back of the stage), Gavin “Mo” Edgeley

Quick to admit a preoccupation with death (thanks to an awkward interview in which she cited pet deaths as an inspiration; she hasn’t been able to escape the label since), psych-folkster Cate le Bon is on her third album, Mug Museum.

Rock-edged folk with a 1970s vibe, her career owes a lot to Super Furry Animals founder Gruff Rhys who helped nurture her, and now, aside from touring solo, she has even supported the Manic Street Preachers. l Cambridge Junction, Monday, February 10. Contact (01223) 511511/junction.co.uk

The Strypes

Suited, booted and brilliantly fringed, they look about 14 but even their penchant for sunglasses doesn’t seem too try-hard. This is The Strypes’ first UK headline tour, made up of Irish lads Ross Farrelly (on vocals and harmonica), Josh McClorey (on lead guitar), Pete O’Hanlon (on bass and harmonica) and drummer Evan Walsh. Touted as a major act live, they do speed-blues with old-school rock ’n’ roll. Think a revved-up version of The Yardbirds, influenced

by Dr Feelgood. Oh, and Arctic Monkeys are massive fans. You can’t argue with that. l Cambridge Junction, Tuesday, February 11. Contact (01223) 511511/junction.co.uk

Little Comets

Little Comets can be counted on to ply you with dance floor indie stuff you can stretch out your skinny jeans to while chatting with bright-eyed boys over Jaeger bombs. You know? They’re that kind of band: fun, jaunty and singing right at you if you’re an all-overthe-place twentysomething. Hence why Zane Lowe and Huw Stevens like

Cambridge News | cambridge-news.co.uk | January 9, 2014 | 21

0 them. Frontman and guitarist Robert Coles is joined by Michael Coles on lead guitar, Matt Hall on bass and touring drummer David Green. Go have a listen, and a dance. l Cambridge Junction, Saturday, February 15. Contact (01223) 511511/ junction.co.uk

Rizzle Kicks

Jordan “Rizzle” Stephens and Harley “Sylvester” Alexander-Sule are Rizzle Kicks, a pumped-up hip-hop duo from Brighton, but you probably already know that. They bounced on to the Radio One playlist in 2011 with their debut album Stero Typical, and the annoyingly catchy Mama Do The Hump (no, you will never get it out of your head), and tend to chuck themselves about merrily rapping, singing, dancing and wearing ace hi-tops. You know they’d be incredible on a night out. The adrenalin-heavy duo, who have worked with Pharrell and Ed Sheeran, will perform tracks from their latest album, Roaring 20s.

Expect a whole lot of fun. l Cambridge Corn Exchange, Friday, February 21. Contact (01223) 357851/ cornex.co.uk

We Are Scientists

Can you believe it’s been eight years since We Are Scientist broke out with their debut album With Love & Squalor? Remember the opening guitar riff of Nobody Move, Nobody Get Hurt? It practically made the Californian indie rock band; they played Reading and Leeds, appeared on Letterman, played a string of tours, released two further albums and slid quietly away. Now they’re back. Are they still as good as they once were? l Cambridge Junction, Friday, March 7. Contact (01223) 511511/ junction.co.uk

ella.walker@cambridge-news.co.uk

unmissable shows for spring blues”); seriously check this guy out. l Cambridge Junction, Monday, March 10. Contact (01223) 511511/ junction.co.uk

The Overtones

The Overtones were discovered in a really quite magical way; singing on their tea break while decorating near Oxford Street. Fortunately they had faces as stunning as their voices (they’re the kind of boys that’ll make your mum go weak at the knees).

