Bath Voice News: what’s on this month

April 3, 2025

Pick of Diary Events in Bath

Sun 30 Mar. Mothering Sunday. Not to be confused with Mother’s Day on Sunday May 11 which means mums get two days dedicated to them. Mothering Sunday dates to the early Medieval era and was a Christian festival of the mother church that evolved to celebrate mothers and is the fourth Sunday of Lent when fasting could be broken with simnel cakes and other goodies. The one in May is derived from the USA Civil War which was a peace movement celebrating mothers. It has become as big as Mothering Sunday (also known now as Mothers’ Day) and is a boon to card manufacturers, florists, chocolate makers and pubs and restaurants. Fathers’ Day is on Sunday 15 June this year.
Tue 1 Apr. All Fools’ Day. A chance to carry out the odd good humoured prank like suggesting online that Bristol be renamed West Bath or that Harry Kane and Jude Bellingham have agreed to play for Bath City during the summer friendlies.
Wed 2 Apr. Talk at The Bath Royal Literary and Scientific Institution (BRLSI) on Weir’d Bath: Power from the River Avon. 7.30pm. Tony Coverdale on how the development of Bath’s weirs has helped the city’s fortunes over the years. Pulteney Weir is an iconic structure, but why have it in the heart of Bath? What was its purpose? Together with the two weirs at Twerton, it was key to Bath’s fortunes. The weirs were built to help provide power to flour and textile mills when the world relied on renewable energy – but they blocked the river. How then could the Avon be made safe for boats to travel from Bath to Bristol and beyond? Come along to hear the fascinating story of Bath’s weirs and how they and the Avon have been adapted to meet the needs of more recent times. Tony Coverdale is a Chartered Engineer with a passion for history, particularly the application of science in engineering. He is a STEM Ambassador, aiming to introduce engineering to new audiences, and was involved with the Saltford Brass Mill Project between 2007 and 2023. As a retired Royal Navy engineering officer, he continues to provide consultancy services on the management of safety in hazardous industries and his voluntary work is currently focused on the conservation of St Thomas a Becket’s Church, Widcombe.
Thu 3 Apr. Museum of Bath at Work. Talk on Building a New Steam Locomotive in the 21st Century. Neil Taylor of the Bath Railway Society gives an insight into the BR standard locomotives which were seen as the pinnacle of steam engines. 7.30pm. All welcome. Vicitors £5. Refreshments available.
Thu 3 Apr. Moorland Library open from 3-5pm. The community run library is now open on Thursday afternoons on a trial basis until 26th September. Other times are Tuesday 10am-4pm, Saturday 10am-1pm. The library is run by volunteers while the books are from the main library service in Bath. New volunteers are always needed visit the website for details at https://www.moorlandroadcommunitylibrary.com/
Tue 1-Mon 21 Apr. Bath Comedy Festival. There are numerous events at different venues beginning with Togas to Go at the Roman Baths – a Roman comedy – with a new act competition during the fortnight – with the Rondo Theatre, The Ring O Bells, Komedia, the Pizza Company upstairs, Nowhere Tavern, The Grapes, Chapter 22, Burdall’s Yard, the Guildhall and The Bell Courtyard amongst the venues with the final of the new act competition wrapping it up on Mon 21 April at the Old Theatre Royal. Details of all the acts that includes that famous TV Fox Basil Brush at https://www.bathcomedy.com/whats-on
Fri 4 Apr. Rondo Theatre. Rock the Tots: Transport. Musical comedy show for small children. 11am. Created by Steph & Craig Mitchell. Beep beep! Rock The Tots returns, and this month’s theme is all about modes of transport. We will have all your fave vehicles in there, probably even a few you’ve forgotten about! Tunes will include Kylie, Blur and Fleetwood Mac – to name but a few! Live guitar, singing, props and puppets, funny memes and – of course – great tunes that you know and love. Sessions are approximately 1 hour long, without an interval. Suitable for children aged 0-6, and their adults. Under 1s go free! Please note that space is limited so, if you can, ditch the buggy and bring a sling instead.
Fri 4 Apr. Widcombe Social Club. Chris Wood in concert. Upstairs in the Wharf room AOTA presents England’s passionate, compassionate, fierce, acute, witty, uncompromising and influential singer of traditional songs and composer of songs in the tradition – there’s no-one quite like Chris Wood. 7pm.
Fri 4-Tue 22 Apr. School Easter Holiday Break.
Mon 7-Sat 12 Apr. Jane Austen 250th Celebrations. Guided tours of places associated with the author based at the Gainsborough Bath Spa Hotel.
Wed 9-Sun 13 Apr. Bath Archaeo-Heritage Film Festival. It brings history to life with films, talks and workshops. Venues in the little Theatre, Burdall’s Yard and the Museum of Bath architecture. See Bath Box Office for events and movies.
Fri 11 Apr. Widcombe Social Club. Iain Bellam’s IBQT with Huw Warren. Upstairs in the Wharf room AOTA presents IBQT – the eponymous quartet led by saxophonist and composer Iain Ballamy to feature his own music and the music of his longstanding musical collaborators – none closer or more empathetic than pianist and compose Huw Warren who takes the keyboard chair in this iteration of IBQT, with bassist Nick Pini and drummer Mark Whitlam. 7pm.
Sun 13 Apr. Nigel Havers: Talking Bllcks. An evening with the actor at the Main House at Theatre Royal Bath. 7.30pm.
Sun 13 Apr. Fairfield House Bath. Guided Tours of the home of the former Heile Selassie of Ethiopia. 12noon and 1.30pm. Lunch available at the home now a day centre. Also on 27 April.
Sun 13 Apr. Museum of Bath Architecture. The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari with Live Score. Part of the Bath Archaeo-Heritage Film Festival, a five-day celebration of archaeology and heritage in cinema. In the atmospheric setting of the Museum of Bath Architecture, musician Hugo Max will perform a live score to Robert Wiene’s German Expressionist masterpiece The Cabinet of Dr Caligari. Hugo Max is a musician, artist and filmmaker. Hugo performs live improvised scores to silent films on solo viola, regularly soundtracking screenings at London’s Prince Charles Cinema and Picturehouse Cinemas across the UK. In 2024 he presented his first nationwide tour accompanying a selection of classic silent horrors and thrillers. Find out more at BAHfilmfestival.co.uk 6.30pm.
Tue 15-Sun 20 Apr. Dylan Moran Solo Exhibition at 44AD Artspace. The first solo exhibition by renowned comedian, actor and writer Dylan Moran who deploys mixed media to create his highly original pictures.
Fri 18 Apr. Good Friday. Bank Holiday. Bath Abbey – Family Service at 10am. All churches locally will be holding services to mark this important date in the Christian calendar of the crucifiction of Jesus Christ. Easter Sunday on the 20th is the date of his resurrection and again there will be family services in places of Christian worship locally.
Sun 20 Apr. Easter Sunday meeting at Bath Racecourse. Full card from noon. Free entry for under 18s with entertainment for kids – plus of course the geegees in seven races.
Mon 21 Apr. Easter Monday. Bank Holiday. Easter Egg Hunts at Bath City Farm, University of Bath and Dryham Park. Prior Park also has egg themed family fun weekend.
Sun 27 Apr. Jewish Cemetery Open Day. 11am to 4pm, entrance free. Combe Down on Bradford Rd by the roundabout entrance to Mulberry Park, 1 Greendown Place BA2 5DD.
Wed 30 Apr. Holy Trinity Church Combe Down. Knit and Natter. 3-5pm. Bring your yarn project to the social knitting group.
Sun 4 May. Widcombe Social Club. Gnoss. AOTA presents traditional music from Scotland upstairs in the Wharf room. Scottish artists GNOSS bring a rich tapestry of acoustic layers, outstanding musicianship, deep traditional roots and contemporary flair to their scintillating performances.
Fri 16 May. Party in the Park. Part of The Bath Festival featuring music and literature that runs to Sun 25 May. See https://bathfestivals.org.uk/the-bath-festival/
Sat 17-Sun 25 May. Bath Literature Festival. Held at various venues the festival includes sessions with l line-up that includes Ben Okri, Carol Klein, Lionel Shriver, Jeremy Vine, David Baddiel, Sayeeda Warsi, Joanne Harris, Martin Clunes, Robert Macfarlane, Rev Richard Coles, Jojo Moyes, Emma Barnett, Ruth Jones, Max Hastings, Ivo Graham, Alan Johnson, Kit de Waal, Mike Tindall and Reeta Chakrabarti.
Sat 17-Sun 25 May. Bath Music Festival. Details to come.
Sun 15 Jun. Bike Bath. The event begins at the Recreation Ground and features three routes of 27, 54 and 77 miles. Members of the public can take part – see https://www.iconiccyclingevents.co.uk/bikebath
Fri 26 Sep-Sun 5 Oct. Bath Children’s Literature Festival.
Thu 27 Nov-Sun14 Dec 2025. Bath Christmas Market. Yes – Bath Voice has mentioned the Christmas word in April.

