WHAT’S ON Theatre, music, art and days out not to miss

This broadast of NT Live: War Horse makes profound viewing for Remembrance Day

WHAT’S ON 6 November – 6 December

EXHIBITIONS

Until 8 November

KEITH JANSZ This magical collection of paintings explore light – from the sparkling reflections of the sun glancing off the sea to the stretching shadows of a wintry afternoon. The artist, Keith Jansz painted the entire remarkable collection by holding a brush in his mouth. He’s tetraplegic, which means he is paralysed in all four limbs. He credits painting as the stepping stone he needed to cope with the trauma of his paralysis – now he is an artist for a living and has exhibited around the world. Mon-Fri, 9am-5pm, Sat 9am-12.30pm; The Galleries Shop & Café, Freshford; www.keithjansz.com

Until 14 November

FIND PEACE AND TRANQUILITY We could all use a little of it – and this exhibition of works by Kathryn Scaldwell certainly has both. Kathryn uses oils in bold colours to create dreamlike seascapes and giclée prints, often inspired by her faith, nature and the local landscape. Mon-Sat (except Wed); 10am-5pm; The Art Cohort; @the_art_cohort on Instagram

Until 13 December

RUH HEROES EXHIBITION This eclectic collection features artwork and photography from a select few of Bath’s local artists, and 40 per cent of any sales from the exhibition will be donated to the RUH’s Forever Friends Appeal. The collection includes work by David Ringsell, whose realistic but painterly reimaginations of Bath celebrate the beauty of the city. Mon-Sun; 8am-10pm; ArtBar, The Abbey Hotel; www.abbeyhotelbath.co.uk

Until 20 December

NIGHT & DAY: 1930s FASHION AND PHOTOGRAPHS First curated by the Fashion and Textiles Museum in London, this exhibition is the ultimate experience of 1930s glam. Think floor length gowns in satin, velvet or crêpe – complete with diamanté accessories, obviously. It’s the perfect escape from the present; cast yourself in the role of ’30s femme fatale as you wander the display, picturing yourself at the wild and wonderful parties of yesteryear. Tues-Sat; 10am-5pm; American Museum & Gardens; www.americanmuseum.org

Until 3 January 2021

GRAYSON PERRY: THE PRE-THERAPY YEARS Loved Grayson Perry’s Art Club? Delve deeper into his work with a visit to his exhibition at The Holburne. A collection of fascinating ceramics he created during his early years as a working artist, the selection of works demonstrate someone still seeking their identity, and all of the strong emotions that come with that process. Many of the politically charged have not been seen in public since they were first exhibited. Mon-Sun; 10am-5pm; £12.50; The Holburne; www.holburne.org

11–25 November

A WEEK IN TOKYO In October 2019 during the Rugby World Cup, Andrew Polson hit the streets of Tokyo armed with his Nikon D810, determined to capture his perspective on the life of a city that offers such contrast to our own. Local artist Jason Dorley-Brown has designed and curated a selection of the resulting images for this unique exhibition. Proceeds from sales will be donated to Dorothy House.Mon-Fri; 10am-4pm; BRLSI; www.brlsi.org

Always check COVID-19 restrictions and instructions with venues before your visit

14–15 November

OPEN STUDIO: JESSICA PALMER A perfect shopping opportunity, Jessica is opening her St Mark’s Road studio for Christmas shoppers. She will be selling a plethora of her unique collages and papercuts as well as copies of all her published books. Visitors will have the chance for a behind-the-scenes peek in her studio where she’s worked on projects for clients as diverse as Disney-Pixar, Burberry and the National Trust. Sat 10.30am-4.30pm, Sun 10.30am4pm; 7 St Marks Road; www.jessicapalmerart.com

PLAYS/SHOWS

Saturdays, November & ongoing

KRATER COMEDY CLUB It’s finally back, and we couldn’t be happier. Every Saturday night at Komedia, three top-notch stand ups and one great compère will take the stage for a diverse night of comedy. A lot of big names have played this one on their way up the ladder, so head along – you never know who might end up being the next big thing.

