Ballet from Bulgaria Swan Lake and The Nutcracker to enchant Reading audiences

LATER this month, the Varna International Ballet and Orchestra makes its firstever visit to The Hexagon.

The prestigious Bulgarian company, which celebrated its 75th anniversary last year, is performing two hugely popular classical ballets: the romantic Swan Lake, set to Tchaikovsky’s ravishing score; and The Nutcracker, featuring an enchanted journey on Christmas Eve.

Varna’s artistic director Daniela Ivanova-Dimova, and soloists Claire Gillard and Vittorio Scolè, are looking forward to the show.

Daniela says the company are delighted to be visiting.

“We’re celebrating 75 years of Varna State Opera: our company was founded back in 1947. We are so happy that in this special year, we’re visiting the UK for the first time with these four wonderful productions. It’s a great honour.”

Claire was born in London, and has family here, while it will be Vittorio’s first visit.

“I’m curious to see new cities I’ve never been to; when I have any free time, I’ll definitely be a tourist,” he says.

Daniela says Varna is second town in Bulgaria, and is “a beautiful pearl on the Black Sea Coast … Many famous ballet stars from around the world have come to compete – like Mikhail Baryshnikov and Sylvie Guillem.

“Now, our troupe is really revered in Bulgaria, and many young international ballet artists are eager to come and work here.”

Claire says the shows are traditional ballets that people love.

“They have great music, great stories and beautiful dancing,” she says. “I’m performing [the lead roles of] Odette/Odile in Swan Lake, and Marie in The Nutcracker.

“I really love Swan Lake, because you get to be elegant and soft in the first act, and then you play the dark swan in the second act, which is a big change of personality.

“It’s really fun to do.”

Vittorio, on the other hand, plays the princes in both shows.

“I would say the Prince in Swan Lake is the most difficult, but you keep practising and every time you do something different with your movement or your face so it’s always getting better, better, better,” he explains.

There are around 40 dancers, plus 30 musicians performing.

“It makes such a difference having the orchestra with us. I feel it in my heart: the music and dancing are together, they are one,” Vittoria explains.

“You might be scared before you go on stage, but when the orchestra plays you get this feeling that’s impossible to explain: it’s like a dream.

“We are carried away, and I hope people watching are too.”

Daniela says that the staging has a role to play as well.

“We have all new sets, decoration and costumes from the past year or two. It’s a very important part of these prestigious new productions that we’re bringing to the UK,” she says.

Some may feel that ballet is elitist, or not accessible for younger audiences, but Daniela disagrees.

“There is nothing better than The Nutcracker – that’s the perfect show for families,” she says, something echoed by Claire, who feels “all of these ballets are really accessible. There’s nothing better than seeing children in the audience with smiles on their faces.

“When I was a little kid, my mum always took me to Swan Lake, and I’d say, ‘Oh, Mum, when I grow up I want to be a swan’. Now I am.

“I’m so thankful to be on stage, hopefully with other little kids looking up at me and having that dream.”

What can audiences expect from a Varna ballet?

Claire says: “They’re going to really like our company because we’re just full of energy, and we have a great connection on stage between all the dancers. I think they’ll feel our passion and our joy.”

Vittoria adds: “You don’t need to understand all the ballet technique or the history. We’re bringing stories with princes and princesses that little kids will love, as well as beautiful dancing, costumes, music: everything you need to have a magical time.” n For more details, or to book, log on to: whatsonreading.com, or call the box office on 0118 960 6060.

Varna International Ballet will perform The Nutcracker at The Hexagon on Friday, February 23 at 7.30pm. Swan Lake is on Saturday, February 25, at 2.30pm and 7.30pm. Ticket prices vary.

MARIANKA SWAIN

An afternoon of improv for all ages

COMEDY group The Noise Next Door (Edinburgh Fringe, The One Show and Britain’s got talent), present their afternoon show of improvisation and comedy.

The Mysterious Mansion Of Mystery is a show suitable for the whole family, aged six to 106.

The audience decides what goes into the hour of anarchic entertainment, with fun promised for everyone.

Described as ‘a little bit spooky, a little bit stupid and a whole lot of funny’, it’s on at Norden Farm Arts Centre, Maidenhead on Thursday, February 16.

