Five Star Swing
As part of the Wycombe Arts Festival, the Marlow Jazz Club will be hosting the nationally acclaimed Five Star Swing Big Band. This 11 piece outfit has built up a following by playing and singing hits from the Swing Era and have clocked up many radio and TV appearances. Former arranger of the Herb Miller Band, Chris Smith Junior, leads the group as well as playing piano and trumpet and his wife Simone, alto sax and vocals, is just one of many star names in the line-up.
The Royal British Legion, Station Approach, Marlow, Friday, May 20, 8pm. Details: 01628 486 571
Shakers (Re-stirred)
This is the first production by the Amersham Playgoers Theatre Group in their 70th anniversary year. Set in a 1980s trendy cocktail bar, Shakers (Re-stirred) introduces four waitresses that have come to the job for different reasons. They offer the audience insight into their own lives as well as that of the bar’s staff and customers.
The Drake Hall, Amersham Community Centre, Chiltern Ave, Amersham, HP6 5AH, until Saturday, May 21, 8pm. Details: 01296 614431
Boodlum Band
Art-rockers return to the Waterside Second Space with their unique mix of offbeat songs and comedy, in a stage show that is artistically compelling and visually stunning, The Boodlums find humour in the best and worst of popular music.
Waterside Theatre, Exchange Street, Aylesbury, HP20 1UG, Friday, May 20, 7.30pm. Details: 0844 871 7615
Hay Fever
The play, written in 1924 is set at the home of the Bliss family. Hopes for a quiet weekend in the country with some guests are dashed as misunderstandings and tempers flare. Brought to you by Chesham Bois Catholic Players.
The Little Theatre by The Park, Church Street, Chesham, HP5 1HU, Friday, May 20 until Sunday, May 22. Details: 01494 793 927
Aylesbury Choral Society
Conducted by Jeff Stewart, the Aylesbury Concert Orchestra will be joined by Uxbridge Choral Society and internationally acclaimed soloists Mardi Byers, soprano, Cheri Rose Katz, mezzo-soprano, Max An, tenor, and George Stephens, bass. They will be performing Verdi’s Requiem; theatrical in style, the text of the Requiem is largely based on the Catholic Mass for the Dead. Verdi selected the specific texts he wanted, omitting for example the Gloria and Credo, and he rearranged the order of what remained to suit his purpose.
Thame Leisure Centre, Oxford Road, Thame, Oxfordshire, OX9 2BB, Saturday, May 21, 7.30pm. Details: 01296 640221
Kast Off Kinks
Former members of legendary band The Kinks are back together to re-live the good times.This line-up features Mick Avory, original drummer on all the classic hits from 1964-84; John Dalton, bass vocals during the 60s and 70s; Ian Gibbons, keyboards and vocals in the 80s and 90’s; and Dave Clarke, guitar and vocals, formerly of the Beach Boys, Noel Redding and Tim Rose.
The Kenton Theatre, New Street, Henley-on-Thames, Oxfordshire, RG9 2BP, Saturday, May 21, 7.30pm. Details: 01491 575698
Music making in the Bach Household
Waddesdon Manor offers the sonatas for viola da gamba and harpsichord, performed by one of the finest exponents of the instrument, Jonathan Manson, with Steven Devine at the harpsichord. In addition to the three sonatas for this combination, Steven Devine will play Bach’s ever-popular Italian Concerto.
Waddesdon Manor, Aylesbury, HP18 0JH, Saturday, May 21, 7.30pm. Details: 01296653351
My Ancestors In The Royal Navy
Paul Blake’s talk to members of Buckinghamshire Family History Society is the first in this First World War centenary period to focus on the Senior Service. Paul follows a single family having many generations, which served in the Royal Navy. Free help is available should you wish to find out more about your own family lineage, their Names Database has over 5 million names and libraries are available for consultation at most meetings.
Southcourt Community Centre, Prebendal Avenue, Aylesbury, HP21 8LF, Saturday, May 21, 2pm. Details: 01296 338317
Superstars Gone Wild
The legendary Superstars TV show from the 80s will be ramped up by the Wild Training fitness team to become a super fun, athletic and social event this weekend. Not only does the event promise lots of laughs but raises money to support the work of Hope For Children in the UK and across the globe. You can sign up as a team of five or as an individual and a team will be created for you, there will be activities suitable for all ages on the day so this is a charity challenge suitable for everyone.
