Ocelot105 march 2015 final artwork by The Ocelot

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OXFORD NEWBURY

SWINDON

READING

SALISBURY

l MARLBOROUGH l WITNEY l DEVIZES l WANTAGE l HUNGERFORD l BASSETT RIVERS

FOOD AND DRINK / THEATRE / ART / COMEDY / LIVE MUSIC

OCELOT THE

ISSUE NO: 105

MARCH 2015

FREE

“Much Ado About Ocelot”

It’s our annual Spring theatre curtain raiser! p21

Madam Renards Mini Fringe p19

Capers p14

This is New Music p26

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Follow Ocelot Mag on Facebook and Twitter @ocelotmag

What’s in your Ocelot?

For Starters p4

Jamie Hill

Michael Bosley; The Goat; Luke Coleman

Food and Drink p11

Brewery Bird, Pan of Mystery; Bitten Oxford

Arts and Culture p19

Madam Renards Mini Fringe; Spring Curtain Raiser

The Music section p26

Arts & Culture

The Bridal Ballad as part of Madam Renards’ Mini Fringe in Swindon p19

poking her big brother continuously on the arm to try and annoy him as much as possible than writing a well thought out advice column (Agony Girl). I fancy a Big Mac now.

Food and Drink

where we tell you lot the best stuff to look out for over the next few months no matter what you fancy (unless it’s a Big Mac. We can’t help with that. We’re an entertainment magazine. Not a McDonalds franchise. The clue’s in the fact that we’re not a restaurant and are in fact just words on paper giving people the heads up about what’s going on.) Apart from all of that we have our usual array of intelligent ideas (Michael Bosley), unintelligible rants (The Goat), delicious recipes (Dave for All Seasons), palattewhetting ales (Brewery Bird), music tastemakers (Mark Muggeridge, Gig Monkey) and a seven year old girl who would much rather be

For Starters

Ah, spring is in the air. We can now venture outside into the sunlight blinking as flowers burst from the soil and new life abounds around us. With this in mind, humanity en masse will be opening their front doors and heading out into the big wide world with one thing on their mind (if you ignore their obligatory Big Mac stop) - to be entertained. But never fear us lot at The Ocelot will be there to hold humanity’s hand and help them in their search for the best entertainment out there from comedy to live bands to drama that’ll blow your socks off! This month is our special theatre Spring Curtain Raiser

Groovers on Manouevres, Gig Monkey

The List p32

The most comprehensive listings in the region.

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cat from central and south America.It is also the region’s leading arts and culture magazine letting you know what’s going on and where. The Ocelot has more than 25,000 readers and is delivered to over 700 different venues on the 1st of every month.To be in it - get in touch!

For Sales call Dave Stewart on 07872 176999 or dave@theocelot.co.uk To get in The List for FREE email listings@theocelot.co.uk

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Editor: Jamie Hill jamie@theocelot.co.uk Contributors: Brewery Bird, Ed Dyer, Dave Franklin, Agony Girl, Sid Siddle, Mark Muggeridge, Dave Stewart, Jacqui Thorndyke Printers: Advent Colour

What is an Ocelot? An Ocelot is a big

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For Starters

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you dance!” But still there is no reply. Everything seemed eerily still as I slowly opened my eyes and unclasped my ears. I look around but see nothing but the bemused stares of other customers, some pointing, and some chuckling discretely. I pulled myself back onto my feet and composed myself. Perhaps it had all just been a serious psychotic episode – or maybe it had become an epidemic of gargantuan proportions; household items inscribed with feel-good, pseudophilosophical fluff were replacing the ubiquitous pot plant and the tasteful crystal vase; A clash of fonts and prose were beginning to litter homes up and down the country, as if a dictionary had let itself in and vomited indiscriminately on all the furnishings. I made my way, bleary-eyed, toward the exit with gazes still fixed on me with concern and confusion when I heard a faint chatter. I looked down and saw the familiar, flourished scroll of prettified letters inscribed on a chopping board: “Life is a journey, not a destination” it swooned. “Oh come on!” I exclaimed, “You’re just a chopping board! Why are you trying to impart dime store wisdom? Why can’t you share some useful, practical advice like ‘Get an early night’, or ‘Avoid processed foods’?” Again, there is no retort from the one-trick chopping board, despite my icy stare. By now I am aware that I have drawn the attention of all the staff and patrons of the store and so I duly leave.

The Nerd’s Last Word with Michael Bosley “LOVE!”, shouted one of the throw cushions as I sauntered casually down the aisle of Conglomerate Houseware Inc (or any major DIY or homeware superstore). “No” I replied, somewhat taken aback by the boldness by which it had addressed me. “LIVE, LAUGH, LOVE!” came the bossy order from a picture frame adjacent to it. “Leave me alone!” I cried, walking ever more briskly until I found myself lost in another aisle. I turn to look back and as I do so, I fall back into another shelf, causing a number of canvasses to cascade down onto the floor. One falls forward and rests on my shoulder. “Dance Like Nobody’s Watching” it whispers slowly into my ear. “Why won’t you leave me be!?” I plead, cupping my hands to my ears and collapsing in a heap onto the shop floor. Everywhere I looked, household items were telling me how to live my life, undermining my very existence with their wide-eyed, ever hopeful naiveté. “Life isn’t that easy!” I shouted back, addressing neither decoration in particular and receiving no response. “Sometimes life is just shit, no matter how much 4

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Only 2 apartments remaining

The Goat

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Arts & Culture

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For Starters

The Goat is our resident grumpy gruff. He’s always bloody moaning. So what has got on The Goat’s ..urm. goat this month?

Unwanted professional space invaders We live on quite a big planet but we do tend to cram ourselves in like sardines. So therefore it’s not really the bloke with the big elbows’ fault that you are left with bruises all over you after a two hour flight to Malaga or TFL’s fault that after travelling on London’s tube your hair now smells of someone else’s armpit. Okay, there are those people who talk too close to your face. It doesn’t help that they invariably have halitosis. But even they aren’t what really gets my goat. No, what really gets my goat are a certain subset of humanity who think they are the centre of their own universe and that no-one else matters. You know who you are. These are the types who talk at the top of their voices on mobile phones on crowded trains, the types who complain as loudly as possible in restaurants making as big a scene as possible, the types who loudly heckle a comedian trying to do their job throughout his or her set so that he or she can no longer perform their set, meaning that this heckler has just ruined the performance for everybody else by their incessant ‘listen to me, I’m more interesting than what’s happening on the stage, I’m now going to talk loudly to a friend, as no-one else matters as it’s just about me. Me. ME. MEEEEE!” These are the people who give

humanity a bad name. Take the case of Afroman. You remember him. He was the guy who had a one-hit-wonder with ‘Because I Got High’. Well, he’s had another one-hit wonder after becoming a YouTube sensation for punching a drunken woman who had invaded the stage and started dancing with her back to him whilst he was trying to perform. First of all, I don’t advocate his actions as right and proper. You shouldn’t ever hit someone because they are trying to make a public performance by someone else all about them as if the world revolves around them. No matter how much you would like to. No don’t hit them. Of course not. Embarrass them instead. Stop the concert and make them feel small by refusing to continue until they are removed. That is a lot harsher punishment. Courtesy and less arrogance would make a lot better world. Arseholes just need to stop and think.

Akon, resistance and arrogance Off The Grid with Luke Coleman (Our Man in Iraq)

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www.lukecoleman.co.uk

OK, so he doesn't rank too high on my list of performers to see, but Erbil is abuzz with the news that Akon is coming to rip up a storm in a concert that will raise money for the families of fallen Peshmerga. I made a comment about it on Facebook, referring to him as the first 'celebrity' (rather than a singer) to visit Kurdistan. And, of course, I was picked up on it, with some arse replying “er, actually, Angelina Jolie was the first.” Whatevs, it wouldn't usually irk me, but the bellwhiff setting me straight was an American fighting with the Syrian Kurdish resistance. He's a full time attention seeker, having failed in reality TV he washed up in Rojava, and after 3 months knows everything about Kurdistan. Except, he doesn't. Some of these

foreign recruits are doing amazing things, and keeping very quiet about it. Some have taken up arms alongside the YPG to fight the Islamic State bastards, without realising what they are for. They are fighting for an extremely leftist ideal, and when they get clued up, they find themselves conflicted – many quietly leave, such as the surf instructor, or the two Brits who embarrassed the country by trying to make a TV show out of joining up. And that's the thing – if people make a big show about their Kurdish combat credentials, it's probably best to give them a wide berth. 8

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Marlborough Rugby club Sporting Events

Saturday March 7 Marlborough Firsts V Fairford Saturday March 14 Wales V Ireland - 2.30pm England V Scotland 5pm Sunday March 15 Italy V France 3pm Saturday March 21 Marlborough V Trowbridge Seconds 3pm Italy V Wales 12.30pm Scotland V Ireland 2.30pm England V France 5pm Saturday March 28 Charity Race Night 7pm

01672 514717

Marlborough Rugby Club is now open to the public from 4pm to 11pm Tuesday to Friday and 11am til close Saturday and Sunday

Book now for our Carvery for Easter Sunday. Crazy Golf Course reopens at Easter

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By George! Fingers crossed for a good beer budget... For Starters

with Brewery Bird

The region’s favourite beer writer

Food and Drink

Wednesday March 18 sees more budgetary shenanigans as the pub and brewing industry await with bated breath the outcome of the “will He, won’t He” debate. He being George Osborne and whether he will answer the nation’s brewers and beerdrinkers cries for a much needed hat-trick beer duty cut. Or will he bow to Treasury pressure to raise revenue by introducing a 2.1% increase, which will completely undo the positive effects of the 2013/14 cuts and scrappage of the Beer Duty Escalator in one fowl swoop? Now, if you’re not a beer-drinker or a regular pub-goer, you may not actually care either way but you will know somebody who does; and perhaps more importantly someone who will be affected greatly by a possible increase in beer duty. So consider the following:

Beer, pubs and Budget 2015 – key facts:

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• The beer and pub sector supports 870,000 jobs 44 per cent are under 25s. • 82 per cent of the beer sold in Britain is made in Britain. • One job in brewing generates 18 jobs, in pubs, one in agriculture, one in the supply chain and one in retail. • Pubs rely on beer sales - seven in every ten pub drinks sold is beer. • Under the beer duty escalator (2008-2013) beer tax rose by 42 per cent. During this period, 7,000 pubs closed and 58,000 jobs were lost. • The two, one penny beer duty cuts have secured 16,000 jobs. • After years of above inflation tax rises, beer taxes are still too high. Britons pay 40 per cent of

Arts & Culture

all EU beer duties, but drink just 12 per cent of the beer. • Beer prices increases in pubs are at their lowest since the 1980s. (BPPA website January 2015) The British Beer & Pub Association (BBPA) has launched a website www.beerandpubjobs.co.uk where you can not only play at being Chancellor using the ‘Duty Slide’ - but helpfully it will even send your local MP an email asking him to support further cuts in duty (just follow the easy step-bystep instructions)! So once again, Brewery Bird is asking for your help on behalf of pubs, breweries and beerdrinkers across the land. Support your local community and the economy by adding your email to the thousands already sent. Better still, do it on your smart-phone or I-thingy in the pub over a beer or two and you’ll be ensuring the jobs of today are a step closer to becoming the future of tomorrow.

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Dave for all Seasons

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with Dave Stewart

Green lentil, new potato, egg, and chive salad For Starters Music The List

Arts & Culture

add a good handful to the lentil-veg mixture, along with a good handful of finely chopped parsley. Mix well, season with salt and pepper and then make your dressing. In a blender, mix a raw egg yolk with 3 tsp Dijon mustard, and with the blade running, slowly drizzle in 180 ml of groundnut oil, until you’ve made a basic mayonnaise. Season with salt, pepper, 4 tbsp crème fraiche, ½ tsp white wine vinegar and 3tsp Worcestershire sauce. Taste the dressing, adding more mustard and/or crème fraiche to your preference. Now add roughly 4 heaped tbsp of your dressing to your lentil bowl and toss well. Taste, and add more chives or dressing if it needs it. Fill a ramekin or small bowl with enough mixture to fill, and turn out, upside down onto a plate. The mixture should hold together to form a dome on the plate. Garnish with additional chives, 2-3 finely sliced red onion rings, and scatter around a couple of pieces of sundried tomatoes in oil, or fresh, halved cherry tomatoes if you have any. Serve with the dressing on the side (any leftovers will go great with cold meats, boiled eggs, poached salmon or Caesar-style salads).