Doors open at 2pm, with tickets costing £12, or £10 for under 16s.

n For tickets and information log on to: norden.farm, or call the box office on: 01628 788977

Family come together for string concertini

USING electric string instruments to create a unique sound, Stringfever’s concert is suitable for all ages.

The quartet, all from the same family, combine musical skill with comedy for a show that promises to have everyone’s feet tapping.

The event is part of the Concertini group that performs child-friendly, bitesized concerts of quality music.

It takes place at Norden Farm Arts Centre’s studio, on Saturday, February 18, at 11.30am and 2pm.

Tickets cost £12, or £10 under 16s Family and Friends tickets (4 people) cost £40, with free entry for babies under 18 months on laps.

n For tickets and information log on to: norden.farm, or call the box office on: 01628 788977

Heather, Heather, Heather

WESTERBERG High is ruled by a beautiful and cruel trio of girls, all called Heather.

Veronica Sawyer is invited to join them.

She hopes for popularity, but being in the top team can be murder.

The musical contains haze, loud noises, flashing lights and strobe.

There is also strong language, and mature themes, including murder, suicide

At The Theatre

Bracknell –South Hill Park www.southhillpark.org.uk

01344 484123

Conservatoire: Renata Konyiccka.

Fri 10. The Comedy Cellar. Fri

10. South Hill Park tours. Sun

12. Wilde Sundays: Across The Sea, Marshpoem, Veronica

Drosbowski. Sun 12. Gang

Show 50th Show. Tues 14-Sat

18. Bridges. Thurs 16-Sat 18.

Bracknell Jazz: Martin Shaw.

Fri 17. The Comedy Cellar. Fri

17. Hans Christian Anderson: The Ugly Duckling and Other Stories. Sun 19.

FILMS: A Bunch of Amateurs. Wed

8-Thurs 9. Guillermo Del Toro’s

Pinocchio. Fri 10-Sun 12. She

Said. Fri 10-Sun 12, Tues 14,

Thurs 16. Dementia Friendly

Screening: Guys and Dolls. Mon

13. A Love Song. Mon 13-Tues

14. Strange World. Wed 15-Sun and sexual violence. n For tickets and information log on to: www.theatreroyalwindsor.co.uk, or call the box office on: 01753 853888

19. The Barber of Seville live screening. Wed 15. I Wanna Dance With Somebody. Fri 17-Mon 20.

AUDIENCES can see a new interpretation of Verdi’s Aida, performed by The Ukrainian Opera & Ballet Theatre Kyiv.

It boasts a highly-praised chorus and full orchestra, with soloists Korean soprano Elena Dee, French soprano Olga Perrier and Ukrainian mezzosoprano Natalia Matveeva.

Aida sees the splendour of Egypt set against the grandeur of the Coliseum of Rome.

Audience discretion is advised, suitable for 14 years and above.

The event is at Windsor Theatre Royal, from Tuesday, February 14 through to Saturday, February 25, with the exception of Sunday.

Evening performances start at 7.30pm, with matinées on Thursdays and Saturdays at 2.30pm.

Tickets cost from £27 to £41 depending on seat location.

Shakespeare at sea

YOUNG people will perform The Tempest during half-term.

The show, suitable for families, is filled with romance, sprites, tomfoolery, magic and drama.

Wrongs are righted, love is sparked, freedom is granted, and even the monster learns some wisdom, in this

Camberley – Theatre www.camberleytheatre.biz

01276 707600

The Scummy Mummies. Thurs 9. A Tribute to The Carpenters. Fri

10. Ben Thompson as Elvis. Sun

12. The Jungle Book. Thurs 16. Psychic Sally. Fri 17. Bon Giovi. Sat 18.

Guildford –Yvonne Arnaud www.yvonne-arnaud.co.uk

01483 440000

Steel Magnolias. Until Sat 11.

Intro to Physical Theatre for 12-16-year-olds. Mon 13. Workshop for ages

5-7: Shipwrecked. Wed 15.

Workshop for ages 7-11: Theatre Explorers. Wed 15.