Picks of Diary Events outside Bath

Thu 24 Apr. Wells Cathedral. The Music of Pink Floyd by Candlelight. 7.30pm. Performed by What The Floyd? Prog-rock event.

Theatre Picks in Bath

Mission Theatre
Tue 15-Thu 17 Apr. Switzerland by Joanna Murray-Smith. A taut, psychological thriller, re-imagining the final days in the life of the renowned crime novelist – author of The Talented Mr. Ripley, Strangers on a Train and Carol. A Misplaced Theatre porudction. 7.30pm.
Wed 30 Apr-Sat 3 May. The Arsonists. By Max Frisch (adapted by Alistair Beaton). Playing Up Theatre stage a gripping dark comedy that masterfully explores the dangers of moral complacency and denial. The story follows Biedermann, a seemingly respectable businessman, who naively invites two strangers into his home despite clear signs they may be arsonists. 7.30pm.

Rondo Theatre
Wed 2 Apr-Sat 19 Apr. Comedy at the Rondo. Wed 2 Apr. Rob Auton with The Eyes Open and Shut Show; Thu 3 Apr. Alex kealy: The The Fear; Fri 4 Apr. Markus Birdman: We Are All In The Gutter, But Some Of Us Are Looking At The Gutter; Sat 05 Apr. Eshaan Akbar: Live 2025; Wed 9 Apr. Daniel Sinclair: Comedy Hypnosis Show; Thu 10 Apr. Jack & Jordan: Cosmic Twegheads; Fri 11 Apr. Jukebox Mashup Live Request Show; Sat 12 Apr. Harriet Kemsley: Everything Always Works Out For Me; Wed 16 Apr. Huge Davis: Album For My Ancestors; Thu 17 Apr. Simon Munnery: On Tour; Fri 18 Apr. Andrew Bird: A Ticklish Mind; Sat 19 Apr. Scottish Falsetto Socks: Post Office Scandal the Musical; check with the Rondo for times and tickets.
Wed 21-Sat 24 May. Lucky Stiff. Merriman Community Theatre production of Lynn Ahrens adn Stephen Flaherty’s comedy musical mystery farce. When Harry Witherspoon inherits $6milion dollars from an uncle he’s never met, it seems too good to be true. But to earn the money he has to take his uncle’s body for a weekend on the French Riviera, leading to complications. 7.30pm.

Theatre Royal Bath Main House
Tue 22 Mar-Sat 12 Apr. Alfred Hitchcock Presents – The Musical. A stellar cast tell extraordinary interwoven tales of betrayal, blackmail and homicide from the Master of Suspense, Alfred Hitchcock, the creative genius behind many iconic movies.
Mon 14-Sat 19 Apr. Pride and Prejudice* (*sort of). Men, money and microphones will be fought over in this irreverent but affectionate adaptation where the stakes couldn’t be higher when it comes to romance. This multi-award-winning production features a string of pop classics including Young Hearts Run Free, Will You Love Me Tomorrow and You’re So Vain.

Wed 23-Sat 26 Apr. Cruel Intentions. Following sell-out seasons in London and New York, the brand-new smash hit musical Cruel Intentions is coming to Bath. Based on the iconic film and inspired by Les Liaisons Dangereuses, it’s packed with ‘90s pop classics including the songs of Britney Spears, Boyz II Men, Christina Aguilera, TLC, R.E.M., Ace of Base, Natalie Imbruglia, The Verve, *NSYNC and many more!

Egg Theatre
Wed 2-Sun 6 Apr. Romeo and Juliet. School friendly production at various times in the day. This visually dynamic and interactive production draws the audience fully into the world of Shakespeare’s legendary star-crossed lovers, bringing to life the sound, heat and colour of Verona, the dark threat of the feud between their families and the ever-increasing speed at which events hurry the lovers to their inevitable doom. In this highly acclaimed adaptation, Box Clever ensures that Romeo and Juliet do not remain literary creations distant from the 21st century.
Fri 4-Sun 6 Apr. Macbeth. School friendly production at various times in the day. Shakespeare’s exploration of the equivocation of evil and the unleashing of its brutal, destructive force is brought vividly to life by Box Clever in this physically and emotionally charged production. Vibrant language and physical theatre chart the devastating effect that one act of evil can have on an otherwise honourable and loyal man – we see how the ripples of that act spread to destroy both Macbeth himself and all those for whom he cared. As their actions are challenged by a third character who also brings the wider world of the play to life, Macbeth and his wife are seen to become ever more prey to the devastating horrors they have unleashed as they move inevitably towards their doom.
Fri 11-Sat 12 Apr. The Periodicals. Performed by Theatre Royal Bath Theatre School. In the not so far future a group of teenagers are on the run! Living off the land, off grid in their own rubbish dump turned paradise. The education authorities are desperate to get them back to school, led by a ruthless education minister who would stop at nothing to ensure everyone is back in the system. But for these fugitives’ school is not an option, as they scramble to secure a life where they can thrive under their own rules. Can they allude the authorities forever? And what are the authorities so worried about anyway?2pm and 6pm.
Tue 15-Wed 16 Apr. Space Oddity. Performed by Theatre Royal Bath Theatre School. An abandoned spaceship. A memory echoing through space and time. A final call for help? Or a message that could save humanity? Who was The Major? and what did he want us to know…Space Oddity is a new devised piece of theatre inviting audiences to go deep into space in an immersive experience, exploring human nature and reflecting on our place in the stars. 2pm and 6pm.
Thu 17-Sat19 Apr. Return to the Forbidden Planet. Performed by Theatre Royal Bath Theatre School. Meet the crew of Starship Albatross, out on a routine survey flight under the command of capable Captain Tempest. When the ship crash lands on the planet D’llyria the crew comes face to face with its inhabitants – mad scientist, Doctor Prospero, his daughter Miranda and their trusty robot Ariel. But not all is as it seems… and dark secrets threaten to resurface.
Sat 26-Sun 27 Apr. The Mystery of The Egg. A DMS Productions and Little Angel Theatre co-production. An Interactive Murder Mystery Show. Calling all trainee detectives! Join us for The Mystery of The Egg, a brand new, board-game style theatre show where your skills are needed to solve this thrilling murder mystery. 11.30am and 3pm.

Ustinov Studio
Mon 28 Apr-Sat 3 May. Playhouse Creatures. Anna Chancellor stars in this new production of April de Angelis’ bawdily funny and deeply poignant play. After civil war, England’s theatres have finally reopened and, for the first time, women are allowed to perform in public. In the West End, grande dame Mrs Betterton rules the roost. But there’s a new face in town: an orange-seller with dreams of stardom. Playhouse Creatures celebrates five women grabbing this newfound freedom and making their way in an unfamiliar world. But at what price?

Theatre Picks outside Bath

Bristol Old Vic Theatre
Wed 12 Mar-Sat 5 Apr. Romeo and Juliet. A co-production with Bristol Old Vic, Belgrade Theatre, and Hackney Empire. The original play, originally scored – with rap and R&B. 2.30pm and 7.30pm. £12.
Wed 23 Apr-Sat 3 May. The House Party. It’s Julie’s 18th birthday, and she’s throwing a party in her father’s extravagant townhouse. Her boyfriend has just dumped her and her long-suffering best friend Christine is trying to pick up the pieces. As the revellers pile into the booze, down in the kitchen Christine and her boyfriend Jon – son of Julie’s cleaner – clear up and dare to dream of the future.

Cheltenham Everyman
Fri 25-Sat 26 Apr. Jekyll And Hyde. Robert Louis Stevenshon’s classic story has enthralled and fascinated the world for more than a hundred years……perhaps because a Mr. Hyde lurks deep within us all, watching….and waiting…..Presented by Isosceles Theatre Company. An experiment to separate virtue from wickedness in his own nature results in the respectable Dr. Jekyll releasing the demon within: a malevolent force which will eventually possess him body and soul.

Swindon Arts Centre
Thu 3 Apr. Macbeth. Dickens Theatre Company present the Bard’s bloodiest tragedy! With the infamous Porter acting as narrator, an ensemble of 6 actors create a cauldron of characters, as Macbeth and Lady Macbeth make their perilous descent towards Hell.

