WHAT’S ON Theatre, music and some family stuff

28 February – 29 March WHAT’S ON

Love on the streets of Dublin in Once, coming to the Theatre Royal this month

EXHIBITIONS Until 14 March FIFTY BEES 4 There’s quite a buzz (sorry, had to) around artist Lydia Needle’s latest offering. She’s created 50 life-sized bees out of wool and stitch to represent 50 of the 275 bee species in the UK. Each is paired with a piece created by another artist in response, showing how connected bees are with our ecosystem. Mon-Sat, 10am-4pm; Black Swan Arts, Frome; www.blackswanarts.org.uk

Until 21 March MARINER Here, 14 artists consider the continued resonance of Simon Taylor Coleridge’s The Rime of the Ancient Mariner. “Inspired by language and rich visual metaphor, Mariner connects the past with the present to retell an epic tale for the 21st century,” says Dr Sarah Chapman, who is co-curator of the exhibition. “Our exploration is informed by the latest research into marine science and pollution, the movement and migration of peoples across the seas, hidden postcolonial histories and human vulnerability and isolation.” Tues-Sat, 11am-5pm; The Andrew Brownsword Gallery, The Edge; www.edgearts.org

Until 20 April ART AT THE HEART: ALAN BROOK The latest exhibition to grace the walls of the RUH is the work of Alan Brook. The travel photographer spent a year exploring Mexico, Belize, Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras,

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Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Panama, Columbia, Ecuador and the Galapagos Islands – and this evocative and colourful collection of images is the result. Mon-Sun, 8am-8pm; Art at the Heart of the RUH, Central Gallery, RUH; www.artatruh.org

Until 25 May GRAYSON PERRY: THE PRE-THERAPY YEARS An exhibition built from Grayson’s ‘lost’ works, crowd-sourced from around the UK following a public appeal in 2018 to work out where they’d got to. This reintroduction of the explosive and creative pots and plates he made in the ’80s shines an intriguing light on his use of the medium to address radical issues. Mon-Sun, 10am-5pm; £12.50; The Holburne; www.holburne.org Until 26 May TOULOUSE LAUTREC AND THE MASTERS OF MONTMARTRE The team at the VAG are bringing bohemian Paris to life through over 80 works by Toulouse Lautrec, Mucha, Steinlen and many more of the Parisian ‘street art’ era. Mon-Sun, 10.30am-5pm; £6; Victoria Art Gallery; www.victoriagal.org.uk

13 March LIFE IN BRONZE Catch a glimpse of Hamish Mackie’s evocative bronze wildlife structures before they appear at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show in May. This exclusive event offers the chance to meet the artist and enjoy a guided tour of the collection in the beautiful grounds of Lucknam Park’s 500-acre estate. 2pm; £40; Lucknam Park Hotel & Spa; www.lucknampark.co.uk

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above: Arabella Weir's latest show is all about the ever-complicated mother/daughter dynamic; catch it at Komedia left: The Realistic Joneses, the Ustinov's latest impressive transatlantic transfer below: The Natural Theatre Company are always good for a laugh

26 March GEOFFREY BREEZE The team at Flamingo are throwing open the doors after hours for a special exhibition. Geoffrey Breeze will showcase a series of photographs that show a darker, less traditional perspective of the city. 6-9pm; Flamingo; www.flamingobath.co.uk

PLAYS/SHOWS Until 7 March THE REALISTIC JONESES It’s a country evening; the sun shines, birds sing and Bob and Jennifer Jones are spending it with their new neighbours, John and Pony Jones. As the night draws on, the couples discover they have more in common than their identical houses, though, and a desperate attempt to connect ensues. Playwright Will Eno’s acclaimed work was named Best American Play by The Guardian in 2014; this is its first UK production. Mon-Sat 7.45pm, matinees Thurs and Sat 2.30pm; £23.50; Ustinov Studio; www.theatreroyal.org.uk

2–7 March ONCE Will they, won’t they? Such is the central theme of Once, the Dublinbased bittersweet musical love story visiting us this month. A part-time guitarist, part-time hoover repairman and a Czech immigrant pianist fall in… something over the course of five days. Will it work out? You’ll have to watch it to see. Mon-Sat 7.30pm, matinees Thurs and Sat 2.30pm; various prices; www.theatreroyal.org.uk

7 March LETTERS FROM THE HOMEFRONT A series of letters between those at the front and those left behind, told through dance. This captivating piece commemorates those lost during the Second World War. Doors 7pm, show starts 7.30pm; £10 (£7 conc); The Mission Theatre; www.southwestdancetheatre.co.uk

9 March I AM 10,000 Mathematician turned slam poet Harry Baker is on his first ever solo tour. One half the famed comedyrap-jazz duo Harry & Chris, in his first time out on his own, Harry celebrates turning 10,000 days old. Doors 7.30pm, show starts 8pm; £12; Komedia; www.komedia.co.uk

