Here is this week's list of the best events happening in the area:

Theatre

The Hollow Crown
In a unique look back at the last 900 years of the English Monarchy, The Hollow Crown, re-lives the lives, loves and losses of the crowned heads of Great Britain through speeches, documents, gossip, music and song. This highly original play is supported by the Cookham-based musical group Stromenti, who play throughout on period instruments. Originally performed by the Royal Shakespeare Company, the play is devised by John Barton and performed by the People’s Shakespeare Company. For all details and ticket sales, visit Cookhamfestival.org.uk. Tickets £20, email sue.yerburgh@yahoo.com for information.
Until 13 May, 7:30pm, Pinder Hall, Lower Road, Maidenhead.

Zoo and Whistleblower - two one act plays
What do you do when the unexpected happens - Find the perfect solution or just muddle through? Stoke Poges Players are bringing this question to life in May. Richard, the Manager of Southmoor Zoo and Wildlife Park, is the main character in “Zoo” written by Terry Adlam. In this comedy Richard has to cope with his belligerent secretary and escaping inmates, visitors that end up in the wrong place while trying to keep it together before the visiting owner arrives. Does he manage it? The second Paul Tomlin, a journalist, appears in “Whistleblower” a drama written by Michael Pearcy. Paul is contacted by a former colleague who gives him a package. What does Angela his wife think about the late night visitor? Why does a Home Office Internal Investigations Officer continually ask questions? Tension builds before Paul confesses all to his wife. The writers Terry Adlam and Michael Pearcy are both members of Slough Writers who are celebrating their 50th year. Call 01753677032 or email stokepogesplayers@hotmail.co.uk for tickets, which are £8 for adults, £6 concession.
Until 13 May, 7:30pm, The Village Centre, Rogers Lane, Stoke Poges.

Merrie England
Semi-staged comic operetta set in the court of Queen Elizabeth I. Call 01923 284665 or email hilary_anne_10@hotmail.com for information. Tickets £10 to include refreshments.
13 May, 7pm, St. Michael's Church, Manor Road, Chenies.

Al Murray The Pub Landlord: Let's Go Backwards Together
The nation's critically acclaimed bar-based-braveheart, Al Murray - The Pub Landlord embarks on a common sense campaign to re-Great Britain. We live in troubling times. Europe. The NHS. Whatever the hell is going on in the Middle East. The gathering storm of fortnightly bin collections? Who knows where it will all end? Tickets £31, email boxoffice@wycombeswan.co.uk for tickets.
16 May, 7:30pm, Wycombe Swan, St Mary Street, High Wycombe.

Fourways Presents: The Merchant of Venice
Set in 1944, this fast paced production is direct and un-fussy in style. The musical backdrop includes Basie, Glen Miller and Benny Goodman as the G.I.s sweep into Venice and Shylock emerges from the rubble of war and the last Venetian Jews are taken from the ghetto. They present the play faithfully; the setting and time within the Holocaust giving added poignancy to the inherent anti-Semitism within the play. It is, after all, a 'comedie'; with a well-structured 'happy ending' to the love stories that are intertwined with the story of Shylock's demise. There are laughs along the way. The serious themes speak for themselves in this unique production. All audience seating is covered for this open-air production. Book online at www.fourways.org.uk or call 01494 522722.Tickets: adults £24, concessions £12, family tickets £40.
18 May until 27 May, 7:30pm, Pipers Corner School, Pipers Lane, High Wycombe.

Solid Gold 70s
Like 70s music? You’ll love this. Reviving the golden age of pop, it’s the latest live concert show from the creators of the Magic of Motown. Glamrock greats, disco hits, power ballads and party anthems from Sweet, T Rex, Queen, Elton John, 10CC, David Essex, Suzi Quatro, David Cassidy, ELO, The Carpenters, Osmonds, Bay City Rollers and more, its super-cool band have performed with Mike Oldfield, Asia and Ultravox. Tickets £26, available online at www.wycombeswan.co.uk.
18 May, 7:30pm, Wycombe Swan, St Mary Street, High Wycombe.