Exhibition Picks in Bath

American Museum, Bath. Claverton. Myths and Memories. Renaissance Maps. Until 22 June, 2025. A rare collection of Renaissance maps, presented as works of art, spotlighting their incredible artistry, design and range of forms. A collection reframed by a new curation that invites a range of perspectives, including inspiration from contemporary Indigenous views on the remapping of native land. Featuring maps that are near impossible to see in public – of the few examples that exist, most are in private collections or libraries where they are rarely displayed.
Bath Medical Museum. The Hetling Pump Room, 1 Hetling Court BA1 1SH. Exhibitions: Collections include records dating back to the 1740s, as well as artefacts and photographs relating to rheumatology, medicine and pharmacy.
Herschel Museum of Astronomy. It is located in a town house at 19 New King Street that was formerly the home of William Herschel and his sister Caroline and features a permanent display of prints, objects and everyday items from the Georgian era when the Herschels lived there including telescopes. There is also a new object: a Gregorian Reflector telescope created by James Short, the pre-eminent telescope maker of the 18th century. The telescope, which is on long-term loan from Richard N. Blythe of Shropshire, was created between 1738-1768.
Holburne Museum. At the heart of the Holburne Museum is the collection of Sir William Holburne (1793-1874), fifth baronet of Menstrie. Exhibitions: Joshua Donkor: I have more souls than one – a Ghanian-British painter who grew up in Bath. Using a range of different painting and printing techniques, he literally embeds the histories of his sitters into the work, combining their image with layered visual references to the items they picked out together. to May 5. Iconic: Portraiture from Francis Bacon to Andy Warhol – to May 5. Diedrick Brackens: Woven Stories. To May 26.
Museum of Bath at Work. Julian Rd, Bath BA1 2RH. Enter the world of working Bath through a series of authentically reconstructed workplaces, workshops and display galleries. Exhibition: All Day Long: The Workers of Bath in Fifty Portrait Photographs. Coming this year: Tennis in Bath. Work and play form June 1; and Knowing your Place, Bath through community alphabets from June 27.
Museum of East Asian Art. MEAA’s collections consist of some 2,000 objects. The majority of these are of Chinese origin, spanning from 5,000 BC to the present. The tea ceremonies run on Thursdays every month.
Victoria Art Gallery. Exhibition: Perry Harris: Essence of Bath. To 13 April. A free exhibition of work by local cartoonist and landscape artist Perry Harris; Mirror of Mirth: Satire in Georgian Bath. To 21 April. Step into the scandalous world of Georgian Bath, with satirical works by Thomas Rowlandson and John Nixon.

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Bath Voice News: What’s On in November including exhibitions and theatre picks with Christmas on the agenda!

October 29, 2024

Pick of Diary Events in Bath

Fri 1 Nov. Bath Abbey: The Four Seasons and The Lark Ascending by Candlelight with the London Concertante. 7.30pm.
Fri 1 Nov. Bath Racecourse. Fireworks. 7.30pm. See their website for details and tickets.
Sat 2 Nov. Bath Rotary Club. Fireworks at the Rec. Gates will open at 4.30pm, giving a chance to buy refreshments and choose your spot. All funds raised will go to our two main charities for the event The Glasshouse Academy, creating positive lifestyles for the next generation, and Southside, supporting individuals and families living in Bath and North East Somerset to make positive changes in their lives and to other Rotary supported charities. Advance booking only. No tickets available on the gate.

Tue 5 Nov. The Forum. Fulltone Orchestra in concert with Cantiamo. A performance of Enya’s Watermark Album. Watermark was Enya’s second studio album but was her first major commercial success. It catapulted her to international fame, largely due to the popularity of the hit single Orinoco Flow. Cantiamo features 15 female singers. 7.30pm.
Wed 6 Nov. Beckford’s Tower Talk at Widcombe Social Club. 7.00pm. Dr Amy Frost to talk about Beckford’s Tower which has recently undergone a £3.9million conservation and reimagining project supported by the National Lottery Heritage Fund.
Wed 6 Nov. Galdem – Young Women’s Group. Bath City Centre Youth Space. At 28 Southgate St, Bath. Some new groups in the City Centre have recently started that young people can come along to if they would like. All of these are open to all young people 11-19 (yr7+ and up to 25 if additional needs). Galdem is a space for empowering, supporting and enabling young women. In Galdem young women can just get together, chat over what ever they want to, make some crafts and enjoy being together as young women.
Thu 7 Nov. Tiny Tales – Picture Book Reading Group. Topping & Company Booksellers of Bath York Street. The group meets every first Thursday of the month at 9:30am. Each month they will select a handful of brilliant new picture books which the booksellers will read to the group. It will last for approximately 45 minutes. Tiny Tales is for children aged 2 to 5 years-old. They will have stories, colouring-in, and silly games as well as juice and biscuits for 45 minutes of fun. It’s free of charge, but we would appreciate it if you could sign up to help them estimate numbers. Parents and carers are asked to stay and have a coffee. 9:30am-10:15am.
Fri 8 Nov. Widcombe Social Club. Free live music. 5.30pm-9pm.
Fri 8-Sat 16 Nov. Bath Mozartfest 2024. For over 30 years Bath Mozartfest has built an enviable reputation for artistic excellence in chamber and orchestral music. For a list of concerrts see https://bathmozartfest.org.uk/
Sat 9 Nov. Bath Craft Fair. Weston Free Church & Hall (Moravian) High Street, Weston, Bath. Stroll through the stalls of the talented local crafters and local businesses at the Bath Craft Fair every second Saturday.12:00 pm – 4:00 pm
Thu 14 Nov. Talk: Decoding Teaching and Pedagogic Research. Bath Medical Museum. In collaboration with the Centre for Learning Enhancement And Research at the Chinese University of Hong Kong. Free but registration is essential at enquiries@bathmedicalmuseum.org. 2pm.

Thu 14 Nov. Victoria Art Gallery. Art Store Tours. Join a curator and explore the wonderful paintings, drawings and sculptures in the permanent collection housed in Victoria Art Gallery’s art stores. 12pm-12:45pm.
Fri 15 Nov. Mission Theatre. Mozart by Candlelight. 7:30pm The Bristol Ensemble’s highly entertaining Mozart by Candlelight concert takes you on a journey through some of Mozart’s best loved works with interesting and amusing anecdotes offering an insight into the mind of this genius composer.
Sat-Sun 16-17 Nov. Widcombe Christmas Market. 10.30am-4pm. Widcombe Social Club, The Natural Theatre and St Matts Church Bath, BA2 6AA. See http://www.widcombechristmasmarket.com/
Sun 17 Nov. Green Park Station. Bath Independent Market. Explore the Bath Independent Market for unique gifts, precious gems and new experiences. Make sure to take a walk through the stalls at Green Park Station. From 11am.
Thu 21 Nov, The Argyle String Orchestra Winter Concert. St Luke’s Church, Wellsway, Bath. The programme features, amongst other works, Bach’s beautiful Concerto in D minor for two violins and Vaughan William’s Fantasia on a Theme by Thomas Tallis. Homemade cakes and hot drinks available during the interval. Tickets £10 on the door or £9 online at www.ticketsource.co.uk/argyle-string-orchestra. www.facebook.com/ArgyleStringOrchestra 7.30pm.

Fri 22 Nov. Bath Spa University. Goat Song. A highly visceral style of performance with live vocal-looping, and stunningly poetic visual imagery. A theatricalised music gig, touching on death, love and music’s transformative power through catastrophic times 7.30pm.
Sat 23 Nov, Bear Flat Artists Christmas Art Fair and Market. 10am to 5pm, Free Entry. Methodist Church Hall, off Wellsway, Bruton Ave, Bear Flat. Festive event with handmade gifts and unique affordable artwork on sale including ceramics, glass, illustration, jewellery, mosaics, paintings, photography, prints, sculpture, wood turning, festive tree decorations and more. Buy direct from artists and makers and find out about the making processes. www.bearflatartists.co.uk
Fri 29 Nov. Male choir in concert at Komedia. Only Men Aloud present A Merry Little Christmas. They were formed in the year 2000, with the hope they could inject some new life and blood into the Welsh Male Choir tradition.7pm.

Thu 28 Nov-Sun 15 Dec. Bath Christmas Market. Bath Abbey area with over 230 chalets, food and drink stalls, and a light display.

Wed-Sat, 4-7 Dec. Mission Theatre. Ruddigore by WS Gilbert and Arthur Sullivan. Presented by Bath Gilbert and Sullivan Society. 7:30pm. Mat Sat 2pm. When shy, retiring Robin Oakapple is uncovered as the villainous Sir Ruthven Murgatroyd, inheritor of the curse of Ruddigore which compels him to commit a crime each day, his romance with the faultlessly virtuous Rose Maybud is doomed. But things take a turn for the worse when he struggles to fulfil the curse, and his ancestors’ portraits begin to haunt him.
Sat 7 Dec. Christmas Choral Concert. St Stephen’s Church, Lansdown. With CitySound Voices choir with The Harmonics and mezzo-soprano Cassie Dalby, as they
perform Christmas Magic, a sparkling programme of seasonal music. The concert is in aid of The Peggy Dodd Centre. £12 (under 18s £5) on the door. 7.30pm.
Tue 10 Dec. Christmas Concert for the RUH. All Saints Church, Weston. The evening will be hosted by celebrity antiques expert Paul Martin, with live performances from local choirs, bands and solo musicians, readings from local members of the community and RUH staff members, your chance to win brilliant festive prizes in our Christmas raffle and enjoy seasonal refreshments and delicious festive treats. 6-8:30pm. Adult tickets at £16 and Child tickets at £7. Tickets available at https://ruhx.org.uk/events/christmas-concert/

Picks of Diary Events outside Bath

Sat 2 Nov. Bridgwater and more Somerset Carnivals. The nation’s oldest carnival and one of the world’s largest illuminated processions. Get there early as around 80,000 people line the streets of the Somerset town – the procession starts at 6pm. If you can’t make that date then there is a whole list of carnivals in Somerset: Burnham on Sea – Monday 4th November 2024 @ 19.30 hrs; Weston Super Mare – Friday 8th November 2024 @ 19.00 hrs; North Petherton – Saturday 9th November 2024 @ 19.00 hrs; Midsomer Norton – Monday 11th November 2024 @ 19.30 hrs; Shepton Mallet – Wednesday 13th November 2024 @ 19.30 hrs; Wells – Friday 15th November 2024 @ 19.00 hrs; Glastonbury – 16th November 2024 @ 18.45 hrs.

