A party with many surprises

Happy Birthday Sunita

Theatre Royal Windsor

Until Saturday, June 3 01753 853888 theatreroyalwindsor.co.uk

IT’S Sunita’s 40th birthday. She’s unmarried, has no friends, lives with her mum and has an unfulfilling job at the Council.

When her mum Tejpal (Divya Seth Shah) decides to throw Sunita (Bhawna Bhawsar) a small family birthday party emotions are stirred and subjects brought to the surface that have lain dormant for many years.

Billed as a comedy, much of the play is rather poignant, dealing with issues of how a Sikh family can reconcile their culture with the Western society they live in.

Much of the humour comes from sister-in-law Harleen (Rameet Rauli) who is keen to show off her limited knowledge of Punjabi, much to the amusement of the diverse audience, many of whom obviously appreciated and had perhaps experienced many of the situations and references.

One of the main themes is how Sunita, as a daughter, was treated very differently to her brother Nav (Devesh Kishore), denied the chance to attend university and the expectation that she should be married with a family.

Throughout the play each family member is confronted with their own prejudices and the weight of expectations upon them.

Without giving too much away, a surprise visitor is the catalyst for the various elephants in the room to be confronted and the way opened up for a happy ending for all concerned.

JUDITH CREIGHTON

RaW Sound Today Chris Hillman bit.ly/raw sounds today

THREE more great new entries to the RaW Sounds Today playlist – we think you’ll love them.

They are all local bands with a rock feel, but different styles.

That’s the beauty of the playlist, it’s a chance to listen to something different.

It’s available for free on Spotify. Our playlist is a mixture that will help you discover something new.

To hear this week’s selection, simply head to https://bit.ly/rawsoundstoday and enjoy the music.

There is also a Facebook page and group chat that bands and music fans can tap into. You can search for RaW Sounds Today and it will come up.

The Two Ton Shoes –Weight of a Stone

DJ Roger D on Rock Radio

UK’s The Walrus and the Carpenter Show suggested we give this Reading based band a listen. We can see why he recommended them. This debut single is an excellent slice of blue- based riff laden rock from the three-piece power trio. Our regular photographer, Andrew Merritt, checked them out live at a recent Acoustic Couch and was also suitably impressed so watch out for more from them later in the year when they plan to release a full EP – https://linktr.ee/ thetwotonshoes

Purple Grace – When I’m Not With You

Another good new rock band from Reading and this time with a more indie feel. This is their single from late last year and it also appears on their Time Stands Still EP. It kicks off with a vocal hook that grabs you straight away and leads into a melodic indie pop anthem that we’ll look forward to singing along to live when they appear at Wokingham Festival in August – https://www.facebook.com/ purplegraceband

Echo Chambers –Lawnmowers of Suburbia

More rock now and it’s a blast of excellent anthemic melodic punk from another Reading band. Check out

Steam to seaside Minehead

The West Somerset Steam Express

Saturday 22nd July, 12th August and 16th September 2023

From Slough and Reading. Enjoy a day out departing from Slough or Reading to the Bristol Channel coast by train featuring two historic steam locomotives.

This seaside special will be hauled by a magnificent steam loco along the scenic Kennet & Avon Canal and through the pretty Vale of Pewsey. Our train will join the West Somerset Railway and a WSR steam loco will take over for the stretch past Dunster Castle and into the resort of Minehead, where you can enjoy the sea and sand.

Price

• Standard Class £115 per person – includes a reserved seat usually at a table for four.

• First Class £185 per person – includes morning tea or coffee with a bacon/breakfast roll and a muffin and an afternoon service of tea or coffee with a savoury of the day followed by a scone with butter and jam.

• Premier Dining £285 per person – includes a full English breakfast and a four course dinner freshly prepared on board and silver served at your seat.

£10 per person discount quote: DHU the video (link on the band’s Facebook page) for this single which is great fun especially if you like lawnmowers. As well as local shows they have recently performed at London’s legendary The Dublin Castle venue. They also recorded a live video session for Pyramid Recording Studios performing a great version of The Stooges classic, I Wanna Be Your Dog – https://linktr. ee/Echochambersrdg

Leoni Jane Kennedy –Tears

Leoni was so good last year on Wokingham Festival’s second stage that she has been invited back to play the main stage this year. Here’s one of her wonderful versions of a Rush classic – https:// www.leonijanekennedy.com/

Tom Webber – Lightning Strike of ‘22 recently supporting Scouting for Girls at their recent Abbey Ruins show.

And he has played Club Velocity/ New Mind shows.

Thi is Tom’s latest single and it’s another good one –https://lnk.to/tomwebber

The Salts – Haul Away for Rosie

Their unique take on sea shanties is in more demand than ever as the reputation of this incredibly talented group of musicians grows.

They are at Norden Farm, Maidenhead this Friday – https://www.thesalts. co.uk/

Caravan – In the Land of Grey and Pink officialcaravan.co.uk/

Title track of one of the best progressive rock albums.

Odyssey – Going Back to My Roots

They had huge disco hits and this Friday, Odyssey will be live in Reading at the Disco Abbey event – https://www. facebook.com/odysseyNY

Spriggan Mist – The Portal

A Spriggan classic which has been remixed and mastered by Aaron Cilia, with Fay Brotherhood providing new lead vocals – https:// www.sprigganmist.com/

Savour the Flavour –Fish and Chip Song

Tom played in Reading 01553

A day out to Cornwall

Caravan headline Wokingham Festival on August 28 – https://

The Royal Duchy

Sunday 30th July 2023

They have released their new album Crikey! It’s Savour the Flavour and they will live this Saturday at the Twyford Beer Festival so, why not pop along, have a beer, and check them out – http://www. flavoursong.co.uk/

From Slough and Reading. Step on board at Slough or Reading to enjoy a day out to Cornwall. We shall be joined by a magnificent steam locomotive at Bristol for an exhilarating run beside the Exe Estuary and along the famous Dawlish sea wall.

The Royal Duchy will stop at Plymouth, where you can explore the Hoe, ancient Barbican, seafront or National Marine Aquarium. Alternatively, stay on board for Cornwall to Par, where you can visit pretty seaside village Fowey or Charlestown, home to the Shipwreck, Rescue & Heritage Centre.

Price

• Standard Class £134 per person – includes a reserved seat usually at a table for four.

• First Class £209 per person – includes morning tea or coffee with a bacon/breakfast roll and a muffin and an afternoon service of tea or coffee with a savoury of the day followed by a scone with butter and jam.

• Premier Dining £309 per person – includes a full English breakfast and a four course dinner freshly prepared on board and silver served at your seat. £10 per person discount quote: DHV me surprised looks for anyone I encounter.