Workshop for ages 7-11:

Let’s Create Poetry. Thurs 16. Starchitects. Fri 17-Sat 18.

High Wycombe –Wycombe Swan www.wycombeswan.co.uk

01494 512000 shortened, but authentic, version of Shakespeare’s play. n For tickets and information visit: wokinghamtheatre.org.uk, or call the box office on: 0118 978 5363.

The story of war, jealousy and revenge follows the fates of beautiful Ethiopian slave girl, Aida, and Egyptian hero, Radames.

Audiences will hear Verdi’s arias, Celeste Aida, Ritorna Vincitor, and see the Triumphal March featuring a temple dance, cascades of glittering gold and fire performers.

Aida is sung in Italian with English subtitles.

The event is at Wokingham Theatre on Thursday, February 16, through to Saturday, February 18.

Shows are at 7.45pm with a Saturday matinée at 2pm.

Tickets cost £10 for adults and £6 for children.

Prue reveals all

NOTHING is off the menu in this frank, revealing, and funny event.

Restaurateur, novelist, businesswoman and Great British Bake Off judge Prue Leith tells all, and invites questions people have always wanted answers to.

Hear how Prue feeds the rich and famous, cooks for royalty and even poisons her clients.

The event takes place at Reading’s

The event is at The Hexagon Theatre, Reading, on Friday, February 17.

Doors open at 7.30pm, with tickets available for £36, £33, and £31, depending on seat location.

Concessions for students and over 60s are £34, £31, and £29. n For tickets and information visit: whatsonreading.com or call the box office: 0118 960 6060 n For tickets and information visit: whatsonreading.com, or call the box office on: 0118 960 6060

Hexagon Theatre, on Wednesday, February 15.

Doors open at 7.30pm.

Tickets cost £27 and £33, depending on seat location, with a recommended age of 12 and over.

A letter of love

WE’LL Always Have Paris sees three women of a certain age let loose in Paris. Each has her own reason to escape from work, caring responsibilities, or singleness.

In this feel-good play about the advantages of growing old, the ladies meet a young handyman actor who fixes more than just their leaky shower.

A play about friendship and loyalty that promises to leave audiences charmed, amused, thoughtful, and smiling, We’ll Always Have Paris is performed at The Mill At Sonning.

It runs until Saturday, March 11, with performances each week on Wednesday through to Saturday.

Performances start at 8.15pm, with matinées at 2.15pm on Saturdays and Sundays.

The restaurant opens two hours before showtime.

Tickets cost £76 and include a two course meal at the theatre restaurant before the show.

n For tickets and information log on to: www.millatsonnng.com or call the box office on: 0118 969 8000

Forever blowing bubbles

BUBBLE-OLOGIST Louis Pearl explores the dynamics of bubbles, with comedy, artistry and audience participation.

His tricks should keep everyone mesmerised.

Expect bubbles inside bubbles, square, fog-filled, giant and volcano bubbles, tornadoes, trampolines, and people inside bubbles.

The Amazing Bubble Man promises to conjure shrieks of laughter and gasps of amazement from all ages.

The event is at The Corn Exchange, Newbury on Tuesday, February 14.

Doors open at 11.30am and 2pm n For tickets and information log on to: www.cornexchangenew.com or call the box office on: 08455 218218

Tickets cost £16.75, or £13.75 for under 18s.

Clutter from the years ahead

MY FUTURE My Clutter, sees apologetic Eton and Oxford alumnus Ivo Graham discussing three years of pranking, parenting and procrastinating.

Fresh from Mock The Week, Live At The Apollo, Have I Got News For You, and British As Folk, Graham’s jokes may well include his Joke of the Fringe winner, ‘I’ve got an Eton College advent calendar, where all the doors are opened by my father’s contacts’.

Described as a hugely enjoyable hour of stand-up comedy, the event takes place at The Kenton Theatre, Windsor.

The event is on Thursday 16th February at 7.30pm, with all tickets costing £16.

n For tickets and information log on to: www.kentontheatre.co.uk, or call the box office on: 01491 525050

Hellfire Comedy Club. Thurs 9.

The Mirror Crack’d. Tues 7-11.

Rob Auton: The Crowd Show.

Fri 10. Zog. Tues 14-Thurs 16.