Fri 8 Nov. Downend near Bristol. Fireworks Display. Westerleigh Road. Round Table event. Tickets in advance only from https://downendrt.co.uk/buy-tickets.

Theatre Picks in Bath

Mission Theatre

Friday 1st & Saturday 2nd November, 2:00pm & 6:30pm Through the Looking Glass by Lewis Carroll, adapted by Jacob Hulland. Tuesday 26th – Saturday 30th Nov.
Tuesday 26th – Saturday 30th November A Monster Calls by Patrick Ness. 7:30pm. Matinee Saturday 30th November, 2:00pm. Conor has been haunted by a recurring dream every night since his mum fell ill. But now, something else is haunting Conor – something wild, powerful, and unpredictable. There’s a monster at Conor’s window and it wants the truth from him.

Rondo Theatre

Sat 2 Nov. The Little Mermaid. 7pm. Dance show created by Sarah Sigley. Presented by New Works Ballet Theatre. Based on the classic Hans Christian Anderson fairy tale, it is a story of friendship, life under the sea, unexpected love, and even a dancing seahorse!
Wed 6-Sat 9 Nov. The Real Inspector Hound. By Tom Stoppard. Presented by Playing Up Theatre Company. When critics Moon and Birdboot settle down to review a play, little could they know where the evening would take them. Tom Stoppard’s play within a play hilariously parodies a manor house murder mystery, with outrageous red herrings, unclear motives, sudden deaths, romantic intrigue and unexpected reveals of identity. 7:30pm. Community Theatre.
Wed 20 Nov. Double Bill: Crystal and William. Written by Calum Grant. Tic Tac Toe Theatre Company. Crystal is a sex worker who is having her first meeting with a new customer. Unfortunately things quickly take a turn for the worse when she discovers his real identity. William – Ted hides from the press in a rundown bedsit after testifying in court against his own brother, William. This play focuses on the impact a violent crime has on the perpetrator’s immediate family. 8pm. Professional Theatre.
Wed 27-Sat 30 Nov. A Streetcar Named Desire. By Tennessee Williams. Presented by Rondo Theatre Company. Fading Southern Belle, Blanche DuBois, depends on the kindness of strangers and is adrift in the world. When she arrives to stay with her sister Stella in a crowded, boisterous corner of New Orleans, her delusions of grandeur bring her into conflict with Stella’s crude, brutish husband Stanley. 7:30pm. Community Theatre.
Fri 6 Dec. Rock The Tots: Christmas. Steph and Craig are back to give you and your little ones some Christmas Cheer! This gig will be packed full of wonderful, familiar Christmas tunes. 11am. Age 0-6, and their adults.

Theatre Royal Main House

Thu 24 Oct-Sat 2 Nov. Summer 1954. Table Number Seven and The Browning Version by Terence Rattigan. Evenings 7.30pm. Matinees Thurs & Sat 2.30pm. Double bill of Rattigan plays with Nathaniel Parker and Dame Siân Phillips in an ensemble cast.
Tue-Sat 12-16 Nov. Filumena. Amidst the heat of a Neapolitan spring, Filumena Marturano (Felicity Kendal) lies on her deathbed, waiting to marry the man who has kept her as his mistress for twenty-five years. No sooner than they are married, she makes a miraculous recovery. Matinees Weds, Thurs & Sat 2.30pm.
Mon-Sat 20-15 Nov. Birdsong. Sebastian Faulks’s epic story of love and loss returns to the stage marking the 30th anniversary of the international best-selling novel. Matinees Weds, Thurs & Sat 2.30pm.
Thu 12 Dec-Sun 12 Jan. Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. Pantomime with Olivia Birchenough, Jon Monie, Nick Wilton, Emma Norman and George Olney.

The Egg

Wed-Thu 6-7 Nov. Flock. Drama by Lin Coghlan. Robbie wants nothing more than to be a grown up, and live with his sister Cel. Cel wants to go to university and find the kind of love her mother never had. They both want to be free from the care system. 7pm. Age 14+.
Fri 29 Nov-Sun 5 Jan. Snow Mouse. Performed by Caroline Garland or Oliver Langdon Step into a winter wonderland where the woods are blanketed in white. As a child hurries to put on their winter clothes and run outside to play in the sparkly new world. 9.30am, 11.30am & 1.30pm. Age 6mths-4yrs.

Ustinov Studio

Fri 1-Sat 2 Nov. Funny Mummy. Alyssa Kyria in her one woman show that includes jokes and songs about everything from pregnancy to play dates, Whatsapp groups to school runs.

Fri 29 Nov- Sat 11 Jan. Robin Hood. Written by Daniel Bye. The legend of Robin Hood pulses with the irrepressible spirit of youthful friendships and the quest for a fairer world, igniting this timeless tale for a new generation.

Theatre Picks outside Bath

Axbridge Town Hall

Wed-Sat 20-23 Nov. A Midsummer Night’s Dream. Community theatre production of Shakespeare’s romantic comedy transported to a 21st century rock festival.

Bristol Old Vic

Wed 2 Oct – Sat 2 Nov. Reverberation. Adapted After a personal tragedy, Jonathan has withdrawn from the world, with little social life beyond the men he meets online. When the enigmatic free spirit Claire moves into the flat upstairs, she tries to coax him out of his shell. Drawn together by a mutual need for emotional attachment, they form a connection, but the past eventually reverberates into the present, threatening the happiness they’ve found.

Thu 5 Dec-Sat 11 Jan. The Little Mermaid. Written by Sonali Bhattacharyya. Directed by Miranda Cromwell. A re-imagining of the Hans Christian Andersen fairytale about love, hope, and how no one is too small to change the world.

Redgrave Theatre, Bristol

Sat 23-Sat 30 Nov. Treasure Island. Bristol Old Vic Theatre School production based on the novel by Robert Louis Stevenson

Exhibition Picks in Bath

American Museum, Bath. Claverton. American Road Trip. 9 Mar-31, Dec, 2024. Images, sounds and sets allowing you to experience a trip across the USA.
Herschel Museum of Astronomy. It is located in a town house at 19 New King Street that was formerly the home of William Herschel and his sister Caroline and features a permanent display of prints, objects and everyday items from the Georgian era when the Herschels lived there including telescopes.
Holburne Museum. At the heart of the Holburne Museum is the collection of Sir William Holburne (1793-1874), fifth baronet of Menstrie. William seemed destined for a naval career but, following the death of his elder brother Francis, he inherited the family title and a modest fortune. He left the navy and embarked on an eighteen-month Grand Tour of Europe, visiting Italy, the Alps and the Netherlands. This sparked a life-long interest in art and his enthusiasm for collecting. He particularly loved bronze sculptures, silver, porcelain and Dutch landscapes. Exhibitions: Neon Dreams: Chila Kumari Singh Burman until 12 January 2025; Uncanny Visions: Paula Rego and Francisco de Goya until 5 January 2025.
Museum of Bath at Work. Julian Rd, Bath BA1 2RH. Enter the world of working Bath through a series of authentically reconstructed workplaces, workshops and display galleries. Exhibition: All Day Long: The Workers of Bath in Fifty Portrait Photographs; Developing Health & Independence (DHI), the local social inclusion charity, is celebrating its 25th anniversary with an exhibition from 5-8 Nov.
Museum of East Asian Art. MEAA’s collections consist of some 2,000 objects. The majority of these are of Chinese origin, spanning from 5,000 BC to the present. The tea ceremonies run on Thursdays every month. Kimono: The Making of a Cultural Icon. 5 July 2024 to 14 December 2024. MEAA, in partnership with The Ezen Foundation, is excited to reveal that our new exhibition will celebrate the beauty of the Japanese kimono.
Victoria Art Gallery. Exhibition: Bath Society of Artists 119th Annual Open Exhibition from 13 Oct to 11 Jan to 2025. Browse and buy from a huge variety of artworks by some the region’s top artistic talent.