Music

Ian McCulloch
Formed in Liverpool in 1978, Echo & the Bunnymen grew to become one of the UK’s most popular indie rock bands responsible for hit albums and singles such as The Cutter, Seven Seas, Bring On The Dancing Horses, Nothing Lasts Forever and The Killing Moon. Iconic front man Ian McCulloch will be giving two special solo performances. The shows will feature stripped down versions of classic Bunnymen tracks as well as songs from his own solo catalogue and personal favourites alongside Mac’s stories & banter. This is a rare chance to experience the sounds of a true icon of British indie music up close and personal. Tickets: £23.50, call 01491 575698.
12 May, 7:45pm, Kenton Theatre, New Street, Henley.

Food of Love
Food of Love bring a range of songs including those by The Beatles, Amy Winehouse, Marc Cohn, Queen, Journey and many more. All welcome. Call 01494 448800 or email theriversideclub@btconnect.com for information.
13 May, 8pm, The Riverside Club, Legion Hall, St Mary Street, High Wycombe.

Marlow Community Choir present Haydn's Harmony Mass
Marlow Community Choir at Borlase are proud to invite you to their spring concert. As well as Haydn's Harmony Mass, there will be a varied, entertaining and eclectic collection of other choral pieces. They are a lively and growing choir now in their 10th season. Call 07746307281 for information. Tickets: £12 (£10 concessions).
17 May, 7:30pm, Sir William Borlase Grammar School, West Street, Marlow.

John Longo
An evening of musical entertainment with solo singer and entertainer John Longo. Call 01494 440349 or email cressex.club@yahoo.co.uk for information. Tickets: £1 members, £3 non-members.
13 May, 8:30pm, Cressex Community Centre & Social Club, 203 Cressex Road, High Wycombe.

Robert Knight
Robert Knight is coming back to the club – all are welcome to come along. Call 01494 448800 or email theriversideclub@btconnect.com for information.
14 May, 4pm, The Riverside Club, Legion Hall, St Mary Street, High Wycombe.

Hurley House Music Night
Bob Drury’s tribute to the legendary Neil Diamond. Bob has performed the songs of Neil since 2006 in venues throughout World. Expect a barrage of classic Neil Diamond songs delivered with Bob’s acclaimed ‘voice of Neil’. Not to be missed. Performing in a marquee on the hotel lawn, £49 per person, including a barbecue meal from the terrace grill. Booking is essential, pre-payment required which is non-refundable. Call 01628568500 or email hello@hurleyhouse.co.uk.
18 May, 7pm, Hurley House Hotel, Henley Road, Marlow.

Taplow Youth Choir
This brilliant choir of young people will perform a varied programme of choral and solo items, including motets and spirituals for mixed voices. Tickets £10 in support of Christian Aid. Bookings from www.ticketsource.co.uk/musicinmarlow or call 01628 486227.
14 May, 7:30pm, Christ Church URC, Oxford Road, Marlow.

Sales and fairs

Jumble Sale
Local Charity holding a very popular Jumble Sale in Beaconsfield. Come along and pick up a bargain. All proceeds go towards providing educational and social activities to adults with learning difficulties. Refreshments available. All donations of jumble welcome. Call 07949485919 or email wend_boo@hotmail.co.uk. 50p entry.
13 May until 14 May, 10:30am, Seeleys House Daycentre, Campbell Drive, Knotty Green, Beaconsfield.

Antique Fair
More than 35 dealers offering a superb range of quality antiques. The Colston Hall and the Garden Room will be full of treasures and the café will be offering a delicious selection of hot food and snacks. Call 01753 883759 or email office@gxca.org.uk for information. £1 entry.
14 May, 10am, Gerrards Cross Community Centre, 8 East Common, Gerrards Cross.

Bisham Abbey Wedding Fair
All the needs of your special day under one roof enhanced by a beautiful venue with informative staff and experienced local wedding suppliers at your disposal. Venue show rounds available on request. Call 07708249440 or email joanne@bershireweddingfairs.co.uk for information. Free entry.
14 May, 11am, Bisham Abbey, Marlow Road, Bisham.

