WHAT’S ON

Bristol Symphony Orchestra n 4 March, St George’s Bristol Conductor Robert Weaver and the Bristol Symphony Orchestra return to the stage after their sold-out performance of Dracula for this emotional rollercoaster of an evening. Prepare to be swept along in Tchaikovsky’s passionate fantasy-overture, which balances the hatred between the Montagues and Capulets, and the passion of the young Romeo and Juliet in a work of heartbreaking beauty, plus so much more. stgeorgesbristol.co.uk

Misplaced Theatre: Tender Napalm n 7 –11 March, The Alma Tavern & Theatre

Misplaced Theatre returns to the Alma Theatre with Philip Ridley’s explosive, poetic and brutal play Tender Napalm. A compelling tapestry, re-examining the language of love and the politics of sexual attraction amongst the ruins of a relationship scarred by catastrophe. Starring Bristol actors Jack Bannell as Man and Nina Bright as Woman. Directed by Ben Jenkins. Tender Napalm contains sexual language and threats of violence. almatavernandtheatre.co.uk

English Symphony Orchestra: A Scottish Fantasy with Esther Abrami n 9 March, The Mount Without

The English Symphony Orchestra is set to present popular works inspired by Scotland at The Mount Without. Bruch’s lively and lyrical four-movement Fantasy on Scottish

Folk melodies pays homage to Scottish tradition, giving a prominent place to the harp in the instrumental accompaniment to the virtuosic skills of violinist and Sony Classical artist, Esther Abrami. In Mendelssohn’s Scottish Symphony, inspired by the composer’s visit to the ruins of Holyrood Chapel in Edinburgh, it is possible to hear elements from Scottish Folk Dance and the characteristic Scotch snap rhythm. Book your tickets at: eso.co.uk

Lunana: A Yak in the Classroom n 10 –16 March, Watershed

Bhutan’s first-ever Oscar® nominee for Best International Feature is an enchanting comedy-drama about a daydreaming (but discontented) young teacher who is posted to a remote school in the country’s picturesque Himalayan highlands. Shot in staggeringly beautiful locations, Lunana: A Yak in the Classroom explores the potential for finding contentment in unexpected places. Book your tickets at: watershed.co.uk

Easter by Candlelight n 11 March, 7.30pm, St James Priory Exultate Singers performs a feast of beautiful Renaissance and Baroque choral music from Italy and Spain including Scarlatti’s virtuosic and dramatic StabatMater in the medieval church of St James Priory. exultatesingers.org

Ewan Mainwood n 13 March, The Louisiana Ewan Mainwood’s debut EP Broken set in motion a first wave of discovery for a young singer-songwriter with world-facing potential. It set him on a path that has already seen him support his childhood inspiration Ed Sheeran as well as Maisie Peters, earn praise from Declan J Donovan, and hit festivals including Latitude, Barn On The Farm and The Great Escape. Book your tickets at: thelouisiana.net

Talkers & Doers: Hamsters n 15 –17 March, Hamilton House

Hamsters is a new play by Talkers & Doers centred around a small, round, furry, wideeyed hamster named Peanut –the catalyst for five characters’ journey through everything from romance to rage, chaos to love. This joyous comedy explores the importance of female friendship and celebrates how a group of individual oddballs can come together and find solace in each others company. Book your tickets at: eventbrite.co.uk

Tide Lines

n 18 March, Trinity Centre

Formed in folk and forged in rock, hailing from the Scottish Highlands, four-piece band Tide Lines bring old age folk into the new age. Mixed with driving undercurrents of drums, guitar, and keyboards, Tide Lines’ innate understanding of the elevational power of music allows them to drive their escapist lyrics into a unique respectful sound. Book your tickets at: trinitybristol.org.uk

Bristol Cabot Choir: Rutter Requiem

n 18 March, St Mary Redcliffe Church

The Rutter Requiem is a masterpiece of melodic inspiration, wonderful for the listener even as it is demanding of the singers. The Cabot Choir are keen performers of Rutter’s music and on this occasion they will be joined by the outstanding soprano soloist, Charlotte Newstead, to sing the beautiful and simply effective PieJesu. The Bristol Cabot Choir will be conducted by Rebecca Atherton and accompanied by Alison Howell in the magnificent setting and wondrous acoustic of St Mary Redcliffe Church. eventbrite.co.uk