The five-piece cover old, vintage classics and are on their third album, Saturday Night at the Movies. Expect to find yourself singing, dancing and swooning along. l Cambridge Corn Exchange, Monday, March 17. Contact (01223) 357851/cornex.co.uk

Steel Panther

If you fancy a rowdy night of heavy metal shot through with hilarity and 80s posturing, Steel Panther are for you. The cultish LA musicians – who have the best names: Michael Starr, Satchel, Lexxi Foxx and Stix Zadinia – parody the loudest, brashest hair metal for you to leap about and headbang to. Their lyrics are packed with swears and silliness, topped off with leather trousers and animal print bandannas. Sadly the gig has already sold out, but here’s hoping more tickets get released. l Cambridge Corn Exchange, Saturday, March 22. Contact (01223) 357851/ cornex.co.uk

The Stranglers

New wave punk rockers The Stranglers certainly know how to stick around. Forming in 1974 they flitted in and out of the mainstream, veering from aggressive rock to slightly more sophisticated pop as they got older. Now in their fifth decade(!), impressive in itself, they’re still touring, playing old and new hits.

With support from Nine Below Zero, you shouldn’t want to miss their 40th anniversary show. l Cambridge Corn Exchange, Friday, March 28. Contact (01223) 357851/ cornex.co.uk

UB40

They’ve sold more than 70 million records, are considered one of Britain’s greatest ever reggae bands and sang Red Red Wine. Yep, UB40 are back. The band, who formed in 1978, released their latest record Getting Over The Storm last summer and are ready and willing to have you dancing, swaying and remembering your reggae roots. Don’t you go letting them down now. l Cambridge Corn Exchange, Monday, April 14. Contact (01223) 357851/cornex.co.uk

ed Continu 22 e on pag

dynamic duo: Jordan stephens and Harley alexander-sule, aka rizzle kicks

let’s rrrrock! steel Panther, above, and london Grammar

The Forestry Commission by arrangement with SOLO presents

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Son of Dave

Son of Dave, aka Benjamin Darvill, is a bit of a maverick.

Raconteur, beatboxer, harmonica and mandolin player, the Canadian musician has been known to hand out chocolate to the crowd – basically he goes all out. So, if you fancy a rather bizarre, eclectic evening where absolutely anything might happen (you can only guarantee on “cotton-pickin’

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22 | January 9, 2014 | cambridge-news.co.uk | Cambridge News

50 unmissable shows for spring

Music

l Cambridge Junction, Thursday, March 27.

Contact (01223) 511511 / junction.co.uk

British Sea Power

(continued)

Miles Kane,

Andrew Lawrence

Veterans of independent label Rough Trade, British Sea Power have been compared to some big names including Arcade Fire, The Cure and Pixies, and have some big fans in the form of David Bowie, Jarvis Cocker, Bill Bailey and Flaming Lips. Why base your opinion on that though? The indie rockers are best judged live – here’s your chance. l Cambridge Junction, Friday, April 18.

Contact (01223) 511511 / junction.co.uk

Susan Boyle

Miles Kane

The Merseyside 27-year-old and co-frontman of The Last Shadow Puppets has a serious knack for playing guitar – and going out with models (namely Agyness Deyn and Suki Waterhouse) – but it’s his voice, and his rather brilliantly-cut suits, that make him. His debut solo album, Colour Of The Trap, came out in 2011, followed by 2013’s Don’t Forget Who You Are; complete with major hints of John Lennon, Liam Gallagher and Paul Weller. Arctic Monkeys have booked him as their support in May, so you know he must be absolutely awesome live. But this guy doesn’t just have famous mates. He’s got shed loads of talent too. l Cambridge Junction, Sunday, March 30.

Contact (01223) 511511 / junction.co.uk

Chvrches

If you haven’t yet stumbled across the electro-loveliness of Scottish trio Chvrches, you’ve been seriously missing out. Bounding out of nowhere with their first song Lies last year, they followed up with the achingly wonderful The Mother We Share and skintinglingly good Recover. Then they released debut album, The Bones Of What You Believe, which can only be described as incredible.

It’ll seep into your brain and cling on indefinitely. Can you tell we’re massive fans?