Food and Drink

Based on the Lyonnaise classic ‘salade de pieds de veau’ served at Brasseries Georges, this puy lentil salad is traditionally cooked with Calve’s feet, which are stewed right down, and diced finely, pairing excellently with the earthy puy lentils and dressed with a gutsy mustard-and-chive dressing. I was determined to share the experience with a friend of mine, so this vegetarian-friendly version was born. Take 250g of dried green lentils (or ideally, puy as they hold their shape a bit better) and cook in salted water (no, it won’t make the lentils tough) with 2 bay leaves, 1 large, floury potato and 2 whole carrots, cut into several large sections. The idea here is to cook the veg in the lentil stock, so that the flavours mingle, but remove the veg as soon as they are done, so keep the sections large enough to easily remove. Once cooked (the potato will be done first most likely – you want the carrot to be very soft), dice the carrots and potatoes into small pieces roughly the size of the lentils and add to a large bowl, with the drained lentils, and allow everything to cool. Meanwhile, boil 2 eggs until hard boiled. Peel, and dice into similar size pieces to the veg. Now, take a large bunch of chopped chives and

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International Pan of Mystery

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Turning up the heat on some familiar and not so familiar ingredients from around the world.

Capers

Known for their piquant, sharp flavour, these flower buds of the Capparis Spinosa bush are a great addition to a whole host of dishes – from tartar sauces to puttanesca pasta to potato salads to pizza toppings, there are few dishes where a scattering of capers won’t be welcome. Originally native to the Mediterranean, the small buds are still picked by hand even to this day, but whereas this once made them an expensive treat, they are more readily available and affordable these days, sold either preserved in brine, vinegar or salt. Occasionally, also in olive oil although this is less common. The type of pickle you go for is a personal preference, most chefs tend to prefer the salted kind, though I tend to find the brine/vinegar most useful, as you can also add a splash of their pickling liquid to dressings and pasta sauces

where required. The main varieties are the tiny and expensive ‘nonpareille’ capers, which are particularly concentrated and delicious, the slightly softer, larger ‘capucine’ capers, and the much larger ‘caper berries’, which often come attached to a small stalk. Generally, where the recipe calls for capers in a sauce you’ll want to use one of the first two, as their flavour is much stronger, and instead save caper berries, with their much milder flavour and attractive appearance, for slicing into salads or scattering on the top of dishes at the last minute. Try them tossed into a warm potato salad with a splash of their pickling vinegar to offer a real zing to this most everyday salads, or combine with mayonnaise, chopped gherkins, parsley and lemon juice for a quick tartar sauce for fish that beats anything you can get in the shops hands down. 14

Vinho di Montho

Tesco Finest Torrontes

I am continuously impressed by Tesco’s Finest range especially when it comes to their wines. This Argentinian number is no exception. It comes from the world's highest vineyards in Salta, resting at 5,000 to 6,000 feet above sea level in Argentina. The high altitude growing conditions translate beautifully to bright floral aromas and delightfully crisp acidity. This wine displays ripe flavours of lychee, orange peel and citrus, and is light and fresh with exotic fruit flavours and a lemony crispiness. I can tell you for a fact that it is a delicious white and for £6.99 you’re not going to get much better.

NATIONAL WEEKS OF WHATEVER British Pie Week

March 2 to March 8

We are a nation of pie fanatics. With new research revealing that 75% of people enjoy a pie at least once a month, British Pie Week has been growing every year with pie-eaters everywhere seeking their ultimate pie perfection. And if you’ve come over all Desperate Dan yourself visit www.britishpieweek.co.uk and you’ll be able to download a plethora of pie recipes yourself from the traditional to the bizarre. Nom!

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t flavours and a lemony n tell you for a fact that it

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The first time I ever ate at Carluccio’s, it was a bit of a disappointment. It was ok, but didn’t blow me away. One day a few months back, in need of sustenance and somewhere to do some blogging while in town, I found myself walking through the doors of Oxford’s second Carluccio’s, the first being at Oxford Castle which closed some time ago. Had someone not told me recently that Carluccio’s had power sockets for laptops and free wifi I’d likely have walked straight past. I have to give them their dues though, the staff were wonderful, clearly having undergone some serious customer service training, without hint of insincerity. Upon asking for wifi they immediately offered to sit me at a table with a plug socket, then later happily provided me with an amended version of one of their menu items –

Arts & Culture

A column by Bitten Oxford Words and picture by Jacqui Thorndyke

In a mad dash I placed exactly the same order for me – Spaghetti alle Vongole (with tomato sauce) and caprese salad, with an adult’s portion of penne bolognese for the children to share – also not on the menu and an oversight from me for assuming it would be – plus grissinni to occupy them while we awaited our mains. Smiles and courteousness throughout. On our return the grissini and soft drinks had been delivered and the boys busied themselves with the colouring in goodie bag. I was almost ready to believe this could be a stress free meal out. With two children under the age of four that is a seriously big statement. Mains arrived with a couple of sticking points, my spaghetti came with the wrong sauce and the bolognese one single child’s portion. When pointed out the issues were resolved with zero fuss and little delay. Big ticks. Correct food in place, in we tucked. Everything was delicious. My spaghetti just as well executed as the last time. The boys ploughed through their bolognese, until it was demolished. More ticks. As the three of us came to the end of our meal, I paid the bill and packed up before the peace and contentment descended into something more, well, feral. So off we trotted, sanity preserved, tummies full of good food and smiles firmly in place.

Food and Drink

lavours of lychee, orange

Spaghetti alle Vongole with tomato rather than bianco sauce (£10.95). Both quite small acts of good service, but seamlessly handled. The food was well executed, with pasta the right side of al dente and ingredients fresh and well balanced. My simple caprese side salad (£3.95) let the ingredients shine through, with soft and milky buffalo mozarella leading the way. I meant to write a review up at the time, but for one reason it never happened. After a long walk into town then an amble around The Natural History Museum more recently, I yet again found myself at the doors of Carluccio’s, this time with an 18 month old and a 3 year old in tow. Could the Italian chain live up to previous standards, but for a more demanding clientele? I’d only half opened the door by the time one of the restaurant staff had jumped to my aid, swinging the door wide open to allow the pushchair through. Someone then stayed on hand to help me to a table, clear grabable glassware, supply highchair and children’s goodie bag, then direct me to the baby changing facilities (which by the way are excellent – easily accessible, clean and in a huge disabled toilet with enough room for three buggies) while I quickly scanned the menu for a quick order. Those who have kids will understand the importance of minimised delays.

For Starters

Carluccio’s in Oxford - The Verdict

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Madam Renards Mini Fringe

Madam Renards brings its innovative and mind-altering mini fringe back for a second year to venues across Swindon running from April 7 to April 14. Here’s the rundown...

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Arts & Culture

Nursery Rhymes with a Twist Singers from Swindon Community Opera present a programme of familiar and unusual Nursery Rhymes. Saturday 11th April – The Town Hall Theatre – 7pm Two Jim Cartwright’s ‘two-handed’ play is a microcosm of working-class life in a Northern local in the 80’s; a place of failed aspirations and unfulfilled lives. The Bridal Ballad From Matt Fox and Jessie Thompson comes a brand new musical inspired by the writings of Edgar Allen Poe about a twisted crusade for the perfect wedding day. Sunday 12th April – The Town Hall Theatre 2pm Quills and Crosses A historical play about faith and freedom. The Bridal Ballad A second showing of this brand new musical. 7pm One Act Play A couple talk in bed and quickly the conversation and the play start breaking apart as they struggle to take control of their lives and redefine who they are. The Beauty Queen of Leenane The Beauty Queen of Leenane by Martin McDonagh is the comic tale of a woman and her aging mother. Monday 13th April – The Vic – 7pm In|decorum An acoustic whirlwind of musical numbers. Jokeback Mountain Experience a Raw, powerful stand-up show with future stars fresh off of the circuit. Tuesday 14th April – The Place: The Wyvern – 7pm A Mystery Show An unknown performance, which won’t be revealed until much nearer the time! To Sleep With warmth, compassion and dark humour, this play shows how relationships can develop between people no matter how appalling their shared experiences.

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Tuesday 7th April – Phoenix Theatre – 7pm Antigone on Antigone A multi-layered physical theatre show, which draws upon classical theatre and the work of Sophocles to question the violence and tragedy of existence. The Virtuous Burglar Will the man shag the woman? Will Anna kill her husband? Will the burglar take the spoons and who the hell is that coming through the window...??!!! Wednesday 8th April – Steam – 7pm How to Reappear You’re standing in the mist, a suitcase at your feet, and you’re wondering how you got here. A dramatic mystery for the soul. Private Widdle's Rep A new play that takes a fictitious look at 'Carry on ' star Charles Hawtrey and his time working at the Swindon Repertory Theatre in the 1950's. Thursday 9th April – The Vic – 7pm Robin Hood Shaw Robin Hood Shaw is the only stand-up comedy rapper in the whole of Gloucestershire. Shaun Buswell's Choose Your Own Adventure Blurb. Never really tells you what things are. So why bother? What is this really? Who is he? Shaun was Jurgen. Now he can't be. But is he still? Friday 10th April – The Place: The Wyvern – 7pm Strip Why do women strip? Would you like to hear the truth? Our daring presenter is filming a documentary and we think you’ll be intrigued. The Deadly Sins – CJ Cabaret Pride, Envy, Gluttony, Lust, Wrath, Greed, Sloth- The seven deadly sins presented in the form of a Vaudeville Cabaret act. Saturday 11th April – The Place: The Wyvern – 2pm Once you fulfil the dreams, you cannot live in them The Serbian company, Ludum Ludum Troupe present an impressive ‘mélange’ of genres, a true conglomerate of artistic creation.

For Starters

Madam Renards’ powerful play To Sleep which closes the festival at The Wyvern on April 14 - Pic by Puttyfoot

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Teechers at Arlington arts on March 25

For Starters

Every quarter us lot at The Ocelot get a tad excited by the new theatre seasons. You might even call us a bit sad as we genuinely get a thrill from reading the new programmes when they come out. Well this month is no exception as we look ahead to some of the highlights that the theatres of Ocelotshire have in store over the next few months. We’ve picked three highlights from each theatre just to give you a taste but make sure you visit their websites to get the full rundown.