Exhibition Picks outside Bath

Bristol Museum & Art Gallery. Queens Road. Exhibitions: Bristol Photo Festival: Hashem Shakeri – Staring into the Abyss. His images capture daily life as the country readjusts to life under the Taliban. Until 12 January 2025; Wildlife Photographer of the Year 60. 100 stunning photographs showcasing Earth’s extraordinary diversity and highlighting the fragility of wildlife on our planet. Until 27 April 2025.
Bristol. Georgian House Museum. Bristol Photo Festival: Akosua Viktoria Adu-Sanyah – The House is a Body. Akosua Viktoria Adu-Sanyah is a German-Ghanaian artist. Her work centres upon the colour darkroom, where she uses the materials of photography, paper, light and time, to investigate familial bonds, personal loss, identity and structures of institutional power. Until 31 December.

Send listings to harryfmottram@gmail.com

Bath Voice Monthly Newspaper is distributed free to thousands of homes and some supermarkets – distributed from the first of the month. Harry Mottram is the News Editor

Email him at news@bathvoice.co.uk Bath website: https://bathvoice.co.uk/news/
Bath Facebook: https://tinyurl.com/bdtf2kep  Also on Twitter: https://twitter.com/bath_voice Read the newspaper online at :https://issuu.com/bathvoice

To advertise to thousands of Bathonians call Shaun on 07540 383870 or email him on sales@bathvoice.co.uk

Harry Mottram is a freelance journalist. Follow him on Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, Pinterest, Telegram, TikTok and  Email:harryfmottram@gmail.com
Website:www.harrymottram.co.uk Mobile: 07789 864769

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Bath Voice What’s On in March: story time in the library, Elevate Festival, USA photography exhibition at the American Museum and Heathers The Musical

MARCH 6, 2023

Regular events in Bath
Mondays
Widcombe Choir. Widcombe Social Club. 7.15-9pm. For details see the Widcombe Association website.
Tuesdays
Central Library with Bath La Leche League. Meet the friendly breastfeeding support for mums. 10-11.30am. Details at Email: mara.rl.richards@gmail.com or call 01225 339023 (Mara) or 01225 317631 (Helen).
Old Theatre Royal Tours. Guided tours every Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday & Saturday of The Masonic Hall in Bath, also know as the Old Theatre Royal.
Wednesdays
Widcombe Wayfarers Walks. Meet on the 2nd Wednesday of every month, starting at 10am at the west end of Widcombe Parade. Walks last between 1-2 hours and are medium paced. Come dressed for the weather, with suitable footwear and be prepared for a few climbs. Walks are limited to 20 people and registration is now compulsory. The walks are free but if you would like to make a small donation to this event you can do so when you register. See the Widcombe Association website for details.
Widcombe. St Matt’s Widcombe. Coffee morning at 10.30am. Come down and enjoy a cup of tea or coffee.
Southdown Methodist Church. Warm Spaces. 1-4pm. Southdown Methodist Church Centre and Thursdays 10-4pm offering a warm space, refreshments and activities.
Thursdays
Story Time at Bath Library. 12noon to 12.30pm. Let’s share stories and books at the library! Perfect for families with children aged 0-5. No booking required.
Bath Good Afternoon Choir. They meet every Thursday at the Central United Reformed Church in Argyle Street Bath from 2pm to 4pm. The choir is led by Grenville Jones, where the accent is on social singing for people who have afternoons free.
Fridays
Bath Mosque – Al-Muzaffar. Friday prayers. Check website for various times. https://bathmosque.org.uk/
We Get It. Walcot House. Bath based charity offering support to anyone who has been diagnosed with any cancer or who is supporting someone with cancer. The friendly & informal Get Together at Walcot House, 90B Walcot Street, Bath, BA1 5G between 10AM-11:30AM. You are very welcome to join us for a coffee and a chat .For more information see our website – wegetit.org.uk – or email us at together@wegetit.org.uk
Saturdays
Bear Flat Community market and café. Third Saturday of every month, from 9:30am to 12:30 pm in the church hall on Bruton Avenue. To book a stall, email market@bearflat.org.uk
Walcot Antique and Flea Market. The market is every Saturday from 7.30am to 4pm.
Bath Farmers’ Market. Green Park Station. Every Saturday at 9am-1.30pm. You will find quality, fresh, seasonal produce at a fair price. The goods are sold directly by the people who produce them and everything usually comes from within a 40 mile radius of Bath.
Sundays
Magdalene Chapel, Holloway. Holy Eucharist – 10am at the Chapel
Church of Our Lady & St Alphege Mass 11am, 6pm. Oldfield Lane.
St Luke’s, Wellsway. 10am. Service of worship, prayer and teaching.
St Matthew’s, Widcombe. 2nd and 4th Sundays of the month 10:30am Contemporary Family service.
Bath Abbey. Holy Communion 8am using the 1662 Book of Common Prayer. This service includes a sermon, but no hymns, and lasts for 45 minutes.

Theatre Picks In Bath
Thu 16 Feb-Sat 18 Mar. Ustinov Studio. Charlotte & Theodore. Meet Lotty and Teddy. Two dreamers – colleagues, lovers and then man and wife – determined to make a difference in their worlds, and to keep the spark In their relationship and their family alive. But can they do this as academics on a university campus where every well-intentioned thought, each well-meaning gesture and idealistic good deed can have unexpected and long-lasting consequences?
Tue 28 Feb-Sat 4 Mar. Theatre Royal Bath. Noughts And Crosses. Sephy is a Cross and Callum is a Nought. Between Noughts and Crosses there are racial and social divides. A segregated society teeters on a volatile knife edge. As violence breaks out, Sephy and Callum draw closer, but this is a romance that will lead them into terrible danger. This gripping Romeo and Juliet story by acclaimed writer Malorie Blackman and adapted by Sabrina Mahfouz is a captivating drama of love, revolution and what it means to grow up in a divided world. Adapted from the story which inspired the hit BBC TV drama series.
Wed 1-Sun 5 Mar. The Egg Theatre. I Want My Hat Back Trilogy. Two turtles have found a hat. The hat looks good on both of them. But there are two turtles. And there is only one hat.
Thu 2–Sat 4 Mar. Mission Theatre. The Visit by Friedrich Dürrenmatt. Presented by Bath University Student Theatre. One of the world’s richest people, Claire Zachanassian makes a visit to her former debt-ridden home town of Güllen. She makes an offer to save the town from its dilapidated state by offering a sum of money that one could only dream of. However, it comes with one condition. Expelled from her town in disgrace as a teenager, Zachanassian seeks revenge over her ex-lover, Alfred Ill, and asks the Güllenites to kill him in return for one billion.
Fri 3-Sun 19 Mar. Elevate Festival at the Theatre Royal Bath’s pop-up venue. Artists from across the region, the two-week programme of diverse events showcases new writing, dance, theatre for families, rehearsed readings, drag entertainment and scratch nights – all proudly presented by a range of locally-based amateur, emerging, graduate or professional performers from Bath, Bristol, Somerset, Wiltshire and Gloucestershire.
Tue7-Sat 19 Mar. Theatre Royal Bath. The Ocean at the End of the Lane. Returning to his childhood home, a man finds himself standing beside the pond of the old Sussex farmhouse where he used to play. He’s transported to his 12th birthday when his remarkable friend Lettie claimed it wasn’t a pond, but an ocean–a place where everything is possible.
Thu 9-Sat 10 Mar. Rondo Theatre. Habeas Corpus. Alan Bennett’s farce presented by Bath Spa with the graduating students from BA Acting and BA Theatre and Festival Production. Habeas Corpus follows the comings and goings in the Wicksteed home. The pleasures of the body (‘corpus’) are the driving passion for everyone gathered together with family, friends and colleagues.
Fri 10 Mar. Theatre Royal Bath. Lockdown Blues. Six women, six stories, six lockdown blues. Comedy drama.
Sat-Sun, 18-19 Mar. The Egg Theatre. Dinosaurs and all That Rubbish. An imaginative adaptation of Michael Foreman’s environmental tale with dancing dinosaurs, fuelled by rock’n’roll. This riotous hour, packed with signature Roustabout silliness, will have you tapping your toes from start to finish!
Tue 21-Sat 25 Mar. Theatre Royal Bath. Heathers The Musical. A black comedy rock musical based on the eponymous 1988 film about school girls.
Wed 22 – Sat 25 Mar. Rondo Theatre. The Memory of Water. The Rondo Theatre Company perform Sheelagh Stephenson’s dark comedy of sisters and sibling rivalry.
Thu 23 Mar. St Alphege’s Church, Oldfield Lane. The Argyle String Orchestra Centenary Concert. Includes work by Handel.
Fri 24 Mar. Ustinov Studio. Learning to Fly. The story of a remarkable friendship James made when he was a lonely, unhappy teenager with the scary old lady who lived in the spooky house on his street.
Tue 28-Sat 31 Mar. Roper Theatre, Hayesfield School Upper Oldfield Park. Oklahoma! Students of Beechen Cliff and Hayesfield Girls’ School and Bath Theatre School bring Rodgers and Hammerstein’s musical to the stage.
Wed 29 & Thu 30 Mar. Rondo Theatre. Escape to Wonderland. Inspired by the words and stories of Lewis Carroll, WhimsiCo’s debut play Escape to Wonderland combines poetry, music, and prose to explore grief, love, identity, and growing up in a time when it is incredibly hard to do so.