Go adore them. l Cambridge Junction, Wednesday, March 12. Contact (01223) 511511 / junction.co.uk

The Willows

The Cambridge-based five-piece are what you call a well-versed roots band. Previously likened to Laura Marling and Alison Krauss & Union Station, the play music drenched in rich vocal harmonies and are Cambridge Folk Festival favourites. They released their debut album Beneath Our Humble Soil, last year and count Mike Harding (of The Mike Harding Folk Show) and BBC Radio 2’s Bob Harris as huge fans.

Chvrches

Britain’s Got Talent and tabloid darling Susan Boyle broke into public consciousness in 2009 after performing I Dreamed A Dream from Les Misérables brilliantly well on the brutal talent show, much to the surprise of the judges and the audience. A hop, skip and a makeover later, she was beaten by Diversity but nabbed a record deal and a worldwide following anyway. Several million YouTube hits later (plus more Daily Mail articles than you’d care to count), SuBo shows no sign of disappearing. l Cambridge Corn Exchange, Wednesday, April 16. Contact (01223) 357851 / cornex. co.uk

Comedy Andrew Lawrence

He’s been described as a “supreme misfit” by the Daily Telegraph, but we think they meant it nicely. Andrew Lawrence – he’s starred on Live At The Apollo and Michael McIntyre’s Comedy Roadshow – already has his own Radio 4 series and is now making a serious mark on the world of stand-up. Grafting along since studying at the University of St Andrew’s, the funny red-head is practically guaranteed to go stratospheric any day now. l Cambridge Junction, Friday, January 24.

Contact (01223) 511511 / junction.co.uk

Punt and Dennis

Former Cambridge Footlighters Steve Punt (writer and presenter of BBC Radio 4’s The Now Show) and Hugh Dennis (Outnumbered, Mock the Week) are visiting the city where their affair with comedy sketches and political satire began. See the double act in action with their current show, Ploughing On Regardless, which takes winter and the fact the “AA are busy advising comedians ‘not to tour the country unless it is absolutely essential,’” to laughingly great heights. l Cambridge Corn Exchange, Thursday, February 13. Contact (01223) 357851 / cornex.co.uk

Sarah Millican

You can’t help but know her voice. That high, laughing South Shields burr shot through with self-deprecation and charm. Sarah Millican, right, turned up in 2008 armed with a raft of jokes about her divorce and the ensuing two and a half years she spent back at her mum and dad’s… she won the Best Newcomer Award at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe and we haven’t been able to escape her since. Not saying you’d want to. This time around the 38-year-old will be explaining how to behave on a dirty weekend and how to fit in seamlessly at a posh restaurant. How very educational. Have fun. l Cambridge Corn Exchange, Thursday, February 6 – Friday, February 7. Contact (01223) 357851 / cornex.co.uk

Russell Kane

Russell Kane’s Twitter bio says: “Dodged the bullies by making jokes,” – well, it certainly worked.

The 33-year-old perfectly quiffed comedian has survived divorce, the

bullies and a knack for controversy, thanks to his talent for funny. Great mates with Radio 1’s ever-so charming Greg James (the pair have their own BBC3 show, Staying In), and a regular on a myriad of chat and panel shows (most recently, Who Wants to be a Millionaire?), he’s bringing his new one-man show, Smallness, to Cambridge. l Cambridge Corn Exchange, Saturday, February 8. Contact (01223) 357851 / cornex.co.uk

Miles Jupp Stroppy, witty, dapper and ticking all the boxes (actor, writer, comedian), Miles Jupp is quite a talented guy. Always one for popping up on Have I Got News For You, The News Quiz and Mock The Week, he’s a panel show host on BBC Radio4, has recently been onstage in Alan Bennett’s People at the National Theatre and starred in Rev and The Thick of It. Now you can see him do standup. He explains:

Cambridge News | cambridge-news.co.uk | January 9, 2014 | 23

loads more online at cambridge-news.co.uk/whatson

Film

“It’s a man, standing on a stage, facing an audience, talking about some things and ultimately aiming to cover the cost of his white goods.” l Cambridge Junction, Friday, February 28.