Richard Herring: Lord of the Dance Settee at Cornerstone on March 13

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The Ocelot Spring Curtain Raiser

Arts & Culture The List

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famous man ever to be called Elvis comes to City Hall as part of his new tour - Detour. n Rich Hall (June 5) - The very funny American comedian who has made the UK his home brings his new show 3:10 to Humour to Salisbury. Cornerstone Arts, Didcot - www.cornerstone-arts.org n Richard Herring: Lord of the Dance Settee (March 13) - Stewart Lee’s formercomedy partner brings it to Didcot for his frivolous new show. n A Strange Wild Song (April 18) - Fusing cinematic imagery, absurdist humour, this is an unforgettably touching story about war. n Kathryn Roberts and Sean Lakeman (April 24) - Winner of Best Duo in the 2013 BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards

Arlington Arts, Newbury www.arlingtonarts.co.uk n Blackeyed Theatre presents Teechers (March 25) -Jon Godber’s superlative play about education resounds with us all. n Johnny Cash Revisited (March 28) - The man in black tribute keeps his music alive and on stage where it belongs. n Mud Morganfield (April 30) - The Eldest son of the undisputed king of the Blues. City Hall, Salisbury www.cityhallsalisbury.co.uk n T’Pau (March 7) -At one point Carol Decker’s group had the whole country in its thrall. This is your chance to recapture that magic. n Elvis Costello (May 30) - The second most

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The Ocelot Spring Curtain Raiser

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The Circus of Horrors at The Corn Exchange on March 6

Corn Exchange, Newbury www.cornexchangenew.com n The Circus Of Horrors - The Night Of The Zombie (March 6) - The Britain's Got Talent finalists are back to mark their 20th Anniversary in spectacular style. n Penelope Retold (March 31) - Derby Theatre presents Caroline Horton in her epic, heartbreaking and fiercely playful tale of love, loneliness and the need to be free. n Norsesome (April 28) - All the greatest Viking myths in one unforgettable hour. Creation Theatre, Oxford www.creationtheatre.co.uk n R-3 (May) - Creation presents an exploration of one of Shakespeare’s icons Richard III. Have the Bard, and his audiences, been fair to this troubled king? This one man show aims to find out. n As You Like It (August) After last year’s Macbeth Creation return to Lady Margaret Hall to present the

most charming of comedies in the open air with a wrestling match, just the right amount of cross-dressing and the most maudlin clown you’ve ever met. n Treasure Island (December) Pirates, buried treasure, stowaways and swashbuckling. This one’s a long way off but if you loved the off-beat humour and stunning setting of The Wind in the Willows make a date with Long John Silver next Christmas. The Hexagon, Reading www.readingarts.com n One Man Breaking Bad (March 21) - The superlative American drama gets the oneman show treatment. n Count Arthur Strong: Somebody Up There Licks Me (April 15) - Fresh from donkeys years on his BBC Radio 4 series and the success of his BBC2 TV Show, Arthur gets back to doing what he does best. This show! n Simple Minds (April 30) Don’t You Forget About Me. Enough said.

New Theatre, Oxford www.atgtickets.com n Derren Brown: Miracle (March 23 to 28) - The mentallist showman presents another show that’ll baffle everybody. n Jimmy Carr (April 11) - The ever popular and sometimes quite controversial comedian brings his Funny Man tour to Oxford. n Jersey Boys (May 12 to 23) - The West End production comes to Oxford. New Greenham Arts, Newbury www.cornexchangenew.com n Lee Nelson: Suited and booted (March 13) - A National warm-up tour for the photobombing comedian of the people. n Dick Tracy (April 18) - Dick Tracy promises to have the bad guys in handcuffs and the audience in stitches. n Bella Hardy: The Dawn Tour (April 23) - BBC Radio Folk Awards Singer of the Year 2014 Bella’s heartfelt tour.

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For Starters

The Ocelot Spring Curtain Raiser The Reduced Shakespeare Company’s History of Comedy at The Wyvern March 25

Old Fire Station, Oxford www.oldfirestation.org.uk n Lloyd Langford: Old Fashioned (March 6) - A show about being in your 30s but feeling about 70. n Jonny & the Baptists Rock the Vote (April 2) - Following their acclaimed, news-making Stop UKIP Tour, the musical comedians bring their blend of songs, satire and silliness to us ahead of the May election. n Benefit by Sarah Woods (May 5) - Three interwoven stories unlock the frustrations and passions of characters struggling with their bank balances. Oxford Playhouse www.oxfordplayhouse.com n All My Sons (March 17 to 21) - A new adaptation of Arthur Miller’s classic. n Stewart Lee (March 29 to 31) - Author, journalist, comedian and playwright, Stewart Lee has been making people laugh for more than 20 years. n Measure for Measure (April 28 to May 2) - Following its scorching productions of ‘Tis Pity She’s a Whore, Ubu Roi and The Tempest, Cheek By Jowl returns with a thrilling reinvention of a classic Shakespeare.

Pegasus Theatre, Oxford www.pegasustheatre.org.uk n The Honey Man (March 12 to 13) - Honey Man is an ageing West Indian recluse, trying to save his dying bees in a derelict cottage on the edge of rural England. Into his world bursts a sixteen year old girl called Misty. n Last Man Standing (April 17) - High energy mesmerising contemporary rock dance. n Don Q (May 1 to 2) Wonderfully daft show with fights, dances, gypsy jazz and scooters. Salisbury Playhouse www.salisburyplayhouse.com n Posh (March 12 to April 4) - A play about an elite Oxford dining club. n Little Shop of Horrors (April 23 to May 23) - The comedic musical about an insatiable plant. n Romeo and Juliet (June 23 to 27) - The timeless Shakespeare love story. Swindon Arts Centre www.swindontheatres.co.uk n Lucy Porter (March 5) - The comedienne contemplates on whether she was born in the right era.

n Tom Stade (April 17) - The hilarious Canadian hits Swindon. n From The Cradle To The Bin (May 27) - The play follows Mr. Whitey, an affable English gent, who will spend his final days in a broken care system. Watermill Theatre, Newbury www.watermilltheatre.org.uk n Tuxedo Junction (March 31 to April 11) - All aboard for a toe-tapping ride across America in the company of an eclectic band of musicians. n Far From The Madding Crowd (April 16 to May 23) Thomas Hardy’s love story. n A Tale of Two Cities (May 27 to 30) - Dickens’ classic adapted by Terence Rattigan andJohn Gielgud. Wyvern Theatre, Swindon www.swindontheatres.co.uk n The Complete History of Comedy (abridged) (March 25) - The Reduced Shakespeare Company tackle comedy itself. n Dead Simple (April 20 to 25) - The adaptation of Peter James’ thriller. n Joseph and The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat (May 19 to 23) - Andrew Lloyd Webber’s sumptious musical hits Swindon.

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Monday March 2 Fancy a laugh? Four Comedians and a compere all for free!

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This is New Music with Mark Muggeridge

This is Manu Delago

The swiss Hang - Don’t call it a steel drum - has only been around since around since about 2001. Even though you might not know it, you’ve heard a Hang many times adding mystery and atmosphere on recordings by artists including Björk and, The Cinematic Orchestra. But now one of the worlds leading Hang players and the man behind that sound on the previously mentioned recordings is stepping to the front of the stage via his new album, Silver Kobalt on leading indie label Tru-Thoughts. From the album’s breathtaking opening track featuring vocals from Isa Kurz, through sonic journeys that are like a sensuous massage, Silver Kolbot will fit chilled out days into late night back-to-mine sessions. Coproduced by Matt Robertson (Björk, The Streets, Bat For Lashes) Manu Delago has taken a blend of synths, percussion and wind instruments blending them with the Hang’s unique timbre to create an album that deserves to cross-over into pop mainstream in the same way that Clean Bandit did with their accessible classical strings . Watch out for the extensive live tour in April. Key Tracks: Disgustingly Beautiful and Dearest. www.manudelago.com

This is Sunset Sons

Sunset Sons confidently deliver the kind of mainstream pop rock that is going to take them straight to main stage slots at festivals such as Reading, Leeds, Glasto and the like. I caught the sometimes surfing, sometimes snowboarding foursome when they played in unforgiving circumstances in Holland recently. With a mere ten minutes to set up and get playing, lead singer Rory and the rest of the band showed exactly why they deserved their place on the BBC Sound Of 2015 poll. Sunset Sons music is not going to change the world, but I suspect the band members don’t really care, their feel good music is set up to give audiences a good fun time and they certainly achieve that. Rory, Jed, Pete & Rob cut their teeth as a touring covers band playing to holiday makers in the Alps where the crowds get pretty wild. No wonder their live show is a tight affair. Catch Sunset Sons when they tour in May but be quick with shows already selling out. Key Tracks Medicine and, Remember. sunsetsons.com

This is Sundara Karma

It’s no understatement to say that some of the freshest sounding rock in the world is being created and played right here on our doorstep. From Reading, Sundara Karma have developed an atmospheric indie rock sound that is grabbing attention in the UK on Radio1, Xfm, and Amazing Radio and around the world with audiences in Australia and the US. Our Berkshire readers will know Sundara Karma’s oceanic wave of sound from when local BBC Introducing gave SK’s 2012 release, Freshbloom a nod of acknowledgement. Slots at Reading and Leeds soon followed and now they are out on the road playing gigs with acts including The Wombats and Alvvays. Fast forward to 2015 and Oscar (vocals), Haydn (drummer), Ally (guitarist) and Dom (bassist) have unleashed their new EP, EP1 featuring tracks that have everyone from the NME and The Line of Best Fit to The Sun newspaper in fits of adulation. Key Tracks: LoveBloom and Waves facebook.com/SundaraKarma 26

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Fri 6th - The Silhouettes + The I's Sat 7th - LUMP + Modern Honesty Fi 13th - Voodoo Rays + Finglebone sat 14th - The Mistakes + Support Weds 18th - Open Mic (7.30pm) Fri 20th - Blackwater Void + Stormfly Sat 21st - Midday Committee + Support Fri 27th - Stillbust + Foxpunch

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MARCH LISTINGS Mon 2nd

Thurs 5th Fri 6th

Sat 7th

Sun 8th Mon 9th Thurs 12th

Fri 13th

The Ocelot Comedy Night 8pm free

Songs of Praise presents Steels Trees + Nasty Little Lonely + TBC 8pm £3 The Tribe + Dubbed Over 8pm £6 Just Floyd 8pm £6adv £7dr

Moose Blood + Creeper + With Ghosts 8pm £7adv £10dr

Swindon Film-Makers NETWORKING EVENT 8pm free Henri Herbert + Special guests 8pm £6adv £7dr

Songs of Praise presents A Way With Words + Cavalier + Leader 8pm £3

Sat 14th

Guns 2 Roses 8pm £6adv £7dr

Thurs 19th

EMILY BARKER & GILL SANDELL + Charlie Bath + TBC 8pm £7adv £9dr

Sun 15th

Fri 20th

Rockabilly Rumble 3pm free

The Shudders + Nick Felix + Jarid Clark 8pm free

Sat 21st

The Bowie Experience 8pm £7adv £8dr

Fri 27th

Shepherds Pie 8pm free

Thurs 26th Sat 28th

Sun 29th

Tues 31st

Talk In Code + Echotape + The Fuse 8pm £3 Rollin Clones 8pm £8adv £10dr

Stillbust + Strength In Blunders 8pm £3 Open Mic Night 8pm free

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Groovers on Manouevres

guitar as textures behind the more solid building blocks of their music. Dynamically clever, broodingly post-punk in their references and a wonderfully passionate stage presence means that they are another to watch out for. Music is sometimes like a Rubik’s cube, turn it in the right sequence and all the colours line up and suddenly you have your own little scene of associated bands and ideas. Welcome to the new, nu-gaze

Music

By Sid Siddle of Club Velocity I, The Lion , they number three, born in Cheltenham, but for the last six months have settled in Reading. They deal in epic alt-punk rock. They are very now. Or if you are slightly old they should remind you of emo (before it was hijacked by the rock press and turned the genre into a right bucket load of cobblers) Remember Jets to Brazil or Embrace (not that Embrace)? Then they are right up your avenue. Huge slab of ham riffs, soaring beef vocals and Washington meaty feast drums. With added balls. They have been recording with Jason Wilson (You Me At Six, Blitz Kids and Bellowhead) Championed by the likes of Kerrang! , Front (!) and now The Ocelot. If you pray at the altar of 2000 Trees Festival every year - then you are already a huge fan. Their new EP 'Run' is out now. They play their debut Reading gig March 14th at the Queens Arms, 24 Great Knollys Street Reading

Arts & Culture

I, The Lion

Sahara Heights

Food and Drink

By Dave Franklin I did my musical basic training in the early eighties (yes, I’m that old) a time of amazing musical progress as the barricades that had been kicked down by punk were truly trampled into the dust. Now they say that music is cyclical, I believe them as a lot of the sounds that made up my record collection from back then can be heard in a new crop of Swindon bands. I guess young musicians often find music that is new to them in the record collections of their parents, one of the advantages of the aging process is that, being a similar age, the bands of my youth are being referenced once again. The obvious one is Sahara Heights, an ambient drifting sound anchored with just enough backbeat to give it structure and reminding me a lot of Power of Dreams, a band I was fanatical about as the eighties came to an end. White Lilac has been an interesting band to watch develop. Faye Rogers, in a brave, year zero attitude, has turned her back on her previous pastoral, innocent, folk-pop sound, re-launching her band under the new name and delivering a brooding raft of ethereal beauty, chiming guitars and Cocteau Twins style atmospherics. Coco Esq similarly incorporate sonorous washes of

