What’s on this week’s hitlist?

Rambert’s Peaky Blinders

Rambert’s Peaky Blinders: The Redemption of Thomas Shelby is running live at New Theatre Oxford until Saturday. The spectacular dramatisation and breathtaking dance is heightened by a live on-stage band performing specially commissioned music by Roman GianArthur and iconic Peaky tracks from Nick Cave and The Bad Seeds, Radiohead, Anna Calvi, The Last Shadow Puppets, Frank Carter & The Rattlesnakes and Black Rebel Motorcycle Club. Rambert’s thrilling stage adaptation captures the Peaky story, opening in the trenches of Flanders, a personal story unfolds in post-war industrial Birmingham as the Shelby family navigate the decisions that determine their fate and Tommy is intoxicated by mysterious newcomer, Grace. While Tommy is building his empire, Grace is operating as an undercover agent for Special Branch on a mission to get close to the heart of Tommy’s gang. As the story unfolds, hearts are broken, and revenge is sought.Tickets available from £13 subject to a transaction fee of £3.95 https://www.atgtickets.com/shows/peaky-blinders-the-redemption-of-thomas-shelby/new-theatre-oxford/calendar/

Winston Churchill and Neville Chamberlain star in new play

The Lion and The Unicorn – has Winston Churchill and Neville Chamberlain in a new play at Arlington Arts, Snelsmore, on Saturday, presented as a radio play live on-stage. The setting is a radio studio, the actors ready as if for a broadcast, and the sound effects are created live on stage, all combining to transport the audience to wartime London.. October 13, 1939 - 6 weeks of war, two leaders, one moment in history. From the pen of Robin Hawdon (God and Stephen Hawking, A Night In Provence), this compelling new play is epic and intimate, dramatic and moving, and enthralling. It has a striking relevance to the modern day and as it asks the question, how far should one go to pacify a threatening dictator? Starring BRIAN CAPRON (Coronation Street, Where The Heart Is) as Neville Chamberlain TIM HUDSON (Churchill in the film 'De Gaulle', Father Brown) as Winston Churchill, CORRINNE WICKS (Doctors, Emmerdale) as Clementine Churchill and FRAZER HINES (Emmerdale Farm, Doctor Who) as Inches, the Churchills' butler

On the evening of October 13, 1939, six weeks after war has been declared on Hitler's Germany, Winston Churchill and Neville Chamberlain, opponents for years, meet together with their wives, Clementine and Anne, for a private dinner. Prime Minister Chamberlain has seen all his efforts to negotiate peace with Hitler shattered. Churchill has been recalled to the cabinet after 10 years, his dire warnings of the Nazi threat vindicated. History tells us this was the only time the four ever met alone together socially. There is no official record as to what transpired during that unique evening…”

www.crimeandcomedytheatrecompany.co.uk

Barbershop

On Saturday, the rafters of St Mary’s Church Aldworth will ring with the many voices of the Thames Valley Chorus and the melodious tones of the organ played by renowned local organist Andy Grace. TVC barbershop’s repertoire consists of well-loved tunes in four-part harmony. They sing songs from the shows, gospel, covers of singers like Billy Joel and Queen, and some standard classics that never date They will be supported by Andy Grace whose playing is well-known in our local churches. It promises to be a relaxed and fun evening and all profits go to support the upkeep of this wonderful church, dating back to the 13th century and famous for its family of Giants - 14th century stone effigies of the Knights and Ladies of the local Norman De la Beche family, its 1,000-year-old yew tree and grave of ‘For the Fallen’ poet Laurence Binyon - whose words are read every Remembrance Day.A bar will be available and light refreshments served in the interval. The concert starts at 6m and tickets are £15, available from https://bit.ly/3WUfXKN, email
aldworthconcert@hotmail.com or telephone 01635 578624.

The Comedy Network

Kick off your weekend with an evening of laughter at the Corn Exchange tomorrow night (Friday, 8pm). The Comedy Network, including Steve Bugeja, is returning to Newbury following his solo-tour in June. Also coming back is Bella Hull. Joining them is Chortle Student Finalist and BBC New Comedy Awards Finalist, Jin Hao Li. Finally, completing October's line-up is Tony Basnett, a cheeky and playful performer who made the finals of Comedy Central Student of the Year. Avalon's comedy club nights are unrivalled as they have a talent for finding fresh faces on the comedy scene. With names like Alex Horne, Phil Wang and Jenny Eclair on their books, you never know what soon-to-be household name you might see on The Comedy Network stage. So go along, grab a drink and relax with an evening of top-notch comedy. Age Guide: 18+ Find out more at https://cornexchangenew.com/

Alt-country at ACE

ACE Space in St Nicholas’ Road, goes ‘alt country’ on Saturday with the five-piece band from Herefordshire, The Rosellys. R2 Magazine neatly summed up their music as “Capturing the essence of country, with folk ingredients baked into a transatlantic roots fusion”. The Rosellys are very much a family band led by life partners Rebecca Rosellys (guitar, vocals, banjo) and Simon Rosellys (guitar, fiddle, vocals), along with Simon’s dad Allan Kelly (pedal steel/accordion) and father/son Matt Kirby (bass) and George Kirby (drums). They signed to Clubhouse Records in 2015. Opening the evening will be an ACE Space favourite, local guitar whizz Richard Cox-Smith. www.WeGotTickets.com or by contacting at events@acespace.org.uk or 078911 76940