Contact (01223) 511511 / junction.co.uk

Watersprite: The Cambridge international student Film Festival

Footlights spring revue 2014: The History of everything

With past speakers such as Eddie Redmayne, Bill Nighy and Olivia Colman (yes, oooh), Watersprite is becoming quite renowned for its cinematic programme. The two main strands of the volunteer-run festival include the short film competition which takes submissions from students around the world; and then a slew of talks, workshops and panel discussions looking at a range of film topics – set to be interesting whether you’re a major celluloid buff or just a big fan of popcorn. And incredibly it’s all free and open to everyone, not just students. The speaker line-up hasn’t yet been announced but it’s sure to impressive when it is. l Cambridge, Friday, March 7 – Sunday, March 9. Visit watersprite.org.uk

Spot the future stars of the British comedy scene at the Footlights Spring Revue.

Compiled, written and staged by an eightstrong troupe of performers and writers, this year’s show is “a chronological odyssey through the history of the universe, from the Big Bang to the invention of the iPhone and everything in between.” You’ll be taken on a breakneck tour “through the primordial soup, up the Jurassic coast, down the Fall of the Roman Empire, into the House of the Tudors, and Back to the Future in time for tea.” Expect skits, laughs and silliness a-plenty. l The ADC Theatre, Tuesday, March 4 – Saturday, March 8. Contact (01223) 300085 / adctheatre.com

Books

Cambridge literary Festival

russell Brand

The ridiculously-intelligent, crazy-haired, skinny-belted lothario is doing a second visit with his Messiah Complex world tour. He’ll be investigating whether or not Jesus had a mental disorder that made him believe he was the son of God and was just rather convincing about it all. Hence the Bible and all that jazz. Brand will tackle it with all his usual wit, flair and rampant chat, so if you’re easily offended, it’s probably not for you.

The man/actor/TV cad/fractious politico is a motor-mouthed genius. Or perhaps he just has a mental disorder he’s using to comic advantage… either way, it’ll be terribly amusing. l Cambridge Corn Exchange, Tuesday, April 1 – Wednesday, April 1. Contact (01223) 357851 / cornex.co.uk

alan davies

Jonathan Creek – no, wait, sorry – Alan Davies, the rambling, mop haired QI panellist, is visiting with his new stand-up show, Little Victories. Best mates with Bill Bailey, the Essex-born 47-year-old hasn’t been out on the road recently as much as we’d probably like – he’s quite busy what with writing books, chatting on with Stephen Fry and fitting in the odd bit of acting work – but he seems to be getting back into it.

Expect shrewdness, smartness and oh, so many laughs. l Cambridge Corn Exchange, Saturday, April 5. Contact (01223) 357851 / cornex.co.uk

rob Beckett

Rob Beckett’s grin is unbelievably impressive. Huge slabs of pristine white enamel, very little gum and a quiff of spiky blonde hair adding to the ensemble. But if you haven’t seen too much of him, it’s no wonder. Other than a couple of Mock The Week clips, he’s only got a few skits floating around on YouTube.

The best being

one on being working class (the test is if your plasma TV is bigger than your bookcase apparently), and another on all the people he looks like, but isn’t (Boris Johnson, Peggy Mitchell and Clare Balding make the list). He’s quite the cheeky chappy. It’s going to be a right giggle. l Cambridge Junction, Wednesday, April 9. Contact (01223) 511511 / junction. co.uk

Last year’s Cambridge Literary Festival (formerly Cambridge Wordfest) saw the likes of Chimimanda Ngozi Adichie, Sandi Toksvig and Deborah Moggach taking to the mic.