For Starters

The Swindon New Nu-gaze revolution

The List

RG1 7HL 8pm £5 (doors) £4 (advance) www.wegottickets.com www.ithelion.com

Ocelot105 23/02/2015 15:16 Page 30

The Gig Mon key

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Gig Monkey, AKA Ed Dyer, is a primate on a mission to discover as muc be out and about as well as reviewing as much stuff as you can send h

Beans on Toast & Gaz Brookfield live @ The Vic

It is always nice to see one of our music venues sold out for a night of original music, especially when that involves mainly local performers, so I was a happy Gig Monkey seeing a sweating, heaving throng having one hell of a Saturday night out at this one, singing along, heckling and generally getting involved. But when you have artists of the calibre of Beans on Toast and Gaz Brookfield on a bill, what else can you expect? The couple of openers kind of passed me by I am afraid, a combination of stimulating conversation in the bar, some uninspiring songs and frankly a bit of out of tune singing meaning nothing positive remained afterwards, shamed as I am to admit this. However, all my gig-recollection capabilities were overloaded by the rest of the line-up, and it was frankly too busy to take notes. Gaz is something of a local hero round these parts, having spent most of his formative years in the town and cutting his gigging teeth in this very venue in a succession of bands. The decision not to have him headline was therefore a puzzling one, as illustrated by the noise that greeted his arrival onto stage as the crowd warmed up their vocal chords for singing along to their heroes songs. For that is what followed, a mass participation sing-along for the entirety of his set of punky folk tunes. I don’t think it would have mattered what songs he played, or even if he had been off colour at all (which he certainly wasn’t), this crowd had come for a good sing-along and a great time, and nothing would have prevented it. There are several simple reasons Gaz can draw this kind of crowd, and it should be a blueprint for other artists looking to make an impact. He works hard, harder than most musicians do, he is an immensely likeable character to be around, and he writes damn good songs. Everyman tales of life these songs give an insight into Gaz’s world; stories of touring, growing up and his health issues are all repeat subjects, proving he is a songwriter with the courage to write from a personal and heartfelt perspective. The personal nature of the songs and adulation of the audience means each gig is a cathartic experience, a shared moment of love, friendship and understanding as artist and audience connect emotionally, elevating the gig-going

Gaz Brookfield

experience to something more spiritual. But the accessibility of song and performance also means that for some it is simply a good old fashioned boozy knees-up. In contrast, it initially seems headliner Beans On Toast has a more flippant approach to his craft. But, no less hardworking, humour is his main weapon of choice which, when coupled with his laconic between song banter meant there was something of the atmosphere of a stand up show in the room, which enables him to make quite complex social and political observations in a way that joe public will understand and accept. He is not an artist afraid to express an opinion, a valuable commodity in today’s society of blind acceptance and apathy. Musically less powerful than Gaz, he is no less passionate in his delivery and displays a similar admirable conviction to his songs that makes them accessible and identifiable. As this was my first Beans experience, I am not sure how typical a performance this was, but it was more relaxed than a stoned hippy in a bubble bath. I don’t think he actually played an entire song beginning to end, endlessly getting distracted by banter from the crowd that threw him off into anecdotal tangents. But for me this was part of the charm, I felt like this was a unique experience, a one-off moment. In fact was a pleasure to spend an hour in the company of this genial Essex lad. Oh, and his west-country friend. 30

Mon key Bit Ocelot105 23/02/2015 15:16 Page 31

ate on a mission to discover as much quality original music playing as possible. He will ng as much stuff as you can send him to ed@theocelot.co.uk

Arts & Culture Music The List

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sounds, there is something very compelling about it. Gemma is very much an artist, and is quite happy to beat her own path, occupy her own generic niche and the rest of us be hanged. And I like that, long may she continue to delight, puzzle and shock audiences. Okina – In Memory Of The latest in my long list of accidental finds is this interesting and creative ep. Blending folk, jazz and electronica music into a warm and welcoming sound that draws you in, gives you a shoulder rub, gin & tonic and a big hug, before sending you off into the world a much happier and more relaxed person it is a diverse, unique and compelling recording. Clever and subtle vocal harmonies are layered over intricate and carefully constructed music from a varied collection of instruments including Greek bouzouki, guitar, drums, upcycled objects and various other percussive instruments. This musical muesli is the backdrop to some lyrically intelligent songs with a conscience that pack a huge emotional punch both in content and delivery. A deeply satisfying listening experience. Wyldest – Cruel Dusk As I had a bit of space left and I have been anticipating this dropping for quite some time I thought I would squeeze in a little review for a single, something I normally avoid. And damn, the wait for this was worth every minute as, following on from some brilliant Soundcloud demos last year, Wyldest have finally entered a proper studio with a producer and emerged with a lo-fi dream-pop track of extraordinary quality. Hitting the current musical zeitgeist dead centre, this is a spacious, hazy track, awash with reverb and honeyed, astute melodies resulting in a calling card that should see them spoken off in the same breath as contemporaries Warpaint and Beach House and that has left me rather eager for more from the band.

For Starters

Gig Monkey reviews some local records

Alice & The Lovers – Valentine (Record of the month) Alice Offley has been in these pages before, mainly as a piano based singer / songwriter. But this small collection of songs is a more upbeat, guitar-focused affair, designed for a full band. Stylistically it is an outstanding musical re-invention of the Motown girlband sound and its luscious vocal melodies and harmonies fused with a garage surf-rock and shoegazy indie muical backing. Just think The Supremes having a rumble with Husker Du and you start to get the idea. A hopeful melancholy haunts these songs and gives them an almost tangible life. They have a lovely dark romanticism to them, creating enough moody atmospherics that they seem to belong in dark, smoky cellar bar after closing time, crackling out of the old Wurlitzer jukebox as the bar tender sweeps around the last lingering couple, the smoky haze of their final cigarettes hanging in the air and mingling with the sweet smell of bourbon and bitters. The kind ofplace I quite fancy staying for a while to be honest. Gemma Moss – Majorly E Minor Having heard tale of Gemma’s wild live shows, I really had no idea of what to expect from this album. Not for a minute was I expecting what I actually got, which goes to show you shouldn’t ever make judgements without all of the evidence being presented. Underpinned by mournful piano riffs and the occasional stark punctuation of guitar these austere songs are driven by Gemma’s expressive vocals, which have hints of Edith Piaf about them, but a version of the chanteuse if she was in a vaudeville show being directed by F.W. Murnau, a caberet goth-opera if you like. As unusual and unique as this

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Ocelot105 23/02/2015 15:17 Page 32

A bit of impro with Paul Merton Following the publication of his autobiography, Only When I Laugh, and over a decade of sell-out seasons at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, Paul Merton will take to the road again this year with his world renowned Impro Chums. Paul and his Chums are wonders of nature. They take audience suggestions and create cascades of fantastic tumbling laughter… Most of the time. Paul and his Impro Chums - Mike McShane, Lee Simpson, Richard Vranch and Suki Webster - take suggestions from the audience and spin them into comedy gold, weaving fun and laughter together into a richly hilarious mesh of jollity. Every show is a new adventure. And the adventure will be coming to Reading’s Hexagon Theatre on Friday May 29. So who are Paul Merton and his chums? Paul Merton is a founder member of The Comedy Store Players, he still appears at the Comedy Store most Sundays. He is a regular guest on Radio 4’s Just A Minute and is an established face on TV shows such as the hugely popular Have I Got News For You, Room 101, Paul Merton Looks at Alfred Hitchcock (BBC4/2), Paul Merton’s Birth of Hollywood (BBC 2) and his travel series for Channel Five, Paul Merton’s Adventures which covered his travels in India, China and Europe. His recent Autobiography, Only When I Laugh reached the Sunday Times bestseller Top 10. Mike Mcshane has squandered his life by improvising with his friends and making friends by improvising. He has appeared at the Menier Chocolate Factory in Little Shop of Horrors and Stephen Sondheims' Assassins and his TV work includes Doctor Who, and the new M. Night Shyamalan joint, Wayward Pines. He is lucky to be with Karen, woman of his dreams and all around great lady, and makes himself available to a cat named DeNiro, for which disdain is his ultimate reward. Lee Simpson became a member of the Comedy Store Players in 1989. He is Artistic Director of Improbable, one of the country's foremost theatre companies and along with

Richard Vranch he wrote and performed on Paul Merton – The Tour and Paul Merton – The Palladium, he also directed Paul Merton – And This is Me. Richard Vranch improvises and writes comedy, and he does voiceovers for adverts and documentaries. Dr Vranch has appeared on Radio 4's Infinite Monkey Cage with Professor Brian Cox, and he is half of the science/hula-hoop act Dr Hula. He's toured the world from Mexico to Palestine acting in sketch shows, and he does stand-up in French. Suki Webster is a regular guest of The Comedy Store Players and has toured the world with Paul Merton And His Impro Chums more recently she cowrote and was Assistant Director on Paul Merton’s Birth of Hollywood (BBC2). Suki’s play, My Obsession, which she wrote and starred in garnered audience and critical acclaim at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe 2014. For tickets visit www.readingarts.com 32

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CABARET

The List

NEWBURY Friday February 27 to Thursday March 5 Corn Exchange INHERENT VICE times vary £6- £8 Friday February 27 to Thursday March 5 Corn Exchange SELMA times vary £6- £8 Friday March 20 to Thursday March 26 Corn Exchange STILL ALICE times vary £6- £8 Friday March 20 to Thursday March 26 Corn Exchange FIFTY SHADES OF GREY (18) times vary £6- £8 Friday March 27 to Thursday April 2 Corn Exchange SUITE FRANCAISE (15) times vary £6-

Music

DJ NIGHTS

READING Every Thursday Oakford Social Club REMIX CLUB NIGHT 8pm to 1am Every Saturday The Abbot Cook DJ NIGHT 8pm Every Sunday Oakford Social Club RECOVERY CLUB 1pm - 6pm | Entry Piece it all back together with music for

FILM

Arts & Culture

DANCE

NEWBURY Tuesday March 17 to Wednesday March 18 Arlington Arts Centre ST GABRIEL'S DANCE SHOWCASE 2015 check times Tuesday March 24 Corn Exchange SPRING EQUINOX 7.45pm Wednesday March 25 Corn Exchange DREAMING IN CODE 7.45pm

FAMILY EVENTS

NEWBURY Thursday March 12 to Saturday March 14 Arlington Arts Centre YOUNGSTARS: BEAUTY & THE BEAST JNR check times Sunday March 29 Corn Exchange THE AMAZING BUBBLE MAN check times and prices

Food and Drink

COMEDY

NEWBURY Friday March 13 New Greenham Arts LEE NELSON: SUITED AND BOOTED 8pm £12/£10 Thursday March 19 Corn Exchange ANDY PARSONS: LIVE AND UNLEASHED - BUT NATURALLY CAUTIOUS 7.45pm READING Friday March 6 South Street Arts Centre JOSIE LONG - CARA JOSEPHINE 8pm Saturday March 7 Jongleurs Comedy Club DIANNE SPENCER + ADDY VAN DER BORGH + ABIGOLIAH SCHAMAUN + THE RAYMOND AND MR TIMPKINS REVUE 8:30 pm A great night out with 4 top-class comedians in an approximately 2 hour show. prices from £17 Tuesday March 10 The Hexagon JIMMY CARR: FUNNY BUSINESS 8pm Thursday March 12 South Street Arts Centre RICHARD HERRING: LORD OF THE DANCE SETTEE 8pm Saturday March 14 The Hexagon DYLAN MORAN 8pm Concert Hall SIMON AMSTELL : TO BE FREE 8pm Jongleurs Comedy Club

the day-after at Recovery Club Friday March 6 Sub89 SYSTEMATIK W/ HOT SINCE 82 + MORE! 10.30pm £10 Friday March 20 Sub89 THE CRAIG CHARLES FUNK & SOUL CLUB 9pm £8 Friday March 27 Sub89 ANNIE MAC + BLONDE + SUPPORT @ RIVERMEAD LEISURE CENTER (3000 CAP!) 9pm £12 Saturday March 28 South Street Arts Centre DARKLANDS INDUSTRIAL CLUB NIGHT 8pm