Wycombe District Athletics Complex, Westhorpe Farm Lane (Off A4155 Marlow Road), Little Marlow, SL7 3RQ, Saturday, May 21, 10am to 1pm. Details: wildtraining.co.uk or http://www.wycombephoenix.org
Tell me on a Sunday
Andrew Lloyd Webber and Don Black’s classic musical follows the romantic misfortunes of an English girl in New York during the 1980’s. The production stars Jodie Prenger, known for her award winning role as Nancy in Cameron Mackintosh’s West End production of Oliver, which she ascertained through the BBC television series I’d Do Anything.
Wycombe Swan Theatre, St Mary Street, High Wycombe, HP11 2XE, Saturday, May 21, 7.30pm. Details: 01494 512 000
The Champ of Chesham
An evening of boxing to raise money for The Muscle Help Foundation and Cancer Research, with a local landlord bout between Jim from The George and Dragon and Will from The Misty Moon to finish the event.
The Elgiva Theatre, St Mary’s Way, Chesham, HP5 1HR, Saturday, May 21, 7pm. Details: 01494 582900
Love Your Local Market fortnight in Aylesbury
Aylesbury Market will play host to various events this week to entertain you while you shop. Today sees the launch of Aylesbury Market’s Foodie Friday, with street entertainment and music. Saturday will have live music from Ellesborough Silver Band in Market Square and on Wednesday a free caricaturist will be there to draw you.
Aylesbury Market, Market Square, Aylesbury, HP20 1TW, until Wednesday, May 25. Details: 01296 585880.Tickets: Freeentertainment.dfawcett@aylesburyvaledc.gov.uk
Glories of Early English Music
Presented by The Elysian Singers and conducted by Sam Loughton, the evening will host one of the UK’s leading chamber choirs, known for their adventurous programming and imaginative repertoire. They will be performing works by Purcell, Byrd, Tallis and others.
St Lawrence Church, The Rectory, Church Lane, West Wycombe, HP14 3AH, Sunday, May 22, 6.30pm. Details: 01494 529988
Serenade for Harp and Flute
The Wycombe Arts Festival presents Kirsty Heatherington on the flute and Sarah Goss on the harp. Sarah has given many recitals in the past at Hughenden Church and will undoubtedly provide an amazing night of beautiful sounds. The programme will include works by Hoffmeister, Bonner, Piazzolia, Andres and Reade.
Hughenden Parish Church, Hughenden, High Wycombe, HP14 4LA, Wednesday, May 25, 8pm. Details: 01628 483597
Woody Mann
After being on the scene for more than 40 years and teaching Paul Simon how to play guitar, American blues and roots guitarist Woody Mann is coming to Maidenhead. He blends blues, classical, roots and jazz acoustic guitar with an easy, laid back and warm style.
Norden Farm Centre for the Arts, Altwood Road, Maidenhead, SL6 4PF, Wednesday, May 25, 8pm. Details: 01628 788997
Noises Off
If you ever wondered what goes on backstage during a performance, this new comedy offers insight into happenings backstage as well as in the production, offering hilarious insight into the interactions between cast and crew that rivals the play itself.
The Elgiva Theatre, St Mary’s Way, Chesham, HP5 1HR, Wednesday, May 25 until Saturday, May 28, 8pm with Saturday matinee at 2pm. Details: 01494 582900
Heroes
Presented by the Pendley Theatre Company is a 90 minute French comedy following the goings-on of Gustave, Henri and Philippe, who are seeing out their time in a home for army veterans of WW1. They dream up a plan to travel but considering one is unable to walk and another is terrified of leaving the grounds causes some trouble.
The Court Theatre, Station Road, Tring, Hertfordshire HP23 5QY, Wednesday, May 25 until Saturday, May 28, 8pm. Details: info@courttheatre.co.uk
Marlow Community Choir
For their contribution to the 2016 Wycombe Arts Festival, the Marlow Community Choir, under the direction of its musical director Gillian Dibden MBE, will be performing a semi-staged version of Gilbert & Sullivan’s classic favourite Trial by Jury, with full orchestral accompaniment.
Performing Arts Theatre, Sir William Borlase’s Grammar School, West Street, Marlow, SL7 2BR, Wednesday, May 18, 7.30pm. Details: 07746 307208
Strange Land
The final year BA Honours Musical Theatre students at Amersham and Wycombe College with Bucks New University present their graduate performance, with a full professional crew, at the Chelsea Theatre in Kings Road, London. Set in a dystopian world at the beginning of the twentieth century, Strange Land is a darkly comic musical about the young forced to take a stand against the infectious violence and greed of the old order.
Chelsea Theatre, 7 World’s End Place, Chelsea, SW10 0DR, Thursday, May 26 until Saturday, May 28. Details: 020 7352 1967
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