Winter Wordfest was brilliantly studded by Zadie Smith (swoon) and Donna Tartt (what a coup) too, so this year’s spring offering will hopefully be as intimidatingly good. Expect a roster packed with the literary great, good and downright fascinating. We will, of course, keep you up to date with all announcements – the News is a media partner after all! l Cambridge, Tuesday, April 1 – Sunday, April 6. Visit cambridgewordfest.co.uk

Continued on page 26

ALL-STAR CAST: The stars heading our way, this page clockwise from left, Russell Brand, Alan Davies, Donna Tartt, Eddie Redmayne, Rob Beckett and Russell Kane

26 | Januaryy 9, 2014 | cambridge-news.co.uk | Cambridge News

50 unmissable shows for spring

Theatre

royal rumpus: richard III

cambridgeartstheatre.purchase-ticketsonline.co.uk

Brendan Cole: Licence to Thrill

Richard III

Fresh from twirling Sophie Ellis-Bextor around the Strictly Come Dancing ballroom floor, Brendan Cole – the dapper, perfectly postured professional that he is – is returning with his own dance show, Licence to Thrill. Joined by a horde of live musicians and dancers, you’ll get to see an extravaganza of glitz, glitter, ballroom and Latin moves, while imagining being swung about on stage yourself. We’ll definitely be swooning over the American smooth… l Cambridge Corn Exchange, Saturday, February 15. Contact (01223) 357851 / cornex.co.uk

Since being dug up from beneath a car park in Leicester last year, Richard III has barely been out of the spotlight. First up was the BBC’s 10-part drama, The White Queen, then The Globe’s touring production of Henry VI which visited Cambridge last summer, and now the Cambridge University European Theatre Group and the ADC are getting in on the act with their take on Shakespeare’s Richard III. Casting two Richards of Gloucester, prepare to see the lethal rise and fall of a man and murderer-king. l The ADC Theatre, Tuesday, January 14 – Saturday, January 18. Contact (01223) 300085 / adctheatre.com

Black Coffee

Catch Agatha Christie’s first ever Poirot plot, Black Coffee, starring Bafta nominated Robert Powell as the inquiring, moustachioed gent. Best known for playing Jesus in Franco Zefferelli’s Jesus of Nazareth (you might need to be a certain age to get that reference), Powell’s first case as Poirot does of course include a rambling country estate, an eccentric murder victim (this time, an inventor by the name of Sir Claude Amory), and intellectual property theft… We reckon Poirot will know just how to solve it. l Cambridge Arts Theatre, Monday, January 20 – Saturday, January 25. Contact (01223) 503333 / cambridgeartstheatre.purchasetickets-online.co.uk

Doctor Faustus

To celebrate the 450th anniversary of Christopher Marlowe’s birth, who better to stage his most captivating play, Doctor Faustus, than the Cambridge University Marlowe Society? The drama group is performing the complete works of Marlowe at different locations in Cambridge over the course of a year. But back to Faustus: a brilliant man who sells his soul to Lucifer in exchange for knowledge and power goes on a destructively merry path through Emperor

Charles V’s court to the Pope’s banquet in Rome, with his hell-bound companion, Mephistopheles. But the fiery depths are set to catch up with him eventually… they always do. l Cambridge Arts Theatre, Wednesday, January 29 – Saturday, February 1. Contact (01223) 503333 / cambridgeartstheatre. purchase-tickets-online.co.uk

Blue Stockings

Set in 1896 when women in Britain were vote-less, downtrodden, suppressed and considered hysterical threats if blessed with an iota of intelligence and a mouth to prove it, Girton College in Cambridge was the first university to admit them. Only a handful mind, and no, they didn’t get to graduate.

Jessica Swale’s Blue Stockings tracks Principal Elizabeth Welsh and her female first years as they battle for the right to a degree.

The Telegraph said of The Globe’s original production: “Swale tells the story with both wit and a hint of righteous indignation,” adding: “There’s an effervescent vitality about it.” Will the Cambridge University Amateur Dramatic Club do it justice? l The ADC Theatre, Tuesday, January 28 – Saturday, February 1. Contact (01223) 300085 / adctheatre.com

1984

no has-bean: robert powell as poirot in Black Coffee

George Orwell’s seminal dystopian novel, 1984, is a brave choice for amdram group The Dryden Society. Adapted by Matthew Dunster, the people of Britain (now called Airstrip One) are trapped in a cycle of never-ending war (with an ever changing enemy), in a state of constant surveillance and systematic mind control. And what happens if you rebel inside your mind – so-called ‘thought crimes’? Winston Smith discovers the consequences are more damning than you can imagine. l The ADC Theatre, Tuesday,

February 4 – Saturday, February 8. Contact (01223) 300085 / adctheatre.com

Eternal Love

The English Touring Theatre is bringing Shakespeare’s Globe production of Eternal Love: The Story of Abelard and Heloise (previously named In Extremis), to regale Cambridge audiences.