For Starters

NEWBURY Friday March 6 Corn Exchange THE CIRCUS OF HORRORS - THE NIGHT OF THE ZOMBIE 7.45pm Thursday March 26 to Saturday March 28 New Greenham Arts SHOWTIME CIRCUS 8pm READING Sunday March 1 The Hexagon THE CIRCUS OF HORRORS - THE NIGHT OF THE ZOMBIE 7.30pm

PAUL MCCAFFREY + MATTHEW OSBORN + NICK PAGE 8:30 pm A great night out with 4 top-class comedians in an approximately 2 hour show. prices from £17 Saturday March 21 Jongleurs Comedy Club JOJO SMITH + BRYAN LACEY + ADAM ROWE + MICKEY D 8:30 pm A great night out with 4 top-class comedians in an approximately 2 hour show. prices from £17 Wednesday March 25 The Hexagon ROY CHUBBY BROWN 8pm Friday March 27 The Hexagon STEWART LEE: A ROOM WITH A STEW 8pm Olympia Shenhai COMEDY AND CURRY 7pm Saturday March 28 Jongleurs Comedy Club PIERRE HOLLINS + GEORGE EGG + PHILBERTO 8:30 pm A great night out with 4 top-class comedians in an approximately 2 hour show. prices from £17

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Ocelot105 23/02/2015 15:17 Page 34

£8 Friday March 27 to Thursday April 2 Corn Exchange X + Y times vary £6- £8 READING Wednesday March 11 The Hexagon BANFF MOUNTAIN FILM FESTIVAL 7.30pm GIGS AND CONCERTS

NEWBURY Thursday March 5 Arlington Arts Centre THE LITTLE UNSAID 8pm Friday March 6 Arlington Arts Centre BUDDY WHITTINGTON 8pm £12 Thursday March 19 Arlington Arts Centre SETH LAKEMAN 8pm Friday March 20 Corn Exchange JOHNNY CASH ROADSHOW 7.45pm New Greenham Arts O’HOOLEY AND TIDOW - THE HUM 8pm Saturday March 21 Corn Exchange UNFORGETTABLE 7.45pm Arlington Arts Centre BROTHERS GROOVE + KATIE BRADLEY 8pm Thursday March 26 Corn Exchange SONGBIRD: THE MUSIC OF EVA CASSIDY 7.45pm Arlington Arts Centre CADDY COOPER & FRIENDS + ODIS PALMER 8pm Friday March 27 St Nicholas Church CLASSICAL CELEBRATION II 7.45pm Corn Exchange CAFE CONCERT: JASON CARR AND FRIENDS 7.45pm Saturday March 28 Douai Abbey MUSIC FOR LENT 7.45pm Arlington Arts Centre JOHNNY CASH REVISITED 8pm READING Sunday March 1

The Bowery District KING KING + SPECIAL GUEST LAWRENCE JONES 7.30pm £15 Thursday March 5 Sub89 REEF 7pm £12 Friday March 6 The Bowery District WEDNESDAY 13 7.30pm £15 Sunday March 8 The Hexagon WINDSOR AND MAIDENHEAD SCHOOLS CONCERT 6pm Concert Hall MICHAEL COLLINS, CLARINET & THE HEATH QUARTET 8pm Thursday March 12 The Hexagon THE SENSATIONAL 60S EXPERIENCE 2015 7.30pm Friday March 13 South Street Arts Centre ZUN ZUN EGUI + SLOW RIVER SLOW 8pm Sub89 ALEXANDER O'NEAL - WITH FULL LIVE BAND! 7pm £20 Saturday March 14 South Street Arts Centre VOODOO ROOM 8pm Queens Arms Club Velocity/Malfunction presents A VERY DEEP HOLE + I, THE LION + NOT FIT FOR HUMANS + SERFS 8pm 18plus £5 (doors) £4 (advance) Sunday March 15 The Hexagon WOKINGHAM AREAS SCHOOLS MUSIC ASSOCIATION CONCERT 7pm Sub89 NEW MODEL ARMY 7pm £20 Tuesday March 17 The Hexagon READING PRIMARY SCHOOLS MUSIC FESTIVAL 7pm Sub89 THE HANDSOME FAMILY (SEATED) 7.30pm £15 Wednesday March 18 Concert Hall LUNCHTIME ORGAN RECITAL 1pm Thursday March 19 The Hexagon READING SCHOOLS PRESENTS: CHILDREN HELPING CHILDREN 7pm

South Street Arts Centre THIRDSDAY BLUES - PETE HARRIS ALL STARS R&B BAND 8pm Saturday March 21 Rising Sun Arts Centre Club Velocity/Bandoramma presents VIENNA DITTO + STODDLER + MATT MALTESE 8pm All Ages £5 (door) £4adv Sunday March 22 The Hexagon HENLEY SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA WITH EVELYN GLENNIE 7.30pm Tuesday March 24 The Hexagon ROYAL PHILHARMONIC ORCHESTRA 7.30pm Sub89 OBELISK EVENTS W/ XERATH + EXIST IMMORTAL + CLOCKWORK + ARIYAH 7pm £8.50 Thursday March 26 The Hexagon LET’S SING READING! 6.30pm Friday March 27 The Bowery District WARD THOMAS 6.30pm £11 Rising Sun Arts Centre Club Velocity’s 12th Birthday Party with THE AUGUST LIST + BLANK BIBLES + PALM HONEY 8pm All Ages £5 (door) £4adv Saturday March 28 The Hexagon KILLER QUEEN 8pm The Bowery District YOUNG GUNS 6.30pm £12.50 Queens Arms Club Velocity/Malfunction presents TV 'TIM' SMITH +THE SEASONS IN SHORTHAND + LITTLE RED + THE KAZOOPREMES (FEATURING CRAPAPPELLA-Featuring ex members of Oizone/Shellys Children/Cuckooland 7.30pm 18plus £9 (doors) £7 (advance) Sunday March 29 The Hexagon WOKINGHAM AREA SCHOOLS MUSIC ASSOCIATION CONCERT 7pm Monday March 30 The Bowery District SLEAFORD MODS 7.30pm £10

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TALKS AND POETRY

Arts & Culture Music The List

NEWBURY Thursday February 12 to Saturday March 21 The Watermill Theatre AGATHA CHRISTIE'S THE SECRET ADVERSARY - A TOMMY & TUPPENCE THRILLER 7.30pm with matinees Thurs and Sat 2.30pm Wednessday March 11 Corn Exchange NURSING LIVES 7.45pm £14/£12 Friday March 13 Corn Exchange BACK TO BROADWAY 7.45pm £14/£12 Tuesday March 31 Corn Exchange PENELOPE RETOLD 7.45pm £14/£12 Wednesday March 25 Arlington Arts Centre BLACKEYED THEATRE: TEECHERS 8pm Wednesday March 25 to Saturday March 28 The Watermill Theatre THE WOLVES OF WILLOUGHBY CHASE 7.30pm with matinees Thurs and Sat 2.30pm Tuesday March 30 to Saturday April 11 The Watermill Theatre TUXEDO JUNCTION 7.30pm with matinees Thurs and Sat 2.30pm

Food and Drink

THEATRE

THEATRICAL SCREENINGS

NEWBURY Wednesday March 4 Corn Exchange RSC LIVE: LOVE LABOUR’S WON 7pm £14/£12 Sunday March 8 Corn Exchange BOLSHOI ENCORE: ROMEO & JULIET 7pm £14/£12 Thursday March 12 Corn Exchange NT LIVE: BEHIND THE BEAUTIFUL FOREVERS 7pm £14/£12 Monday March 23 Corn Exchange ENCORE: MAXINE PEAKE AS HAMLET 7pm £14/£12 Saturday March 28 Corn Exchange NT ENCORE: A VIEW FROM THE BRIDGE 7pm £14/£12

For Starters

NEWBURY Thursday March 5 Corn Exchange STEVE ‘STAVROS’ PARRISH 7.45pm £20 READING Friday March 20 South Street Arts Centre POETS' CAFE - ALISON HILL MONTHLY POETRY NIGHT HOSTED BY A F HARROLD 8PM Saturday March 21 South Street Arts Centre TOM MCELROY: HOW YOU CAN CHANGE THE WORLD 3PM South Street Arts Centre READING SCIENCE SLAM PART OF THE 2015 NATIONAL SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING WEEK. 7PM

READING Tuesday March 3 to Saturday March 7 The Hexagon BIRDSONG 7.30pm with 2.30pm matinees on Thursday and Saturday Wednesday March 11 South Street Arts Centre FAT MAN 8pm Saturday March 21 The Hexagon ONE MAN BREAKING BAD 8pm Wednesday March 25 South Street Arts Centre CAROLINE HORTON - PENELOPE RETOLD 8pm

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Ocelot105 23/02/2015 15:17 Page 36

Rock the vote in Oxford

Following their acclaimed, news-making STOP UKIP TOUR, the UK’s hottest musical comedians Jonny & the Baptists once again bring their blend of songs, satire and silliness to the nation. And they’re stopping at Oxford’s Old Fire Station on Thursday April 2. Taking on the big issues ahead of the May 2015 general election, ROCK THE VOTE is their

most ambitious show yet. And with politicians now officially ranked below estate agents in the public’s trust, it’s a desperate bid to find a least one good reason to vote. Stars of Radio 4′s The Now Show and The Infinite Monkey Cage, nominated for five national awards including the 2014 Leicester Comedy Festival Awards and British Comedy Awards.

Peter Knight’s Gigspanner at Cornerstone Peter Knight’s Gigspanner has been hailed by Songlines magazine as "another milestone in folk’s rebirth of cool", although to classify these three virtuoso performers purely as folk musicians is to undersell them by a long chalk… A bedrock of British traditional music is to be expected from Steeleye Span’s

erstwhile legendary fiddle player. But Gigspanner’s musical reach flirts with Eastern European, French, Cajun, African and even Aboriginal influences, transporting audiences on a “blistering pace of a musical world tour” (Folkcast), prompting Sir Terry Pratchett to write “Peter Knight can spin the world on his Bow”. 36

Peter will be at Cornerstone Arts in Didcot on Saturday March 7.