Theatre Picks Outside Bath
Wed 1- Fri 3 Mar. Bristol Malcolm X Community Centre, Bristol. A Midsummer’s Dream. A heart split into 2. Set beneath a glittering, ethereal surface you will find Shakespeare’s dazzling play transformed into a macabre Edwardian fable from Bristol Old Vic Theatre School.
Tue 7-Sat 11 Mar. Alma Tavern Theatre, Bristol. Tender Napalm. Misplaced Theatre returns to the Alma Theatre with Philip Ridley’s explosive, poetic and brutal play contains sexual language and threats of violence. 8pm.
Fri 10-Sat 18 Mar. Tobacco Factory, Bristol. This House. UK politics is in crisis and the country is in economic peril. Fights break out in the Houses of Parliament and the government whips can barely contain the chaos. Sound familiar? Well this time, it’s 1974 and in this not so distant past, Westminster. Bristol Old Vic Theatre School production.

Pick of Diary Events in Bath
Mon 27 Feb-Sun 5 Mar. 4 Abbey Street. Art Exhibition. Protection Exhibition is a collection of works by nine artists.
Fri 3 Mar. Widcombe Social Club. Live music from Wiltshire’s Happy Kingsley. Music starts at 6:30pm. Expect this show to make you laugh, cry and ultimately wonder how he makes the acoustic guitar sound like you’ve never heard it before.
Sat 4 Mar. Victoria Art Museum. New English Art Club Exhibition Tour with Peter Brown. 1pm. Discover the stories behind the paintings in our latest exhibition, Capturing Life: A Century of the New English Art Club.
Mon 6 Mar. Bath Royal Literary and Scientific Institution, 16 Queen Square. Bath Natural History Society. A talk on Beetles and their world. 7pm (coffee) for 7.30pm start. Admittance: £2 members, £4 non-members. For further information please see the website: bathnats.org.uk The Bath Royal Literary and Scientific Institution has a long series of talks and events – too many to list here but see what’s on visit https://www.brlsi.org/whats-on/
Wed 8-Fri 10 Mar. Mission Theatre. Mid-Somerset Drama Festival. Three days of acting, verse speaking, mime and much more from young performers around Bath and the South West.
Fri 10 Mar. Widcombe Social Club. Gypsy Swing Jazz. Free from 6.30pm.
Sat 11 Mar. Widcombe Social Club. Disco night. 1980s – so get your glad rags on and have a boogie – from 8pm.
Sat 11 Mar. Burdall’s Yard. Viva Vocals. Female voices community choir from Corsham, directed by John Sandford and accompanied by Michelle Howarth on keyboards. Their strapline is ‘Sing Yourself Happy’ and that is what they strive to achieve at each practice and concert opportunity.
Sat 11 Mar. Bath Abbey. Abseil in aid of the Genesis Trust. See their website for details of how to take part.
Sat 11 Mar. Hayesfield School. Bath Symphony Orchestra – Scandinavian Spring Concert. Music includes Sibelius Karelia Suite, Grieg Peer Gynt Suite No. 1 and Sibelius Symphony No. 1.
Sun 12 Mar. Komedia. Drew Hall Trio. 2-4pm. Bath-based singer songwriter & soul singer based in Bath, in the UK. His musical style provides a combination of bluesy, soulful & easy listening sounds with a unique & strong singing voice, and a distinct, contemporary style of guitar playing that sets a perfect tone, and puts you in wonderfully chilled state of mind. Free.
Mon 13 Mar. The Forum. London Symphony Orchestra with Barbara Hannigan. Programme includes Olivier Messiaen L’Ascension and Gustav Mahler Symphony No 4
Fri 17 Mar. Widcombe Social Club. Just Parsons. Pizza and tales of questionable romance with the music of Parsons. Music starts at 6:30pm, free.
Fri 17-Sat 18. Bath Abbey. Karl Jenkins Symphonic Adiemus and the Fulltone Orchestra. The Fulltone Orchestra and a massed choir. Music from Vangelis, Hans Zimmer and John Williams.
Sat 18 Mar. Burdall’s Yard. Sober Sundays. The band will release their new new single ‘Rabbit Hole’ at Burdall’s Yard.
Sat 18 Mar. St Luke’s Church, Hatfield Road, Bath BA2 2BD. Cappella Nova: Fly Me To The Moon concert. 7:30pm In aid of 5k Your Way, a community-based initiative for those living with and beyond cancer and their families and friends.
Sun 19 Mar. Burdall’s Yard. Plucky Devils, from 2pm. An impromptu performance group for guitarists (and lutenists), open to pluckers of all ages and stages. Led by Burdall’s Yard’s resident musician (and incorrigible punster) Sam Brown.
Mon 20-Tue 21 Mar. The Forum. The Dance Umbrella. Bath & North East Somerset School Sport Partnership. The showcase for schools’ dance, and it provides children with meaningful and enjoyable learning experiences outside of the classroom. The Dance Umbrella brings together young people from across the local area in a celebration of dance and movement.
Wed 22 Mar Widcombe Social Club. Aly Bain & Phil Cunningham, Scottish folk duo.
Thu 23 Mar. Holburne Museum. Gardeners Question Time. A panel of expert gardeners and landscape designers will field questions from the audience.
Fri 24 Mar. Burdall’s Yard. The Dunwells. folksy rocky sound that was a sell out last time they played the yard.
Sat 25 Mar. St Stephen’s Church, Lansdown. Coronation Concert: Handel-Haydn-Mozart. Bath Cantata Group. King Charles III will be crowned on 6 May. Bath Cantata Group looks back to previous coronations in this concert performing Handel’s Coronation Anthems, composed for George II in 1727 and Mozart’s Coronation Mass, composed for Francis II in 1792 as Holy Roman Emperor. Haydn’s joyful Trumpet Concerto in Eb completes our programme with soloist Eliza Talman.
Sat 25 Mar. Christchurch. Bath Tub Orchestra in collaboration with Ramshackle Orchestra. The orchestra is a mixed ability orchestra that plays all kinds of music from pop songs, jazz, blues, film soundtracks and classical favourites.
Thu 30 Mar. Holburne Museum. Galliarde Ensemble Concert. An Enlightened Heart project highlights the music and performing traditions of women in the eighteenth-century.With the inclusion of new pieces for early instruments commissioned by group members from young female composers Jenni Pinnock and Rebecca Rowe. The quartet features the young recorder player Kate Allsop who recently completed her graduate studies at the Birmingham Conservatoire gaining a first and winning the course prize. Kate is joined by the seasoned performers Sara Stowe (harpsichordist and singer), Ibi Azziz (viol) and Matthew Spring (lutes and viols).
Wed 5 Apr. Bath Abbey. St. John Passion – J.S. Bach. The Abbey Girls and Lay Clerks perform alongside baroque specialists Rejouissance. As we move through Holy Week towards Good Friday come and hear one of the most moving Christian works ever written by one of the greatest composers who ever lived. The Abbey Girls and Lay Clerks perform alongside baroque specialists Rejouissance. Featuring Ruairi Bowen as Evangelist
Pick of Diary Events outside of Bath
Tue 7 Mar. Clifton Conservation Centre. Dormice talk. Journey through a year in the life of this endearing, endangered inhabitant of Leigh Woods and see how it is faring in and around Bristol.
Wed 8 Mar. Wesley’s New Room, Bristol. Talk: Who was John Wesley? From speaking out against the slave trade to improving prison conditions and empowering women, John Wesley is little-known in Bristol. However, his story of childhood drama lost loves and commitment to social justice is worth discovering.
Sat 11 Mar. St James Priory, Bristol. Easter by Candlelight. Exultate Singers returns to the medieval church of St James Priory to perform a feast of beautiful Renaissance and Baroque choral music from Italy, Portugal and Spain.
Sun 19 Mar. Trinity Centre Bristol. St Patrick’s Parade and Street Party. The parade will depart form Trinity at 12.30pm heading through Old Market and along Castle Park before finishing with a huge party in and around St Nicholas Street. Free.