BoShow Wedding Festival
BoShow Festival promises lots of wedding fun for free-spirited brides and grooms. Serving couples with all the inspiration they will need to organise their big day, the event will see over 50 brands showcasing their goods and services under tent and tipi, with street food, drinks, live music and more in the mix to make the shopping experience a whole lot sweeter. Tickets: £10, visit www.boshowfestival.co.uk.
14 May, 12pm, Culden Faw, Culden Faw Ltd, Benhams Lane, Fawley, Henley.

Talks and exhibitions

A botanical introduction to flowers, fruits and seeds
This taster course offers complete beginners a relaxed introduction to the botany of flowers, fruits and seeds. We will start with flower structure, and pull a flower to pieces to study its component parts. You will learn about the process of pollination, and see how choice of flower shape and colour influences the types of pollinators we attract to our gardens. Next we move on to the anatomy of a range of seeds and fruits, and in this hands-on practical there will be plenty of examples to cut up and look at in detail. By the end of this course you will understand how pollen works, and finally learn the truth about strawberries. A break mid-morning will take place with warm drinks and homemade cake included in the ticket price. Please book in advance. Tickets £25, email karenjvano@outlook.com.
13 May, 10am, Holy Trinity Church Hall, 134 Wycombe Road, Prestwood.

Friends of the Wye exhibition and open meeting
Friends of the Wye will be holding an informative event to promote its activities in improving and protecting the River Wye. They will also be celebrating 10 years of the Revive The Wye partnership. Join to learn more and for tea and cake. For more details visit www.revivethewye.org.uk. Free event.
13 May, 10am, Trinity United Reformed Church, Opposite Pann Mill, High Wycombe.

Bucks Genealogical Society
A talk by Julian Hunt who always has fascinating insights. The Hubbards of Addington – what happens when a Russia merchant and Director of the Bank of England bought up the Tiny Village of Addington. He threw himself into funding schools and high Church religion - just how did the locals cope? Refreshments available after talk for small charge. Call 01844 291631 for information.
13 May, 2:45pm, Southcourt community Centre, Prebendal Avenue, Aylesbury.

History of Local Railways
John Gurney from the Flackwell Local Area History Group will deliver his popular illustrated talk on the history of the local railways. His presentation will include many pictures of the old Maidenhead to Wycombe branch line, the Marlow branch line and their steam locomotives. It will also cover the introduction of the main line railway to the area, an illustrated overview of the construction of the main line through Wycombe and other personal stories. Time permitting, there will also be an optional short feature on the Whitehouse Tunnel Disaster. A Wycombe Arts Festival event – all welcome. Call 01628525207 for information. Tickets £3, pay on the door.
17 May, 2pm, High Wycombe Library, Eden Place, High Wycombe.

High Wycombe Cage Bird Society
Film of the World Bird Show in Portugal 2016. Presented by Mr Chris Smith of the NCA. Call 07811321328 or email birdmanhw@gmail.com for information.
17 May, 7:45pm, Hazlemere Community Centre, Rose Avenue, Hazlemere.

Russian Art and the State (1917-1932)
It is 100 years since the 1917 October revolution and this illustrated talk, presented by High Wycombe Russian Cultural Club, will explore a 'revolution' in Russian Art, 1917 to 1932 - one of the most significant periods in modern world history. Tickets £2, refreshments for a nominal cost. Email info@gorussianclub.co.uk for more information.
18 May, 2pm, The Oak Room, Downley Community Centre, School Close, Downley.

Children’s events

Swashboggling Places – In a Box!
Find out more about special places in Roald Dahl’s world including the Writing Hut, the inside of a cockpit and a gypsy caravan. Then make your own special place inside a shoe box. Cost: £3 per participant. Age: recommended for 4+ years. Call 01494 892192 to book.
13 May, 12pm, 1:30pm and 3pm, The Roald Dahl Museum, 81-83 High Street, Great Missenden.