Menopause The Musical. Fri

17. Alan Carr: Regional Trinket.

Sat 18. Baby Broadway. Sun 19. Sing-a-long-a Encanto. Sun 19.

Henley – Kenton www.kentontheatre.co.uk

01491 525050

The Jungle Book. Wed 15. Ivo

Graham: My Future My Clutter. Thurs 16. The Elton John Show. Fri 17. Tweedy’s Musical Mayhem. Sat 18. Russell Brand warm-up. Sun 19.

Maidenhead –Norden Farm www.nordenfarm.org

01628 788997

Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde. Fri 9.

Both Sides Now: A Homage to the Songs of Joni Mitchell.

Fri 9. Moscow Drug Club.

Sat 10. Moonrakers. Sun 11. Just Radiohead. Sun 11.

Royal Opera House Live: The

Barber of Seville. Wed 15. The Noise Next Door: Mysterious Mansions of Mystery. Thurs

16. The Noise Next Door: hometown Heroes. Thurs

16. Nick Sharratt’s All-New Picture Book Draw Along. Fri 17. Zoe Lyons: Bald Ambition.

Fri 17. Nic Meier. Fri 17. Half Term Concertini with String Fever. Sat 18. The Vinyl Frontier: New Vinyl (2010 to present). Sat 18.

Newbury –

The Corn Exchange www.cornexchangenew.com

0845 5218 218

Teechers Leavers ‘22. Tues 7-Thurs

9. Theatre Quiz night. Fri 10. Babatunde Aleshe: Babahood.

Sat 11. Shark In The Park.

Sat 11-Sun 12. The Amazing Bubble Man. Tues 14. Queenz.

Sat 18. ROH Encore: The Barber of Seville. Sun 19.

Newbury – Watermill www.watermill.org.uk 01635 46044

Notes From A Small Island. Until Sat Mar 18.

Reading – South St www.whatsonreading.com 0118 960 6060

Lucy Porter: Wake-up Call.

Thurs 9. Rhys James: Spilt

Milk. Sat 11. The Bubble Show.

Wed 15. Limehouse Lizzy. Fri

17. Ray Bradshaw: Dead Com

1. Sat 18.

Reading – Hexagon www.whatsonreading.com 0118 960 6060

Rare Productions presents Bugsy

Malone. Fri 10-Sat 11. The Circus of Horrors presents Haunted Fairground. Tues

14. Prue Leith: Nothing in Moderation. Wed 15. Aida. Fri

17. Giovanni Pernice: Made In Italy. Sat 18.

Reading – Concert Hall www.whatsonreading.com 0118 960 6060

Arturo Castro Nogueras, guitar.

Thurs 16.

Reading –Progress Theatre www.progresstheatre.co.uk

0118 384 2195

NEXT SHOW: The Lonesome West. Mar 3-11.

Reading – Reading Rep Theatre www.readingrep.com

0118 370 2620

Hedda Gabler. Feb 22-Mar 11.

Shinfield –Shinfield Players www.shinfieldplayers.org.uk

0118 975 8880

NEXT SHOW: Last Tango In Whitby. Wed Mar 1-Sat Mar 4.

Sonning – The Mill www.millatsonning.com

0118 969 8000

We’ll Always Have Paris. Until Mar

11. West End Meets Broadway. Sun 12. The Neil Diamond and Barbra Streisand Show. Tues

14. Whitney: Queen of the Night. Sun 19.

Windsor –Theatre Royal www.theatreroyalwindsor.co.uk

01753 853888

Wodehouse in Wonderland. Thu 9-Sat 11. Heathers. Tues 14-Sat 25.

Wokingham – Theatre www.wokinghamtheatre.org.uk

0118 978 5363

The Tempest. Thurs 16-Sat 18.

Wokingham – The Whitty Theatre www.thewhittytheatre.org

0118 974 3247

Wokingham Film Society: Before Sunrise (15).

Thurs 9. Wokingham Music Club: Chris Difford live in concert. Fri 10. u3A Shjowtime: Here We Are Again. Thurs 16-Fri 17.

Woodley – Theatre www.woodleytheatre.org

07488337838

2023 programme to be announced.