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CABARET Every Thursday East Oxford Community Centre, Cowley Rd CATWEAZLE CLUB 8pm to 11pm the city’s longest running and best cabaret show Sunday March 22 New Theatres SPOTLIGHT VARIETY SHOW 7.30pm

Monday March 23 to Saturday March 28 New Theatres DERREN BROWN: MIRACLE 7.30pm DIDCOT

Thursday March 5 Cornerstone Arts CORNERSTONE COMEDY CLUB 8:00pm

Friday March 13 Cornerstone Arts RICHARD HERRING: LORD OF THE DANCE SETTEE 8:00pm

OXFORD

Sunday March 1 The Wheatsheaf THE OXFORD COMEDY COLLECTIVE 8.30pm £4 New Theatre MILTON JONES AND THE TEMPLE OF DAFT 7.30pm Thursday March 5 Oxford Playhouse GINA YASHERE 8pm Friday March 6

Saturday March 7

Glee Club Best in Live Comedy presents ELLIOT STEEL + JAVIER JARQUIN + ACTS TBC 7.15pm £14.50/£5NUS Oxford Playhouse SIMON AMSTELL 8pm

Tuesday March 10

Sunday March 22 Glee Club TONY HAWKS 7pm £12/£9NUS Wednesday March 25 Oxford Playhouse ANDY PARSONS 7.30pm

Saturday March 28 Glee Club Best in Live Comedy presents ANDY ROBINSON + CRAIG MURRAY + BOBBY MAIR + ABI ROBERTS 7.15pm £14.50/£5NUS Sunday March 29 to Tuesday March31 Oxford Playhouse STEWART LEE: A ROOM WITH A STEW 7.30pm

WITNEY

Wednesday March 11 Fat Lil's LIL FAT COMEDY CLUB 8PM DANCE

OXFORD

Friday February 27 to Monday March 9 Various Oxford Locations DANCIN’ OXFORD 2015 www.dancinoxford.co.uk Monday March 2 New Theatres LA FILLE MAL GARDEE - RSB 7.30pm

Pegasus Theatre GET RHYTHM AND BODY POLITICS times vary Tuesday March 3 and Wednesday March 4 New Theatres SWAN LAKE - RSB 7.30pm Oxford Playhouse

Saturday March 21 Old Fire Station BRIDGING THE VOID 7.30PM DJ NIGHTS/DISCO OXFORD

Every Saturday

The Cellar, Frewin Court EXTRA CURRICULAR weekly electronic and bass-heavy music night FREE B4 11pm £5after Thursday March 5 The Cellar SUPERMARKET CLUB NIGHT 10.30pm £3 before 11pm £5after

Friday March 6 The Cellar DADDY G + COUNT SKYLARKIN + DEEMAS J + MORE 10pm £5adv £6dr O2 Academy SWITCH FEATURING REDLIGHT X-COLOUR TOUR 11pm £10 The Bullingdon DR SYNTAX ‘WHY SO SERIOUS?’ TOUR / DRUNKEN UNCLE BUNGLE AND FREDDIE FRIDGE MAGNET / BENOFFICIAL 11pm £7adv

Monday March 9 Warehouse MILLENNIAL MUSIC WAREHOUSE TAKEOVER LAUNCH NIGHT 10.30pm to 2.30pm the next day £6

Tuesday March 10 The Cellar INTRUSION Goth / EBM / Industrial with Resident DJs DOKTOR JOY + BOOKHOUSE + Guests 8.30pm £4 Wednesday March 11

The Cellar BURNING DOWN THE HOUSE - 80s / New Wave / Disco / Synthpop / Glam 10pm £3/£5

Friday March 13 The Cellar BOSSAPHONIK - Dancefloor Latin / Afrobeat / Balkan Beats / Global Grooves / Nu Jazz Bizniz Live: POCION DE FE + Area Boys guest

The List

Monday March 9 New Theatre AL MURRAY: ONE MAN, ONE GUVNOR 7.30pm

Saturday March 21 Glee Club Best in Live Comedy presents ERIC LAMPEART + LUCY BEAUMONT + SIMON BLIGH + RUDI LICKWOOD 7.15pm £14.50/£5NUS

Saturday March 7 Old Fire Station POLITICS OF LOVE 7.30PM

Music

Old Fire Station LLOYD LANGFORD: OLD FASHIONED T 7.30PM

Tuesday March 17 The Wheatsheaf THE OXFORD COMEDY COLLECTIVE 8.30pm £4

Pegasus Theatre LABYRINTH times vary

Arts & Culture

Thursday March 19 Cornerstone Arts LEE NELSON: SUITED AND BOOTED 8:00pm

Saturday March 14 Glee Club Best in Live Comedy presents JAMES ACASTER + DAVID TRENT + ACTS TBC 7.15pm £14.50/£5NUS

Friday March 6 New Theatres COLLABRO 7.30pm

Food and Drink

COMEDY

Thursday March 12 New Theatres DYLAN MORAN: OFF THE HOOK 7.30pm

ATOMOS 7.30pm

For Starters

OXFORD

Old Fire Station AUDREYS COMEDY NIGHT 7.30PM

For Starters

Ocelot105 23/02/2015 15:17 Page 38

DJs + Resident DJ Dan Ofer 10.30pm £6adv £7dr O2 Academy SWITCH FEATURING FRIEND WITHIN 11pm £10

O2 Academy 2 JAY ELECTRONICA - SOUNDWAVE FESTIVAL CROATIA LAUNCH PARTY 10pm

Saturday March 14 The Cellar Turf TOUR - Oxford Techno / House / Disco DJ BONE + Dekmantel Soundsystem + support act 10.30pm £5/£9adv £10/£12dr

Arts & Culture

Food and Drink

The Bullingdon SIMPLE: BEN UFO 11pm

Friday March 20 The Cellar MACKA B & THE ROOTS RAGGA BAND + DESTA*NATION + CORNERSTONEMUSIK + JAH LAMBS & LIONS + ONE DROP COLLECTIVE + CHIEFTAIN JOSEPH10pm £15dr

O2 Academy SWITCH FEATURING WILFRED GIROUX 11pm £10

Saturday March 21 The Bullingdon BEDROCK CLUB NIGHT 11pm O2 Academy 2 CALLIGRAPHY – THE FOUR OWLS ALBUM TOUR FT. THE FOUR OWLS + EDWARD SCISSORTONGUE 11pm £10 Saturday March 28

The Cellar Extracurricular HIP HOP TAKEOVER - Hip Hop / Rap / Grime Hosted by Dr Erbz 11pm £5 O2 Academy SWITCH SPRING CLOSING PARTY FEATURING HANNAH WANTS 11pm £10 FAMILY EVENTS

Music

DIDCOT

Sunday March 1 Cornerstone Arts COMEDY CLUB FOR KIDS 2pm Sunday March 22

Cornerstone Arts HUGLESS DOUGLAS

Sunday March 29 Cornerstone Arts THE UGLY DUCKLING

The List

OXFORD

Sunday March 8 Pegasus Theatre PEGASUS FUNDAY SUNDAY: BABY BOOGIE times vary

Saturday March 28 to Wednesday April 1 BT Studio THE BOY WHO BIT PICASSO times vary Tuesday March 31 to Wednesday April 1 Pegasus Theatre SAMMY AND THE SNOW LEAPORD times vary FILM

Saturday March 14 Pegasus Theatre FILM OXFORD SCREENING 7.30pm GIGS AND CONCERTS

ABINGDON Mondays

Old Anchor Inn MONDAY NIGHT MUSIC GROUP (folk singing, poetry reading etc). 8:30pm and all welcome Tuesdays Old Anchor Inn OPEN MIC NIGHT 8:30pm all welcome Saturdays Old Anchor Inn LIVE BANDS 9pm free

OXFORD

Third Wednesday of the month Wig and Pen JAZZ JAM on the 2nd floor 8-10pm

Every Sunday The Crown, Cornmarket Street JAZZ AT THE CROWN with OXFORD JAZZ KITCHEN 4pm to 6pm free The Harcourt Arms, Jericho HOAM OPEN MIC 8pm Free The Old Bookbinders Arms, Victor Street BOOKIE’S OPEN MIC hosted by Chris Padmore 8pm Free Sunday March 1

Oxford Wine Cafe CRAIG MILVERTON TRIO – TRIBUTE TO OSCAR PETERSON 6..30pm free Jericho Tavern LOLA COLT + THE NEON VIOLETS + TAMARA PARSONS-BAKER 7pm £6.50 Monday March 2 The Bullingdon THE RIOTOUS BROTHERS 7pm Tuesday March 3

DIDCOT

Friday March 6 Cornerstone Arts FRED'S HOUSE With Support from THE PORTRAITS 8pm Saturday March 7 Cornerstone Arts PETER KNIGHT'S GIGSPANNER 8pm Sunday March 8 Cornerstone Arts A CAPPELLA DAY

Tuesday March 10 Cornerstone Arts CORNERSTONE OPEN MIC NIGHT 8pm Saturday March 14

Cornerstone Arts YOLANDA BROWN 8pm

Friday March 20 Cornerstone Arts THE TIGER LILLIES: THE VERY WORST OF THE TIGER LILLIES 8pm Friday March 27 Cornerstone Arts THE POOZIES 8pm

Saturday March 28 Cornerstone Arts A LITTLE TOUCH OF SCHMILSON IN THE NIGHT 8pm

Old Fire Station THE LISTENING ROOM with ALL THINGS CONSIDERED + JULIA MEIJER + BEN GOSLING 7.30pm £7 O2 Academy 2 GLASS ANIMALS 7pm £10 St John The Evangelist Church JAN SCHMOLCK PLAYS MOZART AND HAYDN + HANNAH NYE SINGS QUILTER 7.30pm £30/£25/£15 The Bullngdon GUITAR SUMMIT 8.30pm Wednesday March 4 The Bullngdon AQUILO 7pm £7 O2 Academy 2 RHODES 7pm £7 Friday March 6

The Bullngdon KIM CHURCHILL 7.30pm Jericho Tavern LOWWS + LEADER + ORANGE VISION 8pm £3.60adv Oxford Playhouse NATIONAL YOUTH JAZZ ORCHESTRA 7.30pm

Saturday March 7 New Theatre MOTOWN'S GREATEST HITS: HOW SWEET IT IS 7.30pm The Cellar THE LITTLE UNSAID + WALTZ IN THE SHALLOW END 7pm £6adv £7dr

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The Cellar OXROX CHARITY NIGHT in aid of Oasis Autism with STEAMROLLER WITH KRISSY MATTHEWS/ AARON KEYLOCK/KEVIN BUSBY/ VINCENT WHITE/ MICK GREANEY/ RICHARD BELMONT 7pm £5 Modern Art Oxford WOMANITY 2015 WITH MUSIC FROM DUOTONE + TAMARA PARSONS-BAKER AND MORE 2pm £5/£3 Oxford Wine Cafe IZABELLA BORZYMOWSKA QUARTET 6..30pm free Monday March 9

Tuesday March 10 New Theatre THE AUSTRALIAN PINK FLOYD SHOW 7.30pm St John The Evangelist Church IOLANTHE 7.30pm £10/£8 The Bullingdon BLAKES 7 FUNK PROJECT 8.30pm Wednesday March 11 The Bullngdon TRAGEDY – A METAL TRIBUTE TO THE BEE GEES & BEYOND 7pm O2 Academy 2 SLEAFORD MODS 7pm £10

Thursday March 12 St John The Evangelist Church IOLANTHE 7.30pm £10/£8 Friday March 13

Sunday March 15 Oxford Wine Cafe NEIL FRYER TRIO 6.30pm

Monday March 16 The Bullingdon STEPHEN DALE PETIT 7pm

Tuesday March 17 The Bullingdon STUART HENDERSON QUARTET 7pm

O2 Academy DUKE SPECIAL + PAUL COOK AND THE CHRONICLES 7pm £14

Wednesday March 18 St John The Evangelist Church TRIBUTE TO DUKE ELLINGTON – THE BUCK CLAYTON LEGACY BAND 7.30pm £15/£10 Thursday March 19 New Theatre MERCURY: THE ULTIMATE QUEEN TRIBUTE 7.30pm The Cellar Riddim Promotions Present… JAMIE IRIE, CHESHIRE CAT AND STICKY JOE LIVE + ED ASHER, DAN I, LEO B 8pm £5adv £7dr

Friday March 20 New Theatre ONE NIGHT OF ELVIS: LEE 'MEMPHIS' KING 7.30pm Jericho Tavern THE VICAR’S GARDEN PARTY WITH THE ORIGINAL RABBIT FOOT SPASM BAND 8pm £8

Saturday March 21 New Theatre THE GLENN MILLER STORY - THE TRUE STORY 7.30pm St John The Evangelist Church PURCELL: DIDO & AENEAS 6pm

Monday March 23 The Bullingdon STEPHEN DALE PETIT 7pm

O2 Academy THE STRANGLERS 7pm £23 O2 Academy 2 HUNTER AND THE BEAR 7pm £10 Tuesday March 24 The Bullingdon HUGH TURNER BAND 8.30pm

Wednesday March 25 O2 Academy STIFF LITTLE FINGERS 7pm £18.50 Thursday March 26

The Cellar THE BIG BLUES NIGHT OUT blues /rock /americana live GOI'N LOUD...JONNYS SEXUAL KITCHEN plus support 7pm £5adv £7dr St John The Evangelist Church ‘AS THE CROW FLIES’ AND ‘THE FOUR SEASONS’ 7.30pm £15/£12 Friday March 27 The Bullingdon THE SHOWHAWK DUO 7pm O2 Academy 2 YOUNG GUNS 7pm £12.50