above: Kathryn Scaldwell’s works evoke a sense of peace and tranquillity. See them at The Art Cohort until 14 November left: Catch the screening of Cocoon 15 November at Green Park Station below: Jessica Palmer is opening her at 7 St Marks Road on 14 and 15 November

Doors 6.30pm, show starts 8pm; prices vary; Komedia; www.komedia.co.uk

Until 21 November

COPHENHAGEN The second in the trio of plays of the Theatre Royal’s returning season, the multi award-winning Copenhagen by Michael Frayn tells the story of a clandestine encounter between two Nobel Prize winning physicists during the city’s Nazi occupation in 1941. Once old friends and colleagues, the two men have now found themselves on opposite sides – tension abounds. Mon-Sat 7.30pm, Thurs and Sat 2.30pm; prices vary; Theatre Royal; www.theatreroyal.org.uk

13 & 27 November

BATH COMEDY CLUB Bath Comedy is celebrating the return of live comedy with a fortnightly Comedy Club. Enjoy three comedians in one giggle-filled evening – in other words, exactly what we need right now. The show on the 13th will feature John Molony and Harriet Braine (with the third act TBC), while on the 27th Scottish Falsetto Sock Puppet Theatre will take the stage along with Archie Maddocks and Janine Harouni. Doors 7.15pm, show starts 8pm; £12; Widcombe Social Club; www.bathcomedy.com

18 November & 16 December

DRAG BINGO WITH CHARLIE HIDES A socially distanced game night filled with stand-up, campy fun and all the joy we have sorely missed during the last few months. A guaranteed good time, make sure to wear your fiercest outfit. Flip to page 29 for more. Doors 6pm, show starts 7.30pm; £42 (minimum order six tickets); www.komedia.co.uk

25 November – 12 December

OLEANNA This is a controversial one. First written and produced 30 years ago but utterly of the moment, Oleanna is set on an American college campus. A conversation unwinds between a college professor and female student that threatens to destroy both their lives when she files a sexual harassment claim against him in this seminal piece by David Mamet. Mon-Sat 7.30pm, Thurs & Sat 2.30pm; various prices; www.theatreroyal.org.uk FILM

11 & 15 November

NT LIVE: WAR HORSE Based on the beautiful novel by Michael Morpurgo, War Horse is a necessary theatrical experience. An international smash hit, it is being broadcast at the Merlin Theatre to mark Remembrance Day. Wed 7pm, Sun 2pm; £16; Merlin Theatre, Frome; www.merlintheatre.co.uk

13–17 November

FILMBATH A 23-foot inflatable screen will take over Green Park Station to show two extraordinary hand-picked films a night at this year’s socially distanced festival. Films include Miss Juneteeth, the story of a single mother desperate to see her daughter follow in her footsteps and turn beauty queen, Cocoon, an ever-green tale of a shy wallflower falling in love for the first time, and Another Road, a provocative piece starring Mads Mikkelsen as a depressed school teacher who persuades his friends to turn to alcohol-fuelled destruction. Various times; £12 per film; Green Park Station; www.filmbath.org.uk

MUSIC

20 November

VOODOO ROOM: A NIGHT OF HENDRIX, CLAPTON AND CREAM Exactly what it says on the tin, this night’ll have you dancing in your seat. Enjoy the high energy Power Trio by some fine musicians who have worked with artists like Steve Windwood, Massive Attack, Arthur Brown, Fish, and Lulu among others. Doors 7pm, show starts 8pm; £32 (min booking of two seats); www.komedia.co.uk

20 November

LEVERET Sam Sweeny on fiddle, Rob Harbon on concertina and Andy Cutting on melodon make up this folk supergroup. All with a ton of critical acclaim to their names, this group of musicians put on a show that is playful yet relaxed. Their sound is a balm for the soul in trying times. 6pm & 8pm (separate shows), 8pm performance also streamed online; £20 live/£10 streamed; Wiltshire Music Centre; www.wiltshiremusic.org.uk