Big Fish Little Fish
Award winning, bonkers family fun with Big Fish Little Fish family rave as they return to High Wycombe after their first sold out show for a 'Once Upon A Time' fairytale themed party. World famous, genre-hopping DJs Heavenly Jukebox are on the decks playing classic club tracks with bubbles, glowsticks, glitter, crafts, play, club visuals, giant balloons, legendary parachute dance, licensed bar and much more. Fancy dress encouraged. All ages welcome but aimed at families with 0-8 year olds. Tickets are £11 for adults, £8 children. available online at www.wycombeswan.co.uk.
13 May, 2pm, Wycombe Swan Theatre, St Mary Street, High Wycombe.

Chiddlers’ hour: Charlie and the Chocolate Factory
Thirty minutes of songs, storytelling and adventure and 30 minutes of free play and crafts based on Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. Cost: £3 per child. Price does not include Museum entry which you do not need to buy to enjoy this workshop. Call 01494 892192 to book. If there are any unsold workshop tickets they will be sold on the day on a first come, first served basis at the ticket desk.
16 May, 10am, The Roald Dahl Museum, 81-83 High Street, Great Missenden.

Top five things to do

Marlow May Fayre
Organised by Marlow & District Round Table to raise money for local charities and causes, this fun family event will once again feature a wide range of stalls, rides, games, live music and real ale tent, all set in beautiful surroundings on the banks of the River Thames. Entrance is free and the fun starts at 10am and continues to 5pm. Once again hundreds of rubber ducks will be launched into the river at 3.30pm for the traditional 'Family Duck Race' with some fantastic prizes for the sponsors of the winning ducks. Free event.
13 May, 10am, Higginson Park, Pound Lane, Marlow.

The Chiltern Camerata performs in West Wycombe
The Chiltern Camerata follows up its acclaimed recent performance in the final concert of its current season - part of the Wycombe Arts Festival. They will perform orchestral music by Schubert Symphony No. 5, Nielsen clarinet concerto, Haydn Symphony No. 85 La Reine and Arvo Pärt Cantus in Memory of Benjamin Britten. Tickets (unreserved) are £12, concessions £10.  Under 18s: free. Tickets available by calling the dedicated Wycombe Arts Festival number 01628 483597, or from information centres in High Wycombe, Marlow and Princes Risborough. They are also available on the door on the evening.
13 May, 7:30pm, The Church of St Lawrence, West Wycombe Hill, West Wycombe.

The Beaconsfield Art & Craft Fair
The Beaconsfield Art and Craft Fair will be showcasing a diverse range of fine art and crafts by local and national artists. All exhibits are for sale. Demonstrations and workshops will be running on Saturday. A complementary glass of wine will be served on Friday evening and homemade refreshments will be served all day Saturday. Admission is free and there will be plenty of free parking. The Fair will run from 7pm to 9:30pm on Friday and from 10am to 4pm on Saturday. Free entry.
12 May until 13 May, 7pm, The Beaconsfield School, Wattleton Road, Beaconsfield.

Footloose
Footloose is back and better than ever before. Everybody cut loose as the explosive 1980s rock ‘n’ roll sensation bursts on to the stage in a remastered show for 2017. Gareth Gates and Maureen Nolan lead this fantastic show that sizzles with spirit, fun and the best in UK musical talent. Tickets range from £26 to £49.50, available online at www.wycombeswan.co.uk or by calling 01494 512 000.
13 May, 7:30pm and 2:30pm showings, Wycombe Swan, St Mary Street, High Wycombe.

Aylesbury Race for Life 5k
Cancer Research UK's Race for Life. A series of women-only events raising money for research so that we will beat all 200 types of cancer sooner. Run, jog, walk or even dance. Sign up at po.st/RFLcen. Adult entry (Women aged 16+) is £14.99, child entry (girls aged 6-15 and boys aged 12 or under) £10. Under 6 entry (girls and boys): free and no registration needed.
14 May, 10:30am, Waddesdon Manor, Waddesdon Manor, Aylesbury.