Edinburgh Preview Double Bill

Laurence Clark and Norris & Parker kick off another month of previews at Norden Farm. Laurence brings a tale of adolescence, love and Jelly Babies as he discovers no man is an island – except the Isle of Mann. Then sketch duo Norris & Parker bring a new raft of sketches, characters and songs with a hilarious underlying story about tension between the pair.

Norden Farm Centre for the Arts, Altwood Road, Maidenhead, SL6 4PF, Friday, July 1, 8pm. Details: 01628 788997

Josienne Clarke and Ben Walker

Much of the music by this folk duo is characterised by chamber ensemble orchestrations, but they set themselves apart by the combination of Josienne’s emotionally affecting voice and Ben’s adroit guitar technique. They cite Sandy Denny, June Tabor, Nic Jones and Pierre Bensusan as respective influences.

Marston St Lawrence Church, Banbury, Oxfordshire, OX17 2DA, Saturday, July 2. Details: 01295 713652

The Mousetrap

This is the 60th anniversary production of Agatha Christie’s classic, famous around the world for being the longest-running show of any kind in the history of theatre, with more than 26,000 performances in London. This production will star Louise Jameson of Doctor Who, EastEnders and Doc Martin as Mrs Boyle. In her own inimitable style, Dame Agatha Christie has created an atmosphere of shuddering suspense and a brilliantly intricate plot where murder lurks around every corner.

Waterside Theatre, Exchange Street, Aylesbury, HP20 1UG, Monday, July 4 until Saturday, July 9. Details: 0844 871 7615

Summer Ceilidh

This traditional Gaelic social gathering involving folk music and dancing. Experienced ceilidh band Nedron’s Jig will be providing the music. Expert caller High Crabtree will be guiding dancers.

Norden Farm Centre for the Arts, Altwood Road, Maidenhead, SL6 4PF, Saturday, July 2, 7.30pm. Details: 01628 788997

Roald Dahl Festival Day

Bucks County Museum will host a day of hands-on craft activities, storytelling, live music, and inflatable fun for all the family to enjoy, whatever the weather, with talks by favourite children’s authors, a Carnival of Characters costume competition and awfully fabulous recipes with CBeebies’ TV chef Katy Ashworth.

Bucks County Museum, Church Street, Aylesbury, HP202QP, Saturday, July 2, 11am to 4.30pm. Details: 01296 331441

Aylesbury on Sea

Climb inside a 50ft giant whale for underwater stories of mermaids and pirates, marvel at the giant lobsters and slide on a giant creature of the deep. This day event will also have donkey rides, mini wheel, bouncy castle, brass quartet and magic shows, along with ace-painting, balloon modelling, arts, crafts and games.

Bucks County Museum, Church Street, Aylesbury, HP202QP, Sunday, July 3, 11am. Details: 01296 331441

Elias Quartet

Formerly part of BBC Radio 3’s New Generation Artists’ scheme, the Elias Quartet have established themselves as one of the most intense and vibrant quartets of their generation across the UK. As part of Jordan Music Club’s programme of concerts, in this recital we hear what Beethoven originally intended after an unusual opening with two of the nine four-part Fantasies for violas da gamba written by Purcell in the summer of 1680. 

Jubilee Hall, School Lane, Seer Green, HP9 2QJ, Sunday, July 3, 7.30pm. Details: 01923 282943, jordansmusicclub.org.uk

Breaking Storm with Nick Cook

Author of the Cloud Riders trilogy, Nick Cook will read from his book Breaking Storm and children over the age of seven can create a mini tornado in the room with a special tornado machine and make airships appear to float around in the air.

The Roald Dahl Museum and Story Centre, 81-83 High Street, Great Missenden, HP16 0AL, Sunday, July 3, noon and 2pm. Details: 01494 892 192

St Peter’s and The Papal Basilicas of Rome

Bringing completely new footage of St Peter’s, St John Lateran, St Mary Major, St Paul Outside The Walls and the works of art enshrined within them to the big screen. Antonio Paolucci, director of the Vatican Museums, Paolo Portoghesi, internationally renowned architect, Claudio Strinati, celebrated art historian, and Micol Forti, director of the Vatican Museums Collection Of Contemporary Art, guide us through the story of the basilicas, their evolution over the centuries and their most famous works of art.

The Elgiva Theatre, St Mary’s Way, Chesham, HP5 1HR, Monday, July 4, 7.30pm. Details: 01494 582900

The King is Dead

The UK’s leading constitutional historian, David Starkey, talks about the period he describes as “the most glorious soap opera, with the whole future of countries turning on what these huge personalities felt like when they got out of bed in the morning”. A stimulating thinkers who understands the way the most powerful have thought throughout our history.

The Elgiva Theatre, St Mary’s Way, Chesham, HP5 1HR, Wednesday, July 6, 7.30pm. Details: 01494 582900

Romeo and Juliet

The Kenneth Branagh Theatre Company Live cinema season continues with a new and modern vision of Shakespeare’s heart-breaking tale of forbidden love. Reuniting the stars of his celebrated film of Cinderella, Kenneth Branagh directs Richard Madden and Lily James as Romeo and Juliet and Sir Derek Jacobi as Mercutio.

The Elgiva Theatre, St Mary’s Way, Chesham, HP5 1HR, Thursday, July 7, 7.15pm. Details: 01494 582900