Exhibition Picks in Bath
American Museum, Bath. Claverton. The Museum features collections from the United States where you can visit room sets that recreate periods of American history giving the feeling that someone has just stepped out, as well as our world-renowned folk art, quilt and map collections. The Exhibition Gallery features America in Crisis from 11 March to 4 July 2023. Take the rare opportunity to see this major American photography exhibition with over 80 works from 39 top American photographers, exploring social change in the US through the lens of a diverse group of artists from the 1960s till today.
Museum of Bath at Work. Julian Rd, Bath BA1 2RH. A Visual Record of a City at Work exhibition continues with photos and videos. Enter the world of working Bath through a series of authentically reconstructed workplaces, workshops and display galleries. Two thousand years of working life are on display from a Victorian ironmongers and engineering works, a soft drinks making factory and even a Bath Stone mine working, all on show in a former Real Tennis court, dating from 1777. Displays in two galleries: Landscapes and Livelihoods and Knowing Your Place.
Victoria Art Gallery. Capturing Life: A Century of the New English Art Club This exhibition will combine work by current New English Art Club members alongside a core of over 30 paintings by illustrious past members. You’ll have the chance to see major pieces by John Singer Sargent, Philip Wilson Steer, Gwen John, Walter Sickert, Stanley Spencer and Winifred Nicholson. Until 11 April.
Holburne Museum. Illustrating the World of Woodcuts in the Age of Durer. This is a rare opportunity to view the complete set of woodcuts known as The Great Passion, produced by the most famed artist of the German Renaissance, Albrecht Dürer (1471-1528). Until 23 April; Alberta Whittle: Dipping below a waxing moon, the dance claims us for release: newly commissioned sculptures. Until May 8 2023.
Herschel Museum of Astronomy. Commemorating 200 years since the death of William Herschel. Star Viewfinders. Come and make a star viewfinder and take part in the National Star Count. Find out how light pollution can affect our views of the constellations and see how many stars you can spot from your back garden. Drop in activity. Free with museum entry. Activity will run daily in the gallery from Saturday February 11th.
Museum of East Asian Art. Revolution, Propaganda, Art: Printmaking in Modern China. Continues to 3 June 2023. The exhibition showcases a series of prints selected from Muban Educational Trust’s collection of over 6,000 and tells the story of China’s twentieth-century wars, revolution and rejuvenation. The exhibition explores artistic trends, political movements and technical developments in modern Chinese printmaking. The works presented mark several significant anniversaries in China’s modern history, including the May Fourth Movement (1919), the founding of the Chinese Communist Party (1921), and Lu Xun’s seminal printmaking class, which symbolises the origin of the Modern Woodcut Movement (1931).

Exhibition Picks outside Bath
Bristol Museum and Art Gallery, Queens Road. The art of Japanese porcelain. The exhibition examines how Japan became the global leading makers of porcelain between 1640 and 1680. Until 30 July 2023. We Were Everywhere: World war experiences from pre-Partition India. This exhibition explores the experience of Indians and Pakistanis during the world wars and the partition of India. Until 5 March 2023. Sweet Patootee Arts: Turning Point. A series of four short films by Sweet Patootee Arts inspired by oral histories about the Black Caribbean experience after WWI. Until 5 March 2023.
Stonehenge Visitor Centre. Circles of Stone: Stonehenge and Prehistoric Japan is a new exhibition celebrating the rich culture of prehistoric Japan. Through a number of exquisite objects, some seen for the first time outside of Japan, the exhibition tells the story of Japanese settlements and stone circles of the middle and late Jomon periods, roughly the same time when Stonehenge was built and used. Until 20 August 2023.
Do you have an event you would like to be included in the next edition – email Erica at erica@bathvoice.co.uk or call her on 07402 441485.

Bath Voice Monthly Newspaper is distributed free to thousands of homes and some supermarkets – distributed from the first of the month. Harry Mottram is the News Editor

Email him at news@bathvoice.co.uk

Bath website: https://bathvoice.co.uk/news/
Bath Facebook: https://tinyurl.com/bdtf2kep

Also on Twitter: https://twitter.com/bath_voice

Read the newspaper online at :https://issuu.com/bathvoice

To advertise to thousands of Bathonians call Erica on 07402 441485 or email her on erica@bathvoice.co.uk

Harry Mottram is a freelance journalist. Follow him on Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube etc

Email:harryfmottram@gmail.com
Website:www.harrymottram.co.uk

Mobile: 07789 864769

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Theatre Picks In Bath
Tue 29 Nov-Sat 3 Dec. Mission Theatre. Racing Demon. Next Stage Theatre Company’s patron is David Hare, who penned this play about the clergy. Originally written in 1990, this fascinating glimpse into the working lives of the clergy remains fiercely topical today. Ex ITV newsman Bob Constantine directs, with Brian Fisher as the Rev Espy.
Thu 1 Dec. Rondo Theatre. The Ghost of a Smile. Two of Charles Dickens’ ghost stories directed by Gavin Robertson and performed by Nicholas Collett.
Fri 2 Dec. Rondo Theatre. Casting the Runes; Two Ghost Stories by M R James. Nunkie Productions bring two classic stories in this one man show.
Sat 3 Dec. Rondo Theatre. The Bean Spillers: the Improvised Musical. Created & Performed by Sam Cochrane & Alex Prescot. High comedy based on audience suggestions.
Thu 8-Sun 18 Dec. Rondo Theatre. The Naturals’ Christmas Cracker. Widcombe’s Natural Theatre Company with a bonkers celebration of Christmas.
Thu 8 Dec-Sun 8 Jan. Theatre Royal Bath. Aladdin. Traditional pantomime with its origin of a mash up of the Arabian Nights and the emergence of China in the late 18th century. With Jon Monie (who used to star in Bath’s pantos with the late Chris Harris) as the titular character with a guarantee of high humour, classical references and big song and dance numbers.
Fri 9 Dec-Sat 31 Dec. The Egg Theatre. Midnight Mole. Day time curtain up times aimed at very young children and their parents. A story set in a cherry orchard full of puppetry and music.
Fri 9 Dec-Sun 15 Jan. The Egg Theatre. Five Children and It. Written by Marietta Kirkbride, and based on the novel by E Nesbit the show was big success last year gaining a five star review from Bath Voice.
Sun 11 Dec and Wed 14 Dec. Mission Theatre. Cold and Magic: Winter Baroque. Performed by Joe Levy, and accompanied on piano by Leila Kermani with Baroque music of 17th and 18th Century Europe.
Sat 17 Dec. Roper Theatre. Cinderella. Pantomime. No need to travel to Bristol or Salisbury. See the rags to riches story here in Bath performed by the young people of Stagecoach Performing Arts.
Tue 20 Dec-Sat 31 Dec. Ustinov Studio. Christmas Carol. Masterson’s one man performance of Charles Dickens’ redemptive tale of Ebenezer Scrooge. The novel that helped to create our modern day Christmas.

Theatre Picks Outside Bath
Fri 25 Nov-Fri 2 Dec. Bristol Redgrave Theatre. Robin Hood and Marian. The Bristol Theatre School students stage Theresa Heskins’ musical version of the folk hero ideal for children and schools.
Thu 24 Nov-Sat 7 Jan. Bristol Old Vic Theatre. The Nutcracker. Transported to a fantastical kingdom where toys come to life, nutcrackers can talk and just about anything feels possible, Clara soon discovers that it’s not just mice lurking beneath the floorboards.
Sat 26 Nov-Sun 8 January. Salisbury Playhouse. Cinderella. Traditional rags to riches pantomime.
Thu 1 Dec- Sun 15 Jan. Bristol. Tobacco Factory. The Snow Queen. Join Gerda on her quest to the frozen north as she tries to save her best-friend Kaj from the icy, wicked clutches of The Snow Queen.
Fri 2 Dec-Sun 8 Jan. Bristol Old Vic Theatre. Belle and Sebastian. A Travelling Light and Bristol Old Vic co-production based on the stories of Cécile Aubry. A boy and his dog escape to the mountain in a wild adventure.
Sun 4 Dec-Sat 31 Jan. Bristol Hippodrome. Cinderella. Pantomime with Craig Revel Horwood, Andy Ford as Buttons and Lauren Hampton as Cinderella.
Wed 14 Dec. Bristol Alma Theatre. Word Wizard’s Christmas Cabaret. A mash up of Elton John tribute songs, humour, poetry and quirky story telling.