27 November

GÜRL Expect hip hop production,

Nancy Carroll and Edward Bennett helping give theatre the kiss of life

above: Explore Tokyo with this exhibition of photography by Andy Polson at the BRLSI from 11-25 November left: There’s still time to see Grayson Perry, The Pre-Therapy Years at The Holburne

cinematic guitars and an atmospheric sound from gürl. If Billie Eilish met Nine Inch Nails, you’d have some approximation of their unique sound. Dark and hard hitting, the influences of their co-producers and co-writers James Veck-Gilodi (Deaf Havana) and Phil Gornell (All The Time Low) shine through in their eclectic set of songs. 7.30pm; £3-6; Moles; www.moles.co.uk

DAYS OUT

14 November

THE FAST AND THE FOODIES Super cars and tasty food – a spectacular combination. Organised by the new Innox Mill development site owners along with Wiltshirebased car enthusiast community Driven Life and The Anonymous Travellers Market, on this day out for gear heads you can expect to see brand new Lamborghinis, Porches and Ferraris as well as classic British and American Cars like the Capri, Mustang, an American hot rod and a 1933 Austin. All that and delicious food? We’re so in for this day out. 10am-2pm; next to Trowbridge Station Car Park; www.innoxmills.co.uk

15 November

SUNDAY MAKERS MARKET Buy directly from the artists at this cute, eclectic market in Frome. This year more than ever before we have realised the importance of shopping locally, and this lovely little market provides a great opportunity to support and promote local makers – and get started on your Christmas shopping while you’re at it. 10am-4pm; Black Swan Arts, Frome; www.blackswanarts.org.uk

15 November

WILLIAM HERSCHEL’S BIRTHDAY Celebrate the 283rd birthday of Bath astronomer William Herschel, famed for discovering the planet Uranus in 1781 during a night’s star gazing in his garden. Learn all about the Herschel family and their joint passions for music and space. Weather permitting, the Bath Astronomers will also offer some guided star gazing. Various times; £40 for up to six people in a bubble; Herschel Museum of Astronomy; www.herschelmuseum.org.uk

Various dates from 28 November

AVON VALLEY RAILWAY SANTA SPECIAL Meet Santa in the most picturesque surrounds imaginable – a steam train. Enjoy a six-mile trip in a heritage carriage, and a mince pie or festive biscuit to enjoy along the journey. Santa is working with a different set up this year to fit Covid restrictions – make sure you check the website for full details. Times and prices vary; Avon Valley Railway; www.avonvalleyrailway.org n

© NOBBY CLARK

CENTRE STAGE SARAH MOOLLA finds out how visiting the Bath Theatre Royal plays out in these Covid times

It’s time to put your hands together for our guest star…. sanister. The backdrop of a pandemic might not be the most alluring of settings to go to the theatre, but the return of the arts in Bath is too much to resist. So it’s mask on and marching onwards to the Saw Close building I’ve missed with an ache.

And judging by the buzz and upbeat atmosphere on arrival, I’m not alone. The locals have rallied to see this first offering in Theatre Royal Bath’s Welcome Back Season, Betrayal by Harold Pinter, with our self-printed tickets clutched in our sweaty but perfectly clean hands.

Despite the staggered start times, varied entrances, temperature testing, half the seats being out of action, the bar closed and there being no interval, amazingly the magic is still here. Once the curtain’s up and the lights are down, we are all fully immersed in the sharp and smart, and at times touchingly charming, retelling of heightened personal connections and devastating detachments.

Nancy Carroll, Joseph Millson, and Edward Bennett (who have all previously ’bubbled’ in order to perform here) circle each other as beautifully as dancers as the story of lies, love and lust unfolds over various time frames.

It feels like under normal, pre-coronavirus days, there might have even been a standing ovation. While this would have been reflective of the calibre of the performances we’d just seen, there is also an undercurrent of feeling we are clapping for the Theatre itself – for helping us to escape to another world, just for a blissful hour or two. Director Danny Moar and the TRB team, step forward and please take a bow.

Copenhagen is currently playing at the Theatre Royal until 21 November. See page 31 for more; www.theatreroyal.org.uk