Bristol Film Festival: The Great Gatsby n 19 March, 6:45pm, Loco Klub

Bristol Film Festival is turning the Loco Klub into a speakeasy this March for the Oscarwinning version of The Great Gatsby. Full of the grandiose spectacle you’d expect from both the director and an adaptation of this seminal novella, its emotional roots lie within Leonardo DiCaprio’s sublime performance as the eponymous, enigmatic man behind the parties. bristolfilmfestival.com

Elmwood’s: Bristol Valuation Day n 22 March, 10.30am –6pm, The Club Room, The Clifton Club

On 22 March, Elmwood’s –a modern and accessible jewellery auction house –is hosting an event at The Club Room in Clifton. Receive a free, no-obligation expert valuation with Elmwood’s auctioneers for your fine jewellery, watches, designer handbags, fashion items and more, with zero fees for selling. For more information, visit: elmwoods.co.uk

That Friday Feeling n 24 March, 7.45pm, All Saints’ Church

Inspiring choral music to invigorate, refresh and soothe the soul from the simplicity of Durufle’s plainsong-inspired Ubi Caritas and the beautiful harmonies of Harris’ Faireisthe Heaven to the soaring majesty of Howells’ Magnificat. cityofbristolchoir.org.uk

Bristol Choral Society: Hymn to St Cecilia n 25 March, Bristol Cathedral

Benjamin Britten’s Hymn to St. Cecilia is one of his most enduringly popular choral works. Cecilia is, of course, the Patron Saint of musicians, and coincidentally Britten was born on St. Cecilia’s Day. Under the baton of Hilary Campbell, Bristol Choral Society will also be singing the dances from Britten’s Gloriana, and RejoiceintheLamb. This is a real festival of Britten’s music, in all its immediacy and humour. You won’t be drifting away during this concert, but you will leave Bristol Cathedral with some fabulous melodies and rhythms in your head. bristolchoral.co.uk

Rhys James: Spilt Milk n 26 March, Bristol Old Vic

Rhys James is right back where he belongs: on tour around the country, with a markedly different schedule to Chelsea’s fixture list to prove he is not the footballer. One of the final Mock The Week regulars and star of Live At The Apollo, Rhys’s previous tour sold out over 70 dates nationwide. Since then he’s released a third, ARIA nominated, Radio 4 series; starred in The Great American Joke Off for US network The CW; and been hurled through the air on a bungee cord by Micah Richards on A League Of Their Own bristololdvic.org.uk

Archaeology Online: archaeology and recovery of military personnel n 29 March, Bristol Museum & Art Gallery

Join the Bristol Museum in its next Archaeology Online and find out how the award-winning Operation Nightingale uses archaeology to aid recovery. This lecture will explore the success of the programme and look in detail at some of their most recent archaeological sites. It will move from the prison hulks around Portsmouth to the tanks of the Western Front, meet the men of the Band of Brothers’ and a Visigoth on Salisbury Plain. bristolmuseums.org.uk

Coming Soon

Antiques, Vintage & Collectables Fair n 2 April, 10am –3.30pm, Ashton Court Mansion House, BS41 9JN

Over 40 stalls are coming to the mansion house lounge room and grand music hall. Look out for: fine jewellery, gold and silver, china, militaria, books, prints, paintings, vinyl, vintage clothing and accessories, furniture, clocks and watches, antique toys, plus cafe drinks, snacks and cream teas. £2.00 entry, under 16s free. Car park access: nearest car park to mansion Kennel Lodge Entrance via A369, Church Lodge car park off Ashton Road

Bach by Candlelight n 5 April, 7.30pm, St George's Bristol Bristol Ensemble is joined by the virtuoso pianist Andrei Gavrilov to perform an all-Bach concert in the atmospheric setting of a candlelit St George’s Bristol. The programme features two of Bach's most famous keyboard concertos, along with the exquisite Air On The G String. Tickets £10 to £30 from 0117 929 4929 or online at: stgeorgesbristol.co.uk

Fisherman’s Friends: The Musical n 3 –6 May, Bristol Hippodrome

Based on the true story of the charttopping Cornish singing sensations and their hit 2019 movie, Fisherman’s Friends: The Musical is a feel-good voyage about friendship, community and music which smashed box office records in Cornwall.

When a group of Cornish fishermen came together to sing the traditional working songs they’d sung for generations, nobody, least of all the fishermen, expected the story to end on the Pyramid Stage at Glastonbury. They are spotted by a fish-out-of-water music manager on a trip from London, who must learn that there is more to life than selling your sole for 15 minutes of fame. Book your tickets at: atgtickets.com n