GO RONDO

Rondo revelations

The Rondo Theatre’s programme over the next few months is packed with delights –here are a few highlights including a combination of theatre, comedy and music

DONE TO DEATH, BY JOVE!

6 April, 8pm A cast of six brings a comic flurry of suspects and sleuths together to discover whodunnit, and how… Except… four of the cast are stuck by the side of the M6 in the van, and only those two knights of the Theatre – Sir Gavin and Sir Nicholas – have managed to get to the venue… but ‘the show must go on’… what could possibly go wrong!? It’s not a new idea – it’s been Done to Death, By Jove – but not like this! By Gavin Robertson and Nicholas Collett.

THE SILENCE OF SNOW: THE LIFE OF PATRICK HAMILTON

26 May, 8pm Mark Farrelly’s riveting, kinetic solo show portrays one of the great English writers of the inter-war years. Covering the entire sweep of Hamilton’s thrilling life and writing, The Silence of Snow entertains and challenges, asking: why do so many of us get through life without feeling we ever truly knew another person? Written and performed by Mark Farrelly and directed by Linda Marlowe.

LOUISA & JO (& ME)

17 June, 7.30pm Part one-woman adaptation of Little Women, part journey on the road to selfdiscovery, part ’90s romp, Louisa & Jo (& Me) is a show about childhood, nostalgia, and growing up in Boston, set to live folk music. Written by Sasha Wilson and presented by Out Of The Forest Theatre.

MANIC

23 June, 8pm When Raina arrives at her spoken word gig to see her exes in the audience, all the questions she’s had about her past sexual experiences begin to surface. Through poetry, she begins to explore questions about bad sex, drunk sex, and the grey areas of consent. MANIC is a solo show that combines spoken word, puppetry, and theatre to ask whether it is possible to say you were violated without implicating a partner. Written and performed by Raina Greifer and directed by Rondo Theatre Deputy Director, Pippa Thornton.

BE.

30 June, 8pm “Feminine? Masculine? Why can’t we just… be?” Be. follows three characters trying to break out of their boxes, in a story intertwined with the authentic collective experiences of over 60 real people. With enchanting music and provocative, poetic storytelling, Be. gives a voice to those made restless by the constraints of gender and asks why sometimes it’s so difficult to just… be. Written by Gabrielle Finnegan and presented by Greedy Pig Theatre Company.

SOPHIE DUKER & JACOB HAWLEY

15 July, 8pm Sophie Duker is a comedian and writer whose favourite things include breaking hearts, taking names and telling jokes with the confidence of a cis straight middle-class white man. Since being shortlisted for the Funny Women award, she has appeared on 8 Out of 10 Cats (E4), Mock the Week (BBC2) and Frankie Boyle’s New World Order (BBC2). Jacob Hawley is the presenter and creator of BBC Sounds’s Jacob Hawley: On Drugs. Jacob has rapidly generated interest as one of the boldest new voices on the circuit with his astute observations and political passion.

Louisa & Jo (& Me)

The Silence of Snow Sophie Duker

GLENN MOORE & ANIA MAGLIANO

16 July, 8pm Edinburgh Comedy Award nominee Glenn Moore is a comedian, actor and one of the best and most prolific joke writers in the country. Glenn is a regular face on TV, having appeared on Mock The Week (BBC), Rob Delaney’s Stand Up Central (Comedy Central) and The Stand Up Sketch Show (ITV2). Ania is a rising star on the comedy circuit and has written for Frankie Boyle’s New World Order (BBC2), Newsjack (BBC R4), The Now Show (BBC R4) and is one of the four regular writers on the Have I Got News For You Twitter account. n

Rondo Theatre, St Saviour’s Road, Larkhall, Bath; 0333 666 3366; rondotheatre.co.uk/whats-on

Anja Magliano

Family diary

IDEAS FOR THINGS TO DO WITH THE CHILDREN THIS MONTH

SMELL YOUR WAY BACK IN TIME AT BRUNEL’S SS GREAT BRITAIN Throughout April, Monday –Sunday, 10am–6pm

n SS Great Britain, Great Western

Dockyard, Gas Ferry Road, Bristol

Brunel’s SS Great Britain uses smell as a stimulus for time travel, transporting visitors right into the experience of life on board. If a 19th-century emigrant gagged at the smell in crowded cabins, then so can you! The award-winning museum already includes hundreds of sights, sounds and smells on board the historic ocean liner and throughout the two adjacent museums, and now there is a taster menu of new scents for visitors to rate and review over the Easter holidays. Tickets: children, 5+ £12, adults 17+ £19.50, age 4 and under free. tickets.ssgreatbritain.org

