THERE is quite a trend currently for films to be adapted for the stage but there have been few book-to-film-to-stage versions that are better or more entertaining than Patrick Barlow’s inventive and hilarious staging of the John Buchan classic thriller, The 39 Steps. This brilliant play opens the in-house production season at Salisbury Playhouse, running…
SHAKESPEARE’s dark drama The Merchant of Venice may have one of the most famous speeches in the whole canon, but it is a difficult play for modern audiences. We struggle with the arrogant anti-semitism of Antonio and most of us surely squirm at the twin horrors of Shylock’s merciless revenge and the humiliation he suffers…
DORCHESTER Arts has a packed programme for February ranging from tribute shows to half-term fun – to a one-woman entertainment celebrating opera and triathlon! Next up is a delightful twist on classic stories in Fairytales, Fables & Other Assorted Nonsense on Thursday 20th February. Take your musical pick with the Irish House Party, the joy…
BRIDPORT Arts Centre features the second of two outstanding folk duos in its Spring programme when Miranda Sykes and Jim Causley come to the Dorset coast on Saturday 22nd February. Well-known in the West Country and beyond as outstanding folk musicians, they have come together as a duo and will be touring a new album…
DEVON-born actress Caroline Corrie has made an impressive debut as a film director with Shalborne and there are two screenings at Honiton’s Beehive on Saturday 8th February, at 3.30pm and 7.30pm. The versatile actress, who trained at RADA, has not only written and directed this debut feature film, she also designed the costumes and sets…
CONCERTS in the West, the musical charity which promotes rising stars of the chamber music world, celebrates its 20th anniversary in 2025. The first concert series of the year, on 14th and 15th February, brings the period instrument quartet Ensemble Hesperi to Bridport Arts Centre, Ilminster Arts Centre and the Dancehouse at Crewkerne. Ensemble Hesperi,…
THE Neil Maya Quartet, popular throughout the region through regular gigs and tours with Dorset’s Artsreach, is touring with a celebration of the music and tragically short life of one of the greatest jazz musicians ever – Charlie Parker. The Charlie Parker Story continues at Nether Compton village hall on Friday 14th February and Sturminster…
BATH’s award-winning and talented Operatic and Dramatic Society has chosen the timeless Rodgers and Hammerstein musicalOklahoma! For the spring production at Bath Theatre Royal from Tuesday 4th to Saturday 8th February. Full of wonderful and memorable songs, the rousing score features the famous title number Oklahoma!, alongside Oh, What A Beautiful Mornin’, The Surrey With…
ONE of the finest British actresses of her generation, Maxine Peake comes to Bath Theatre Royal’s Ustinov Studio in a production of the powerful drama Doubt. Ben Daniels, an Olivier Award-winning actor and well-known from many television roles, co-stars in the production, which runs from 7th February to 8th March. Doubt, A Parable, by John…
IF you are a fan of Ian McKellen – and surely most of us are, who admire great acting and infinite versatility – you will probably enjoy The Critic, Moviola’s most screened film for February in our region. It’s a good, old-fashioned melodrama, a period thriller with some colourful characters, a slightly creaking and at…