St John The Evangelist Church AN EVENING OF CONTEMPORARY COMPOSITION 8pm £6 Saturday March 28

The Cellar OXROX presents...Rock/Rock/Glam Rock KNOCK OUT KAINE + DEAD CITY RUINS/BAD BEHAVIOUR 7pm £4adv £5dr St John The Evangelist Church BIZET, COPLAND, GERSHWIN 7.30pm North Wall Arts Centre AWAKE LOVE ORCHESTRA 8pm £11/£9 The Wheatsheaf INDICA BLUES / BROMIDE / MOOGIEMAN &

The List

New Theatre KATHERINE JENKINS 7.30pm O2 Academy RESCHEDULED: MOBB DEEP ‘THE INFAMOUS…’ 20TH ANNIVERSARY TOUR 6pm £28.50 The Bullngdon

St John The Evangelist Church CLOUDBURST – ELEMENTAL MUSIC FROM AROUND THE WORLD 7.30pm £12/£9

Sunday March 22 Oxford Wine Cafe TOMMASO STARACE QUARTET 6.30pm O2 Academy THE SELECTER + THE TUTS 6pm

Music

St John The Evangelist Church IOLANTHE 7.30pm £10/£8 Various venues AUDIOGRAFT 2015 8pm

The Bullngdon BLOODSTOCK: METAL TO THE MASSES HEAT 4 6.30pm

The Bullingdon THE KNIGHTS OF MENTIS + BLACK FEATHERS + THE SHAPES + TREV WILLIAMS 8.30pm O2 Academy SKELETOR + FALLEN FROM GRACE + DEVIL INSIDE + SEVERANCE + SUGAR DARLING 6pm

Arts & Culture

The Bullingdon KRISSY MATTHEWS 7pm

Saturday March 14 New Theatre PAUL CARRACK 7.30pm O2 Academy MIKE PETERS PRESENTS: THE ALARM – STRENGTH – 30TH ANNIVERSARY TOUR 2015 6pm £15

Jericho Tavern THE PINK DIAMOND REVUE + CHRIS LIVING + ROBERT LANYON 8pm

Food and Drink

Sunday March 8 New Theatre STAGECOACH CHARITY SPECTACULAR: LOOKING FOR ELVIS 7.30pm

SIVU 7pm The Wheatsheaf RAGING SPEEDHORN + SEETHE + MUTAGENOCIDE+ REVELLER 7.30pm £10adv £12dr

For Starters

The Bullngdon POLICE DOG HOGAN 7.30pm £13adv £15dr Jericho Tavern THE MATT EDWARDS BAND + LEPER KING + THE SECRET KIDS 7.30pm £5 St John The Evangelist Church BEETHOVEN: ‘APPASSIONATA’ – VICTOR SANGIORGIO, PIANO 7.30pm £15/£10

Ocelot105 23/02/2015 15:17 Page 40

Food and Drink

For Starters

THE MASOCHISTS 8.20pm £4.50dr Sunday March 29 Oxford Wine Cafe HANNAH DAVEY TRIO 6.30pm Monday March 30 The Bullingdon BEN POOLE 11pm O2 Academy CHARLI XCX 7pm £14 O2 Academy 2 BARS AND MELODY 7pm £20

Tuesday March 31 The Cellar MARACUTAYA + THE HONOLULU COWBOYS + THE SUNCATS 8pm £5 The Bullingdon ALVIN ROY’S REEDS UNLIMITED 8.30PM WITNEY

Friday March 6 Fat Lil's ZZ TOPS 8.30pm £7adv £8dr Saturday March 7 Fat Lil's EYECON 9PM £4

Music

Arts & Culture

Thursday March 12

Fat Lil's HANNAH ALDRIDGE 7.30pm £10adv £12Dr Saturday March 14 Fat Lil's WAM SKA PARTY BAND 9pm £5 Saturday March 21 Fat Lil's HAIRFORCE 5 9pm £7

Friday March 27 Fat Lil's WHOLE LOTTA DC 8.30PM Saturday March 28 Fat Lil's DIRTY EARTH BAND 9pm Sunday March 29

Fat Lil's MONTHLY BLUES JAM 3PM FREE TALKS AND POETRY

DIDCOT

The List

Wednesday March 4 Cornerstone Arts THE SERIAL KILLER FORMULA 7.30pm Wednesday March 18 Cornerstone Arts ARTIST DOUG PATTERSON 7.30pm OXFORD

Sunday March 8 Old Fire Station REFLECTIONS AND REVOLUTIONS : A SCIENCE FILM NIGHT 5PM

Tuesday March 10 Old Fire Station HAMMER AND TONGUE POETRY NIGHT 7.30PM

Saturday March 14 Old Fire Station WHO DO YOU THINK YOU ARE? 7.30PM The Cellar AN EVENING WITH ARTHUR BROWN 7.30pm £15adv Friday March 20 Old Fire Station ALL ROADS LEAD TO ROME 7.30PM

Friday February 6 Oxford Playhouse DAVID EDGAR - IS THE PLAYWRIGHT DEAD? 5pm free THEATRE

DIDCOT

Saturday March 21 Cornerstone Arts CELL 7.30pm

Thursday March 26 Cornerstone Arts TEECHERS 7.30pm OXFORD

Sunday March 8 Pegasus Theatre GRASS 7.30pm

Monday March 10 to Saturday March 14 Oxford Playhouse MARY STUART - times vary Thurssday March 12 to Friday March 13 Old Fire Station THE AUTUMN OF HAN 7.30PM Pegasus Theatre THE HONEY MAN 7.30pm

Tuesday March 17 Old Fire Station THEATRE SCRATCH NIGHT 7.30PM BT Studio THE MAN WHO WOULD BE KING 7.30PM Tuesday March 17 to Saturday March 21 Oxford Playhouse ALL MY SONS- times vary Friday March 20 to Saturday March 21 BT Studio

A DOLLS HOUSE 7.30pm

Monday March 23 BT Studio THE TRIALS OF GALILEO 7.30pm Tuesday March 24 Oxford Playhouse OUTINGS 7.30pm

Thursday March 26 Old Fire Station THE CURIOSITORIUM 7.30PM

Wednesday March 25 to Saturday March 28 Pegasus Theatre WARZOINE + THE POWER WITHIN 7.30pm Friday March 27 to Saturday March 28 Old Fire Station THE DROWSY CHAPERONE 7.30PM Oxford Playhouse THE ODYSSEY 7.30pm Wednesday March 18 New Theatres SEX IN SUBURBIA 7.30pm

Monday March 30 to Saturday April 4 New Theatres RETURN TO THE FORBIDDEN PLANET 7.30pm

Ocelot105 23/02/2015 15:17 Page 41

The List

Music

Arts & Culture

Food and Drink

For Starters

Ocelot105 23/02/2015 15:17 Page 42

Salisbury Festival reveals line-up Ageas Salisbury International Arts Festival launches its full programme for 2015 this month. In his second year as Festival Director, Toby Smith continues a four-year journey tracing the passage of the sun from night to day. This year focus shifts to the glorious Eastern dawn, with the Middle East taking centre stage. As always, there’s a diverse array of music. Opening the Festival is Market Songs; a music theatre extravaganza celebrating the rich history of Salisbury with a procession of 400 singers moving through the centre on May 22. From the pub back-rooms of 1970s London to the music theatres of Nashville, Grammy Award winner Elvis Costello takes centre stage with his solo show Detour at City Hall on

Saturday May 30. In keeping with this year’s theme the Festival has invited a contingent of Middle Eastern artists. Headlining the world music offering are Israeli brothers Trio Joubran and there’s also Iranian singers Mahsa and Marjan Vahdat, enchanting folk group She’Koyokh and the magnificent vocal performer Mor Karbasi. Headlining this year’s comedy offering is Rich Hall. He is a master of absurdist irony and the king of rapid-fire wit. Other comedy acts include Henning Wehn and Shappi Khorsandi. On top of all this, the Festival also runs a full family programme, welcoming the return of popular theatre company Illyria with a new show The Sorcerer’s Apprentice, as

well as an interesting adaptation of the Arabian Nights in a nod to the Middle Eastern theme. Finally, don’t miss the Festival’s free offerings from City Encounters. Exciting street theatre, circus, dance and food stalls will spring up around the city on the Festival’s opening weekend. City Centre, Sunday 24 May, 10am Ticketed events go on sale to Festival Friends on Tuesday 3 March and to the general public on Tuesday 10 March. Buy yours online at salisburyfestival.co.uk

Big names are already being lined up for this year’s Devizes Festival with Brian Blessed (pictured), Terry Waite and Arthur Smith confirmed for the summer event. Every June the town comes alive with a line-up of professional performance that spans the arts, including music of every type, drama, poetry, comedy, film and talks – not to mention a free Fringe. Music events range from Amy Harman, the Principal Bassoon of the Philharmonia Orchestra, and

the Navarra Quartet, which since its formation in 2002 has built an international reputation as one of today’s most dynamic and poetic string quartets, to traditional Mexican music from Mariachi el Mexicano with a Mexican theme supper and Showstopper! The Improvised Musical. Events take place at many different venues around the town and you can visit www.devizesfestival.co.uk for full details. You can also become a festival friend. It costs just £12

per person to become a Friend and you will receive advance publicity of what’s coming up, priority booking of events and an invitation to an exclusive Friend’s party, which marks the start of the programme every year.

DEVIZES FESTIVAL LINE UP TAKES SHAPE

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CHARITY EVENTS Saturday March 28 Marlborough Rugby Club CHARITY RACE NIGHT 7pm COMEDY

CHIPPENHAM

First Sunday of every month Old Road Tavern COMEDY CLUB 8pm DEVIZES

SWINDON

Monday March 2 The Vic OCELOT COMEDY CLUB 8pm free

Swindon Arts Centre MICHAEL MCINTYRE- WORK IN PROGRESS (WARM UP) SOLD OUT 8pm

Monday March 9 Wyvern Theatre JOHN SHUTTLEWORTH 8pm Sunday March 15 Wyvern Theatre ALAN CARR 8pm

Wednesday March 25 Wyvern Theatre THE COMPLETE HISTORY OF COMEDY (ABRIDGED) 7.30pm

DANCE

SWINDON

Tuesday March 3 Wyvern Theatre RUSSIAN STATE BALLET & OPERA HOUSE RIGOLETTO 7.30pm

Saturday March 7 Wyvern Theatre GEMMA SHORT SCHOOL OF DANCE 7.30pm

Saturday March 14 Level 3 REBOOT club night Indie/Rock/Metal/Pop /Electronica with DJ Dust - doors 10.30pm entry £3 all night,ages 18+ rebootclub.com Saturday March 28

Level 3 DJ MOSCO PRESENTS AFRO BEAT SPECIAL tickets £4 , on the door £5 - 10pm to 3am, 18+ FAMILY EVENTS

SWINDON

Sunday March 22

Wyvern Theatre SING a LONG a FROZEN 4.30pm

Saturday March 28 Wyvern Theatre WIND IN THE WILLOWS check times FILM

SWINDON

Wednesday March 4 Swindon Arts Centre SWINDON FILM SOCIETY - CYCLING WITH MOLIERE 7:45 PM Monday March 9 The Vic SWINDON FILMAKERS EVENT 8pm free

Wednesday March 18 Swindon Arts Centre SWINDON FILM SOCIETY - OMAR 7:45 PM GIGS AND CONCERTS

DEVIZES

Sunday March 1

Bear Hotel, Market Place

Tuesday March 17

Bear Hotel, Market Place ST PATRICK’S NIGHT WITH MISSIN’ ROSIE – Doors 7.30pm – Irish Stew 8.00pm – Music 8.30pm – Tickest in advance £15 inc a Irish stew and glass of Corvus. Music only in advance or on door £8.00 Friday March 20