A tale of scandal, passion and contention, it follows Abelard as he falls madly and catastrophically in love with his rather brilliant student Heloise. When she becomes pregnant out of wedlock, Abelard’s enemies in the church, who are already not amused by his controversial views, use it as an excuse to destroy him… l Cambridge Arts Theatre, Thursday, February 6 – Saturday, February 8.

Contact (01223) 503333 / cambridgeartstheatre. purchase-tickets-online. co.uk

Moon Tiger

Adapted from Penelope Lively’s Booker Prize winning novel of the same name, Moon Tiger starts with 70-year-old Claudia Hampton on her death bed, daydreaming of writing the history of the world using her own life as a graph to plot it on.

The first time it’s been staged, the story spirals through Claudia’s past tracking her loves, her losses and her regrets, plastered against a backdrop of war, incest and literary fame. l Cambridge Arts Theatre, Monday, February 10 – Saturday, February 15. Contact (01223) 503333 /

on stage: natalie Imbruglia, left, stars in Things We Do For Love, while Ian mcDiarmid stars in A Life of Galileo

Cambridge News | cambridge-news.co.uk | January 9, 2014 | 27

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Pygmalion

Happy Days

To celebrate the 100th anniversary of George Bernard Shaw’s witty exploration of class and gender, the Theatre Royal Bath is staging Pygmalion with impressionist Alistair McGowan as the lead, Professor Henry Higgins. The basis of My Fair Lady (don’t say you don’t know it), the plot follows the phonetic-obsessed professor as he tries to get cockney flower girl Eliza Doolittle to pass for a duchess at a very fancy party. The question is whether or not she’ll assert her own independence, or simper along with the challenge. l Cambridge Arts Theatre, Wednesday, February 26 – Saturday, March 8.

Contact (01223) 503333 / cambridgeartstheatre. purchase-tickets-online.co.uk

Former Sugababe Heidi Range – the blonde Liverpudlian from band line-up number two – will be donning some serious 50s style to play Pinky Tuscadero alongside Mrs Cunningham (Bucks Fizz’s Cheryl Baker) and, of course, The Fonz (Emmerdale’s Ben Freeman) in a brand new musical from Gary Marshall, who wrote the Happy Days TV show. And yes, you will get to sing-a-long to the original theme tune. Now, how are they going to get The Fonz’s motorbike on stage? l Cambridge Corn Exchange, Monday, April 7 – Saturday, April 12. Contact (01223) 357851 / cornex.co.uk

Things We Do For Love

Moon on a Rainbow Shawl

Critically acclaimed for its opening London stint, the National Theatre and Talawa Theatre’s Moon on a Rainbow Shawl is meant to be quite something. Set in Port of Spain, Trinidad, Ephraim is desperate to break out and start a new life in England, regardless of the rather charming Rosa and the rolling life of calypso music and neighbourly love of home. All of which is all interrupted by troops returning from war.

Expect sunshine, big dreams and tough decisions. l Cambridge Arts Theatre, Tuesday, March 18 – Saturday, March 22. Contact (01223) 503333 / cambridge artstheatre. purchasetickets-online. co.uk

A Life of Galileo

Bertold Brecht’s esteemed play of science and controversy gets the Ian McDiarmid treatment in the Royal Shakespeare Company’s adaptation of A Life of Galileo.