11–14 March DIRTY BATH The Natural Theatre Company will dig through Bath’s dirty laundry on this voyage through some of the less than virtuous aspects of our fair city’s history. It’s not all Jane Austen and spa days, apparently… 8pm; £16 (£14 conc); Rondo Theatre; www.rondotheatre.co.uk

13 March ARABELLA WEIR: DOES MY MUM LOOK BIG IN THIS? From dysfunctional daughterhood to her own life as a working single parent, Arabella Weir, star of The Fast Show and Two Doors Down, presents an appallingly funny show about maternal misbehaviour. Doors 6.30pm, show starts 8pm; £15; Komedia; www.komedia.co.uk

16–21 March BAND OF GOLD Bath is lucky enough to be the hosts of the world premiere stage production of Kay Mellor’s multi award-winning Band of Gold. Based upon the TV crime drama of the same name, the show revolves around four women, and how one of them is drawn into the red light district. Mon-Sat 7.30pm, matinees Weds and Sat 2.30pm; various prices; Theatre Royal; www.theatreroyal.org.uk

19 March ED BYRNE: IF I’M HONEST Which of your traits would you like to pass onto your kids? This is the question Ed tackles in his latest show. The problem? He isn’t sure he has any he’d like to see his offspring take on… Doors 7pm, show starts 8pm; £25; The Forum; www.bathforum.co.uk

MUSIC 2 March THE CALLING After bursting onto the music scene with hit song Wherever You Will Go back in 2001, The Calling have cemented their place in the hearts of many. Still touring all these years later, don’t miss this chance to see aptly named frontman Alex Band and the boys in the flesh. 7.30pm; £22.50; Cheese & Grain, Frome; www.cheeseandgrain.com

13 March FAELAND Enchanting and technically impressive folk-pop that’ll lift even the heaviest of hearts, Faeland’s live performances feature a litany

of instruments, including guitar, accordion, banjo, charango, violin, vocals and Celtic harp. Doors 7.30pm, show starts 8pm; £12; Chapel Arts; www.chapelarts.org

18 March PALACE & SPECIAL GUESTS Soaring pop rhythms that belie the dark subject matter of their lyrics characterise this London-based three piece’s sound. They’re here touring their album Life After, a series of songs around the theme of loss. 7.30pm; £14; Komedia; www.komedia.co.uk

19 March BOO HEWERDINE A Boo Hewerdine performance is an ode to the art of simplicity: a man, his guitar and a single collaborator (Danish multi-instrumentalist Gustaf Ljungren). He’s touring his latest album, Before, conceived in a justbefore-Brexit Europe in turmoil. 8pm; £12; Chapel Arts; www.chapelarts.org

21 March RUTTER’S REQUIEM The University of Bath Chamber Choir will perform the piece alongside a bunch of other spring choral classics. A multi-layered but ultimately optimistic piece of music, it’s an atmospheric way to kick off the spring. 7.30pm; St Mary’s Church, Bathwick; www.thesubath.com/chamberchoir

21 March THE SOUTH Yes, The Beautiful South did split back in 2007, but, it turns out, not everyone was ready to throw in the towel. The South has changed formation somewhat over the years, with various members coming and going, and these days, you’ll still see Alison Wheeler going strong on vocals, alongside Gaz Birtles, who has been promoted from sax player to main man – though this time around the pair are touring with a few new friends, too. (Just check out the picture to the right – there now seem to be nine of them!) 8pm; £23.50; Cheese & Grain, Frome; www.cheeseandgrain.com

21 March JAHMÉNE After rising to fame on The X Factor back in 2012, Jahméne been hard at work, releasing two studio albums, picking up MOBO and Premier Gospel awards nominations and an Urban Music Award along the way, as well as enjoying a couple of dream collaborations, including songs with such luminaries as Stevie Wonder and Nichole Scherzinger. You can pay extra for a meet and greet with Jahméne too. Doors 7.30pm, show starts 8pm; £17.50; Chapel Arts Centre; www.chapelarts.org

27–29 March BEETHOVEN ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATIONS It’s Beethoven’s 250th birthday, and this month the city will host the first of six concerts to help celebrate. A series of performances that demonstrate the fullness of the great man’s works, it’s an aural narrative of a truly spectacular career. The celebrations will continue with three more concerts during the Bath Festival proper in May, too. Times and prices vary; The Guildhall; www.bathfestivals.org.uk

FAMILY 6–7 March ADRIFT The story of two kids stuck living in a boat, dreaming of capturing a whale (as you do) and making it drag them back to shore – and so back to safety. Developed by the acclaimed Action Transport Theatre, this is a piece about the resilience and imagination of children. Various times and prices; the egg; www.theatreroyal.org.uk