Bear Hotel, Market Place NASTY HABITS – Cellar Bar 9pm - £5 Thursday March 26

Bear Hotel, Market Place OPEN MIC NIGHT– Cellar Bar 8pm – free

Friday March 20 Bear Hotel, Market Place CORINTHIAN CASUALS– Cellar Bar 9pm £5 Saturday March 21 St Mary’s Church, New Park Street JON GOMM + JIMMY MOORE 7pm free £10adv £13dr MARLBOROUGH

Saturday March 7 Green Dragon CORSAIRS 8.30pm free

Saturday March 14 Green Dragon HUMDINGER 8.30pm free Saturday March 21

Green Dragon NO MIDDLE GROUND 8.30pm free Saturday March 28 Green Dragon THE TINSHACK BAND 8.30pm free SALISBURY

Friday March 6 Winchester Gate THE SILHOUETTES + THE I'S 8.30pm free

Saturday March 7 Salisbury City Hall T’PAU 7.30pm Winchester Gate LUMP + MODERN HONESTY 8.30pm free

The List

Monday March 23 Wyvern Theatre PASHA KOVALEV 7.30pm

Saturday March 7 Level 3 vendetta uk presents… drum & bass night UPRISE SWINDON | RUN UP TO SPRING | DRUM & BASS £5 ON THE DOOR ALL NIGHT 9pm-3am, ages 18+

Music

Friday March 27 Wyvern Theatre ALAN DAVIES 7.30pm

SWINDON

Friday March 13 Bear Hotel, Market Place THE VALLEY – Cellar Bar 9pm - £5

Arts & Culture

Thursday March 5 Swindon Arts Centre LUCY PORTER 8pm

DJ NIGHTS

Friday March 6 Bear Hotel, Market Place MIKE HODDINOTT ALLSTARS – Cellar Bar 9pm - £5

Food and Drink

Thursday March 5 The Bear, Market Place MOONRAKERS COMEDY CLUB - RICHARD MORTON & BE VAN DER 8.30pm £10

Thursday March 26 Wyvern Theatre SWINDON ACADEMY-GYM & DANCE DISPLAY 6.30pm

SUNDAY JAZZ LUNCH – BEAR GRILLS BISTRO & THOMAS LAWRENCE BAR – midday to 2pm

For Starters

MARLBOROUGH

Tuesday March 24 Wyvern Theatre THE GREAT BIG DANCE OFF (SECONDARY AGE) 6.30pm

Arts & Culture

Food and Drink

For Starters

Ocelot105 23/02/2015 15:18 Page 44

Sunday March 8 Salisbury City Hall GRAHAM DALBY AND THE LONDON SWING ORCHESTRA 3pm Friday March 13

Salisbury City Hall SHEELANAGIG 8pm Winchester Gate VOODOO RAYS + FINGLEBONE 8.30pm free Saturday March 14 Salisbury City Hall THE COUNTERFEIT STONES - GRASS ME UP TOUR 7.30pm Winchester Gate THE MISTAKES + SUPPORT 8.30pm free Wednesday March 18 Winchester Gate SALISBURY OPEN MIC 7.30pm free

Friday March 20 Salisbury City Hall JAIL BREAK 7pm Winchester Gate BLACKWATER VOID + STORMFLY 8.30pm free Saturday March 21 Winchester Gate MIDDAY COMMITTEE + SUPPORT 8.30pm free

Saturday March 21 to Sunday March 22 Salisbury City Hall SALISBURY AREA YOUNG MUSICIANS times vary Friday March 27

Winchester Gate STILLBUST + FOXPUNCH 8.30pm free

Saturday March 28 Salisbury City Hall SALISBURY SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA 7.30pm

Music

Sunday March 29

Salisbury City Hall CARA DILLON 7.30pm Salisbury Arts Centre ALTAR Club presents JERRAMIAH FERRARI (REGGAE/ROCK) + DIRTY SKANKIN LOVE HORNETS + FAUX + THE VILLANOVAS & DJ STEVE EZ 7.30pm £5adv £6dr SWINDON

The List

Wednesdays The Vic WACKY WEDNESDAY 8.30pm free

Riffs Bar, Greatfield BLUEGRASS JAM Free entry. starts at 7:30pm. Thursdays Riffs Bar, Greatfield

CROONER NIGHT WITH STEVEN COLEMAN bringing the Rat Pack to Riffs! 8pm

Fridays Riffs Bar, Greatfield THE ACOUSTIC SESSIONS with featured artists and Open Mic, starts at 19:30. Free

Thursday March 5 Wyvern Theatre ELKIE BROOKS 7.30 PM The Vic Songs of Praise presents STEELS TREES + NASTY LITTLE LONELY +I AM IN LOVE 8pm £3

Friday March 6 Wyvern Theatre THAT’LL BE THE DAY 7.30 PM Swindon Arts Centre LARRY MILLER 7.30pm The Vic THE TRIBE + DUBBED OVER 8pm £6 Level 3 DAN REED PLUS GUEST IN AID OF FAT BOYS CHARITY 9pm Rolleston RUNAWAY BOYS 9pm free

Rolleston CALICO JACK 9pm free

Saturday March 14 The Vic GUNS 2 ROSES 8pm£6adv £7dr Rolleston RHYTHM BOMBERS 9pm free Woodlands Edge TUNDRA 9pm free

Sunday March 15 The Vic ROCKABILLY RUMBLE 8pm free

Level 3 EssenOne events presents Metal/Rock Bands: CONTROL THE STORM + CURVATURE + METAPRISM + HIDDEN £5 adv, Doors 7.30pm, ages 14+ Thursday March 19 The Vic Songs of Praise presents EMILY BARKER & GILL SANDELL + CHARLIE BATH + PAUL MCLURE 8pm £7adv £9dr

Saturday March 7 Swindon Arts Centre SWINDON RECITAL SERIES 7.30pm The Vic STILL FLOYD 8pm £6adv £7dr Rolleston DODGING THE BULLET 9pm free Woodlands Edge FLY ON THE WALL 9pm free

Friday March 20 The Vic THE SHUDDERS + NICK FELIX + JARID CLARK 8pm free Level 3 THE GUNS N ROSES EXPERIENCE plus support from THE DAMNED & THE DIRTY DOORS 7.30pm, ages 14+ £8 advance, £10 on the door **followed by Reboot club night (ROCK/METAL SPECIAL) with DJ DUST until 3am Rolleston MIKE HODDINOT’S ALL STARS 9pm free

Tuesday March 10 Wyvern Theatre STEELEYE SPAN 7.30 PM

Level 3 Stand up to Cancer charity gig, Live bands: POST 12 + SAHARA HEIGHTS + MISFIRES + OVERLOAD 7pm-11pm, ages 14+ £5 advance, £7 on the door **followed by Reboot club night - Rock/metal/Pop/ Electronica) with DJ DUST until 3am

Sunday March 8 Wyvern Theatre ASTOR BIG BAND 7.30 PM The Vic MOOSE BLOOD + CREEPER + WITH GHOSTS 8pm £7adv £10dr

Thursday March 12 Wyvern Theatre PAUL CARRACK 7.30 PM The Vic HENRI HERBERT + SPECIAL GUESTS 8pm £6adv £7dr Friday March 13 Wyvern Theatre SHOWADDYWADDY 7.30 PM The Vic Songs of Praise presents A WAY WITH WORDS + CAVALIER + LEADER 8pm £3

Saturday March 21 The Vic THE BOWIE EXPERIENCE 8pm£7adv £8dr

Rolleston FLASH HARRY 9pm free Woodlands Edge HUMDINGER 9pm free

Saturday March 21 to Saturday March 28 Swindon Arts Centre SWINDON MUSIC FESTIVAL times vary Thursday March 26

The Vic TALK IN CODE + ECHOTAPE + THE FUSE 8pm £3

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Friday March 27 The Vic SHEPHERDS PIE 8pm free

Rolleston BARRELHOUSE 9pm free Woodlands Edge THE COVER UP 9pm free

Sunday March 29 Wyvern Theatre SECRET LOVE - THE MUSIC OF DORIS DAY 7.30 PM

The Vic STILLBUST + STRENGTH IN BLUNDERS 8pm £3

SINGLES NIGHT

DEVIZES

Wednesday March 11 to Saturday March 14 Swindon Arts Centre WESTERN PLAYERS PRESENT - SHADY BUSINESS 7.30pm Sunday March 15 Swindon Arts Centre JANE EYRE 7.30pm Thursday March 19

Swindon Arts Centre ABOVE BORED 7.30pm

Friday March 20 Wyvern Theatre MURDER MYSTERY The Dinner Show in the Wyvern Restaurant 7.30pm

Sunday March 22 Wyvern Theatre SING a LONG a DIRTY DANCING 7.30pm Friday March 27 The Phoenix Theatre, New College GUY'S & DOLLS JNR 7.30pm

Monday March 30 Bear Hotel, Market Place WILTSHIRE SINGLES AT THE BEAR – Cellar Bar- Doors 8pm - £5 or free to members.

Arts & Culture

Tuesday March 31 The Vic OPEN MIC NIGHT 8pm free

Thursday March 5 Wyvern Theatre FAULTY TOWERS The Dinner Show in the Wyvern Restaurant 7.30pm

Food and Drink

Saturday March 28 The Vic ROLLIN CLONES 8pm £8adv 10dr Brookhouse Farm ANDY MARGRETT 9pm free

Tuesday March 3 Swindon Arts Centre BLEAK HOUSE 7.30pm

For Starters

Rolleston KOK ROK 9pm free Level 3 THE GREEN GIG Fundraising for Swindon Green Party featuring live acts/bands/spoken word ASTRAL PONIES + COLOUR THE ATLAS + IAN DOESER + NEIL MERCER Doors 7.30pm £4 adv, £5 on the door ages 14+

THEATRE SWINDON

QUIZ NIGHT

SWINDON

Saturday March 28

Music

Wyvern Theatre WYVERN PUB QUIZ NIGHT in The Place 7.30pm TALKS AND POETRY

SWINDON

Wednesday March 11 Wyvern Theatre GORDON BUCHANAN - wildlife photographer talk 7.30pm

The List

Wednesday March 11 Wyvern Theatre DR PHIL HAMMOND 8pm

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Agony Girl

Everybody’s favourite advice columnist!

Seven-year-old Agony Girl is doing really well at school but she still has time to help with your problems. We read her the questions and these are her answers. Honest!

DEAR ANNABEL I hear you’re really good at annoying your brother. My brother needs a bit of annoying especially as everyone says he should be leader of our little gang and not me. Can you give me any tips on how to really annoy him? Ed Miliband, Westminster You could fart on his face. Always follow him and get angry with him all the time. Poking him in the arm lots is always good. He doesn’t like that. And always try to lick his friends. DEAR ANNABEL I’m really annoyed. Every year, without fail, I get another year older. I want to stay young forever though. How do I do this? Joan, Burnham

Well, you can’t stay younger. You could go to Australia, get a wish thing and hang it on a tree when you get back but you have to write your wish on the thingy. My baby sister says ‘Waa Waa!’.

DEAR ANNABEL My boyfriend says I never listen to him. Well, I think he said that but I wasn’t really paying attention. How can I get him to shut up so I can concentrate on texting my mates or watching my soaps or playing Candicrush? Michelle, Bishops Cannings Spend time with someone else like your friends and go out with them so you don’t have to be nearer him. Or you can have a secret room where he’s not allowed in so you can do that.

DEAR ANNABEL If you could get any kind of doggy what would you get? Grant, Witney A labrador. Because they’re soooo cute because they have them big eyes and their little mouths. I like labrador. I would let a labrador lick me as it would save me having a bath. I would play with it all the time. I would take it for walks. I would go on the trampoline with it and I would play fetch with it. I want a black labrador and I would call it Lilly as that’s a nice name and it would be my best friend and I would look after it forever. Can we get one please? Pretty please? Write into Agony Girl at stuff@theocelot.co.uk

Twisted Peel (twistedpeel.thecomicstrip.org)

Next month’s issue..

by Peter Roy

ril 1st

is out on Ap

Ocelot105 23/02/2015 15:18 Page 47

Ocelot105 23/02/2015 15:18 Page 48