Young Lit Fix By Antonia Squire

Living Spit in Adolf and Winston; photograph by Graham Burke

London, 1939. Winston Churchill looks in the mirror, realises that only he can steer our great nation through its darkest hour and steels himself for the hard road ahead.

Bristol, 2021. Howard Coggins looks in the mirror, shaves, realises he looks a bit like Winston Churchill and steels himself to break some bad news to his good friend, Stu.

Bristol, 2022. Stu Mcloughlin looks in the mirror and realises that he’ll have to grow a little moustache.

After the success of their Tudor dramas, The Six Wives of Henry VIII and Elizabeth I: Virgin on the Ridiculous. Howard and Stu are once again walking the tightrope of taste with another slice of poorly-researched history

This new show from the inventive duo includes a 15-minute musical race through the history of the Second World War.

The John Martyn Project

LYME REGIS

The John Martin Project

THE John Martyn Project, at the Marine Theatre, Lyme Regis, on Friday 16th September, is a special concert where six established artists from the world of folk, soul and jazz, come together to celebrate the music of John Martyn, the acclaimed British guitarist and singer-songwriter who died in 2009.

The line-up features singer Blythe Pepino, virtuoso guitarist, composer and singer-songwriter and mandolin player Kit Hawes along with soul singer Pete Josef and Sam Brookes. Together, they reinterpret the many different aspects and eras of Martyn’s music.

Since first coming together for a sold out show in 2018 at London’s Jazz Cafe, the project has made several tours and become a firm fixture on the festival circuit.

At Lyme Regis and for the current tour, they are joined by a rhythm section of guitarists John Blakeley and Jon Short who have played together in various incarnations including with Sheelanagig and No Go Stop.

My Brother Ben by Peter Carnavas

Pushkin Children’s Book RRP£6.99 Ages 9+

Recommended by Nicky Mathewson

WHEN you look up to your older brother like he’s some kind of hero, what can you do to halt the inevitable divide that comes between you as he grows older, grows away from you? What happens when he no longer needs you as you need him?

Ben and Luke live in Queensland Australia and lead a simple life of swimming in the creek, bird spotting, camping, playing football and dreaming of owning their own little boat.

Their mum is endlessly busy with work and their dad is absent, but they’ve always had each other and Luke believes that’s all they need.

As Ben moves up to High school leaving Luke to continue his journey through school on his own, there is an uncomfortable shift which feels like the beginning of the end. Luke tries to find a new focus by nursing an injured magpie and filling his sketchbook with birds that he spots, but it’s hard to let go of your hero. And when Ben appears to be thinking of committing a crime, Luke has to try and stop him.

Beautifully pitched, this middle grade story of nature, family and brotherly love transported me to a distant part of the world and touched my heart.

10% off for Marshwood Vale readers at The Bookshop on South Street, Bridport. 01308 422964 www.dorsetbooks.com