8 March EVENTS OF WONDER: KATE PANKHURST The author, illustrator and – as you may have guessed from the rather familiar name – suffragette descendent is on hand with a selection of stories about the women studying, conserving and protecting our planet. The perfect way to celebrate International Women’s Day, this event is all about Kate’s book, Fantastically Great Women Who Saved the Planet – it’s seriously inspiring stuff. 2-3pm; Royal High School; £6; www.thebathhive.co.uk

14–15 March WHAT A WONDERFUL WORLD From a moon-base on the Sea of Tranquillity, see the world changed every night. This quirky look at creation sees the world made over, from putting the stars in the sky to gathering at something called the one-world tree to celebrate all that’s been made. 11.30am & 3pm; various prices, the egg; www.theatreroyal.org.uk

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above: Ed Byrne isn't sure he has anything he wants to pass on to his kids... left: This and other idyllic scenes at the BANFF Mountain Film Festival below: Same sound, new line up: The South are coming to Frome

25 March EVENTS OF WONDER: BEN MILLER TALK & BOOK SIGNING Ben Miller has released a second children’s book, The Boy Who Made the World Disappear. His hero, Harrison, is a nice lad except for one fatal flaw – he can’t control his temper. When he gets a black hole instead of a balloon at his birthday party, and starts chucking everything that annoys him into it, things quickly (and inevitably) get out of hand. How will it end? Not sure – but it will be a treat to hear Ben read from this quintessential be-carefulwhat-you-wish-for tale regardless. 6pm; £6; Waterstones; www.thebathhive.co.uk

OTHER 4–5 March BANFF MOUNTAIN FILM FESTIVAL WORLD TOUR Embrace your daredevil side from the safety of a cinema seat. The festival features a brand new selection of short films from the world’s best adventure film-makers and explorers, all pulling off some truly mind-bending (and body threatening) feats. 7.30pm; prices vary; Komedia; www.komedia.co.uk

5–8 March BATH DECORATIVE ANTIQUES FAIR The leading regional decorative fair since 1989, the Bath DAF is a high point on the antiquing calendar. There’s a wide range of exhibitors coming, so you’ll find an eclectic range of pieces from furniture to jewellery. Various times; The Pavilion; www.bathdecorativeantiquesfair.co.uk

18 March REWILDING Chris Sperring, professional wildlife conservationist and wildlife writer, is joining the Wellow and District Horticultural Society to give a talk about rewilding. A bit of a buzzword of the moment, ‘rewilding’ explores a ground up approach to natural conservation. In this event, Chris will look at how we might make our own back gardens become more natural habitats for local wildlife. 7.30pm; £3 for non-members; Wellow Village Hall, High Street, Wellow; @ wellowhorticulturalsociety on Facebook

26 March PHENOMENAL WOMEN: JESSICA SIGGERS The latest in the series of talks at The Gainsborough features digital content creator Jessica Siggers (@porthjess on Twitter and Instagram). One of the minds behind the Bristol Instagram community known as IGers Bristol, Jess’s work on the platform, as well as with the local tourism board and local businesses, got her noticed by companies including Farrow & Ball, Canon and the BBC. 6-7.30pm; £15; The Gainsborough; www.thegainsboroughbathspa.co.uk

28 March BEETHOVEN: THE MAN REVEALED As part of the great composer’s 250th birthday celebrations that Bath Festivals is putting on, Classic FM’s John Suchet will present an intimate portrait of the man. Spoiler alert: it’s a lot more complicated than just ‘he’s the one who went deaf ’. 3pm; £10; The Guildhall; www.bathfestivals.org.uk

29 March BATH COMIC-CON Meet TV stars (Sherlock’s Amanda Abbington, and Rose Reynolds, Liam Garrigan and Matt Kane of Once Upon a Time are all set to appear, plus many others) at Bath ComicCon. There’ll also be guest artists and authors, vehicles and props from many of your favourite movies and television series, a gaming and cosplay zone – oh, and comics too 10am-4.30pm; various prices; The Pavilion; www.creedconventions.com

29 March ONLY FOOLS AND BOYCIE John Challis of Only Fools and Horses is coming by Komedia for a one-off show where he’ll spill the beans on his years in the biz. Afterwards he’ll be signing copies of his books, Being Boycie and Reggie: A Stag at Bay. Doors 6.30pm, show starts 8pm; £18; Komedia; www.komedia.co.uk n

BATH BOULES 17 March: Reception 24 March: team tickets go on sale 12-14 June: Bath Boules, Queen Square

The much-loved Bath Boules returns for its 30th year, having raised over £800,000 to date for local charities. Attendance is free to anyone; teams and sponsorships paid for. www.bathboules.com

above: Palace are bringing a winning mix of songs about grief set to dancey pop rhythms to Komedia left: Travel the universe, all from the safety of the egg below: Dig out your dancing shoes – Jahméne is on his way