EXPLORE SOUTH WEST LAKES Throughout April, and beyond

n Wimbleball Lake (Exmoor), Roadford

Lake (Devon), Siblyback Lake (Cornwall), Stithians Lake (Cornwall), and Tamar Lake (Cornwall)

Camping, walking, fishing, sailing, kayaking, paddleboarding, watching wildlife and exploring scenic retreats, South West Lakes offers many options for a magical spring family break. At Wimbleball and Roadford, you can also enjoy an aerial adventure on the high ropes course or hit the bullseye on the archery range. There’s something for all ages and abilities. swlakestrust.org.uk

STEP ABOARD CONCORDE Throughout April, Tuesday–Sunday, 10am–4.30pm during term time and 7 days a week during school holidays

n Aerospace Bristol, Hayes Way, Patchway,

Bristol

Enjoy a supersonic family day out and step aboard Concorde at Aerospace Bristol. The museum has plenty of activities to enjoy throughout the school holidays, including Science Shows, Easter trails, and even a demonstration of Concorde’s famous droop nose! Tickets adult £18, children £10, under 4s free. aerospacebristol.org

TAKE EASTER PHOTOS 2–18 April

n Upside Down House, The Mall, Cribbs

Causeway, Bristol

Join Upside Down House Cribbs Causeway for amazing Easter opportunities at their Easter photo station. The most creative photo will receive a goody bag full of surprises and a free entry for four to Upside Down House Cribbs Causeway. Enter the competition by posting a photo to Facebook or Instagram and tagging them in: @upsidedownhouseuk and #UDHEaster22 Full T&Cs apply. Tickets £4 per person during the week, £5 per person at weekends and bank holidays. upsidedownhouse.co.uk

EASTER FARM TRAIL 9 April, 10am–4pm

n New MacDonalds Farm, Closes Farm,

Kingsdown, Corsham

Enjoy a walk around New McDonald’s Farm while looking out for Easter clues along the way. Solve the puzzle and claim your prize at the end. There will also be story-telling at 11am, 12 pm and 1pm, an opportunity to get to know the animals from Chloe's Farm, a bouncy castle and face painting. Food and drink will be available from the café. When booking tickets select the time slot you wish to start the trail. A family ticket is for 2 adults and 2 children. Children under the age of 2 go free. £4–£18. Book through eventbrite.co.uk

EASTER FAMILY TRAILS 9–24 April

n Bristol Zoo Gardens, College Road,

Clifton Wild Place, Blackhorse Hill, Bristol

Bristol Zoo Gardens and Wild Place Project are calling upon eggsplorers to take part in their two Easter family trails. Giant eggs will be hidden around both visitor attractions for families to discover. There

Experiencing the SS Great Britain will be stickers for all and the chance to win a top prize. At Bristol Zoo Gardens spot 300 incredible animal species from gorillas and lemurs, to red pandas and penguins and explore 12 acres of award-winning gardens bursting into bloom. At Wild Place Project explore over 50 acres of woodlands, wildflowers, gardens and meadows and see animals including bears, giraffes, zebras and cheetahs. Book tickets online for both locations (under 2s are free but need an online booking): bristolzoo.org.uk; wildplace.org.uk

EGGCELLENT EASTER ADVENTURE 9–24 April, 10am to 5pm

n American Museum & Gardens, Claverton

Manor, Bath

Come and join in throughout the school holidays for an outdoor trail. Hunt for the creative and colourful nest installations throughout the gardens and parkland. Pick up an activity pack and join the scavenger hunt (additional fee applies). Visit the crafting station for some fabulous Easter crafts. Get your wellies on for a cracking good time! Normal admission. americanmuseum.org

EASTER ACTIVITIES 9–24 April

n No. 1 Royal Crescent, Herschel Museum

of Astronomy and Beckford’s Tower

Make Easter Bonnets and Bicorns at No. 1 Royal Crescent, free with your museum ticket. At the Herschel Museum of Astronomy it’s all about the full moon, so come and make spinners that reveal the moon’s phases, free with your museum ticket. At Beckford’s Tower a bunny trail is being set in the landscape, free of charge. no1royalcrescent.org.uk; herschelmuseum.org.uk; beckfordstower.org.uk

ANIMAL MAGIC 11 April, 10am–12.30pm and 1.30pm–4pm

n Roman Baths, Bath

Easter Family Trails at Bristol Zoo Gardens and Wild Place Project Take Easter photos at Upside Down House