Pick of Diary Events in Bath
Sat 12 Nov-Tue 3 Jan. Bath on Ice. Royal Pavilion, Royal Victoria Park. Ice skating outdoors and Glow Golf returns.
Thu 24 Nov-Sun 11 Dec. Bath Christmas Market. Meander through the streets of Bath adorned with over 150 twinkling chalets and discover some of the best crafters that the South West and beyond has to offer.
Thu 1 Dec. The Pavillion. U3A. Talk on Wildlife Photography. To join call 01225 318438 or complete the online form on their website.
Thu 1-Sat 31 Dec. American Museum of Bath. The Enchanted Garden of Light is a series of illuminated walks through the grounds.
Thu 1 Dec. Burdall’s Yard. The One and Only. Briony Waite’s story of music hall star Mari Lloyd. Performed by Fiona Battisby, with musical accompaniment by Freya Evans. Marie Lloyd started treading the boards at the age of 15, developing a singing repertoire that combined arch sauciness with lyrical intensity.
Sat 3 Dec. Oldfield Park Infants School Christmas Fair. 11am-2pm. Fun and games, raffle, live music, bar and refreshments.
Sat 3 Dec. St Michael’s Without. Shining Lights Christmas Concert. The children of Bath (Voices for Life) join Noctis Chamber Choir for an evening of festive music. Tickets from Bath Box Office.
Sat 3 Dec. Bear Flat Artists. Christmas Art Fair & Market. 10am to 5pm, Free Entry. Methodist Church Hall, off Wellsway, Bruton Ave, Bear Flat BA2 4QJ www.bearflatartists.co.uk
Sat 3 Dec. Hayesfield Girls’ School. Christmas Fair. 10am – 2pm. 50 exhibitors from the local area creating a festive shopping experience.
Sat 3 Dec. Santa’s Charity Float.
The annual circuit of the city by the man in red will begin at the Orange Grove by the Abbey at 3.30pm for an hour before moving off around the city at 4.30pm.
Sat 3 Dec. King Edward’s School. Christmas Fair. There will also be as a variety of crafts and games for children to enjoy. The café will be selling teas, coffees and soft drinks. There will be delicious homemade cakes, cookies, pizza and soup for anyone who would like lunch.
Sat 3-Sat 24 Dec. Prior Park. Christmas Trail. Dates: 3, 4, 10, 11, 17, 18 and 24 December. Aimed at children, collect a trail card from reception and as you explore the garden, find the 24 doors that represent an advent calendar and open to reveal festive pictures and Christmas messages.
Tue 6 Dec. Bath Forum. Strictly Come Dancing Stars Aljaz and Janette in A Christmas to Remember. The best Christmas Song and Dance show in town runs the publicity. With songs from Phil Spector, Mariah Carey, Michael Bublé, and a whole assortment of pop festive classics, carols and crooners.
Wed 7 Dec. Bath Forum. Swing Into Christmas. Celebrate the festive season in style with the vocalists and instrumentalists of the Down for the Count Orchestra.
Fri 9 Dec. St Michaels Without Bath. The City of Bath Brass Band Family Christmas Concert. Join the City’s Brass Band in it’s Centenary year with a festive concert of traditional and seasonal music. Join in with carols and listen to ever popular arrangements of popular tunes. Tickets available from bathboxoffice.org
Sat 10 Dec. Chapel Arts. Untamed Burlesque. With Renegade Stripper Tuesday, Lady Blue Phoenix, Clay Taurus, Doris Johnson, Violent May, Sal De Bain and compere Fantastic Ms Fanny.
Sat 10 Dec. Bath Abbey. Carol Service. 7pm. With popular favourites, and some unexpected items, there will be carols for the congregation to join in, together with readings. This will be a memorable and colourful evening full of fun and style. This carol concert with a variety of music from all styles features the youngest Abbey Choir, the Melody Makers, and the Boys Choir, the Girls Choir and the Lay Clerks.
Sat 10 Dec. Larkhall URC Church. Christmas Concert with the Bath Tub Orchestra. 7pm – Larkhall URC Church, Avondale Buildings, Bath BA1 6NO. Founded in October 2018, the BathTub Orchestra is a mixed ability orchestra that plays all kinds of music from pop songs, jazz, blues, film soundtracks and classical favourites. To join the group visit https://bathtuborchestra.com/
Sat 10 Dec. Komedia. Uproar Christmas Special. Komedia Bath and Bath Mencap are proud to present Uproar! Christmas Special – A festive edition of our ever-popular club night exclusively for adults with learning disabilities, their families and carers.
Sun 11 Dec. Magdalene Chapel, Holloway. Carol Service. 6pm, with refreshments to follow.
Sun 11 Dec. Bath Contemporary Artists Fair. Green Park Station. Local artists sell their work – a chance for an unusual Christmas gift for someone. http://bcaf.co.uk
Sun 11 Dec. Haycombe Cemetery. Christmas Service. In memory of loved ones at Haycombe Cemetery. 3pm. Preceded by a chance to see the crematorium refurbishments and the new memorial display garden from 10.30am – 2.30pm.
Tue 13 Dec. St Thomas à Becket Church, Widcombe. Pass on a Poem. 7.30pm for 8pm. Enjoy a winters evening of poetry. Choose a poem (by any poet except you) that you would like to read. If you wish to take part contact: Deborah Clements (mail@radnclements.co.uk Tel: 07397 199942 by the 6th December so that she can devise a running order. Refreshments will be available, including wine. Donations are welcome! Organised by the Widcombe Association www.widcombeassociation.org.uk
Fri 16 Dec. Widcombe Social Club. Bill Smarme’s Seasonal Nuts with The Bill Smarme Rock N’ Roll Trio as well as other Nutty guests and happenings. We will also be having a Christmas address from the Reverend Derek Burton (from Twerton).
Fri 16 Dec. Bath Forum. Live at Christmas. Comedy night with a host of stand-ups.
Fri 16 Dec. Bath Independent Christmas Night Market. Green Park Station. Expect art, design, retro, vintage, statement/silver jewellery, handmade products, eco-friendly gifts, homeware, vinyl, top local beverages and music.
Sat 17 Dec. Chapel Arts. It’s The Most Wonderful Time of the Year. Bath’s cult cabaret crooners swing their sleigh ride into town to kick-start the festive season.
Sat 17 Dec. A Christmas Lullaby. St Matthew’s Church, Widcombe Hill. 7.30pm. Details on the Widcombe Association website. The Chamber Choir Cappella Nova with conductor Tony Shield.
Thu 22 Dec. Bath Forum.The Muppet Christmas Carol. The film is screened with a live orchestra.
Sat 24 Dec. Magdalene Chapel, Holloway. Midnight Mass. Early Midnight Mass & Carols for all the family from 7pm.
Sun 25 Dec. Magdalene Chapel, Holloway. Christmas Day Service. Sung Eucharist with Carols. 9am.
Sat 31 Dec. Komedia. Krater Comedy Club NYE Special. Featuring two circuit-leading stand-ups and one of the best comperes in the business!
Sat 31 Dec. Widcombe Social Club. NYE Disco. Ticket required for a rousing party atmosphere to see in the new year.
Thu 5 Jan. The Pavillion. U3A talk on the effects of the Poor Laws.

Pick of Diary Events outside of Bath
Sat 26 Nov-Sat 24 Dec. Avon Valley Railway Santa Specials. Father Christmas has left his home in Lapland and will escort families on the steam train. Includes a grotto at the station in Bitton.
Sun 4-Sat 24 Dec. Father Christmas at Avon Valley Adventure & Wildlife Park. At Pixash Lane, Bath Rd, Keynsham. Meet Father Christmas, take a Reindeer Rocket ride, visit the Enchanted Village – where children can post their letters to Santa.
Thu 8-Sun 11 Dec. Bristol Watershed. Palestine Film Festival with Mediterranean Fever, Huda’s Salon, Eleven Days in May, My Tree and Alam.
Thu 22 Dec. Bradford on Avon. Bathampton Morris men. 7.30pm. A display of Christmas mumming – the ancient story of good v evil played out in public.

Exhibition Picks in Bath
American Museum, Bath. Hatching The Past An exhibition about American Dinosaur Explorers. Until 31 December.
Museum of Bath at Work. A Visual Record of a City at Work exhibition continues of photos and videos.
Victoria Art Gallery. Peter Brown exhibition until 15 Jan. This exhibition features over 100 new oil paintings and prints by the ever popular Bath-based artist, ‘Pete the Street’.
Holburne Museum. Rodin – Degas: Impressionist Sculpture. (Pictured) Until Jan 8. Focus on the artists’ representation of the human body and their expression of its energy through both dynamic poses and static poise; Elisabeth Frink: Strength & Sensuality. Until Jan 8; Richard Smith Kites. Until 17 Dec; Nalini Malani: My Reality is Different Until 8 Jan;
Herschel Museum of Astronomy. Commemorating 200 years since the death of William Herschel. The museum will be exhibiting some artefacts on loan from the Royal Astronomical Society and Herschel Family Archive which will showcase William’s achievements. The exhibition will also acknowledge the important contributions of those working with William, including his sister Caroline Herschel. Until Dec 31.
Museum of East Asian Art. Revolution, Propaganda, Art: Printmaking in Modern China. Continues to 3 June 2023. The exhibition showcases a series of prints selected from Muban Educational Trust’s collection of over 6,000 and tells the story of China’s twentieth-century wars, revolution and rejuvenation. The exhibition explores artistic trends, political movements and technical developments in modern Chinese printmaking. The works presented mark several significant anniversaries in China’s modern history, including the May Fourth Movement (1919), the founding of the Chinese Communist Party (1921), and Lu Xun’s seminal printmaking class, which symbolises the origin of the Modern Woodcut Movement (1931).
Widcombe Social Club: Photography exhibition by Emma Delves. Until 31 December. Viewings available Friday nights and when club is open. Waterside Bar. Deadly is a series of images of supernatural explosion of sensuality and femininity. Emma has styled the models as Vampire, Bride of Frankenstein, Witch, Ghost and various Mythological Creatures and Goddesses. Free entry. (Pictured below)
University of Bath. Richard Smith Exhibition. The Edge. Until 17 December. Free entry. Richard Smith was one of the most innovative and celebrated painters in Britain in the 1960s and 1970s and seen as the father of Pop Art. Open from 11am to 4pm, Wed-Sat, admission is free.

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More news of Bath’s chic community in Bath Voice magazine – now out – or read online at https://issuu.com/bathvoice