The Scottish Star Wars actor is reprising his role as the cantankerous, outspoken Italian scientist Galileo who, in 1609 while using a new-fangled device – the telescope – discovers a truth that throws the church into angry disarray. He must tackle the clerics, his opposition and the demand for him to denounce his belief that the earth orbits the sun, not the universally accepted other way round. l Cambridge Arts Theatre, Monday, March 31 – Saturday, April 5. Contact (01223) 503333 / cambridgeartstheatre. purchase-tickets-online.co.uk

Who knew Natalie Imbruglia had gone back to her acting roots? We thought she’d left her Neighbours days behind her, but we’re rather pleased she hasn’t. The Australian songstress is starring in Alan Ayckbourn’s Things We Do For Love, a topsy-turvy bedroom drama of lodgers piled up on top of each other (in more ways than architecturally).

An intolerant landlady, a love-lorn postmanturned-plumber, an old school friend and her vegetarian fiancé = a recipe for disaster, bed-hopping and hilarity. You’ll get completely swept up in the ingenuity of it all. l Cambridge Arts Theatre, Tuesday, April 29 – Saturday, May 3. Contact (01223) 503333 / cambridgeartstheatre.purchase-ticketsonline.co.uk

Family Erth’s Dinosaur Zoo

Want to get up, close and personal with some prehistoric giants? Now’s your chance.

Erth’s Dinosaur Zoo is a live, interactive show complete with some scaly, razor toothed marvels – it’s all very Jurassic Park (but without the faulty electricity and escaped T-Rex… not to mention those terrifying velociraptors). Little ones can learn about, touch and wonder at a range of mechanical beasts, from baby dinos to fully grown predators. ROAR. l Cambridge Corn Exchange, Sunday, February 16 – Tuesday, February 18. Contact (01223) 357851 / cornex.co.uk

Peppa Pig’s Big Splash

Is there a child in existence that doesn’t adore Peppa Pig? This brand new show is an “all-singing, all-dancing adventure full of songs, games and muddy puddles” apparently. Don your wellies and find out whether Peppa and his friends George, Mummy and Daddy Pig, Danny Dog, Pedro Pony and Suzy Sheep can fix the nursery roof shed. Plus, see how they all fare at a Champion Puddle Jumping competition.

Expect puppets, singing and lots of fun. l Cambridge Corn Exchange, Saturday, March 1 – Sunday, March 2. Contact (01223) 357851 / cornex.co.uk

Family Folk Show with Megson

If you’re beginning to grow sick of singing along to “The wheels on the bus go round and round, round and round,” every single car journey, Megson can help. The husband and wife duo (Stu and Debbie Hanna), are the darlings of the British folk scene. Hailing from Teeside and named after Debbie’s family dog, the pair are three time BBC Radio 2 Folk Award nominees, and are coming to Cambridge toting guitars, mandolas and a fresh approach to nursery rhyme time. l Cambridge Junction, Sunday, March 23.

Contact (01223) 511511 / junction.co.uk

Jungle Book

No, not an adaptation of Disney’s (amazing) animation, but inspired by Rudyard Kipling’s original story. Developed by the Indigo Moon Theatre, you’ll be able to race through the jungle with man-cub Mowgli as he swings and loops through the dangerous, magical world of the wild. Using some rather special shadow theatre set to an original musical score and colourful digital projections, it’s set to be rather mesmerising. l Cambridge Junction, Sunday, April 6.

Contact (01223) 511511 / junction.co.uk

Tom’s Midnight Garden

After stumbling upon a grandfather clock that chimes 13 times, Tom finds himself being whisked through time to a secret garden locked away in the past, where he meets Hatty. Together they embark on a tangle of a friendship, but Tom must work out this time travelling business. From The Birmingham Stage Company – the guys that brought James and the Giant Peach to the Arts Theatre in 2013 – this is guaranteed to be as magical as the book by Philippa Pearce. l Cambridge Arts Theatre, Tuesday, April 22 – Saturday, April 26. Contact (01223) 503333 / cambridgeartstheatre.purchase-ticketsonline.co.uk