First Word Warwickshire July (1).qxp_Layout 1 21/06/2021 13:36 Page 1
News from around the region
Coventry Belgrade Theatre announces autumn season A touring production of Dirty Dancing and Mischief Theatre’s The Play That Goes Wrong are among the shows being presented at Coventry’s Belgrade Theatre later this year. The venue’s autumn-season line-up also features a series of live music acts - including The Best Of Take That and The Illegal Eagles and performances by The Russian State Ballet. The Belgrade’s annual Christmas treat for children aged between two and six is Santa’s Magical Mystery Guest, presented by Imagine Theatre. The main festive-season offering, meanwhile, sees Broadchurch and Game Of Thrones actor David Bradley starring in a production of Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol... For more information and to book tickets, visit belgrade.co.uk
Art Night event comes to Warwickshire venue
BBC Gardeners’ World Live goes outdoors
Summer of Culture line-up of events announced
A London art event is this year ‘going national’ for the first time - with Warwickshire visitor attraction Compton Verney being one of the venues taking part. Art Night, which transforms iconic and unexpected public spaces, will see Compton Verney playing host to The Male Graze, the biggest-ever UK commission by the Guerrilla Girls - an anonymous group of feminist, female artists devoted to fighting sexism and racism within the art world. The Male Graze project, exploring bad behaviour, both historically and in the present day, comprises a website, an online gig and a series of billboards - one of which is on show in the grounds at Compton Verney. The commission is available to view until 18 July. The venue’s involvement with Art Night also includes a new sound work by Isabel Lewis. To find out more, visit comptonverney.org.uk
Next month’s BBC Gardeners' World Live at Birmingham’s NEC (Thursday 26 - Sunday 29 August) will take place outside. The special edition of the popular event will feature show gardens, plants to buy, gardening advice, the BBC Good Food Market and live entertainment. Special guests include Monty Don and Adam Frost. To find out more, visit thenec.co.uk
Great Alne Park, which is owned by laterliving operator Inspired Villages, is celebrating friends and family reuniting after a year of restrictions by hosting a summer of cultural events. The village, which is nestled in 78 acres of parkland just outside Alcester, will host theatre performances, concerts, gardening demonstrations and literary events, some of which will be presented in association with Stratford Literary Festival. To find out more and to book tickets, visit: stratfordliteraryfestival.co.uk/summer-atgreat-alne-park
The Enchanted Treasure Trail comes to Stratford Coventry orchestra on the lookout for new recruits Coventry musician Seb Farrall is starting a brand-new orchestra as part of Coventry Central Hall’s City of Culture Artists in Residence programme (AiR). Membership of the orchestra is open to all. Rehearsals begin in September, working towards a large-scale celebration concert at Central Hall in April next year. For more information about the project, visit coventryorchestra.co.uk/seb
04 whatsonlive.co.uk
Popular Stratford-upon-Avon visitor attraction The Enchanted Manor has transformed itself into The Enchanted Treasure Trail for the summer months. The interactive quest, which runs until the beginning of September, invites visitors to explore a magical world of dragons, fairies, wizards, time travel and pirates. The attraction is suitable for children over five years of age. Tickets can be booked in advance at magicalleystratford.com. Pre-booking is vital for weekends and school holidays.
