morearts : more arts for Wokingham

Progress Theatre: 'Colder Than Here' by Laura Wade

Progress Theatre, The Mount, Off Christchurch Road, Reading RG1 5HL

How to get there.

Progress Theatre presents Colder Than Here by Laura Wade.

"Mum's dying, and you're sitting there reading the paper!"
"Watched pot never boils, love."

Myra is dying. And she's determined to plan for herself the perfect funeral.

Colder Than Here is about a family's reaction to the news that Mum is dying, and how they struggle to get to grips with the reality that they are about to lose the mother and wife who holds things together.

What will life be like without her?

The characters are skilfully drawn and the play manages to be sad without being sentimental; moving and emotional but with a light touch. There is humour along the way, as well as tears. This heart-warming story is the first play written by Laura Wade, who went on to write Royal Court hits Posh and Breathing Corpses, also performed at Progress Theatre in 2010.

Directed by Helen Werrnham.

Tickets: Full £10, Concessions £8 from Reading Arts Box Office (booking fee applies) online at www.readingarts.com or by calling 0118 960 6060 or in person from The Hexagon or Reading Town Hall. Tickets can be purchased at the theatre from 7.15pm on the night with performances starting at 7.45pm

More information: www.progresstheatre.co.uk.

Crowthorne Musical Players: 'Fiddler on the Roof'

Wilde Theatre, South Hill Park Arts Centre, Ringmead, Bracknell RG12 7PA

How to get there.

Crowthorne Musical Players presents Fiddler on the Roof.

In the Russian village of Anatevka, Tevye the milkman and his wife Golde are struggling to bring up their family of five girls in the traditional Jewish way.

But this is 1905 and times are changing. While the Tsar is stirring up anti-Jewish sentiment, Bolsheviks are plotting his downfall.

Back at home, Tevye's strong-willed daughters would rather choose their own husbands - however 'unsuitable' - than have marriages arranged by the local matchmaker.

This much-loved shows portrays life, laughter and love in difficult time, with famous songs such as Matchmaker, Matchmaker, If I were a Rich Man and Sunrise Street.

Book by Joseph Stein, music by Jerry Bock, Lyrics by Sheldon Harnick.

Director: Lucy Seymour. Musical Director: Nick Austin.

Tickets: Tue £11, Wed-Thu £15, Conc £14, Fri-Sat eve £16, Sat Mat £13, Conc £12 from South Hill Park box office at www.southhillpark.org.uk or telephone 01344 484123.

This amateur production is presented by arrangement with Joseph Winberger Ltd on behalf of Music Theatre International of New York.

More information: www.cmp-berks.org.uk.

WLOS presents: 'Sweet Charity'

The Kenton Theatre, New Street, Henley-on-Thames, Oxfordshire RG9 2BP

How to get there.

Woodley Light Operatic Society presents Sweet Charity.

From robbery to accidents, no one's love life can possibly be as eventful and entertaining as that of Miss Charity Hope Valentine - or can it?

Sweet Charity is a tender, poignant and consistently funny look at the adventures, or rather, misadventures in the ways of love encountered by the gullible and guileless lady known as Charity Hope Valentine - dance hall hostess - who always gives her heart, and her earnings, to the wrong man.

Sweet Charity boasts some fabulous show stopping numbers including The Rhythm of Life and Big Spender, and a poignant, consistently funny script. It is a wonderfully uplifting musical that promises to send you home with a smile on your lips.

Directed & choreographed by David Parsonson.
Musical director: Jonathan Heard.

Tickets: £14 to £15 (Concessions available) from 07528 337924 or online at woodleylightoperatic.ticketsource.co.uk.

More information about Woodley Light Operatic Society: www.wlos.co.uk.

Showtime Academy: Performing Arts for 8 - 19 year olds!

The Loft, Finchampstead Baptist Church (FBC) Centre, Gorse Ride North, Finchampstead RG40 4ES

How to get there. Access to FBC available from Nine Mile Ride or Barkham Ride by an entrance on Gorse Ride South and Gorse Ride North.

Established in 1999, the Showtime Academy leads the field in fun, performance based training in the song, dance & drama. Aimed at students aged 8 - 19 years old, we look to produce at least two quality musical performances each year for those with the desire to get up on stage and entertain.

Whilst members of the Academy do not have to have had any previous performing experience, we are looking for people who want to get involved and have fun!

If you have enthusiasm, want to make some great friends, work with experienced West End performers and technicians the Showtime Academy could definitely be the place for you.

More information: www.showtimeacademy.com.